Daily Report Monday, 30 September 2019 CONTENTS · 2019-09-30 · Daily Report Monday, 30 September 2019 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 30 September

Daily Report Monday, 30 September 2019

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 30 September 2019 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (07:08 P.M., 30 September 2019). For the

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

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

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 6

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6

Aviation: Electric Vehicles 6

Biofuels 6

Carbon Emissions 6

Climate Change: Publicity 7

Drax Power Station 8

Electric Vehicles: Finance 8

Energy: Meters 9

Fuel Poverty: North Yorkshire 9

Fuels 10

Housing: Insulation 10

Kilroot Power Station 11

Nuclear Power Stations:

Construction 11

CABINET OFFICE 12

[Subject Heading to be

Assigned] 12

Brexit 12

British Constitution 14

Census: Jainism 14

Civil Servants and Ministerial

Policy Advisers: Security 15

Civil Servants: Conflict of

Interests 16

Conflict, Stability and Security

Fund 16

Elections: Campaigns 17

General Elections 17

Government Chief Digital

Information Officer 17

Government Departments:

Location 18

Malnutrition: Death 18

Ministerial Policy Advisers:

Conduct 18

DEFENCE 18

Armoured Fighting Vehicles:

Procurement 18

Civil Disorder 19

Defence: Expenditure 19

Navy: Technology 22

Unmanned Air Vehicles:

Safety 22

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 23

Broadband 23

Business: Data Protection 24

Cybercrime 25

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Cybercrime: Skilled Workers 25

Entertainers: British Nationals

Abroad 25

Musicians: British Nationals

Abroad 26

EDUCATION 27

Apprentices: Wallasey 27

Children: Day Care 27

Class Sizes: York 28

Education: EU Nationals 29

Free School Meals: Barnsley 30

Higher Education: Standards 31

Music: GCSE 32

Schools: Charitable Donations 32

Sign Language 33

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 33

Air Pollution: Pollution Control 33

Environment Agency: Pay 34

Fracking: Methane 34

Northumbrian Water 35

Plastics: Pollution 35

Plastics: Recycling 35

Plastics: Waste 36

Waste Management: Exhaust

Emissions 37

Waste Management: Wales 37

Water Supply: Chemicals 37

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 38

Brazil: Climate Change

Convention 38

British Nationals Abroad: EU

Countries 38

China: Surveillance 38

China: Terrorism 39

Emigration: EU Countries 39

Forests: Conservation 40

Georgia: Military Intervention 40

Iraq: Religious Freedom 40

Persecution of Christians

Across the Globe Independent

Review 41

West Africa: Religious

Freedom 41

Yemen: Military Intervention 42

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 43

Cancer: Health Services 43

Cancer: Research 43

Epilepsy: Drugs 44

Hormone Replacement

Therapy 44

In Vitro Fertilisation: Single

People 45

Maraviroc 46

Medical Treatments:

Nanotechnology 46

Mental Health Services:

Standards 47

NHS Business Services

Authority: North East and

North West 47

NHS: Drugs 47

Nutrition: Health Education 48

Radioisotopes 49

HOME OFFICE 49

Civil Disorder 49

Gloucestershire Constabulary:

Finance 50

Harassment 51

Immigration Controls 51

Immigration Controls: EU

Nationals 52

Immigration: EU Nationals 52

Merseyside Fire and Rescue

Service 56

Missing Persons 57

Police: Basingstoke 57

Police: Complaints 57

Police: Disciplinary

Proceedings 58

Police: Recruitment 59

Tyne and Wear Fire and

Rescue Service 60

HOUSE OF COMMONS

COMMISSION 61

Prorogation: Costs 61

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 61

Refuges: Females 61

Refuges: Ringfenced Funding 62

Stronger Towns Fund and

Towns Fund: Leigh 62

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 62

Department for International

Development: Staff 62

Developing Countries:

Children 63


Education 64

Developing Countries: Health

Services 64


Taxation 65

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 67

Arms Trade: Export Controls 67

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia 68

JUSTICE 68

EU Law 68

Fines: Surcharges 69

Personal Independence

Payment: Appeals 70

Prison Officers: Employment 72

Prison Officers: Retirement 72

Prison Sentences 72

Prisons: Repairs and

Maintenance 73

Prisons: Violence 73

Rape: Trials 74

Universal Credit: Appeals 75

LEADER OF THE HOUSE 75

Prorogation 75

NORTHERN IRELAND 75

Import Duties: Brexit 75

PRIME MINISTER 76

Government Assistance 76

SCOTLAND 76

Food Banks: Glasgow South

West 76

Food Banks: Scotland 77

Members: Correspondence 77

SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR

THE INDEPENDENT

PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS

AUTHORITY 77

Members: Travel 77

TRANSPORT 78

A34: Repairs and Maintenance 78

A34: Repairs and maintenance 78

Brexit 78

Cycling and Walking: Finance 79

Cycling: Accidents 79

East-West Rail Link:

Electrification 80

High Speed Two: Incentives 80

High Speed Two: Pay 80

High Speed Two: Redundancy

Pay 80

Highway Code 81

Railways: Compensation 81

Road Humps 81

Roads: Construction 82

Taxis: Licensing 82

Thomas Cook: Insolvency 82

Unmanned Air Vehicles:

Safety 83

Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud 83

TREASURY 84

Bank of England: Public

Appointments 84

Bank Services: Older People 84

Banks: Closures 85

Cash Dispensing: Fees and

Charges 85

Companies 86

Companies: Taxation 86

Corporation Tax 87

Debts 87

Dover Port: Large Goods

Vehicles 87

Gambling: Excise Duties 87

Income Tax 88

Low incomes: Food and Fuel 88

Personal savings: Fees and

charges 88

Tax Allowances: Research 89

Tax Avoidance 90

Tax Avoidance: EU Law 90

Thomas Cook: Insolvency 91

WALES 91

Employment: Older People 91

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 92

Disability: Discrimination 92

Equal Pay 92

Members: Maternity Leave 93

WORK AND PENSIONS 93

Children: Maintenance 93

Employment: Older Workers 94

Food Banks: Glasgow South

West 95

Independent Case Examiner 95

Personal Independence

Payment: Medical

Examinations 96

Social Security Benefits: EU

Nationals 96

Social Security Benefits:

Glasgow 96

Social Security Benefits:

Suicide 97

Universal Credit 97

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 99

TREASURY 99

Economy Update 99

Public spending update 99

WORK AND PENSIONS 100 Labour Market Update 100

Notes:

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

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

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Aviation: Electric Vehicles

Luke Pollard: [291128]

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

funding was allocated to research into electric aviation in the last five years.

Nadhim Zahawi:

There are various R&D funding programmes that can help support electric aviation,

such as the Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge (£80 million), ATI Programme

(government investment of £1.95 billion), Future Flight Challenge (£125 million) and

Faraday Challenge (£274 million). These programmes also support a broad range of

other electric or aerospace-related technologies.

Biofuels

Dr Paul Williams: [291116]

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

meetings her Department has had with the bioethanol industry to discuss preparations for

the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

BEIS Ministers and officials have been engaging throughout the country with

businesses of all sizes and their representatives and trade associations, including the

Bioethanol industry. We will continue to engage across the business population to

ensure their priorities are reflected and that businesses have the latest information on

how to prepare themselves for Brexit, including through a targeted series of

roadshows and events.

The Government also has a business readiness website designed to keep

businesses and consumers informed about what no deal might mean for them, with

information on a range of measures that may need to be taken in order to prepare.

These notices are being regularly updated with the latest information, for example

BEIS have published 18 sector specific guides with the top three to six priorities per

sector on GOV.UK. These guides can be easily accessed through an interactive

business search tool: https://www.gov.uk/brexit.

Carbon Emissions

Layla Moran: [290460]

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

Department plans to include the aviation and shipping sectors in the net zero emissions

target.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-09-25/291128


https://www.gov.uk/brexit



Kwasi Kwarteng:

Domestic aviation and shipping emissions are already within our legislated targets.

International aviation and shipping emissions are not currently included within the

UK’s legislative targets under the Climate Change Act. However, the Committee on

Climate Change (CCC) have, to date, taken account of emissions from international

aviation and shipping when providing their advice on setting carbon budgets,

enabling us to leave ‘headroom’ for these emissions in our plans.

The CCC recently provided advice on international aviation and shipping, and the

Government will now consider that advice carefully. The Department for Transport is

committed to setting a clear ambition for the aviation sector and will shortly be

publishing its position on aviation and climate change for consultation.

The Government recognises that international aviation emissions are a global

problem that require a global solution. It is vital that we find an answer that does not

simply displace emissions elsewhere across the world. The UK will therefore continue

to lead the way. . For example, we are committed to the International Civil Aviation

Organisation’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International

Aviation (CORSIA), which was agreed in 2016 and is the first worldwide scheme to

address CO2 emissions in any single sector. The UK is also negotiating for ICAO to

agree a long-term emissions reduction goal by its 41st Assembly in 2022.

Climate Change: Publicity

Stephen Gethins: [290753]

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

has for a UK-wide high profile publicity campaign to raise awareness of the climate

emergency.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The UK has just been nominated to host COP 26, next year’s crucial UN climate

change conference, in partnership with Italy. The main summit, the largest the UK will

have hosted, will be held in Glasgow and will be the culmination of a year of activity,

raising awareness of the climate action in regions and cities across the whole

country.

The first phase of this landmark year will launch at Green GB & NI week early next

year, where we will showcase the opportunities, benefits and challenges of reducing

our emissions to net zero, ending the UK’s contribution to climate change whilst

growing our low carbon economy.

The first Green GB & NI week saw over 100 events held across the UK including

business panels, webinars and a range of community events, alongside Government

announcements and over 60 business pledges worth millions to cut emissions while

continuing to grow the green economy.


Drax Power Station

Alan Brown: [290727]

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

generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Drax GT Power Station

is.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Generation capacity information for GB can be located on the TEC Register on the

National Grid ESO website at

https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/149106/download

Generation capacity information for NI can be located in the annual All-Island

Generation Capacity Statement produced by the Transmission System Operators for

Ireland and Northern Ireland, the most recent of which can be found at

http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-

files/library/EirGrid/Generation_Capacity_Statement_2018.pdf

The Capacity Market provides an effective mechanism for bringing forward capacity

in GB as and when it is needed. The Capacity Market registers (available at

https://www.emrdeliverybody.com/CM/Registers.aspx ) provide a record of which

capacity providers in GB have legal agreements requiring them to make their

capacity available over coming years.

Electric Vehicles: Finance

Chi Onwurah: [291015]

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

to the Prime Minister's speech to the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2019 in

support of electric cars, whether she has plans to allocate additional funding to support

the electric vehicle network; and what progress she has made on the development of that

network.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Government funding and leadership, alongside private sector investment, has

supported the installation of more than 21,000 public chargepoints. This includes over

2,100 rapid chargepoints – one of the largest networks in Europe. The Government

has already allocated further funding. In August it was announced that funding for

local authorities through the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)

would be doubled this financial year increasing from £2.5 to £5 million. Since 2017,

54 local authorities have applied and the ORCS will have helped deliver

approximately 2500 chargepoints by the end of March 2020. Earlier this month the

Treasury launched a £400m public-private Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund,

with the first £70 million allocated for 3000 rapid chargepoints, which will double the

number across the UK.

In July, it was announced that the Government would launch a review into the

national core rapid charging network along motorways and major A roads. We also


https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eirgridgroup.com%2Fsite-files%2Flibrary%2FEirGrid%2FGeneration_Capacity_Statement_2018.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CShamim.Choudhury%40beis.gov.uk%7Cb0ce89e6f28f418f7a3c08d73141cd7b%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637032030991962734&sdata=MdDKvLyklDmG%2B%2FG3M4pnZCyq49Ufne%2FVpOdy%2B0%2Bjjts%3D&reserved=0



https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrdeliverybody.com%2FCM%2FRegisters.aspx&data=02%7C01%7CShamim.Choudhury%40beis.gov.uk%7Cb0ce89e6f28f418f7a3c08d73141cd7b%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637032030991962734&sdata=Hpo4fN%2B81MocmnaBo%2BIvIeY816tzELYb8cb6Hrgxyps%3D&reserved=0

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrdeliverybody.com%2FCM%2FRegisters.aspx&data=02%7C01%7CShamim.Choudhury%40beis.gov.uk%7Cb0ce89e6f28f418f7a3c08d73141cd7b%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637032030991962734&sdata=Hpo4fN%2B81MocmnaBo%2BIvIeY816tzELYb8cb6Hrgxyps%3D&reserved=0


want to ensure that chargepoints are easily accessible for all drivers which is why the

Government announced in July that we want to see all new rapid and higher powered

chargepoints provide debit or credit card payment by spring 2020.

Most charging will continue to happen at people’s homes or workplaces. To support

this we have launched a consultation, running from July to October 2019, on

proposals for new private chargepoints to have smart functionality and related

minimum device standards. Smart functionality will enable electric vehicles to charge

off peak, reducing costs for consumers and demands on the energy system. We are

also consulting to the same timescale on changing Building Regulations to require a

chargepoint in every new home where there is an appropriate parking space, and

minimum infrastructure provision in new non-residential buildings.

Energy: Meters

Douglas Chapman: [290826]

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

energy smart meters in the UK are currently operating in dumb mode.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government publishes quarterly reports on the number of smart electricity and

gas meters installed in Great Britain as part of its Smart Meters statistics collection,

which is available here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics.

Our latest statistics show that as of the end of June 2019, 14.9 million smart meters

in Great Britain were being operated in smart or advanced mode. 2.7 million smart

meters in Great Britain were being operated in ‘traditional’ mode.

The upgrade to the national smart metering network to support the enrolment of first-

generation smart meters is underway to enable these meters to operate in smart

mode. This will happen automatically, without the consumer needing to take any

action.

Fuel Poverty: North Yorkshire

Rachael Maskell: [290714]

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

households in (a) York Central constituency, (b) City of York local authority area and (c)

North Yorkshire are living in fuel poverty.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The latest sub-regional fuel poverty statistics can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-sub-regional-statistics.



https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-sub-regional-statistics

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-sub-regional-statistics

Fuels

Antoinette Sandbach: [291059]

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

assessment has been made of the potential effect on the domestic fuel industry of the UK

leaving the EU without a deal; and if she will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

If the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement, supplies of crude oil, fuel,

and important chemicals for refineries are expected to remain available through the

UK’s diverse supply chains from Europe and the rest of the world.

The Government has been working closely with the fuel industry to minimise the risks

from leaving the EU on fuel supplies. The Government also has a long-standing fuel

supply contingency programme that includes measures that can be deployed in

support of industry to maintain supplies.

Housing: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: [290347]

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

is a requirement that insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation scheme

be of limited combustibility.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

As with any building refurbishment, for insulation delivered under energy efficiency

schemes, including ECO, it is the responsibility of anyone carrying out building work

to ensure compliance with the 2010 Building Regulations. Approved Document B

volume 1: Dwellings (2019 edition) on fire safety covers, among other matters, fire

spread. Local Authorities are responsible for enforcement.

Mr Steve Reed: [290348]

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

was a requirement that any insulation installed under the now closed (a) Carbon

Emissions Reduction Target and (b) Community Energy Saving Programme schemes be

of limited combustibility.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) began in April 2008, and the

Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) was introduced in October 2009.

Both schemes ended in December 2012.

As with any building refurbishment, regardless of whether it was delivered under

CERT or CESP, it is the responsibility of anyone carrying out building work to ensure

compliance with the latest Building Regulations. Approved Document B (2006 edition

incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments) on fire safety covers, among other

matters, fire spread. Local Authorities are responsible for enforcement.




Kilroot Power Station



generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Kilroot GT Power

Station.



generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Baglan Bay GT Power

Station is.



generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Coolkeeragh GT Power

Station is.



generation and (b) allowable capacity for Peterhead Natural Gas Power Station is; what

the reasons for that capacity are; and what the estimated decommissioning date of that

power station is.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Generation capacity information for GB can be located on the TEC Register on the

National Grid ESO website at

https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/149106/download

Decisions regarding TEC are the result of commercial considerations by the owner of

the generating asset and operational considerations by National Grid Electricity

System Operator.

Generation capacity information for NI can be located in the annual All-Island

Generation Capacity Statement produced by the Transmission System Operators for

Ireland and Northern Ireland, the most recent of which can be found at

http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-

files/library/EirGrid/Generation_Capacity_Statement_2018.pdf

Decommissioning decisions are a commercial matter for the company concerned.

Following consultation in November 2016 the Government confirmed its commitment

to put an end to unabated coal power generation in GB from 2025.

Nuclear Power Stations: Construction


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

her Department's policy to develop new nuclear power stations.









Nadhim Zahawi:

The Government believes that nuclear power has an important role to play as we

transition to a low-carbon economy. Our commitment to nuclear power has been

demonstrated in agreeing to the first new nuclear power station in a generation at

Hinkley Point C, as well as launching our landmark £200m Nuclear Sector Deal last

year, which includes providing millions for advanced nuclear technologies.

CABINET OFFICE

[Subject Heading to be Assigned]


To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with

reference to the Cabinet Office's transparency data on ministerial gifts, what estimate he

has made of the total value of all gifts given to the Prime Minister between July 2016 and

July 2019.

Kevin Foster:

Details of gifts given to Ministers are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Information on gifts given to Ministers from April to June 2019 will be published

shortly. Information on gifts given to Ministers from July to September 2019 is

expected to be published in December 2019.

Brexit

Helen Hayes: [290437]

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what

the cost to the public purse is of the get ready for Brexit advertising campaign to date.

Catherine McKinnell: [290765]


the total cost to the public purse is of the Get Ready For Brexit campaign.

Mary Creagh: [290970]

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how

much the Government plans to spend on the Get ready for Brexit campaign via (a)

websites, (b) newspapers, (c) television, (d) search engine optimisation, (e) social media

by platform, (f) billboards and (g) any other medium in (i) total and (ii) each month.

Kevin Foster:

In law the UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October 2019. “Get Ready for Brexit” is a

public information campaign providing the facts citizens and businesses need to

know about the preparations they need to take to be ready for when the UK leaves

the EU.

The campaign is a cross-government campaign using national advertising including

TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor advertising. It also includes direct engagement





and local elements including business preparedness events, ministerial visits and

local authority activity.

The cost of the public information campaign will be published monthly on a rolling

basis, as part of routine government transparency arrangements.

Jon Trickett: [290657]

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, for

what reason parts of Operation Yellowhammer: HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning

Assumptions, published on 11 September 2019 are redacted; and whether he plans to

publish those redacted parts.

Kevin Foster:

I refer the Honourable Member to the letter by the Chancellor of the Duchy of

Lancaster to the Chair of the EU Exit Committee. This was sent to all members in

response to the Humble Address motion of 9 September, and set out the reasons for

redaction.

Mr Gavin Shuker: [290816]

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,

whether he has received legal advice on the compliance of the Get ready for Brexit

campaign with the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019.



steps he has taken to amend the Get Ready for Brexit advertising campaign as a result of

the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019.

Mary Creagh: [290961]


pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2019 to Question 286169 on Government

Communication Service: Brexit, what amendments to the Get ready for Brexit campaign

have been made following the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill receiving Royal

Assent.

Kevin Foster:

In law that the UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October 2019. “Get Ready for Brexit”

is a public information campaign providing the facts citizens and businesses need to

know about the preparations they need to take to be ready for when the UK leaves

the EU.

The campaign is a cross-government campaign using national advertising including

TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor advertising. It also includes direct engagement

and local elements including business preparedness events, ministerial visits and

local authority activity.







assessment his Department has made of the effects of the UK leaving the EU without a

deal that cannot be mitigated; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect

on the UK of those unmitigated effects.


To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he

will publish all the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the effects of the UK leaving

the EU without a deal since 24 July 2019.

Kevin Foster:

The Government is continuing to prepare for our exit from the European Union and

we are making all necessary preparations to ensure we are ready whatever the

circumstances, including a no deal scenario. The Government has published

extensive material relating to Brexit on Gov.UK/Brexit.

The Hon. Member may wish to refer to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster’s

statement to the House on Brexit readiness and Operation Yellowhammer, made on

25 September 2019 for more information relating to this question on the effects and

mitigations to a no deal exit.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also wrote to the Chair of the Commons

EU Exit Committee on 25 September 2019 confirming a document outlining the no

deal mitigations the Government has put in place and intends to put in place will be

published in due course.

British Constitution

Caroline Lucas: [290315]

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he

will consult on a process by which a written constitution for the UK could be determined;

and if he will consult citizens' assemblies as part of that process.

Kevin Foster:

The Government has no plans to introduce a codified (single written document)

constitution for the United Kingdom.

The Government does take a keen interest in initiatives to facilitate discussion and

interest in constitutional issues and the UK’s constitutional arrangements, including

as citizens’ assemblies.

Census: Jainism

Gareth Thomas: [290594]


whether he will hold discussions with the Office of National Statistics on the potential

merits of introducing alternatives to the write-in option and search box to be used in the



https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-09-25/debates/B2BCE472-527C-4549-B23F-A34C4D8F4160/BrexitReadinessOperationYellowhammer

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-09-25/debates/B2BCE472-527C-4549-B23F-A34C4D8F4160/BrexitReadinessOperationYellowhammer



2021 Census to ensure more accurate data on the Jain community in that census; and if

will he make a statement.



plans he has to promote to the Jain population in the UK the ability to identify as a Jain in

the 2021 census, and if he will make a statement.



discussions he has had with the Office of National Statistics to ensure that the religious

classification of Jainism is not confused with the term Hindu; and if he will make a

statement.

Kevin Foster:

The Government will be guided by the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS)

recommendations, to Government and Parliament, regarding the demand for

particular questions in the next census.

These recommendations were published in the White Paper ‘Help Shape our Future:

The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales’ in December

2018 (Cm 9745).

Under the ONS proposals, everyone who wishes to identify as being of the Jain

religion in the 2021 Census will be able to do so using the write-in option and the new

online search-as-you-type facility.

The ONS will work with local groups and organisations to ensure anyone who wishes

to identify as Jain knows that they can use these options to do so. The ONS has

been in discussions with the Institute of Jainology (IoJ) about how best to reach and

work with Jain communities, as well as working with local authorities to identify areas

with Jain communities.

Civil Servants and Ministerial Policy Advisers: Security

Nic Dakin: [290323]


whether (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are required to declare whether they

have ever been involved in actions intended to overthrow or undermine Parliamentary

democracy by political, industrial or violent means in order to gain (i) employment and (ii)

security clearance.

Kevin Foster:

All civil servants and special advisers who are subject to National Security Vetting are

asked the following three questions as part of the clearance process:

“Have you ever been involved in actions intended to overthrow or undermine

Parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means?”




“Have you ever been a member of, or supported, a group or groups involved in any of

the above activities?”

“Have you ever had a close association with anyone, including a member of your

family, who, to your knowledge, has been a member of or given active support to any

such group or activities?”

National Security Vetting is a prerequisite for employment in a large subset of Civil

Service roles, including sensitive posts and special advisers. For less sensitive roles

that do not require vetting, these assurances are not asked of prospective

candidates.

Civil Servants: Conflict of Interests

Bridget Phillipson: [290923]


advice is provided to senior civil servants on the proper disciplinary approach to take

towards civil servants who have been found not to have declared personal interests with

an applicant for discretionary public funds where they are involved in the decision-making

process.

Kevin Foster:

The Civil Service Management Code sets out regulations and instructions related to

civil servants’ terms and conditions of service, including the declaration of private

interests. All civil servants must comply with instructions from their department or

agency regarding the retention, disposal or management of such interests. If

required, disciplinary proceedings are a matter for the department or agency

concerned in the light of the circumstances of each case. HR in each Department will

provide advice about the appropriate procedures to follow.

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Dan Carden: [291044]


pursuant to the Answers of 25 July 2019 to Question 280367 and 17 July 2019 to

Question 276193 and with reference to the findings of the independent assessment

commissioned by the Joint Funds Unit which identified areas where the process could be

improved, what specific recommendations were made for improving the Overseas

Security and Justice Assistance process.

Oliver Dowden:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office lead HMG policy on the Overseas Security

and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance. The Joint Funds Unit audit of CSSF

OSJAs showed that the OSJA process was closely adhered to by programme teams.

Although OSJAs are not required to be completed until after programme design is

finalised, the audit found that many programme managers considered OSJA from

earlier in the process, ensuring that human rights considerations were built into

programmes from the initial stages.



The audit found that a number of simple improvements, such as ensuring the audit

trail of approvals is completed, would help improve the quality of OSJAs across the

board and better reflect the level of analysis given to human rights risks.

As stated in the answer to Question 280367, in response to the audit’s

recommendations the JFU is updating CSSF programmatic guidance and the

Stabilisation Unit is updating its core security and justice training for HMG staff to

align with the revised guidance.

There are no plans to publish the OSJA audit or the recommendations in full.

Elections: Campaigns

Catherine McKinnell: [290766]


when he plans to bring forward the technical proposal for the digital imprint regime.

Kevin Foster:

The Government is committed to increasing transparency in digital campaigning and

on 5 May 2019 announced it will implement a digital imprints regime. The

Government will bring forward the proposal for this regime later this year.

General Elections



whether his Department has recently conducted a risk assessment of its own capabilities

to support a snap election.

Kevin Foster:

The Cabinet Office regularly reviews its capabilities to support national elections. The

Cabinet Office is fully prepared to undertake all of the necessary activity that is

required of it and to work with the Electoral Commission and other organisations

which participate in ensuring effective elections should an early general election be

called.

Government Chief Digital Information Officer



whether the newly created role of Chief Digital Information Officer will replace the unfilled

role of Chief Data Officer.

Simon Hart:

The Chief Digital Information Officer will not replace the role of Chief Data Officer.

The Government intends to appoint a Chief Data Officer by 2020 as we committed to

in the Government Transformation Strategy.




Government Departments: Location



when he plans to announce the next wave of Government hubs.

Simon Hart:

The Government Hubs programme will create sustainable long-term multi-

Departmental Government Hubs delivering value for money for the tax-payer and

creating a modern, flexible estate, facilitating smarter working for civil servants.

Fourteen Government Hubs have already been announced, and market searches are

progressing to source appropriate space for future locations.

As these locations are agreed, further announcements will be made.

Malnutrition: Death

Eleanor Smith: [291075]


estimate he has made of the number of deaths in England with a (a) primary and (b)

secondary cause of malnutrition in each of the last 10 years.

Kevin Foster:

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority.

I have asked the authority to reply.

Attachments:

1. UKSA Response [PQ 291075 (1).pdf]

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Conduct

Stephen Doughty: [290944]


whether any exemptions to the Cabinet Office Code of Conduct for Special Advisers have

been granted to any Special Adviser since the formation of the current Government.

Kevin Foster:

Special Advisers are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

I can confirm no exemptions to this requirement have been granted.

DEFENCE

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement

Chris Stephens: [290751]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the

procurement of new land platforms (a) MRVP and (b) MIV; and if he will make a

statement





Anne-Marie Trevelyan:

The Multi-Role Vehicle - Protected programme is being delivered in two packages.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) has been identified as the preferred option for

Package 1, Command, Liaison and Logistic Vehicles, procured through a Foreign

Military Sales case. A decision on the procurement of JLTV is due in 2020. For

Package 2, Troop Carrying Vehicles and Future Protected Battlefield Ambulances,

the competition is ongoing. Subject to the conclusion of current negotiations and

internal approvals, the competition winner is planned to be on contract early in 2020.

The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme is now in the Assessment Phase

and progress is developing, as internal assessment of the case is undertaken.

Civil Disorder


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the armed forces will be used to

police civil unrest in the event that the scenarios outlined in Operation Yellowhammer:

HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions occur.

Mark Lancaster:

The Ministry of Defence has been working across Government, including with the

Home Office and the National Police Chiefs' Council, to ensure that Government is

adequately prepared for the range of YELLOWHAMMER Planning Assumptions. The

maintenance of public order is the responsibility of the police. There are no plans to

utilise military personnel in the event of civil unrest in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Defence: Expenditure

Nia Griffith: [290891]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Q of the table headed

Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 46 of the Central Government

Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will

publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Service

Personnel Staff Cost.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row R of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations and

Peacekeeping Civilian Personnel Staff Costs.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row S of the table headed







publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations

Infrastructure Costs.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row T of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Inventory

Consumption.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row U of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Equipment

Support Costs.

Wayne David: [290903]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row V of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Other

Costs and Services.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row W of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Receipts

and other Income.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row X of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Capital

Single Use Military Equipment.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Y of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Non-Departmental

Public Bodies Costs (net).








To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Z of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Defence Capability

Admin Service Personnel Costs.

Gerald Jones: [291097]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AA of the table entitled


Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published on 9 May 2019, if he will

publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Defence Capability

DE&S DEL Costs.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AB of the table headed


Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published on 9 May 2019, if he will

publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading War Pension Benefits

Programme Costs.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AC of the table headed



publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Conflict, Stability and

Security Fund.


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AD of the table headed


Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published May 2019, if he will publish

a breakdown of the spending allocation under the Cash Release of Provisions

Administration Costs.


The Ministry of Defence is committed to appropriate transparency of its finances, and

we make regular reports to Parliament on our expenditure as well as being subject to

regular National Audit Office studies on various aspects of our expenditure. In

particular, we produce an account of the Department's actual expenditure every year

in the Annual Report and Accounts, and we also publish annually a detailed report on

the Equipment Plan, focusing on departmental spending on the procurement and

support of military equipment. These reports set out actual expenditure at the end of

the relevant financial year. We published the 2018-19 Annual Report before the

summer recess and the equipment plan report is due to be published later this year.






The figures concerned are estimates and are subject to variations in expenditure that

take place throughout the year as the Department undertakes its business. The

definitive record of our expenditure is set out in the Annual Report and Accounts and

Equipment Plan. The Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2020 will be

published in summer 2020 and the Equipment Plan 2019 is due to be published later

this year. The latest versions of both publications can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-

accounts-2018-to-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-equipment-plan-2018

Navy: Technology


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress the Royal Navy has made on

the development of the NavyX project; and if he will make a statement.


Since being established on 1 April 2019, NavyX is pursuing 15 autonomy projects

across the above-water, surface, underwater and littoral environments. Recent

activity has included delivering the first live trial, integrating autonomous vessels with

HMS ARGYLL at the Defence and Security Equipment International event earlier this

month.

Unmanned Air Vehicles: Safety

Jamie Stone: [291043]

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

safety regulations are maintained when the UK leaves the EU.


The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK competent authority for the

administration of legislation under the Air Navigation Order (ANO). The implications

for the Regulation and operation of all military aircraft, including Remotely Piloted Air

Systems (RPAS), when the UK leaves the EU has been thoroughly assessed by the

Military Aviation Authority (MAA) (which forms part of the Defence Safety Authority)

with relevant measures being developed in the case that the UK leaves the EU

without a deal. This will be ongoing to ensure compliance with all future

developments in this area. The MAA continues to publish guidance to its Regulated

Community.



DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadband

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [291092]

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

Department is taking to meet the Prime Minister's pledge for full-fibre broadband for all by

2025, including in Hampshire.

Matt Warman:

The government is committing to delivering nationwide gigabit capable connectivity

as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, and this government

will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that

those in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind.

The government set out a clear policy direction for the UK’s digital infrastructure in

last year’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. Since then the government has:

- Issued the first Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, which provides the

regulator with context and guidance about Government’s policy priorities and desired

outcomes in the communications markets, including the need for stable and long term

regulation that incentivises investment and ensure competition for gigabit capable

networks.

- Consulted on improving access for network builders to tenanted properties and new

builds.

- Invested public funding in the deployment of gigabit capable broadband in the less

commercial areas of the country. For example, the Government has launched the

£200 million Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme as the first stage in our outside-in

programme to rollout gigabit broadband to the most rural and remote areas of the

country, and the existing superfast broadband programme has pivoted towards full

fibre provision.

The government has plans to build further on this work, including plans to introduce

legislation on easier access to tenanted properties and ensuring new builds have

gigabit connectivity.

Specifically in Hampshire, CityFibre and Toob have both announced plans to invest in

full fibre networks whilst Virgin Media have announced that Southampton will be the

first city they will upgrade to gigabit capable connectivity. Government is also

supporting deployment in Hampshire with projects in Portsmouth and the Isle of

Wight through the Local Full Fibre Networks programme, having already passed over

7,000 premises in Hampshire with full fibre through the Superfast Programme.


Business: Data Protection

Daniel Zeichner: [290351]

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

Department has made of the number of businesses which need to arrange standard

contractual clauses.



Department has made of the cost to businesses of standard contractual clauses to

ensure data flows are legal after the UK has left the EU.



Department has made of the number of contractual clauses arranged by businesses to

permit data flows after the UK has left the EU.

Matt Warman:

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK will become a ‘third country’ under EU

data protection law. Subsequently, personal data transfers from the EU/EEA to the

UK will become restricted and require additional legal safeguards. Any organisation

that receives personal data from the EU/EEA should review their contracts and,

where absent, include appropriate legal safeguards to ensure they can continue to

receive personal data from the EU/EEA. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) are

the most common legal safeguard and will be the relevant mitigation for most

organisations

All businesses and organisations that receive personal data from the EU will need to

take action, in conjunction with their EU/EEA partner. Receipt of personal data from

the EU/EEA is not specific to any one sector or type of business - every organisation

should review their data flows to determine whether they are affected

The implementation cost for SCCs will vary between different organisation depending

on a range of factors, notably the number of existing contracts that require SCCs to

be added. Many businesses will already have contracts including SCCs with non-

EU/EEA countries. For most organisations - including SMEs - taking the required

action should not be excessively costly and does not always require specialist advice.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has built a handy online tool to help

businesses and organisations through every step of the process

DCMS, with Whitehall partners, is undertaking an intensive engagement and

communication effort with businesses and organisations across the UK and in the EU

to highlight the need for action. The Department has worked with the Information

Commissioner's Office to ensure that all available guidance is simple, straightforward

and actionable and that businesses can produce the required SCCs online. There

has been an increase in awareness of the changes that need to be made to prepare

businesses and organisations for the possibility of a no-deal exit and this campaign

will continue as a Government priority.




Cybercrime

Jo Platt: [291082]

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

Answer of 22 July 2019 to Question 277853, whether her Department has set a timescale

for the publication of guidance on the use of DNS over HTTPS.

Matt Warman:

We are working with industry stakeholders and all interested parties to ensure that

any unintended consequences of implementation of the DNS over HTTPS protocol

are addressed. Recommendations on a course of action will be developed in due

course.

Cybercrime: Skilled Workers

Jo Platt: [291081]

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

Department's announcement entitled New boost to increase diversity in nation’s cyber

security industry published on 14 August 2019, what target her Department has set on

the number of people who will be assisted by the third round of funding from the Cyber

Skills Immediate Impact Fund.

Matt Warman:

The Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund encourages a sector-led approach to

stimulating the cyber security retraining ecosystem in a sustainable way. It is

designed to increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing a career in the

cyber security profession. Launched in 2018, the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund

announced its third funding round on 14 August 2019.

We are currently running an open grant competition for proposed initiatives to apply

for funding. We expect to support several new initiatives in this round of funding,

working closely with employers to maximise the employment prospects of the

individuals benefiting from the training programmes. Over 400 people have already

benefited from training supported by previous funding rounds, and our objective is

that greater numbers will benefit as the businesses we partner with further invest in

this sector. The outcome of this programme will be reported in due course.

Entertainers: British Nationals Abroad

Tommy Sheppard: [290400]

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

guidance for musicians and other performers on (a) travelling and (b) working in EU

countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Helen Whately:

Leaving the EU requires musicians and performers to adapt their current processes

as they travel to and work in the EU. We have engaged extensively with stakeholders




to ensure we fully understand these changes and to support the sector with their

preparations..

We have also worked extensively with colleagues across government to ensure

musicians and performers’ interests are being considered as we prepare to exit the

EU. Specific advice regarding travel and working abroad can be found on the

Government’s Get Ready For Brexit webpage.

We are ensuring that latest guidance and updates regarding how organisations can

best prepare for travelling and working internationally forms a key part of our

business readiness preparations. My department is holding bespoke arts industry

workshops designed to support individuals and organisations in the arts, culture and

heritage sectors as they prepare. The government is also holding nationwide events

offering tailored guidance and support which are open to all, to help prepare for

Brexit.

The Association of British Orchestras and UK Theatre have also been granted

Government funding to provide industry briefings, open to those in their sectors and

beyond.

Musicians: British Nationals Abroad


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

has made of the accuracy of the findings by the Incorporated Society of Musicians that

musicians will incur additional costs of up to £1,000 per year when travelling to the EU in

the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Helen Whately:

Our cultural and creative sectors are one of the UK’s greatest success stories. We

will ensure that these sectors continue to thrive and that collaboration with our

European partners continues to flourish beyond our exit from the EU.

My department benefits from, and greatly appreciates, the expertise and research

carried out by trade organisations and umbrella bodies, like the Incorporated Society

of Musicians.

Journeys and routes around the EU are varied and unique to each musician. As such

it is not possible to calculate a single accumulated cost.

However, we have engaged extensively with the cultural sector, and understand the

diverse circumstances of companies, organisations and individual practitioners and

how they may need to adapt as we leave the EU. These include changes for visas,

social security and movement of equipment, including instruments when moving

around the EU. We are working with other colleagues across government to ensure

these are factored into our preparations and future negotiations.




EDUCATION

Apprentices: Wallasey

Ms Angela Eagle: [290696]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships starts there were

in Wallasey constituency in each year since 2010.

Michelle Donelan:

The number of apprenticeship starts in Wallasey local authority in each year since

2005/06 can be found in the table attached.

Figures for 2011/12 onwards are not directly comparable to 2010/11 or prior years as

a Single Individualised Learner Record collection system was introduced in 2011/12.

More detailed breakdowns of starts in local areas, by characteristics such as age,

level and sector subject area are available in the further education data library:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships.

Attachments:

1. 290696_Table [290696_Apprenticeship_starts_in_Wallasey_by_academic_year_2010-

11_to_2018-19 .xlsx]

Children: Day Care

Steve McCabe: [290628]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2019

to Question 281567 on Children: Day Care, to which constituencies the £9.1 million was

allocated.

Nick Gibb:

This year, the Department invested £9.1 million to set up local Holiday Activity and

Food coordinating organisations in 11 local authority areas. They were responsible

for funding and overseeing free holiday clubs so that disadvantaged children in these

areas could benefit from high quality provision during the summer holiday. This was a

considerable increase from the £2 million that was awarded in 2018. The Department

continues to build on its understanding of how free provision can be coordinated and

on information about what works in supporting this sector.

The attached table shows the list of constituencies that benefitted from the

Department’s funding through the summer 2019 Holiday Activities and Food

programme.

Attachments:

1. 290628_Table

[290628_table_Holiday_and_Food_coordinating_organisations_by_local_authority.doc]


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 September

2019 to Question 281570 on Children: Day Care, how many local authority areas did not


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships



meet the duty to provide sufficient childcare in the latest period for which data is

available.

Nick Gibb:

The Department works closely with Childcare Works, our national delivery contractor,

to ensure that all local authorities provide sufficient childcare places in order to deliver

free early years entitlements. Local authorities are required to report annually to

elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient

childcare and make this report available and accessible to parents. At this time, no

local authority has reported that they are unable to meet their duty to provide

sufficient places.

The Department’s Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects data on

registered early years childcare places, including those in maintained schools and

nurseries. Data is available at a national and regional level. A link to the survey can

be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-

providers-survey-2018.

Class Sizes: York


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average pupil to teacher ratio was

in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in York in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb:

The table below provides the average pupil to teacher ratio in state funded primary

and state funded secondary schools in York and England[1] as reported by schools in

each year in November from 2011 to 2018.

Data from before 2011 was collected every year from January and is not comparable

to data collected after 2011 in the School Workforce Census. Data from before 2011

is available here:

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120531061356/https://www.education.g

ov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/statistics-by-

topic/teachersandschoolworkforce/a00196868/pupil-teacher-ratios.

PRIMARY [2] SECONDARY

York England York England

2011 [3] 21.9 20.5 16.1 14.9

2012 21.2 20.5 14.4 14.9

2013 25.4[4] 20.5 15.0 15.0

2014 21.6 20.4 15.3 15.0

2015 25.9 20.5 17.0 15.3

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-providers-survey-2018




https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120531061356/https:/www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/statistics-by-topic/teachersandschoolworkforce/a00196868/pupil-teacher-ratios




PRIMARY [2] SECONDARY

2016 24.3[5] 20.9 17.8[6] 15.6

2017 22.1 20.9 17.3[7] 16.0

2018 21.9 20.9 17.2[8] 16.3

SOURCE: SCHOOL WORKFORCE CENSUS

[1] The England figures are calculated by dividing the total full-time education number

of pupils on roll in schools in each year by the total number of teachers in schools

each year. Where schools are not open on Census day, for both the School

Workforce Census (November), and the school Census (January) they are excluded.

Schools that do not provide either pupil or teacher figures are also excluded. The

School Workforce Census methodology document provides further information,

available here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/811619/SWFC_Methodology.pdf.

[2] Excludes nursery.

[3] Figures prior to 2011 are not available in a complete format.

[4] This figure is based on 50 out of the 52 open primary schools in York in 2013.

[5] This figure is based on 49 out of the 50 open primary schools in York in 2016.

[6] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open secondary schools in York in 2016.

[7] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open secondary schools in York in 2017.

[8] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open schools in York in 2018. All other

figures for York are based on the full set of schools that were open at the time.

Education: EU Nationals


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to

schools on the eligibility of EU citizens without settled status to receive state-funded

education up to the age of 18.

Nick Gibb:

Schools and local authorities cannot take into account nationality or immigration

status when deciding which pupils to admit, and there will be no change to this after

exiting the EU. Parents or carers of pupils who are EU, EEA or Swiss citizens will

need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 2020.

The Department has issued advice for schools on how to prepare for exiting the EU,

which includes information on the EU Settlement Scheme and on accessing school

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/811619/SWFC_Methodology.pdf




places after exiting the EU. The guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-

schools-in-england/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england.

Free School Meals: Barnsley

Stephanie Peacock: [290441]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children in

primary schools in Barnsley were eligible for free school meals in each year since 2010.



secondary schools in Barnsley were eligible for free school meals in each year since

2010.

Michelle Donelan:

The number and proportion of children in state-funded primary and secondary

schools known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in each local authority

are published in the annual ‘School, pupils and their characteristics’ statistical

releases published at the following link:

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

The most recent data covering January 2019 can be found in Table 4c here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-

january-2019.

The underlying data to these releases provides this information at school level.



secondary schools in Barnsley eligible for free school meals went on to higher education

in each year since 2010.

Michelle Donelan:

The department does not publish the number of children eligible for free school meals

(FSM) entering higher education at a local authority level.

The department publishes information at a local authority level on the proportion of

students who entered higher education by age 19 who were eligible for FSM at age

15 in state-funded and special schools.

The attached table shows the estimated percentage of pupils from state-funded and

special schools with free school meal status that entered higher education by age 19

for Barnsley. The percentage has increased from 4% in 2005/06 to 10% in 2016/17.

Attachments:

1. 290444_table [290444 table FSM pupils entering HE age 19 .pdf]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england





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

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

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2019




Higher Education: Standards

Gordon Marsden: [290661]

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

with the Office for Students on the publication of the results of the subject-level Teaching

Excellence Framework prior to the publication of the recommendations of the

independent review of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional (a) evidence and (b) material

his Department has provided to Dame Shirley Pearce's review of the Teaching

Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials

have had with (i) NUS, (ii) UCU and (iii) UUK and (iv) other representative HE groupings

on the implications for the sector of his letter to the Office for Students asking for subject-

level Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) results in 2021.


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

the cost of subject-level Teaching Excellence Framework results in 2021; and whether

funds have been provided to the Office for Students to cover those costs.

Chris Skidmore:

The department regularly discusses the ongoing development of the Teaching

Excellence Framework (TEF) with the Office for Students (OfS). We expect the OfS

to consider the implementation of the TEF in light of the report of the independent

review of TEF by Dame Shirley Pearce, as well as the government’s response. We

intend to lay Dame Shirley’s report before Parliament and publish it alongside the

government’s response as soon as possible.

The department’s analysts provided Dame Shirley and her advisory group

background information and analytical support. This will be published as part of the

supporting evidence base, which will be presented as appendices to her report.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and his officials have not

discussed the paragraphs on the TEF in the strategic guidance letter to the OfS with

representative groups from the HE sectors. Discussions of this type would not

normally be held with these groups in advance of issuing guidance.

The department provides grants to the OfS for the development and delivery of the

TEF. Further discussions will be held with the OfS on estimating costs in future years

when planning for the implementation of the TEF. This will take into account that the

recommendations in the report of the independent review are clear.





Music: GCSE

Paul Farrelly: [290976]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to increase

the number of pupils taking GCSE music.

Nick Gibb:

The Government believes that music is an important subject and that all pupils should

receive a high quality music education, up until at least the age of 14. The subject is

compulsory in the National Curriculum, and the Government is providing funding of

over £300 million for music education hubs between 2016 and 2020.

The Department hopes all pupils who want to study music at GCSE will have the

opportunity to do so. Since 2009-10, the percentage of the GCSE cohort in state

funded schools who take music GCSE has fluctuated but remained broadly stable

between 6 and 7%. It currently stands at 6%.

In order to ensure all pupils are able to enjoy a high quality music education, the

Department is developing and publishing a non-statutory model music curriculum for

Key Stages 1-3.

The model curriculum will provide pupils with the knowledge and skills which enable

them to embark with confidence on a GCSE course of study.

Schools: Charitable Donations


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2019 to

Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, how the income generated by

schools is distributed across schools.



Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, what the income was in cash terms

from (a) donations and (b) voluntary funds in each year since 2010.



Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, what the income was in cash terms

that was generated by schools in each Parliamentary constituency in each year since

2010.

Nick Gibb:

The Department publishes data on donations and voluntary contributions to schools

at national and local level which can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-

data.





The data set includes school income and expenditure data for the financial years

2009-10 to 2017-18 for local authority-maintained schools, and for the academic

years 2011-12 to 2015-16 for academies.

A detailed breakdown by school is available at the following link: https://schools-

financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/Help/DataSources.

The data set includes school income and expenditure data from 2013-14 to 2017-18

for local authority maintained schools and from 2013-14 to 2017-18 for academies.

The data is not available at constituency level.

Sign Language


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

extend the (a) teaching and (b) use of British Sign Language (BSL) in the (i) classroom,

(ii) workplace and (iii) wider society.

Nick Gibb:

The Government is committed to supporting the education of all children and young

people with special educational needs or a disability, including those with a hearing

impairment.

Schools may choose to offer British Sign Language (BSL) in their individual school

curriculum or extra-curricular activities, including offering existing accredited BSL

qualifications. In addition, the Department is developing draft BSL GCSE subject

content, which will be considered against the subject content criteria requirements

that apply to all GCSEs.

The Government has always worked closely with deaf people and their organisations

on delivering improvements across a wide range of services including Access to

Work, accessing healthcare information, and supporting the funding of BSL

interpreters. There is more to be done and the Government is committed to

continuing to work in partnership with deaf people, and the organisations that

represent deaf people, to improve their lives.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Air Pollution: Pollution Control

Sue Hayman: [290860]

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

Department has spent from the public purse on tackling poor air quality in each of the last

five years.

Rebecca Pow:

The Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) is a cross-Departmental team between the

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for

Transport (DfT). It was set up in Financial Year (FY) 2016/17 and is responsible for

https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/Help/DataSources





the delivery of the UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations

(NO2).

The table below shows Defra’s spend for FY 2015/16 and JAQU’s total spend each

year since FY 2016/17. Figures for FY 2014/15 are not available.

FINANCIAL YEAR DEFRA FUNDING(£M) DFT FUNDING(£M) TOTAL(£M)

2015/16 3.2 -* 3.2

2016/17 11.9 1.0 12.9

2017/18 19.9 22.4 42.3

2018/19 51.6 109.2 160.8

*No DfT funding for FY 2015/16

Environment Agency: Pay


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

Department has made on resolving the pay dispute at the Environment Agency.

Rebecca Pow:

The Environment Agency (EA) is in meaningful talks with its recognised trade unions.

This has resulted in the suspension of action by one of the trade unions.

The EA has a portfolio of transformational projects which will better support the

development of any future pay reform, and on which the EA is working collaboratively

with its trade unions.

In the meantime, the EA will move forward with a pay deal for 2019 which will be in

line with the Government’s Civil Service pay remit guidance for 2019 to 2020.

Fracking: Methane


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

she has made of the effect of fracking on trends in the level of methane emissions.

Rebecca Pow:

There is currently only one operational shale gas exploration site in the UK. The

Environment Agency (EA) has set legally binding conditions to require monitoring and

control of methane emissions at the hydraulic fracturing site in Lancashire. Cuadrilla

are required to carry out regular emissions monitoring, including continuous

monitoring of methane to air before and during shale gas operations. The results are

submitted regularly to the EA. The levels of methane in the ambient air are also

monitored independently off site by the EA and the British Geological Survey.



Northumbrian Water

Dr Paul Williams: [291115]

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

Department has had with Northumbrian Water to discuss preparations for the UK leaving

the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

Rebecca Pow:

We have been working closely with all water companies in the UK, as well as

chemical suppliers, regulators and the devolved administrations on contingency

planning. Companies are well advanced in their preparations to make sure they can

meet their statutory responsibility to maintain services. We are confident that no-deal

will not have an impact on water supply.

It will be the case that our water will continue to be safe and of the same quality

customers expect when we leave the European Union.

Plastics: Pollution


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

Department is taking to encourage (a) ports and (b) transport companies involved in the

movement of plastic (i) pellets and (ii) nurdles to sign up to the British Plastics

Federation’s industry-led scheme Operation Clean Sweep to reduce the loss of plastic

pellets in transit.

Rebecca Pow:

UK ports are an important part of the pre-production plastic pellets supply chain. As

such, we have welcomed the moves by PD Teesport and the Port of Felixstowe to

sign up to Operation Clean Sweep and call for other UK ports to do the same.

However, we must continue to engage all stages of the supply chain, such as

manufacturing, logistics and processing, if we want to tackle the scourge of plastic

pellet loss effectively. Collaboration with the British Plastics Federation is key to

making this happen.

Plastics: Recycling

Anna McMorrin: [291148]

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

taking to ensure the UK meets targets as set out under the European Union Packaging

and Packaging Waste Directive and Circular Economy Package to (a) recycle 70% of

packaging waste by 2030 and (b) recycle 65 per cent of municipal waste by 2035.


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

Department has to ensure that 80 per cent of packaging produced can be recycled.





Rebecca Pow:

The Government has recently consulted on a package of measures to overhaul the

waste and recycling system. This included reforms to the packaging producer

responsibility system to incentivise producers to use easier to recycle packaging and

ensure the UK achieves a 70% recycling rate for packaging waste by 2030.

This consultation also proposed a system of modulated fees to incentivise design for

recyclability to ensure that the majority of packaging can be easily recycled.

In addition, we have consulted on measures to achieve greater consistency in

recycling provision across England. Following support at consultation, we will

legislate so that all local authorities in England collect the same core set of dry,

recyclable materials and provide a weekly, separate food waste collection service to

households, from 2023. We will also legislate so that businesses and other

organisations separate dry recyclable materials and food waste from residual waste

streams to be recycled also from 2023.

These measures, together with packaging reforms, will contribute towards achieving

an overall 65% recycling rate of municipal waste by 2035.

Plastics: Waste


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to

Policy Connects report entitled Plastic Packaging Plan: achieving zero 'waste' exports,

published January 2019, that highlighted UK exports of plastic packaging overseas stood

at 4.15 million tonnes between 2010-2017, what steps her Department are taking to

ensure the UK is a net-zero exporter of plastic packaging by 2030.



she has made of the merits of the UK becoming a net-zero exporter of plastic packaging

by 2030.

Rebecca Pow:

We have made no formal assessment of becoming a “net-zero exporter of plastic

packaging”.

The Resources and Waste strategy sets out Governments aim to significantly

increase UKs reprocessing capacity, including for plastics. This will be achieved by

providing a large and stable supply of recyclable waste materials, increasing the

quality of the waste materials to be recycled, improving demand for recycled

materials and levelling the playing field for UK reprocessors through minimising illegal

waste exports.

Government has recently consulted on wide ranging reforms to support these aims

through greater consistency in household and business recycling, reform of

packaging producer responsibility, and the introduction of a deposit return scheme for

drinks containers.



Waste Management: Exhaust Emissions



she has made of the effect on the environment of vehicle and HGV emissions associated

with waste processing plants in the UK.

Rebecca Pow:

We have not carried out a specific assessment in England (waste is a devolved

matter). Impacts from vehicle movements would have been assessed when the

planning application for the waste facility was under consideration by the local

authority.

Waste Management: Wales


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a)

residential, (b) commercial and (c) industrial waste originating in England has been sent

for processing in Wales in each of the last five years.

Rebecca Pow:

This level of detailed information is not routinely collated and cannot be readily

compiled from information held by Defra for residential, commercial or industrial

waste originating in England.

Water Supply: Chemicals

Deidre Brock: [290382]

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

Department has support water companies in the supply of purification chemicals in the

event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Rebecca Pow:

We have been working closely with all water companies in the UK, as well as

chemical suppliers, regulators and the devolved administrations on contingency

planning. Companies are well advanced in their preparations to make sure they can

meet their statutory responsibility to maintain services. We are confident that no-deal

will not have an impact on water supply.

It will be the case that our water will continue to be safe and of the same quality

customers expect when we leave the European Union.




FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Brazil: Climate Change Convention

Lyn Brown: [290298]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 9 September 2019 to Question 284857 on Brazil: Climate Change Convention,

what discussion he has had with his Brazilian counterpart on that Government's steps to

meet its international obligations under (a) Article 4 and (b) Article 5 of the Paris

Agreement.

Christopher Pincher:

The United Kingdom was pleased to see Brazil reaffirm their commitment to the Paris

Agreement at the G20, supporting vital international cooperation on climate change.

We regularly engage with the Brazilian Government on many environmental issues

and are committed to working together to deliver low carbon growth. Furthermore, we

have invested over £120 million in International Climate Programmes which will help

limit deforestation, prevent forest fires, implement the Forestry Code, and promote

sustainable land use.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Jo Stevens: [291010]

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

his Department has made of the effect on UK citizens living in the EU of the UK leaving

the EU without a withdrawal agreement.


Protecting the rights of British Nationals living in the EU is an absolute priority for the

Government. However, in the event of No Deal we cannot protect the rights of British

nationals unilaterally. All EU Member States have drafted or enacted legislation on

the rights of British Nationals if there is no deal, but the extent to which the measures

in place protect citizens' rights vary by Member State. British Nationals resident in the

EU can expect their rights and access to services to change over time. The

Government will continue to urge the EU and all Member States to reciprocate the

UK's generous offer to EU citizens and give British Nationals the certainty they need.

China: Surveillance

Lyn Brown: [290306]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an

assessment of the level of use of variables on (a) ethnicity and (b) religion in (i) visual

identification and (ii) suspect profiling systems used by the Chinese Government in

Xinjiang.

Mrs Heather Wheeler:

We are aware of reports that citizens in Xinjiang are being required to provide

information to Chinese authorities about religious observance and foreign contacts.




We are also aware of reports that such data is used to categorise citizens, and that

ethnicity and religion are being used as designators. We are monitoring the situation

closely. FCO officials regularly travel to the region to attempt to verify such reports;

they most recently visited in May 2019. We remain concerned about any

disproportionate and indiscriminate measures that undermine freedom of religion and

freedom of expression.

Lyn Brown: [290309]


assessment of the extent of the involvement of UK companies in the development of (a)

visual identification and (b) suspect profiling systems used by the Chinese Government in

Xinjiang.


We are aware of reports of links between companies in the UK and those operating in

Xinjiang. We continue to encourage all British businesses to undertake appropriate

levels of due diligence before deciding to do business or invest in foreign companies.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights guide the

approach that UK companies should take to respect human rights wherever they

operate including adopting appropriate due diligence policies to identify, prevent and

mitigate human rights risks, and commit to monitoring and evaluating implementation.

China: Terrorism

Lyn Brown: [290307]


estimate of the number of forced confessions for terrorism-related offences in detention

camps in Xinjiang, China in the last three years.


We do not have reliable figures to estimate of the number of forced confessions for

terrorism-related offences in detention camps in Xinjiang, China in the last three

years, nor the extent of detention on the basis of allegations made against family

members of religious minority groups. However, we have repeatedly highlighted the

credible reports of over a million Uyghurs and other minorities being detained in so

called “re-education camps”, along with widespread surveillance and restrictions

targeted at minorities.

Emigration: EU Countries


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

his Department has had with other EU member states on ensuring a positive environment

for UK citizens wishing to move to an EU country after the UK leaves the EU.





My department, in close coordination with other government departments, continues

to engage intensively with EU Member States to support British Nationals living in

and travelling to the EU. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has significantly

increased the capacity of our Europe network; our Embassies and Consulates are in

close and regular contact with their host governments. The UK will seek to agree

reciprocal mobility arrangements with the EU. The detail of how these provisions will

apply under the future relationship will be for future negotiations with the EU.

Forests: Conservation

Lyn Brown: [290304]

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

diplomatic steps his Department has taken to promote the objectives of the Amsterdam

Declaration.


Ministers and our Embassy routinely engage with the Brazilian Government on many

environmental issues, including sustainable commodities

Georgia: Military Intervention


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to

designate Russia's presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia as an occupation by that

country.


The UK remains resolute in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial

integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Consistent with the position of

many of its international partners, the United Kingdom refers to Abkhazia and South

Ossetia as breakaway regions of Georgia. Alongside our international partners, we

are actively supporting Georgia's efforts towards conflict resolution.

Iraq: Religious Freedom

Eddie Hughes: [291143]

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

Department is playing in promoting religious diversity in Iraq.

Dr Andrew Murrison:

The UK is committed to promoting and protecting the right to Freedom of Religion or

Belief across Iraq. The importance of religious tolerance and diversity was a major

subject of discussion during the visit of Iraqi President, Barham Salih, to the UK in

June, and in my meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim on 25

June. To support the return of displaced members of Iraq's Christian communities, we

have committed £23.15 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation which is




helping Iraq to rebuild territory, including predominately Christian areas, liberated

from Daesh.

Persecution of Christians Across the Globe Independent Review


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

Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s

Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians;

and if he will make a statement.


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

recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary

of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians are being prioritised; and if he will make a

statement.


We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report

has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the

issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the

recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September

the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the

Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build

on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is

delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK’s

support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.

West Africa: Religious Freedom


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

Department is taking to help tackle religious oppression against (a) Christians and (b)

other religious groups in (i) Burkina Faso and (ii) other parts of West Africa.

Andrew Stephenson:

The UK is deeply concerned about the security deterioration in Burkina Faso and the

Sahel, including attacks in recent months against religious minorities. We are

committed to working with all partners, including Burkina Faso and other countries in

West Africa, to protect freedom of religion and belief for all. As the UK increases its

work to encourage stability and prosperity in the Sahel, we will continue being vocal

champions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.




Yemen: Military Intervention

Stephen Twigg: [290583]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to

the Secretary of State for International Trade’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair

of the Committees on Arms Export Control, when the British Embassy in Riyadh became

aware that Royal Saudi Land Forces were operational in Yemen.



the Secretary of State for Trade’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair of the

Committees on Arms Export Control, for what reasons the Department for International

Trade and Ministry of Defence were not immediately informed that the Royal Saudi Land

Forces were operational in Yemen.

Dr Andrew Murrison:

In line with its formal role in providing advice to DIT on the Consolidated EU and

National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

(FCO) provided its advice on the three applications in question for export to Saudi

Arabia on 2 April and 6 June 2019. On 18 June 2019, the FCO team in the Export

Control Joint Unit received information from the British Embassy in Riyadh that RSLF

troops were deployed in Yemen. At this stage, the FCO was unaware that the

licences had not already been issued by DIT and this was before the undertaking to

the court on 20 June.


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

his Department has make of the accuracy of the Saudi Press Agency release of 14

September 2018 that stated that an RSLF helicopter crashed on operations in in Al-

Mahra province in Yemen.

Dr Andrew Murrison:

We closely monitor the situation in Yemen, however we have not made an

assessment on the incident in question.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [291080]


the letter of 16 September 2019 from the Secretary of State for International Trade letter

to the chair of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, when his Department knew that

RSLF troops were deployed in Yemen.

Dr Andrew Murrison:

On 18 June 2019, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office team in the Export Control

Joint Unit received information that RSLF troops were deployed in Yemen.





HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Cancer: Health Services


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

Department has made of the effect on access to cancer treatment of the UK leaving the

EU without an agreement.

Edward Argar:

The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s

exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and

medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.

The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working

with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to

make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medical

products to the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.

On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or

European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to

support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.

Further details can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-

government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans

As with our plans leading up to 29 March, for those medicines that cannot be

stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical

radioisotopes for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we have asked

suppliers to make alternative arrangements, using air freight, which some suppliers

are already doing now. We have offered support to companies to arrange this.

Cancer: Research


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding the

Government allocated to cancer research in each financial year since 2009.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) does not allocate

funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area,

such as cancer, is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and

scale of successful funding applications.

The NIHR’s expenditure on cancer research constitutes the largest investment in a

disease area, and expenditure since 2009 is set out in the attached table.

Attachments:

1. PQ290349 table [PQ290349 attachment.docx]


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans




Epilepsy: Drugs


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

Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on access to

epilepsy medication.

Edward Argar:






make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines, to

the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.







Hormone Replacement Therapy

Catherine West: [291039]

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

taking to increase the supply of HRT patches; and whether stock levels of HRT patches

have been affected by uncertainty over the UK's departure from the EU.

Edward Argar:

The Department fully understands that maintaining access to hormone replacement

therapy (HRT) medications is vitally important to many people in this country.

We are aware of ongoing supply issues with some HRT transdermal patches due to

manufacturing issues. We have been working closely with all suppliers of HRT

transdermal patches to maintain overall supply to patients. Although some HRT

transdermal patches are affected by supply issues, supplies of other alternative HRT

transdermal patches have remained available.

We continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure relevant information about the

HRT products affected by supply issues and the products that remain available is

shared across the National Health Service on a regular basis. We have already

issued comprehensive communications to the NHS with regard to availability and

signposted clinicians to sources they can use to support local decision making

around switching patients who are affected by the current supply disruptions.






We will continue to work directly with all suppliers of the affected and alternative

products to resolve the supply issues as soon as possible and ensure supplies of

HRT products including transdermal patches continue to remain available.

There is no evidence that the small number of current HRT supply issues we are

managing are related to EU exit or increasing because of this.

In Vitro Fertilisation: Single People

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [291091]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had

with the NHS on NHS spending following media reports on 8 September 2019 that the

NHS is to review the ban on single women receiving fertility treatment.

Caroline Dinenage:

The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to

patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare

commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population.

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to

commission high quality services that meet the needs of their local population.

Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs.

If there are concerns about provision of care, it is for NHS England to ensure the

CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the

needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS

England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced

support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a

CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions.

NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to

undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy

Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end

of November 2019.

The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the

Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF

treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is

unacceptable.

The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and

discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review

alongside any changes to the revision of the policy.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a

review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing

bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East

London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20.


In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public

sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and

not on relationship status.

Maraviroc

Seema Malhotra: [291021]

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

had made of the effectiveness of Maraviroc in patients with progressive multifocal

leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Maraviroc (brand name Celsentri) is currently authorised through the European

centralised procedure for the treatment of patients who are infected with HIV type 1. It

is used in combination other HIV medicines.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which is responsible for

the regulation of medicines in the United Kingdom is not aware of any application for

maraviroc for use in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

and cannot therefore comment on the efficacy of this drug in patients with PML.

Medical Treatments: Nanotechnology

Chi Onwurah: [291007]

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

Minister's speech to the UN on 24 September 2019, what assessment he has made of

the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in medicine.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Currently nanotechnology used in medicine is regulated under the legislation that

applies to medical devices and medicinal products.

The medical device regulations require that all medical devices are safe and perform

as intended. The regulations have recently been updated and the new regulations

include specific requirements for medical devices containing nanomaterials. This

means that any medical device containing nanomaterials will be subject to more

detailed regulatory scrutiny than under the current regulations.

As with all medicinal products, before a nanomedicine is granted a marketing

authorisation and becomes available in the United Kingdom, it must be fully

evaluated in relation to the appropriate standards required in the relevant legislation

on medicinal products. In addition, specific scientific guidelines on nanomedicines

have been developed to help medicines developers prepare marketing authorisation

applications for nanomedicines.

No specific assessment of the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in

medicine has been undertaken.



Mental Health Services: Standards

Mr Jim Cunningham: [290642]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure that all mental health units provide their vulnerable patients with a good level of

care.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Everybody has the right to receive safe, high-quality care. If care has fallen short of

this, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) can use its powers to take action against

those responsible.

The CQC has a key responsibility in the overall assurance of safety and quality of

health and adult social care services in England. The latest annual State of Care

report, published in October 2018, found that the majority of National Health Service

mental health trusts and independent providers were continuing to provide good

quality care.

We are working with the CQC to look at ways in which we can improve the way we

hold large independent sector mental health providers with complex structures to

account for quality and safety.

NHS Business Services Authority: North East and North West


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5

September 2019 to Question 285061, how many offices the NHS Business Service

Authority has in the (a) North East and (b) North West.

Edward Argar:

In the north west of England, the NHS Business Services Authority currently occupies

three properties, two offices and one warehouse.

In the north east of England, NHS Business Services Authority currently occupies

four properties, two offices and two warehouses, and manages one property on

behalf of the Counter Fraud Authority.

NHS: Drugs

Tom Brake: [290580]

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

of (a) his Department's and (b) others liability should medicine shortages, outlined in the

Yellowhammer document, lead to preventable deaths.

Edward Argar:









make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines to the

whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.







Chris Ruane: [290702]

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

Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 6, what

steps his Department is taking to ensure the (a) geographically equitable and (b)

economically equitable distributions of medicines in limited supply in the event of the UK

leaving the EU without a deal.

Edward Argar:






make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines to the

whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.







Nutrition: Health Education

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [290723]

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

of the potential effect on the Eatwell Guide of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Jo Churchill:

No assessment has been made of the potential effect on the Eatwell Guide if the

United Kingdom leaves the European Union without a deal. The Eatwell Guide is

based on the best available scientific evidence and would only be reviewed if the

evidence underpinning it changed.









Radioisotopes

Catherine West: [291038]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is

rationing the supply of medical isotopes in advance of the UK potentially leaving the EU

without a deal; and what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of medical

isotopes in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Edward Argar:



medical products, including medical radioisotopes, when we leave the EU on 31

October.



make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medical

products, including medical radioisotopes, to the whole of the UK and its Crown

Dependencies.







As with our plans leading up to 29 March, for those medicines that cannot be

stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical

radioisotopes for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we have asked

suppliers to make alternative arrangements, using airfreight, which some suppliers

are already doing. We have offered support to companies to arrange this and are

actively working with suppliers to ensure detailed plans are in place ahead of the 31

October.

HOME OFFICE

Civil Disorder


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Operation


assessment she has made of which nations and regions of the UK are at the highest risk

of increased public disorder and community tensions.






Kit Malthouse:

It is the duty of any responsible Government to prepare for every eventuality including

the scenario that we leave the EU without agreeing a deal.

The government continues to engage broadly with communities of all backgrounds

and origins to make sure we are aware of any concerns communities may have and

provide targeted support.

The police have tried and tested strategic mobilisation plans for responding to a wide

range of emergency scenarios, including widespread disorder. We are working

closely with the National Police Chiefs Council and National Police Coordination

Centre to ensure they are appropriate for a No Deal EU Exit.

There is no intelligence to suggest that there will be widespread public disorder, but

we are working closely with the Police to ensure the safety and security of our

citizens in all scenarios.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Operation


assessment she has made of the operational capacity of (a) North Wales Police and (b)

every other territorial police force to appropriately respond to increased public disorder

and community tensions in the event that the UK leaves with EU without a deal.

Kit Malthouse:

It is the duty of any responsible Government to prepare for every eventuality including

the scenario that we leave the EU without agreeing a deal.

We are working closely with the police on contingency planning so we can ensure the

safety and security of our citizens in all scenarios.

The police have tried and tested strategic mobilisation plans for responding to a wide

range of emergency scenarios, including disorder. We are working closely with the

National Police Chiefs Council and National Police Coordination Centre to ensure

they are appropriate for a No Deal EU Exit.

Gloucestershire Constabulary: Finance

Mr Laurence Robertson: [290621]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase her

Department's grant to Gloucestershire constabulary to pay for the cost of additional police

officers recruited as a result of her policies; and if she will make a statement.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase the grant to

Gloucestershire constabulary so that its reliance on local precepts is no greater than that

of metropolitan areas; and if she will make a statement.




Kit Malthouse:

The Chancellor has announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million for

investment in policing in 2020/21 to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift. The

Chancellor also confirmed that the Home Office will receive an additional £45m of

funding in 2019/20 to help forces to start recruiting as soon as possible.

As usual, force-level funding, including government grants and proposed precept

referendum limits will be set out at the provisional police funding settlement later this

year.

Harassment

Tim Loughton: [290567]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when new guidance for the

operation of Police Information Notices will be issued.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Police Information

Notices have been issued by each constabulary in the last 12 months.

Kit Malthouse:

The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Stalking and Harassment, Deputy Chief

Constable Paul Mills, and the College of Policing, wrote to Chief Constables in April

2019 recommending that all police forces in England and Wales stop using Police

Information Notices (PINs) with immediate effect. An evaluation of any gap created

by this policy decision will be conducted in May 2020.

Following a recommendation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct in

September 2019, DCC Mills wrote to all Chief Constables again, inviting them, if they

had not done so before, to consider withdrawing PINs within their policing area with

immediate effect. He also asked them, once PINs had been withdrawn, to satisfy

themselves that PINs or their equivalent were not still being used by officers when

responding to stalking and harassment offences.

As they are non-legislative tools, the Home Office does not collect information

centrally on the number of PINs issued. Responsibility for the publication of

information by a police force sits with the Chief Constable.

Immigration Controls

Janet Daby: [290470]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to avoid

potential delays to passengers because of increased immigration checks at UK borders in

the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Brandon Lewis:

Immediately after exit, EU citizens can continue to cross the border using their

passport or national identity card. They will be able to use e-Gates if they are




travelling on a biometric passport, and they will not be routinely questioned about

their status in the UK.

During 2020, the UK will phase out the use of EEA national identity cards. We will

make an announcement on when this will happen and will give notice so that EU

citizens and carriers can prepare. Swiss national identity cards will continue to be

valid for travel in line with the citizens’ rights agreement between the UK and

Switzerland.

Immigration Controls: EU Nationals


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what instructions UK Border

Force staff have been given on EU citizens travelling to the UK on ID cards after the UK

leaves the EU.

Brandon Lewis:

Immediately after exit, EU citizens can continue to cross the border using their

passport or national identity card.

During 2020, the UK will phase out the use of EEA national identity cards for travel.

We will make an announcement on when this will happen and will give notice so that

EU citizens and carriers can prepare. Swiss national identity cards will continue to be

valid for travel in line with the citizens’ rights agreement between the UK and

Switzerland.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Patrick Grady: [290391]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of

the proportion of applications for settled status that have resulted in (a) an award of pre-

settled status and (b) a request for further information.

Brandon Lewis:

Published information on EU Settlement Scheme conclusions by outcome type can

be found in the Home Office’s fifth ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’, monthly

statistics tables, table 2, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-

settlement-scheme-statistics-august-2019.

The Home Office is committed to publishing more detailed quarterly statistics on the

EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently considering the

content of the next quarterly release and will take into account the views of statistics

users.

Maria Eagle: [290692]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to extend

the eligibility for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for EU citizens who have

been in the UK for many years and can financially sustain themselves but do not work.




Brandon Lewis:

The EU Settlement Scheme has been designed to make it simple and straightforward

for resident EU citizens, and their family members, to obtain UK immigration status.

Applicants only need to complete three key steps: prove their identity and nationality,

demonstrate their UK residence and declare any criminal convictions. They are not

required to be in employment, self-sufficient or otherwise exercising Treaty rights

under EU law.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of

the number of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who are resident in Luton who

have (a) been granted settled status, (b) been granted pre-settled status and (c) had their

application turned down in each year since the introduction of that scheme.

Brandon Lewis:

Published information on EU Settlement Scheme applications by region and local

authority can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly

statistics’, local authority statistics tables, table EUSS_LA, available at:


ent_data/file/826752/eu-settlement-scheme-local-authority-statistics-28-august-2018-

to-30-june-2019.ods.

The latest published information on EU Settlement Scheme applications concluded

for the UK can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme monthly

statistics’ available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-

scheme-statistics-august-2019. It was noted in this release that one application was

refused on suitability grounds during the period from 1 August to 31 August 2019.

The available data is of applications received and processed since testing began on

28 August 2018, just over 12 months ago. The Home Office does not currently

publish statistics on EU Settlement Scheme application outcomes by local authority.


EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently considering the


users.

Paul Blomfield: [290873]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6

September 2019 to Question 282339, in what circumstances would a prisoner serving a

sentence be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.



September 2019 to Question 282339, how many prisoners have applied to the EU

Settlement Scheme.


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics-august-2019







September 2019 to Question 282339 on Young Offenders: EU Nationals, whether EEA

national prisoners' relatives who are third country nationals are eligible to apply to the EU

Settlement Scheme.

Brandon Lewis:

A person’s continuity of residence in the UK for the purposes of eligibility un-der the

EU Settlement Scheme is broken when they serve a sentence of im-prisonment.

They will therefore not generally be eligible to apply to the scheme while they are

serving that sentence.

Only where a person has already acquired the right of permanent residence under

EU law, or has already completed a continuous qualifying period of five years’

residence in the UK, will a sentence of imprisonment not affect their eligibility, or that

of their third country national family members, to apply under the scheme and only

then if the sentence is not serious enough to lead to their deportation. Official

statistics – ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, August 2019’ – providing

detailed information regarding operation of the scheme were pub-lished on 22 August

2019. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-

settlement-scheme-statistics-august-2019


EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently con-sidering the


users.



July 2019 to Question 252533, when her Department will publish the Data Protection

Impact Assessment and Policy Equality Statement for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Brandon Lewis:

The Data Protection Impact Assessment and the Policy Equality Statement for the

EU Settlement Scheme will be published in due course.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the

Government guidance entitled How the automated check calculates the period of

residence, for what reason caseworkers are not shown information about an applicant's

employment, pension or benefits.

Brandon Lewis:

The automated checks conducted where an applicant under the EU Settlement

Scheme chooses to provide their National Insurance number have been designed to

make the application process as quick and straightforward as possible. They greatly

reduce the need for applicants to upload documentary evidence of their residence in

the UK.







Caseworkers are not shown information from the checks about an applicant's

employment, pension or benefits as this is not relevant to their eligibility for status

under the scheme, which is generally based on continuous UK residence.

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291034]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made

of the level of take-up of the EU Settlement Scheme among naturalised EU citizens of

non-EU origin.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme among (a) EU citizens of Somali

origin and (b) other large communities of EU citizens of non-EU origin.

Brandon Lewis:

It is vital that the estimated three million EU citizens and their non-EU family

members living in the UK understand how and when to apply to the EU Settlement

Scheme.

When the scheme fully opened in March, the Home office delivered a £3.75m

marketing campaign to raise awareness of the scheme and encourage applications.

As of 31 August 2019, 1.3 million people have now applied to the EU Settlement

Scheme. Of these, approximately 66,700 are non-EU family members. EU citizens

and their families have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply, and the Home

Office will continually monitor interest and intake to the scheme throughout its

lifetime.

Further advertising and stakeholder communications are underway to continue to

raise awareness of the scheme. All available channels will be used to reach our

audiences – such as direct marketing, radio, video-on-demand and outdoor

advertising, presentations, email updates, toolkits and webinars to name a few – to

direct all eligible cohorts towards reliable sources of information on GOV.UK and the

application itself.

No-one will be left behind which is why we are also working in partnership with

vulnerable group representatives, local authorities and other experts to make

everyone knows what they need to do and has the right level of support. We have

awarded up to £9 million to 57 voluntary and community sector organisations across

the UK to help us reach an estimated 200,000 vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens and

their family members.



September 2019 to Question 284212, how her Department plans to treat late applications

to the EU Settlement Scheme from people who do not have reasonable grounds for

missing the deadline.




Brandon Lewis:

The Government has made clear that EU citizens resident in the UK before we leave

the European Union on 31 October 2019 will have until at least 31 December 2020 to

apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme. We will publish guidance in due

course on the scope for a late application to be made by those with reasonable

grounds for missing the deadline.

We will also set out in due course the requirements to be met, from 2021, under the

new points-based immigration system, by EU citizens and their family members who

wish to remain in the UK and who have not applied for status under the EU

Settlement Scheme or, for EU citizens moving to the UK after a no deal Brexit, under

the European Temporary Leave to Remain Scheme.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to establish a

dedicated enquiry line for members' offices to discuss applications made by constituents

to the EU Settlement Scheme; and whether the staff of the UKVI enquiry line will be given

access to EU Settlement Scheme applications to discuss such applications with

members' offices.

Brandon Lewis:

There are no plans to establish a dedicated enquiry line.

Members and their offices have access to their dedicated MP Account Management

Team where they can raise queries by email and phone. Enquiry lines are open

Monday to Friday and staff have access to the EU Settlement Scheme application

records.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made

of the average time for calls to the EU Settlement Resolution Centre to be answered.

Brandon Lewis:

The average time taken to answer a call to the settlement Resolution Centre is

reviewd each day to ensure it is kept to a minimum.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Minister of State for

Crime, Policing and the Fire Service has met representatives of the Merseyside Fire and

Rescue Service.

Kit Malthouse:

No meetings with representatives of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have taken

place.




Missing Persons

Louise Haigh: [290819]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her

Department’s response to the 10th report of the Home Affairs Select Committee 2017-19

HC 515: Policing for the future, CP62, published 15 March 2019, page 22, what the

expected publication date is of the updated Missing Children and Adults Strategy.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment the

Department has made of the cost to police forces of dealing with missing persons cases

in each of the last five years.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government recognises that people that go missing include some of the most

vulnerable people in our society. That is why this Government will do all it can to

ensure those people are protected from harm.

The Home Office is working with partners to address the issues faced by those who

go missing through its refreshed Missing Children and Adults Strategy which will be

published in the coming months.

The Home Office does not hold information on the cost to police forces of dealing

with missing persons cases.

Police: Basingstoke

Mrs Maria Miller: [291171]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the investigation into

allegations of discrimination at the North Hampshire Police Investigation Centre in

Basingstoke that commenced in February 2018 will be (a) completed and (b) made

public.

Kit Malthouse:

This is an operational matter for Hampshire Constabulary. The Home Office does not

comment on on-ging investigations.

Police: Complaints


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department

holds on the time taken by Police Constabularies to resolve complaints involving police

(a) officers and (b) employees.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what obligations each police

constabulary has to collect data on (a) the number of complaints received within the force

area and (b) the type of complaints received.







To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to

improve the (a) transparency and (b) speed of police complaints handling.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds

on the time taken by police constabularies to resolve complaints involving police officers

and other police force employees.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what obligations each police

constabulary has to collect data on (a) the number of complaints received in its force area

and (b) the type of complaints.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to increase

the (a) transparency and (b) speed of police complaints handling.

Kit Malthouse:

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) determines the information that

police forces are required to collect on police complaints. The data is published by

the IOPC on its website and through an annual Police Complaints Statistics report.

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/statistics/complaints_

statistics_2017_18.pdf.

The data includes the number of complaints received by each force, the types of

complaint and the time taken to deal with them.

The Government has developed a comprehensive package of reforms to the police

complaints system to increase transparency and the timeliness with which complaints

are handled. These reforms are set out in the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and will

be implemented early next year, Parliamentary time permitting.

Police: Disciplinary Proceedings


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) Police Officers

and (b) Police employees are subject to (i) suspension from duties and (ii) a restriction on

duties on an annual basis in each of the last five years by Police Constabulary.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) police officers and

(b) other police employees were subject to (i) suspension from duties and (ii) restricted

duties in each of the last five years in (A) each police constabulary and (B) the police

force as a whole.





https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/statistics/complaints_statistics_2017_18.pdf





Kit Malthouse:

The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of police officers

who are suspended (as at 31st March each year) and the number who are on

restricted or adjusted duties in each police force in England and Wales on an annual

basis.

These data are published in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical

bulletins. The latest data available on the number of police officers who are

suspended, as at 31 March 2019, can be found in Table W2 of the accompanying

Data Tables:


ent_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods

Data on the number of police officers who were suspended as at 31 March in each of

the last 5 years in each police constabulary can be found in Police Workforce

Absence open data:


ent_data/file/817736/open-data-table-police-workforce-absence.ods

The latest data available on the number of police officers who are on restricted or

adjusted duties, as at 31 March 2019, can be found in Table W3 of the accompanying

Data Tables:


ent_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods

It is not possible to separate out officers on restricted duties from those on adjusted

duties.

The Home Office does not collect data on the number of other police employees who

are suspended or on adjusted/restricted duties.

Police: Recruitment

Vernon Coaker: [290654]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many additional police

officers she plans to fund through the Uplift operation for each policy force by 31 March

2021.

Kit Malthouse:

HM Treasury has announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million for

investment in policing in 2020/21 to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift. HMT

has also confirmed that the Home Office will receive an additional £45m of funding in

2019/20 to help forces start recruiting as soon as possible.

Up to 6,000 additional officers are to be recruited by the end of March 2021.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817736/open-data-table-police-workforce-absence.ods








To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what formula her Department

plans to use to allocate (a) the initial 6,000 officers and (b) subsequent officers to

territorial policing as set out in the 2019 Spending Review.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending

Review 2019, how the 20,000 officers pledged will be allocated between the territorial

police forces, counter-terrorism policing and serious and organised crime.

Kit Malthouse:

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced the recruitment of 20,000 extra

officers over the next three years.

The Chancellor has since announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million

for investment in policing in 2020/21, to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift.

This demonstrates our commitment to giving police extra resource to protect the

public and keep us all safe.

The allocation of officers across England and Wales is yet to be confirmed. Force

level funding will be set out in the usual way at the provisional police settlement.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending

Review 2019, 1.4 Tackling Crime, how many and what proportion of the 2,000 officers

planned to be recruited in the current (a) calendar year and (b) financial year will be (i)

additional posts and (b) replacements for existing vacancies.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government has committed to increasing the number of police officers by an

additional 20,000 over the next three years. Home Office will receive 750m for

investment in policy 2020/21 to enable delivery of Y1 uplift. This includes up to 2,000

officers by the end of this financial year, through an additional £45m.

Up to 6,000 additional officers are to be recruited by the end if March 2021. These

officers will be a genuine increase in police numbers taking into account replacments

for exisiting vacancies in forces.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [290292]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Minister of State for

Crime, Policing and the Fire Service has met representatives of the Tyne and Wear Fire

and Rescue Service.

Kit Malthouse:

I have recently received an invitation from the Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear

Fire and Rescue Service, but no meeting has yet been arranged.





HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Prorogation: Costs

Nic Dakin: [291023]

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of

Commons Commission, what the cost has been to the taxpayer of the unlawful

prorogation of Parliament.

Tom Brake:

The full financial cost to the House of Commons Service is not yet known as some

costs such as those relating to cancelled leave will take time to confirm. In-House

Services and Participation are the teams anticipated to be the most impacted in

financial terms. Current estimated costs from these two teams are as follows:

In-House Services An estimated £173k in lost banqueting sales (gross), resulting in

£102k off the catering services bottom-line. This includes staff recall costs.

Participation Estimated lost revenue of up to £50k (£44k lost ticket sales and up to

£6k if the Jubilee shop remains closed or there are fewer visitors) due to the

expectation that the Palace of Westminster would be closed on Saturday 12 October

to prepare for State Opening.

Total costs to the taxpayer will include other costs that fall outside of the House of

Commons Service, including costs for the House of Lords and IPSA (in relation to

costs for MPs returning to Westminster).

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Refuges: Females

Emma Reynolds: [290798]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

estimate he has made of the number of women's refuges operating in England in each

year since 2010.

Luke Hall:

The Department does not hold centrally the number of women's refuges operating in

England in each year since 2010.

MHCLG has recently consulted on a new statutory duty which would require local

authorities to robustly assess the need for and commission support for victims and

their children in safe accommodation.

The consultation closed on 2 August. We are currently analysing the responses to the

consultation on support within safe accommodation and will be publishing a full

government response in due course.



Refuges: Ringfenced Funding

Emma Reynolds: [290797]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

the Government provides ring-fenced funding to local authorities to spend on supporting

women's refuges.

Luke Hall:

MHCLG does not currently provide ring-fenced funding to local authorities to spend

on supporting women's refuges. Through the local government settlement, funding is

provided to local authorities which they can spend on local domestic abuse services

in line with their local priorities.

Since 2014 the Department has additionally invested £55.5 million in services to

support victims of domestic abuse, including refuges.

MHCLG has recently consulted on a new statutory duty which would require local

authorities to assess the need for and commission support for victims and their

children in safe accommodation.

The consultation closed on 2 August. We are currently analysing the responses to the

consultation on support within safe accommodation and will be publishing a full

government response in due course.

Stronger Towns Fund and Towns Fund: Leigh

Jo Platt: [291138]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

assessment his Department made of the eligibility of towns in Leigh constituency when

issuing funding from the (a) Stronger Towns Fund and (b) Towns Fund.

Jake Berry:

As part of the process of identifying the initial 100 places, towns have been chosen

according to the same robust selection methodology. This took into account various

qualitative and quantitative indicators. These included, income deprivation, skills,

productivity, EU exit response, economic shocks, investment opportunities and policy

alignment. The government will publish further details on how the fund will operate in

due course.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Department for International Development: Staff

Preet Kaur Gill: [291047]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional staffing

resources his Department has received in the last 12 months to support learning on

managing Official Development Assistance across Government.




Andrew Stephenson:

DFID has not received any additional resources to support learning on ODA across

Government in the last 12 months. DFID’s settlement in the 2019 spending review

includes additional resources for the 2020/21 financial year to provide more support

for other departments to build their capability to spend ODA more effectively. This will

allow DFID to boost our support to other departments spending UK aid, further

ensuring that the UK’s ODA spend continues to deliver value for money for British

taxpayers.

Developing Countries: Children

Rosie Cooper: [290293]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make an

assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the conclusions of the

report published on 23 September by Save the Children entitled Transformative Aid: How

UK aid can transform global development and children’s futures.

Andrew Stephenson:

DFID has reviewed the report and welcomes its focus on long-term, systemic change

which is central to DFID’s approach. Women and girls’ health and education are a top

priority for DFID. At the UN General Assembly the Secretary of State announced

£600 million in new funding for family planning supplies for women and girls in the

world’s poorest countries. This week the UK announced a £515 million package of

support for education. DFID is committed to generational transformation for the

world’s poorest and already spends 57% of its bilateral budget on fragile and conflict

affected states. The UK will host the Vaccine Alliance pledging conference next year

to help create a healthier world. I welcome the report acknowledging DFID’s high

standards of transparency and effectiveness. Other departments are making good

progress and DFID continues to support.

Tom Brake: [290574]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make an

assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the conclusions of the

Save the Children report, Transformative Aid: How UK aid can transform global

development and children’s futures.

Andrew Stephenson:















To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has

made of the implications for his policies of the Save the Children report entitled

Transformative Aid.

Andrew Stephenson:












Developing Countries: Education

Chris Law: [290368]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department

is taking to increase Official Development Assistance spending on education.

Andrew Stephenson:

The Prime Minister has publicly stated that education, particularly girls’ education, is

a priority for the UK. He announced £90 million for education in emergencies and

protracted crisis including £85 million to Education Cannot Wait at the G7 Summit

and this week the UK announced a £515 million package of support for education,

including a £300 million pledge for the new International Finance Facility for

Education. Alongside our commitment to the Global Partnership for Education, the

UK is now the leading bilateral donor to all three major multilateral education funds

and continues to be one of the leading bilateral donors to basic education. At the UN

General Assembly this week, the UK has been calling for others to step up and follow

our lead.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Rosie Cooper: [290294]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make it a condition

of Official Development Assistance for the health sector that developing countries

allocate five percent of their GDP to that sector.




Dr Andrew Murrison:

If we are to meet the ambition of SDG 3 and ensure no-one is left behind, countries

need to invest more public resources in health. The UK strongly supports the

commitments in the United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health

Coverage. This calls on countries to increase public spending, with an emphasis on

primary health care, noting World Health Organisation recommendations of an

additional 1% of GDP or more. Evidence shows that the best way to achieve these

financing increases is to secure political commitment rather than aid conditionality

measures.

Developing Countries: Taxation

Henry Smith: [290316]


is taking to help strengthen tax systems of developing countries.

Andrew Stephenson:

The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including

working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and

thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.

In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist

developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide

technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It

will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and

evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this

new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help

strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million

programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax

system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise

the standards of tax systems of developing countries.

Chris Law: [290369]


is taking to help strengthen the tax systems of developing countries.

Andrew Stephenson:
















Tom Brake: [290573]



Andrew Stephenson:














Jack Lopresti: [290791]



Andrew Stephenson:




















Andrew Stephenson:














INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Arms Trade: Export Controls


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Secretary of

State’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair of the Committees on Arms Export

Controls, what steps the Government is taking to review the way in which information is

exchanged with the Joint Export Control Unit.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [291083]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she plans to take to

ensure that her Department does not violate the court order on banning the issuing of

new export licences to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners for arms that could be used

in Yemen.

Graham Stuart:

As the Secretary of State said in her statement to Parliament on 26th September, as

soon as the issue was brought to her attention on the 12th September, she took

immediate action:

• Taking immediate steps to inform the Court and Parliament;

• Putting in place immediate, interim procedures to make sure the error could not

happen again;

• Instigating a complete and full internal review of all licences granted for Saudi

Arabia and its Coalition partners since 20 June;

• Asking the Permanent Secretary to commission, on her behalf, a full independent

investigation.



This investigation will: (i) establish the precise circumstances in which these licences

were granted; (ii) establish whether any other licences have been granted in breach

of the Undertaking to the Court or the commitment to Parliament; and (iii) confirm that

procedures are in place to ensure that no further such breaches can occur. The

Director General Policy Group at the Department for Work and Pensions has been

appointed to lead this investigation.

During the course of this investigation, licence applications for Saudi Arabia and its

Coalition partners will be referred to a new weekly meeting of senior officials from

DIT, FCO and MOD. (Some will have been refused by this point, for example where

they fail to meet one or more of the Consolidated Criteria.) This meeting will reach a

recommendation for Ministers as to whether applications are within the scope of the

Undertaking and the Parliamentary Statement, applying a further checklist of

questions which are designed to ensure that: (i) current and full information is

available to enable an assessment of whether the items in question are for possible

use in the conflict in Yemen; and (ii) if there has been any change in circumstances in

the conflict in Yemen, this is properly included in the assessment. All

recommendations to grant licences for the export of items to Saudi Arabia and its

Coalition partners will now be referred to Ministers for decision.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Lyn Brown: [290783]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of

the adequacy of Government adherence to the rule of law regarding the issuance of arms

export licences to Saudi Arabia.

Graham Stuart:

The Secretary of State unreserved apologised to the Court and to Parliament for the

inadvertent breaches of the Undertaking given to the Court by the then Secretary of

State in the Order of the Court dated 20 June 2019.

The Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Secretary of State has commissioned a full

investigation to: (i) establish the precise circumstances in which these licences were

granted; (ii) establish whether any other licences have been granted in breach of the

undertaking to the Court or the commitment to Parliament; and (iii) confirm that

procedures are in place to ensure that no further such breaches can occur. The

Director General Policy Group at the Department for Work and Pensions has been

appointed to lead this investigation.

JUSTICE

EU Law


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether existing enforcement orders against

companies registered in EU countries will be enforceable; how UK citizens will be able to



enforce judgements against EU registered entities that relied on EEOs; and what

assessment he has made of the effect of the rights of audience in the EU by solicitors

registered in England and Wales in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Lucy Frazer:

Should the United Kingdom leave the European Union without a deal, the European

Enforcement Order (EEO) Regulation will no longer apply: they will be subject to the

domestic rules of the country in which they are to be enforced. There are, however,

transitional provisions for certain cases ongoing at Brexit that ensure EEOs from EU

member states can be enforced in the UK (see SI 2018/1311). Whether EEOs

originating in the UK before Brexit will be enforced in an EU member state will be

subject to the rules of that member state.

With respect to rights of audience of solicitors registered in England and Wales, these

will be subject to the domestic regulations of each EU member state and the

individual rules of EU courts and institutions.

Fines: Surcharges


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 17 May 2019 to

Question 252551, Answer of 10 July 2019 to Question 273770 and Answer of 29 July

2019 to Question 280263, on fines: surcharges, for what reason there was a £1 million

difference between the raised and allocated amounts in the 2016-17 financial year; and

where that money has been allocated.

Wendy Morton:

I am sorry to have to inform you that a rounding error was made in our response to

PQ252551 and 252552. In checking that figure, we have also noted several other

rounding errors. I therefore set out corrected figures relating to the Victim Surcharge

provided in response to these PQs and PQ280263.

FINANCIAL YEAR

VICTIM SURCHARGE

(VS) COLLECTED*

VS CONTRIBUTION TO

THE VICTIM AND

WITNESS BUDGET*

VS CONTRIBUTION TO

THE CRIMINAL INJURIES

COMPENSATION

SCHEME*

2010/11 £10.5m £10.5m 0

2011/12 £10.2m £10.2m 0

2012/13 £10.5m £10.5m 0

2013/14 £19.5m £19.5m 0

2014/15 £24.6m £24.6m 0

2015/16 £28.3m £18.3m £10.0m


FINANCIAL YEAR

VICTIM SURCHARGE

(VS) COLLECTED*

VS CONTRIBUTION TO

THE VICTIM AND

WITNESS BUDGET*

VS CONTRIBUTION TO

THE CRIMINAL INJURIES

COMPENSATION

SCHEME*

2016/17 £31.0m £27.0m £4.0m

2017/18 £35.0m £31.0m £4.0m

2018/19 £33.5m £30.5m £3.0m

* Rounded to one decimal place

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Maria Eagle: [290677]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was for personal

independence payments claimants awaiting an appeal on their claim to be heard in the

Garston and Halewood constituency in each of the last 12 months.

Lucy Frazer:

Waiting times for appeals against decisions made about Personal Independence

Payment (PIP) are published at:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

Average waiting times 1 for PIP 2 appeals in Garston and Halewood 3 between July

2018 to June 2019 (the latest 12 month period for which data are available) are

included in the table below:

MONTH WAITING TIME (IN WEEKS) 4

July 2018 34

August 2018 35

September 2018 37

October 2018 38

November 2018 38

December 2018 39

January 2019 37

February 2019 40

March 2019 36

April 2019 p 37


MONTH WAITING TIME (IN WEEKS) 4

May 2019 p 35

June 2019 p 37

1. Waiting time is interpreted as average clearance time – time taken from appeal

receipt to outcome.

2. PIP (New Claim Appeals), which is replacing Disability Living Allowance was

introduced on 8 April 2013, and also includes Disability Living Allowance Reassessed

cases.

3. SSCS data are recorded by the office that dealt with the case, and if the case went

to oral hearing, the location of the tribunal hearing, which is normally the hearing

venue nearest to the appellant’s home address. Cases relating to the Garston and

Halewood constituency are attributed to the Liverpool venue.

4. Includes all cases cleared both with and without a tribunal hearing, in line with the

published statistics.

p. Provisional data which are subject to change.

Waiting times are calculated from receipt of an appeal to its final disposal. An appeal

is not necessarily disposed of at its first hearing. The final disposal decision on the

appeal may be reached after an earlier hearing had been adjourned (which may be

directed by the judge for a variety of reasons, such as to seek further evidence), or

after an earlier hearing date had been postponed (again, for a variety of reasons,

often at the request of the appellant). An appeal may also have been decided at an

earlier date by the First-tier Tribunal, only for the case to have gone on to the Upper

Tribunal, to be returned once again to the First-tier, for its final disposal.

It is important that appeals are heard as quickly as possible. HMCTS recognises

there are delays in the system and it is in the process of recruiting more judicial office

holders in order to increase capacity and help to reduce waiting times for appellants.

This includes 250 judges across the First-tier Tribunal, 125 disability qualified

members and up to 230 medical members.

In addition, HMCTS has recently launched a new digital service with a view to

enabling speedier processing of appeals. Information on the new digital service can

be found at: www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal.

HMCTS is also working with the Department for Work and Pensions to understand

what could be done to reduce the number of appeals being submitted to the Tribunal,

through their focus on improving decision-making and the mandatory reconsideration

process.

Prison Officers: Employment

Richard Burgon: [291156]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers were employed in

each high-security prison in each quarter since 2010.

Lucy Frazer:

The number of prison officers that were employed in each high-security prison in

each quarter from 30 March 2010 to 30 June 2019 is provided in the attached table.

We have recruited more than 4,700 additional prison officers since October 2016 and

across the estate staffing levels are now at their highest since 2012.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 291156 final file (002).xlsx]

Prison Officers: Retirement


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

reducing the retirement age for prisons officers.

Lucy Frazer:

There has been no assessment undertaken on the merits of reducing the retirement

age for prison officers. The retirement age within the Civil Service Pension Scheme

(which Prison Officers are members of) is set by Cabinet Office and not the service.

Prison Sentences


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list and place in the Library all research

his Department has undertaken into short sentences in the last two years.

Lucy Frazer:

The Ministry of Justice has published a range of research publications with a focus on

short-term prison sentences in the last two years:

• The relationship between offender characteristics and the impact of short custodial

sentences and court orders on reoffending (2018):

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attac

hment_data/file/706597/do-offender-characteristics-affect-the-impact-of-short-

custodial-sentences.pdf

• The impact of short custodial sentences, community orders and suspended

sentence orders on reoffending (2019):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-short-custodial-sentences-

community-orders-and-suspended-sentence-orders-on-reoffending

• The economic and social costs of reoffending (2019):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-social-costs-of-

reoffending.




https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706597/do-offender-characteristics-affect-the-impact-of-short-custodial-sentences.pdf




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-short-custodial-sentences-community-orders-and-suspended-sentence-orders-on-reoffending



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-social-costs-of-reoffending




To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) men and (b) women received a

custodial sentence of (i) six months or less and (ii) more than six months in 2018.

Lucy Frazer:

The Ministry of Justice has published information on the number of male and female

offenders sentenced to immediate custody and the length of these sentences in the

“Outcomes by Offence data tool” at:


ent_data/file/802314/outcomes-by-offence-tool-2018.xlsx

Use the ‘Sex’ filter to see data for males and females. Custodial sentence lengths can

be found from row 56 onwards.

Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, to publish the repair completion rate for each

prison in each year for which figures are available.

Lucy Frazer:

The table attached shows the available information on repair work orders which

covers the period of September 2018 to August 2019 by establishment. Some of

these tasks cannot be completed in the time period for a variety of reasons which can

lead to duplication of a task. The figures provided include these duplicate tasks,

which account for part of the apparent 'backlog'.

Performance has improved recently against completion on time and against the

number of works which are left outstanding. We ensure that works are completed

with close monitoring of performance through regular contract meetings where

providers are challenged, and concerns can be escalated. Further to this statutory

and mandatory compliance checks are conducted. Where necessary financial

penalties are applied to commercial contractors where work orders are not completed

on time as per contractual requirements. Action plans to reduce outstanding remedial

works have also recently been requested. Our priority is to stabilise and improve

service delivery, with an improved focus on cleanliness and decency.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of PQ291005 - Table v2.xlsx]

Prisons: Violence


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

in the level of violence in prisons.





To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the number of

violent incidents against prison officers in prisons in each of last five years.

Lucy Frazer:

The Government publishes quarterly statistics on violence in prison, and a more

detailed annual breakdown, and both are available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-

march-2019. The relevant link is ‘Assaults in prison custody 2000 to 2018’ and the

information can be found in table 3.1: Prison assaults summary statistics by calendar

year, England and Wales, 2000-2018.

There are clear challenges at many of our prisons, with levels of violence

unacceptably high.

That’s why we are investing £100m to bolster security and stability in prisons, in

addition to £70 million announced previously. This will fund tough airport-style

security, including X-ray scanners and metal detectors to clamp down on the drugs,

weapons and mobile phones that increase the risk to our officers and hinder

rehabilitation.

It will take time for improvements to be seen across the estate but we remain

determined to make progress and will continue to prioritise this important work.

Rape: Trials


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the longest waiting time was in weeks for

a trial where the defendant entered a not guilty plea for rape in each Crown Court in

England and Wales in (a) 2010 and (b) 2018.

Wendy Morton:

The information requested about the longest Crown Court waiting times for a trial

where the defendant entered a not guilty plea for rape in 2010 and 2018 can be found

in the attached Excel document.

This maximum measure can be unrepresentative of the group, and will be affected by

extreme results lying outside the normal range.

Performance, demand and waiting times in the courts are constantly reviewed to

balance sitting days with waiting times, disposals and receipts. Resources are

adjusted when appropriate. Demand has been falling in recent years and sitting days

have been reduced accordingly. The abolition of committal hearings in 2013

transferred the file preparation period from the magistrates’ court to the Crown Court

and so comparisons between pre-2013 data and post-2013 data do not compare like

with like.

We will continue to review demand and performance in the Crown Courts and will

ensure they have the resource they require.



Attachments:

1. Table for PQ 290940 [Table for PQ 290940.xlsx]

Universal Credit: Appeals

Peter Grant: [290853]

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

delays in universal credit tribunal hearings on claimants seeking an appeal; and what the

average waiting is for an appeal to be heard.

Lucy Frazer:

According to the most recent statistics (April to June 2019), the average waiting time

for an appeal to be heard by the Social Security and Child Support (SSCS)

jurisdiction is 30 weeks.

The Ministry of Justice recognises that there are delays in the system and that there

is a need to increase capacity to help reduce waiting times for appellants. The

Department is currently in the process of recruiting more judicial office holders to the

SSCS jurisdiction. In 2018, 232 medical members and 118 disability-qualified

members were additionally appointed to the SSCS jurisdiction and an extra 129 fee-

paid judges have recently been appointed. The SSCS jurisdiction will also benefit

from 100 salaried judges and 170 fee-paid judges being recruited across tribunals

more widely. In addition, HMCTS are also developing a new digital system which

enables speedier processing of appeals and a better service for all parties to the

proceedings.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Prorogation


To ask the Leader of the House, when he or his office first communicated to the Private

Secretary to HM the Queen the request of the Government to prorogue Parliament.

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:

Any communications between Ministers or officials and the Sovereign or Her

Majesty’s advisers are confidential.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Import Duties: Brexit


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to Operation


assessment he has made of the sectors most likely to cease trading to avoid tariffs in the

event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.




Julian Smith:

The Government has been clear that we would prefer to leave with a deal and we will

work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal.

I have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with

the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Economy, to assess

the impacts on business in the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit, including from tariff barriers.

PRIME MINISTER

Government Assistance

Bridget Phillipson: [290921]

To ask the Prime Minister, which (a) people and (b) businesses applying for Government

funding he has provided advice to in each of the last five years; and what advice he has

provided.

Boris Johnson:

Decisions on funding to individual schemes are a matter for the relevant Government

Department. The Cabinet Office has published grant standards to ensure best

practice in the awarding of grants by departments.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grants-standards

SCOTLAND

Food Banks: Glasgow South West


To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to visit a food bank in the

Glasgow South West constituency in October 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Alister Jack:

Work is the most effective route out of poverty and this Government is committed to

helping people find work through a wide-range of support, targeted to each

individual’s personal circumstances. While food banks represent an impressive

response by civil society and faith groups to support vulnerable people, we are also

committed to providing a strong safety-net for those who need it; that is why this

Government continues to spend over £95 billion a year on welfare benefits which

includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and

budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them.

I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for

Scotland in October 2019.





Food Banks: Scotland

David Linden: [291045]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to visit a food bank in

October 2019.

Mr Alister Jack:

I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for

Scotland in October 2019.

Members: Correspondence


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

the hon. Member for Edinburgh East of 25 July 2019 requesting a meeting with the

Secretary of State.

Mr Alister Jack:

My office has been in touch on the matters raised in the honourable Member’s letter.

SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS

AUTHORITY

Members: Travel

Nic Dakin: [291022]

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how much money has been claimed by

Members for travel costs to return to Parliament following the Supreme Court ruling on

the Government's prorogation of Parliament.

Sir Charles Walker:

IPSA provides funding for MPs to travel in order to fulfil their parliamentary duties.

This includes travel from anywhere in the UK back to Westminster, for parliamentary

reasons. Following the Supreme Court’s judgement and the resumption of Parliament

on 25 September 2019, IPSA also funded MPs’ travel costs from other countries

where necessary, in order for them to return to Parliament.

In accordance with the Scheme of MPs’ Business Costs and Expenses, MPs have a

period of 90 days from when they incur a cost to submit a claim for reimbursement,

accompanied by evidence. It will therefore not be possible to assess how much

money has been claimed by MPs for their travel back to Parliament as a result of the

Supreme Court’s judgement until 90 days after the 25 September 2019.




TRANSPORT

A34: Repairs and Maintenance


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

of the effect of the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway project on the ability of Highways

England to carry out improvement works to the A34.

George Freeman:

Improvement works on the Strategic Road Network, including on the A34, are not

affected by the Oxford to Cambridge expressway project. The expressway project

has the potential to enhance the service provision and resilience of the A34.

A34: Repairs and maintenance


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

of the environmental impact of improvement works to the A34 (a) overall and (b) in

Oxfordshire.

George Freeman:

Highways England has a duty to help protect and improve the environment and to

develop and implement solutions to environmental challenges.

Through the operation, maintenance and improvement of its roads, Highways

England’s aspiration is: ‘a Strategic Road Network working more harmoniously with

its surroundings to deliver an improved environment.’

Highways England has carried out an assessment of the environmental impact of the

proposed A34 improvement schemes. This has looked at impacts on vegetation,

heritage, biodiversity, water and townscape for each proposal.

Brexit

Tom Brake: [290578]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2019

to Question 285042 on Large Goods Vehicles: EU Countries, which historic bilateral

agreements are (a) most and (b) least likely to be carried over after the UK leaves the

EU.

Chris Heaton-Harris:

The UK has historic agreements with all EU Member States except for Malta (for

reasons of geography). It is our view that, in the absence of an EU wide agreement,

21 historic bilateral agreements would revive in full on exit as they have not been

expressly terminated. Agreements with Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and Italy

have terminated, but offer a good basis for future discussions.

Some of the revived agreements may need some amendments to make them fit for

purpose, which can be done by an exchange of notes between the Parties.




For those agreements that are no longer in force, we would expect to conclude new

treaties in the absence of EU-wide arrangements.

Cycling and Walking: Finance


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

Chancellor of the Exchequer on additional cycling infrastructure funding; and what steps

he is taking to meet the walking and cycling targets his Department's cycling and walking

investment strategy published in 2019.


My Department has regular discussions with the Treasury at Ministerial and official

levels on this and other matters, and will continue to make the case for sufficient

funding to achieve the aims of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. A

detailed report will be laid before Parliament later this year setting out the steps the

Government has been taking to deliver the commitments set out in the Strategy, and

the progress that is being made towards its targets.

Cycling: Accidents


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government plans to (a) bring

forward legislative proposals and (b) amend the Charging Standard to (i) further protect

cyclists and (ii) introduce stricter penalties for accidents involving cyclists where the driver

is at fault.


The Department has no immediate plans to make legislative changes in relation to

penalties for accidents involving cyclists where the driver is at fault.

There are already a number of measures in place to deal with road traffic offences

including using mobile phones when driving, careless and dangerous driving and

drink and drug driving. The Government will continue to keep offences and penalties

under review to ensure the police and courts are able to deal with driving offences

appropriately and proportionately.

Charging is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service, and this Department cannot

comment on this aspect.

The Department is concerned about the safety of cyclists. A Cycling and Walking

Investment Strategy (CWIS) Safety Review Call for Evidence was published early last

year and the Department received many responses. These included different ideas

for improving the safety, and perceptions of safety, of cyclists and pedestrians, and

different ways of educating motorists and improving empathy. A summary of

responses was published on 18 October 2018 and the final Government response on

22 November 2018. Further details can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/governments-response-to-the-cycling-

walking-investment-strategy-safety-review.



https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/governments-response-to-the-cycling-walking-investment-strategy-safety-review



East-West Rail Link: Electrification


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to electrify East West Rail.

Paul Maynard:

The Department is investing in transport infrastructure that meets the needs of people

and businesses, and has the least effect on the natural environment – avoiding,

mitigating and minimising impacts where possible. As part of this DfT is driving

forward the development of policy on the decarbonisation and sustainability of rail

and the case for the electrification of EWR is under consideration.

High Speed Two: Incentives

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [290552]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many HS2 Ltd personnel have received

bonus payments in the last two years; and what the amount of each bonus payment was.

Paul Maynard:

The remuneration, including any bonuses, for HS2 Ltd Board members is published

annually in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts. In the last two years four

individuals received bonuses. The individual payments are as follows: £35,000;

£46,000; £15,975; £24,710; and £36,743.

High Speed Two: Pay


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the salary is for the vacant post of HS2

Ltd Chief Operating Officer.

Paul Maynard:

The role is not currently being advertised. However, salaries of all HS2 Ltd Board

members are published in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts, which is

available here:


ent_data/file/818262/HS2-AR19-BOOK.pdf

High Speed Two: Redundancy Pay


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many HS2 Ltd staff have received

redundancy payments in each of the last six months; and what the amount of each of

those payments was.

Paul Maynard:

Over the last six months (March 2019- August 2019) four members of staff received

redundancy payments totalling £10,237.50. Given the small number of cases, HS2

Ltd cannot provide a breakdown as this would identify the individuals.





Highway Code

Sir Greg Knight: [290908]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to update the Highway

Code; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman:

The Department has previously announced a review of those aspects of The

Highway Code which relate to safety for vulnerable road users, including cyclists,

pedestrians and horse-riders.

The Department is currently agreeing the scope and delivery of this review, which will

be conducted in consultation with our stakeholders, according to the Department’s

usual practice.

Railways: Compensation

Stephen McPartland: [290942]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to allow rail

season ticket holders to reclaim a sum calculated by applying the basic rate of tax to the

cost of their season ticket.


There are no ongoing discussions between the Department and Her Majesty’s

Treasury about allowing rail season ticket holders to reclaim a sum calculated by

applying the basic rate of tax to the cost of their season ticket. Government

recognises the concerns people have about the cost of rail fares, and that is why we

have ensured that regulated rail fares can rise by no more than inflation since 2014.

Many employers also offer loans for season tickets or salary sacrifice schemes.

Road Humps

Sir Greg Knight: [290910]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what advice he has provided to local

authorities on the effect of speed bumps on air pollution; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman:

The Department for Transport has published guidance on the use of traffic calming

measures, including road humps, in Local Transport Note 1/07 ‘Traffic Calming’,

which is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-calming-

ltn-107.

The primary purpose of road humps is to reduce vehicle speeds in areas where

inappropriate speed is a problem. Local authorities have the flexibility to make their

own decisions about the design of their streets and they have a responsibility to take

account of all local considerations including mitigating any detrimental effects of

noise, ground-borne vibrations and air quality.




Roads: Construction


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2019 to

Question 251432, on Roads: Construction, what assessment his Department has made

of whether the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway project meets the requirements of the

National Networks National Policy Statement.

George Freeman:

The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway project is being developed by Highways

England to conform with the National Policy Statement for National Networks.

Taxis: Licensing


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to update regulations on taxi

and private hire vehicles.

George Freeman:

The Government response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing stated that we will bring forward legislation

when time allows.

Thomas Cook: Insolvency

Nic Dakin: [290755]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the final package of support was that

Thomas Cook UK requested from the Government prior to its collapse.

Paul Maynard:

The Thomas Cook Group wrote to the government to request support for its

recapitalisation of the business on 18 September, in advance of its board meeting on

22 September 2019. This was a high level request, with numerous outstanding issues

still to be resolved, and depended on agreement of multiple stakeholders of the

company.

Following a review of this request, the government considered that it would not be

financially responsible or deliver value for the taxpayer to accede to that request in

the circumstances. Thomas Cook’s financial problems were substantial, long-

standing and well documented and government financial assistance would not have

resolved them. If the government had given the company up to £250m, there would

have been no guarantee that the company would not go into insolvency in the future

and the government would still have needed to fund a repatriation.

Aviation is an open and competitive marketplace which offers consumers significant

choice and value in terms of the destinations on offer and the fares that they pay.

Sadly, this will on occasion mean that the operators, such as Thomas Cook, will be

forced to withdraw from the market.




Unmanned Air Vehicles: Safety

Jamie Stone: [291042]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how frequently the regulatory framework for

drone safety is (a) reviewed and (b) updated in the UK.

Paul Maynard:

The Government has already acted to regulate this sector and has introduced

amendments to the Air Navigation Order 2016 in 2018 and 2019, both times following

a full public consultation. The Government keeps its regulatory framework for

unmanned aircraft under ongoing review as it is vital that unmanned aircraft are used

safely and securely.

From 30 November 2019, it will be a legal requirement for remote pilots of an

unmanned aircraft to take a competency test, to ensure that they have a good

understanding of the rules, and for those who are responsible for an unmanned

aircraft to register with the CAA.

Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud


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

number plate cloning.

George Freeman:

The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK

must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It is a legal

requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only

sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number

plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied.

The DVLA visits number plate suppliers to monitor compliance with the legal

requirements and works closely with the police and trading standards to share

intelligence and support investigations and prosecutions of suppliers who do not

comply.

Anyone who suspects that their number plate has been cloned should report this to

the police, who are responsible for on road enforcement. Any fines or

correspondence received for offences which have not been committed should be

returned to the issuing authorities for investigation. Vehicle keepers can also contact

the DVLA, to request issuing a new registration number for a vehicle where

necessary.



TREASURY

Bank of England: Public Appointments

Harriett Baldwin: [290812]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Governor

of the Bank of England on when the Governor's term of office ends.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his timescale is for assessing the

appointability of the shortlisted candidates for the position of Bank of England Governor

that were submitted to his predecessor.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to announce to Parliament the

identity of the individual selected to be the next Governor of the Bank of England.

John Glen:

It was announced on 11 September 2018 that the Chancellor and Governor had

agreed that the Governor’s term would be extended until 31 January 2020.

The process to appoint the next Governor of the Bank of England was launched in

April. The process is on track. We will make an announcement in due course, ahead

of the start of the next Governor’s term on 1 February 2020.

Bank Services: Older People


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that elderly

people have access to a bank branch.

John Glen:

Though I can understand the disappointment felt in a community when a bank branch

closes, the decision to maintain a presence on the high street is a commercial one for

the management team of a bank and Government does not intervene in those

decisions.

The retail financial landscape is changing, as more consumers and businesses opt

for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and digital banking.

Banking service providers need to balance customer interests, market competition,

and other commercial factors when considering their strategy.

However, the Government also firmly believes that the impact of branch closures

should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all

customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking

services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s

Access to Banking Standard which helps customers to understand the options they

have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance

for customers who need more help, which may include the elderly. Alternative options




https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-launches-search-for-next-governor-of-the-bank-of-england

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-launches-search-for-next-governor-of-the-bank-of-england


include the Post Office, which allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking

customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across

the UK.

Banks: Closures


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of

high street bank branches that have closed in the last five years.

John Glen:

The Treasury does not make assessments of the bank branch network. The decision

to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the bank.

However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities must be

understood, considered and mitigated where possible. That is why the Government

continues to be very supportive of the Access to Banking Standard and the

commitment it places on banks to minimise the impact of branch closures, including

by ensuring that customers are aware of the alternative ways they can continue to

access banking services. These include the Post Office, which allows 95% of

business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking

at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

The Financial Conduct Authority undertook an analysis of branch closures as part of

their Strategic Review of Retail Banking Business Models. This analysis can be found

in Annex 1 of the final report.

Cash Dispensing: Fees and Charges

Ronnie Cowan: [290402]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure

that free to use automated teller machines are available throughout the country.

John Glen:

The management and deployment of ATMs is a commercial matter for ATM market

participants, however the Government recognises that widespread access to cash

remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and

businesses in the UK. That is why the Government is engaging, and will continue to

engage, with the regulators and industry on this important topic.

The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely

monitoring developments in ATM provision. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme

which runs the UK’s ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account

over LINK’s commitments to preserve the broad geographic spread of the ATM

network.

LINK has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1

kilometre away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM and has also enhanced its

Financial Inclusion Programme. More recently, LINK has committed to protecting free



access to cash on high streets – where there is a cluster of five or more retailers –

that don’t have a free-to-use ATM or a Post Office counter within 1 kilometre.

In addition, the Government has invested heavily in maintaining a stable network of

Post Office branches, with investment of around £2 billion since 2010. Currently, 99%

of personal customers and 95% of small business customers can carry out their

everyday banking locally at one of the Post Office’s 11,500 branches.

Companies

Anneliese Dodds: [291078]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HMRC has made of the number

of dormant companies in the UK.

Jesse Norman:

HMRC does not conduct any estimating activity regarding dormant companies.

However, we hold data indicating the number of companies who have become

dormant in the most recent accounting period.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what cooperation and sharing of information

takes place between HMRC and Companies House on dormant companies.

Jesse Norman:

Since 2010 Companies House has provided an electronic feed of the publicly

available information about accounts submitted to them. This information is used by

HMRC to help monitor companies telling HMRC that they are dormant.

Other than this, information sharing was extremely limited because there was no

legal gateway allowing this. The Digital Economy Act 2017 allows for greater sharing

of information for the purposes of fraud identification. HMRC is using data analytics to

identify companies who appear to be incorrectly filing dormant accounts. Where such

cases are identified the information is shared with Companies House and the two

departments co-operate to consider whether enforcement action is appropriate.

Companies: Taxation


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of UK

companies are not required by HMRC to submit tax returns.

Jesse Norman:

All companies are initially required to submit tax returns except for those declared

exempt or dormant. In the most recent accounting period (June 2019), 715,360 (16%)

of UK companies were not required by HMRC to submit a tax return.




Corporation Tax


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the additional

revenue that would be generated by including corporation tax in the extension of offshore

time limits.

Jesse Norman:

The additional revenue that would be generated by including corporation tax in the

extension of offshore time limits was estimated as negligible.

Debts

Stella Creasy: [287541]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether guarantor loans will be included in the

Breathing Space Scheme to increase protection for the (a) borrower and (b) guarantor

and provide and ensure that customers have the time to receive appropriate advice.

John Glen:

Under the breathing space scheme individuals in debt will receive protections on a

wide range of their debts, including guarantor loans.

Dover Port: Large Goods Vehicles

Stephen Timms: [290581]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HMRC has made of the number

of non-compliant trucks arriving at Dover per day for Calais in the event that the UK

leaves the EU without a deal.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has recently published it’s assessment of the flow of freight across

the border in a Reasonable Worst Case Scenario as of 2 August.Since that date, the

Government has taken significant steps to improve levels of trader and haulier

readiness to improve overall flow across the short Strait crossings. This includes a

£100m public information campaign and additional funding for businesses and trade

associations to support traders and hauliers to get ready.

Gambling: Excise Duties

Tom Watson: [290941]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timeframe is for five-year review of

remote gaming duty set out in the 2014 HMRC draft note on Remote Gambling Taxation

Reform.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The benefits, revenue effects and administration of remote gambling taxation are

subject to constant evaluation. We currently have no plans to publish any review or

evaluation document.





Income Tax


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of

rises in income tax thresholds on income distribution in the last 10 years.

Jesse Norman:

Between 2010 and April 2019 the personal allowance has increased by more than

90%. This means that 1.74 million people on low incomes have been taken out of

income tax altogether since 2015-16. The Government has also increased the higher

rate threshold to £50,000 to support working people to keep more of what they earn.

The income tax system is highly progressive – the top 1% of income taxpayers are

forecast to pay over 29% of all income tax in 2018-19.

Low incomes: Food and Fuel


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Operaton Yellowhammer HMG

reasonable worst case planning assumptions chapter 17, what steps his Department is

taking to protect low income groups from price rises in food and fuel.

Rishi Sunak:

HM Treasury routinely monitors economic conditions and risks, and the Government

has a range of mechanisms available to support vulnerable people from price rises in

food and fuel.

Furthermore, officials estimate the direct impact of spending decisions on household

living standards, and this is a central consideration when allocating public funds.

Personal savings: Fees and charges

Peter Kyle: [291041]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

merits of capping (a) all charges, (b) custody charges and (c) transfer charges on (i)

SIPPs and (ii) ISAs.

John Glen:

Government and regulators have undertaken a range of initiatives in relation to

charges on investment products.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has conducted an extensive market study into

the asset management sector, including the examination of costs and charges. They

have introduced a range of remedies to address the issues they found. In particular,

the FCA have strengthened and clarified the duty on managers of investment funds

to act in the best interests of their investors. New rules will require asset managers to

assess the value for money of each fund against a non-exhaustive list of prescribed

elements, including whether charges are reasonable in relation to the costs incurred

in delivering the service, and the quality of the service provided. The managers must




conclude that each fund offers good VfM or take corrective action if it does not and

explain the assessment annually in a report made available to the public.

The FCA also identified concerns that charges might not always be visible to

investors and that investors might not pay sufficient attention to charges or

understand what they represent. In response, the FCA introduced a single all-in fee

to increase the visibility of all charges taken from the fund and impose more discipline

on overspend relative to charging estimates.

The FCA has also considered the role of charges as part of its work on competition in

non-workplace pensions, including self-invested pension plans (SIPPs). They found

that charges in this market are often too complex for consumers to be able to

compare and that similar customers can pay very different charges. The FCA

concluded that it would not be appropriate to recommend direct price intervention

such as a cap at this stage, but it is considering next steps in the context of its

upcoming work on driving value for money across the pensions sector. The FCA’s

Feedback Statement on this topic is seeking views on what remedies would be

appropriate and will close in October 2019.

Early exit charges were banned or capped in personal pension schemes, including

SIPPs, from March 2017. Information obtained by the FCA and the Pensions

Regulator (TPR) showed that early exit charges presented a barrier to accessing the

pension freedoms for a significant minority of people in personal and occupational

pension schemes. Following consultation, the Government took steps to remove

these barriers by capping early exit charges at 1% for existing scheme members and

banning them for new members.

The charges imposed in respect of investments held within Stocks and Shares ISAs

are a matter for individual ISA managers. ISA managers must allow investors to

transfer existing Stocks and Shares ISAs to an alternative manager.

Tax Allowances: Research


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual

revenue raised by Clause 16 and Schedule 4 of the Finance Act 2018.

Jesse Norman:

Clause 16 Schedule 4 of the Finance Act 2018 sets out legislation to enable

knowledge-intensive companies to raise more growth capital through the Enterprise

Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts.

These schemes provide relief for individuals investing in qualifying enterprises, which

are higher-risk, early stage enterprise seeking to grow and develop their trade.

Raising the investment limits for knowledge-intensive enterprises does not directly

raise revenue for the Exchequer. The Government does not monitor any revenue that

may be raised indirectly.


Tax Avoidance

Mrs Anne Main: [290818]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will suspend the 2019 Loan Charge while

the review of that charge is ongoing.

Robert Halfon: [290855]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress has been made on the

review of the 2019 Loan Charge.

Robert Halfon: [290857]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to suspend the 2019 Loan

Charge for the duration of the review of that charge.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will announce a suspension of all

Loan Charge activity whilst his Department's review is ongoing.

Neil Coyle: [291025]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to issue a moratorium

2019 Loan Charge payments for the duration of the independent review of that charge.

Jesse Norman:

The Government remains committed to tackling tax avoidance schemes, but it has

listened to concerns about the impact of the Loan Charge on individuals. An

independent review is under way to consider the appropriateness of the Loan Charge

as a policy response, and its impact on individuals.

The reviewer, Sir Amyas Morse, has been asked to provide recommendations by

mid-November so that any individuals affected can have certainty about their next

steps in advance of the 31 January 2020 Self - Assessment deadline.

While the Review is under way, it is right that the Loan Charge remains in force, in

line with current legislation.

HMRC has made clear it will consider all personal circumstances to agree a

manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible and there is no

maximum limit on how long a customer can be given to pay the charge.

Further information about the Review and guidance for affected taxpayers is available

at www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-

charge-review.

Tax Avoidance: EU Law

Ian Murray: [287561]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to implement the EU's

anti-tax avoidance directive into UK law by 1 January 2020; and if he will maintain that

legislation in UK law after the UK leaves the EU.






http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-charge-review




Jesse Norman:

The UK supports the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, which requires all Member

States to adopt minimum standard rules that restrict the ability of large multinationals

to artificially lower their tax bills.

The UK already has anti-avoidance rules in place which in most cases meet or

exceed the Directive’s requirements.

Finance Act 2019 introduced several technical changes which help ensure our

existing rules will be compliant with the approach taken by the Anti-Tax Avoidance

Directive by 1 January 2020.

Thomas Cook: Insolvency

Nic Dakin: [290754]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c)

his officials have had with the management of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Thomas

Cook UK between 14 September 2019 and the collapse of that company.

John Glen:

The government manages its shareholding in RBS at arm’s length on a commercial

basis through UK Government Investments Ltd (UKGI). UKGI's role is to manage the

investment, not the bank itself. RBS retains its own independent board and

management team for strategic and operational decision-making, including in relation

to commercial lending, and the government has no role in such decision-making.

WALES

Employment: Older People


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of trends in the

level of (a) employment and (b) economic activity of over 65s in Wales in the last three

years.

Alun Cairns:

The latest labour market data shows the employment rate for over 65s in Wales was

9.8% for April 2018 to March 2019, down slightly from 10.0% for April 2015 to March

2016. The economic activity rate for over 65s in Wales also dropped slightly over the

same period, from 10.1% to 9.9%.



WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Disability: Discrimination


To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of

the extent of enforcement of the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 on discrimination on

the basis of disability.

Victoria Atkins:

I refer the Hon Member to the evidence given by the Government Equalities Office

and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to the recent inquiry into

Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the EHRC by the Women and

Equalities Select Committee chaired by my Rt Hon Friend the Member for

Basingstoke. The Select Committee recently published its report from the inquiry and

the Government will be responding to that report shortly.

Written evidence to the inquiry by the Government can be found

herehttp://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidence

document/women-and-equalities-committee/enforcing-the-equality-act-the-law-

and-the-role-of-the-equality-and-human-rights-commission/written/91826.html

Equal Pay

Dawn Butler: [263101]

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many Equality and Human Rights

Commission staff are responsible for assessing the accuracy of employers’ gender pay

gap data.

Victoria Atkins:

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is independent from

government and makes its own decisions about the deployment of its staff. My

officials have asked the CEO of the EHRC to write directly to the MP with the answer.

I will place a copy of the letter in the library.


To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has

made of the potential merits of obligating all major employers in the UK to publish their

gender and ethnicity pay gap data.

Victoria Atkins:

Since introducing regulations in 2017, organisations with 250 or more employees are

required to publish gender pay gap data on an annual basis. This has sparked a

national conversation, as well as prompting conversations in boardrooms across the

country. The unparalleled level of transparency brings to light where inequalities

exist, and is inspiring action from employers to bring about change.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have consulted on how

best to implement mandatory ethnicity pay reporting, including questions on the main




benefits for employers in reporting ethnicity pay information and which employers it

should apply to. They received over 300 detailed responses to the consultation and

will set out next steps in due course.

Members: Maternity Leave

Jim Shannon: [275190]

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with IPSA

on their rules on funding for maternity leave.

Victoria Atkins:

My Rt Hon Friend the Minister for Women and Equalities has not had any discussions

with IPSA regarding funding for maternity leave but, like myself, she welcomes their

work to improve support for MPs taking parental leave.

We want all parents to take active and well-informed choices about balancing work

and care, supported by a fair and clear Government offer. On 19th July, Government

launched Good Work Plan: proposals to support families to consult on a range of

options relating to reforming parental leave and increasing transparency around

family friendly workplace policies.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Marion Fellows: [290397]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July

2019 to Question 271510 on Children: Maintenance, how many times a Commanding

Officer has delayed child maintenance payments as a result of a Service person being on

military operations in each of the last five years.

Mims Davies:

I refer the Honourable member to the earlier response of PQ 257767 and 285029.

The Child Maintenance Service does not record this data as there is no facility on the

Child Maintenance System to record instances when a Deduction from Earning

Request has been delayed by the Ministry of Defence.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times the Child

Maintenance Service has registered the child maintenance debt of a non-resident parent

with credit rating agencies in the past four weeks.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department

holds on the number of incidences where the child maintenance debt of a non-resident

parent was registered with a credit rating agency in (a) the last four weeks, and (b) last

twenty four weeks.





Mims Davies:

The Child Maintenance Service does not record this data as there is no facility on the

Child Maintenance System to record instances when information has been sent to a

Credit Reference Agency.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Maintenance

Service complaints were made by paying parents in relation to income data not being

used to calculate payments; and what proportion of those complaints were upheld in the

last three years.

Mims Davies:

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur

disproportionate cost.

Employment: Older Workers


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department

has taken to increase access to employment for people aged over 50.

Mims Davies:

Employment for older people is at a record high. There are now 10.6 million workers

aged 50 and over, compared to 9.1 million five years ago.

We have already removed the Default Retirement Age, meaning that most people

can choose when to retire and we have extended the right to flexible working beyond

carers, to all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer.

In 2017, Government published our Fuller Working Lives strategy which set out the

role employers, individuals and government can play in supporting older workers.

Additionally, we appointed a Business Champion for Older Workers to engage and

influence employers on a practical and strategic level, promoting the benefits of an

older workforce.

Through the National Retraining Partnership, a partnership between Government, the

Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress, Government is

developing the National Retraining Scheme. The National Retraining Scheme will

help prepare adults for future changes to the economy, including those brought about

by automation, to help them retrain into better jobs.

In February this year, we launched our online mid-life MOT page which encourages

more active planning in the key areas of work, wellbeing and finances. Business in

the Community have created MOT toolkits to enable employers to deliver an MOT.



Food Banks: Glasgow South West


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to visit a food

bank in Glasgow South West constituency in October 2019; and if she will make a

statement.

Will Quince:

DWP Ministers regularly travel across the country visiting jobcentres, charities, food

banks and partnership organisations. We receive many requests for visits across all

parts of the UK and try to get to as many places as is possible with the constraints of

Departmental business and the Parliamentary timetable.

Independent Case Examiner


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has

made of the average time taken by the Independent Case Examiner to review cases

submitted by claimants; and if she will make a statement.

Mims Davies:

When the Independent Case Examiner’s Office accepts a complaint for examination;

they will initially try resolve it in discussion with the complainant and the relevant

business area. If it’s not possible to resolve the complaint, the evidence will be

requested and the case will await allocation to an Investigation Case Manager. Cases

are dealt with by dedicated teams and are usually brought into investigation in strict

date order. Following an examination of the evidence, it may be possible to settle the

complaint, if agreement can be reached on actions that satisfy the complainant. If the

complaint can’t be settled, the Independent Case Examiner will issue a report

detailing findings and any recommendations for redress.

Details of the average time taken to clear complaints accepted for examination by the

Independent Case Examiner’s Office, in the current reporting year (April to August

2019), are detailed below:

TYPE OF CASE CLEARANCE

AVERAGE CLEARANCE TIME IN WEEKS (FROM

ACCEPTANCE TO CASE CLOSURE)

Resolution 6 weeks

Settlement 52 weeks

ICE Report 88 weeks

All cases 68 weeks



Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations

Peter Grant: [290852]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the findings of the video

recording pilot for personal independence payments assessments will be made available.

Justin Tomlinson:

We are currently evaluating the findings and expect to provide an update on this and

future plans in the Autumn.

Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals

Patrick Grady: [290390]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what documentation officials in Job

Centres have been instructed to accept as proof of (a) settled status and (b) pre-settled

status for EU nationals applying for social security benefits after 31 October 2019.

Justin Tomlinson:

We have been clear that the rights of EU nationals with settled and pre-settled status

who apply for social security benefits after 31 October 2019 will be protected.

DWP recognises leave granted under the EU settlement scheme. EU nationals who

claim social security benefits can present their notification of settled or pre-settled

status in support of their claim. DWP procedures require staff to verify evidence of

immigration status through the Habitual Residence Test Process. Mechanisms are in

place between DWP and the Home Office to verify settled status notifications.

EU nationals who are granted settled status and are habitually resident in the UK are

eligible to access income-related benefits.

EU nationals who are granted pre-settled status and are exercising an EU qualifying

right to reside e.g. worker or self-employed status are eligible to access income-

related benefits.

Social Security Benefits: Glasgow


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many advance benefit

payments have been made to people in Glasgow in each month between April 2019 to

August 2019; and if she will make a statement.

Will Quince:

Universal Credit new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in

financial need, which can be accessed urgently, until their first UC payment is due.

Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which they

can pay back over a period of up to 12 months.

For Glasgow City local authority:

• In April 2019 there were 3,100 Universal Credit advances paid




• In May 2019 there were 3,100 Universal Credit advances paid

The Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that advances meet the

needs of claimants and that recovery arrangements are personalised and

reasonable. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of

the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an

award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a

severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and

from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances

from 12 to 16 months.

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100

2. Figures only go to May 2019 in line with published statistics relating to households

on Universal Credit

3. Figures include all types of advances

4. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service only

Social Security Benefits: Suicide

Frank Field: [290669]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many inquests relating to

benefits claimants who have ended their life by suicide her Department has submitted

evidence to since 2013; and in how many inquests it was ruled that the policies of her

Department were partly responsible for the deceased person’s state of mind.

Justin Tomlinson:

Unfortunately, the information requested is not held centrally and is therefore

unavailable without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: [290673]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the information provided in

the Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide Appendix 4, that fines have a maximum

deduction rate of £108.35 a month, and a minimum deduction rate of an amount

equivalent to five per cent of the claimant’s UC Standard Allowance. Any other

deductions being taken reduce the maximum deduction rate pound for pound, so that the

total of all deductions doesn’t go above the overall maximum deduction rate of 40 per

cent of the claimant’s UC Standard Allowance, is still applicable.

Will Quince:

The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the

Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an

award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a

severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and



from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances

from 12 to 16 months.

The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants

who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect

vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut

off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential

services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the

claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.

If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made

they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be

considered.

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

TREASURY

Economy Update

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sajid Javid): [HCWS1836]

Public spending update

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Rishi Sunak): [HCWS1834]

Today the Treasury is confirming that £4.3bn of funding will be allocated to departments

and the Devolved Administrations for the financial year 2019-20 to deliver the HMG

guarantee of EU-funded programmes, with a total of around £16.6bn expected to be

allocated over the lifetime of the guarantee.

Leaving the EU on 31 October with a deal which works for the whole of the UK remains

the government’s top priority.

However, the government is continuing with no deal preparations to ensure the country is

prepared for every eventuality. It is the responsible thing to do and an important part of

this process is giving certainty to UK citizens and organisations.

To provide this certainty, and as previously announced in the written statement of 24 July

2018 (HCWS926), the government has guaranteed certain EU funding. The guarantee

covers the following:

• the full Multiannual Financial Framework allocation for structural and investment

funds over the 2014-20 funding period, with payments to beneficiaries made up to

the end of 2023;

• the payment of awards where UK organisations – such as charities, businesses

and universities – successfully bid directly to the European Commission on a

competitive basis while we remain in the EU (e.g. before exit day), for the lifetime

of the project;

• the payment of awards where UK organisations successfully bid to the European

Commission on a competitive basis to participate as a 3rd country after exit, and

until the end of 2020, for the lifetime of the project; and

• the current level of agricultural funding under CAP Pillar 1 until 31 December 2020.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-09-30/HCWS1836/


WORK AND PENSIONS

Labour Market Update

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse Coffey):

[HCWS1835]

Latest data released in September shows UK employment has increased by 3.7 million

since 2010. Around three-quarters of that increase in employment has come from full-

time, permanent and higher skilled roles. Youth unemployment has also halved since

2010, meaning more young people are in work and the number of children growing up in

in workless households is at an all-time low.

It is important that we continue to build on this progress so I am introducing a £4 million

package, including two new initiatives, to help disadvantaged young people into work and

use mobile technology to help jobseekers into higher paid jobs.

Additional funding of up to £1.2 million will provide extra support in Manchester and the

West Midlands, ensuring extra time and resources for young people facing the biggest

hurdles to getting a job, like care-leavers and young offenders.

Since 2018 the Department for Work and Pensions has worked with the West Midlands

Combined Authority to develop the Youth Employability Coaches concept (previously

known as Progression Coaches). Following this successful pilot, we will be expanding the

Programme to other parts of the West Midlands and Greater Manchester area to reach

more disadvantaged young people. Youth Employability Coaches will continue to support

young people for up to 6 weeks after they start a job, helping them continue to build skills

and stay in employment.

A new data service will also be piloted, initially in Manchester, with up to £2.8 million

funding. Using the latest data-analysis technology, this service will gather a range of skills

and labour market data from a variety of public and commercial sources.

It will provide local areas with high quality and real time information on skills supply and

demand. Additionally, jobseekers or those seeking to progress in work will be able to

search for roles based on their skills and experience. The pilot service will show them

what new skills they need to move into higher-paid roles available near them. By

providing more tailored local labour market intelligence we can help individuals find jobs,

back businesses, grow our economy and help people reach their full potential.

Both pilots have the potential to be rolled out nationally, helping reduce youth

unemployment even further after it fell 48% since 2010, and helping more people boost

their earnings.

