daily report tuesday, 7 may 2019 contents · 5/7/2019 · daily report tuesday, 7 may 2019 this...

Daily Report Tuesday, 7 May 2019

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 7 May 2019 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (06:38 P.M., 07 May 2019). For the latest

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

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

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 5

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 5

Carbon Emissions 5

Companies: Ownership 5

Conditions of Employment 6

Department for Business,

Energy and Industrial Strategy:

Secondment 6

Energy Supply 7

Energy: Environment

Protection 7

Fracking: Landfill 8

Fracking: Waste Disposal 8

Fracking: Water 9

Fuel Poverty 10

Living Wage and Minimum

Wage: Non-payment 10

Passenger Ships 10

Post Offices: Closures and

Franchises 11

Renewable Energy: Feed-in

Tariffs 11

Zero Hours Contracts: Holiday

Leave 12

CABINET OFFICE 12

Civil Service Agencies 12

Data Protection: USA 12

DEFENCE 13

Defence: Space 13

Tanks 13

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 13

Broadband: North West 13

Football: Racial Discrimination 14

Marriage 14

Mobile Phones: Cybercrime 15

Sports: East Midlands 15

Television: Licensing 16

Voluntary Work: Young People 16

Young People: Public

Participation 17

EDUCATION 17

Adult Education: Admissions 17

Apprentices 18

Apprentices: Taxation 19

Food: Curriculum 25

Overseas Students: EU

Nationals 26

Primary Education:

Assessments 26

Pupils: Per Capita Costs 26

Schools: Counselling 27

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Special Educational Needs:

Warrington 28

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 29

Birds: Pest Control 29

Dangerous Dogs 29

Department for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit 30

Fly-tipping 30

Fracking: Landfill 31

Fracking: Water 31

Packaging 32

Poultry 32

EXITING THE EUROPEAN

UNION 33

Brexit 33

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 33

Bahrain: Human Rights and

Press Freedom 33

Egypt: Gaza 33

Middle East: Peace

Negotiations 34

Oman: Detainees 34

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 34

Antibiotics: Drug Resistance 34

Cancer 35

Cancer: Health Professions 36

Cancer: Social Security

Benefits 36

Cannabis: Medical Treatments 37

Cervical Cancer 37

Diabetes: Diagnosis 38

Gambling 38

Health and Care Professions

Council: Fees and Charges 38

Health Services and Social

Services: Vacancies 39

Health Services: Children and

Young People 39

Health Services: Rural Areas 40

Infant Foods 40

Lung Cancer: Diagnosis 41

Mental Health Services: West

Lancashire 42

Mental Illness: Children 42

NHS 43

Opiates: Misuse 44

Palliative Care 44

Pneumococcal Diseases:

Vaccination 45

School Fruit and Vegetable

Scheme 45

Vaccination 45

HOME OFFICE 46

Alcoholic Drinks: Sales 46

Drugs: Crime 46

Home Office: Staff 47

Immigration: EU Nationals 47

Immigration: Reviews 48

Knives: Crime 48

Lancashire Constabulary:

Expenditure 49

Police: Horses 50

Police: Pensions 50

HOUSE OF COMMONS

COMMISSION 50

Parliament: Huawei 50

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 51

Buildings: Insulation 51

Coastal Areas 51

Derelict Land 52

Grenfell Tower: Fires 52

Local Government: Assets 54

Ministry of Housing,

Communities and Local

Government: Secondment 54

Non-domestic Rates 55

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 56

Department for International

Development: Wales 56

Developing Countries:

Clothing 57

Developing Countries: Health

Services 57

Developing Countries: Nature

Conservation 58

Developing Countries:

Vaccination 58

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid 58

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance 59

Israel: Palestinians 59

Pakistan: Vaccination 60

Tranexamic Acid 60

Vaccination 60

Vaccination: Prices 61

Zimbabwe: Disaster Relief 62

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 62

Drinks: Exports 62

JUSTICE 63

Birmingham Prison 63

Prison Officers 63

Prisons: Standards 64

Young Offenders: Protection 65

SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR

THE INDEPENDENT

PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS

AUTHORITY 66

Members: Allowances 66

TRANSPORT 66

Durham Coast Railway Line 66

High Speed 2 Railway Line 67

Railway Stations: Hampshire 68

TREASURY 69

Loans: Interest Rates 69

Mortgages 69

Public Health: Finance 69

Regional Planning and

Development: North of

England 70

WALES 70

Wales Office: Contracts 70

Wales Office: Secondment 70

WORK AND PENSIONS 71

Children: Maintenance 71

Employment and Social

Security Benefits: Learning

Disability 72

Employment and Support

Allowance: Appeals 72

Funerals: Fees and Charges 73

Social Security Benefits:

Children 73

Universal Credit 74

Universal Credit: Housing 76

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 77

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 77

Business Update 77

EDUCATION 78

Schools update 78

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 78

Rough Sleeping update 78

LEADER OF THE HOUSE 79

Response to the Joint

Committee’s report on the

Draft Parliamentary Buildings

(Restoration and Renewal) Bill 79

NORTHERN IRELAND 80

National Security

Arrangements in Northern

Ireland 1 January 2017 – 31

December 2018 80

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

Carbon Emissions

Stephen Timms: [249176]

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

has to address the projection in his Department’s Updated Energy and Emissions

Projections 2018, published 11 April 2019, that the UK will miss its carbon targets for

2023 to 2027 by 5.6% and for 2028 to 2032 by 9.6%; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry:

Carbon budgets four and five end in 8 and 13 years respectively and we are already

over 90% of the way towards meeting them from a 1990 baseline, even before many

of the policies and proposals in the Clean Growth Strategy are taken into account.

The Strategy sets out our plans to build on our progress in decarbonising the power

sector, while looking further across the whole of the economy and the country. It

includes ambitious proposals on housing, business, transport, the natural

environment and green finance.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy

Stephen Doughty: [249308]

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

discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) the US, (b) China and (c) Russia on

reducing their cumulative CO2 emissions.

Claire Perry:

The UK continues to demonstrate the strong leadership needed to tackle climate

change, both at home and abroad. As an issue of significant public and international

importance, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet with their

international counterparts to discuss a range of issues including climate change. As

the Cabinet Minister most directly responsible for climate change, I regularly attend

major international climate meetings, recently at COP24 in Poland.

Companies: Ownership

Alison Thewliss: [248713]

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

exemptions have been made under the people with significant control register; and for

what reasons those exemptions have been made.

Kelly Tolhurst:

[Holding answer 2 May 2019]: As at 30 April 2019, 836 live companies were exempt

from the requirements to file information about their People with Significant Control.

This is because they are subject to other disclosure requirements due to their voting

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-04-30/249176





shares being admitted to trading on a regulated market in the UK or EEA, or on

markets listed in Schedule 1 to the Register of People with Significant Control

Regulations 2016.

Exemptions can also be granted in very limited circumstances, in the interests of

national security, the economic wellbeing of the UK, or in the support or prevention or

detection of serious crime. I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial

Statement made on 26 January 2016, HCWS488, which set out the circumstances in

which such exemptions would be granted.

Conditions of Employment

Sir Oliver Heald: [248558]

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

the Written Statement of 17 December 2018, Official Report HCWS1184, when he plans

to bring forward detailed proposals on tackling uncertainty around employment status.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government has committed to legislate to improve the clarity of the employment

status tests, reflecting the reality of modern working relationships. This will help to

ensure that both businesses and individuals understand their rights and obligations.

Employment status is a complex issue and so it is only right that we take time to

consider how best to achieve change that works for all. We will bring forward detailed

proposals on status in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Secondment

Chris Ruane: [249902]

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

civil servants in his Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the

European Union and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the last three

years.

Andrew Stephenson:

BEIS does not hold centrally the records of every Department loaned staff have

joined. However, according to reports from BEIS’ two Shared Services providers

during this period, the total number of BEIS staff loaned out in each year is as

follows:

2016 – 47

2017 – 53

2018 – 48

2019 – 27

This data only reflects the loans fully recorded on Shared Services and so may not

reflect all loans out of the Department.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-01-26/HCWS488/

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-01-26/HCWS488/



Energy Supply

Alex Sobel: [249358]

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

has plans to abolish the embedded benefits regime for small generators below 100MW.

Claire Perry:

Network charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and decisions

on any changes to charging arrangements are for it to make. Ofgem is considering

the future of some embedded benefits, which relate to the charging arrangements for

smaller generators connected to the electricity distribution system, as part of its

ongoing Targeted Charging Review. The review is seeking to ensure that all parties

connected to the electricity network make a fair contribution to its fixed costs. Ofgem

has not yet concluded its review, and is currently considering responses received to a

consultation held earlier this year on reform proposals.

Energy: Environment Protection

Jo Stevens: [248710]

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

he has made of the cost to the public purse of Government green energy projects in each

year since 2015.

Claire Perry:

The costs of renewable energy schemes for electricity are funded through consumer

energy bills, rather than from general taxation.

The Renewable Heat Incentive is funded through general taxation:

COST (£M) 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Committed Renewable

Heat Incentive

366 530 713

Source: RHI budget caps, BEIS:

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

ent_data/file/795530/RHI_budget_cap_publication_data_to_end_of_February_2019.p

df

The Department has allocated general taxation for energy innovation spend for green

energy projects, in the amounts of:

COST (£M) 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 (EST)*

Energy Innovation

spend for green

energy projects

373 473 531



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795530/RHI_budget_cap_publication_data_to_end_of_February_2019.pdf




Source: BEIS annual returns to the International Energy Association for UK energy

innovation spend.

* Figures for financial year 2017/18 are estimates and figures for 2018/19 are not

currently available.

Fracking: Landfill

Lee Rowley: [248063]


estimate he has made of the number of landfill sites needed to dispose of (a) waste water

sludge, (b) sand and (c) filter cake produced from (i) hydraulic fracturing operations and

(ii) associated water treatment in the event that the industry develops as proposed in the

Government's energy policy.

Claire Perry:

The UK shale gas industry is at the very early stages of exploration and we do not yet

know how much shale gas it will be possible to technologically and commercially

extract from UK shale reserves. In order to determine the potential of the industry and

the benefits it could bring the UK, we need exploration to go ahead, and Government

encourages this. Further exploration will be needed to determine the number of

landfill sites required to dispose of waste water sludge, sand and filter cake which

would be created by future shale gas development. Future waste treatment capacity

and its expansion to meet hydraulic fracturing needs is a matter for the industry.

Under Environmental Permitting Regulations, shale gas operators are required to

check the capacity of appropriate waste disposal facilities. If operators cannot

demonstrate an appropriate disposal route to the Environment Agency during the

environmental permitting process, it is likely to refuse their application.

Fracking: Waste Disposal



estimate he has made of the potential amount of (a) waste water sludge, (b) sand and (c)

filter cake produced from (i) hydraulic fracturing operations and (ii) associated water

treatment in the event that the industry develops as proposed in the Government's energy

policy.

Claire Perry:




the benefits it could bring the UK, we need exploration to go ahead and Government

encourages this. Further exploration will be needed to determine the amount of waste

water sludge, sand and filter cake which would be created by future shale gas

development. Future waste water treatment capacity and its expansion to meet

hydraulic fracturing needs is a matter for the industry.




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

he has made of the number of universal waste water treatments sites that are (a) capable

and (b) permitted to treat all variations of waste water content generated from hydraulic

fracturing operations.

Claire Perry:

There are five sites in England with the necessary permits to treat all variations of

waste water content generated from hydraulic fracturing. In addition, there are other

sites around the country which, subject to obtaining the relevant permits, could

accept and treat waste water from hydraulic fracturing.

Fracking: Water



estimate he has made of the potential volume of waste water from hydraulic fracturing

operations in the event that the industry develops as proposed in the government's

energy policy. Choose one

Claire Perry:





encourages this. Further exploration will be needed to determine the amount of waste

water which would be created by future shale gas development.

Future treatment capacity, cost and its expansion is a matter for the shale gas and

waste water industries. Both businesses proposing to explore for oil and gas using

hydraulic fracturing, and operators carrying out treatment of any wastes generated,

require environmental permits from the Environment Agency, which are subject to a

detailed site-specific assessment. The permits set legally binding conditions on how

activities are carried out so that the local environment is protected.



estimate he has made of the potential number of waste water facilities that will be needed

to (a) treat and (b) dispose of waste water generated from hydraulic fracturing operations

in the event that the industry develops as proposed in the Government's energy policy.

Claire Perry:





encourages this.




Further exploration will be needed to determine the amount of waste water facilities

which would be required for future shale gas development.

Future treatment capacity is a matter for the shale gas and waste water industries.

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations shale gas operators are required to

check the capacity of appropriate waste disposal facilities. If operators cannot

demonstrate an appropriate disposal route to the Environment Agency during the

environmental permitting process it is likely to refuse their application.

Fuel Poverty

Mr Jim Cunningham: [249203]

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

to the 2018 Annual Report of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, what steps his Department

is taking to respond to the recommendation for a new Clean Growth Fuel Poverty

Challenge Fund.

Claire Perry:

I am grateful of the advice from the Committee, which we are considering carefully as

part of our plan to update the Fuel Poverty Strategy later in 2019.

Living Wage and Minimum Wage: Non-payment

Stephanie Peacock: [248059]

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

has to publish the names of employers who do not pay the national minimum or national

living wage.

Kelly Tolhurst:

[Holding answer 1 May 2019]: Enforcement of the National Minimum and National

Living Wage (NMW) is a priority for the Government. We are taking tough action

against the minority of employers who underpay; in 2018/19 HM Revenue & Customs

NMW identified a record £24.4 million in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued

over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant employers. Since 2015 we have

doubled our budget to enforce the NMW.

To date, we have named almost 2,000 employers who underpaid through the NMW

Naming Scheme. As a result of recommendations made by the Director of Labour

Market Enforcement, we have now begun a review of the Scheme to ensure it

continues to effectively deliver our policy objective of ensuring workers are paid fairly

for the work they do. This work is ongoing and will be completed in due course.

Passenger Ships

Zac Goldsmith: [247016]

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

discussions he has had with the Department for Transport on the effect of the Maritime




and Coastguard Agency’s proposals on older UK passenger boats on businesses and

skilled maritime jobs.

Kelly Tolhurst:

[Holding answer 29 April 2019]: My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and BEIS

ministers have not had any direct discussions with the Department for Transport

(DfT) on the effect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals on older UK

passenger boats on businesses and skilled maritime jobs. BEIS officials have

reached out to the MCA and industry to further understand the issue raised. They

also remain closely engaged with DfT on the delivery of the recently published

Maritime 2050 strategy and to support growth ambitions across the maritime sector.

Should my hon. friend wish to discuss this issue, I would be happy to arrange a

meeting.

Post Offices: Closures and Franchises

Rosie Cooper: [248017]

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

assessment he has made of the effect of closing Crown post offices and franchising

services to WHSmith on the sustainability of the post office network.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and

for small businesses across the UK. This is why the Government committed to

safeguard the post office network and protect existing rural services. The overall

number of post offices across the UK remains at its most stable in decades with over

11,500 branches thanks to significant Government investment of over £2 billion since

2010.

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

company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business

and the management of the network is an operational matter for Post Office Limited.

A report by Citizen’s Advice in June 2017 stated that franchised branches are

performing in line with, or better than Directly Managed branches. As part of its

ongoing monitoring role Citizens Advice will continue to track the impact of post office

changes on consumers and customer satisfaction of post offices, including with the

franchising of Directly Managed branches.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Alex Sobel: [249355]

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

minimum export price level will be on the smart export guarantee scheme.

Claire Perry:

The consultation on a Smart Export Guarantee closed on 5 March 2019. We are

currently analysing the responses we received and will publish a government

response in due course.



Zero Hours Contracts: Holiday Leave

Jim Shannon: [249305]

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

on zero-hours contracts are entitled to annual leave.

Kelly Tolhurst:

All workers, including workers on zero-hour contracts are entitled to receive paid

annual leave.

In 2017, the Unpaid Britain report found that 1.8 million workers are missing out on

£1.8 billion each year, in unpaid holiday leave.

The Government wants to ensure that all workers, regardless of the hours they work,

receive the paid time off they deserve. This is why the Government recently ran the ‘It

comes with the job’ advertising campaign encouraging workers to understand their

rights and employers to understand their legal obligations. Government has also

developed new guidance, available on GOV.UK, to help workers and employers

understand holiday pay policy and entitlement. Both the campaign, and the guidance

were aimed at atypical workers, which includes workers on zero hours contracts. To

aid those at risk of not receiving their holiday entitlement, the Government has also

committed to introducing state enforcement of holiday pay for vulnerable workers.

CABINET OFFICE

Civil Service Agencies

Mike Gapes: [248565]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list all current Executive Agencies.

Oliver Dowden:

A list of Executive Agencies is included in Public Bodies 2018-19. This can be found

by following this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-bodies-2018-19-report

Alternatively, a copy is also available in the House Library using the following details:

Public Bodies 2018-19: 2019-0385

Data Protection: USA

Mr David Davis: [246927]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what measures are in place to prevent the US

Government accessing confidential information on British citizens that is stored with US

hyperscale cloud providers, following the passage of the US CLOUD Act.

Oliver Dowden:

Many countries, including the United Kingdom, assert extra-territorial jurisdiction in

relation to some of their investigative powers as a crucial means of preventing and

prosecuting crime in a world where evidence is increasingly digital and controlled






overseas. The Government understands that the CLOUD Act clarified provisions of

United States’ law in relation to the US authorities’ ability to obtain certain data

hosted abroad and did not mark a radical expansion to the scope or reach of their

powers. The Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation

provide robust safeguards to protect the privacy of those in the UK, and we are

committed to working with other governments including the US to ensure that privacy

is properly respected where jurisdictional interests overlap.

DEFENCE

Defence: Space

Nia Griffith: [249251]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant the Answer of 21 February 2019 to

Question 221566 on Defence: Space, when his Department plans to publish a Defence

Space Strategy.

Stuart Andrew:

The Ministry of Defence is firmly committed to a number of space programmes, and

we are assessing our space capabilities, coherence and requirements. Our strategy

work on space has developed significantly and will play a key role in Spending

Review decisions. we are currently reviewing the right timing for publication of our

strategy.

Tanks

Andrew Rosindell: [247994]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to reduce the

number of tanks.

Stuart Andrew:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 2019, to Question 246488,

to the right hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Kevan Jones).

Attachments:

1. 246488-Challenger Tanks: Repairs and Maintenance [Hansard Extract 29 April 2019,

UIN 246488 (1).docx]

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadband: North West

Stephen Twigg: [246435]

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

has made of the adequacy of level of access to superfast fibre broadband in (a) Liverpool

West Derby constituency, (b) Merseyside and (c) North West England; and what steps he

is taking to increase access to that service in those areas.




Margot James:

According to Thinkbroadband; 99.7% of premises in Liverpool West constituency

currently have access to Superfast broadband. 96.8% of premises in the North West,

have access to Superfast broadband. Thinkbroadband does not hold specific

information for Merseyside.

Despite high levels of access to superfast speeds in these areas, many premises are

choosing not to take it up. Current take up rates for broadband stands at 46.6% of

premises in the Merseyside area, and 45.2% in the North West.

DCMS run several voucher schemes which are available to the public to help

increase broadband services across the UK.

The Better Broadband Voucher Scheme is available to those who are unable to

obtain a connection speed above 2Mbps. The Scheme can support access to satellite

broadband, or fixed 4G or wireless connections in some locations. The Better

Broadband Voucher Scheme will be open for applications until 31st December 2019,

ensuring that an affordable basic broadband installation remains available to eligible

applicants. Further information is available at:https://basicbroadband.culture.gov.uk/.

In March 2018 the Local Full Fibre Networks programme launched its £67m Gigabit

Broadband Voucher Scheme. Small to medium sized businesses can claim a

voucher worth up to £2,500, and residents can claim a voucher worth up to £500 as

part of a group project. Businesses and local community groups interested in

requesting a voucher can find details of suppliers in their local area on our website at:

https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/.

Football: Racial Discrimination

Dr Matthew Offord: [247007]

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

Department is taking to tackle racism in amateur football.

Mims Davies:

Following my summit on Feb 25th, Government is working with key groups to deliver

clear, tangible actions to tackle racism at all levels of football. As per my statement to

the house on 11th April, my intention is to announce these interventions, in

partnership with football, before the end of the summer.

Marriage

Martin Vickers: [246991]

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

Government plans to (a) restrict or (b) remove the charitable status of Churches and

other faith-based organisations who express and practise historic orthodox beliefs on the

doctrine of marriage.



Mims Davies:

To be a charity, institutions, including Churches and other faith-based organisations

in England and Wales, must meet the legal test for charitable status set out in the

Charities Act 2011. This requires the institution to have a wholly charitable purpose

for the benefit of the public. The advancement of religion has long been recognised

as a charitable purpose. There is no presumption that a particular charitable purpose

is for the public benefit.

The Charity Commission, as the independent regulator of charities in England and

Wales, is responsible for assessing if an institution meets the legal test for charitable

status.

There are no plans to change the legal test for charitable status which applies to

Churches and other faith-based organisations who express and practise historic

orthodox beliefs on the doctrine of marriage.

Mobile Phones: Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: [249285]

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

Government is taking to (a) protect critical national infrastructure, business and

consumers from the vulnerabilities to hackers in mobile signalling networks SS7 and

Diameter and (b) mitigate against the risk of such attacks.

Margot James:

It was announced in 2016 as part of the National Cyber Security Strategy that SS7

and Diameter protocols used within mobile networks would be tackled within the

National Cyber Security Center’s (NCSC) published Active Cyber Defence

programme. The NCSC continues to work closely with mobile operators to reduce the

vulnerability of UK networks. In addition, the NCSC works with other critical sectors to

provide guidance on how to mitigate the risks of such attacks.

Sports: East Midlands

Ben Bradley: [247157]

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

made of the cost to the public purse of indoor sports provision in the East Midlands in

each year since 2015.

Mims Davies:

Sporting Future, Government’s sport and physical activity strategy highlighted how

important it is that people are able to access sports provision in the way that best

suits them whether this is indoors or outdoors.

In the East Midlands region Sport England has provided £42,652,294 Exchequer and

£118,453,712 lottery funding since the 2014/15 funding year.

It is not possible for Sport England to provide a cost breakdown between indoor and

outdoor sports provision as funding data is not held in this manner.



Television: Licensing

Martin Whitfield: [249353]

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

taking to ensure that cable and satellite TV companies to share their subscription

information with TV Licensing to improve the investigation and enforcement process as

set out in section 5 of the TV licence free enforcement review.

Margot James:

The government expects the BBC to collect the licence fee in an efficient and

proportionate way to reduce costs and evasion. We continue to explore the feasibility

of subscription data sharing.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Vicky Foxcroft: [248724]

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

Answer of 13 September 2018 to Question 170815 on Voluntary Work: Young People,

how many of the NCS participants eligible for Free School Meals completed the

programme in (a) the UK and (b) London in each of the last five years.

Mims Davies:

NATIONAL CITIZEN

SERVICE 2013 2014 2015 2016

2017*

*

England*

Eligible for

Free School

Meals

Participants 7,302 9,283 12,334 14,427 16,702

Completed 6,535 8,465 11,486 13,459 15,511

London

Eligible for

Free School

Meals

Participants 2,096 1,633 3,106 3,636 4,117

Completed 1,942 1,590 2,967 3,458 3,900

* Participation/completion data is not disaggregated for Northern Ireland; Wales ran

an NCS pilot in 2014, but decided not to roll-out across the country; Scotland decided

not to implement an NCS programme.

** The final participation and completion figures for the National Citizen Service

programme in 2018 are undergoing compliance checks and will be published on

gov.uk by Autumn 2019.



Young People: Public Participation


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

Department is taking to increase participation in public life among younger age groups.

Mims Davies:

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched three new

youth voice projects in February 2019, to enable young people to have a say in

national policy making: a Young Commissioners and Inspectors Group, a Civil

Society Youth Steering Group and a digital youth engagement research project.

DCMS also provides funding for the UK Youth Parliament, Youth Select Committee

and Make Your Mark ballot which support young people to raise issues on local and

national levels. The £40 million #iwill Fund, a 4 year joint investment between DCMS

and The National Lottery Community Fund, supports the creation of new

opportunities for young people to volunteer and engage in their local communities.

The National Citizen Service (NCS), a voluntary social development programme for

young people, is helping to build a more responsible, more cohesive and more

engaged society. NCS participants have dedicated over 12 million hours of

volunteering to their local communities.

EDUCATION

Adult Education: Admissions


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

the number of students enrolling in adult education in each year since 2010.

Anne Milton:

We recognise that participation in adult (19+) further education has decreased. The

latest full year statistics are published on GOV.UK here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/further-education-and-skills-statistical-

first-release-sfr.

We are considering adult skills more widely as a department and will therefore be

considering trends in the take-up of adult education as part of this. In addition, we are

looking carefully at further education funding in preparation for the Spending Review.

We are considering how effective our funding and regulatory structures are in

supporting high quality provision, and in line with the aims of the Post-18 Review, to

ensure a coherent vision for further and higher education.



Apprentices

Nic Dakin: [248023]

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

from employers on the effect of the 20 per cent off-the-job training standard on delivering

apprenticeships.

Anne Milton:

The requirement for a minimum of 20% off-the-job training is an important quality

requirement and one of the core, longstanding principles of an apprenticeship.

We work with employer representative bodies to ensure policy and funding rules are

well understood and to gain insight into how apprenticeships are being delivered.

There are a number of employers represented on our Apprenticeships Stakeholder

Board where the off-the-job training has been discussed. The effect of the 20% off-

the-job training standard is frequently raised with me when I meet businesses.

We have recently issued updated off-the-job training guidance and products to

support employers, training providers and apprentices to understand what good off-

the-job training looks like and the benefits of it. These were developed in response to

employer feedback and were tested with stakeholders prior to publication.

Nic Dakin: [248028]

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

Government’s progress on delivering three million apprenticeships by 2020; and if he will

make a statement.

Anne Milton:

In 2015 we set an ambitious goal of 3 million high quality apprenticeships by 2020

and that remains our ambition, but we will not sacrifice quality to meet this figure. We

have introduced a wide range of reforms to apprenticeships to improve their quality

and to encourage employers across England to increase the number of

apprenticeships that they offer.

There have been 1,709,500 apprenticeship starts in England between May 2015 and

January 2019.

We regularly report on progress toward the target in our apprenticeships and

traineeships publications, which is available at:

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

To support all employers to make the long-term, sustainable investment in training, in

April 2019 we halved the co-investment rate from 10% to 5% for new starts and have

increased the amount that levy-paying employers can transfer to other employers

from 10% to 25%.

We are working to raise awareness of apprenticeships across the country and the

benefits that they bring to both employers and apprentices. Our ‘Fire It Up’

communication campaign seeks to change the way that people think about



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

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

apprenticeships and to demonstrate that apprenticeships are an aspirational choice

for anyone.

Nic Dakin: [248029]

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

importance of Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships in delivering three million

apprenticeships by 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton:

Our reforms allow employers to choose the type, quality, level and frequency of

apprenticeships that they offer in order to meet their current and future skills needs.

Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships play an important role in meeting these needs as well

as providing valuable opportunities for individuals. Apprenticeships at these levels still

account for the vast majority of apprenticeship starts. For example, in the first half of

2018/19, there were nearly 175,000 starts at levels 2 and 3, which represents 82% of

total starts for the period.

There are now 440 industry-designed standards, of which 269 are at levels 2 and 3,

meaning there are apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. During the first half of

2018/19, nearly 60% of starts were on these new standards. We can see that

employers are moving quickly to this new higher quality offer.

Apprentices: Taxation

Nic Dakin: [248020]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the National Audit Office

report, The apprenticeships programme, published on 6 March 2019, HC 1987, what

assessment he has made of the future financial sustainability of the apprenticeship levy;

and if he will make a statement.

Nic Dakin: [248037]

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

of the future financial sustainability of the apprenticeship levy; and if he will make a

statement.

Anne Milton:

The apprenticeship levy is collected by HM Revenue and Customs from all UK

employers with a pay bill above £3 million.

Separately, HM Treasury have set the Department for Education a budget for

apprenticeships in England for the current Spending Review period (to 2019-20). This

budget is distinct from the levy and is not dependent on receipts from the levy. This

budget is used to fund new apprenticeship starts for both levy and non-levy paying

employers and must also cover the ongoing costs of apprentices that are already in

training .

In 2019-20 funding available for investment in apprenticeships in England is over

£2.5 billion, double what was spent in 2010-11.




Currently, we expect to remain within budget in this spending review period to the

end of the 2019-20 financial year. A detailed breakdown of spending for 2018-19 will

be published in the Education and Skills Funding Agency Annual Report and

Accounts.

The level of funding for the apprenticeship programme beyond 2019-20 will be

determined by the forthcoming Spending Review.

Nic Dakin: [248021]

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

Question 243426, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of levy funds

in employers’ accounts that will (a) expire and (b) be spent on apprenticeships before

they expire; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton:

Levy-paying employers have up to 24 months from the point at which funds enter

their account to spend the funds available. The 24 month expiry period is designed to

give employers time to develop their apprenticeship programmes whilst encouraging

employers to take action to create new apprenticeship opportunities. Funds will only

expire on a month by month basis from May 2019 if an employer has spent less on

apprenticeship training and assessment in the past 2 years than the amount that

went into their account in May 2017.

We do not anticipate that all levy-payers will use all the funds in their accounts,

though they are able to. Income from the levy is used to fund apprenticeship training

for both levy paying and non-levy paying employers.

Levy-paying employers are now able to transfer up to 25% of the annual value of

their levy funds to other employers.

In May 2019, the 24-month expiry date will be reached for the earliest declared levy

funds. We forecast that when the first ‘expiry’ period arrives in May, approximately

£12 million pounds will remain unspent, representing 9% of the total levy funding that

employers collectively paid in April 2017.

Nic Dakin: [248022]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships there are in non-

levy paying businesses; what other Government programmes will be funded by expired

apprenticeship levy funds; and if he will make a statement.

Nic Dakin: [248027]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeship starts have been

funded by unspent employer levy funds in (a) 2018 and (b) to the end of March 2019.

Anne Milton:

In the first half of 2018/19 academic year there have been 214,200 apprenticeship

starts reported to date. Of these, 105,700 (49%) starts have been directly supported

by funds from levy payer’s apprenticeship service accounts. There have also been




108,500 (51%) starts which have not been supported directly by levy funds, and the

majority of these starts will be with non levy-paying employers.

We publish data on apprenticeship starts on a monthly basis at:


first-release-sfr.

In the 2019-20 financial year, the annual funding allocated to the Department for

Education for apprenticeships in England is over £2.5 billion. This funding is distinct

from levy receipts and is used to fund new apprenticeship starts for both levy and

non-levy paying employers, and to cover the ongoing costs of apprentices that are

already in training. It is therefore not possible to provide data on how many

apprenticeship starts have been funded by unspent employer levy funds as all

apprenticeship starts are funded from the Department for Education’s budget. At

present, there are no plans to spend expired levy funds on programmes other than

apprenticeships.

Nic Dakin: [248024]


Question 243426 on apprenticeships: Taxation, what steps his Department is taking to

increase the amount of apprenticeship levy funds that employers are using; and if he will

make a statement.

Anne Milton:

We continue to work with levy-paying employers to make sure that they can make the

most of the opportunities that our reforms present, and we’ve responded to their

feedback. In April 2019, we increased the amount that levy-payers can transfer to

smaller employers or other organisations from 10 to 25% of their funds each year,

helping them use their levy funds to support apprenticeship starts in their supply

chain or meet local skills shortages.

The number of employer-designed apprenticeship standards available now stands at

440, giving employers more choice than ever and allowing them to spend their levy

funds to develop the skills they need.

Since April 2016, we have provided ongoing face-to-face support for over 1,100 of

the largest levy-paying employers through our national account managers. Since

April 2018, we have extended support over the phone to a further 3,500 large levy-

paying employers. Our support focuses on helping these businesses to build large-

scale, high-quality programmes that deliver a return on their investment.

We have also led a major awareness-raising campaign among the remaining levy-

paying employers, raising awareness of the opportunity to utilise their investment and

helping them understand how to use transfers.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/further-education-and-skills-statistical-first-release-sfr




Nic Dakin: [248025]

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

of employer apprenticeship levy funds that will be used in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021

and (d) 2022; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton:

Since 2017, we have introduced substantial changes to the apprenticeship funding

system that make it challenging to predict the proportion of levy funds that will be

used this year and over the next few years.

The apprenticeships system is now employer-led and so employers can choose

which apprenticeships they offer and when. This means that the use of levy funds is a

matter for individual employers. We do not expect employers to use all of their levy

funds, but they are able to.

The provider and employer market continues to adapt to the reforms to the

apprenticeships system that were made in 2017. We have also made additional

changes to funding policy this year, increasing the cap on transfers from 10% to 25%

and are reducing co-investment for small employers from 10% to 5%. The effect of

these changes on behaviour will only become apparent in the future.

In combination, these factors mean that it is not possible to make a single reliable

estimate of future levy usage.

When the reforms were designed, we estimated that employers would use around

half of the levy funds available to them, on average, once the changes to the

apprenticeships programme had bedded in. However, levy-paying employers have

taken on fewer starts and used a smaller proportion of their levy funds than

anticipated. Nevertheless, we expect employers to use an increasing proportion of

their levy funds as they continue to develop their use of apprenticeships, and as a

consequence of employers choosing more higher-cost, higher-level apprenticeships

since 2017.

The forthcoming Spending Review, announced by my right hon. Friend, the

Chancellor of the Exchequer at Spring Statement, will determine the level of funding

for the apprenticeship programme from April 2020. As part of this process we will

consider any changes that may be required to future funding arrangements, and the

impact this might have on employers’ use of their levy funds. Until then it is not

possible to estimate employers’ use of their levy funds from 2020 onwards.

Nic Dakin: [248026]

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

before the introduction of the apprenticeship levy of the (a) proportion of apprenticeship

levy funds that employers would use, (b) number of apprenticeships that would be

delivered and (c) amount of employer apprenticeship levy funds that would be unspent

between 2017 and 2019; and if he will make a statement.



Anne Milton:

In forecasts made before the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, it was

anticipated that employers would use 13% of the levy funds available to them in the

2017-18 financial year. Data from the apprenticeship service show that employers

used 9% (£191m) of the funds available to them in 2017-18.

Our annual budgets for the current Spending Review period (to the end of the 2019-

20 financial year) were set to fund 3 million high quality apprenticeship starts by

2020, based on the mix of training levels and subjects that we expected employers to

choose.

The apprenticeship levy helps to fund all apprenticeships for levy and non levy-paying

employers. At the time that the levy was introduced, it was anticipated that a

proportion of levy funds would remain unspent by employers. We have anticipated

that employers will not use all the funds available to them, though they are able to.

The annual apprenticeships budget, set in advance by HM Treasury, is not

dependent on levy receipts and must fund all learners in the system. When allocating

this budget to fund apprenticeships, we included sufficient flexibility to accommodate

variations in the level of employer demand.

Nic Dakin: [248030]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria his Department is using to

assess the performance of the apprenticeship levy; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton:

We have implemented a range of reforms to ensure more high quality apprenticeship

opportunities, including the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, new funding

system and industry-designed standards. Our reforms are still relatively recent and it

will take time for the full benefits of the apprenticeships programme to be realised.

Our apprenticeships reform programme benefits realisation strategy, published in

March 2017, sets out a broad range of performance measures for the programme.

Measures include the number of apprenticeship starts, earnings upon completion,

results from employer and learner surveys and the Further Education (FE) Skills

Index, which is a measure of the productivity impact of the programme over time.

The Skills Index enables us to compare the value of skills investments across the FE

sector, including apprenticeships. The Skills Index looks at the number of learners

and the employment rate for those learners as well as expected additional earnings.

We have added a value of 2% to apprenticeships between the 2016/17 and 2017/18

academic years which we attribute to an increased volume of advanced and higher

apprenticeship achievers as well as a small shift towards sectors with higher wage

returns.

We publish annual updates against our progress. Our last update, published on 30

April 2019, can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reform-programme-

benefits-realisation-strategy.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reform-programme-benefits-realisation-strategy



Nic Dakin: [248031]


Question 243420, what data the Government uses to determine the number of (a)

apprenticeships delivered in each sector and (b) apprenticeship levy funded

apprenticeships delivered in each sector; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton:

The Education and Skills Funding Agency does not require levy-paying employers to

document their industry sector when registering an apprenticeship service account,

neither does it require employers who do not pay the levy to register an industry

sector before training their apprentices.

For the period covering the 2012/13 to 2016/17 academic years, the Department for

Education used the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) matched with the Inter-

Departmental Business Register to determine the number of apprenticeship starts in

each industry sector. This information is published here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/apprenticeships-in-england-by-industry-

characteristics. Figures for the 2017/18 academic year are planned to be published in

Autumn 2019.

The department also uses data from the apprenticeship service and the ILR to obtain

figures on the number of levy and non-levy supported apprenticeship starts broken

down by apprenticeship sector subject area. The latest statistics covering sector

subject area breakdowns for apprenticeship starts are available here:


first-release-sfr.

Nic Dakin: [248032]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the apprenticeship levy is

being spent on MBA or equivalent qualifications.

Anne Milton:

Successful completion of the level 7 Senior Leader standard may lead to either of the

three qualifications: MA, MSc or MBA.

The total percentage spend by both levy and non-levy employers on the level 7

Senior Leader apprenticeship standard for the past 2 financial years is below:

YEAR STANDARD PERCENTAGE

2017-18 Senior Leader level 7 Standard 0.02%

2018-19* Senior Leader level 7 Standard 0.51%

TOTAL : 0.28%

*2018-19 is provisional data.


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/apprenticeships-in-england-by-industry-characteristics







The figures are based on the number of all apprenticeship starts for the level 7 Senior

Leader apprenticeship standard by levy and non-levy employers against total

apprenticeship spend for both financial years.

Details of the Senior Leader standard can be found on the Institute for

Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s website at:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/senior-leader/.

Nic Dakin: [248033]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the highest amount is of apprenticeship

levy funds that an employer can spend for a single apprenticeship.

Anne Milton:

The new 30-band funding structure was introduced on 1 August 2018 for all new

apprenticeship starts. Details can be found within ‘Apprenticeship Funding in

England’ published on GOV.UK, available here:

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

ent_data/file/788312/Apprenticeship_funding_in_England_from_April_2019.pdf.

These bands range from £1,500 to £27,000 and set the maximum price that the

government will contribute towards the training and assessment for an individual

apprenticeship.

The funding band upper limit of £27,000 is the maximum amount of government

funds that levy-paying employers can draw down from their apprenticeship service

accounts to put towards the cost of an individual apprenticeship.

For non-levy-paying employers, at least 95% of the apprenticeship training and

assessment costs will be paid for by the government, up to the agreed funding band

limit.

We know that some employers will wish to use specific delivery models or provide

additional training to their apprentices, which goes beyond what is set out in the

standard. Employers are free to agree a price above the funding band upper limit but

must pay for any additional costs above this.

Food: Curriculum

Dan Jarvis: [R] [249306]

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

plans to introduce food insecurity into the school curriculum.

Nick Gibb:

The Government is committed to addressing food insecurity, particularly for children.

Our eligibility criteria for free school meals support children from the most

disadvantaged backgrounds by providing a free and healthy school meal each day.

Including food insecurity in the National Curriculum is a recommendation arising from

the Children’s Future Food Inquiry. We welcome this report and will reflect carefully

on it over the coming months and consider how we can best respond to the important

issues raised.

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/senior-leader/

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/senior-leader/



The National Curriculum on design and technology in secondary schools covers

cooking, emphasising the importance of this as a crucial life skill that enables pupils

to feed themselves and others affordably and well. The National Curriculum for

citizenship in secondary schools sets out that teaching should prepare pupils to

manage their money well, make sound financial decisions, and plan for future

financial needs. From primary school through to secondary, the mathematics National

Curriculum covers money and how mathematics is necessary for financial literacy.

Overseas Students: EU Nationals

Paul Farrelly: [249238]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether non-UK EU students will be able to

take out loans with the Students Loans Company after the UK leaves the EU.

Chris Skidmore:

We recognise how important it is that students and institutions have information on

eligibility for student support before applications for courses open.

Applications for courses starting in academic year 2020/21 do not open until

September 2019. Eligibility and fee arrangements for prospective EU students who

apply for tuition fee loans and student finance support in that academic year via the

Student Loans Company is under consideration.

Primary Education: Assessments

Tracy Brabin: [249349]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have applied to

participate in the pilot test of reception baseline assessment in the Autumn term of 2019-

20.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The next stage in the reception baseline assessment development process is a large-

scale voluntary pilot, commencing in September 2019. Schools were able to sign up

to take part in the pilot from 1 March to 5 April 2019. We have received a very good

response; we intend to publish the number of schools that have applied to participate

in the pilot in the near future.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Helen Jones: [249222]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much per pupil funding was spent on

each student over 16 and in full-time education in Warrington in each year since 2010.

Anne Milton:

16 to 19 funding is based on a national funding formula with a standard base rate of

£4,000 for a full-time 16 or 17 year old student, and additional funding related to the

characteristics of students and their learning programmes. This formula has operated




since 2013/14. A different national funding formula operated before that, but the

figures for the 2 are not consistent.

The average 16 to 19 funding per student for institutions in Warrington is shown

below:

YEAR AVERAGE FUNDING PER STUDENT

2013/14 £4,547

2014/15 £4,446

2015/16 £4,441

2016/17 £4,439

2017/18 £4,441

2018/19 £4,383

The table is based on formula funding per student derived from annual allocations

covering 16 to 19 provision, to institutions based in Warrington (excluding special

schools). Further funding is provided through student support, for high needs

provision and from 2018/19 onwards the industry placement capacity and delivery

fund.

Note that this figure includes both full- and part-time students as we do not allocate

funding separately for these 2 groups. The vast majority of 16-19 year old students

are full-time.

Schools: Counselling



Question 233483 on Schools: Counselling, what steps he is taking to (a) set minimum

standards for and (b) ensure access throughout England to school counselling services.

Nick Gibb:

It is up to schools to decide what counselling support to provide. The ‘Counselling in

Schools’ guidance referred to in the previous answer, available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools, provides detailed

advice on the benefits that counselling can bring to a school and how to provide

access to safe and effective services. It gives strong advice that, when

commissioning external counselling, schools should look to use providers that can

give assurance the counsellor is properly trained, supported, professionally

supervised, insured and working within agreed policy frameworks and standards, and

accountable to a professional body with a clearly articulated complaints procedure. It

also sets out that where schools employ their own counsellor, they should employ

staff with a minimum of a diploma in counselling (typically two years part time study),


who are on a voluntary register that has been accredited by the Professional

Standards Authority, and ideally hold accreditation with a professional body.

Special Educational Needs: Warrington

Helen Jones: [249223]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much high needs funding was allocated

to Warrington in each year since 2010.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Local authorities are required to provide schools with sufficient funds to enable

schools to meet the additional cost of pupils with special educational needs (SEN)

and disabilities, up to the value of £6,000. This funding comes from the schools’ block

of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

When the costs of additional support required for a pupil with SEN exceed £6,000,

the local authority should also allocate additional top-up funding to cover the excess

costs. This top-up funding, and funding for special schools comes from the local

authority’s high needs budget. In December 2018, we announced an additional £250

million in high needs funding up to 2020, bringing Warrington’s total high needs

funding to £20.278 million in 2019-20.

In 2013, the schools and high needs budgets within the DSG were created. As the

DSG includes other budgets such as the early years budget, the department is

unable to provide comparable figures before 2013-14.

The schools and high needs allocations for Warrington since 2013-14 can be found at

the following links:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2013-to-2014

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2014-to-2015

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-dsg-2015-to-

2016


2017


2018


2019


2020


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2013-to-2014




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-dsg-2015-to-2016















ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Birds: Pest Control

Sir Nicholas Soames: [249802]

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

his Department holds on the consultation conducted by Natural England with countryside

organisations in advance of withdrawing three General Licences on the 24 April 2019.

Dr Thérèse Coffey:

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the reply previously given on 29 April 2019 to PQ

246908.

Dangerous Dogs

Jim Fitzpatrick: [247571]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government

will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to allow

rehoming organisations to rehome banned section 1 dogs.


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

evidence is for determining that the four breeds of dog banned under the Dangerous

Dogs Act 1991 pose more of a risk to the public then other dog breeds.


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

he has had with animal welfare organisations on the rehoming of dogs banned under

section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

David Rutley:

The evidence I provided the House of Commons Select Committee on Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA), as part of its review into controlling dangerous dogs,

sets out what can be done with respect to the transfer of ownership of prohibited

dogs. Defra has also had discussions with animal welfare organisations on the issue.

Evidence is available via the following link:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/1892/1892.pdf

In relation to dog attacks, the Metropolitan Police provided evidence to last year’s

review on controlling dangerous dogs by the EFRA Committee which showed that pit

bull terriers were disproportionately involved in dog attacks (section 3 Dangerous

Dogs Act 1991 offences, completed cases).

The Metropolitan Police figures indicated that in 2015-16 pit bulls were responsible

for 19.3% (92) of all reported dog attacks in Greater London out of a total of 468

cases. Pit bull terriers are considered to represent much less than 19.3% of the dog

population and it is concerning that one type of dog, which does not have high levels

of ownership, is disproportionately responsible for that many dog attacks in London.





In addition, information collected by Defra shows the pit bull terrier to be

disproportionately involved in fatal dog attacks, with seven fatalities out of 34 since

2005 caused by pit bull terriers.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Stephen Doughty: [249309]

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

response of 5 March 2019 to freedom of information request number FOI2019/02691,

how many additional Defra group staff have been placed in EU exit roles since 31

December 2018.

David Rutley:

Defra have placed an additional c.700 staff into EU Exit work between 31 December

2018 and 31 March 2019.

The figures for the end of April have not yet been published.

Fly-tipping

Douglas Chapman: [248704]

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

Government has made of the cost of clearance of fly-tipped materials by local authorities

in England during 2017-18.

Douglas Chapman: [248705]

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

tipping incidents were reported by local authorities in England in 2017-18.


In 2017/18 local authorities in England reported dealing with just under 1 million

(998,000) fly-tipping incidents.

From 2017/18 the Government has stopped producing indicative costs to local

authorities of costs of clearance of fly-tipping because the standard cost units are

now more than ten years out of date.

We still collect actual data on clearance costs for ‘tipper lorry load’ and

‘significant/multi load’ incident categories. In 2017/18 34,000 or 4% of total incidents

were of ‘tipper lorry load’ size or larger. For these large fly-tipping incidents, the cost

of clearance to local authorities in England in 2017/18 was £12.2 million.

Further data on fly-tipping is published at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-

tipping-in-england.




http://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england



Fracking: Landfill


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

sites in the UK are permitted to dispose of (a) waste water sludge, (b) sand and (c) filter

cake produced from hydraulic fracturing operations.


Any sand or sludge resulting from hydraulic fracturing operations will form in the filter

cake that is produced as part of the waste water treatment process. This solid waste

needs to be tested to determine if it is hazardous or non-hazardous before it can be

disposed of at a landfill site. Depending on the results, the filter cake can be sent to

any landfill site that has the necessary permits in place. There are currently 21

hazardous waste landfill sites and 245 non-hazardous waste landfill sites permitted in

England.

Fracking: Water


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

water facilities in the UK are permitted to treat waste water from hydraulic fracturing

operations.


This is a devolved matter and the below information relates to England only.

There are currently five facilities in England with the appropriate environmental

permits that would allow for the treatment of the waste water from hydraulic

fracturing. There are a large number of sites around the country which, subject to

obtaining the relevant permits, could accept and treat waste water from hydraulic

fracturing.


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

waste water go through in order to be (a) treated and (b) disposed of following hydraulic

fracturing operations in 2018.


The waste water from hydraulic fracturing was treated using a physio-chemical

process involving the precipitation and filtration of metal solids. Two waste streams

are produced from this treatment process – liquid effluent and solid filter cake. The

liquid effluent is tested to ensure it complies with the strict limits of the trade effluent

consent, and then disposed of to foul sewer. It then undergoes further treatment at

the sewage treatment works, prior to discharge. The filter cake is tested to determine

if it is hazardous or non-hazardous, and then sent to a suitably permitted landfill site.




Packaging


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

taking to encourage online businesses to use environmentally friendly packaging.


The Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy for England published in

December last year sets out our plans to reduce plastic pollution and move towards a

more circular economy. This builds on the commitment in the 25 Year Environment

Plan to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste.

Our priority is to prevent or reduce waste in the first place. The Packaging (Essential

Requirements) Regulations already require businesses, including online retailers, to

ensure that all their packaging does not exceed what is needed to make sure that the

products are safe, hygienic and acceptable for both the packed product and for the

consumer. As part of the Resources and Waste Strategy, we have committed to

review the effectiveness of these regulations by the end of next year. These

regulations apply to those responsible for the packing or filling of products into

packaging and those importing packed or filled packaging into the UK from

elsewhere.

We are also consulting on reforms to the way we manage packaging waste. The

reforms to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations

will require producers to fund the full net cost of managing the packaging they place

on the market, once it becomes waste. This creates an incentive for companies,

including obligated online businesses, to use less packaging and to ensure that their

packaging can be recycled at end of life as it will reduce their costs in complying with

the regulations.

We have set out in our consultation options for how we want to enhance the incentive

for producers to make better packaging design choices. The options are for a

modulated fee system or a deposit fee system. These options provide a financial

incentive for producers, in addition to the full net cost fees, to move towards using

more easily recycled packaging materials and formats.

In addition to this, the consultation also sets out a proposal to require online

marketplace businesses to ensure that the packaging that is sold through their

websites from outside the UK is compliant with the regulations.

Poultry

Tim Loughton: [247537]

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

Answers of 15 April 2019 to Questions 242653 and 242654, for what reason his

Department has not removed the White-Fronted Goose from schedule 2 of the Wildlife

and Countryside Act 1981 given that that goose is endangered on a similar level to the

Greenland White-Fronted Goose.




The European white fronted goose is not of global conservation concern so we do not

intend to add any protections for it.

EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brexit


To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether it remains

Government policy for the UK to leave the (a) Single Market and (b) Customs Union.

Mr Robin Walker:

Yes.

We are not seeking membership of the Single Market, or Customs Union, after we

leave the EU, but a bold and ambitious economic partnership. The Political

Declaration sets out a clear vision for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

The negotiated Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration outline the EU and

UK's shared commitment to a free trade area for goods with no tariffs, quotas or rules

of origin requirements. The Prime Minister has been clear that we will have an

independent trade policy.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Bahrain: Human Rights and Press Freedom


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

he has made of the Bahraini ambassador to the UK Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammad

Alkhalifa’s record on human rights and press freedom in Bahrain.

Mark Field:

Bahrain is a human rights priority country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The UK’s relationship with the Government of Bahrain allows us to speak honestly

about a range of issues, including human rights and press freedom. We do not shy

away from sharing concerns at a senior level, including here in London.

Egypt: Gaza

Maria Caulfield: [R] [248728]

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

assessment he has made of the effect of the Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip on the

humanitarian situation in that region.




Mark Field:

Ministers and officials regularly raise the situation in Gaza with the Egyptian

Government both in London and in Cairo. We remain deeply concerned about the

human rights situation in Gaza and support the Palestinian Authority returning to

administer Gaza. The Foreign Secretary discussed Gaza with new Palestinian Prime

Minister Shtayyeh on 20 March. We continue to urge Israel, the Palestinian Authority

and Egypt to work together to ensure a durable solution for Gaza.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Steve Double: [248719]

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

discussions he has had with his US counterpart on that country’s Middle East peace plan.

Mark Field:

We continue to discuss US Middle East peace efforts with the US Administration,

including the Foreign Secretary with Jared Kushner on 10 April. We continue to

encourage the US Administration to bring forward detailed proposals for a viable

Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both

parties.

Oman: Detainees

Dr David Drew: [249192]

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

representations to the Government of Oman on the Shuhuh 6; and what assessments he

undertakes of the human rights record of the Omani authorities.

Mark Field:

The Foreign Secretary has not raised the case in question, however human rights

forms part of our regular bilateral exchanges with the Omani Government including at

the recent Joint Working Group of 25 April. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office

encourages all states to uphold their international human rights obligations. Any

allegations of human rights violations are concerning and must be thoroughly,

promptly and transparently investigated.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Antibiotics: Drug Resistance


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

taking to increase the uptake of (a) new and (b) underused vaccines to tackle

antimicrobial resistance.




Seema Kennedy:

‘Contained and controlled: The UK’s 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance’

recognises the important role of vaccines in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The United Kingdom supports the delivery and uptake of vaccines internationally

through UK Aid programmes, including the Global AMR Innovation Fund, the UK

Vaccine Network, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Vaccine Action Plan.

Through these programmes UK Aid supports initiatives to ensure that all low and

middle-income countries have introduced one or more new or underused vaccines by

2020.

In addition, our expert advisory committees are considering how vaccines can be

better employed to support the control of AMR in the UK.

More generally, vaccinations are a key part of the prevention strategy in the NHS

Long Term Plan. To help increase immunisation uptake, NHS England will undertake

a fundamental review of general practitioner vaccinations and immunisation

standards, funding and procurement. This will support the goal of preventing primary

and secondary infections.

Cancer



taking to support local health leaders to address inequalities in the cancer pathway.

Seema Kennedy:

Cancer Alliances are leading local transformation of cancer services and outcomes to

deliver the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan, which includes actions to reduce

health inequalities and ensure every one with cancer can access screening,

diagnosis and treatment services. To enable this, Cancer Alliances receive funding to

deliver improvement projects, which is adjusted for health need and deprivation of the

local population using the clinical commissioning group (CCG) weighted capitation

formula.

Each Cancer Alliance is regularly provided with data for their Alliance, CCGs and

trusts, as well as a comparison with the other Cancer Alliances and an England

benchmark. The Cancer Alliance Data, Evidence and Analysis Service is also

working with partners to produce inequality breakdowns of key cancer data for

Cancer Alliances to use, such as data on smoking prevalence by deprivation quintiles

at Cancer Alliance level. This data and analysis enables local system leaders to

understand inequalities and target actions to reduce them.


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

of the adequacy of the time frame for improving cancer outcomes in the NHS Long Term

Plan.



Seema Kennedy:

The National Health Service can deliver on the ambitions to improve cancer

outcomes within England, set out within the NHS Long Term Plan, by rolling out the

interventions set out in the Long Term Plan; reducing variation across the country;

ensuring the right workforce is in place and is well supported; and harnessing and

quickly adopting research and innovation. Delivery of these actions is underway.

Cancer: Health Professions



taking to address vacancy rates in the NHS cancer workforce.

Seema Kennedy:

Health Education England (HEE) published its Cancer Workforce Plan in December

2017. It was developed in partnership with NHS England and the Five Year Forward

View partners and set out a delivery plan that ensures the National Health Service in

England has the right numbers of skilled staff to provide high quality care and

services to cancer patients at each stage in their care – from accurate early diagnosis

and treatment to living with cancer and end of life care.

The recommendations from this plan include actions to ensure the NHS have enough

staff with the right skills to deliver the funded activity set out in the Cancer Taskforce

Strategy by 2021, and focuses on priority professions to do this.

HEE is currently piloting its international recruitment programme related to the

Cancer Workforce Plan ambitions commencing with clinical radiologists, this will be

used with the intention to recruit at least 89 diagnostic radiographers from overseas.

Over summer 2019, HEE will work with NHS England, NHS Improvement and other

stakeholders, to understand the longer-term workforce implications for further

development of cancer services. This will include exploring sustainable growth

beyond 2021 in key professions including through continued investment in training

places, a greater focus on attracting and retaining students, workforce transformation

and improving the numbers of qualified professionals who go on to work in the NHS.

Cancer: Social Security Benefits


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has

had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ensure that the needs of cancer

patients are addressed in the benefits system.

Seema Kennedy:

There are regular discussions with Cabinet ministers on a wide range of subjects but

no specific discussions have taken place on the support for cancer patients within the

benefits system.



As described in the NHS Long Term Plan, personalised care and support planning is

being rolled out across the country, based upon the completion of holistic needs

assessment and provision of ongoing support to self-manage their health and

wellbeing. This will help ensure that the patient is signposted or referred to

community support, including information on financial matters, such as benefits, and

psychological support.

Cannabis: Medical Treatments

Sir Mike Penning: [247998]

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

contribution of 8 April 2019, Official Report, column 26, how the system of second

opinions on the prescribing of medical cannabis oil will be organised; and if he will make

a statement.

Sir Mike Penning: [247999]

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

contribution of 8 April 2019, Official Report, column 26, who will be responsible for

offering patients a second opinion on prescribing medical cannabis oil.

Seema Kennedy:

In line with routine clinical practice, patients wishing to seek a second opinion on the

National Health Service will be supported to do so. In the first instance, clinicians

should refer patients for a second opinion using their established protocols. If it is not

possible to obtain a second or further opinion using established protocols then trusts

are instructed to contact their NHS England Regional Medical Director who will be

able to offer further advice around a referral route. The NHS England Regional

Medical Directors will support trusts in identifying a suitable NHS specialist for a

second opinion.

Cervical Cancer

Andy Slaughter: [249244]


taking to help ensure the approval of the use of Pembrolizumab for the treatment of

cervical cancer given in line with its usage in the Republic of Ireland and the USA; and

when that drug will be made available to people with cervical cancer.

Seema Kennedy:

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was licensed on 12 June 2018 by the United States Food

and Drug Administration for use in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical

cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy.

However, pembrolizumab is not licensed for the treatment of cervical cancer in the

United Kingdom or in the European Union. To obtain a licence for this indication, the

Marketing Authorisation Holder of Keytruda (Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.) would need

to submit an ‘extension of indication’ application to the European Medicines Agency

including evidence of safety and efficacy.




Diabetes: Diagnosis

Keith Vaz: [R] [247979]

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

Department has made of the potential role of dentists and oral health professionals in

supporting the diagnosis of diabetes.

Seema Kennedy:

The Department has no knowledge of any assessment or planned assessment into

the potential role of dentists and oral health professionals in supporting the diagnosis

of diabetes.

Gambling

Richard Graham: [910735]

What steps he is taking to improve support and treatment for people with a gambling

addiction.

Matt Hancock:

We want to reduce gambling-related harm, protect the vulnerable and make sure that

those experiencing problems are getting the help they need. The NHS Long Term

Plan set out our commitment to invest in expanding National Health Service specialist

clinics to help more people with serious gambling problems.

Health and Care Professions Council: Fees and Charges

Peter Heaton-Jones: [249347]

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

had with representatives of the Health and Care Professions Council and (b)

representations his Department has received on the potential effects on health

professionals of that organisation's decision to increase registration fees.

Stephen Hammond:

My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has many

discussions with stakeholders across the health and care sector. I have written to the

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) asking it to consider the impact of its

proposed fee rise on part-time workers, which was raised by hon. Members at a

Westminster Hall Debate held on 14 March 2019. The HCPC responded to this letter

on 1 May, explaining the practical difficulties and potential perverse incentives of

introducing differential fees for part-time workers.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 79

items of correspondence received since 24 September 2018 about the HCPC’s

decision to increase registration fees. This figure represents correspondence

received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only. In addition to this,

the Department has received nine Written Parliamentary Questions on this matter,

and engaged with hon. Members at a Westminster Hall Debate on the proposed




HCPC fee rise on 14 March 2019. The HCPC is independent of Government and

funded by registrants’ fees on a cost recovery basis.

Health Services and Social Services: Vacancies

Louise Haigh: [249334]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has

made of the number of workforce vacancies in the health and social care sectors.

Stephen Hammond:

Posts may be vacant, for a variety of reasons including maternity and career breaks.

Trusts make decisions based on local needs about how they fill these posts, including

looking at short-term options for cover, including bank and agency staff.

Since April 2017, NHS Improvement collect vacancy rates of National Health Service

staff from individual NHS trusts and publish them as part of their ‘Quarterly

performance of the NHS provider sector’ report found at the following link:

https://improvement.nhs.uk/documents/4942/Performance_of_the_NHS_provider_se

ctor_for_the_quarter_ended_31_Dec_2018.pdf

As at 31 December there were 100,521 full time equivalent vacancies in NHS trusts,

this is an 8.4% vacancy rate. Of these, approximately 80% and 85% of the nursing

and medical vacancies are being filled by bank and agency staff.

Skills for Care estimate that there are approximately 110,000 jobs that are vacant in

adult social scare, this is an 8% vacancy rate.

The NHS People Plan sets out the next step in our mission to make the NHS a world

class employer and deliver the workforce which the NHS needs.

Health Services: Children and Young People

Steve McCabe: [249197]

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

and Young People's Transformation Programme in the NHS Long Term Plan, published

in January 2019, if he will publish the timeframe for the implementation of the essential

paediatric Workforce implementation plan; and take steps to ensure that the workforce

implementation plan will be funded from the public health budget.

Stephen Hammond:

The National Health Service budget will increase by £33.9 billion in cash terms, the

equivalent of £20.5 billion in real terms by 2023/24, reflecting the fact that the NHS is

the Government’s top spending priority.

The NHS Long Term Plan prioritises services for children and young people. It

provides a clear focus on improving the health of children and young people across

mental health, learning disabilities, cancer and elsewhere. It is critical in prioritising

services for children and young people in future, and it will continue to influence the

wider issues that impact on children’s health. Creation of a Transformation


https://improvement.nhs.uk/documents/4942/Performance_of_the_NHS_provider_sector_for_the_quarter_ended_31_Dec_2018.pdf




Programme for Children and Young People will provide an improved strategic and

coordinated response to meet the diverse needs of children and young people.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked

Baroness Harding to take forward the development of a People Plan, as part of the

overall implementation plan for the Long Term Plan, in order to ensure the challenges

of supply, reform, culture and leadership can be met. This will sit alongside the

broader Implementation Plan that will be developed at all levels to make the Long

Term Plan a reality. An interim People Plan will be published this spring and a full

plan will be published within two months of the conclusion of the Spending Review.

Health Services: Rural Areas

Sir Greg Knight: [249234]

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

Department has made of patients' preferences and needs in determining the proximity of

the provision of hospital services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Greg Knight: [249235]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had

with health trusts on maintaining adequate, locally-provided hospital services in rural

areas; and if he will make a statement.

Seema Kennedy:

Views on patients’ preferences around the proximity of hospital services are not

collected nationally. However, individual clinical commissioning groups may consult

with patients on such matters as part of their patient participation and engagement

work.

The Department has not held discussions with health trusts on maintaining adequate,

locally-provided hospital services in rural areas. However, the NHS Long Term Plan

confirms that a standard model of delivery will be developed for use in smaller acute

hospitals who serve rural populations.

Infant Foods

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [247997]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) dates,

(b) attendees and (c) topics of meetings his Department has had with representatives of

the formula milk industry in 2018 and 2019 to date.

Seema Kennedy:

The Department has provided details of meetings between Departmental officials with

representatives of the formula milk industry. Meetings organised by executive

agencies or the Food Standards Agency have not been included. We have not

disclosed details of staff attending as they were not Senior Civil Service grade. The

information is shown in the following table.




DATE ORGANISATION DISCUSSION

26 February 2018 Nestle Presentation on action on

sustainable diets

26 March 2018 Nestle Phone call

25 April 2018 Danone and Nutrica Early Years Nutrition

Partnership

6 June 2018 British Specialist Nutrition

Association (BSNA), Nestle,

Nutrica

Notifications for Foods for

Special Medical Purposes

22 June 2018 Nestle Planning for visit

4 July 2018 Nestle Visit

11 July 2018 Danone Aptamil

30 July 2018 Danone Childhood Obesity Chapter 2

14 August 2018 Nestle Childhood Obesity Chapter 2

22 August 2018 BSNA Phone meeting

10 September 2018 Danone and Nestle Advertising roundtable

14 November 2018 BSNA Nutrition legislation meeting

15 November 2019 Danone Reformulation, Brexit pressure,

and Chapter

22 November 2019 BSNA Forthcoming CODEX

CCNFSDU40

Lung Cancer: Diagnosis

Sir Mark Hendrick: [247983]


taking to raise awareness of lung cancer diagnosis among non-smokers.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to raise

awareness of lung cancer among people that have never smoked cigarettes.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England (PHE) continues to run awareness campaigns focused on the

symptoms of lung cancer where the messaging is relevant to both smokers and non-

smokers.



For example, the PHE Be Clear on Cancer ‘Respiratory Symptoms’ campaign

encourages those with a persistent cough or inappropriate breathlessness to visit

their doctor, with the aim of improving earlier diagnosis of heart and lung disease,

including lung cancer. The campaign has run twice nationally, in 2016 and 2017. This

campaign can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/be-clear-on-cancer

The precursor to this campaign centred on one main symptom, that of a persistent

cough, as a possible symptom of lung cancer. This lung cancer campaign ran

nationally three times, in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Be Clear on Cancer campaign materials, explain that although lung cancer is

more common in smokers, those who have never smoked can also get the disease,

including details of the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer each year. The

leaflet is available at the following link:

https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/46/resources/1744

Mental Health Services: West Lancashire


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

the number of mental health beds that are currently available in West Lancashire.

Jackie Doyle-Price:

Information on the number of mental health beds is not held at constituency level.

The average number of consultant-led, overnight, mental illness beds available in

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust is 518 as at Q3 2018/19.

Note:

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust (RW5) is used as an indication of consultant-

led mental illness beds available in West Lancashire

Source: KH03 NHS England and NHS Improvement

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/bed-availability-and-

occupancy/

Mental Illness: Children


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

identify a potential link between perinatal mental illness and emotional and behavioural

problems in children.



of the effectiveness of NHS services to (a) identify and (b) treat perinatal mental illnesses.






https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/bed-availability-and-occupancy/






To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has

made an assessment of the potential link between perinatal mental illness and emotional

and behavioural problems in children.

Jackie Doyle-Price:

The Chief Medical Officer found in her 2014 annual report, ‘The health of the 51%:

women’, that the evidence shows that mental health problems in pregnancy and the

first year after birth are experienced by up to 20% of women, and if untreated, this

can affect the emotional and reasoning development in their children. Perinatal

mental illnesses are associated with risks of negative child outcomes, which can

persist into late adolescence and adulthood. These risks are more likely in children of

women with chronic mental illness or who are living in poverty. Further information is

available in the report which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officer-annual-report-

2014-womens-health

In addition, the costs of perinatal mental health problems, a 2014 report by the Centre

for Mental Health and London School of Economics identified that 72% of the cost of

untreated mental illness relates to adverse impact on the child. This report is

available at the following link:

https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/costs-of-perinatal-mental-

health-problems

The NHS is implementing its plans to identify and treat more people with perinatal

mental illnesses. The NHS Five Year Forward View for Mental Health included a

commitment to increase access to perinatal mental health services to an additional

30,000 women by 2020/21. The work is underway to build capacity and capability in

specialist perinatal mental health services. In April 2019, NHS England confirmed that

new and expectant mothers are now able to access specialist perinatal mental health

community services in every part of the country.

The NHS Long Term Plan contains an ambition to build on this with a further 24,000

women to be able to access specialist perinatal mental health care by 2023/24.

Specialist care will also be available from preconception to 24 months after birth,

which will provide an extra year of support.

Public Health England leads on the Improving Prevention and Population Health work

stream of the National Health Service Maternity Transformation Programme. One of

its priority areas is to reduce the impact of perinatal mental illness. This can be

viewed at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/mat-transformation/

NHS

Rehman Chishti: [910734]

What steps he is taking to secure the long-term future of the NHS.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officer-annual-report-2014-womens-health



https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/costs-of-perinatal-mental-health-problems






Matt Hancock:

We are increasing the National Health Service budget by £33.9 billion in cash terms

over the next five years. This major investment will support the NHS to continue to

deliver world class care. The NHS Long Term Plan has set out a vision for the NHS,

ensuring that every penny is well spent.

Opiates: Misuse


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 30

April 2019 to Question 247598, on opioids: misuse, what assessment he has made of the

potential merits of monitoring dependence and addiction rates in relation to commonly

prescribed opioids; and if he will make a statement.

Seema Kennedy:

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of monitoring dependence and

addiction rates in relation to commonly prescribed opioids.

Public Health England is undertaking a public health evidence review of available

data and published evidence on the problems associated with some prescribed

medicines, including dependence and withdrawal, including opioids. The review is

due to report in summer 2019.

Palliative Care



of the effectiveness of the NHS Long Term Plan in achieving the Government’s

commitment to end variation in end-of-life care by 2020.

Caroline Dinenage:

‘Our Commitment to you for end of life care’, published in July 2016, set out what

everyone should expect from their care at the end of life and the actions we are

taking to make high quality care a reality for all. Since its publication, NHS England

has been working to deliver the Choice Commitment, as set out in the Government’s

Mandate to the National Health Service. Through its National Programme Board for

End of life Care, a range of activity has been coordinated and undertaken with all key

system partners care and stakeholders to improve equity of access to, and

experience of, palliative and end of life care. A progress report was published the

following year on 21 September 2017.

Key to reducing variation and delivering personalised care is ensuring that patients

are identified as likely to be in their last year of life. This means their end of life care

can be improved by personalising it according to their needs and preferences at an

earlier stage. However, it is also vital that services are available to provide the care to

people in the community and in their homes in a timely way. The Long Term Plan

published on 7 January 2019, set out significant investment and activity to drive



further improvement in both these areas in support of the Government’s Choice

Commitment.

Pneumococcal Diseases: Vaccination



of the effect on public health of changing the dosing schedule for pneumococcal

conjugate vaccine from three to two doses.

Seema Kennedy:

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a two-

dose schedule for the infant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar13 is

appropriate for the United Kingdom.

The JCVI’s advice was given full consideration, taking into account the potential

public health implications, such as impact on cases of pneumococcal disease, before

a decision was made to implement it. The decision is based on the effectiveness of

the vaccine and years of high uptake, which has helped to provide protection to the

rest of the population and has successfully controlled many types of pneumococcal

disease in this country.

The evidence shows that two doses will sustain the excellent results we have already

seen. We are confident that the world-class disease surveillance system we have in

this country means our expert committee can closely monitor the impact of this

change.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Dan Jarvis: [R] [249307]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has

any plans to make the Free Fruit and Vegetable Scheme available to all school children

in England.

Jackie Doyle-Price:

The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme provides children in Key Stage 1 attending

state-funded primary schools with one free portion of fruit or vegetable every school

day. There are no current plans to extend the Scheme.

Vaccination


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to

respond to the consultation on the cost-effectiveness methodology for vaccination

programmes.

Seema Kennedy:

Although we had hoped to publish the Government’s response to the report of the

Committee on Cost Effectiveness Methodology for Immunisation Programmes and




Procurement in April, alongside a summary of consultation responses, the

Government’s response is still being considered, and a publication date is still to be

decided.



of trends in the level of vaccination in England.

Seema Kennedy:

Public Health England monitors trends in vaccine coverage levels and works with

NHS England to increase vaccine uptake to offer the best possible protection against

vaccine preventable diseases.

Coverage for most routine universal childhood vaccination programmes is reported

through the COVER (cover of vaccination Evaluated Rapidly) programme. Coverage

data can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake#cover-of-vaccination-

evaluated-rapidly-programme

HOME OFFICE

Alcoholic Drinks: Sales

Jo Platt: [248072]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department has

to review the requirement for holographic ID for the purchase of alcohol.

Victoria Atkins:

The Home Office has no plans to review the requirement for a holographic mark or an

ultra-violet feature on identification used for the purchase of alcohol. In due course,

the mandatory licensing condition that includes this requirement will need to be

amended to allow the use of digital forms of identification. However, at present there

are no industry standards on which to base such an amendment.

Drugs: Crime


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has

made of the potential links between retail crime incidents and illegal drug use.

Victoria Atkins:

We know that there is a strong link between drug misuse and offending, and

offenders who use heroin and crack cocaine are estimated to commit 45% of all

acquisitive crime.

The Government recognises that there are strong links between drug misuse and

offending. Our Drug Strategy is clear that supporting people to address their

dependence on drugs through treatment and recovery support is critical to tackling


https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake#cover-of-vaccination-evaluated-rapidly-programme





the risk of reoffending. This includes the use of health-based, rehabilitative

interventions within the criminal justice system to help prevent further substance

misuse and offending.

In addition, I chair the National Retail Crime Steering Group which brings together

key partners to drive forward progress on tackling retail crime.

Home Office: Staff

Jessica Morden: [249252]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many FTE staff work in the

Third Country Unit in her Department.

Caroline Nokes:

The total number of active staff who work in the Third Country Unit is currently 17.12

FTE.

The Third Country Unit are currently recruiting staff, and this is expected to be

concluded by the end of June, at which time the total will be 35 FTE.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Carol Monaghan: [249330]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the impact assessment

on the European temporary leave to remain scheme included an assessment of the effect

of that scheme on the differentiated system of academic courses across the UK.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation the

Government has had with EU students in Scotland on the European temporary leave to

remain scheme.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to

prepare for a potential increase in applications for Tier 4 visas from students as a result of

the European temporary leave to remain scheme.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation she has had

with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on the potential increase in applications

for Tier 4 visas as a result of the European temporary leave to remain scheme.

Caroline Nokes:

The transitional arrangements under European Temporary Leave to Remain will only

be required in the event that the UK leaves the EU without securing a deal. The

Government has been clear that leaving the EU with a deal remains our top priority.

The Government has regular contact with representatives of the education sector,

and the Scottish Government, and will continue to consult with the relevant






stakeholders during the course of our 12 month engagement with stakeholders on the

UK’s future skills-based immigration system.

As we move towards the future system, the Government will continue to consult with

internal stakeholders to ensure that operational capability is given due consideration

as we build an immigration system that works for the whole of the UK, including the

education sector.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [249352]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22

February 2019 to Question 221003 on Immigration: EU Nationals, whether organisations

have been contracted to translate the settled status registration (a) process and (b) app

into British Sign Language; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes:

The EU Settlement Scheme is supported by a Grant Scheme to support various

groups including deaf people. We will announce further details in due course.

All EU Settlement Scheme communications campaign videos, including video

guidance on how to use the app, as well as all translated versions, are subtitled.

These videos are available on Gov.uk.

The Settlement Resolution Centre which provides help and information to individuals

completing their EU Settlement Scheme application can be contacted via e-mail.

Immigration: Reviews

Afzal Khan: [249360]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reviews his

Department is undertaking into immigration issues; and what the topic is of each of those

reviews.

Caroline Nokes:

The Home Office is conducting a number of reviews across the immigration system,

including, the Wendy Williams lessons learned review, the forward-looking Borders,

Immigration and Citizenship System review and Darra Singh’s assessment of the

Home Office’s response to the use of DNA evidence in immigration cases.

It is important that we reflect very closely on our policies and our rules to ensure we

have an immigration system that provides control but is also fair and humane.

Therefore at any time, as a matter of routine, the Home Office will be reviewing

aspects of the performance and operation of the immigration system.

Knives: Crime


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of

the implications for his policies of the findings of the College of Policing's knife crime

briefing published in April 2019.




Victoria Atkins:

We welcome the Knife Crime Evidence Briefing published by the College of Policing

on 27 April as a valuable contribution to the response to knife crime and serious

violence. The report is consistent with the evidence and approach that we set out in

the Serious Violence Strategy which we published in April last year. Specifically, the

briefing supports the Government’s view that tackling knife crime and serious

violence cannot be solely focused on law enforcement, but it should also involve a

multi-agency approach involving a wide range of sectors, including education, health,

social services, housing, youth services, victim services and others. This is why we

launched our consultation on a new legal duty to ensure public bodies take action to

prevent serious violence on 1 April. The consultation explores how a legal duty will

support effective multi-agency work. It is open to everyone to respond and can be

found here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/serious-violence-new-legal-

duty-to-support-multi-agency-action. The consultation closes on 28 May.

The College of Policing briefing is consistent with the approach we are tak-ing

through the £22 million Early Intervention Youth Fund, which is already supporting 29

projects delivering interventions to young people at risk of becoming involved in knife

crime and serious violence. We have also launched the £200 million Youth

Endowment Fund, which will be delivered over the next 10 years to support

interventions with children and young people at risk of involvement in crime and

violence, focusing on those most at risk to steer them away from violence and to offer

them a better future. In addition, our national knife crime media campaign - #knifefree

– is raising awareness of the consequences of knife crime amongst young people,

and through the Offensive Weapons Bill we will be introducing new Knife Crime

Prevention Orders to help the police divert young people who they know are at risk of

becoming involved in knife crime, to make more positive life choices.

Lancashire Constabulary: Expenditure


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much Lancashire

Constabulary spent on providing policing resources to sporting events throughout

Lancashire in (a) 2018 and (b) 2014.

Mr Nick Hurd:

Spending information of this nature is not held centrally by the Home Office.

It is for elected Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to decide how

their force’s resources are deployed, including those to provide public order support

to sporting events.


Police: Horses


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police horses have

died as a result of injuries sustained whilst on active duty in (a) England and (b)

Lancashire in each of the in the last five years.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office does not hold centrally any information on the number of police

horses injured whilst on duty in service of police forces.

Police: Pensions


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is his Department

taking to tackle the variations in the payment of police pensions to widows and widowers

in the constituent parts of the UK.

Mr Nick Hurd:

Policing is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Scottish

Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for the design and

funding of police pensions, including provisions for widows and widowers, in those

parts of the United Kingdom. The Government takes decisions on public service

pensions in line with its duty to ensure that public services are affordable, sustainable

and fair.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliament: Huawei

Jo Platt: [248073]

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of

Commons Commission, whether Huawei equipment is used in the parliamentary (a)

telecoms and communications network and (b) security and surveillance network.

Tom Brake:

[Holding answer 1 May 2019]: No Huawei equipment is used in the parliamentary

telecoms, communications, security or surveillance networks.

The only use of Huawei kit is for mobile cellular enhancement. Firstly, this is in

devices (commonly referenced as MiFi devices) that are used to boost access to the

parliamentary mobile phone provider’s network (O2) where signal strength is

problematic. The MiFi devices do not connect to the Parliamentary network and

should be viewed as extensions to the O2 mobile phone network. This equipment is

branded O2 rather than Huawei.




Secondly, there already is, and there will be some additional, Huawei equipment

installed by the four Mobile Network Operators to provide cellular signal

enhancement in Parliament.

Huawei components are used by all the major mobile telephony networks in the UK.

Parliament has no evidence on which to base a recommendation either in favour of or

against the use of Huawei kit on such networks. The risk of mobile phone

telecommunications networks use of Huawei kit is managed at a national level by the

National Cyber Security Centre, Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure

and the private sector, and Parliament takes its lead from the national stance on the

risks present from its use.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: [249313]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to the Answer of 25 April 2019 to Question 245804 on Buildings: Insulation, who the

contract to carry out the BS 8414 test has been awarded to.

Kit Malthouse:

Following an open competition the contract for a BS 8414 test of a High Pressure

Laminate cladding system has been awarded to the Fire Protection Association.

Coastal Areas

Giles Watling: [248769]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

steps he is taking to support coastal communities.

Jake Berry:

We are committed to supporting coastal communities to unlock barriers to their

development and growth, and to strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and

visit.

On 23 March, we announced a £36 million funding boost for coastal communities

supporting 70 projects around the English coastline.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/james-brokenshire-announces-over-36-million-

for-the-great-british-coast.

This included a £663,000 Coastal Communities Fund Round 5 grant towards a

£925,000 project (“Unlocking the Essex Coast Path”) to promote the Essex coast as

a high quality visitor destination with a diverse tourism offer. Resorts along the Essex

coast, including Clacton, will benefit from the project.

The Government will have invested over £200 million in the Great British Coast by

2020 through dedicated programmes like the Coastal Communities Fund and the

Coastal Revival Fund, to help generate jobs and boost businesses and bring iconic or



https://www.gov.uk/government/news/james-brokenshire-announces-over-36-million-for-the-great-british-coast



at-risk heritage and community assets back into economic use. This investment is

having tangible results in our coastal towns. The Coastal Communities Fund alone

has invested over £218 million in 354 projects across the UK since 2012. The Fund is

helping to create or safeguard over 18,000 UK jobs and generate £363 million in new

visitor spend.

Since 2015 we have provided £1.46 million to help establish 146 Coastal Community

Teams around the English coastline. These Teams ensure the local community

works together with the local authority, businesses, and local stakeholders to agree

priorities for economic development in their area. Jaywick Sands Coastal Community

Team was established in 2015 and is working to create a “new coastal village”,

seeking to improve housing and social conditions for local residents, and stimulate a

change in market conditions.

Derelict Land

Jack Brereton: [247150]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how

much funding the Government has allocated from the public purse to help increase the

viability of new housing development on brownfield sites in areas with lower market

values.

Kit Malthouse:

Bringing brownfield land back into use is a priority, which is why every local authority

is now required to publish and maintain a register of brownfield land, containing up-

to-date information on brownfield suitable for housing in the area. While it is for local

authorities to plan and bring forward suitable land, our funding programmes,

delivered through Homes England, are also supporting brownfield land being brought

forward. As at the end of March 2019, £909 million of the Home Building Fund Long

Term Fund (74 per cent of total spend) had been spent on contracted schemes which

will lead to 70,062 housing units (61 per cent of unlocked units) being developed on

brownfield land. Other funds will also help to bring forward new housing on brownfield

sites, such as our £450 million Accelerated Construction programme and our £5.5

billion Housing Infrastructure Fund. Whilst this funding is available to all areas of the

country, all applications undergo an assessment of their value for money for the

taxpayer.

Grenfell Tower: Fires


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

officials of his Department have met with Professor Anna Stec to discuss her research

into environmental contamination as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government Chief Scientific Adviser has established an independent Science

Advisory Group to quality-check the scientific methodology, testing process and



analysis of results at each stage of the Government-led programme of additional

Grenfell environmental checks. Professor Stec is a member of this group and

MHCLG officials have attended meetings. The Science Advisory Group has reviewed

Professor Stec’s research and reiterated their previous view that it does not change

the approach or timetable of the Government-led environmental checks programme,

on the basis that the research is preliminary which recommends the need for further

investigations.

In February 2018, MHCLG officials participated in a multi-agency teleconference

chaired by the West London Clinical Commissioning Group and including officials

from Public Health England to discuss Professor Stec’s research. Professor Stec

outlined her emerging research which had not been shared at this stage with

Government, its agencies, the NHS or local authority.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what

reason comprehensive checks to assess environmental and health risks in the area

around Grenfell Tower were not announced before October 2018.

Kit Malthouse:

Independent air quality monitoring has been carried out around Grenfell Tower since

June 2017, and has shown the risk to public health to be consistently low. Analysis of

the long-term impact of the fire on public health was already ongoing and will

continue by Public Health England, including consideration of a longer term

environmental monitoring strategy. We recognise the community has concerns about

the possibility of soil contamination following the Grenfell Tower fire, and therefore

announced additional environmental checks to reassure the bereaved, survivors and

wider community that any environmental risks to public health will be fully assessed

and appropriate action taken.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

Stage 1 of the additional environmental checks due to be carried out by AECOM in the

area around Grenfell Tower has commenced.

Kit Malthouse:

An independent specialist contractor, AECOM, has been appointed to undertake

Stage 1 of the checks which involves background research to identify historical

sources of pollution, analysis and exploratory sampling to inform the development of

a more detailed specification for the main stage of the site investigation.

Exploratory sampling in priority locations has started and community workshops took

place on 25 and 27 April to inform the scope and priorities for Stage 1 of the

investigation. We expect this stage to take about three months from start to finish.



Local Government: Assets

Chris Philp: [248058]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the

process for councils to dispose of property assets is; whether councils must demonstrate

best value; and what the obligations of the council where a property is being transferred

to a wholly owned subsidiary of that same council are.

Kit Malthouse:

Public bodies should generally dispose of surplus land (including property assets built

on that land) at the best possible price reasonably obtainable. However, the

Government recognises that disposing of such land at less than best consideration

can sometimes create wider public benefits.

With regards to land (and property assets) held in the General Fund, a general

consent issued under section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 allows local

authorities to dispose of land held for purposes other than housing or planning at an

undervalue of less than £2 million, without seeking a specific consent from the

Secretary of State where they consider it will help secure improvement of the

economic, social or environmental well-being of the area. Secretary of State consent

is required for disposals of such land at an undervalue of more than £2 million.

Specific Secretary of State consent is required for disposals of land held for planning

purposes regardless of the sale value.

Specific rules also apply to housing land (including property assets). The 2013

General Consent under section 32 of the Local Government Act 1988, permits a local

authority to dispose of such land at market value subject to condition that:

(a) the disposal the property asset is not subject to a secure, introductory or demoted

tenancy to occupy from the local authority to a landlord who is not another local

authority;

(b) the disposal of land where there is Reversionary Interests in Houses and Flats; or

(c) the disposal of land to a body in which the local authority owns an interest except:

(i) where the local authority has no housing revenue account; or

(ii) in the case of a local authority with a housing revenue account, the first 5

disposals in a financial year.

Secretary of State consent is required if a local authority wishes to dispose of housing

land (including any property assets built on that land) at less than best value,

including disposal to a local authority housing company.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Secondment


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how

many civil servants in his Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for



Exiting the European Union and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the

last three years.

Jake Berry:

No staff from this department have been seconded to the Department for Exiting the

European Union or the Department for International Trade during the last three years.

There have been eighteen outward loans to the departments in question during the

last three years as shown in the table below.

NUMBER OF

OUTWARD LOANS

BY HOST

DEPARTMENT AND

THE YEAR

COMMENCED 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 TOTAL

Department for

Exiting the

European Union

3 11 1 15

Department for

International

Trade

0 3 0 3

Total 3 14 1 18

Non-domestic Rates

Gloria De Piero: [249258]


assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of discretionary business

rate relief for childcare providers offering funded places; and which local authorities offer

that relief.

Gloria De Piero: [249259]


assessment he has made of effect of the cost of business rates on the financial

sustainability of the childcare sector in England.

Rishi Sunak:

Decisions on whether to grant discretionary business rates reliefs are taken by

individual local authorities, and the Government does not hold data on whether local

authorities award that relief to childcare providers.

Since Budget 2016 the Government has introduced business rates measures in

England worth £13 billion over the next five years. This includes switching the

indexation of business rates from the retail price index to the consumer price index,



representing a cut in rates to all ratepayers, including childcare providers, worth over

£6 billion over the next five years. The Government has also doubled the threshold

for 100 per cent small business rate relief meaning that 655,000 businesses including

many childcare providers now pay no business rates at all.

The Government monitors the childcare provider market closely through a range of

research projects and plans to spend around £3.5 billion on our early education

entitlements this year alone.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Department for International Development: Wales


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of

29 April 2019 to Question 245944 on Department for International Development: Wales,

how many organisations based in Wales bid for (a) contracts and (b) grants from her

Department in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Harriett Baldwin:

In 2018-19, two companies registered in Wales bid for DFID’s International Multi-

Disciplinary Programme (IMDP) framework contract.

DFID is undertaking a schedule of regional Open for Business events across the

country to help local businesses make the most of opportunities to deliver UK aid. An

Open for Business event took place in Cardiff last year and was attended by 52

Welsh companies. These events are an opportunity for two-way communication to

encourage companies to compete for DFID business to share their vital skills and

expertise and understand the simplified process for contract applications.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of

29 April 2019 to Question 245944, on Department for International Development, Wales,

how many companies based in each region and nation of the UK secured contracts from

her Department in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19; and what the value of each contract was.

Harriett Baldwin:

In 2017-2018, 95% of awarded contracts were to companies based in England with

5% going to companies based in Scotland. In 2018-19, 97% of awarded contracts

were to companies based in England with 3% going to companies based in Scotland.

DFID is undertaking a schedule of regional Open for Business events across the

country to help local businesses make the most of opportunities to deliver UK aid.

Last year we held ‘Open for Business’ events in Birmingham, Leeds, London and

Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle and Edinburgh which were attended by over 600 business

people. These events are an opportunity for two-way communication to encourage

companies to compete for DFID business to share their vital skills and expertise and

understand the simplified process for contract applications.



Developing Countries: Clothing


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has made an

assessment of the potential merits of working with her international counterparts to create

a standardised code of conduct and expectations for garment factories in developing

countries; and if she will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin:

DFID is committed to improving conditions in garments factories, including those

which supply clothing to UK stores, through a range of multi-national initiatives,

including those to improve codes of conduct. These initiatives include:

• the £30 million Responsible Accountable Transparent Enterprise programme which

works through the Ethical Trading Initiative and United Nation’s Global Compact to

support the development and implementation of standards and codes, including for

the garment sector specifically;

• the Bangladesh “Sustainability Compact” which commits the Government of

Bangladesh, the European Union, the United States, Canada and the International

Labour Organisation to improve labour rights, building safety, health and safety,

and responsible business conduct; and

• DFID co-hosting of ‘The Fair Fashion in Africa’ event on 2 May to explore further

opportunities to help female garment workers in Africa access quality jobs that

support their economic empowerment.

Developing Countries: Health Services


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the is

Government taking to support Commonwealth governments to establish universal health

coverage systems to ensure that children do not die from preventable diseases.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK is a strong advocate for the achievement of universal health coverage to

ensure child survival, through strengthening health systems. DFID provides technical

assistance and financial support directly to countries, including Commonwealth

governments. The UK invests around £1 billion per year through bilateral aid

programmes in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, and

our support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has contributed to the safe vaccination of

over 700 million children.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her

Department has allocated to the promotion of universal health coverage in developing

countries.




Harriett Baldwin:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 April 2019 to Question 241478.

Developing Countries: Nature Conservation

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [249336]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she

has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of using UK Official Development

Assistance to help protect endangered species.

Harriett Baldwin:

Ministers from my department, the FCO and Defra have met to plan the

Government’s response to tackling the illegal wildlife trade. DFID is now providing

funding to the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the Global Wildlife Programme

and a range of forestry programmes to protect endangered species.

Developing Countries: Vaccination


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department

is taking to provide marginalised children with access to vaccines.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK believes all children should have access to lifesaving vaccines, no matter

where they live. Equitable vaccine coverage is therefore a key priority for the UK’s

support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This investment provides immunisation to the

poorest children in 68 of the world’s poorest countries. Gavi will vaccinate an

additional 76 million children by 2020, preventing 1.4 million deaths from vaccine

preventable diseases.

As well as providing support to strengthen the overall health system, Gavi focuses on

improving access and equity by identifying the populations and geographical areas

most likely to be under immunised and at risk of outbreaks. Gavi have also adapted

their model to include a Fragility, Emergency and Refugees policy which provides a

more quick and flexible response in fragile countries. This has helped reach

unimmunised children in places like Syria and in Rohingya refugee camps in

Bangladesh.

As a Gavi Board member, the UK advocates for equitable coverage as a core priority

both now and in the future strategy.

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much Official

Development Assistance her Department plans to allocate to Ethiopia in 2019.




Harriett Baldwin:

The 2019/2020 budget for DFID Ethiopia is £292 million. This will support the delivery

of essential health, education, climate resilient, water and sanitation, and

humanitarian services, as well as support Ethiopia to become a more prosperous,

climate resilient and stable nation that can graduate from aid in the future.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department’s

priorities are for the replenishment period and strategy review with Gavi, The Vaccine

Alliance.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK is delighted to be hosting the Gavi Replenishment in 2020. Gavi has

immunised over 700 million children, saving 10 million lives from preventable

diseases. The UK is proud to have played a significant role in delivering these

extraordinary results.

As hosts of the Replenishment Conference, our priority will be to help Gavi secure

the funding it needs to further deliver its life-saving work. The replenishment period is

also a terrific opportunity to demonstrate the impact of the UK’s contribution to Gavi

for the world’s poorest and to recognise the extraordinary work done by British

innovators, academics and health advocates to support Gavi’s mission.

The next strategic period for Gavi is critically important and the UK will continue to

press for further improvements. This includes promoting equitable coverage of

immunisation to leave no-one behind and ensure vaccines are available for the most

vulnerable. The UK will also prioritise ensuring our investment in Gavi is sustainable

and delivers maximum value for money by supporting countries to effectively

transition from Gavi support to increased domestic funding.

Israel: Palestinians

Andrew Percy: [249260]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 1

April 2019 to Question 236490, what comparative assessment she has made of whether

the Palestinian Authority prisoner payment system is equivalent to conventional welfare

payments.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK Government deplores any act of violence or incitement to violence. The UK

government does not consider the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) prisoner payments

system to be equivalent to conventional welfare payments. The UK government

acknowledges that people in need are entitled to access support that is based on

objective social need. For this reason we continue to press the PA to make the

prisoner payments system more needs based, transparent and affordable. UK

Ministers have raised this personally with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, and



officials raised this with the PA at senior levels most recently on 28 March 2019. No

UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners or their families.

Pakistan: Vaccination



is taking to tackle the spread of anti-vaccine misinformation in Pakistan.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK is deeply concerned about the spread of anti-vaccine misinformation in

Pakistan and its potential to undermine the hard-fought gains that have been made in

protecting children from vaccine preventable diseases. We are tackling this

misinformation through our strong support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative

(GPEI) and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. These organisations use a range of tools to

monitor this – including population surveys, media and social media monitoring and

through community dialogue.

Through GPEI and their local implementing partner UNICEF, the UK is contributing to

the appointment of a new social media team working to address the causes of polio

vaccination hesitancy and refusal in Pakistan.

Furthermore, UNICEF, through their support from Gavi and the UK, assisted the

development of an Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization Strategy for

the Government of Pakistan to support immunisation activities.

Tranexamic Acid

Tom Tugendhat: [248054]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the outcome was of

her discussions with the UN and NGO partners on improving access to tranexamic acid

for women with post-partum haemorrhage.

Harriett Baldwin:

Discussions on improving access to tranexamic acid for women with post-partum

haemorrhage continue. It is unacceptable that 830 mothers still die in pregnancy and

childbirth every day. Tranexamic acid is a powerful tool to manage the severe

bleeding that causes many of these deaths. We are supporting the Reproductive

Health Supplies Coalition – a network of over 500 private corporations, NGOs and

donors – to look specifically at the barriers to scaling up use of this important drug.

Vaccination


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department is

taking steps to promote competition in the vaccines market.




Harriett Baldwin:

Healthy vaccine markets are essential to provide adequate supplies of vaccines at

affordable prices for poor countries. This, in turn, improves availability and drives

demand for immunisation. The UK supports healthy vaccine market competition

through our investment in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

A core part of Gavi’s mission is to promote competition and reduce the cost of

vaccines. Gavi now supports 17 manufacturers to provide critical vaccines at a lower

cost. Many of these manufacturers are now based in low and middle income

countries. This has successfully generated over US$764 million in cost savings in

2017 alone and has reduced the cost of immunising a child by 17% since 2016.

The UK also supports Gavi’s Advanced Market Commitment for Pneumococcal

Vaccines (AMC), an innovative approach to fostering market competition. By

incentivising investment in research and development in the pneumococcal vaccine,

the AMC has expanded manufacturing capacity and helped develop a healthy

pipeline for vaccine production. This has helped enable 143 million children in 58

countries to be vaccinated against severe pneumonia.

Vaccination: Prices



is taking to increase price transparency for vaccines.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK recognises the importance of providing affordable vaccines for the poorest

nations. Through UK support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the price of common

childhood vaccines has reduced by 17% since 2016. Bringing down vaccine prices is

part of a wider strategy in Gavi to increase access to vaccines and our significant

investment supports global initiatives to increase vaccine transparency and help

ensure their affordability.

Gavi helps secure the lowest price for vaccines for 68 of the world’s poorest

countries. Gavi procures its vaccines through UNICEF, which makes public its

historic, current and future prices for vaccines. For countries who are not eligible for

Gavi-subsidised vaccines, the UK also advocates and supports its partners to make

prices publicly available online. This helps establish benchmark prices so countries

can negotiate better deals.

Outside of Gavi supported countries, the UK is supportive of the World Health

Organisation’s Global Strategy and Plan of Action and Roadmap for Access to

Medicines. These plans help increase global price transparency whist also

encouraging innovation that is crucial for future vaccine development.


Zimbabwe: Disaster Relief

Sir Henry Bellingham: [247991]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in addition to recently

announced humanitarian assistance, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the

immediate and the long-term development needs in Zimbabwe are met after Cyclone

Idai.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK has committed £2.45 million which will go towards supporting water and

sanitation, child protection and cash grants in cyclone affected areas. In addition UK

will continue to focus on poverty reduction, humanitarian assistance including helping

people to cope with pre-existing drought and economic crisis.

In addition to the recently announced humanitarian assistance, UK Aid operates an

extensive programme in Zimbabwe, working to support the poorest and most

vulnerable as well as at the same time helping lay the foundations for a more

prosperous, peaceful and democratic Zimbabwe, driving growth and poverty

reduction. DFID’s priorities in Zimbabwe are:

• Strengthening peace, democracy, and good governance

• Promoting economic reform and prosperity

• Strengthening resilience and responding to crises

• Supporting basic services for the poorest and most vulnerable

Sir Henry Bellingham: [247992]


is taking to support climate change resilience programes in Zimbabwe after Cyclone Idai.

Harriett Baldwin:

UK Aid supports climate change resilience in 30 of Zimbabwe’s 59 rural districts. The

UK is helping over a million people to cope with the effects of climate change through

the adoption of more climate-resilient agricultural practices, diversifying livelihoods,

and developing plans and policies for climate resilience.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Drinks: Exports


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking

to increase the export market of UK beverages.

Graham Stuart:

UK beverages are an important contributor to our overall food and drink exports and

were worth £7.6bn in 2018, an increase of 4.9% on 2017. Whisky alone accounted

for over 63% of beverage exports and DIT works with bodies such as the Scotch




Whisky Association across trade policy and market access, working to reduce trade

barriers and assist getting products into overseas markets.

DIT collaborates closely with industry directly and key stakeholders such as the Wine

and Spirits Trade Association across a wide range of export promotion activities such

as meet the buyer events and trade missions; both in the UK and overseas.

JUSTICE

Birmingham Prison

Richard Burgon: [247134]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Written Statement of 2 April

2019, Official Report HCWS1475 on HMP Birmingham, what the costs to the public purse

would be of the public sector providing the quality of service referred to in the Statement;

and where that explanation has been published.

Edward Argar:

The information referred to in the Written Statement relates to the competition to

operate the new prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva, Her Majesty’s Prison &

Probation Service has provided a ‘public sector benchmark’, against which potential

operators’ bids will be rigorously assessed. For the Wellingborough competition, this

work has already been undertaken and has informed the specification and

affordability threshold for this competition. We are clear that where bids do not meet

sufficient quality or value-for-money thresholds, the public sector will act as the

provider.

The Government remains committed to a diverse market of prison operators and

competition for custodial services remains an important way of achieving that and

driving quality of operations and innovation across the system.

Prison Officers

Imran Hussain: [249324]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers in bands three to five

in each prison have less than three years' experience.

Lucy Frazer:

The number of HMPPS band 3-5 prison officers in post, as at 31 December 2018,

with less than three years’ experience in each prison can be found in the

accompanying excel table.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold staffing numbers for privately managed prisons

and, as such, their workforce statistics are not published. Every privately contracted

prison is robustly scrutinised by an on-site Prison Service Controller who monitors

their performance, including staffing levels. Some privately run prisons are among the

best across the estate, and we are able to take rapid action if standards drop.



We commend our hard-working prison officers who do a vital job in protecting the

public every day, often in challenging and difficult circumstances.

We want prison officers to stay and progress their careers. We’ve improved induction

processes to ease transition into the job, provide care and support for our staff and

offer additional training. These measures are part of the work we are doing directly

with Governors to address local issues and ensure experienced staff and new

recruits remain in the service.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 249324_final table.xlsx]


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers in bands three to five

in each prison have three or more years' experience.

Lucy Frazer:

The number of HMPPS band 3-5 prison officers in post, as at 31 December 2018,

with three or more years’ experience in each prison can be found in the

accompanying excel table.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold staffing numbers for privately managed prisons

and, as such, their workforce statistics are not published. Every privately contracted

prison is robustly scrutinised by an on-site Prison Service Controller who monitors

their performance, including staffing levels. Some privately run prisons are among the

best across the estate, and we are able to take rapid action if standards drop.

We commend our hard-working prison officers who do a vital job in protecting the

public every day, often in challenging and difficult circumstances.

We want prison officers to stay and progress their careers. We’ve improved induction

processes to ease transition into the job, provide care and support for our staff and

offer additional training. These measures are part of the work we are doing directly

with Governors to address local issues and ensure experienced staff and new

recruits remain in the service.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 249325_final table.xlsx]

Prisons: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prisons are currently in special measures.

Edward Argar:

The following prisons are in special measures as of 01 May 2019:

Aylesbury, Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Chelmsford, Elmley, Exeter, Guys Marsh,

Hewell, Lewes, Liverpool, Nottingham, The Mount, Wandsworth, Winchester, and

Wormwood Scrubs.



Special measures are put in place where an assessment of performance based on a

combination of data, management information, judgement from senior operational

management and external scrutiny determines that a prison needs additional

specialist support to improve to an acceptable level.

Young Offenders: Protection

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [249316]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to paragraph 211 of the IICSA

report Sexual Abuse of Children in Custodial Institutions: 2009–2017, published February

2019, what the terms of reference are of the safeguarding review being carried out on the

children’s secure estate; what date the review was established; and what the timetable is

for the report from that review to be published.

Edward Argar:

The Youth Custody Service’s internal safeguarding review was established in April

2018, under the following Terms of Reference:

1. Review, and where appropriate revise, the current operational policies for

Safeguarding within the Youth Secure Estate;

2. Review the processes for handling allegations and complaints, including but not

limited to, access, response, investigation and the support offered to children and

young people

3. Review the corporate governance structures for safeguarding given the transfer of

functions from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to the Youth Custody Service (YCS)

4. Review the staff recruitment and vetting procedures in place and systems for

referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

5. Review the safeguarding training offer and arrangements for all staff

6. Review information sharing arrangements between different departments within

establishments, for example between Safeguarding and Security teams.

7. Ensure the YCS is compliant with and executing its duties in relation to the Working

Together guidance issued by the Department for Education, and any other relevant

statutory requirements

8. Scope and establish working relationships with relevant external stakeholders. For

example, the chairs of Local Safeguarding Children Boards on the custodial care of

children; Association of Directors of Children’s Services; YJB etc.

9. Make recommendations on policies, processes and procedures, as deemed

necessary to improve safeguarding measures for children and young people

10. Share and disseminate good practice with staff across the youth secure estate, in

line with the YCS’s emerging continuous improvement model.

The YCS safeguarding report is in the process of being finalised and I will write to you

when the report has been submitted to me.


SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS

AUTHORITY

Members: Allowances

John Spellar: [249206]

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what involvement did the Speaker's

committee had in the formulation of the new claims system for hon. Members'

allowances.

Mr Charles Walker:

As part of its role to approve IPSA’s Estimate, in March 2016, the Speaker’s

Committee approved funds for a wide-ranging improvement programme, including

plans for a new IT system, IPSA Online. This took into account longstanding

feedback from MPs and their staff about the need to modernise and improve IPSA’s

systems and processes. In subsequent years, the Speaker’s Committee has

scrutinised progress on this programme via the annual Estimate approval process, as

well as other formal and informal updates.

The Speaker’s Committee had no direct input into the design of IPSA Online, but has

received regular updates on the key features of the system and IPSA’s plans for

engagement and training activities.

More generally, IPSA engaged with MPs and staff members throughout the

development of IPSA Online through activities including surveys, meetings, usability

testing and training sessions, in order to take account of their needs and preferences.

IPSA is committed to ongoing liaison with MPs and their staff to gain further feedback

on the new system now that it has been launched.

TRANSPORT

Durham Coast Railway Line

Grahame Morris: [249265]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the

public purse of the refurbishment of the Sprinter trains for the Durham Coast Line.

Andrew Jones:

It is not possible to isolate the cost to the public purse of refurbishment of sprinter

trains for the Durham Coast route as the costs of doing this (and offsetting increases

in revenue resulting from it) were part of a much wider programme of rolling stock

transformation that was offered as part of the winning bid and associated overall

subsidy requirement offered in 2015 by Arriva.



High Speed 2 Railway Line

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [249174]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people working on High Speed

Two have signed a non disclosure agreement with his Department.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department for Transport does not hold non-disclosure agreements with any

individuals working on High Speed 2.

Keir Starmer: [249342]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussion he (a) has had and (b) plans

to have with HS2 Ltd on the £23 million funding required for the movement of 18 per cent

of Euston approaches excavation material by Rail.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

HS2 Ltd has recently adopted plans to enable excavated material from the

construction of the HS2 Euston Station to be moved by rail. These plans require the

construction of rail infrastructure to enable a reduction of around 55,000 lorry

movements from the Euston area.

HS2 Ltd has also considered opportunities for use of rail transport to take away

excavated material from construction of the Euston approaches. This option was

rejected on basis of the level of costs required to construct the rail infrastructure and

provide and maintain the freight service compared to the limited amount of excavated

material that could be removed.

As the design progresses, HS2 Ltd and its contractors are committed to realising

further opportunities for the use of rail to transport construction materials to the

Euston worksite and will continue to provide regular updates to stakeholders and the

local community


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what environmental impact assessment he

has made of moving Euston approaches excavated material by HGV.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The environmental effects of moving all of the excavated materials arising from the

construction of the HS2 Euston Station and Euston Approaches by road was

assessed and published in the HS2 Environmental Statement (2015) Additional

Provision 3 (AP3). This includes likely significant effects of HGV movements on road

traffic, air quality, noise and other relevant topics in accordance with Environmental

Impact Assessment methodology.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/supplementary-environmental-statement-

2-and-additional-provision-3-environmental-statement-supplementary-environmental-

information




https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/supplementary-environmental-statement-2-and-additional-provision-3-environmental-statement-supplementary-environmental-information





To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that HS2

Ltd and his Department are working with the (a) local community and (b) Camden Council

to maximise the movement of material by rail from (i) Euston Station and (ii) Approaches

areas in order to minimise the number of additional HGV lorry movements through

Camden.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

In accordance with the HS2 Phase One Environmental Statement and assurances

provided to Camden Council, HS2 Ltd has identified an option to maximise the

movement of material by rail. In developing proposals with its contractors, HS2 Ltd

has a regular dialogue with Camden Council through existing forums and with the

local community through the Euston Community Representatives Group, which

represents local groups and associations in the Camden area, in addition to making

information available on its local ‘HS2 in Camden’ website.

Tulip Siddiq: [249346]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the total budget for High Speed 2

will be uprated from 2015 to 2019 prices; and whether the revised benefit cost ratio

calculation for that project will include benefits that arise from expenditure on (a) local

regeneration strategies and (b) other wider economic impacts in the cities along the High

Speed 2 route.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The decision whether to uprate the total HS2 budget from the current 2015 price base

will be taken alongside the Spending Review.

The Spending Review will also consider the latest benefits associated with High

Speed 2. This will include Wider Economic Impacts in line with the department’s

Transport Appraisal Guidance.

The department is working with local authorities across the UK to develop growth

strategies to ensure the benefits of HS2 are fully realised in local areas.

Railway Stations: Hampshire

Rachel Reeves: [249267]

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

ensure that there is adequate (a) lighting and (b) CCTV coverage at (i) Bramley Station

and (ii) all local rail stations.

Andrew Jones:

Arriva Rail North has a station investment programme and will be spending around

£60 million over the length of the franchise to improve the quality of their stations on

the network. The work includes LED lighting, improving accessibility, rainwater

harvesting and plans for redundant buildings. Under the plan, Bramley will receive

new seating, new signage, and LED lighting has already been installed.




TREASURY

Loans: Interest Rates


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

merits of introducing an anti-usury law to cap interest rates and give borrowers more

protection.

John Glen:

On 1 April 2014 the Government transferred regulatory responsibility for consumer

credit from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA proactively monitors the market, focusing on the areas most likely to cause

consumer harm. The Government has given the FCA the power to cap all forms of

credit, and the FCA can do so if it thinks it is necessary to protect consumers.

The FCA introduced a price cap on the cost of payday lending in 2015, and more

recently introduced a price cap on rent-to-own which came into force on 1 April 2019.

The Government has strong concerns about the practices that the FCA has identified

in the rent-to-own market, and welcomes the FCA’s decision to introduce a price cap.

The FCA has said that it will keep the issue of capping the cost of credit in other

markets under review.

Mortgages


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to address

the loyalty penalty in the mortgage market.

John Glen:

HMT notes that consumer engagement in the mortgage market is high, with over

three quarters of borrowers switching within 6 months of the end of an introductory

deal.

HMT has worked closely with the FCA to consider how to remove the regulatory

barriers that prevent some customers from accessing better deals. HMT welcomes

the FCA’s plans to move the affordability assessment from an absolute test to a

relative one. This change removes the regulatory barrier that prevented some

customers, who otherwise may have been able to switch, from accessing new

mortgage products.

HMT will continue to support the work the FCA is currently undertaking to improve

switching and consumer engagement in the mortgage market.

Public Health: Finance

Sir Alan Campbell: [249887]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how he plans to use the Spending Review to

invest in public health.




Elizabeth Truss:

The forthcoming Spending Review is an opportunity for the Government to make

decisions on public spending in the round. As part of that, the Treasury will work

closely with other departments to assess public health priorities.

Regional Planning and Development: North of England


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to use the forthcoming

Spending Review to invest in the Northern Powerhouse.

Elizabeth Truss:

Since 2010, over 60% of the increase in UK employment has come from regions

outside of London and the South East, and all regions of the North of England have

seen faster nominal productivity growth over that time period than London and the

South East. The Government is continuing to support the Northern Powerhouse, for

example, the £2.5bn Transforming Cities Fund as well as Devolution deals for

Manchester, Liverpool and North of Tyne. We will continue to support this growth

through the Spending Review later this year.

WALES

Wales Office: Contracts


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many companies based in (a) Wales, (b)

the UK, (c) the EU and (d) the rest of the world had contracts or grants awarded by his

Department in each of the last three years; and what the value of those contracts or

grants was.

Kevin Foster:

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales does not issue contracts directly. The

Office buys goods and services under Government frameworks agreements and

receives procurement services from the Ministry of Justice. The Office has not

awarded any grants.

Wales Office: Secondment


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many civil servants in his Department have

been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European Union and (b) the

Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

Kevin Foster:

None.




WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: [248589]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which groups of parents are not

required to pay child maintenance; and what estimate her Department has made of the

number of parents who are primary carers for children who do not receive child

maintenance.

Will Quince:

All parents have a responsibility to support their children. Where an application is

made to the Child Maintenance Service, a liability will be calculated based on the

gross taxable income of the paying parent, provided all the relevant parties can be

identified and are classed as habitually resident in the UK.

In certain circumstances, where the paying parent: has a gross a weekly income

below £7 per week; is a child; is in prison; is aged 16-17 years old and in receipt of

prescribed benefits; is receiving a work based training allowance; is in a care home,

hospital or receiving home care; this liability will be nil.

The following publication includes statistics on the child maintenance arrangements

of separated families:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/separated-families-population-statistics

Information on the number of parents who are primary carers for children but do not

receive child maintenance is not readily available and to provide it would incur

disproportionate cost.

Frank Field: [249881]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to

collect and publish (a) the number of deductions from benefits and (b) instances of

sharing non-compliant parents' information with credit reference agencies.

Will Quince:

This question has been interpreted as referring to actions taken by the Child

Maintenance Service. The Department does hold information regarding:

1. deductions from the benefits received by a paying parent on the Child Maintenance

Service in order to pay Child Maintenance;

2. instances in which the details of non-compliant paying parents on the Child

Maintenance Service have been shared with credit reference agencies.

The Department has no immediate plans to publish this information. However, with

the completion of the Child Support Agency case closure programme, and the

implementation of the new Child Maintenance compliance and arrears strategy, the

Department continues to review what information is included in regular publications.





Employment and Social Security Benefits: Learning Disability

Stephen McPartland: [249271]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to support

people with learning disabilities access (a) benefits and (b) employment opportunities.

Justin Tomlinson:

Universal Credit provides enhanced personalised support for all claimants. All

claimants receive continuous tailored support managed through personal work

coaches, who know each person. Our work coaches receive extensive training to

ensure they can offer effective support to different claimant groups, including those

with learning disabilities.

From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice

Scotland are delivering the new ‘ Help to Claim’ support to claimants making a new

Universal Credit (UC) claim or moving from a legacy benefit to UC because of a

change of circumstances. The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service offers tailored,

practical support to help people make a UC claim up to receiving their first full correct

payment on time. It is available online, through web-chat, through a Freephone

number and face to face through local Citizens Advice services.

Telephony support is also available through the Universal Credit Freephone line for

claimants who cannot make or maintain their claim online. Where a claimant is

unable to manage their own affairs, an appointee can act on their behalf, taking

responsibility for making and maintaining a claim.

Personal Independence Payment can be paid to disabled people irrespective of their

employment status. Claimants with a severe mental health or behavioural condition,

learning disability, developmental disorder or cognitive problems, who may have

difficulty engaging with the claims process, and with no support network in place can

be provided with additional support during the claims process if they need it. This

support can include help filling in the form or the questionnaire and additional

protections for failing to return the questionnaire or for failing to attend a face-to-face

assessment.

We are supporting disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, to

prepare for employment, enter and retain work through a range of initiatives, for

example: Access to Work; the Local Supported Employment proof of concept; and

the new Intensive Personalised Employment Support scheme, which is expected to

be running by the end of 2019.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Faisal Rashid: [249916]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance her Department

issues to GPs on the provision of fit notes for patients who are undergoing an appeal for

employment and support allowance.



Justin Tomlinson:

The Department provides guidance on the benefits system for GPs which is

available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-short-guide-to-the-benefit-

system-for-general-practitioners.

Funerals: Fees and Charges


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has

made of the number of families were unable to afford the funeral of family member in

each of the last five years.

Will Quince:

No such assessment has been made.

Funeral poverty is not just an issue for Government. Providers of funeral services,

including the church, funeral directors, local authorities and owners of crematoriums,

all have a role to play in ensuring funerals are accessible for everyone.

Social Security Benefits: Children


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her

Department has made of the effect of the two-child limit on families with a low income;

and if she will make a statement.

Alok Sharma:

It is the Department’s view that providing support for a maximum of two children or

qualifying young persons in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit will ensure fairness

between those supporting themselves solely through work and those receiving

benefits.

The Government continues to take action to help families with the cost of living,

including raising the national living wage, reducing the Universal Credit earnings

taper, raising the income tax personal allowance, introducing tax-free childcare and

30 hours a week of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds.

Furthermore, under Universal Credit, working families can claim back up to 85% of

their registered childcare costs each month. This can be claimed up to a month

before starting a job. For families with two children this could be worth up to £13,000

a year.

The Government has assessed the impact of the policy from an equality and human

rights perspective throughout its development and in preparation for its

implementation. The Department published statistics related to the first year of policy

implementation in June 2018, and have committed to subsequent annual releases.



Universal Credit


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to include

an income assessment form in the application for advance payments for universal credit;

and if she will make a statement.

Alok Sharma:

Introducing an income assessment could cause delay to Universal Credit (UC) new

claim advances, the purpose of which is to provide fast access to a payment for

people in financial need until their first UC payment’s due.

The Department will increase the maximum recovery period for advances on new

claims from 12 months to 16 months from October 2021. If an unforeseen event

occurs that would result in hardship once recovery begins, in certain circumstances,

repayments can be deferred for up to 3 months.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the

value of advanced payments that will be paid to claimants of universal credit in 2019.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pension, what estimate she has made of the

value of advanced payments that will be paid to claimants of universal credit in each of

the next five years.

Alok Sharma:

Universal Credit (UC) new claim advances provide fast access to a payment for

people in financial need until their first UC payment is due. Assistance of up to 100%

of the total expected monthly award, which is paid back over a period of up to 12

months, and from October 2021 up to 16 months, is available.

The estimated value of advanced payments that were paid to Universal Credit (UC)

claimants for new claims and benefits transfers in the financial year 2018/2019 is

£502m ( source: DWP internal statistics).

The projected value of advanced payments that will be paid to claimants of UC for

new claims and benefits transfers in each of the next five years is £676m in

2019/2020 rising to £862m in 2023/2024. This projection is line with the expected

increase in UC claims.

YEAR PROJECTED ADVANCES SPEND (£M)

2019/2020 £676

2020/2021 £682

2021/2022 £678

2022/2023 £766




YEAR PROJECTED ADVANCES SPEND (£M)

2023/2024 £862

Source: DWP internal modelling of advances.

Notes:

1. The data supplied is derived from unpublished management information which was

collected for internal Departmental use only and has not been quality assured to

National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. The data should

therefore be treated with caution.

2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £million.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will bring forward legislative

proposals to ensure that the universal credit childcare support offer does not require

parents to (a) pay childcare costs upfront and (b) provide receipts.

Will Quince:

We recognise the difficulty that some claimants might have in paying upfront

childcare costs. Where the initial month’s childcare costs may prevent a claimant

from starting work, Jobcentres will use the Flexible Support Fund to help claimants in

the first instance. This is a non-repayable award, which can be used to meet the

upfront childcare costs to help support a claimant into work.

For claimants who are in work and need help with upfront childcare costs, budgeting

advances are available that can be used to cover the cost of paying upfront childcare

costs or a deposit.

The payment of Universal Credit Childcare costs is based on monthly reporting by the

claimant of the actual childcare costs the household incurs. Claimants are required to

provide a receipt of the eligible costs they have paid and these are then reimbursed

within their Universal Credit award. Such monthly reporting ensures accuracy whilst

reducing the levels of error and the possibility of overpayments.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of

the implications for her Department's policies of the Trussell Trust recommendation to

change the five-week wait for universal credit payments to reduce the use of foodbanks.

Alok Sharma:

No UC claimant has to wait five weeks for their first payment. If required, advances of

up to 100 per cent of their expected UC award are available to claimants from day

one of their claim. Advances are paid back over a maximum of 12 months and in the

Autumn Budget 2018, we announced that from October 2021, the payback period for

these advances will be extended further, allowing claimants up to 16 months. This is

just one of a number of measures the Department has put in place to support



claimants such as paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto

Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a

two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and

Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.

Universal Credit: Housing

Neil Gray: [248698]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of

new claimants for universal credit received two weeks’ run-on housing benefit while

waiting for their first payment (a) in the last six months and (b) in the last month for which

information is available.

Will Quince:

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur

disproportionate cost. However, since it was introduced in April 2018, all Housing

Benefit claimants, whose Housing Benefit award was ended because of a new claim

to Universal Credit, have been awarded the two-week Transition to Universal Credit

Housing Payment.

Neil Gray: [248699]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has

made of the proportion of claimants of universal credit who have a deduction for housing

rent arrears in the first month of their claim in the last month for which data is available.

Will Quince:

The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants

who have incurred debt. Universal Credit already has procedures and regulations in

place to protect claimants from excessive deductions. Last resort deductions can be

applied to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their gas,

electricity and water cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears

of these essential services. 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 their deductions be considered.

The latest available data is for eligible claims to UC Full Service that are due a

payment in December 2018. Of those claims with a payment in December 2018

relating to the first month of their claim, 2% have a deduction to repay rent arrears.

This equates to 3,000 claims.

Notes

• Rent arrears deductions are defined as arrears of rent and/or service charges

relating to a rented property

• Figures for rent arrears deduction include only those claims with a non-zero rent

arrears deduction.

• Figures rounded to nearest 1,000.



WRITTEN STATEMENTS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Business Update

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and

Corporate Responsibility (Kelly Tolhurst): [HCWS1540]

CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY AND REFORM OF THE COMPANIES REGISTER

One of the key foundations of our modern Industrial Strategy is delivering a strong,

transparent and attractive business environment in the UK. The strength of the UK’s

business environment is founded on our fair and open regulatory frameworks. The

Companies Register is the base on which that strength is built.

While the overwhelming majority of UK corporates operate wholly legitimately, concerns

have been expressed about the the misuse of UK corporate entities, the filing of false

information on the companies register held at Companies House and the use of innocent

people’s information on the register to commit fraud and other acts of harm.

In the last three years there have been almost 10,000 complaints to Companies House

from people concerned about their personal details, with worries including fraud and

misuse of personal details topping the list.

We are therefore seeking views on a series of reforms to limit the risks of misuse. These

include measures to: provide greater certainty over the identity of those shown as

owning, running or controlling companies, including identity verification; improve the

accuracy and usability of data on the register; protect personal information; ensure

compliance and take action against offenders; and deter abuse of UK-registered

corporate entities. We are committed to minimising burdens on law abiding businesses,

especially the smallest. The consultation will therefore look at the best way to minimise

burdens on businesses.

These reforms build on our global reputation as a trusted and welcoming place to do

business and a leading exponent of greater corporate transparency.

The UK has one of the highest ratings for cracking down on anonymous companies, and

the government’s proposed measures build on the Britain’s world-leading anti-corruption

activity. In 2016, the UK became the first country in the G20 to introduce a public register

of company ownership, while new protections against identity fraud for company directors

were introduced in 2018.

These measures will boost the reputation of the UK’s business environment, ensuring

reliability of the UK’s company register. Knowing that a company’s information is accurate

and transparent is a fundamental part of a leading business environment – giving

entrepreneurs and businesses the confidence they need to do business in the UK.

I will place a copy of the consultation in the Libraries of the House.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-05-07/HCWS1540/

EDUCATION

Schools update

The Secretary of State for Education (Mr Damian Hinds): [HCWS1541]

Today the Secretary of State for Education will provide a statement to the House,

announcing the publication of the Timpson review of school exclusion and the

Government's response. Both the review and response have been published on gov.uk.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Rough Sleeping update

Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

(James Brokenshire): [HCWS1539]

Early Adopters of the Rapid Rehousing Pathway

In December, I announced the locations of the first 11 Somewhere Safe to Stay hubs,

one of four elements that make up the Rapid Rehousing Pathway which were announced

in the £100 million Rough Sleeping Strategy last August. I am pleased to say that all 11

hubs are now operational. Furthermore, I can confirm that all 42 early adopters of the

Pathway, announced in February, are working hard to get staff in place and several are

already delivering services. These 53 early adopters are focused on making sure that

those who sleep rough, or are at risk of sleeping rough, are rapidly getting the support

they need to move away from the street and sustain secure accommodation.

Rapid Rehousing Pathway new funding

I have now announced the allocations of up to £25.6 million of the second round of Rapid

Rehousing Pathway funding. For 108 areas of the country this funding will provide:

• 20 additional Somewhere Safe to Stay hubs, to rapidly assess the needs of people

who are sleeping rough and those who are at risk of sleeping rough and support

them to get the right help quickly. This will bring the total number of hubs to 31, 16

more than the minimum that we committed to in the 2018 Rough Sleeping

Strategy.

• Up to £6.8 million of funding for 61 areas for Supported Lettings, offering flexible

support funding to help people with a history of rough sleeping to sustain their

tenancies in homes made newly available across the housing sector.

• At least 130 Navigators who will develop relationships with and help over 2,500

people who sleep rough to access appropriate local services, get off the streets

and into settled accommodation.

• Up to £3.5 million to establish or support 30 Local lettings agencies to source,

identify, or provide homes and advice for rough sleepers or those at risk.


https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-exclusions-review-call-for-evidence.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-exclusions-review-call-for-evidence.


A full list of the areas funded is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rapid-rehousing-pathway-2019-to-2020-

funding-allocations

With this funding, local areas will be able to connect people with the right support and

sustainable housing to move them swiftly away from the street and facilitate their

recovery. This important work is part of delivering on the commitments outlined in the

Rough Sleeping Strategy and is crucial in bringing us a step closer towards ending rough

sleeping.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Response to the Joint Committee’s report on the Draft Parliamentary Buildings

(Restoration and Renewal) Bill

Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Andrea

Leadsom): [HCWS1537]

Today, the Government publishes its response to the Joint Committee’s report on the

draft Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill.

The Joint Committee published its report on 21 March 2019. This report followed careful

consideration by the Committee, taking evidence from a range of interested experts and

stakeholders. The report set out a series of helpful recommendations on the content of

the Bill and on wider issues related to R & R, including matters for the Shadow Sponsor

Body to consider.

The Joint Committee was appointed by the House of Commons on 26 November 2018

and the House of Lords on 29 November 2018. It scrutinised the draft Parliamentary

Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill (‘the Bill’) by considering written and oral

evidence from a range of contributors, including the Leader of the House of Commons,

The Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP and the Leader of the House of Lords, The Rt Hon

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park.

The Government welcomes the Committee’s report and considered evidence-based

approach the Chair and Members of the Committee have taken in scrutinising the Bill.

The support of the Committee and its endorsement of the overarching aim of the draft Bill

is very important in progressing this important and pressing work. The Government is

committed to establish in statute the necessary governance arrangements to oversee the

restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, and in doing so ensuring it

provides for value for money for the taxpayer.

The Government is committed to introducing the Bill as soon as possible. We recognise

that this is a significant and urgent task given the current state of disrepair of the Palace.

The recent incidents in the Palace of Westminster, including masonry falling from the

building have further highlighted the urgency of the works to restore and renew the

Palace of Westminster. The tragic fire at Notre Dame has also served as a reminder of

the risks to this historic and iconic building.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rapid-rehousing-pathway-2019-to-2020-funding-allocations




NORTHERN IRELAND

National Security Arrangements in Northern Ireland 1 January 2017 – 31 December

2018

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen Bradley): [HCWS1538]

This is a summary of the main findings from the report by His Honour Brian Barker QC,

the Independent Reviewer of National Security Arrangements in Northern Ireland,

covering the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. His Honour Brian Barker

concludes:

Throughout the reporting period I have been briefed periodically on the state of threat in

Northern Ireland. I received presentations from PSNI and MI5 on the practical effect of

their co-operation and mutual reliances. My visits to PSNI establishments and to MI5 left

an impression of deep commitment and professionalism, further demonstrated by their

openness and willingness to respond to all aspects of my enquiries. Strong cross-border

links continue with An Garda Siochana.

The context in which national security activities are performed in Northern Ireland

remains challenging and members of the security forces continue to require vigilance in

relation to their personal security. Dissident republicans continue to express political

conviction to justify violence and law breaking, while loyalist paramilitaries maintain

control in areas by self-justified intimidation and administration of violence. As in recent

years there have been successes and considerable effort devoted to containing and

disrupting dissident groups. Nevertheless, planning and targeting continues and attacks

occur.

The number of security related incidents for this reporting period are broadly similar to my

previous report; in 2017 shooting incidents rose from 49 to 58, whilst the number of

security related deaths decreased from 6 to 2. There were 30 bombing incidents, and

casualties from paramilitary style assaults (excluding fatalities) increased from 65 to 74;

casualties from paramilitary style shootings (excluding fatalities) also increased from 20

to 27. The number of persons arrested and charged under s.41 of the Terrorism Act

decreased from 18 to 13.

This period I have focused on Covert Human Intelligence Sources [CHIS]. There is

excellent cooperation between MI5 and PSNI on CHIS operations, including frequent

meetings between PSNI and MI5 at a senior level to discuss CHIS policy and operations.

In accordance with the St. Andrews principles, PSNI manage the majority of national

security CHIS. There is a systematic review procedure for CHIS.

The political situation is difficult and complex and throughout this reporting period

Northern Ireland was without a functioning Executive and Assembly, despite a number of

attempts at negotiations between parties; concern about the effect of the political situation

was a recurring theme in many of my stakeholder engagements.

I met a range of stakeholders in this reporting period, including the Northern Ireland

Policing Board (NIPB), the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI), the Attorney

General (AG) and the Committee on Administration of Justice (CAJ). NIPB highlighted


the effect of not being able to fully operate, due to the lack of a functioning Executive or

Assembly, and raised concerns that crucial decisions, such as an inability to retain their

independent Human Rights Advisor, could lead to a diminution of trust in their work.

PONI outlined the challenge of balancing a large volume of Troubles-era complaints

against a limit to the resources available to investigate.

The Committee on Administration of Justice (CAJ) raised concerns about the effect of the

lack of an NI Executive and the potential impact of EU Exit. They reported that their

relationship with PSNI was good and improving. CAJ proposed a framework where the

operational boundaries of MI5 and PSNI responsibilities relating to NIRT, paramilitarism

and extreme right activity was published. CAJ believe this would have an international

benefit and would give accountability and public acceptability.

A meeting with the Attorney General (AG), John Larkin QC, was productive. Within the

scope of his remit, the AG explained his hope for improvement to certain elements of the

criminal justice system, such as more informative defence statements and better

monitoring of entrapment accusations and subsequent requests for disclosure.

Overall, I continue to be impressed with the standards and commitment of the senior

members of MI5 and the PSNI and understand the frustration all stakeholders experience

due to the lack of a functioning Executive .

I have measured performance in this reporting period against the five key principles

identified in relation to national security in Annex E to the St Andrews Agreement of

October 2006. My conclusions are set out in the attached table.

Attachments:

1. Table for WMS 7 May 2019 [Table for National Security WMS.doc]

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