Thursday Volume 691 18 March 2021 No. 193

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 18 March 2021 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 467 18 MARCH 2021 468 House of Commons Gigabit Broadband Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): What steps his Thursday 18 March 2021 Department is taking to roll out gigabit broadband. [913590]

The House met at half-past Nine o’clock The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Matt Warman): Since 2019, gigabit-capable broadband coverage has risen from 10% to PRAYERS now well over 30%, but with the publication this morning of Ofcom’s market review, the way is paved for the Government to lay out their thinking in much greater [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] detail. We will be publishing Project Gigabit very soon Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Orders, to explain where we will be taking the best broadband 4 June and 30 December 2020). connections first and how we will tackle the hardest-to-reach [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] premises as well. Karl McCartney [V]: I thank the Minister—my county colleague, as the Member for Boston and Skegness—for that response and look forward to a Government Oral Answers to Questions announcement in the near future. We have all become more reliant on our broadband connectivity in recent months, and I look forward to the full—and it needs to be full—roll-out of gigabit broadband. I represent two DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT district areas. City of Lincoln Council has 99.4% superfast connectivity, but North Kesteven District Council, where I represent Skellingthorpe, Bracebridge Heath and The Secretary of State was asked— Waddington East, has only 95.3% superfast broadband, Exports to EU: Art and Antiques with 2.74% of households receiving less than 10 megabits per second. How will my hon. Friend ensure that the Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con): What steps his roll-out of gigabit broadband benefits all those in rural Department is taking to help ensure that art and antiques areas, including across Lincolnshire, where BT took can be easily exported to EU countries. [913589] vast amounts of easy taxpayer money but has not delivered fibre connections or access for all by a long The Minister for Digital and Culture (Caroline Dinenage): way? The UK has one of the world’s leading art markets and the free trade agreement we negotiated with the EU will Matt Warman: I know just how keen my hon. Friend allow it to flourish. We have taken steps to facilitate the is to tackle broadband roll-out in the rural parts of his export of cultural goods to EU countries. We have constituency as well as in the urban. As I mentioned, developed a new inland pre-clearance process for export Project Gigabit will lay out a nationwide plan and it will licences for works of art, and we are digitising the do so in a way that promotes competition so that we get export licensing system for cultural goods. Those steps the best that the whole of the market can offer, including will reduce border friction and avoid delays and security Openreach, but also other providers. risks. Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab) Anthony Mangnall: Notwithstanding the Minister’s [V]: Our Parliament, our businesses, our students, our incredibly helpful response, there are small businesses in economy and our social lives all depend on broadband. the art and antiques market that are suffering from In 2019, the Prime Minister promised full fibre for all by these teething problems,such as Dart Gallery in Dartmouth 2025, and the 2020 Budget set aside £5 billion for that. in my constituency. So what further steps are the Can the Minister confirm that only £1.2 billion of that Government going to take to ensure that there is a £5 billion is planned to be spent by 2025, and that today’s streamlined approach to exporting art and antiques in decision by Ofcom to remove pricing controls will deliver future years? greater profits for BT while allowing Openreach to charge more in rural areas that are already broadband-poorer? Caroline Dinenage: My hon. Friend is absolutely When will the country as a whole get the broadband right to champion the businesses in his constituency. We infrastructure we so desperately need? care deeply about supporting them. That is why the Secretary of State met representatives of the art market Matt Warman: The hon. Lady knows that the only earlier this month to discuss issues. We will continue Government will spend the £5 billion that has been to work closely with the sector to ensure that it can keep committed as soon as possible and as quickly as the trading smoothly with the EU. We recognise that this industry can get the cable into the ground. She also means a period of change for business at a time when knows that the important balance to strike is between a everyone has been responding to the unprecedented competitive market that makes sure that we get everyone, pressures of the pandemic, but this is an unparalleled from Openreach to Gigaclear to CityFibre, involved, opportunity for the UK to do business differently and and ensuring that those businesses can make a fair prosper. We will continue to support businesses to allow return. That is the balance that Ofcom has sought to them to take all the opportunities. strike today. 469 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 470

Julian Knight (Solihull) (Con) [V]: With the publication the Budget, taking dedicated support for culture and of Ofcom’s broadband review, does the Minister agree heritage during the pandemic to almost £2 billion—an that the time has come to respond more fully to the key unprecedented sum. recommendations of the DCMS Select Committee report in relation to broadband roll-out, as it seems clear that David Johnston [V]: The culture recovery fund has the Government are set to miss their revised targets? provided a vital lifeline to many organisations in my Will he commit to give the Committee its full answers constituency, from the Cholsey and Wallingford railway by 1 April? In addition, is the £5 billion sum for Project to the Oxford Philharmonic to the Didcot Railway Gigabit reported in today’s Daily Telegraph just a Centre, which is a popular family attraction. Does my repackaged announcement, or is the £5 billion now right hon. Friend agree that just as people have been guaranteed from the Treasury? very good at supporting their local shops during the pandemic, it would be great if, when restrictions lift, Matt Warman: The Ofcom report, as I say, strikes a they can go and visit their local culture and heritage balance between trying to get competition and trying to sites, even if they have been many times before, to help get a fair return. I think that is a reasonable approach. them get back on their feet? It is of course important that we lay out the plans in response to the Select Committee’s questions. Project Oliver Dowden: I completely agree. The Government Gigabit will, in due course, do an awful lot of that work. have been here for culture throughout the pandemic, I look forward to responding in full to the Committee’s and as we emerge from it, I know that the public will questions, perhaps even appearing in front of it once again. want to be there, too. As our cultural institutions reopen, we will encourage people to get out there and support Data Flow to and from EU them. That includes attractions in my hon. Friend’s constituency, as he referenced, such as the Didcot Railway Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab): What steps the Centre and the Cholsey and Wallingford railway, both Government is taking to ensure the free flow of data to of which have been supported through our culture and from the EU. [913591] recovery fund. The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale): Live Events and Cultural Festivals: Government-backed Under UK law, personal data can currently flow freely Insurance Scheme from the UK to the EU. The trade agreement also ensures the continued temporary free flow of personal Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP): If data from the EU to the UK until adequacy decisions he will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the are adopted. The European Commission published positive Exchequer on the potential merits of introducing a draft adequacy decisions on 19 February and we expect Government-backed insurance scheme for the live events the EU to complete the technical approval process sector. [913594] soon. Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD): What discussions Daniel Zeichner [V]: We all know how important the he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on flow of data is for UK business,but frankly the Government establishing a Government-backed insurance fund to have handed the powers to the EU to turn our data on help support the return of live events and cultural and off. They have turned us into supplicants, effectively. festivals during the covid-19 outbreak. [913599] What are the contingency plans, given that relationships The Minister for Digital and Culture (Caroline Dinenage): are frosty, should the EU use those powers? The Government are aware of the concerns that have been raised about the challenge of securing indemnity Mr Whittingdale: As I say, the EU Commission has cover for live events, and my officials and the rest of the already provided an assessment of the UK’sdata protection team at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and laws, which found us to be adequate, and there is Sport continue to work closely with the affected sectors absolutely no reason why that should not be confirmed to understand all the barriers to reopening, including once the processes are under way. However, we have financial support, certainty around the public health said that it is sensible for businesses to make contingency situation and the potential challenges of insurance. plans by putting alternative transfer mechanisms in place, just in case there comes a point at some future Martyn Day: Insurance providers, live music venues, date, but we expect adequacy to be granted within the promoters and artists have jointly called on the UK timescale permitted. Government to support an insurance fund to get live Culture Recovery Fund cultural events back up and running, with assurance that covid flare-ups will not ruin their chance at a David Johnston (Wantage) (Con): What progress his recovery. Will the Minister meet with representatives Department has made on allocating further support to from the live music industry to discuss those proposals? the culture and heritage sector through the Culture Recovery Fund. [913592] Caroline Dinenage: Yes, I meet representatives from the live music industry all the time, and the Government The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and road map sets out a clear plan that will allow events to Sport (Oliver Dowden): Over £1 billion from the culture return quickly and safely. That is being backed up by recovery fund has been allocated, including £800 million the events research scheme, which will give the evidence supporting almost 4,000 organisations and sites across to provide the how and the when. We really understand the whole of England. More than 80% of grants and how vital it is to get people back to doing the things 85% of loans awarded in the first round of the fund they love as quickly as is safely possible, and we understand have now been paid. As Members will have seen, an the huge benefits to our economy in allowing that additional £390 million for the fund was announced in to happen. 471 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 472

Sarah Olney [V]: I was pleased to hear the Minister’s Mr Holden: I thank the Minister for his answer. It is report of meetings with industry stakeholders and insurance vital that the national lottery competition is not just bodies. Will she release all documents relating to those open and transparent but seen to be open and transparent discussions, to allow proper scrutiny of the decision by everyone involved. One of the biggest funds that the making around insurance for live events this summer? national lottery supports is grassroots sport. This week, Consett AFC heard that its FA Vase final will have to be Caroline Dinenage: Where appropriate, of course we played without any supporters at it, despite the FA cup can publish documents, but sometimes we have to have final just a couple of weeks later being played with conversations behind closed doors, so that people can supporters. May I urge the Minister to speak to colleagues get off their chest how they are feeling and we can do and the FA to see whether there is any possibility that our best to tackle it. We understand that there are a this vital final—the first time Consett has been to number of obstacles for our sectors at the moment, and Wembley in over 120 years—might be played with fans? the culture recovery fund has been fantastic at supporting them to keep going through this really difficult time. Mr Speaker: I am not quite sure that the two are The hon. Lady will be delighted to know that her linked. Richmond Park constituency has benefited to the tune of over £1 million from the culture recovery fund, Mr Whittingdale: I am aware that my hon. Friend is a which has supported so many incredible organisations, huge fan of Consett AFC, and of course he and his such as the Orange Tree theatre. fellow fans are very excited about this historic match, which is due to take place in Wembley. We are working to try to get spectators back into stadiums as soon as John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP) possible. I fully understand his disappointment that it [V]: As if the Government’s refusal to underwrite live does not look as if it will be possible in time for the music insurance was not bad enough for the industry, match, but I have no doubt that he and thousands of the UK Government rejected a deal with the EU that others will be cheering on his team from their sofas. would have allowed artists and their crews to tour without visas, as they did pre Brexit. At her recent Alex Sobel (Leeds North West) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: I Select Committee appearance, the Minister said that as will ask a question more directly to do with the national far as she knew, no negotiations with individual states lottery.The national lottery helps to fund many charities, were taking place to resolve these arrangements, but she cultural organisations and heritage sites, and whoever is promised to strain “every sinew” to resolve this Brexit awarded the new licence must be beyond reproach. disaster.That was over a month ago. Have the Government Conservative party donor Richard Desmond—who finally engaged in bilateral talks over visa agreements persuaded the Prime Minister to raise the jackpot limit for artists? If so, with which countries? What progress to benefit his own lottery and then successfully lobbied has been made? Artists are waiting to hear. the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government over the controversial Westferry Caroline Dinenage: The hon. Gentleman knows that development, saving himself £40 million, resulting in an not all of what he said is 100% true. The Treasury has unlawful planning decision that was followed soon after always said that it would look at indemnity if it was the by another donation to the Conservative party—wants only obstacle to events being able to take place, and in to run our national lottery. Does the Minister believe the current public health situation there is huge uncertainty, that Mr Desmond is a fit and proper person to do this? which is clearly another major obstacle. He also knows that we did not turn down an excellent visa option from Mr Whittingdale: The hon. Gentleman is right about the EU. He knows that the visa option that was on the the importance of the national lottery. Indeed, I point table would not have permitted touring; it was just for out that his constituency has received over £6 million in ad hoc events and would not have supported all the funding over the last five years. Which applicant should support crews that necessarily go with a tour. With take on the franchise is determined by the Gambling regard to international discussions, I met my colleagues Commission, and of course it will want to be satisfied in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office that the successful applicant meets the highest standards only yesterday. of probity and integrity, but it is a matter for the Gambling Commission. Fourth National Lottery Licence Covid-19: Elite Sport

Mr Richard Holden (North West Durham) (Con): Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con): What steps What steps the Government are taking to ensure fair his Department is taking to support the return of elite competition for the fourth national lottery licence. sport as covid-19 restrictions are eased. [913596] [913595] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale): Culture, Media and Sport (Nigel Huddleston): The The national lottery is a national treasure that enhances continuation of elite sport was an early priority for the the cultural and sporting lives of millions of people Government during the pandemic. Behind-closed-doors across the UK, and it has funded over £1 billion in matches have enabled vital broadcast revenue to continue projects supporting the response to covid-19. The Gambling to flow into elite sport, as well as to bring joy to Commission is running the competition for the next millions of fans at a time when it is sorely needed. licence and is following best practice from across the Travel exemptions have allowed international elite sports public sector for competitions of this nature. competitions to continue safely during the pandemic. 473 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 474

We also provided a £300 million winter sport survival hon. Friend reassure me that events planned for later in package, giving lifelines to sports organisations impacted the year will be given plenty of notice of whether they by restrictions on spectators. Of course, a further will be allowed to go ahead? £300 million was announced recently by the Chancellor to continue this support to elite sports while restrictions Oliver Dowden: I share my hon. Friend’s regret that remain in place. Southend carnival is not going ahead. The Government will of course give as much notice as we can, and we Antony Higginbotham: I thank my hon. Friend for have already set out a clear plan that will allow events that answer. He will be aware that in Burnley our local such as that to return quickly and safely. We are working economies rely on the football club that fills hotels, closely with our stakeholders to give them as much restaurants and bars. While we know that getting all notice as we can and to guide them through each step. I that back will need to be done cautiously and in line can assure my hon. Friend that I am committed to with the Prime Minister’s road map, may I urge him to getting people back to doing the things that they love as look at whether Burnley football club can be included soon as we possibly can. in the trials taking place to get more fans back using things like testing, so that more and more fans from Mrs Latham [V]: The past year has had a huge Burnley can get back to the turf? impact on our young people, and I know we all share the ambition to do as much as possible to support them. Nigel Huddleston: My hon. Friend is a worthy champion Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as restrictions are of football, and in particular of Burnley FC. In fact, I eased and many organisations reopen, it is vital that do not think I have ever had a conversation with him children’s sport is prioritised? without the words “Burnley FC” featuring very strongly, so I am sure his constituents are very grateful for that. I Oliver Dowden: Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely know he shares my view that sport is not the same right. We all of course in this House know how important without fans in stadiums. Officials from the Department sport is for young people’s physical and mental health. will have heard his offer. He will understand I cannot That is why all outdoor sports can resume from 29 March, give him a guarantee today, but I do appreciate his and I would note that that is the first significant easing lobbying today. after schools. In addition, the Education Secretary and I are working closely with sports’ national governing It is of course vital that we again get fans back in bodies and Sport England on an extensive offer of stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so. The events activities in schools over the summer period. research programme will be used to provide key scientific data as to how small and large events could be permitted Fibre Spine Infrastructure: West Dorset to reopen safely in line with the Prime Minister’s road map out of lockdown. Government Departments are Chris Loder (West Dorset) (Con): What progress he working very closely together on a range of options to has made on rolling out fibre spine infrastructure in support commercially viable ways to reopen businesses West Dorset. [913600] and leisure venues, and further details will be released in due course. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Matt Warman): My hon. Covid-19: Culture and Entertainment Industries Friend leaves no stone unturned in advocating for his constituents to get better broadband, because we all Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con): What steps know how important it is in rural areas. Superfast his Department is taking to support the reopening of broadband coverage in Dorset is now up to 96%; that is the culture and entertainment industries as covid-19 progress, but the Government have more work to do, restrictions are eased. [913598] and Project Gigabit is a crucial part of delivering that.

Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What Chris Loder [V]: I thank the Minister for his answer. steps his Department is taking to support the reopening Dorset Council has worked incredibly hard to gather of the culture and entertainment industries as covid-19 two thirds of the money that it needs for the Dorset restrictions are eased. [913602] fibre spine. The Chancellor gave a stonking budget of £5 billion to my hon. and right hon. Friends, and I am The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and just asking if the Minister would make 0.05% of that Sport (Oliver Dowden): The Government’s road map £5 billion pound Budget available to West Dorset so we provides a step-by-step plan to safely reopen culture, can sort out the fibre spine. entertainment and sport. This includes an events research programme, which will consider how restrictions can be Matt Warman: I do not want to preannounce anything lifted at step 4 through piloting major events such as the that is in Project Gigabit, but I can certainly say to my FA cup final and the world snooker championships. hon. Friend that the project he mentions is on the radar Funding announced at the Budget, including a further of DCMS officials, and I look forward to continuing £390 million for culture and £300 million for sport, will those conversations so that we can deliver the improvements support these industries as they reopen. that I know are so valuable to his constituents. Work Permit-free Travel: Musicians and Performers Sir David Amess [V]: Southend is home to a number of brilliant local festivals, such as Leigh Folk festival, Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): Village Green and the Leigh regatta. Sadly, it has been What assessment he has made of the effect of the announced that Southend carnival has been cancelled removal of work permit-free travel between the UK and for a second year in a row due to uncertainty surrounding EU for musicians and performers on the UK’s creative any ongoing restrictions in the summer. Will my right industries. [913603] 475 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 476

Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab): What priority is getting touring performers the information discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on work and support they need to tour, and, crucially, working permit-free travel for musicians and other performers to bilaterally to ensure the process is as smooth and seamless and from the EU. [913610] as possible when they are able to do so. The Minister for Digital and Culture (Caroline Dinenage): Topical Questions The Government recognise the importance of international [913549] Kate Osborne (Jarrow) (Lab): If he will make touring for our creative and cultural sectors.The DCMS-led a statement on his departmental responsibilities. working group on creative and cultural touring, which involves sector representatives and other key Government The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Departments, is working through the issues to ensure Sport (Oliver Dowden): This month’s Budget provided that the sector gets both the clarity and the support that further support to sports, arts, tourism, heritage and it needs. creative industries, including an extra £700 million to help cultural and sports venues reopen their doors when Barbara Keeley [V]: Musicians are eager to get back restrictions ease, and an extension to our hugely successful to work when restrictions allow, but for those who film and TV production restart scheme. The Budget would normally tour Europe that will require a mountain also included several measures to put tech and digital of paperwork to be negotiated both for themselves and connectivity at the heart of our recovery, including half their instruments. This is increasingly urgent as we a billion pounds for the Help to Grow scheme, and last approach the lifting of lockdown restrictions, with little week I published our 10 tech priorities for the coming time left to negotiate bilateral agreements. Can the year. Minister confirm that Ministers are talking to their EU As we move from rescue to recovery,we have announced counterparts about securing visa waivers to allow our a number of pilots to help get people back, including at musicians to tour Europe freely when restrictions are the FA cup final. I met the events research programme lifted? again on Tuesday; as a first step, I look forward to the return of grassroots sports on 29 March. Caroline Dinenage: The hon. Lady is right: the end of freedom of movement has inevitably had some Kate Osborne: As highlighted earlier by the hon. consequences for touring artists. We want our cultural Member for North West Durham (Mr Holden), the and creative professionals to be able to work easily FA vase final between Hebburn Town and Consett AFC across Europe, in the same way that EU creatives are has been rescheduled to take place behind closed doors able to work flexibly in the UK, and we are working at Wembley stadium on 3 May. This is the biggest match very closely with the sector to consider all the available in Hebburn Town FC’s history, so I want to add my options. I have said right from the start that our door support on this issue. Will the Secretary of State work will always be open if the EU is willing to reconsider its with the FA to make the final a pilot event for allowing position, but we are also working with colleagues across the safe return of spectators to such sporting events? Government and members of our working group on our engagement with different member states. I met Oliver Dowden: I share the hon. Lady’s desire to get FCDO colleagues only yesterday once again to discuss sports fans back in stadiums as quickly as we can, as this, and we want to ensure that touring can resume as has been highlighted by my colleagues on the Government easy as possible for UK artists. Benches. We have already set out a road map, and I think it is important to people that we stick to that road Ruth Cadbury [V]: My constituent George Jackson is map, which would see fans returning socially distanced a conductor. He has told me that in order to be able to from 17 May. fill last-minute jobs in the EU he would previously have We have already set out a pilot for the FA cup final. It needed just to get on a plane or train and been ready to is important to understand what these pilots are about. be with the orchestra the next day, but he says that now They are about testing fans coming into and out of he faces expensive and time-consuming paperwork just stadiums; they are not windows to allow extra events to to achieve the same as before. It seems that the Government happen. We will of course keep this under review, and if have managed to unite artists and creatives across the there were a possibility, of course I would grab it. country in wanting to see the Government sort this out. Even Sir Elton John was urging the Government to fix [913550] Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con) [V]: this mess, so in that spirit can the Minister commit to Despite warm words from mobile phone operators keeping our creative industries standing rather than and promises to Government, communities such as letting the sun go down on them? Broughton in my constituency are still waiting for companies such as O2 to make good on their promises Caroline Dinenage: I thank the hon. Lady for her to give us halfway decent mobile phone coverage. What question, and we understand the strength of feeling on more can the Government do to push the mobile phone this. The Secretary of State met Sir Elton John recently companies to make sure that we get the service we are as well to discuss the issue. We care passionately about paying for up here? finding a solution to this, which is why we set up the DCMS-led working group on creative and cultural touring. Oliver Dowden: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend It involves representatives from across the creative and about the need for speed. As he will know, the shared cultural touring sectors and all the key Government rural network will see the Government and industry Departments that have a handle on this, and we are jointly investing over £1 billion to increase 4G coverage working through all the issues and all the options to throughout the UK. On 5G, over 200 towns and cities help the sectors resume touring as easily as possible already have 5G, and our ambition is for the vast when it is safe to do so, but, as the hon. Lady said, the majority to have it by 2027. In addition, as my hon. 477 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 478

Friend has outlined, building on today’s welcome to support hospitality and tourism through covid-19, announcement from Ofcom, I will shortly be providing including business rates relief and the new restart support further details on our plans to make the UK giga-fit. grants, as well as the 5% VAT rate. He will know that his Southport constituency is receiving £37.5 million from Jo Stevens (Cardiff Central) (Lab): Over the last the £1 billion towns fund, and that will support the two weeks, we have seen an outpouring of grief over the development of new projects there, including a new death of Sarah Everard, and we have read and heard waterfront conference centre. numerous accounts of women made to feel unsafe in their daily lives. The Secretary of State will know that [913551] Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter words online often translate into actions offline. Last Ross) (LD) [V]: Yesterday, the Government announced June, he said at the Dispatch Box that the online harms that superfast broadband coverage was going to be 97%. Bill, which was supposed to follow the White Paper That is great: well done, Her Majesty’s Government! published two years ago next month, would be introduced In my constituency, the coverage is—can you believe it, before the end of this parliamentary Session. We are Mr Speaker?—78% and yesterday Paul Wheelhouse, still waiting. Does he accept that the continuing delay the Minister responsible, announced that we would not has left women and girls at risk for too long, and does achieve the full figure until 2026, having already promised he commit to measures to protect them online when he delivery by this year. My plea is very simple: please will finally publishes the Bill? Her Majesty’s Government step in and sort this out? Oliver Dowden: May I begin by welcoming the hon. Lady back to her rightful place in the Chamber? She is Oliver Dowden: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely absolutely right to highlight the issue of online abuse of right. The UK Government have provided over £100 million women. That is why our internet safety Bill will bring to deliver broadband in Scotland and it really is deeply forward measures to help protect women online, including disappointing to see that the Scottish Government are measures to enable them to better report abuse, and will still failing to deliver the R100 programme effectively. also ensure that they should get appropriate responses The Scottish National party, I believe, promised from platforms. That could include, for example, the 100% superfast coverage by 2021—yet another broken removal of harmful content, sanctions against offending promise. Wehave already announced that central Scotland users, or changes to processes and policies to support will be the very first part of the UK to benefit from our better protection. This is a real priority. We will bring £5 billion investment in Project Gigabit, and I can tell forward the draft legislation at the beginning of the new the hon. Gentleman that there will be a stronger role for parliamentary Session, and by the end of the year the the UK Government in delivering this programme going full Bill will be before the House. forward.

Jo Stevens: I thank the Secretary of State for his [913555] Laura Farris (Newbury) (Con) [V]: The words. I know that he has a very well-publicised interest Department has done great work in bringing superfast in the nation’s heritage, particularly in statues, telling and gigabit broadband to much of my constituency, museums and gallery experts how to do their jobs but there are still blackspots. Will my right hon. Friend through the policy of “retain and explain”, so perhaps consider asking Ofcom and Building Digital UK to he can explain today what input his Department had reconsider their decision to exclude properties in the into the Government’s legislation this week that provides RG20 and RG17 postcodes from the gigabit batches? for longer sentences for hitting statues than those that have been given for raping women. Oliver Dowden: As my hon. Friend will know, we are Oliver Dowden: I really wish that Members in this on a national mission to transform our digital infrastructure, House would take a more temperate approach towards spanning the length and breadth of the UK, and our this. The hon. Lady knows full well that the most plans to invest £5 billion in connecting hard-to-reach serious violent and sexual offences, including grievous communities include many rural properties in the RG17 bodily harm with intent to rape, already carry a maximum and RG20 postcodes. We will shortly be announcing sentence of life imprisonment. The purpose of what we Project Gigabit, our plan to make the UK giga-fit, and I are introducing in respect of statues is to help protect look forward to updating the House on details. statues that have tremendous emotional value—for example, the Cenotaph and others—but that may have quite low [913552] Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP): The chair of financial value. the BBC has a responsibility to ensure the independence If it is now the Labour party’s position to oppose of the corporation and to uphold its values, so what “retain and explain”—that may be the case; I have was it about the CV of a multimillionaire Conservative heard from the Leader of the Opposition that he thinks party donor and close associate of the Chancellor, that some statues may need to come down—perhaps Richard Sharp, that first attracted the Government to she could explain which statues she thinks should be appoint him as chair of the corporation? And do the removed from this country’s glorious heritage. Government consider the fact that he once managed a firm that funded a property company described by a [913553] Damien Moore (Southport) (Con) [V]: What Conservative MP as creating steps is my right hon. Friend’s Department taking to “modern ghettos for the vulnerable” support the recovery of towns with large hospitality to be consistent with the values that the corporation and tourism economies from the effects of the covid-19 ought to be upholding? pandemic? Oliver Dowden: I thank my hon. Friend for his question; Oliver Dowden: I think that an excellent choice has I know of his passionate concern about this. The been made in the choice of the new chair of the BBC. Government have introduced a range of targeted measures He is a person with considerable financial and commercial 479 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 480 experience who is deeply committed to the BBC, and it Ellie Reeves: I have heard what the Attorney General would be better if the hon. Gentleman refrained from has said, but I am not sure that he grasps the scale of making such slurs against him. the issue. Last year, the police recorded over 55,000 rapes, but there were only 2,100 prosecutions and 1,400 convictions. The Government announced their ATTORNEY GENERAL end-to-end rape review over two years ago and we are still waiting for it, so I ask the Attorney General again: The Attorney General was asked— will he make rape a dedicated specialism within the CPS and will he back Labour’s survivors support plan for Mr Speaker: Wenow come to questions to the Attorney rape victims—or will he sit back and watch the effective General, and I congratulate Michael Ellis on his decriminalisation of rape? appointment. The Attorney General: I do not think the emotive CPS Complex Casework Units language that the hon. Lady uses is appropriate at all, Miss Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Dales) (Con): What and I have to say that that is not the case. The reality of recent assessment he has made of the performance of the matter is that we have said we will always look at any ideas and suggestions. She talks about 55,000 cases, the CPS complex casework units. [R] [913654] but only about 5,000 of those were actually referred to The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): Thank you the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS works very very much, Mr Speaker. The Crown Prosecution Service hard to prosecute and charge all the cases that are complex casework units undertake some of the most referred to it, and the statistics for that have gone up. complex and serious casework handled by the CPS. A Now, 65% of all rape cases that are referred to the CPS recent report published by the Crown Prosecution Service result in a charge. I suggest that she looks carefully at Inspectorate has found that CPS complex casework the CPSI report, which indicates good work in this area, units are staffed by highly dedicated, skilled and professional although I very much acknowledge that more needs to teams who deliver high-quality casework, often in be done. demanding circumstances and at short notice. Sir Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con) [V]: Miss Dines [V]: I thank the Attorney General for his I, too, welcome the Attorney General to his place and answer. What is the Crown Prosecution Service doing to the Solicitor General in returning to her role as well. I tackle serious crimes such as drug dealing in my Derbyshire know that the Committee will look forward to constructive constituency? engagement with both of them. The Attorney General: I thank my hon. Friend for The Attorney General will know that there is particular that question. The CPS East Midlands complex casework concern about the backlog that exists in complex cases unit recently worked on an operation called Operation because of the difficulty in finding courtrooms, in the Trent, which concerned prosecutions against a criminal current circumstances, that have the capacity to try gang for drug-related activities during 2017 and 2018. A multi-handed, lengthy cases, particularly where people total of 26 people were convicted, and the two main are in custody. Most of those are complex matters, and defendants were sentenced in February this year. They they are likely to grow. What discussions is he having got sentences of 20 years and 19 years, and the majority with the Lord Chancellor, and with Her Majesty’s Courts of the other defendants in that big case received custodial and Tribunals Service and the judiciary more broadly, sentences of between 13 years and five years. to find means by which capacity can be expanded and cases of this important kind can be brought to trial Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab): I more swiftly, as much as is practically possible? welcome the Attorney General to his place. The recent inspectorate report on complex case units highlighted The Attorney General: I thank my hon. Friend for that CCU heads are often also responsible for rape and that question and for the work he does as Chair of the serious sexual offence units, despite the report five years Select Committee on Justice. I am pleased that the CPS ago stating that the expectation was that RASSO units is doing all it can, as it should, along with all the other would be staffed with rape specialist prosecutors. Rape parts of the criminal justice system, to clear the backlog, prosecution levels are at an all-time low and urgent which has accumulated, in large part, as a consequence action is needed, so will the Attorney General back our of this pandemic. More staff have been hired by the survivors support plan calling for rape to be a clear CPS, thanks to an £85 million cash injection in 2019 named permanent specialism within the CPS? from the Government and another £23 million last year from the Government also to support the CPS. However, The Attorney General: I thank the hon. Lady for her he is right to highlight this point. I regularly meet question. As she knows, and as we heard from the people from across the criminal justice system to work Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition yesterday, on this issue of clearing the backlog as effectively and we are always willing to discuss these matters and look efficiently as possible. at these issues. I am pleased that she mentions the CPS complex case units, because the CCUs are effective and International Law on Rights of Refugees: efficient, and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Government Compliance Inspectorate found that they were managing their casework very well. While the report that she alludes to does Kenny MacAskill (East Lothian) (SNP): What recent identify some areas for improvement, that should not assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his detract from the fact that the inspector found that there Department in helping to ensure the Government’s was an overall high standard of work during his inspection, compliance with international law on the rights of and the report read very well. refugees. [913655] 481 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 482

The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): Any request for victims in Norfolk. CPS East of England successfully my advice is subject to the Law Officers’ convention, prosecuted 26 cases between November 2019 and September but I must make it clear that the UK prides itself on its 2020, securing sentences of up to seven years, and leadership within the international system and that it specialist training is offered to CPS prosecutors who discharges its international obligations in good faith. I undertake county lines work and prosecutions. The also point out that the Solicitor General, whom I very Government’s serious violence strategy details the range much welcome to her place, attends the Parliamentary of actions being taken to tackle the impact of county Business and Legislation Committee, which scrutinises lines. all the Government’slegislation before it reaches Parliament. Duncan Baker [V]: I am grateful to the Attorney Kenny MacAskill [V]: All are equal before the eyes of General for his response. My local police force in Norfolk the law, and that includes those coming here seeking has one of the best and most robust responses to asylum. Why then are we using military camps, which tackling county lines drug dealing in the country and are entirely unacceptable at the best of times and most has made thousands of arrests to deal with the problem certainly during a pandemic? Rather than seeking to over the years. Does my right hon. and learned Friend copy Australia and transport asylum seekers abroad, is agree that the message is clear: “Come to Norfolk to it not time that this Government accepted that refugees deal drugs and you will be targeted, arrested and jailed”? have rights and that the Attorney General took action to ensure that the Government adhered to their The Attorney General: I commend my hon. Friend responsibilities? for making that point, and he is absolutely right. I thank him for his support for the prosecution of these The Attorney General: Frankly, as the Home Office odious offenders and offences. My hon. Friend clearly has made quite clear, the UK is a world leader in recognises, on behalf of his constituents, the challenges resettlement, so I do not recognise the point that the of county lines investigations, which can be complicated hon. Gentleman makes. If one looks at the actual and onerous. The CPS intends to carry out a review of figures, one sees that we have resettled nearly 30,000 people its ongoing work, including its effectiveness in prosecuting in the past five years, which is more than any other county lines offending this year. My hon. Friend is country in Europe. As for the use of former military absolutely right to highlight the work in Norfolk, as I barracks, if Her Majesty’s armed forces personnel can did a moment ago, and I reiterate my thanks for his be housed appropriately in those barracks, there is no support. reason why anyone else cannot be. We adhere to our international and national obligations. This country is Modern Slavery extremely open and generous in these matters. As I have said, we are the most open in Europe in terms of Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab): What resettlement. steps he is taking to increase the number of prosecutions relating to modern slavery. [913657] Angela Crawley (Lanark and Hamilton East) (SNP) [V]: Reports in the press this morning indicate that the Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What steps he is Home Secretary plans to send asylum seekers coming taking to help increase the number of prosecutions for across the channel offshore, thousands of miles away, to modern slavery. [913669] have their claims processed. May I welcome the Attorney The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): The Crown General to his place and ask him whether he has been Prosecution Service continues to work with police and consulted on the legality of these proposals yet? Can he law enforcement agencies to prosecute modern slavery reveal which countries his Government are doing this cases. Early engagement among prosecutors and reprehensible deal with, given that this would be relevant investigators is central to a successful prosecution. When to the legality of the proposals? requested, the CPS will provide early investigative advice The Attorney General: I thank the hon. Lady for her in such challenging cases to enable robust cases to be question, but I am afraid that I cannot discuss what built. I should point out that the CPS now charges more advice I give in other Departments and I cannot comment than 75% of cases referred to it by the police. on legislation that the Government have not presented to Parliament. What I can say is this: the Government’s Mr Dhesi: Shockingly, more than 19,000 human position is that refugees should claim asylum in the first trafficking and slavery crimes have been left unsolved safe country in which they find themselves. That is an since the passing of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, with international understanding, and European countries suspects having faced action in fewer than one in 20 cases. through which they have travelled to board boats to the Even though the volume of offences has increased every UK, such as France, are of course manifestly safe. single year since 2015, under this Conservative Government the prosecution levels for modern slavery charges have County Lines Drug Dealing fallen abysmally. Will the Attorney General tell us how he intends to reverse this worrying trend, which has Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) (Con): What recent happened under this Government’s watch? assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the CPS in prosecuting offences relating to county lines drug The Attorney General: Actually,it was this Conservative dealing. [913656] Government—under the former Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): The Crown (Mrs May)—who passed the Modern Slavery Act. The Prosecution Service and the police are working closely hon. Gentleman will know that the Government have throughout the country to protect against the threats of rightly focused enormous efforts on tackling this problem. county lines drug dealing and safeguard vulnerable The Crown Prosecution Service, for which I have 483 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 484 superintendence responsibilities, prosecutes all cases that please tell me how the CPS is working locally to better meet its appropriate guidelines, once the police have understand these issues and to respond to violence referred them to the CPS. All CPS areas have an appointed against women and girls? a modern slavery lead, who is dedicated to this matter and attends regular meetings with their local police The Solicitor General: My hon. Friend is right to force lead to try to work through the issue, secure raise this vital and important issue. The CPS works with safeguarding board involvement and review performance victims groups through the Violence Against Women data. In other words, there is cross-work among the and Girls external consultation group and it also regularly police, the Crown Prosecution Service and others to engages with people at a local level. Last month, the secure as many prosecutions and charges for this odious CPS West Midlands chaired a meeting with independent offence as possible. sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advocates to discuss these issues. That forum meets four Bill Esterson [V]: The Government have been buying times a year to discuss casework with victims’ groups personal protective equipment from Brightway Holding, and specialist services. a company that is being investigated by the Malaysian Government for engaging in modern slavery. Workers Domestic Violence are forced to live in squalid conditions and have to work 12 hours a day for up to 29 days without a rest. I heard Gill Furniss (Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough) what the Attorney General said about his commitment (Lab): What steps he has taken to increase the number to enforcing the Modern Slavery Act in respect of of prosecutions relating to domestic violence. [913659] supply chains in the private sector; will he now confirm that the Government will set an example and eradicate Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab): What modern slavery, including the appalling example that I recent steps he has taken to increase the number of just described, from their own procurement practices? prosecutions relating to domestic violence. [913660]

The Attorney General: I do not recognise the point The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): The need to that the hon. Gentleman makes. What he ought to do, if effectively tackle violence against women and girls has I may respectfully suggest it, is to look at what this been brought into sharp relief, as the hon. Lady and this Government have done. It is on the record that the House knows, in recent days. I would like to reassure Government are achieving those issues that we have her that this Government take tackling domestic abuse been discussing, namely: an increase in available criminal extremely seriously, as shown by the introduction of the offences; an increase in the means by which to prosecute; landmark Domestic Abuse Bill. The CPS is working and more resources to the police and the Crown Prosecution hard to deliver justice in this area, working to protect Service in order to achieve the prosecutions. The the public, and has recently published an ambitious Government are highly focused on that. If he wishes to 12-month domestic abuse programme to help narrow write to me about the contract, we will refer it to the the disparity between reporting and criminal justice appropriate place. outcomes.

Covid-19: CPS Engagement with Local Communities Gill Furniss: In 2020, domestic abuse-related crime and External Stakeholders surged by 9%, but referrals to the CPS fell by 19%. We know that the CPS is under enormous pressure to clear Saqib Bhatti (Meriden) (Con): What assessment he the backlog caused by covid-19. Will the Attorney has made of the effectiveness of CPS engagement with General commit to provide the necessary resources to (a) local communities and (b) external stakeholders ensure that all victims who report domestic abuse crimes during the covid-19 outbreak. [913658] receive the justice they deserve as swiftly as possible? Mr Speaker: I welcome the Solicitor General to her The Attorney General: We will do everything we can position. to facilitate that. The reality, of course, is that the CPS can only deal with cases that are referred to it. That is The Solicitor General (Lucy Frazer): Thank you very an issue that needs to be addressed by the hon. Lady, much, Mr Speaker. but, as I have said, the Government have already introduced I know that the Crown Prosecution Service liaised the Domestic Abuse Bill to Parliament, which is a with external stakeholders through the pandemic, because landmark and generationally important. That is a signal, I spoke to the Director of Public Prosecutions in my just one of many signals, of how important we consider role as a former Justice Minister. I am aware that the this area to be, and the Crown Prosecution Service will CPS continued to engage proactively with local communities continue to focus on it. throughout the pandemic. This engagement assists the CPS in improving its policies and practices. For example, Stephen Morgan [V]: We know that domestic abuse feedback from the CPS’s external consultation groups complaints have rocketed during lockdown while has helped to develop a joined-up criminal justice system prosecutions have collapsed. My constituents are concerned approach to domestic abuse cases. about that and are taking action with Charlotte Gerada and Kirsty Mellor, encouraging Portsmouth City Council Saqib Bhatti [V]: I welcome the Solicitor General to to commit to the white ribbon pledge. What specific her new position. actions is the Attorney General taking to ensure that Many of my constituents in Meriden are deeply domestic abuse prosecutions do not follow the disastrous concerned about recent events and violence against collapse of CPS rape prosecutions that we have seen in women and girls. Can my hon. and learned Friend recent years? 485 Oral Answers 18 MARCH 2021 Oral Answers 486

The Attorney General: I again point out that the That is just one of the measures we have taken to ensure number of rape prosecutions by the CPS has increased the continued better operation of the system for our to 65% of all of those rape cases referred to it. That most vulnerable victims. number is an increase on just under 50% some time ago. None the less, the hon. Gentleman makes a perfectly Grahame Morris (Easington) (Lab) [V]: Court staff reasonable point about domestic abuse. The Government in London and Liverpool recently voted for strike action, are working on this area, as I have alluded to, with the and listening to evidence from the Public and Commercial Domestic Abuse Bill. There is also a call for evidence, Services Union to the Justice Committee this week it is which will inform our upcoming Violence Against Women easy to understand why, when PCS members are having and Girls strategy. That call for evidence has recently to improvise their own perspex screens to protect themselves had tens of thousands of new people emailing and from covid after managers said it was unaffordable. writing in. I encourage anyone listening to take part in Does the Solicitor General appreciate how this cavalier that before it closes We will look at those responses very approach to health and safety by management has left carefully and see what else we can do. court staff scared, angry and prepared to take strike action? Covid-19: Backlog of Court Cases The Solicitor General: I appreciate the amazing work James Grundy (Leigh) (Con): What assessment he that everyone in our justice system is doing on the has made of the effectiveness of steps taken by the CPS frontline. As a former Prisons Minister, I recognise to tackle the increased backlog of cases before the what prison officers are doing and I know that HMCTS courts as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. [913663] has done a tremendous amount of work to make our courts safe. I pay tribute to all the work of court staff Lee Anderson (Ashfield) (Con): What assessment he who are going in and allowing our justice system to has made of the effectiveness of steps taken by the CPS continue. HMCTS has put in a number of measures, to tackle the increased backlog of cases before the and my understanding is that it is no less safe to be courts as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. [913667] working in a court than in any other environment.

The Solicitor General (Lucy Frazer): Notwithstanding Covid-19: Public Understanding of the Law the pandemic, the courts have continued to operate and the Crown Prosecution Service has continued to play its Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con): What steps he is part in our justice system. I was very pleased to read the taking to increase public understanding of the law recently published report by Her Majesty’s Crown during the covid-19 outbreak. [913664] Prosecution Service Inspectorate on the CPS’s response to the court backlogs in the light of covid. The report The Attorney General (Michael Ellis): It is essential, reflects the CPS’s hard work, and finds that over the particularly during this pandemic, to ensure that members pandemic it has maintained its ability to function well, of the public have a good understanding of the law. I and to continue to deliver its essential public services. am proud, therefore, that my Department supported Justice Week, which took place in the first week of James Grundy [V]: Will my hon. and learned Friend March, and I am incredibly grateful to the many members tell me what reassurance I can provide my constituents of the legal sector who ran and contributed to online that the most serious cases are being prioritised, to initiatives during that week. It makes me proud to be ensure the protection of the public? one of the Government’s pro bono champions.

The Solicitor General: Ensuring that perpetrators are Simon Baynes [V]: As coronavirus restrictions are brought to justice, and that the public are protected, is a relaxed, are there practical ways in which my right hon. priority of the Attorney General’s Office, of the CPS and learned Friend can help reduce the confusion between and of this Government. To achieve that, with the CPS Welsh and English covid laws for my constituents in working with the police, we introduced an interim charging Clwyd South, on the border with England? protocol last year. The protocol prioritises the most important cases, and I am really pleased that those The Attorney General: It is important, of course, that cases include high harm cases and those with vulnerable everyone around this United Kingdom, and especially victims, such as rape and domestic abuse. my hon. Friend’sconstituents in Clwyd South, understands and follows the law and guidance as regards the covid-19 Lee Anderson [V]: How can I reassure the people of regulations to keep the country safe. Through the Ashfield and Eastwood that victims of violence against information that is available on the gov.uk website, and women and girls will continue to receive justice in spite the Government’s advertising and announcements, the of delays caused by the backlog? law in England has been made clear to the public. It is really important that the devolved Administration in The Solicitor General: As I have mentioned, I share Wales make their laws and guidance clear to people in my hon. Friend’s view that it is vital that we continue to Wales. The Government continue to seek a co-ordinated speedily prosecute those accused of violence against approach across the UK where appropriate. women and girls. I know that the Prime Minister shares Mr Speaker: I am now suspending the House to that as a priority for our Government. We have put in enable the necessary arrangements for the start of the place a number of measures to reduce the impact of next business. delays on victims. Those include special measures allowing vulnerable victims and witnesses to pre-record their cross-examination ahead of the trial date, which were 10.34 am rolled out at all 82 of our Crown Courts by last November. Sitting suspended. 487 18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 488

Business of the House for the Home Secretary to vary the time for urgent warrants—not used; suspension of the requirement to 10.37 am hold inquests with a jury—not used. Can there be a chat about that after the statement later? We would be Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Will the Leader of treating right hon. and hon. Members, and this House, the House please give us the forthcoming business? with disrespect if we did not have a long opportunity to The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Jacob debate that motion. Rees-Mogg): The business for the week commencing It would be a pity to rush through it, especially 22 March will include: because I know that the Leader of the House will join MONDAY 22 MARCH—Consideration of Lords message me in condemning the description of the Department relating to the Trade Bill, followed by consideration of of Health as a “smoking ruin” by the special special Lords message relating to the Fire Safety Bill, followed adviser who got a pay rise greater than the NHS nurses, by consideration of Lords amendments to the Counter- who actually got a pay cut. That is a disgraceful thing to Terrorism and Sentencing Bill, followed by remaining say about people who have worked extremely hard—flat stages of the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned out—during the pandemic. Weknow that the Government Aircraft Bill [Lords], followed by a motion relating to are finding it difficult to answer our questions, which is the membership of the Parliamentary Works Sponsor why we need an inquiry for those who have been bereaved Body, followed by a motion relating to the appointment by this terrible pandemic. The Leader of the Opposition of the chair of the Electoral Commission. and the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, TUESDAY 23 MARCH—Second Reading of the Advanced my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds West (Rachel Research and Invention Agency Bill. Reeves), have both met the bereaved. I do not know WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH—General debate on online whether the Prime Minister has met the bereaved families. anonymity and anonymous abuse, followed by general That is why we need an inquiry. If we are going to open debate on support for the hospitality industry throughout up after 21 June, we need to know the lessons learned. the covid-19 pandemic. The subjects for these debates Inquiries are very simple to set up now. I am pleased were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. that the Council of Europe is reopening the inquiry into the Pat Finucane case; that will be important so that his THURSDAY 25 MARCH—Motion to approve regulations relating to public health and motions under the Coronavirus family, including the hon. Member for Belfast North Act 2020 relating to the renewal of temporary provisions, (John Finucane), can find the truth. the one year status report and a motion relating to the The Leader of the House will know that the Procedure extension of parliamentary proceedings during the Committee has been extremely assiduous and published pandemic. its eighth report of this Session. I thank the Chair and At the conclusion of business on Thursday 25 March all members of the Committee, some of whom do lots the House will rise for the Easter recess and return on of different jobs at the same time. The Committee has Tuesday 13 April. called for all the temporary orders to be extended until The provisional business for the week commencing 21 June. Will the Leader of the House tell us whether he 12 April will include: agrees with that? There is a bizarre sentence at paragraph 26 that I do not understand, in which the Committee MONDAY 12 APRIL—The House will not be sitting. recommends that the House TUESDAY 13 APRIL—Second Reading of the Finance “reverts to all aspects of its pre-pandemic practice and procedure.” (No. 2) Bill. I am not sure when, or what exactly that means. Will the Valerie Vaz: I thank the Leader of the House for the Leader of the House clarify the Government’s position business. on that? On Monday, it will be the fourth anniversary of the The Prime Minister promised the fishermen an death of PC Keith Palmer. Mr Speaker, I know that you El Dorado. I wonder whether he knows that that is a will arrange for the flags to fly at half-mast. mythical city. Perhaps he was talking about the bit There are various dates knocking around regarding the where they covered themselves in gold. Either way, tell possible date of the Queen’s Speech. I do not know why that to the Jersey fishermen who blockaded the port in the Leader of the House does not just come out and say protest; they are desperate. It is more desperado than it. Perhaps I can suggest a date—something like 11 May. El Dorado. The Office for National Statistics says that I note that the Leader of the House has arranged for there was a drop of 83% in fish exports in January, and the extension of the Coronavirus Act 2020. Could he be that UK goods exported to the EU have fallen by clear about exactly how long that debate will be? The 40% and imports by 28%. These are not covid-related other place is debating it for five hours. There was some falls, because there are no similar shifts in non-EU query, Mr Speaker, about whether we could extend the countries. We need a statement from the Secretary of time of the debate, and you told the Health Secretary State for International Trade, and we need her to publish that it could be longer than 90 minutes, so I hope that the impact assessment on the EU trade deal, as the the Leader of the House will confirm that. shadow Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the The motion is interesting. Will the Leader of the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily House tell us whether it is amendable? The shadow Thornberry), has called for. The Secretary of State is Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my right publishing all the minor deals, but not the main one. hon. Friend the Member for Leicester South (Jonathan We also need the Foreign Secretary to come to the Ashworth), has suggested that there are some aspects Chamber to explain why his private comments are of the Act that do not need to be renewed because they different from his public comments. It appears that the have not been used. For example, emergency powers to Government are allegedly pursuing an unethical foreign register nurses and social workers—not used; powers policy. He wants to do deals with countries that do not 489 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 490

[Valerie Vaz] working in the public sector take that level of pay cut, and I think that shows his commitment to the public care about their people—for example, Myanmar. I am service. He did a great deal for this country, not least sure that the Leader of the House will have been shocked through his energetic and effective campaigning in the by the image of a nun standing in front of the army Brexit referendum, but also in providing energy for Her there, pleading with them not to shoot at the protesters; Majesty’s Government. He is an important figure. His 90 people have died. There is no point just having evidence was interesting, though it was not evidence sanctions against a few generals. We want them against that one agrees with in its entirety. I think my right hon. all the generals. I do not know whether the Leader of Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social the House has seen pictures of the Myanmar Parliament, Care has done an absolutely fantastic job over the past but members sit there in a block, unaccountable— year and is an example of how politicians ought to sometimes not even moving. behave and, perhaps most importantly,to lead Departments. How we cheered when the tags came off Nazanin. As for an inquiry, as has been said by Professor But it is a farce that she had to go back to court again. Van-Tam, the time for that will be when the pandemic And there is nothing about Anousheh and the other has ended. The worst thing to do now would be to innocent people. interrupt the enormous amount of work being done in My hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and dealing with the pandemic by having an inquiry, but of Penarth (Stephen Doughty) has asked me to raise the course it will be looked into in due course. case of Luke Symons. His parents and his granddad Her Majesty’s Government will reply to the Procedure Bob want to know what is going on. We need to indulge Committee in accordance with the Osmotherly rules, in more diplomacy, and we have an ally in the President which, as is well known, is how replies are made. As I of the United States. have said before on the Floor of the House, when we Finally, Sunday is international day for the elimination asked people to give consensus, to accept, that we had of racial discrimination. It is also World Poetry Day, to have these extraordinary measures, it was on the but that is not an invitation to the Leader of the House basis that they were temporary. If it were to be the will to respond to me in verse. of the House to adopt some things permanently, it may wish to do so, but we must go back to normal first and Mr Rees-Mogg: Mr Speaker, my verse gets worse and then decide what we wish to implement. Otherwise, we worse. would have got the consensus by cheat, and I am not in I thank the right hon. Lady for reminding us that it is favour of cheating. the fourth anniversary of the death of PC Palmer, who As regards support for fishermen, there has been a died in the service of the House. We keep his soul and £23 million exceptional fund provided immediately and his family in our prayers. He is a model of public £100 million for them to improve their fleets over coming service, of courage and of the type of policing of which years, so there is support for fishermen. Maintaining this country is so fortunate, in the general rule of things, more access to our own waters is going to be a benefit, to be a real example—of police who are of their community though I do not think I ever called it an Eldorado; I am and for their community,and who, unarmed, face unknown not sure that that is a phrase I have used. risks. We continue to mourn and commemorate him. The Foreign Secretary’s comments were shockingly The right hon. Lady asks when the new Parliament distorted by low-quality journalism. It is a cheat that will be. That will, of course, be announced in the journalists sometimes use of editing text or a recording. normal course of events, as she knows perfectly well. It It was done to Roger Scruton by the New Statesman, is one of those things that she has to ask me and I have and it has now been done to the Foreign Secretary. It is to give the same answer every week, and we will no a very cheap level of journalism, and it is not a proper doubt carry on doing that for some time. [Interruption.] way to behave. He was absolutely clear that there are There is a little bit of electronic interference coming behaviours that mean we cannot trade with people—he in—I do not know where that is coming from. said that—if only people had bothered not to clip the The debate on Thursday the 25th will be an all-day recording unfairly, improperly and, broadly, dishonestly. debate. Obviously, that will be subject to statements and We should look at that type of poor-quality online urgent questions, but other than that we will be debating journalism. It is not the sort of thing that would happen this very important issue throughout the whole day. It is in The Times. obviously right, as the right hon. Lady says, that it I have so much sympathy with what the right hon. should be properly debated. The reason why it is important Lady says every week about Nazanin, Anousheh and to extend the Coronavirus Act 2020 is that the furlough Luke Symons. They are being worked for by the Foreign scheme will be going on for the whole of the six months. Office in ways that it can; Luke Symons’scase is particularly The basis for the furlough scheme is the Coronavirus difficult, obviously. The Prime Minister spoke to the Act, which provides for only six-month extensions, but President of Iran recently about Nazanin. There is no that is something that it will be doing throughout that excuse for the Iranian Government holding her. She period. As other things wax and wane, the Government ought to be released. These trumped-up charges are have already announced that one thing will continue improper and wrong, and they reflect on a regime that during that period, so the Act is needed. does not acknowledge the rule of law. We should make May I put in a word in defence of Dominic Cummings? it clear that the fault lies with the Iranian Government, He is an excellent public servant who has done a great not with Her Majesty’s Government. deal for this country, and he worked with a pay cut when he was first appointed. He took £40,000 less than Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con) [V]: I he was entitled to, and then his pay reverted to its look forward to receiving my right hon. Friend’s response normal level. I am not sure that many other people to my Committee’s report. Mr Speaker, I am sure that 491 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 492 you have many constituents, as I do, who are looking and empowerment of its speakers; and thanks all those forward to being able to get married. The news in the working to lift up the Scots language as well as welcoming road map that they can get married from 12 April has Government efforts to promote and protect that language.] brought joy to so many, but due to what I would I attempted to table it in Scots, but the rules of this describe as an anomaly in the guidelines, it appears that place did not allow that. I thank those in the Table they could legally get married from 12 April in a Office for their engagement on that matter and the way gymnasium, a hairdresser or even walking down the in which it was dealt with. Yesterday the right hon. aisle of a supermarket, but not in a dedicated wedding Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Liz Saville Roberts) venue. Will my right hon. Friend find time for a debate attempted to wish everyone a very happy St Patrick’s on the important role that the wedding sector plays and Day in both Welsh and Irish, but understandably that is how it has been devastated by covid, and will he use his not allowed. Might the Leader of the House have some good offices to encourage his ministerial colleagues to time arranged so that we could consider how the indigenous deal with this anomaly as soon as possible? languages of these islands could perhaps be more incorporated into the business that we undertake so Mr Rees-Mogg: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend that we can all best reflect all the communities that we for her question, which she raised in a point of order represent? yesterday. I have the greatest sympathy for wedding In recent weeks, I have, on a number of occasions, organisers, including those in my constituency. It has raised concerns around and highlighted issues of been an incredibly difficult time for them—more difficult transparency and contracts. I have also highlighted my than for many other forms of business. However, the Ministerial Interests (Emergency Powers) Bill, to give Government’s road map set out that at step 2, weddings, that another plug. I was certainly reassured by the receptions and commemorative events will be able to comments by the Leader of the House in saying that he take place with up to 15 guests in premises that are is taking this very seriously. I have no doubt whatsoever allowed to open—that is the clear point: premises that that he is committed to cutting and tackling corruption. are allowed to open. This means that at step 2, no I was, however, slightly surprised to see that others in earlier than 12 April, weddings may take place in premises Government seem to have taken his comments on cutting that are permitted to open or where a broader exemption corruption quite literally by cutting funding to tackle applies, such as places of worship or hotel function corruption internationally. This is going in the opposite suites. Wedding receptions can take place outdoors direction that we need to be going in. Could we have a only, and there has been no change in that plan. The debate in Government time to consider the global impact Paymaster General has committed to ensure that any of these actions and the damage that they could cause further clarity that Public Health England can provide to our democracy as a result? on this matter is put on the parliamentary intranet covid hub for all Members to see, and it may be debated Mr Rees-Mogg: I am very grateful for the hon. on 25 March in accordance with all the other regulations, Gentleman’s questions, which are particularly thoughtful. so I hope that my right hon Friend will raise it then. I think I can wish him a happy birthday for earlier this week. It seems that there is a flood of birthdays on the Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP): My hon. Friend SNP Benches, with the hon. Member for Perth and the Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) being a birthday celebrant again sends his apologies and hopes to be able to the week before. resume his duties in this place as soon as possible. On the corruption issue, my previous career was in I welcome the Prime Minister’s comments yesterday emerging markets investment, and it was quite clear on the urgent need to address everyday racism. I draw that the countries that do best and prosper most are Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of those that are the least corrupt. Rooting out corruption Members’ Financial Interests as a voluntary trustee of is in the interests of all countries. It should always be at White Ribbon Scotland. Does the Leader of the House the forefront of their minds if they want to succeed and agree that groups such as White Ribbon, which are raise the standard of living of their people. This country directly addressing men’s attitudes to women and men’s has a proud record of avoiding corruption. It is absolutely violence against women, could make a massive difference fascinating how, in the 18th century, we were still quite a in tackling those issues? Will he arrange for Government corrupt country, but by the middle of the 19th century time in which we can further consider that topic and the we had set a standard for honesty that has remained role that groups such as White Ribbon can play in ever since. We should be proud of that. I think it is very moving us forward? easy to defend the procurement that has gone on because I welcomed the news last week that music streaming it was urgent and it was fairly done. Contracts were service Spotify now includes Scots on its list of languages. awarded, broadly, so that we went from 1% of PPE I have tabled early-day motion 1592. being produced domestically to 70%, as well as the [That this House welcomes Spotify’s lang-owerdue deceesion phenomenal success of the vaccine roll-out. Governments tae add Scots as yin o its kent leids (welcomes Spotify’s have to be fleet of foot, and bureaucracy is not always long-overdue decision to add Scots as one of its recognised the antidote to corruption. Indeed, bureaucracy itself languages); congratulates singer Iona Fyfe for leading can sometimes be the cause of corruption. the public campaign for that music giant to make that I share the hon. Gentleman’s pleasure that Spotify is change; recognises that Scots is one of Scotland’s three recognising the Scots language. In terms of what is traditional national languages alongside English and Gaelic, orderly in this Chamber, I would be very diffident about with more than 1.5 million speakers and official recognition treading on your distinguished toes, Mr Speaker, except under the European Charter for Minority Languages; to remind people, which I do not think is treading on asserts that recognising a language’s existence on large your toes, that modest quotation in foreign languages is platforms such as Spotify is the first step towards acceptance permissible. I know that some hon. and right hon. 493 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 494

[Mr Rees-Mogg] statement and for announcing the Backbench business for next Wednesday? I was wondering if he could give Members occasionally use Latin quips, and that is us an insight into the Government’s plans for the perfectly allowable,as are Welsh quips and Scots quotations, continuation of Westminster Hall-style proceedings beyond but not full speeches. I think that is reasonable, because the Easter recess, as the Committee next week would we do not have the facilities for simultaneous translation like to nominate debate subject topics for immediately in this House, and their cost would probably be after the Easter recess and the sponsors of those potential disproportionate. It is very welcome when people give a debates will want to know, in a timely way, too. joyful message in Scots, in Welsh or in Irish, but it Mr Speaker, you will be too young to remember this, would be difficult for the House to have full speeches. but 48 years ago, in response to dreadful Dutch elm I echo the hon. Gentleman’scongratulations to voluntary disease, we were all encouraged to “Plant a Tree in ’73”. groups that help to change and improve attitudes, whether Do the Government have any significant plans to that is against everyday racism or against behaviour commemorate that campaign 50 years on with an additional towards women that is damaging and unhelpful to national campaign for all of us to engage in to help to society. I so agree with what my right hon. Friend the tackle climate change and plant a tree or trees in 2023? Prime Minister said—that we need cultural change. That is what we are doing in this place with the work of Mr Rees-Mogg: The plans for Westminster Hall will the independent complaints and grievance scheme. But be brought forward in the motion for our general ultimately it is not going to be about enforcement or proceedings and will extend the current proceedings to rules, although they have their place, but about getting 21 June. That is the current expectation. As for planting people to understand that the right form of behaviour trees, Her Majesty’s Government have enormously may be different from what they have grown up to ambitious plans for thousands and thousands of acres believe. It is about changing attitudes much more than to be planted with trees. I think we can all involve punishing people. ourselves in that by planting trees as well and encouraging others to plant trees. It can be a truly national effort. Mr Speaker: I did feel my toes a little stood on, I must admit; I felt the trampling of the Leader of the House. Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton) (Con) [V]: Merci A quip is one thing, but starting off in one language and à vous, Monsieur Speaker. I am sure my right hon. switching to another language in a question, not knowing Friend would agree with me that we have all spent far when it will end, does give the Chair a problem. If the too much time away from the Palace this year, so will he Chair had been notified, it would not have been a please update us on the restoration and renewal programme difficulty; it was the fact that we had two languages to secure the future of this extraordinary building, but before we knew how the full question was going to also on tackling the questions around fire safety of the continue. So I think there is a difference between a quip building? and a question being asked. Mr Rees-Mogg: My hon. Friend raises a key question. Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con) [V]: If it is The strategic review has taken place, but the fire safety acceptable, I shall ask my question in English. May I work has been a real achievement of the existing Palace ask the Leader of the House where he has got to on my authorities. I have some fantastic figures for the House recent request for a debate in Parliament on the disastrous about what has been done to ensure that the risk to life Operation Midland? And I do know that he will be is minimised and the protection of the building is disappointed that I am not asking him about when the maximised: 7,112 automatic fire detection devices have city status competition will be launched and Southend been put in; 5,949 emergency lights have been put can at last become a city. Perhaps we will leave that to in—one of them outside the Chief Whip’s office, so another occasion. when he comes out and you see a halo, that is because of our fire safety lights; 3,329 voice alarm sounders; 1,869 new Mr Rees-Mogg: I think it should be policy in this fire safety signs; 1,364 locations for fire-stopping House that every question makes a reference to Southend compartmentation; 4,126 sprinkler heads in the basement being made a city, so that the report that is sent daily to of the Palace and, amazingly, eight miles of pipe for a the Palace can include this for Her Majesty’sconsideration, new sprinkler system in the basement. I am really should our sovereign wish to issue the relevant letters reassured by this that the safety of this Palace is so patent. much greater even before R and R has started. When R As regards Operation Midland, as I said to my hon. and R is happening, this is crucial because the highest Friend before, I think an Adjournment debate or a risk of fire is very often when builders are renovating Backbench business debate would be a sensible thing to premises. apply for, akthough we all recoil at the treatment of Lord Brittan and of his widow later on—of a dying Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) man and of a grieving widow. This treatment was (Lab) [V]: Despite the heroic efforts of schools and their appalling and we do expect that people are held to staff, children and young people have had to adapt to account when they behave badly. This House is here to enormous change and challenge over the last year, often receive redress of grievance when things go wrong. chopping and changing circumstances with little notice or preparation, and I truly believe that we underestimate Mr Speaker: Let us go to the Chair of the Backbench the impact on their short and long-term mental wellbeing Business Committee, Ian Mearns. at our peril. Today’s National Audit Office report on the Department for Education’s covid response reads Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab) [V]: I am very grateful, like a litany of failure, with no plan for our children or Mr Speaker, and I take it a Geordie accent is acceptable. their education in place until June. The Government Can I thank the Leader of the House for the business now have plans for pupils to get up to speed with their 495 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 496 studies, but can I urge the Government to show more of our democracy and the Government should be credited. ambition in stemming the damage this last year may However, the regulator of those elections is the Electoral have caused to our children’s wellbeing? Given that we Commission, which is inefficient, arrogant and politically know the effect of wellbeing on performance at school, corrupt. It is not fit for purpose, so could we have a the two must go hand in hand. Can we therefore have a debate in Government time about a new regulator debate in Government time on how we make children’s that would be acceptable to people of all political wellbeing a fundamental part of the recovery? persuasions? Mr Rees-Mogg: Serious concerns have been raised Mr Rees-Mogg: The Government’s record on schooling about the Electoral Commission, not least by my hon. is actually extremely good. There is a £1.7 billion covid Friend and, as he knows, I was very concerned about catch-up fund for enhanced support and targeted tutoring, some of the points he raised when this was last debated and Sir Kevan Collins has been appointed the education on the Floor of the House. With a modicum of ingenuity recovery commissioner to oversee our long-term plans and with a benign Speaker or Deputy in the Chair, there to ensure pupils can make up any lost learning over the is a debate on Monday on a motion relating to the course of this Parliament. Schools have been a priority appointment of the chairman of the Electoral Commission, during the whole of the pandemic to keep them open as which being a motion under an Act lasts for up to much as possible, because the Government recognise 90 minutes, where I think my hon. Friend may be able to the importance of education. Getting back to normal say a few words of this kind. I have a feeling that I may and helping pupils get back to normal—providing be responding to that debate, so I may well say a few additional funding and distributing many hundreds of words in response. thousands of computers to schoolchildren, plus the 57 million lateral flow test kits that have been delivered Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD) [V]: Following the Home to schools and colleges as part of ensuring schools are Secretary’s announcement that the elections for Mayors really safe now—has been fundamentally important. and police and crime commissioners will return to being first past the post, will the Government publish Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Workers at the the assessments of which political party will benefit and LIBERTY steel company are really afraid for their jobs; any correspondence they received from Mayors and 5,000 staff and others in the supply chain across the PCCs, to demonstrate to the public that this is not just country need help. Can we please have a statement from about party politics, but properly leads to better democracy the Business Secretary outlining what action the and more accountability? Government are taking to support these hard-working Mr Rees-Mogg: Everyone knows that first past the families and, after contact with the company and the post is better for democracy because the most popular trade unions, to stand behind the refinancing of the candidate wins, rather than the one that nobody much business? The Government accept this is a strategic likes but cannot be too bothered about. Dare I say that industry that is crucial for our future growth. Parliament it is the party that is so good at losing elections that and my constituents at the LIBERTY plant in Tredegar most wants to change the system. need to hear exactly what the Government’s plans are. Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con) [V]: This House has Mr Rees-Mogg: The hon. Gentleman raises a very legislated to spend 0.7% of our GDP to support the important point and I think everyone shares his concern world’s poorest. The Leader of the House is a great for people working in the steel industry, but particularly parliamentarian, so does he agree that any change can in the Trinity Steel plant. The Government are following be made only once there has been a vote in this House? these developments extremely closely and are going Will he indicate when such a vote might take place? to remain involved in looking at what is happening. The Mr Rees-Mogg: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend Secretary of State co-chaired the UK Steel Council on for this question. I participated in the passage of that 5 March and met interested MPs on 15 March to piece of legislation, which sets out very clearly what have an update on developments. My noble Friend happens in the event of the 0.7% target not being met; it Lord Grimstone also met the sector and co-chaired the requires the Secretary of State to make a statement to steel procurement taskforce on 12 March. I will take up the House. That is the proper parliamentary procedure the hon. Gentleman’s question with the Secretary of and it has been laid down in statute, and that is what State so that he is informed of the concern within the will happen on occasions when the 0.7% target is not House. The Government have helped the steel industry met. That is quite proper, but it does not require any with the £500 million in relief for the steel sector since vote beyond that. None the less, even at a slightly lower 2013 in relation to electricity costs, but this is an important level, the UK will remain a world-leading donor,spending issue and I understand the hon. Gentleman’s desire for more than £10 billion of taxpayers’ money on overseas further information. development aid this year.

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con) [V]: I was Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) (Lab) [V]: Later first elected as a councillor to the County Borough of this year, England will be hosting the rugby league Southend-on-Sea, so I am glad to hear that it is moving world cup, including the first ever physical disability towards becoming a city. I am also delighted—I give the rugby league world cup, in Warrington. Can the Leader Government great credit for this—that the Government of the House arrange for a debate, in Government time, are pushing ahead with the elections on 6 May, when we on the rugby league world cup, including its social, are going to have local elections, police and crime community and tourism benefits, to allow us to give this commissioner elections and now a parliamentary election, much-loved sport the support we can to ensure the and are allowing campaigning to be carried out during success of the event after a really difficult year? the period up to those elections. That is the cornerstone Mr Speaker: Nothing more important. 497 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 498

Mr Rees-Mogg: Mr Speaker, you have given me a Matt Vickers (Stockton South) (Con): My local council very clear steer on how I should answer the question. is Labour-led, and it is using places in my constituency Just in case our eagle-eared friends from Hansard did such as Yarm, Kirklevington, Eaglescliffe and Hartburn not pick it up, Mr Speaker said, “Nothing more important.” as cash cows, packing, stacking and racking hundreds Having trodden on his toes earlier, I now need to of homes in our precious green spaces along already untread on his toes by saying that Mr Speaker is absolutely heavily congested roads, with little care for the impact right, as is the hon. Lady. I cannot promise a debate in on local people’s lives and while failing to develop Government time, but a great event is going to be brownfield sites. Will my right hon. Friend grant me a taking place, she is right to highlight the disability angle debate on irresponsible development on greenfield sites? as well and we should do everything we can to promote it. As I have said before, I follow cricket more closely, Mr Rees-Mogg: The incompetence of socialist councils but she has even encouraged me to make sure that I knows no bounds. Their inability to run things properly watch some rugby when this world cup is taking place. or to have a concern for residents is legion, and we must try to defeat them at the ballot box so that we can have Mr Speaker: Rugby league. good Conservative councils that do things properly. Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con) [V]: Many of my None the less, there is a need for houses to be built, and constituents who currently find themselves in unsaleable it is an essential priority for this Government. We need flats owing to fire safety concerns would like to let their to ensure that young people are able to get on the properties so that they can purchase a second, larger housing ladder, and we can do that only with a good property, suitable for a family, but they are anxious supply of housing. Where it is put is primarily a matter about doing so in case their fire safety issue cannot be for local councils, and local councils are subject, of resolved within three years and they are not able to course, to local electorates, so I would encourage local reclaim the additional home stamp duty surcharge. Can electorates to vote Conservative. we have a statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) on whether Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will (Lab) [V]: It is absolutely right that, as we emerge from consider such circumstances as exceptional and extend this pandemic, we need to learn lessons. In particular, the three-year time frame in which additional home we need to understand the reasons for the UK’s “high stamp duty surcharge can be reclaimed if the purchaser and unequal” covid death toll, as described by Professor can demonstrate that they cannot sell their first property Sir Michael Marmot. I sense that, in responding to the owing to issues with cladding and fire safety defects? As point that my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall the Chancellor will be aware, such circumstances are South (Valerie Vaz) made on this issue, the Leader of outside the control of hundreds of thousands of the House was wanting to kick it into the long grass. An leaseholders, not only in the Hendon constituency, but inquiry may not be in the interests of the Government, across the country, due to no fault of their own? but it is most certainly in the interests of the country, so Mr Rees-Mogg: I can broadly answer my hon. Friend’s will he schedule, in Government time, a debate to help question. If, because of exceptional circumstances beyond define the scope of an independent public inquiry into the person’s control, they are unable to sell their previous this pandemic? home within three years of buying their new one, a Mr Rees-Mogg: I completely understand why the refund of the higher rates on additional dwellings can hon. Lady raises that point. It is an extremely fair one. also be claimed, as long as the property is sold as soon It is not trying to run away from looking into what has as possible after those exceptional circumstances have happened, and indeed Select Committees of this House ended. Where a person is not permitted to sell their are completely entitled to be carrying out inquiries now, property and, as a result, misses the three-year period, but it is sensible to use people’s time most effectively. that would be considered to be an exceptional circumstance, The pandemic is still going on—the vaccine roll-out is and this may include properties that are not allowed to still going on; Test and Trace is still a most enormous be sold owing to fire safety issues. HMRC will consider scheme being rolled out as we speak—and I think each individual case on its own merits but, obviously, carrying out the inquiry in the midst of the pandemic there will be a broad category that my hon. Friend would be a mistake. That is not an effort to delay; it is points to and therefore I think there is some comfort for merely an effort to be realistic. him in HMRC’s position. John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Rape Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Con): In 2019, Stanley prosecutions are at their lowest ever recorded level, Park was voted the best park in the UK, being described while only one in seven victims has any faith in the as a criminal justice system. I am going on Government “beautiful, tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of the figures, not figures from anywhere else. Given that, may Blackpool seafront”. we have a debate in Government time on rape and the During the pandemic, we have learned how important criminal justice system? open outdoor space is, not just for social distancing but for health and wellbeing. Despite this, my local authority Mr Rees-Mogg: The hon. Gentleman raises an is looking to build on Stanley Park, reducing the already extraordinarily difficult point that has troubled many limited green space in Blackpool by around 20%. Will Governments for many years. The cornerstone of our my right hon. Friend look to hold a debate in Government justice system is that somebody is innocent until proved time to discuss the importance of parks in towns and guilty, and that must always remain the case, but we cities and how they can best be protected? have to ensure that accusations of rape are investigated thoroughly and prosecutions are brought effectively Mr Rees-Mogg: My hon. Friend is right to praise the and efficiently.That must be a priority for the prosecution value of parks and open spaces. Who was it who called services and, indeed, for the police. the parks—our great royal parks—the “lungs of London”? 499 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 500

Was it Pitt the Elder? It may have been; I cannot in the House. Pets play a very important role in people’s remember. It is a pity that the hon. Member for Rhondda lives and create great happiness. As has often been said (Chris Bryant) is not here, because he would be bound in politics, “If you want to have a friend, buy a dog”, to know. though I am sure that is not true for many right hon. We have seen during the covid-19 pandemic how and hon. Members. The Minister for Housing revised important access to parks and green spaces is to local the national model tenancy agreement this January, communities. Green spaces help health, wellbeing, making it easier for tenants with pets to find private integration and social engagement. As I understand it, landlords who will accept them. The key change was to Stanley Park is itself listed and is one of England’s remove restrictions on responsible tenants with pets, parks of special historic interest, owing to its art deco encouraging landlords to offer greater flexibility in their design. It is important that local authorities build new approach to pet ownership. A private landlord ought to developments with the consent of local residents and accept a request from a tenant to keep pets where the that they build beautifully. That should be a real theme. landlord is satisfied that the tenant is a responsible pet It always strikes me that, under current planning rules, owner and when the pet is suitable in relation to the it is most unlikely that the Royal Crescent at Bath would nature of the premises at which it will be kept. This aims be built. We have an obsession with building things that to strike the right balance between protecting private are not beautiful. We want to build things that are landlords from situations where their properties are beautiful, and then, where they are located will become damaged by badly behaved pets while ensuring that a matter of pride rather than of disappointment. However, responsible pet-owning tenants are not unfairly penalised. as I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton I hope that helps my hon. Friend. South (Matt Vickers), we cannot forget that new housing must be built. Dawn Butler (Brent Central) (Lab) [V]: Parliament needs to really do its job and take stock of the coronavirus Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP) legislation. Many will be surprised to learn that only [V]: Betting firm Football Index is now in administration, 17 of the 398 statutory instruments made were under with its licence suspended by the Gambling Commission the Coronavirus Act 2020. It is estimated that Parliament amid reports that the firm operated like a pyramid needs at least two full days to scrutinise the Act. Will scheme and had been admonished by the Advertising the Leader of the House please respect parliamentary Standards Authority in 2019 for creating the impression scrutiny and ensure that Parliament has at least two full that the product was a lucrative investment opportunity. days to scrutinise it? Clearly, concerns over how Football Index was raising Mr Rees-Mogg: I think that there has been a great money have been ongoing, and this has raised serious deal of scrutiny in this House throughout the pandemic. questions about how fit for purpose the Gambling My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health Commission is, having licensed the platform. Will the and Social Care has made very frequent statements, and Leader of the House make a statement on what can be he is making another one shortly after I have finished learned from this episode and what more can be done to today.We will allow a full day for the debate on Thursday, ensure that regulation of the betting industry is fit for rather than the hour and a half that is the requirement purpose to protect consumers who collectively have for SIs under a Bill. So I think the amount of scrutiny £98 million trapped in Football Index, and will he that is being allowed is reasonable and that it will allow support a public inquiry into this scandal? people to participate fully and raise all the points that Mr Rees-Mogg: The hon. Lady raises a matter of they need to raise. concern across the House, as is gambling more generally Tom Hunt (Ipswich) (Con): On 2 June 2018, a 17-year-old and the right approach to regulating gambling. I suggest boy called Tavis Spencer-Aitkens was brutally murdered that she raise this with the Digital, Culture, Media and in my constituency. In April 2019, five people were Sport Committee, which would be able to look into it, sentenced: four for murder and one for manslaughter. and I, in turn, will raise it with the Secretary of State for Since then, every single one of them has posted on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and get her a fuller social media from behind bars, and a couple of them answer because it is a matter of concern across the more than once. One of the quotes from one was: House. “Five years left, light work”. Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con) This has caused immense distress to the family and [V]: I draw attention to my entry in the Register of friends of Tavis. It is clear that the current in-house, Members’Financial Interests. As chairman of the all-party slap-on-the-wrist approach is not providing a significant group on cats, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether enough deterrent. Weneed to look at changing sentencing we can have a debate in Government time to look into and eliminating any possibility of early release. Would the encouragement of pet-friendly tenancies? my right hon Friend consider a debate in Government time on this vital issue? Mr Rees-Mogg: Mr Speaker, I am glad to say that those who occupy premises on the parliamentary estate Mr Rees-Mogg: What my hon. Friend reports is are allowed to keep pets—they are allowed to keep deeply troubling and so horribly sad for Tavis’s family. parrots, dogs, cats and tortoises, I believe. It must just so much rub salt into the wound. The Government take unauthorised communication through Valerie Vaz: And tarantulas! social media and its impact on victims and families seriously. Reducing crime in prisons remains a key Mr Rees-Mogg: Indeed, allegedly, some people even priority. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service keep tarantulas, though I do not believe that that particular works closely with law enforcement agencies, so that right hon. Friend of mine is resident or has been resident crimes committed in prison are dealt with effectively. 501 Business of the House18 MARCH 2021 Business of the House 502

[Mr Rees-Mogg] statement on UK-Bangladeshi relations, so that we can all join with the Bangladeshi community in celebrating We continue to roll out our £100 million spending this joyous occasion? programme on prisons and security during the covid-19 pandemic. That is funding mobile phone blocking Mr Rees-Mogg: The UK and Bangladesh share a technologies and portable detection equipment. We have close relationship based on strong historical and people- also spent taxpayers’ money on next-generation X-ray to-people links. We continue to work closely together body scanners to find contraband internally concealed on our shared interests, including security, development, by prisoners, and enhanced routine searching capability climate, trade and the Rohingya crisis. We are working of staff and visitors at priority sites. In 2019, Her closely with the Government of Bangladesh to mark Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s digital media Bangladesh’s 50th anniversary and the 50th anniversary investigations unit worked with social media companies of Bangladesh-UK relations, including on 26 March 2021. to remove nearly 400 illegal posts and accounts. In The UK was one of the first countries in the world to 2020, the DMIU has successfully removed 220 posts recognise an independent Bangladesh after Sheikh Mujibur and accounts as of 30 June 2020. I understand that will Rahman was received by the former Prime Minister, not be much comfort to Tavis’s family, but at least Sir Edward Heath, in Downing Street on 8 January something is being done, though I accept that more 1972. We look forward to the fourth UK-Bangladesh needs to be done. strategic dialogue, which is to take place in London later this year, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right: it Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab): My constituent is a good thing to celebrate, and to celebrate an lost his job, and 16 weeks later he is still waiting for his independence day that is not independence from us, first universal credit payment. Does the Leader of the which is perhaps a rare treat. House accept that is unacceptable, and will he commit to holding a debate in Government time on the delays Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab) [V]: Today the to processing universal credit? Government announced that plug-in grants for the purchase of new electric vehicles will be slashed again Mr Rees-Mogg: The universal credit roll-out has from £3,000 to £2,500; this is after they were cut from been a remarkable success during the pandemic with, I £3,500 to £3,000 last year. I know that the Leader of the think, 91% of claims being processed extremely quickly House is very fond of his old Bentley, but the Government and the majority paid within three days. That does not are meant to be committed to a ban on the sale of new mean that there will not be occasional errors. While petrol and diesel cars by 2030. At the moment, new EVs 91% is a high success rate, it means that 9% did not meet are simply not affordable for many people. Can we have that. There was also the £20 a week uplift. The hon. a statement, so that we can ask Ministers in the House Lady is right to raise individual cases of this kind in the why the Government’s policy on this seems to be going House. That is how we seek redress of grievance and it in completely the wrong direction? is what we are here for. If there are individual cases that have not been answered satisfactorily by the Department Mr Rees-Mogg: The answer is that there is a limit to for Work and Pensions, my office is more than willing to taxpayers’ money, and that as more electric vehicles are help hon. and right hon. Members to seek redress of produced, so they become more efficient and so the grievance. price falls. This is the natural economic process, and it is one that will be mainly led by the private sector. This is Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: Next week is how we have got the innovation so far, through the the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh attaining its private sector producing these remarkable vehicles. We independence from Pakistan at the end of a very bloody managed to switch from the horse and cart to the civil war. Will my right hon. Friend join me in wishing internal combustion engine without large Government all Bangladeshis, wherever they reside now, a very happy subsidies. A little bit of Government help is right, but it Independence Day? Will he arrange for a debate or a cannot be excessive because the taxpayer cannot afford it. 503 18 MARCH 2021 504

Point of Order Independent Review of Administrative Law 11.30 am Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): On a point of 11.36 am order, Mr Speaker. I rise to make a point of order in relation to what the Leader of the House said earlier. The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice He may have inadvertently misled the House when he (Robert Buckland): With permission, I would like to used words like “cheat” and “editing a recording” about make a statement on the Government’s response to the something that I raised in relation to the Foreign Secretary. independent review of administrative law. I have had this statement from the journalist in question In our democracy, judicial review plays a vital role in and from the Huffington Post: upholding the rule of law: it acts as one of the checks on “We did not edit any recording passed to us and quoted it in the power of the Executive. Importantly, as the noble full.” and learned Baroness Hale put it in her submission to Could I have your guidance on what the Leader of the review panel, the House could do? If the Leader of the House is not “In the vast majority of cases, Judicial Review is the servant of prepared to repeat what he said outside, he must withdraw Parliament”. it and apologise now; otherwise, he is casting aspersions Through judicial review, the courts ensure that the on the integrity of a journalist. Could I have your powers that Parliament grants are not used in ways that guidance please, Mr Speaker? exceed the limits imposed on those powers, and are not used in ways that are contrary to Parliament’s intentions. Mr Speaker: Obviously, the point has been raised, The purpose of judicial review is not to question the but it is not for me to judge on it. However, the Leader merits of any decisions made under those powers; rather, of the House is here, and I look to see whether he it is to ensure that the decision was made lawfully. The wishes to respond and clear the matter up. jurisdiction of the courts is therefore meant to be supervisory only. The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Jacob Last year, I launched an independent review of Rees-Mogg): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. administrative law to examine trends in judicial review. The Foreign Office has made it clear, and has said: I am sure the House will want to join me in thanking the “We regret that this audio has been deliberately and selectively panel, chaired by the noble and learned Lord Faulks, clipped to distort the Foreign Secretary’s comments. As he made for its diligence in producing such an excellent report, crystal clear in his full answer, the UK always stands up for and copies of which I have placed in the Libraries of both speaks out on human rights. In his full answer, in an internal Houses. It was quite an undertaking, conducted in this meeting, he highlighted examples where the UK has applied Magnitsky sanctions and raised issues at the UN regardless of time of covid. The panel ran a call for evidence, which trade interests, and that this was a responsible, targeted and elicited many valuable contributions from a diverse carefully calibrated approach to bilateral relations.” range of interested parties. I repeat: The report’sfinding—that there is a growing willingness “We regret that this audio has been deliberately and selectively to accept an expansion of the remit of judicial review, clipped”. whether in terms of more decisions being considered If the journalist did not clip it himself, he ought to have justiciable, or the way in which the courts review an known it was clipped. He is either a knave or a fool. exercise of power and the remedies given—is worrying. I am sure that the House will agree with me that the Mr Speaker: I think we will have to leave it there. I am recommendations in the panel’s report about how we now suspending the House for three minutes to enable can restore a more sensible balance of responsibilities the necessary arrangements to be made for the next between Parliament and the courts are clear, practical business. and achievable. The Government are consulting on a range of policy 11.32 am proposals, but there are two recommendations in particular Sitting suspended. from the report that we are keen to take forward as soon as possible. First, we will follow the review’s recommendation to legislate to remove a type of judicial review known as the Cart judicial review, after the Supreme Court case of that name. The issue is that, even though decisions of the upper tribunal are supposed to be of the same status as those of the High Court, the Cart judicial review route allows someone to challenge certain upper tribunal decisions by applying to the High Court for permission for judicial review of the upper tribunal’s decision, and potentially onward to the Court of Appeal should the High Court refuse permission, as in fact it does in the vast majority of cases. In such an appeal, the Court of Appeal is essentially asked whether it thinks that the proposed appeal against the High Court’s refusal to grant permission to judicially review the upper tribunal’s refusal to grant permission 505 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 506 Administrative Law Administrative Law [Robert Buckland] The consultation will therefore consider three things: first, whether to give judges discretion in providing for to appeal the first tier tribunal’s decision should be prospective-only remedies; secondly, whether prospective- allowed. That—eloquently, perhaps—outlines the essence only remedies should be presumed to apply in all challenges of the problem: we say that there are simply too many against statutory instruments; and finally, whether all layers and too many otiose proceedings that do not remedies granted when challenging statutory instruments serve the interests of justice. must be prospective-only unless it is a matter of exceptional The review analysis found that out of 5,502 Cart public interest for them not to be. judicial reviews brought between 2012 and 2019, only As part of this work, to make such remedies effective 0.22% were successful. That is an astonishingly low rate. I am bringing forward proposals for reforms to the Given that each and every one of those cases required doctrine on nullity. The consultation will also consider detailed consideration by judges, I agree with the panel whether to recommend to the civil procedure rule committee that a huge amount of judicial resource is being used to that it considers a range of procedural reforms to rectify a vanishingly small number of errors. The proposed improve the efficiency of the administration of judicial reform will place the decisions of the upper tribunal review claims. and the High Court on an equal footing, and we will As Lord Chancellor, my role is to uphold the rule of bolster the current array of remedies available to the courts law and defend the judiciary. The Government want to so that issues can be resolved in a collaborative way. seize the opportunity to do just that by restoring a I agree with the panel that the courts should have the proper balance between the institutions that have been ability to suspend quashing orders and to mandate a so integral to our success as a nation in protecting the time by which any administrative oversight should be rights of individuals and our vital national security, and corrected. I will accept that recommendation and would effective government itself. We are determined to ensure like to consider how it should be implemented and that judicial review—this vital check on Executive power—is whether suspended quashing orders should be presumed maintained for future generations and that the process to apply or mandatory. is finely tuned within our constitutional arrangements, to enable it to be a true conduit for fairness in our The steps recommended by the panel are an excellent society. I commend this statement to the House. starting point for rebalancing our system, but the Government would like to go further to protect the judiciary from unwanted political entanglements and 11.44 am restore trust in the judicial review process. As the House Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): May I begin by will see, the report contains a detailed analysis of judicial thanking the panel for their work? We will study the review and how it operates in practice, and we are at the proposals carefully and note the announcement of further right juncture to take a closer look. Today, I want to consultation. We would like to see all submissions to the open up a public debate on the role of judicial review consultations published; can the Secretary of State confirm within our wider constitutional arrangements by launching whether he will do that? I also note that, as feared, the a consultation on further proposals to examine the use Government are considering making certain decisions of ouster clauses, the remedies available in judicial of Parliament beyond the reach of judicial review. I review proceedings, and further procedural reform. note that the independent review of administrative law It is self-evidently open to Parliament to delineate the considered that it would be a serious disadvantage to role of the courts in controlling any particular power enable Parliament to oust JR by altering the statutory because, of course, Parliament is sovereign. Parliament code. Can he confirm whether that is in fact his intention, can do this by passing an ouster clause—a considered and if so, why he has taken the step of ignoring the choice that certain subjects are not appropriate for concerns of his own review? judicial control. For example, in the Parliamentary The Government should exercise extreme caution in Constituencies Act 1986, Parliament provided that reports expanding the use of ouster clauses to prevent the of the Boundary Commission are not subject to judicial Executive from being challenged in the courts. That is a review. Unfortunately, the current practice on ouster fundamental right, and this is particularly worrying, clauses—not giving them effect—arguably goes against given the Government’sdisdain for parliamentary scrutiny the intention of Parliament, so we are considering and No. 10’s history of hoarding powers. putting in place a set of rules that clearly delineate In my 20 years in this House I have never encountered which issues are a matter for the courts to adjudicate a Government more disdainful of our rights, freedoms through judicial review and which are not. For that and rule of law than this one. One of the Prime Minister’s reason, the Government want to consider the workings first actions was to unlawfully prorogue the House; of ouster clauses and find a way for them to be used after he was re-elected, he sent his Secretary of State for more effectively and in the way intended by Parliament. Northern Ireland out to boast about how the Government The consultation proposes the introduction of would break international law in a specific and limited prospective-only remedies, which would limit the way; and on Tuesday we saw the Government launch an retrospective effect of any quashed decision or action. unprecedented attack on the British public’s freedom to That would complement the use of suspended quashing protest. At each of these moments the Lord Chancellor orders and could result in more considered resolutions. and Secretary of State for Justice has chosen to stay Instead of the sledgehammer of remedies that demand silent, ignoring his special duty to uphold the rule immediate resolution and lead to rushed policy, I want of law. to create a system that encourages solutions to be found Judicial review is the only mechanism by which members through political will rather than legal dispute, so that of the public can challenge the Government and public policy making as an exercise can be much more collaborative bodies when they break the law. In recent months, we and better informed. have seen how important that is. It was a judicial review 507 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 508 Administrative Law Administrative Law that uncovered the truth about the Health Secretary’s that somehow I am staying silent on these matters. I unlawful failure to publish multimillion-pound covid certainly have not hesitated at important moments, for contracts within the 30-day period required by the law. example, during the Prorogation issue, to defend the In a Government who have been turned rotten by judiciary robustly in public, as is consistent with my cronyism—we are having the Health Secretary on oath. WhatsApp pouring a pint to land a deal—accountability Let me answer the right hon. Gentleman’s questions, matters a lot, and it is not only crony contracts that the particularly those on publication. First, those contributions Government may be trying to hide. to the review call for evidence that are quoted in the The Government have made countless mistakes, which report have been published today. The other public may or may not have been unlawful during the coronavirus responses to the consultation will be published next pandemic. These may help explain why the UK has one week. We are making sure that they are all consistent of the highest death tolls in the world. Mistakes include with our general data protection regulation obligations, failing to provide health and care workers with adequate but I give him that undertaking that they will all be personal protective equipment, as well as sending hospital published. The Government submissions to the consultation patients back to care homes without testing them. Members will be summarised and published within the next 10 days of the public are rightly using judicial review to challenge or so, which will give everybody a clear view of submissions the Government on mistakes like that. If the Government to the call for evidence, but in a way that is consistent weaken judicial review, they may avoid responsibility with collective Cabinet responsibility.I give him absolutely for other potentially unlawful acts during the pandemic. that undertaking that the next stage—the consultation Will the Lord Chancellor guarantee to me that no process—will follow the same course as other public judicial review focused on the Government’s mistakes consultation processes. I encourage him and all interested during the pandemic will be affected by the changes parties to take a full role in this. that he now proposes? The right hon. Gentleman made a point about ouster On the surface, the review has looked at technical clauses, which deserves some scrutiny. Such clauses are aspects of judicial review. The formal scope focuses on not completely unknown to this House. Indeed, when potential codification of grounds, the parameters of one looks at the Parliament Act and the particular judicial authority and the procedural changes, but its function that the Speaker has with regard to processes political purpose is sweeping and dangerous. The person between this House and the other place, one sees that it appointed to lead it was highly vocal in his criticism of contains ouster clauses. The Fixed-term Parliaments the judiciary in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Act 2011 had an ouster clause. The question is about 2019 judgment on Prorogation. There has been briefing the particular purpose and the way in which such clauses from Johnson’s Downing Street of the intention are used. There have been times when broad ouster “to get the judges sorted”, clauses have been introduced, which have naturally and there can be little doubt that the review is part of an caused great concern. The right hon. Gentleman might attempt to hoard more power in No. 10. well remember one such example, because the asylum Bill that he shepherded through this House back in Can the Secretary of State tell the House where the 2003 contained an ouster clause that was described as idea to attack judicial review came from—was it him, “without precedent” in its extent. I sympathise with the the Prime Minister or Dominic Cummings? If the Lord position he is in, because Governments will often want Chancellor still refuses to publish all the submissions to to create a high degree of legal certainty, to make sure the review—it is extraordinary that he will not publish that the processes are clear and that the parties involved those submissions—will he at least commit to publishing and everybody else knows with certainty what is to the submission that came from the Home Office? happen; I can understand why he wanted to pursue that A responsible Government would seek to consolidate course then. So it is wise of everybody concerned with and protect the democratic legal right of judicial review, this issue to take a long view, consider the matter not constrain and undermine it. Just as we condemn carefully and come up with considered submissions and foreign Governments for attacking the rule of law, as in suggestions, rather than, I am afraid, descending to Poland and Hungary, Members must also condemn our rhetoric that does not meet the reality of the situation own Government for doing the same. Members from all we are dealing with. political traditions should be just as outraged that the Government decided in the middle of a pandemic to use These proposals are sensible, incremental reforms their precious time to launch an attack on judicial that are very much within the tradition of the development review. Madam Deputy Speaker, be in no doubt: this of our law. They are the result of much consideration, cynical, misguided and politically motivated move is not just by Lord Faulks, but by a very diverse panel of from the same authoritarian playbook. Judicial review different opinions and different perspectives, which can is the only way the public can challenge the Government hardly be described as a sort of panel that was designed when they act unlawfully. Labour will defend it, so that to reach a conclusion before the document had been we can hold this incompetent and untrustworthy written. It was genuinely independent and I value it very Government to account. highly for that. In summary, these proposals, together with what we Robert Buckland: I thank the right hon. Gentleman want to consult upon, are a mature, reflective look at a for his question. I think I can deal very shortly with the process that plays an important part in our society and rather hyperbolic diatribe about the position of this our constitution, but which, like all other parts of our Government and the rule of law. There is absolutely no democracy—this place, local government and all the doubt about our adherence to rule of law principles, as agencies of accountability—merits careful and close with all Governments who have preceded us and indeed scrutiny. Frankly, it is our duty, as a Government and as Governments to come. I take issue with his suggestion a Parliament, from time to time to make sure that that 509 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 510 Administrative Law Administrative Law [Robert Buckland] and burned over the past decade or invest properly in decision making, so that it is faster and more decisions delicate constitutional balance is being maintained. That are right first time? In short, it is better to fix the failing is what we seek to do, and I make no apology for the Home Office instead of meddling with one of the only initiative that we have taken. systems that people have left to protect themselves from its incompetence. That is true right across Government. Sir Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con) [V]: More reviews about asylum seekers have been talked I thank both the Lord Chancellor for the tone of his about this week. Tomorrow, it will be people’s housing statement and the members of the panel for their work. or social security cases. The Lord Chancellor was very clear in his commitment Finally, the Justice Secretary has been reminded to the importance and the fundamental nature of judicial repeatedly from these Benches that the inherent supervisory review in our constitutional arrangements. Does he jurisdiction of the Court of Session to review Acts of agree therefore that, as these proposals are progressed Government is protected by the Act of Union and the to further consultation, it is important that the conclusions Treaty of Union. Will he confirm that anything that are adequately considered by Government, that there impinges on that jurisdiction is not for this Westminster should not be any undue pressure of time to bring Parliament or Government to decide? proposals forward, that it is better to move carefully and incrementally, and that this House will have ample Robert Buckland: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. time to consider any proposals once the Government May I answer his last question first? I can give him that have formulated them? A guiding principle that we assurance. With regard to the Cart jurisdiction, that could perhaps bear in mind are the words of the late clearly relates to a reserved matter concerning immigration Lord Bingham in his book “The Rule of Law” when he issues, which does, of course, apply to the Scottish said that, in judicial review, the role of the judges was to jurisdiction as well. In respecting separate jurisdictions, be the “auditors of legality: no more, but no less.” We as I always do, these proposals relate to England and should not have confusion about how the audit works, Wales matters and have been carefully delineated in that but neither should we do anything that impedes the way. ability of the auditors to do their job. With regard to the hon. Gentleman’s other assertions, I will simply say this: to conflate issues relating to public Robert Buckland: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, order with this Government’s approach to the rule of the Chair of the Justice Committee. His reference to the law and their steadfast belief in democratic institutions late Lord Bingham and the description of the audit role is, once again, to stretch reality too far. Without repeating is an invaluable intervention. That is precisely what the the arguments that we had earlier this week, I cannot Government seek to do here. It is all about protecting equate the adoption of recommendations by the the role of the judiciary as well. I am a fierce defender of independent Law Commission about the law of public their role and I want to make sure that they are not nuisance with the sort of reactionary, authoritarian acts inadvertently drawn into matters of policy, which are of France of the 1790s. It beggars belief that such matters for this place, the Government, and democratic comparisons are being made. They do not stand close institutions, and not drawn into merits-based assessments scrutiny, and I am sure that in the weeks and months as opposed to assessing the legality or otherwise of ahead, the intellectual poverty of these arguments will Executive action or omission. be exposed. Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Miss Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Dales) (Con) [V]: I Kirkintilloch East) (SNP) [V]: I thank the Justice Secretary thank the Lord Chancellor for his statement. From my for his statement and the panel for its work. We will, of recent practice at the Bar, I know that the judicial course, scrutinise the report carefully and constructively, review system is sometimes abused, and some unscrupulous but we will do so from the starting point that there is lawyers will use it when they should not. Does my right very little about this vital democratic safeguard that hon. and learned Friend agree that Opposition Members needs to be fixed. We absolutely do not share the Justice would be hypocritical to oppose this review, given that Secretary’s concerns about perceived expansion of judicial they—including the shadow Justice Secretary—proposed review. Our concern is that successive Conservative a complete abolition of judicial review in immigration Governments have sought to constrain anything that and asylum matters? gets in the way of their agenda: a gagging Bill on charities; restrictive trade union laws; cuts to legal aid; Robert Buckland: My hon. Friend, who is an experienced and, this week, the egregious attacks on the right to family practitioner of many years’ standing, will know protest. We would be utterly failing as an Opposition if from her professional experience that, while the proper we did not approach this whole project with a healthy use of legal process to make legitimate claims is at the and significant degree of scepticism and concern. Talk heart of our rule of law, it should sadden all of us if we of ouster clauses and restricting remedies is indeed see attempts being made to delay and frustrate that especially alarming, and leads us to question again—is process by the use of procedures that, frankly, are otiose not this more about the Prime Minister’s anger at and do not add to the fairness or justice of proceedings judgments such as the article 50 Miller case or the but rather detract from the overall outcome and the Prorogation case led by my hon. and learned Friend the fairness of it. Member for Edinburgh South West (Joanna Cherry). My hon. Friend is right to make the point that Par for the course, this announcement was trailed this successive Governments, including the one in which the week in the context of migration litigation, but, in that right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) served, context, if the Government were really interested in have argued, sometimes very passionately, in favour of reducing reliance on judicial review, why do they not quite wide-ranging ouster clauses in order to achieve a restore the statutory appeal rights that they have slashed higher degree of legal certainty.That was what happened 511 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 512 Administrative Law Administrative Law back in 2003, when the right hon. Gentleman was in Robert Buckland: My legacy, I hope, if these proposals government. What we need to do now is avoid having are, after consultation, taken forward in the form of those arguments in future, with overly wide ouster legislation, will have been to enhance the options available clauses, and find a proper modus vivendi, whereby they to the judiciary. If we look at the remedy proposals, we can be used proportionately in a way that will not will see that creating extra powers such as suspending offend the courts. quashing orders, and other types of discretionary remedies, will allow the courts to take a more surgeon’s scalpel-like Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD) [V]: I thank the panel for approach to some of these issues, rather than the sometimes the work it has been doing. There is no justification for rather blunt sledgehammer of quashing a particular the proposals to restrict people’s access to court. The decision, making it a nullity, or, at the other end, current judicial review system works well, allowing people making a declaration of unlawfulness. I hope that my directly to hold Governments of any colour to account legacy, whenever it comes, will have been to increase the and enforce their rights through the courts. Instead of discretion of the courts and to rebalance their position this assault on the rule of law, will the Ministry of within our unwritten constitution. Justice instead focus on the shockingly low conviction rates for crimes committed against women and girls and Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con): It seems to me publish plans for how to ensure that offenders of violence that we need to find the right balance between protecting against women and girls are properly prosecuted and the rights of individuals to rightfully challenge Executive convicted? power and ensuring that government can proceed effectively without vexatious legal claims. How will my right hon. Robert Buckland: The hon. Lady is, frankly, wrong to and learned Friend ensure that we get the right balance? describe these proposals as a curtailment of judicial review. I will give her an example of an area where the Robert Buckland: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend’s use of a suspended quashing order could have helped characterisation. The use of the word “balance” is very campaigners. There was a case about tuition fees in much at the essence of what I as a Conservative and which the Secretary of State was challenged for breaching Lord Chancellor believe in. I can give an example. We the public sector equality duty. The court could only, at can see from the Cart judicial review process, which I that stage, give a declaration of unlawfulness because a have mentioned, how such a process can be used to quashing of the decision would have caused administrative press claims that, frankly, have no merit and result in chaos. If a suspended quashing order had existed as an delay, which frustrates lawful action. By streamlining option, that would have had more teeth for those who those procedures, by ensuring that the existing, reliable were campaigning against tuition fees, which the hon. and sufficient routes of appeal are there, we can ensure Lady’s party supported back in 2010. that claims are dealt with quickly, fairly and in the proper place. David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con) [V]: From personal experience in local government, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab): I thank I know that judicial reviews can bring significant uncertainty the Lord Chancellor for his statement, but on 13 March to decisions that have been made by democratically The Daily Telegraph reported that the Government elected and publicly accountable bodies. Will my right were planning to limit how a judicial review could be hon. and learned Friend outline the benefits he anticipates used in asylum cases by stopping from this review in respect of local authorities and their “the automatic referral of judicial review cases to senior judges.” decisions? Will the Lord Chancellor be doing that? If so, is anti- immigrant sentiment the motivation behind this Robert Buckland: My hon. Friend speaks with Government’s attack on judicial review? considerable experience as a deputy leader of a major London borough and a long-standing member of the Robert Buckland: May I reassure the hon. Gentleman Local Government Association. He will see that there that there is certainly no base motive behind these will be many advantages as a result of the proposals. proposals, and certainly no attack on people who make For example, as I have mentioned, the ability to suspend proper applications, whether they are seeking asylum quashing orders is a very pragmatic and sensible step. It or, indeed, clarifying their immigration status in the means that minor administrative errors will not result in United Kingdom? What we seek to do is create a system the entire policy being struck down, leading to great that will work in their better interests. As he will know, uncertainty and often administrative headaches for local one of the big problems is the delay and the anxiety it authorities and others. I am sure that my hon. Friend, can cause to many applicants who have to wait for an with his background in local government, will look at undue period of time. I want to ensure that we maintain the consultation document and come up with further those appeal processes that need to exist in order to sensible suggestions. satisfy all those rule of law principles that he and I believe in, but to also strip away the unnecessary processes Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab) [V]: The amount that just prolong the agony for everybody concerned, of time and resources spent by successive Conservative not least the applicants. Governments on restricting judicial review is extraordinary. It is one slender means that the individual has to Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con): Judicial reviews are challenge the power of Government when they act a vital part of the justice system. They are a way for unlawfully. Rather than saying, “There’s nothing to see people to test the lawfulness of decisions by public here,” does the Lord Chancellor want his legacy to be bodies. However,as a mechanism, they are often expensive one of undermining judicial discretion, the common and their costly nature prohibits poorly made decisions law and the rights of the citizen in order to make the from being held to account. I am thinking of the Executive safe from challenge and scrutiny? Environment Agency’s recent decision to award an 513 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 514 Administrative Law Administrative Law [Robbie Moore] Madam Deputy Speaker: Before I call the Lord Chancellor, I do want to remind hon. and right environmental permit for an incinerator in Keighley. hon. Members of the dress code, which is the same for Could the Lord Chancellor comment on how the judicial those contributing by video link and is that we should review process can be made more accessible and affordable wear jackets. so that public bodies can be properly held to account? Robert Buckland: I can absolutely reassure the hon. Robert Buckland: My hon. Friend makes a very proper Gentleman that the proposals in fact are the opposite of point, and one of the important functions of judicial a restriction or restraint on judicial review. The proposals review is for the courts not just to opine on the legality include a recommendation that the rule about bringing or otherwise of the decision, but to help local and a claim promptly be removed because it does not add national Government understand better how to make anything to the overall procedural framework. Secondly, those decisions in the first place. I readily take the point the three-month limit will remain, but there is of course that there are still far too many outcomes that result within that discretion for the court to disapply or to from flawed decision making, which is why judicial entertain a late application. None of that is going to be review is such an important principle. My hon. Friend interfered with. This review is not based upon some will, I am sure, be particularly interested in the proposals crude attempt to restrict a class of people from applying in the consultation about procedural reform, which are or to restrict the length of time. This is all about the designed to try to streamline, simplify and make judicial scope of judicial review and the remedies that are on review more accessible for organisations and individuals offer. It is a mature contribution to the debate, and I who seek it. But in the first instance my aim is to try to know that when Labour Members look at it carefully ensure that these disputes are resolved before the need they will be compelled to draw the same conclusion. for litigation. John Howell (Henley) (Con) [V]: When many judges Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP) [V]: were beginning their legal career, I doubt very many of When this review was announced I corresponded with them ever came across judicial review, so much has this the Lord Chancellor,reminding him that our independent crept along over the last 40 to 50 years or so. Will the system of civil justice in Scotland is protected by article 19 Lord Chancellor please accept my congratulations on of the treaty of Union and devolved to the Scottish his review of judicial review, and will he also accept that Parliament, so I welcome the assurance he has given I would like to see it move quicker and faster in order to today that his proposals going forward will apply to make sure that we do see a fundamental review? Certainly, England and Wales only. As it is my birthday, will he of all the judges I have spoken to, I have not come indulge me by joining me in celebrating another victory across any who would contradict what we are trying for Scotland’s independent legal system, which of course to do? in 2019 led the way in ruling that the Prime Minister’s Prorogation of Parliament was unlawful? Robert Buckland: My hon. Friend is right to urge Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): expedition. I think I need to temper his remarks with Happy birthday. those of the Chairman of his Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Sir Robert Neill), who wants to make sure that this place and the Robert Buckland: I am more than happy to wish the other place have a proper opportunity to scrutinise. hon. and learned Lady a very happy birthday.I absolutely That of course will happen, because if there is to be accept that she and I corresponded on these matters, primary legislation, that will need proper scrutiny. and she pressed me when serving on the SNP Front Bench, but at no time was there any intention by the However, I take my hon. Friend’s point. The truth is Government to trespass on to issues that are the province that there have not been many occasions in the last of the separate Scottish legal system. In this particular 50 years or so when we have taken a close look at these instance we have the Cart process, which applies to issues. Judicial review has developed quite significantly reserved matters and which of course would apply to since the late 1970s, so most of our judges now will have Scottish courts, but I can assure the hon. and learned had some experience unless, with respect, they are extremely Lady that, if anything, we will be learning from the senior. I agree with the point that he makes. We need to Scottish jurisdiction, because I note in particular section remember that this is very much part of the Government’s 108 of the Scotland Act 1998 and its provisions with overall approach to take incremental, structured looks regard to a certain type of remedy. So once again the at aspects of our constitution to get the balance right. great jurisdictions of England, Wales and Scotland are learning from each other as part of our even greater Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: United Kingdom. This week of all weeks, when the Government are using the law to clamp down on justice seekers protesting on Tahir Ali (Birmingham, Hall Green) (Lab) [V]: The the streets, they are now using the law to clamp down on time limit to bring a judicial review claim is extremely justice seekers prosecuting their cases in the courts. short in comparison with other types of such claim. They are taking our rights, as they run roughshod over There is already a requirement for a claim to be brought the human rights of others, further exposing the hostile, promptly and within three months of the decision which authoritarian environment festering at the heart of is being challenged; any further restrictions would only Government. Will the Secretary of State publish all the make it harder for individuals to access justice. Will the submissions, including that of the Home Office, to his Lord Chancellor guarantee that he will not make time further consultation and an equality impact assessment limits for judicial review stricter than they already are? on narrowing the scope of judicial reviews? 515 Independent Review of 18 MARCH 2021 Independent Review of 516 Administrative Law Administrative Law Robert Buckland: I can forgive the hon. Lady for Robert Buckland: I can reassure the hon. Lady that in reading a stock question as she has not had a chance to fact the advice has not been disregarded by the Department, see the document. I will repeat the answer that I gave to because we are not advocating a wholesale codification the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) of the law in this area. That was a particular issue that with regard to publication. With respect, I must, however, the review looked at very carefully. It took into account take grave issue with her characterisation of the the evidence of the faculty, as it did the other evidence, Government. I am sorry, but the public order reforms and did not come to that conclusion. I will forgive her are in no way comparable to the extreme rhetoric she for making an incorrect assertion because she is yet to used. This is a codification of the law; an application of have a chance to read in depth the report, which has just well-established legal practice with regard to mobile been published. When we discuss these matters on demonstrations to those that might be static. This is another occasion, I am sure that she will accept the about balancing the right of freedom of expression point that I have made and focus on the legitimate with the rights of the rest of society to go about their issues of debate that might still exist between us. lawful business. Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn) (Con): Will the Lord Mr William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con): Can we Chancellor set out for the benefit of the House the quash this hyperbolic nonsense spouted forth in the advantages of these measures? Chamber this morning? The incidents on Saturday were because of poor enforcement of badly drafted covid Robert Buckland: For my hon. Friend and her regulations, and nothing more than that. Will the Lord constituents in Hyndburn, there will be many advantages. Chancellor take this opportunity to provide an update The options with regard to remedy actually enhance the on the constitution, democracy and rights commission? rights of individuals. Where courts in the past have had He will recall with fondness his appearance before my to make a declaration of unlawfulness without any Committee,I am sure,and he might have ample opportunity consequences, the option of having a suspended quashing now to expound further. order could allow that middle way to be achieved, where the authority concerned has an opportunity to Robert Buckland: I thank the Chair of the Public correct its behaviour in a way that will give a higher Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, degree of justice to the applicants. If these options are and I do indeed remember my appearance before it. As adopted, I can see a whole range of different approaches I explained to the Committee then, the review was one being taken that will enhance the public’s experience of distinct part of a process that I am already undertaking. judicial review applications. In January, I announced the creation of an independent review to consider the operation of the Human Rights Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con): Will my Act, chaired by Sir Peter Gross, a former Lord Justice right hon. and learned Friend confirm that the consultation of Appeal, with a diverse panel—in terms of geography process will be a truly interactive one that engages with and, indeed, opinion—across the United Kingdom and interested parties in the public discourse about these Ireland. That is part of an overall process that will proposals and ensures that not only all regions, but all result not in a commission trying to deal with all aspects nations, can truly take part in this process? but will demonstrate and reveal the Government’sapproach to rebalancing our constitution in the finest traditions Robert Buckland: I am delighted to confirm to my of what we do and what we represent in this country. hon. Friend that both he and his constituents in Bury South will have the opportunity to take part in further Marion Fellows (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) [V]: consultations. I suspect that most of the people and The Faculty of Advocates, in its evidence submission to organisations who responded so helpfully to the review the review, stated: panel’s call for evidence last autumn will indeed engage “There is no case for substantive statutory intervention in the again in this consultation. I look forward to a full and judicial review process. Such an intervention risks artificially lively debate in the weeks ahead. stymying the development of the law of judicial review”, and Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): I “judicial review does not suffer from a lack of clarity, and any thank the Lord Chancellor for his statement. I am attempt to codify it is likely to undermine the very flexibility that suspending the House for two minutes to allow the renders it effective.” arrangements to be made for the next business. Will the Lord Chancellor advise the faculty and the House why this astute advice has been disregarded by 12.22 pm his Department? Sitting suspended. 517 18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 518

Health and Social Care Update having had one. Shortly, the MHRA will be saying more on this matter, which of course it keeps under 12.24 pm constant review. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care I know the House will also want to hear some good (MattHancock):Withpermission,MadamDeputySpeaker, news from Gibraltar. Throughout the crisis, we have I would like to make a statement on the support that we provided Gibraltar with personal protective equipment, are giving to the NHS and social care to help recover testing and a sovereign guarantee for its covid spending. from the pandemic. We have also provided Gibraltar with vaccines, as we have all other British overseas territories. I am delighted Before turning to that, I want to update the House on to be able to tell the House that yesterday Gibraltar vaccine supply and the roll-out, and set out the facts, became the first nation in the world to complete its given some of the speculation that we have seen overnight. entire adult vaccination programme. I want to pay Let me set out the position absolutely straightforwardly. tribute to all Gibraltarians for their fortitude during Throughout the vaccination programme, the pace of this crisis, and the kind words of Chief Minister Fabian roll-out has always been determined by the availability Picardo, who said yesterday: of supply. As I have said in the House many times, “The United Kingdom has played a blinder on vaccinations supply is the rate-limiting factor. The process of and we have been among the beneficiaries in the British family of manufacturing vaccines is complicated and subject to nations.” unpredictability. Because we get supplies out into the I agree. field so fast, and run a highly lean delivery system, changes in future supply schedules impact on the weekly The vaccination programme has been a success thanks availability of vaccine. This has been true throughout. to a team spirit across the British family of nations. It We make public commitments to the goals we can reach has not always been easy; of course there are challenges according to our best estimates of future supply. That thrown at us in what is the biggest civilian undertaking supply goes up and down. We are currently, right now, in history, which affects every single one of us. The in the middle of some bumper weeks of supply. whole House pays tribute to those who have helped make it happen, including Emily Lawson, Kate Bingham, We have now reached the milestone of 25 million Maddy McTernan, Ruth Todd, Nikki Kanani, Professor vaccinations, within the first 100 days of roll-out, and Jonathan Van-Tam, Professor Chris Whitty, Sir Patrick we have therefore been able to open up invitations to all Vallance, Wei Shen Lim, Sarah Gilbert, Andy Pollard, people aged 50 and above. Yesterday, for example, we Pascal Soriot, my officials in the Department, colleagues delivered over half a million vaccines, and we will do so across the House, and so many others who have made again today. In April, supply is tighter than it is this this a success. month, and we have a huge number of second doses to deliver. During April, around 12 million people, including With 25 million people vaccinated and a clear road many colleagues in this House, will receive their second map out of lockdown, we are taking careful steps out of dose. These second doses cannot be delayed, as they this pandemic. Now, there are 7,218 people in hospital have to be delivered within 12 weeks of the first dose. In with covid across the UK, down from a peak of almost the last week, we have had a batch of 1.7 million doses 40,000 just seven weeks ago, the rate of hospitalisations delayed because of the need to re-test its stability. has halved in just the past 16 days, and thankfully, the Events like this are to be expected in a manufacturing rate at which people are dying has fallen by a third in endeavour of this complexity, and this shows the rigour the last week. of our safety checks. As a result, I can tell the House that we are, from We also have a delay in a scheduled arrival from the today, writing to all clinically extremely vulnerable people Serum Institute of India. I want to put on the record my to let them know that shielding will come to an end on gratitude to the Serum Institute of India for the incredible 31 March. I thank all those who have shown such work that it is doing producing vaccine, not just for us fortitude, and all those who have done so much to look in the UK but for the whole world. Its technology and after the most vulnerable. The shielding programme its capability, which has been approved by the Medicines truly has been Britain at its best—pulling together to and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency,is remarkable. help those most in need. The Serum Institute of India is producing a billion I know that colleagues in the NHS and social care are doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine this year. It beginning, cautiously, to look to the recovery ahead. I truly is a partnership that we can be proud of. I also know that everyone in this House is proud of the want to put on the record my thanks to both AstraZeneca life-saving work we have seen in hospitals across the and Pfizer, who have been remarkable partners in this country. Yet we also know that our battles against historic endeavour. covid-19 have meant that there are things that we have We have committed to targets, it is vital to say, to not been able to do, such as routine treatments and offer the vaccine to everyone aged 50 and over by operations. The challenges of covid are still with us. We 15 April and to all adults by the end of July. I can must continue to treat patients with the disease and confirm that we are on track to meet both those targets. bolster our vital mission of infection control, while also I also want to clear up some rumours that have been laying the groundwork for a recovery that gets us back circulating and give people reassurance. There will be to where we need to be. no weeks in April with no first doses. There will be no We have backed the NHS at every point in this cancelled appointments as a result of supply issues. pandemic so that it can treat patients, stay safe and save Second doses will go ahead as planned. Most importantly, lives, and I am delighted to inform the House that we the vaccine data published yesterday show the life-saving are backing it again today with a further £6.6 billion of impact of this vaccine. It is not just that the vaccines are funding for the first half of this coming financial year. safe; it is that they make you safe. You are much safer This money is in addition to the £3 billion committed at 519 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 520 the spending review last November to help the NHS 12.35 pm meet the additional costs of covid while, critically, starting Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab/Co-op): the work on the elective recovery ahead. As always, I thank the Secretary of State for advance Due to the pandemic, the waiting list for elective sight of his statement. treatment in January was almost 4.6 million, and Our constituents will be worried, anxious and 304,000 people are waiting more than a year for an disappointed at the news on vaccination last night. It operation or diagnostic. Before the pandemic, we had has been an unspeakably horrific year. We have one of reduced the number of 52-week waits—people waiting the worst death rates in the world and our economy has more than a year—from 20,000 in 2010 to 1,600. We taken a massive hit. Many key workers under the age of were in fact on track to get that number to zero before 50, such as teachers and police officers, who through the pandemic hit. This backlog of elective work is an the nature of their work are not at home, are going out inevitable consequence of the pandemic, and I know and are more exposed to risk, had been hoping that that NHS colleagues are as determined as I am to put it vaccination for them was not far away. Of course, we right. understand why there will be delays in supply, but this is We are also putting £594 million towards safe hospital not fantastic news and nor, frankly, is it expected news. discharge. Over the last year, the NHS’s existing discharge On Saturday, the Government, or Government sources programme freed up over 6,000 beds and, with them, at least, were briefing The Daily Telegraph about a the valuable time of 11,000 NHS staff. We can be “bumper boost” and that everyone over 40 would be grateful that we are seeing so many people leave hospital offered their first vaccine by Easter. Last week, the and that our discharge programme has shown the way Business Secretary was hinting that all adults could be forward, ensuring that people can get the very best of vaccinated by June, saying: care outside of our hospitals, helping them off the “There is no reason why we can’t be optimistic.” wards and into the right settings, with the right support On Monday, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire clinical at the right time. commissioning group began inviting those in their 40s for Our £500 million mental health recovery package will vaccination, and a similar invitation went out from help tackle the challenges that the pandemic has wrought Bury CCG. We are grateful for the Secretary of State’s in access to mental health services. I can also confirm update today, but it will be a surprise to many. that we will be extending enhanced discharge arrangements The Secretary of State did not mention Moderna supplies for mental health patients, getting patients safely from today. I understand that supplies from Moderna will hospital into healthy community settings, providing start in April. Is there any prospect that, if Moderna better care and freeing up thousands of beds. supplies come on stream, new appointments can be The challenge of mental ill health is so important. We offered in the light of that? all need to keep looking out for each other and doing all About 11 million people received their first dose we can to strengthen our mental health. Tackling mental between January and February. I listened carefully to ill health is a core objective of our NHS long-term plan, what the Secretary of State said. Can he clarify for the and this Government are committed to seeing mental House and our constituents: is he offering them an health treated on a par with physical health and to absolute guarantee that all those will get their second delivering on the long-needed reforms that we have dose within the 12 weeks throughout April? Our set out. constituents will be keen to get that absolutely clarified. I am equally committed to supporting the vital work The vaccination programme will need to ramp up to of our colleagues in adult social care. Last Monday, we about 3.5 million doses a week from May to ensure that reopened care homes to visitors, with a careful policy of everyone under 50 is vaccinated by mid-July. Is the a single regular visitor, who will be tested and wear Secretary of State confident that these supply issues will PPE. I know how important this is, and I know that be fixed by May? Is there any prospect of doing more colleagues will be cheered by the stories we hear each than 3.5 million jabs a week from May? We heard today day of more and more residents safely reunited with from Adam Finn of the Joint Committee on Vaccination people they love. It means everything to them. and Immunisation that infection rates may rise as a result of the delays. Does the Secretary of State anticipate I can today announce a further £341 million to that any of the stages, any of the dates, in the road map support adult social care with the costs of infection for easing out of lockdown will be pushed back, given prevention, control and testing that will make sure that that we are rightly judging the road map by data, not visits are safe for everyone. That takes the total dates? infection control fund and testing support to more than On behalf of the official Opposition, I take this £1.6 billion, alongside the free PPE that care homes opportunity to support the AstraZeneca vaccine. Of receive. course, where people are worried and have concerns, The pandemic has tested our NHS and our social those worries and concerns must be addressed, not care system like never before. That they have risen to dismissed. But this is a concern at the moment. Yesterday, meet the challenges of the past year is down to the for example, I was told that hundreds of people failed incredible dedication and hard work of colleagues—they to show for appointments at the ExCeL centre and we have our thanks. We will deliver on our commitments. think that is because of concerns and misinformation We will build 40 new hospitals. We will hire 50,000 more circulating online. nurses. We will vaccinate this country ahead of almost There are parts of the country where infection rates all others. We will back our NHS and social care as we remain relatively high and vaccination rates are relatively build back better for everyone. I commend this statement low. I see that in my Leicester South constituency. Will to the House. the Secretary of State pull together a cross-party taskforce 521 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 522

[Jonathan Ashworth] cautious about setting out future supply details, and the experience of the last 24 hours makes me even clearer of community and local leaders to look at tackling that it is far better for us to set out clear commitments these vaccine hesitancy issues? I again offer to work to the public in terms of when people can be vaccinated. with him on that on a cross-party basis. This means that all over-50s now can come forward and Children make up about 21% of the population. That that we are committed to and on target to offer to all is a large segment of the population that will be lacking over-50s and groups 1 to 9 by 15 April. immunity. Obviously, research and trials are ongoing, However, we know that supply figures move up and but does the Secretary of State have a timeline for when down. We have seen that throughout the roll-out, and it he hopes to vaccinate children? Does he anticipate, for is part of the normal management of this roll-out. The example, being able to vaccinate children this autumn, commitment I can give the right hon. Gentleman is as Anthony Fauci in the US has suggested could well that, for those who are coming forward for second happen over there? Even as vaccination rolls out, the doses, those appointments will not be delayed because virus continues to circulate, and new vaccine-evading of these supply issues. Also, appointments that are variants could emerge. We may need booster jabs in the already made will not be cancelled because of supply autumn, and the winter will be challenging, which is issues. I therefore say clearly to any member of the why driving up vaccinations across the whole of the public who is watching: the vaccination programme is population is so important. on track to meet the targets we have set out, and if you On the Budget allocations that the Secretary of State get the call from the NHS—whether you get it through has announced for the next six months, I welcome the a letter, a text, a telephone call or even, these days, an extra funding, of course, but can he guarantee that email—take up the offer and get the jab. the NHS will continue to get additional funding after The right hon. Gentleman rightly asked about the the six months if it is needed for covid care? As he has road map. We are on track for the dates in the road map, said, people are waiting longer for treatment, with more and there is no impact on the road map from the than 300,000 people waiting over a year,risking permanent changes to vaccine supply that we have been detailing in disability or loss of livelihood, and with thousands the last 24 hours. waiting too long for cancer treatment, risking loss of The right hon. Gentleman asks about the vaccination life. We should not have to choose between cancer care of children and the autumn vaccination programme. and covid care. We are also facing a mental health Neither of these is certain. The vaccination of children epidemic as a consequence of this crisis. Crucially, is currently being assessed in a number of different because of years of underfunding, bed cuts and clinical trials and it is very important that we consider understaffing, when we entered the pandemic we already the results of those before making any decision. It is had growing waiting lists, our A&Es were in crisis and likely that we will need a vaccination booster programme we were missing cancer targets. Can he tell us when he in the autumn, not least to deal with new variants, but expects to bring down those waiting lists and meet the that is again not yet certain. various cancer targets again? Finally, I am very glad that the right hon. Gentleman Finally, the Secretary of State did not mention NHS welcomed the extra funding that we are putting into the pay today. He claps NHS workers and nurses, but he is NHS. He asks whether, after six months, there will be introducing a real-terms pay cut for our NHS staff. Can more funding if needed for covid purposes. The Chancellor he tell us whether he will implement any recommendations has been absolutely clear from the start of this crisis of the independent pay review body? If it recommends that the NHS will get what it needs to deal with covid. an increase above 1%, can he assure us that the funding That is very important, as is the work to restart the will be additional to what he has announced today? In NHS in areas where it has had to be paused and, truth, if he really wants to value NHS staff, he should critically, the work that colleagues across the NHS will withdraw that pay cut now. be doing to recover the backlog of elective work and make sure that everybody can get their appointments Matt Hancock: I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s and operations in a timely way on the NHS once more. support for the vaccines, the vaccine roll-out and the That is the work of the months ahead and I look clinically-led approach that we have taken in this country, forward to supporting NHS colleagues in delivering and I mean that as more than simply a polite gesture. It on it. is vital in this country that we have such a strong cross-party consensus,which includes all parties represented Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) (Con) [V]: Was the in this House, behind the vaccine programme and behind Health Secretary as concerned as I was by the comments the science. The science means, of course, that we by former Finnish Prime Minister, Alexander Stubb, on should and we do publish any side-effects, and we are the “Today” programme this morning about the threat open and transparent about that, but also that we make by the EU Commission President to block exports to an assessment as to the benefits and how those benefits countries that were ahead in their vaccination programme? weigh against any side-effects. It is absolutely clear from He said that that was a “political reality”, irrespective the data we have seen so far that the vaccines are safe of any breach of legal contracts that it might involve. and that they make us safer than not getting vaccinated. Does my right hon. Friend not agree that it is incredibly That is an absolutely critical fact, and the MHRA will dangerous to make threats to the supplies of vaccines shortly set out more details; it is properly for the independent and components, alongside casting aspersions on their regulator to set out those details. safety at the very moment when vaccines are the only way the world is going to get out of our covid straitjacket? The right hon. Gentleman asked about supplies from Moderna. We expect supplies from Moderna in the Matt Hancock: I agree with every word that my right coming weeks, and I am grateful to Moderna for the hon. Friend said. It is vital that we all work together. work that it has done. Of course, we have always been The supply chains for the manufacture of these vaccines 523 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 524 cross borders. They are often global supply chains and by the Government in 2015, and the additional £120 million it is vital that we work together to deliver them. There is given this year to facilitate the move, will he set out the a need for that co-operation and there is, of course, a progress on and timings of the move of Public Health need for all countries to respect contract law. That is the England or its successor body to Harlow and the next basis of international trade, and I am sure that the steps on the completion of the Harlow campus, as part European Union will live up to the commitments and of our country’s programme to modernise our public statements that it has made, including President von der health science? Leyen herself, who has said that there should not be restrictions on companies when they are fulfilling Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): contractual responsibilities. Of course there should not, Before I call the Secretary of State, I wish to reiterate and we fully expect those contracts to be delivered on, that there is a dress code for people participating by because there are very significant consequences to breaking video link. We expect them to be dressed in the same contract law. way as they would be if they were in the Chamber—with One further point is that the Oxford-AstraZeneca a jacket. vaccine was developed because of UK taxpayers putting Matt Hancock: If I may say so, Madam Deputy the funding into the science, development and clinical Speaker, I think my right hon. Friend would wear that trials and because of AstraZeneca, with an incredibly tie if he were in the Chamber as well. He makes an bold and generous decision, which we fully support—but important point about the future of investment of public it was their decision—to offer this vaccine around the health. He is a great champion for Harlow, and he and I world at cost. Working with institutes such as the Serum have spoken about the Harlow project many times. As Institute of India, Oxford and AstraZeneca are providing he knows, we are reforming the way we deliver public a vaccine for the whole world. They are not taking a health, to make sure that the delivery of health security, profit from it. We are very proud of that fact, and that especially against contagious diseases, gets its own special makes this materially different from other vaccines that focus, and the vital work of health improvement, to have been developed for commercial advantage. I am improve public health in non-contagious diseases, such not against that at all, but let us celebrate what AstraZeneca as by tackling obesity. The Harlow project has been has done, and it only underlines how important it is for worked on for some time and I look forward to working everybody to work together to keep their populations with him on the next steps in that programme. safe. Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) [V]: The Secretary Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP) of State rightly paid tribute to the service and sacrifice [V]: I am grateful to the Secretary of State for advance of NHS staff over the past year. Several Conservative sight of his statement, and, of course, any additional Members joined me in speaking to nurses and Royal funding for health is always welcome, especially during College of Nursing representatives from across south-west the pandemic. However, we must ensure that it delivers London last week. The message to us was clear: they are results. A Public Accounts Committee report has found traumatised and exhausted after treating thousands of that the £22 billion UK Government test and trace severely ill covid patients, and they are insulted by the system has had “no clear impact”on coronavirus infection proposed 1% pay rise. Will he therefore follow the rates in England. Does the Secretary of State accept example of the Welsh Government and offer NHS that the NHS-led track and trace was the correct option, workers a £500 tax-free bonus as well as a real-terms not privatising public health? And will he tell us whether pay increase? he believes that Serco track and trace did not have a clear impact on coronavirus infection rates because of Matt Hancock: As the hon. Lady knows, we are in a the failings of the system, or was it because the UK’s difficult economic situation due to the pandemic, and pitiful statutory sick pay is not sufficient to support about 700,000 people have lost their jobs. As a result, people in self-isolation to stay safe and save lives? we have implemented a pay freeze across the public sector, for all but the lowest-paid workers and NHS Matt Hancock: People across Scotland who were staff. As she knows, the independent pay review body is listening to that will recognise that political point scoring looking at this point, but, like her, I bow to no one in my is the opposite of what is needed right now and that admiration for the work of staff across the NHS. They instead the UK Government are delivering for people have worked incredibly hard and have done a huge across Scotland the benefits of this United Kingdom amount to help people through this pandemic. She is working together. Instead of making arguments for absolutely right to say that we must support them, constitutional meddling and separation, we are delivering especially in getting rest and recuperation after this for people. We are delivering vaccines into arms. We are latest peak, because we also have work ahead of us to delivering a testing system that works for people across make sure we can deal with the consequences of covid, the whole of the UK. Crucially, we are also delivering including the backlogs for which I announced the financial that enormous economic support package to businesses support to crack through today. and individuals alike. All of this is possible only because of our great United Kingdom, and I am glad that the Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con) [V]: I thank people of Scotland increasingly recognise that. my right hon. Friend for his statement. The roll-out of the vaccine has been truly impressive and undoubtedly Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con) [V]: I welcome my led to some heightened expectations. From experience, I right hon. Friend’s statement and pay tribute to him for recognise that the supply letter from NHS England to the vaccine programme, along with everyone else in the the system was not actually unusual. Does my right NHS. Given the £200 million already spent on the move hon. Friend agree that there is a possibility that an of Public Health England to Harlow, first announced equally appropriate phrase for the current supply fluctuation 525 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 526

[Stephen Hammond] Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): Before I call Mick Whitley, I just say that we have might be “expected level” rather than “constrained”? 22 Members to get through and something like 26 minutes May I ask him to allay the fears of the people of to do that, so we need to be brisk. Wimbledon and the UK and confirm that he expects supply levels to be in line with expectations over the Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab) [V]: Care home next few months and that no target dates for vaccinations workers have made enormous sacrifices over the past will be missed? year to keep their residents safe, and they continue to work on the frontlines of the pandemic. Will the Secretary Matt Hancock: I can absolutely give that assurance. of State inform the House of what he is doing to My hon. Friend is quite right, and he brings his experience increase uptake of the covid vaccine among care home as an incredibly impressive Health Minister to bear. It is staff and whether high-risk care home staff who have absolutely standard to tell the system what our future come forward for vaccination in April will be able to get expectations are, but they are expectations, and we are their first dose? always clear that supply is lumpy. We have set out clear Matt Hancock: Yes, absolutely. The hon. Gentleman commitments to the public, and those commitments is quite right and I totally agree with him. Anybody that come either from me or the Prime Minister are the who works in an elderly care home should come forward ones that we will meet, and we manage this enormous now for a vaccine if they have not had it. We are programme in order to deliver them as best we can. working incredibly hard to try to make those vaccines as accessible as possible. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I, too, thank the Secretary of State for his continued updates on these Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell) (Con) [V]: Thanks issues in the Chamber. As a type 2 diabetic who lost to the work of the Secretary of State and his team, I four stone when I was diagnosed with diabetes some represent a constituency where most over-50s have had 13 years ago, I have come to understand the importance their first jab, where there are now very few covid of a healthy weight. My specific concern on reported patients in local hospitals, and where the rate of infections vaccine supply is that the overweight, who are ostensibly is very low and still falling. But I also represent a more vulnerable to coronavirus, must have access to constituency where hospitality businesses are going bust the vaccine. Can the Minister confirm that shipments to right now, because they cannot hang on any longer. Northern Ireland will continue as scheduled and, Given that the Secretary of State says that outdoor further, that clinical priority will continue to be given to settings are very low risk, why do covid-secure hospitality those with a high body mass index, despite the alleged businesses with table service in outdoor settings still shortage? have to wait another month to reopen, when the data shows pretty clearly that it would be pretty fine for them Matt Hancock: Yes. People listening to the news over to reopen now? the past 24 hours might be surprised to hear this, but there are no changes to the prioritisation and no changes Matt Hancock: We have set out the road map based to planned appointments. People will be called forward on clinical advice. I am delighted to say that, because of as previously proposed and in the order previously the success of the vaccination programme so far, we are proposed, including with the addition of opening up able to proceed down that road map. invitations to those who are 50 and above. The vaccines will be delivered by the NHS across the whole of the Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab) [V]: I start United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland, where by giving my unreserved support to the NHS for the I work extremely closely with my counterpart. massively successful roll-out of the vaccine programme, but can the Secretary of State assure the House today Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con): The vaccine roll-out that, given the unpredictability of supply, all of those has been a tremendous success. Just 100 days after the due their second dose will receive it within the specified first jab, we have vaccinated 25 million people. In front 12-week time period? of the Science and Technology Committee yesterday, Matt Hancock: Yes. Dominic Cummings made reference to the vaccine roll-out and criticised civil servants in the Department of Health John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con) [V]: Many and Social Care. Will the Secretary of State outline the congratulations to the Secretary of State and his team decision-making process that led to the vaccine taskforce on the vaccine roll-out. It shows the success of collaboration and the most successful vaccine roll-out in the world? between Government, business and universities, and the beneficial side effect of more high-quality jobs and Matt Hancock: Absolutely.The thing about the vaccine more self-reliant and productive capacity in the UK, roll-out, the vaccine delivery, the purchase of vaccines which I hope we will follow in other areas. Can he give and the scientific research into vaccines is that the us a brief update on progress with finding new treatments whole thing has been a massive team effort, and I for covid-19 and applying existing drugs? thanked some people in my opening statement who have been involved. They have worked incredibly hard Matt Hancock: I highly, 100%, wholeheartedly agree together as one big team. That is the attitude that we with my right hon. Friend. The model that we established take, and that is one of the reasons why this programme in the vaccines taskforce—of the holy trinity of business, has been successful. In particular,I emphasise my gratitude academia and civil service colleagues working together to officials in the Department of Health and Social as one team—was learned from reforms from his time Care, who have worked incredibly hard and very, very in government. It has worked incredibly well, and I effectively at making this happen. think will do as well in the future. 527 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 528

We also apply that approach to therapeutics, and one Dr Luke Evans (Bosworth) (Con) [V]: The Secretary of the reasons, alongside the NHS, why we are the only of State will know from his appearances before the country in the world that has participated in the discovery Health and Social Care Committee that we are concerned of all the current therapeutics is our use of that approach. about how the backlog is dealt with, so it is great that he Obviously we are driving it further, and I would be very is taking such a proactive stance to deal with it. He set happy to discuss it with my right hon. Friend. out in his statement just how big the backlog for elective surgeries is going to be. The question from Bosworth is: Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab) [V]: One of the how long does he estimate it will take to clear the gravest threats posed by covid is its potential to create a elective-surgeries backlog that has built up? cancer epidemic. I recently co-ordinated a cross-party letter to the Secretary of State in support of an urgently Matt Hancock: I am currently working with the NHS needed £50 million refurbishment plan for Sheffield’s to answer that question, which is a characteristically Weston Park cancer centre. I urge the Secretary of State acute one from my hon. Friend. We are not yet able to to give serious consideration to the proposal, which answer it simply because the pace at which we can would ensure that patients across South Yorkshire and return activity to full, normal levels is not yet clear Bassetlaw received the best possible treatment. because the main barrier to that recovery is a combination of infection, prevention and control and the need for Matt Hancock: I have seen the letter and I am looking staff to get some R and R. We will know more in the into what we can do. Because of the crisis the need to coming weeks and months. tackle cancer is more urgent but there is also more hope, Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD) [V]: and the hope is that the underlying technology behind There was no mention of cancer in the Secretary of some of the vaccine—the so-called mRNA technology— State’s statement, nor a single penny in the Budget to also has the potential to improve cancer-fighting technology boost cancer services, despite the fact that Macmillan radically. So we propose and plan to support very Cancer Support’s figures show the need to increase all significantly work on that, in order to find further cancer services by 10% for a solid 15 months, starting breakthroughs in cancer treatment. I would be very now, to clear the cancer backlog. happy to talk to the hon. Gentleman—and indeed you, Macmillan also says that there are 37,000 people with Madam Deputy Speaker—about the proposal for South cancer who are not even in the system yet. Given the Yorkshire. scale of this crisis, will the Secretary of State agree to set out an urgent, ambitious and funded plan to catch up Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) (Con) [V]: Given the with cancer, so that tens of thousands of people do not sterling success of the vaccination roll-out in North unnecessarily lose their lives? Norfolk, where on recent numbers we had vaccinated the second-highest number of people by constituency Matt Hancock: The need to catch up on the backlog population in the whole country, can my right hon. is there across all elective operations and of course that Friend assure my constituents that despite the recent includes those for cancer. The good news is that the supply news, the vast majority of them will see no NHS has worked incredibly hard, especially in this interruption to their being given their first and second second peak, to make sure that cancer services have doses in the roll-out programme? remained working and effective as much as possible. Some cancer services have in fact delivered more than Matt Hancock: Yes. their normal pre-pandemic levels of care. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that we have to make sure Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: that any backlog is reduced—that is a critical part of The Secretary of State knows that I sometimes what I have been talking about today. criticise him but I sometimes pat him on the back. I want to pat him on the back for much of what he has Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con) [V]: done. Yesterday’s evidence from a Select Committee The vaccine roll-out has been incredibly successful, but just shows that he did not always get the support that he we have now come up against a bit of a hiccup with the needed from No. 10, and from Dominic Cummings in AstraZeneca vaccine. Europe does not seem to be too particular. keen on using that vaccine; could we not use its vaccines? I want to see a level playing field—whether it is in Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Pfizer Harlow, Richmond or Huddersfield. There is some vaccine will be available for not just second jabs but first resistance to getting the vaccine in some of our urban jabs in April? centres. I can assure him that I will work with him, and Matt Hancock: My hon. Friend has put her finger on we all will work across the House, to make sure that a certain irony in two different positions that our European people know it is so vital to get the vaccine, wherever friends are taking at the same time. The best thing to say they live. I hope we can have a good PR effort, working is that I hope that, following the MHRA’s statement together to do that. later today and consideration by the European Medicines Agency, we can get the vaccine going everywhere, because Matt Hancock: I am a pretty collegiate kind of guy the data are really very clear that it saves lives, as the and I generally see the best in people, and I see the best European Medicines Agency itself has said throughout in the hon. Gentleman. One thing that I have really past couple of weeks. It is important to follow the enjoyed about the vaccine roll-out is that it has been a science on this one. totally cross-party effort and people have really leaned into getting the message out. I look forward to working Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) (Lab) [V]: I with the hon. Gentleman—my hon. Friend, certainly thank all those in Warrington involved in the vaccine today—on his suggestion. roll-out, including our NHS and community vaccine 529 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 530

[Charlotte Nichols] Matt Hancock: The hon. Member is quite right to raise that; it is an incredibly important subject. Of centres, GPs and primary care networks, pharmacists course, those with disabilities have been recognised and volunteers. While I patiently await my jab as a where they have clinical priority for a vaccine, as have 29-year-old, I have been heartened by the progress their carers, according to clinical advice. Part of the made so far in getting our community vaccinated. £500 million of mental health funding that I mentioned Can the Secretary of State reassure the House that if in my statement will go towards further strengthening high-risk people in the top categories come forward for children’s mental health services, with the goal that their first dose of the vaccine, they will not be prevented mental and physical health are treated with parity, as of from receiving it as a result of anticipated delays to course they should be. delivery? Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con): The United Kingdom’s vaccination programme has been among the Matt Hancock: That is absolutely our goal. The hon. most successful in the world right from the point at Member is 29; I am 42. The fact is that we have to which the Government took the decision to fund the vaccinate an awful lot of people of our age to save the scientists who made it all possible. With these constraints same amount of lives as vaccinating just one octogenarian. on supply, is the Secretary of State still confident that We will take this time to loop back and find as many we can follow our road map to release, which is so people in the most vulnerable cohorts as possible. That important to so many families and businesses across the is the way to save as many lives as possible and reduce country? pressure on hospitals as much as possible. I hope that she will bear with, in the same way that I am having to Matt Hancock: Yes. We did fund the science from the bear with, until we are able then to open up vaccinations— start, and we worked collegiately to make that happen. I first for those in their 40s, then those in their 30s, and can confirm that there is no impact on the road map finally the youngsters. timetable from the news on supply, because we remain on track in terms of the targets that we have set out. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Kettering-born Professor Sarah Gilbert of Oxford University, who has Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) (Lab) [V]: If there led the team that developed the Oxford-AstraZeneca are indeed issues with vaccine supply, it does not vaccine, attended Kettering High School for Girls, which make sense that countless manufacturers across the is now Southfield School, in the 1970s. It was at that world are unable to produce covid-19 vaccines, treatments, school that she first decided she wanted to work in diagnostics and other health technologies because of medical research. intellectual property restrictions and pharmaceutical As Sarah is a heroine of the town, her name is today monopolies that prevent open technology sharing. Will being added in a mayoral ceremony to Kettering’s historic the Government now commit to supporting a waiver of timeline in the marketplace, which commemorates key covid-19-related patents at the World Trade Organisation, milestones, achievements and famous local people. Will or is artificially limiting vaccine supply official Government the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Sarah policy? on that thoroughly well-deserved accolade from her home town, praising her outstanding work and recognising Matt Hancock: I am very happy to provide the hon. her as a role model for young people everywhere who Lady with a briefing, because she should be very proud want to enter a worthwhile career in science? of her country. AstraZeneca is providing the Oxford vaccine free of charge—it is not charging for any intellectual property rights—right around the world. That is not Matt Hancock: I am sure the whole House will agree true, as she implies, for all the vaccine companies, but with every single word that my hon. Friend said. They she should be really, really proud of ours. say that success has many fathers, and Kettering has discovered another extraordinary daughter in the vaccine Simon Fell (Barrow and Furness) (Con) [V]: I was roll-out. Sarah Gilbert worked on the Ebola vaccine listening to the excellent “Covid Confidential” podcast before this one and has played a role in saving many, on the BBC and was surprised and delighted to find out many thousands of lives over her career in medical that when the various vaccines were nearing production research. I have no doubt that she will save many, many they were named after submarines built in my constituency, more in the future. We all salute her work, and we salute so may I first thank my right hon. Friend for his choice her attitude and her team work too, because that is one of names? Secondly, not to labour this analogy, a good of the characteristics that has made it possible to deliver defence rests on having a good range of options, and these vaccines so fast. Kate Bingham recently said that not having monoclonal antibodies as part of our defence is the gap in our Dr Lisa Cameron (East Kilbride, Strathaven and armour, so can my right hon. Friend give an update on Lesmahagow) (SNP) [V]: As chair of the all-party where his Department is on this? parliamentary group on disability, I have been hearing heartbreaking accounts of the disproportionate effect Matt Hancock: Yes, this is an incredibly important that the pandemic has had on disabled people across the subject and we are working very hard on it with clinical United Kingdom. According to a survey conducted by leads and external experts. I said earlier that success has the Family Fund, 93% of families said that coronavirus many fathers, and I am sure that the people of Barrow had negatively affected disabled or seriously ill children’s are very proud of their role in making sure that we mental health. What crucial steps are the Government could keep what needed to be kept confidential confidential. taking to support the mental health and wellbeing of We have now had to change all those names, because children and adults with disabilities? everybody knows about it. 531 Health and Social Care Update18 MARCH 2021 Health and Social Care Update 532

Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab) [V]: GP prioritised public health here in the UK both in respect surgeries have been crucial to the roll-out of the vaccine, of the approvals given for vaccines and the dosing and I pay tribute to all those involved. However, many regimens they subsequently recommended? of my constituents are concerned that the Centene Corporation, a massive American health insurance firm, Matt Hancock: Yes, my hon. Friend puts it has just taken over dozens of GP surgeries in London, characteristically well. It is very important to take all including Brondesbury and Swiss Cottage GP hubs in considerations into account when making decisions like Hampstead and Kilburn and others in Camden. Does these. Of course, the precautionary principle is important, the Secretary of State share their concern that this but when there are such huge benefits to vaccination, appears to have taken place with no meaningful public over-precaution is a mistake. We have to take overall scrutiny, and their concerns about the increasing public health into account. involvement of US healthcare corporations in our health system? Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab) [V]: The Salford system has delivered the covid vaccine in an Matt Hancock: No. unprecedented way. Everyone from cohorts 1 to 9 has been invited at least once—some three or four times—and Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con) [V]: I understand that, even with the vaccine shortage and Given the link between covid deaths and obesity, does guaranteed second doses factored in, we will run out of the Secretary of State share my concern that children people in cohorts 1 to 9 to give our current vaccine from the poorest constituencies are being the most supply to. Will the Secretary of State authorise Salford heavily targeted by social media junk food adverts, and to proceed to cohorts 10, 11 and 12 and begin to that over half of the top UK child influencers on prioritise the vulnerable members in those age groups, Instagram have promoted junk food in the last year? so that we can maximise the doses we have? Will he meet some of the young people from Bite Back 2030, who are concerned about this? Matt Hancock: No. What everybody in Salford and around the country needs to do is make sure that Matt Hancock: I would be very happy to ensure that every last effort is made to reach every last person in the children of Bite Back 2030 meet the Minister for groups 1 to 9, because they are the most vulnerable. public health, my hon. Friend the Member for Bury Only in exceptional circumstances should people under St Edmunds (Jo Churchill), who leads on these matters, the age of 50 who are not in groups 1 to 9 be invited for and my hon. Friend is right to raise that incredibly vaccination. The message is incredibly clear and I speak important point. very directly to the whole team, including in Salford: please put all your efforts in the forthcoming weeks into Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab): Almost as soon as the delivering vaccines for groups 1 to 9. Secretary of State sat down yesterday after his statement, I was contacted by a constituent who is shielding and is Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con) [V]: As I am very concerned that shielding will now end on 31 March, over 50, I will get my Oxford-AstraZeneca jab later but he has not had his second jab. Will the Secretary of today at my local Honley village vaccination centre, State be issuing guidelines on what those people should which has now delivered over 10,000 vaccinations. Will do, as my constituent is asking? the Health and Social Care Secretary join me in thanking our wonderful local NHS, the pharmacy involved and Matt Hancock: Yes, absolutely, and we will be writing all the volunteers there, and confirm once again that we to all those who are shielding to set out the details so are still on track to vaccinate all over-50s and deliver the that they get a personal copy of those guidelines. What second doses as planned? I would say is that the rates of covid now are much lower than when we paused shielding in the past, so this Matt Hancock: Yes, absolutely. It is wonderful to see is not just because of the vaccination programme—which the joy on my hon. Friend’s face in anticipation of his of course has benefited many people who are shielding, jab. I hope that he gets the opportunity to change into a and we know that the first dose brings huge safety and short-sleeved shirt, because some colleagues have benefit already—but is also because the rates of covid inadvertently had to undo an awful lot of buttons in are so much lower. order to be vaccinated. Although I imagine that some of their more enthusiastic constituents may have enjoyed Aaron Bell (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Con) [V]: On the sight, I think it is best if we gents wear a short-sleeved behalf of their citizens, who need to be vaccinated and shirt so that we do not have to bear our hairy chests. who need to see their economies reopened, I have to say I am personally in despair at the short-sighted decisions Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): I taken by many European countries and what seems to thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I will be their absurd misapplication of the precautionary suspend the House for approximately three minutes to principle. I am sure my right hon. Friend would wish to make the necessary arrangements for the next business. be diplomatic, so will he join me in praising what we are doing, and the MHRA and the JCVI for their sensible 1.22 pm and proportionate decision making, which has always Sitting suspended. 533 18 MARCH 2021 Data Transparency and 534 Accountability: Covid-19 Data Transparency and Accountability: The report considers public communications and, Covid-19 while recognising that the Downing Street press briefings have been an important exercise in gaining some democratic consent, it is not without criticism for both the use of SELECT COMMITTEE ON reasonable worst-case scenarios and sometimes poorly PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND presented data. The report notes that some data presentation CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS appears to be have been impacted by political considerations. Select Committee statement The Committee is very clear in its view that statistics should be used for the purpose of genuinely informing Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): We the public and that open and honest communication now come to the Select Committee statement. William builds trust, even when, on occasion, the Government Wragg will speak for up to 10 minutes during which no have, for whatever reason, fallen short of their promises. interventions may be made or taken. At the conclusion If I were minded to deploy Disraeli’s quote about of his statement, I will call Members to put questions statistics, this would be the point at which to do so. on the subject of the statement and call William Wragg The first principle of the UK Statistics Authority to respond to them in turn. I should say that the code of practice is trustworthiness. questions should be brief so that the Chair can answer It states that data should be presented “impartially and them succinctly. I am sure that all right hon. and hon. objectively”. It is, I am afraid, evident that Ministers Members are aware that there are two very well-subscribed have not always lived up to the expectations of the UK debates to follow. I call the Chair of the Public Statistics Authority code of practice. Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, William Wragg. The report finds that creating a sense of anxiety—for example, through quoting large numbers—could be 1.26 pm counterproductive in the effort to encourage behaviour change, because, to quote from one of our expert witnesses, Mr William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con): It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to present to the “inducing fear leads people to turn away and to turn off.” House the latest report of the Public Administration On the other hand, being open and honest, and and Constitutional Affairs Committee. I thank the communicating uncertainties in data, builds trust, and Backbench Business Committee for accommodating us trust is central to the social contract between Government in today’s proceedings. May I also place on record my and the people. thanks to fellow members of the Committee for their While SAGE has certainly become prominent in the work during this inquiry on Government transparency past year, the report notes that it might not be well and accountability during covid-19: the data underpinning understood by the public, and it is questionable how decisions? We are also indebted to the Committee staff helpful some public statements by individual members for their hard work, particularly Claire Hardy, who has have been. The 2012 SAGE guidance from the Cabinet been with us this past year on secondment from the Office states that SAGE members should be provided National Audit Office with “clear guidance on confidentiality”, but it is unclear Tobe clear,this report does not critique the Government’s if this had happened. The Committee recommends that decisions, but asks important questions about how the ministerial code should be strengthened to require transparent those decisions were and whether the data Ministers to abide by the UK Statistics Authority code are available for parliamentarians and, indeed, the public, of practice. When Ministers or senior officials quote to hold them to account. The report also examines statistics, underlying data must be published. Some whether data were shared with local leaders for the expectations should be laid out about the appropriate purpose of informing the response to the pandemic. As way for SAGE advisers to communicate publicly. we say in the report, data transparency is not just a Perhaps the most concerning aspect of our inquiry moral issue, but integral to the success of the response is that the Committee struggled to establish who the to the pandemic. Transparency builds trust and trust Government see as accountable for ensuring that decisions aids compliance with the rules. are underpinned by data. For example, the Chancellor It is important to acknowledge properly the progress of the Duchy of Lancaster passed questions and letters to date.The Government have amassed enormous amounts from me to the Department of Health and Social Care of data from a standing start, making much of it on issues that must have included wider considerations available to the public, including on the covid-19 dashboard beyond health. It is not acceptable to pass apparent and through surveys by the Office for National Statistics, responsibility for decisions between the Cabinet Office including the infection survey. The report pays tribute and the Department of Health and Social Care when so to the hard work of public servants involved at all levels much is at stake. Lines of accountability must be clear in this huge endeavour. and decision making must be transparent. Of course, However,although the report welcomes the publication while only the Prime Minister can be accountable for of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies minutes, key decisions such as the lockdown, it is the Committee’s which we called for in a letter to the Prime Minister last view that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster May, it also states that publication needs to be more should be accountable for ensuring that these decisions consistent and timelier. It is worth noting that SAGE are informed by data through Covid O and as part of minutes have been published, on average, 49 days after the co-ordinated response. the meeting, with some significantly longer gaps. For Wewere disappointed that the Chancellor of the Duchy example, a SAGE meeting that took place on 30 July of Lancaster declined to appear before the Committee 2020 did not see its minutes published until 134 days on this specific inquiry and sent junior Ministers in his later, on 11 December. place to answer questions on these specific matters. 535 Data Transparency and 18 MARCH 2021 Data Transparency and 536 Accountability: Covid-19 Accountability: Covid-19 Unfortunately, the Ministers sent before us were not The February road map contains dates, but not much able to answer many of our questions. Both Ministers in the way of data. Wording such as who appeared stated that they were not involved in the “vaccine deployment programme continues successfully” decision-making process, and our report questions why is not sufficient, as success is not defined. Although they were sent to the Committee, given that both the evidence on the safety of hospitality venues was far Cabinet Office and the Department of Health and from conclusive, the report states that the Government Social Care were alerted to the themes of the questions were “not clear” on the evidence underpinning the prior to the session. The ability of Select Committees to decision to close hospitality in higher tiers. Fundamentally, hold Ministers to account for decisions is a vital part of if the Government are asking businesses to close—risking our democratic process. This is particularly true at a jobs,livelihoods and the very survival of those businesses—it time when the country is facing the toughest possible must be clear why this should happen, and the evidence restrictions on our freedoms and when detailed scrutiny outlined demonstrates that the lack of clear communication of the Government’s decisions has not always been of any evidence that does exist to underpin the decisions possible in the timeframes required. has created frustration and mistrust. In May 2020, the Committee heard from the national The Cabinet Office must outline the range of data statistician that responding to the next stage of the and information it will use to lift the current lockdown. pandemic would require more localised data. The report The priority must be a clear and consistent framework. criticises a national “by default” approach to data that The Government should provide links from road map included local leaders not receiving data in sufficient indicators to local authority level data. They must detail early enough. There was a reluctance from Whitehall publish thresholds aligned to the road map, and they to share granular data despite requests by directors of should publish the data justifying restrictions that will public health. New systems were set up outside existing remain in place on businesses at each step of that road systems, so data could not flow easily. Indeed, initially, map. I commend the report to the House. test and trace data was being collected in spreadsheets. The consequences of this approach were manifold and Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab) [V]: The Chair of included interoperability issues, problems with data sharing the Committee referred to our evidence about data sharing and extraction of data, and concerns or, indeed, mistrust locally and the Government’s decision to set up new about data quality.Toquote the president of the Association organisations. The British Medical Association said: of Directors of Public Health, “Our devastating mortality figures could in part be a result of the failure of the Government to…share data”. “if we had had all the data we have now in July or earlier, we With rates still variable across the country, how does the would have had a stronger response to the epidemic.” hon. Member think we can ensure that the Government We also heard that existing health data systems were learn those lessons—to include and trust local experts—as fragmented. Data that is key to decision making on the we come out of lockdown? road map should be shared immediately, ahead of the potential renewal of the Coronavirus Act 2020 next Mr Wragg: I thank the hon. Lady for her assiduous week. The Government should publish a comprehensive work as a member of the Committee and her significant list of what data is actually available. The Department input to this particular inquiry. of Health and Social Care, with support from the UK In answer to her question, I suspect that the overriding Statistics Authority, should undertake an urgent review concern for some in Whitehall and NHS England was of health data systems in England. Ministers who appeared that the ideas were not necessarily invented by them, before our Committee were unable to provide answers and they were therefore mistrustful of them. It is vital to the most basic of these questions as it was evident that existing local expertise and infrastructure should that neither of them had been involved in the decision be called on to the fullest amount—more than it has making. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster General been in recent times. directed the question of the first lockdown to the Health Minister when clearly the Department of Health could Nicola Richards (West Bromwich East) (Con) [V]: I not have made decisions that involved much wider congratulate my hon. Friend on his Committee’s report, considerations such as the economy. which has an emphasis on the availability of data to the public, and highlights the confusion caused when the There was not a consistent framework in place for specific data underpinning decisions is not easily available tiering decisions. There were five tests in June 2020, five online. The Government have done very well on this in indicators in November 2020, and now there is a road the last few months, but does he agree that, further to map with four tests.Indicators have not had data thresholds, making this data readily available, honesty about the which has created confusion. It was hard to find data uncertainty contained in the data is key to maintaining under the indicators, and “pressure on the NHS” was public trust? not well defined. On 19 December, 26 local authorities were put into tier 4, in spite of having infection rates at Mr Wragg: My hon. Friend highlights an important the same range as areas in tier 2. In October, local point of our report, which is the need to be clear, open leaders told us that they were not informed about and honest about uncertainties. We can all be guilty of decisions prior to them being announced, and could not wishing to have answers to every single question—perhaps prepare communications and reassurance for local like me at the moment—but in being able to express communities. In the midst of opaque decision making, uncertainty and show that candour,public trust is enhanced. there developed a sense of confusion and mistrust, and it quickly became apparent that some areas had been Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab) [V]: I have met placed in higher tiers than neighbouring areas with hospitality and creative arts businesses in Luton South worse infection rates. to discuss how the pandemic has impacted their operations. 537 Data Transparency and 18 MARCH 2021 Data Transparency and 538 Accountability: Covid-19 Accountability: Covid-19 [Rachel Hopkins] Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con) [V]: I thank my hon. Friend for his statement, and I add my thanks to the Many were frustrated that the Government were not staff who helped to prepare this report. The report publishing the information being used, by whom it was acknowledges that the presentation of data has improved, being used and how it was being used to inform decisions but does my hon. Friend agree that there is much more that placed restrictions on their operations. This damaged work for the Government to do in this area, and that their trust in Government decision making. Does the that improvement will not only improve confidence in Chair of the Committee agree that the timely publication the data itself but is critical to improving confidence in of all the data used to make decisions on the road map future Government decisions that are data-based? and restrictions, along with clear reasons why, will help to rebuild trust with businesses and enable them to Mr Wragg: I thank my hon. Friend for his question better plan their transition out of restrictions? and, indeed, for his work on the Committee; I have had the pleasure to serve alongside him. He is entirely right. Mr Wragg: I thank the hon. Lady for her hard work I think the purpose of his question was to suggest the on the Committee and particularly on this report. She strengthening of the ministerial code, with the UK will be aware of a case that is possibly going before the Statistics Authority code of practice being integrated courts on that matter, which is to do with the opening with it, so that Ministers who are accountable to this on 12 April of non-essential retail, but not of hospitality. House and, through us, the wider public are always I agree with the thrust of her question, and I suggest mindful of their duty and obligation to be accurate that the Government publish the evidence that hospitality when they bring data to bear in support of their arguments. venues are not covid-secure, given that many have spent many thousands of pounds in making themselves so. Jeff Smith (Mawnchester, Withington) (Lab) [V]: I, too, thank the Chair and the Committee for their report, Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con) and welcome the acknowledgement of the difficulties [V]: I welcome this report and the excellent work done for the hospitality sector as a result of the failure to by my hon. Friend. As someone who studied mathematics provide data in support of measures such as the 10 pm at university, I know that evidence-based decision making curfew and the substantial meal requirement. I agree is always the right thing. Will my hon. Friend confirm with his earlier answer that hospitality needs the data that he agrees that businesses such as pubs up and down informing the ruling to stay closed. Does he agree that, my constituency of South West Herts, including the when the Government carry out their events research Penn, the Akeman in Tring and the Greyhound in programme this summer to decide how nightclubs and Aldbury, deserve the evidence and rationale for why festivals can reopen, they must publish the data and the they are not able to reopen yet, despite the significant evidence, so that the industry and the public can have costly measures they have put in place? confidence in those decisions? Mr Wragg: I certainly thank my hon. Friend, and I Mr Wragg: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. take his question as an early invitation to visit those He and I in some respects have always been engaged in excellent establishments with him when restrictions and the joint endeavour of ensuring that Greater Manchester, time allow. From the answer that I gave to the hon. throughout the tiering decisions, was dealt with slightly Member for Luton South (Rachel Hopkins), he will more favourably than it was. But I agree with him on the know that I have expressed the view that that data and study to which he refers: all of that evidence and data the justification should be published if those excellent should be published. hostelries cannot reopen on 12 April. Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab): I thank the hon. Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP) [V]: I am not a Gentleman for his statement and for the Committee’s member of the Committee, but I commend the Chair work in producing this very alarming report. Does he and all the members and staff of the Committee for this know why the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster very thorough report. did not appear before the Committee during its inquiry, The Chair of the Committee has called for a despite the Committee’s expectation that he would do strengthening of the ministerial code. In paragraph 98 so? What measures will be taken to get commitments of the report, there is a very serious charge that a senior from the Government that Ministers will be more open member of the Cabinet has been contemptuous of and attend in future? Parliament through their unwillingness to co-operate Does the hon. Gentleman know the reasons behind with this inquiry.Has the Committee considered whether the Government’s unwillingness to share data with local the arrangements for enforcing the ministerial code are authorities and local contacts that is reported in his fit for purpose? For example, has the hon. Gentleman report? Does he agree with my Opposition colleagues considered the practice in the Scottish Parliament by that that seriously hindered the ability of local government which the Parliament can consider a motion of no and local authorities to control the virus? Finally, does confidence in individual Ministers as well as in the he agree that the continued lack of transparency reported Government as a whole? Does he believe that it would here, and of clarity on how the Cabinet Office is making be beneficial to introduce that in the United Kingdom decisions on covid and who is making these decisions, is Parliament? hindering, not helping, our response to the virus?

Mr Wragg: The hon. Gentleman invites me to speculate Mr Wragg: I thank the hon. Lady for her questions. I about whom I would bring before this House on such a hope that the publication of this report can serve as a charge. Our report sought merely to remind Ministers reminder to all Ministers that, when they are invited that a friendly invitation from a Select Committee should to attend a Select Committee for a particular inquiry be readily accepted, rather than avoided. purpose, rather than for a general session, their first 539 Data Transparency and 18 MARCH 2021 540 Accountability: Covid-19 response should be to accept that invitation. If there are Point of Order any problems, they should, of course, use the usual channels to communicate those concerns. But I would hope that some of the stern words in this report will serve as a useful reminder to all Ministers that they have 1.58 pm the obligation and are accountable to this House. While Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP): On a point of we do not have government by Parliament, we have order, Mr Deputy Speaker. My point of order relates to parliamentary government and that should be sufficiently the debate held by the right hon. Member for Haltemprice understood by them. In answer to her other questions, and Howden (Mr Davis) on Tuesday evening on the particularly on the hesitancy, if I may put it that way, to Scottish civil service. In that debate, he used parliamentary share all available data at local levels, I am reassured privilege to make a number of points. Privilege obviously that much of that has been put right, although there allows Members to say a number of things, but it may be some more to do. On the latter point, it is a remains important that, when these things are said, hypothetical question, if I may daringly accuse her of what Members say is accurate and correct. that, but I think that that will undoubtedly have had a negative effect, certainly on the early actions to respond The right hon. Member made three specific points to the pandemic. that I would contest. First, he made reference to messages between specific members of SNP staff where Mr Salmond Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con): I thank my has claimed there was a conspiracy. It is my clear hon. Friend the Chairman of the Select Committee for understanding that the Scottish Parliament Committee his statement and welcome his Committee’s report. On has received all the communications between the named the tiering decisions, many times in this Chamber we members of staff because it has used the powers it has were pledged a consultation process, but it seems that to get them, and the Committee has been widely reported the word “consultation” was a very loose one. In fact, as dismissing them as irrelevant and not showing any we were essentially told, without any prior information, form of conspiracy. without prior engagement and without any of the data. Secondly, the right hon. Member made reference to a Could he advise us as to the Committee’s view on this message from an individual in HR claiming interference process and whether it had any recommendations on by the First Minister’s chief of staff, and suggested that how it could be improved, if the need arose? this showed the First Minister’s chief of staff had knowledge of complaints against Mr Salmond earlier Mr Wragg: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I than she had said. However,Rape Crisis Scotland yesterday have always been dubious of the word “consultation” issued a statement from the civil servant involved stating when expressed by anybody as a means of kicking that this was things into the long grass. What is, and what was required was the publication of data thresholds so that “fundamentally untrue and are being deliberately misrepresented”, areas could judge for themselves objectively why those that they had not shared the details of the complaint, tiering decisions were necessary. As we go forward with the complainer, or who was being complained about, the road map, the publication of the data thresholds and the chief of staff’s actions were in line with their that mean that decisions are taken is vital. wishes. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I thank the Finally, the right hon. Member claimed that civil Chairman of the Select Committee for answering the servants had deliberately removed a document from the questions of hon. and right hon. Members. We are now court. This is untrue.Let me quote the Scottish Government going to suspend for three minutes. statement that was issued last night: “The assertions made by David Davis are wrong—this 1.49 pm document was not withheld, it was provided to the Court on Sitting suspended. 21 November 2018.” All that was accidentally redacted was one email address, not a document, and this is clear in the published documents. The right hon. Member is right that the Scottish Parliament Committee needs to get to the truth of this matter in order that mistakes are not repeated and that women are not let down in the future, but clearly this will not happen if serious allegations are made without checking the veracity of them first. In response to the Scottish Government’s comments last night, the right hon. Member appears to have taken to social media this morning to try to move the goalposts, but he has notably not sought to defend his earlier accusations.He claimed in a newspaper interview yesterday that he was very careful with what he said in the Chamber on Tuesday evening. However, it would appear that he was not quite careful enough. Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek your advice on what options are available to me and to the right hon. Member to ensure that the parliamentary record can be corrected. 541 Point of Order 18 MARCH 2021 542 [Owen Thompson] Backbench Business Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I thank the Sri Lanka hon. Member for his point of order and for giving the Chair advance notice of it. I know that he also gave Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): It may be the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden helpful to inform the House that this debate is likely to (Mr Davis) notice that he was going to make this point run until about 3.45 pm. of order. I have listened carefully to what he has had to say, and I am sure that, in saying that, he believes some 2.2 pm of the comments made by the right hon. Gentleman Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): I were untrue, but he is not saying that anybody has beg to move, deliberately misled the House and I am grateful for an That this House notes with concern the reports of a systematic acknowledgement of that. It is not for me to comment attack in Sri Lanka on democratic governance, the rule of law on the accuracy of comments made by the right hon. and human rights including renewed discrimination against the Gentleman in that Adjournment debate or by the hon. Tamil and Muslim communities; is profoundly concerned that the Member in this point of order, but the Speaker has Sri Lankan Government has refused to investigate accusations of war crimes including by key members of the current government made it absolutely clear that if any Member needs to and has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council Resolution correct the record, they should do so at the earliest 30/1; welcomes the significant leadership role played by successive opportunity. The hon. Gentleman has put his points on UK Governments at the Human Rights Council and urges the record, and I think we should leave it there. Government to provide clear policy direction and leadership to ensure a new substantive resolution is passed at the upcoming Council session in March 2021 that will enable continued monitoring by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and mandate a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyse evidence of violations for future investigations and prosecutions; and calls upon the Government to develop a consistent and coherent policy to assist the Sri Lankan people through its trade, investment and aid programmes, and in its diplomatic and military relations. I begin by thanking the Backbench Business Committee for approving this debate and the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Ed Davey) and the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn) for co-sponsoring it. I proudly declare my interest as the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Tamils. For 12 long years since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, I have stood alongside my Tamil constituents on the road to truth, justice and accountability. Those 12 years have presented them with so many challenges, so little progress and so much pain. The images of the final days of the civil war are scarred on my memory. No one who saw them could possibly forget them, and the mass violation of human rights left a stain of injustice on Sri Lanka. The world looked away, but today we will not. I shall introduce today’s debate by running through a decade-long quest for justice. I will continue with the last UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka—a resolution that the country itself disappointingly withdrew from—and I will finish by highlighting the urgent need to strengthen the new resolution on the table in Geneva, because the measure of success for global Britain comes not just in rhetoric but in the actions that we take on the international stage, particularly in the face of international justice. But first, the history. In 2009, in the final few months of Sri Lanka’s civil war, tens of thousands of civilians lost their lives. We all remember the horror of the Mullivaikkal massacre, the most recent peak of genocidal killings against the Tamil people committed by the Sri Lankan state. The current Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, was President and his brother Gotabaya, the current President, was Defence Secretary. They are the present-day link to the atrocities of the past. The bombing of the Government-designated no-fire zone, where Tamil civilians took refuge, is as utterly horrifying today as it was 12 years ago, as are the findings of experts that Government forces even systematically shelled hospitals. 543 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 544

Amnesty International estimates that, since the 1980s, cannot point to a veto as an excuse for our inaction. We there have been at least 60,000 and as many as 100,000 cases must ensure a coherent approach to aid, trade and of enforced disappearance in Sri Lanka, the vast majority diplomatic and military engagement with Sri Lanka, from the Tamil community. These figures illustrate the consistent with the international obligations to human scale of the suffering, the uncertainty surrounding the rights. That is long overdue. facts and the urgent need for resolution. Members will Let me turn to the present day. Human rights are have heard of the horror of rape, torture and murder under attack in Sri Lanka again, with President Rajapaksa used during the civil war, the stories of the mass violation waging a campaign of war. Many of those who face of women’srights—stories that brought the UN Committee serious wartime abuse allegations have been appointed on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to senior Government positions.Members of the Rajapaksa to urge investigations into sexual violence. They are family hold nine ministerial roles, including seven Cabinet stories we could never forget, but, to this day, no one posts, and manage almost a quarter of the budget. It is has been held accountable for international crimes that total control. President Rajapaksa even pardoned one have led many to accuse the Sri Lankan Government of of the few members of the security forces to be convicted genocide against the Tamil community. of human rights violations, Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake. The pursuit of justice must now move decisively That was unsurprising, given his stated determination forward with more sincerity from the international to protect so-called war heroes during the presidential community.The Human Rights Council meeting happening campaign. now provides the perfect opportunity. Before turning to The intimidation is perhaps best demonstrated by the today’sresolution, it is important to consider the resolution demolition of the Mullivaikkal memorial at Jaffna that came before. Passed in 2015, with the consensus of University in January. That same month, the damning Sri Lanka, it promised the establishment of a process of report of the UN High Commissioner for Human justice, accountability, reform and reconciliation, but Rights warned that Sri Lanka was on an six years on, Sri Lanka has made it clear that it has “alarming path towards recurrence of grave human rights violations”, absolutely no intention of pursuing prosecutions or and called on the UN Human Rights Council to take legal redress for war crimes. Its withdrawal from the strong action to promote accountability and reconciliation. process altogether could not have spelled this out more This is not just about the human rights of Tamils: the clearly. The little progress made has been rolled right Rajapaksa Government even insisted on the forced back. The ongoing Human Rights Council meeting is cremation of those who died from coronavirus, thereby our chance to finally secure progress, making it clear disregarding the religious beliefs of the Christian and that a country cannot fail to fulfil international Muslim communities in the country. The ongoing attack commitments. To do so risks undermining the credibility on human rights is undeniable. As we are a penholder to of the council as a mechanism of accountability. the UN resolution, the world will watch closely the I turn to the current resolution, to which the UK is a strength of our response. penholder. Disappointingly, it falls short. First, there is no recommendation to pursue criminal accountability I look around the Chamber and, unless I am mistaken, by referral to the International Criminal Court. I could I cannot see the Foreign Secretary. Perhaps I should not barely believe my eyes reading the Government’sreasoning, be surprised; he repeatedly declined to meet the APPG citing “insufficient…Security Council support”. Who for Tamils in the build-up to the UN Human Rights are we to cast the veto for China or Russia before they Council meeting. I ask the Minister, with all due respect: have done so themselves? Our role on the international where is the Foreign Secretary? The Foreign Secretary stage must be to send the loudest message that impunity under the Labour Government personally flew to Sri Lanka will not be tolerated, not to pre-empt the inaction of at the end of the civil war to press for a ceasefire. The other nations. Foreign Secretary’s absence not only today but in the months leading up to the Human Rights Council meeting Secondly, there is a clear need for an international, will be felt strongly by the Tamil community. impartial and independent mechanism to investigate the most serious international crimes. The Minister may Before I conclude, let me turn to the Tamil community. point to resolution operative paragraph 6, but can he There are half a million Tamils throughout the UK. confirm whether preparation of files to facilitate criminal They are a hard-working, respectful and dedicated proceedings will be carried out in accordance with community who have my utmost respect. We owe a debt international criminal law standards? The resolution of thanks to the huge number of Tamils who are must be absolutely clear about the requirement to establish working tirelessly on the frontline of our NHS. I sincerely a IIIM to investigate allegations of war crimes, secure thank them and say loud and clear that however long evidence, identify perpetrators and prosecute those the road to reconciliation may still be, we will keep responsible. The High Commissioner for Human Rights fighting for justice and human rights until they are should continue to monitor and report on human rights achieved. in Sri Lanka, providing recommendations to ensure 2.12 pm justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. To rely, as the Foreign Office argues, on the Sri Lankan Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con) Government to investigate and prosecute all allegations [V]: I thank the Backbench Business Committee for of gross human rights violations is simply unrealistic, scheduling this debate and my constituency neighbour, falling far short of our moral responsibility. the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain Thirdly, why have we not applied sanctions against McDonagh), for opening it so well. those credibly accused of gross human rights violations? As chair of the APPG for Tamils, who are the largest The US has designated General Silva and his immediate ethnic minority group in Carshalton and Wallington, I family over his role in extrajudicial killing of Tamils. It am especially pleased to speak in this debate to urge the is an immediate step that we could take and the Minister Government to do all they can to secure peace and 545 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 546

[Elliot Colburn] of the conflict by allegations that the army committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the accountability in Sri Lanka. I thank colleagues from all final phase of the civil war. parties who have worked with me on the APPG this A UN panel of experts reported in April 2011 that past year,and the Tamils from Carshalton and Wallington, there were credible allegations of those crimes by both the United Kingdom and around the world who have Government and Tamil Tiger forces. It remains my been in touch with us and shared their stories. opinion that both sides were at fault. However, I regret In the short time I have, which is not nearly enough to the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw cover everything, I will try to get straight to the point. support for UNHRC resolution 30/1 and note that Six years ago, the UK Government paved the way in previous domestic initiatives have failed to deliver addressing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka and meaningful accountability.I therefore urge the Sri Lankan successfully pushed for UN resolutions to pursue Government to engage in a process that has the confidence accountability and reconciliation on the island. The of all on the island. Sri Lankan Government at the time signed up to those But it would be remiss to state that the current UN resolutions, but since then Sri Lanka has sadly Sri Lankan Government have failed to act. The Office withdrawn its support for them, and the evidence collected on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations are by the APPG in its many evidence sessions this past to be retained and strengthened, so that communities year have painted a very worrying picture of the situation may build trust. It will be good to see reform of the on the ground. Prevention of Terrorism Act and progress on the release As the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden outlined, of political prisoners. We must act as a critical friend to recent infringements on human rights have been on the the country. We need to help strengthen democratic rise. Those have included the forced cremations of covid-19 institutions, and we must trust Sri Lanka to develop its victims, regardless of their religious beliefs, causing own judicial and non-judicial mechanisms. grief and anguish to Sri Lankan Christians, Muslims Since the end of the conflict, reconciliation has occurred and others. The police criminal investigation department between Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities. People has been repeatedly visiting members of advocacy groups are able to live wherever they wish. They benefit from on the island who are campaigning for justice following state resources, such as free education and health services. the disappearance of their family members during the war. Private land that was occupied by the military has been The terrorism investigation department has been returned, former conflict areas have been de-mined with increasing state surveillance culture, especially in the assistance from the United Kingdom, and more than north, Tamil-populated part of the island. The state- 12,000 ex-LTTE— Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam— supported demolition of a Tamil memorial monument cadres have been rehabilitated. There is a greater connectivity at Jaffna University and attempts to prevent Tamil throughout the island and globally, and all of this has memorial events from taking place at all have been transformed the business sector and the lives of everyone causing anguish among the community,occupying private in the country. land in the name of security and so much more. But we should remember that resolution and It is clear that there is no scope at the present time for accountability are not a panacea for addressing underlying a domestic accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka, so tensions. Questions about how to address the legacy of the UK must once again demonstrate its global leadership the Sri Lankan conflict must be answered: what kind of on this issue and support an international accountability justice is attainable? How should the victims of violations mechanism. The initial zero draft resolution published be treated in the process? What might punishment look by the UK in February and presented to the UN like, and how can justice play a constructive role in Human Rights Council fell well short of providing the forging a lasting peace? action that was needed. Draft legislation for a truth and reconciliation After efforts from Tamils in the UK and abroad, commission had been prepared under the previous campaign groups and the APPG, subsequent drafts of Sri Lankan Government, and that could be revisited. If the resolution have included a requirement to collect it gains universal support in Sri Lanka, truth seeking evidence on human rights abuses, rather than just looking among all stakeholders, including the diaspora in many of at what is already there, and acknowledged for the first our communities and constituencies, could make a lasting time that Tamils have been particularly victim to worsening difference. When these issues have been resolved, a human rights abuses on the island. I welcome those sustainable and acceptable peace will endure. Given the changes, but I urge the FCDO to listen to the calls we good will between our two countries, I ask the Minister: are making today. how can the UK help to facilitate a TRC mechanism So much more needs to be done, so we must act now, that is unique to the needs of Sri Lanka? before the conclusion of the UNHRC session at the end of the month, to ensure that there is a true international Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): It may help accountability mechanism in place. Only then can we those who are participating, both remotely and physically, hope to bring about truth, justice, reconciliation and to know that the wind-ups will begin no later than accountability for all in Sri Lanka, as well as for the 3.21 pm. Anne McLaughlin will have six minutes, both Tamil diaspora—not just in Carshalton and Wallington, Stephen Kinnock and Nigel Adams will have eight minutes, but across the world. and then we will go back over to Siobhain McDonagh for two minutes at the very end. I hope that is useful. 2.16 pm Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con) [V]: I start by 2.20 pm highlightingmychairmanshipof theall-partyparliamentary Dawn Butler (Brent Central) (Lab) [V]: I thank my group on Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s relationship with the hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden rest of the world has been strongly shaped since the end (Siobhain McDonagh) for her warm and powerful opening 547 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 548 of the debate, and for securing it along with the hon. What action are the Government taking to prevent Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn) future cycles of violence and to promote autonomy for and the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, as forecast in the (Ed Davey). latest UN report? In 2014, the UK led the international Ambihai Selvakumar, also known lovingly as Ambi, efforts that successfully passed a key resolution in the is a director of the International Centre for the Prevention UN Human Rights Council to promote accountability, of Genocide. Ambi was on hunger strike recently in justice and reconciliation. In 2015, Sri Lanka agreed to Kenton in Brent, in order to highlight the current co-sponsor a resolution to promote accountability, justice injustices in Sri Lanka. In her own words, Ambi’s and reconciliation, but despite that pledge and repeated campaign is a demand for extensions to their deadlines by the UN Human Rights “justice for the genocide of Tamils carried out by the Sri Lankan Council members, successive Sri Lankan Governments state.” have delayed and obfuscated at every turn. In 2019 Sri Lanka unilaterally withdrew from the resolution, Ambi’s protest sparked a number of solidarity hunger walking away from its international obligations. The strikes across the north-east. Sri Lankan Government have repeatedly reneged on When he gets to his feet, I hope the Minister will their pledges to investigate and prosecute wartime atrocity address Ambi’s four demands. The first is to recommend crimes. to the United Nations Security Council and the UN Now is the time for strong international action, led General Assembly that Sri Lanka be referred to the by the UK once again, to secure justice for the Tamil International Criminal Court and to take steps to effectively community, recognition of the genocide and a proper investigate charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity accountability mechanism. In February,tens of thousands and genocide. The second is to establish an international of people joined one of the largest rallies in the Tamil independent investigative mechanism akin to those homeland since the end of armed conflict in 2009. They established for Syria and Myanmar, which mandate marched for five days, from the east to the north of the that the evidence of international crimes and human island, calling for justice. That same month, 500 British rights violations be collected and prepared for criminal Tamil organisations wrote to our Secretary of State for prosecutions.She also states that a meaningful independent Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs,seeking investigation must also have a strict timeframe. an independent mechanism for evidence collection and The third recommendation is to mandate the Office the referral of Sri Lanka to the International Criminal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Court. Rights to appoint a special rapporteur to continue to Twelve long years have passed. I urge the Minister to monitor Sri Lanka for ongoing violations and to have listen to the Tamil community here in the UK and in Sri an on-field presence in Sri Lanka. The last recommendation Lanka, to recognise the genocide, secure justice for the is for a UN-monitored referendum to determine the Tamil community by taking on board the recommendation aspirations of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, on the of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and basis that the north-east of Sri Lanka is the traditional refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court. Tamil homeland, and the Tamils have a right to self- determination. I hope that the Minister will address Ambi’s demands when he gets to his feet. 2.26 pm Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD): I thank the 2.22 pm hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) for leading this debate. I am proud to have Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con) [V]: I declare an interest: worked with her for many years on the APPG, standing in October 2020, the British Tamil Conservatives made up for justice and human rights for Tamil people. Over a donation to the Harlow Constituency Conservative those years, we witnessed time and again Tamil people Association. being harmed by the Sri Lankan Government and let It is estimated that between 40,000 and 70,000 civilians down by the international community. were killed in the final five months of the Sri Lankan Human rights are again under attack in Sri Lanka. conflict. At the end of the war, in 2009, some 280,000 Recent reports from numerous human rights organisations, Tamils remained incarcerated for years in camps surrounded as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human by barbed wire, with thousands of enforced or involuntarily Rights, paint a disturbing picture. From the appalling disappearances. Their relatives continue to search for treatment of Sri Lanka’s Muslim and Christian their whereabouts and for justice. Twelve years on communities during covid, when the Sri Lankan from the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, little Government for months prevented burials of their dead progress has been made to secure justice and in the traditional manner, to the continuing human autonomy for the Tamil community. Still there is no real rights abuses against the Tamil population across the accountability. island, things are getting worse, as the international The Sri Lankan state continues to target the Tamil community wrings its hands. people in all aspects of their lives through surveillance, It is clear that domestic mechanisms for accountability denying them their livelihoods, physical security,education, in Sri Lanka have failed again in recent years; they economicsecurity,culture,healthcare,freedomof expression cannot be relied on. An international mechanism has and freedom of worship. In February, the United Nations always been needed to enable allegations of genocide, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, war crimes and human rights abuses to be properly issued a report expressing deep concern at the situation examined and investigated. Many of us had campaigned in Sri Lanka. She said that there are for such a mechanism for nearly 12 years since the end “clear early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation of the civil war. Eventually, at the United Nations and a significantly heightened risk of future violations”. Human Rights Council, the Sri Lankan Government 549 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 550

[Ed Davey] past crimes being repeated. Not one of the individual cases identified by the UN as emblematic has led to a signed up to a mechanism, albeit one involving significant successful prosecution. In one of the few cases where compromise by those of us who felt it did not go far a member of the military was convicted for murdering a enough, and who did not trust the Sri Lankan Government Tamil, President Rajapaksa chose to issue a pardon. to deliver. Some of those implicated in war crimes have even been Sadly, time has proven us right. The Sri Lankans did appointed to senior positions. More than 40 civil society not deliver on any of the promises made to the international institutions have reported harassment and surveillance. community and then, last March, walked away totally. Reporters Without Borders points to “an alarming It is clear that the Sri Lankan Government will continue resurgence” in attacks on Tamil journalists. The Office to deny, to delay and to evade. That is why we urgently of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights need a new international solution. continues to receive credible allegations of abductions, The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council torture and gender-based violence by security forces. is currently under way, giving the UK the opportunity The Prevention of Terrorism Act is still used to detain to demand accountability in Sri Lanka, but regrettably people, years after the Sri Lankan state promised to the draft resolution on Sri Lanka totally fails to rise to repeal it. the challenge, even though the UK is a leader of the Driven forward by David Cameron’s Government core group. As it stands, the draft resolution is too after his historic visit to Jaffna—the first by a major vague and lacks a robust commitment to international world leader—much hope centred on UNHRCresolutions accountability mechanisms. Section 6 is simply far too 30/1 and 40/1. That Conservative-led Government played weak. That is why Liberal Democrats continue to call a crucial role in securing those very significant resolutions. on the UK Government to work with international Ministers and officials under this present Conservative partners to ensure a proper international, independent Government continue to lead efforts to secure a tough investigative mechanism to establish what is happening new resolution at the UNHRC session under way as we in Sri Lanka. There must be a robust international speak in Geneva. Welcome progress has been made on mechanism that ensures that evidence can be collected that resolution, but the international community needs and files can be prepared for prosecution. to match words with deeds. If it does not, this new resolution could run into the sand, like the previous The British Tamil community is growing frustrated at ones. the lack of meaningful progress in finding justice, and I share that frustration. It is time for the UK to undertake I call on the Minister today; it is time for the UK bilateral actions to push for accountability. I have long Government to use their Magnitsky sanctions regime to called for an end to arms exports to Sri Lanka. For target the men the UN believes are culpable for the Sri Lanka to be listed as a human rights priority country atrocities that took place during the Sri Lankan civil in the Foreign Office’s own recent annual human rights war. That is one of the key asks of my British Tamil report is preposterous, and arms exports are still not constituents. I believe that could finally help break the banned. The Government should look at Magnitsky-style deadlock and open the way for justice for Tamils and a sanctions against individuals involved in perpetrating better future for Sri Lanka. human rights abuses. The truth is that Sri Lanka is part of the global 2.33 pm struggle between the US and China. It is part of the Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab): I express geopolitics of our world, and it is time that democratic my gratitude to the Backbench Business Committee, countries worked together to support the democratic my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden and human rights of the Tamil people and stopped (Siobhain McDonagh) and all hon. Members involved allowing the Sri Lankan Government to become for ensuring that time is given to this very important increasingly under the influence of Beijing. It is time we debate. stood up for the human rights of the Tamil people. Many people in my Slough constituency have a direct interest in reconciliation, accountability and human 2.30 pm rights in Sri Lanka because of their own links to the Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con): I draw nation, because they have friends and family there or attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ because they are concerned about human rights. I had Financial Interests regarding a visit I made almost the pleasure of visiting this beautiful country and therefore exactly a year ago to the United Nations Human Rights appreciate fully the huge potential it has to succeed and Council in Geneva to make the case for justice for the prosper on the global stage. However, since the end of Tamil people. the tragic civil war in 2009, there has, sadly, not been the Terrible crimes were committed during the conflict in construction of robust human rights institutions and Sri Lanka. Over a decade later, as we have heard today, legal frameworks needed. Attempts at truth and human rights abuses against Tamils persist. In a deeply reconciliation have been unsatisfactory, especially the worrying report in January, the UN High Commissioner withdrawal by the Sri Lankan Government from UNHRC for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, highlights resolution 30/1. There must be commitment on all sides “the accelerating militarisation of civilian governmental functions, to transparency, honesty and a willingness to show reversal of important constitutional safeguards, political obstruction contrition. of accountability, exclusionary rhetoric, intimidation of civil The Tamil community, victims of violence and their society”. families must feel that their voices are being heard. This Domestic initiatives to secure accountability for war has not, sadly, been the case thus far in Sri Lanka. In crimes have failed to produce results, and Ms Bachelet the limited time available and without repeating what fears that this entrenched impunity could contribute to other hon. Members have mentioned, I want to address 551 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 552 one very specific abuse of human rights. It is an issue of My constituent, Ambihai Selvakumar, who has been huge concern to Sri Lankan Muslims, Christians and referred to earlier, lives in Kenton in Harrow and has other faith communities, and one which I raised earlier been on hunger strike in her bid to seek justice for the this month with the Minister for Asia—the forced cremation Tamil people. I hope that her campaign will be successful, of those who have died from coronavirus. but I caution her that her life is more important at the As the House will know, cremation of a human body moment than ensuring that we get the British Government is forbidden in some religions, including Islam. The and others around the world to shift their views. Holy Koran sanctifies the human body as made by God I commend the Amnesty International report, which and forbids cremation because it contends that human highlights the abuses that minority religions experience remains must return to the earth. However, widespread in Sri Lanka. I commend as well the report by Real reports indicate that the Sri Lankan authorities have Other, which put together the position in Sri Lanka. It been cremating all covid-19 victims, regardless of religion. took 32 days writing the report and it draws attention The Sri Lankan Government’schief epidemiologist claimed not just to the forced cremation issues, but to the other that burials would “contaminate ground drinking water”. suffering that the Muslim minority are experiencing in There is absolutely no medical or scientific basis for Sri Lanka right now. We should remember that all sorts this. The World Health Organisation has made it clear of atrocities are being inflicted on the minority Muslims that human remains can be safely buried without risk of across Sri Lanka. spreading covid-19 and across the world, including The reality is that deeply religious persecution is right here in the UK, countries have safely buried the going on in Sri Lanka, where there is a big majority of bodies of those who, tragically, have died from this Buddhists against all the minority religions. Recently, I virus. led a virtual delegation to the UNHRC on behalf of While reports indicate that these measures are being COSMOS and drew to the council’sattention the atrocities reversed, albeit not to full satisfaction yet, this has been being visited on the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka. It is seen by many in the broader context of the oppression key that the resolutions of the Human Rights Council of minorities in Sri Lanka, including Hindus, Muslims, are strengthened. When my hon. Friend the Minister Christians,Tamils and others.From listening to constituents, rises, I urge him to give a deep commitment to ensuring especially those worshipping at the Masjid al-Jannah, that we act as a country to strengthen the resolutions Slough, and the Council of Sri Lankan Muslim and to make people,particularly the leadership in Sri Lanka, Organisations UK, as a vice-chair of the all-party face up to their responsibilities and ensure that religious parliamentary group for Sri Lankan Muslims, I appreciate persecution ends and that minority rights are protected. their deep pain and legitimate concerns. After all, that is one of our fundamental areas of When the war ended after 25 years of death and international concern and I hope that we will be leading destruction, we had hope for a lasting peace for every the way rather than following. citizen of Sri Lanka. We had hope for the rule of law and universal human rights. Recent events show that we 2.41 pm still have a long way to go, and our UK Government Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): First, let me must step up to the plate on the international stage and congratulate the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden impress upon the Sri Lankan Government the need to (Siobhain McDonagh) on setting the scene so well and respect universal human rights and the critical need to with such passion. I applaud her commitment to the follow the path of accountability,justice and reconciliation. cause. I register my interest as chair of the all-party group 2.37 pm for international freedom of religion or belief. I am sure Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: I congratulate that I speak for all members of that group when I stress the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain the concern that we feel about the Sri Lankan Government’s McDonagh) on leading the debate, and it is a pleasure withdrawal from their commitment to reconciliation, to follow the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi), with accountability and human rights. whose remarks I agree wholeheartedly. I declare my I am also very concerned about the treatment of interest as an officer of both the all-party parliamentary religious or belief communities in Sri Lanka. The UN groups on Tamils and on Sri Lanka, and as chair of the special rapporteur for freedom of religion or belief, all-party parliamentary group for the Council of Sri Lankan Dr Ahmed Shaheed, visited Sri Lanka and noted the Muslim Organisations UK. frequent reports of acts of intolerance and the failure of The reality is that Sri Lanka was blighted and torn the state to protect individuals and communities targeted apart by a terrible, bloody civil war. Twelve years on by such hostility. Dr Shaheed also said that the Muslim from it ending, there are still many people who are communities and new Christian churches faced harassment unaccounted for. We do not know what happened to and assaults that include interruption and damage to them: whether they were killed, they are in graves places of worship, physical assault on clergy, intimidation, somewhere or they dispersed around the world. Nine mob violence, restricting the use of places of worship, years ago, I joined others in visiting Sri Lanka, ahead of the obstruction of religious rights, incitement to violence the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, and many, many other acts of intolerance. Indeed, since and I saw at first hand the work that was being done in the beginning of 2015 to the end of June 2019, the Jaffna. That heralded the visit by former Prime Minister National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka David Cameron, which was a deeply historic visit. I saw has documented an estimated 387 attacks or violations at first hand the mine clearances going on and also the targeting Christians specifically. clearance of areas for fishing, so that the Tamil people When it comes to Muslims in Sri Lanka, according to could return to being able to farm and to fish for their CSW, religious intolerance towards that community own population and for exports. predates the 2019 Easter bombings. Many propagators 553 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 554

[Jim Shannon] very stark reminder of the turmoil that that country has experienced. Although I am in no doubt that there were of hate speech towards Muslims play on the economic sometimes dreadful deeds on both sides of the civil war, factors. Anti-Muslim rumours are also a regular feature it is the plight of the Tamil community in particular of life on Sri Lankan social media. that rightly attracts international concern. I remember Since the bombings, Sri Lankan Muslims have faced that concern taking David Cameron to Jaffna when he an upsurge in violations of their basic rights, as well as was Prime Minister, and it is rightly shared by politicians assaults and, indeed, other abuse.This lack of accountability across the House today. that abusers and perpetrators of violence face in Sri Lanka There can be no winners from the racial strife that has been raised by many different communities to the continues to dog Sri Lanka; nor is it easy to see how special rapporteur. The authorities have shown an that strife can end without accountability for what unwillingness to protect communities against threats happened and genuine efforts for reconciliation between and acts of violence. We must also look at the legal the two communities. I know from my constituency and basis of all this, as the Sri Lankan Government constitution the Tamil community that lives and worships here how declares: strong the sense of resentment and anger still is among “Buddhism shall be given the foremost place by the State.” that community, and how real and strong the concerns In 2003, a Supreme Court ruling determined that the are for surviving relatives still in Sri Lanka. Many of my state was constitutionally required to protect only constituents lost relatives during the civil war, and many Buddhism. This gross violation of human rights puts still fear for relatives in today’s Sri Lanka, where it is into law the Government’s refusal to treat all religious clear that pressures on the Tamil community have not or belief communities fairly. They should all be treated gone away. It is a tragedy. the same. I also represent members of the Sinhalese community, Sri Lanka is also not responsive to violence and who live and work in my constituency and play an abuse against women. Women who experience religious important part, for example, in our NHS. Those hostility,including violence, displacement and stereotyping, communities should be able, back in Sri Lanka, to find do not receive attention or redress. Women also experience a way of living alongside each other in peace and gender-specific hate speech and human rights violations. friendship. Unless that can eventually happen, there will Moreover, women’s human rights activists appear to be be no long-term stability for the country. I welcome the at risk from fundamentalist members of their own UK’s move to lead the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, religious communities. which would provide a framework for continued Like others, I am concerned about the Government international engagement on human rights and post-conflict forcing cremation on Muslims, Christians and those of accountability. It calls on the Government of Sri Lanka other ethnic groups. I believe that is against the human to investigate and prosecute all allegations of gross rights of every member of those religions. It is based on human rights violations and serious violations of absolutely no scientific and medical evidence, and it is a international law. It highlights concerns about the human cause of great concern. rights situation, including the protection of Tamils. Those things are the minimum necessary to start Sri Lanka I want those in a position of power to be made back on the road to justice and stability. accountable for their war crimes by being brought to court and having their assets taken away, and through We have heard quite a bit this afternoon about the travel bans. The influence of hate speech, legal hunger strike by Ms Selvakumar here in the UK to discrimination and impunity for violent actors will serve highlight the need for action in Sri Lanka. Whether or only to cause more conflict and violence in Sri Lanka in not we support the approach that she took—I happen the long run. to agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) about the importance of her I always like to quote a Scripture text. I do that in all life—the fact that she chose to do that serves to underline these debates because it is important to do so. Galatians the frustration of the Tamil community about how chapter 6, verse 2 urges this of every one of us: much still has to be done. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It is my hope that the Sri Lankan Government are listening to this debate and the cross-party contributions, I believe that the people of Sri Lanka are crying out for because this is an issue that unites Members on both that very help. I urge the Minister, for the sake of every sides of the House. I hope they will be provoked to community in Sri Lanka, to use all channels available to think about their future and what is in the interest of him to encourage his Sri Lankan counterparts to commit their country. In the end, no Government succeed by to UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and to failing to respect the rights of all their citizens. In the the protection of freedom of religion or belief for all. end, the damage to their international reputation bleeds We are here to speak up for those who have no voice. through to their economy and all other aspects of their interaction with the world. 2.45 pm It really is time now for the Government in Colombo Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell) (Con) [V]: I to act in their national interest, to recognise the deep congratulate not just the hon. Member for Mitcham international concern about what has happened and and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) but a collection of what is still happening, and to put things right once and near neighbours of mine to the north on securing this for all. Unless there is justice in Sri Lanka for everyone, debate. and justice for all members of the Tamil community, I have a vivid memory of being in Sri Lanka a few that potentially great country will never in reality be years ago as war planes passed overhead, heading in the able to fulfil its potential; and without justice, its reputation direction of the Tamil areas of the country. That was a in the world will remain seriously tarnished. 555 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 556

2.49 pm In February 2020, the US State Department designated Sam Tarry (Ilford South) (Lab): I thank my hon. General Silva under the Department of State, Foreign Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations McDonagh) for securing this debate, which is so important Act, 2020, banning him and his immediate family to so many people in Ilford—both north and south. from entry into the United States. Various civil rights groups and NGOs have expressed their concerns It is now 12 years since the end of the armed conflict that £6.3 million of UK taxpayers’ money has recently in Sri Lanka, and the latest UN report on the country’s been spent on supporting security reform in Sri Lanka. human rights situation paints an extremely worrying This has only enabled Sri Lankan security forces to picture. Since 2019, the situation in Sri Lanka has advance antagonistic activities, including accelerated rapidly deteriorated to widespread reports of torture destruction of places of worship and cultural heritage, and oppression, the reintroduction of the death penalty and, as I have already mentioned, the terrible events at for certain drug offences, antagonistic behaviour such the memorial at the University of Jaffna. Indeed, there as the demolition of the Mullivaikkal memorial at the are further reports, widely, of torture and oppression by University of Jaffna, and the appointment of military state actors. officials such as General Silva to positions of authority. This is all deeply troubling to people across Ilford. Thousands of members of the Sri Lankan Tamil community in my constituency are deeply concerned In 2015, the UN Office of the High Commissioner about this. They want to see this Government put for Human Rights completed a thorough investigation human rights at the centre of our foreign policy and any into the abuses by all parties in the Sri Lankan armed future dealings with the Sri Lankan Government, working conflict, mandated by UN Human Rights Council towards a political solution that includes the self- resolution. It found strong and corroborated evidence determination of the Tamil people on the island of that the 58th Division, led by Shavendra Silva, had Sri Lanka. extrajudicially executed surrendering soldiers and shelled marked civilian hospitals. The Sri Lankan Government recently passed the 20th amendment to the constitution, 2.54 pm which is seen by many as a significant challenge to Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con): I congratulate the democratic governance. The amendment, which has hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain been opposed by civil society and religious leaders, McDonagh) on securing this debate and on her work in removes all checks on the power of the executive President. raising this matter both in this Chamber and in Westminster Campaign groups say that this also further undermines Hall debates. It is a pleasure to be able to take part. I the judiciary’s independence by allowing the President also associate myself with the words of my right hon. complete control of senior judicial appointments. In the Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Theresa Villiers) UN Human Rights Commissioner’s latest report, she in relation to the Magnitsky Act and making sure that said that she is we use its full potential to ensure that we can bring to “deeply concerned about the increased use of ethno-nationalistic justice people who are committing human rights violations. and majoritarian rhetoric and symbols by the President and other As ever, it is a pleasure to be in the same debate as the senior Government figures”, hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), and I and warned of a return to violence. She also called for a appreciate what he said. referral to the International Criminal Court and targeted sanctionsagainstSriLankanofficialsfoundincontravention As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the of human rights. preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative, I would like to address how we could use the PSVI to tackle Despite these troubling reports, the UK Government some of the human rights violations and abuses that have recently provided several million pounds in security have been identified by so many Members. As many assistance to Sri Lanka, to aid training and capacity have said, the progress that has been made since 2009 building of the Sri Lankan police and security forces. In has been incredibly limited. In fact, the Sri Lankan 2019, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced Government’s decision to reverse their position is of another three-year programme under its conflict, stability grave concern. and security fund, totalling £3 million; this would include supporting police development and strengthening the In recent weeks and months, we have heard the defence relationship.I urge the Government, as I previously Foreign Secretary talk about the need for the UNHCR have in this House, to publish the overseas security and to restore its reputation to make sure that it acts on justice assistance assessment of the financial support human rights violations. I would say that we, too, can for activities under this programme, because I and the do well to listen to that advice.The international community, people of Ilford South want to be confident that we are at a point at which it is fractured and divided, could not supporting human rights violations. again become united and stand together in addressing the violations of human rights of countries around the Let us be clear: the Labour party is committed to world, and Sri Lanka would be a good place to start. defending the rule of law and human rights across the world. It is troubling that the Foreign Secretary was A recent report from the UN states that there continue recently recorded saying that the UK could pursue to be trade deals with Governments who commit human “credible allegations,through well-known human rights organizations, rights abuses. Does that include the Sri Lankan of abductions, torture and sexual violence by Sri Lankan security Government? It is deeply concerning that the Government forces since the adoption of Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, are yet to implement Magnitsky sanctions against members including during the past year”. of the Sri Lankan Government who are found to be The preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative was complicit in serious human rights abuses, and makes set up on the basis of helping those who, as its name the UK an outlier among its allies. says, have endured sexual violence in conflict and crisis 557 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 558

[Anthony Mangnall] these families will ever know real accountability from officials responsible via the domestic justice system in zones. The UK, when it set it up in 2012 and 2014, was Sri Lanka, the independence of which has been severely able to engage international co-operation to be able to compromised by the Rajapaksa Administration. ensure not only that resolutions in the UN could pass, However, that does not mean we are without options but that documentation could be provided of crimes to defend the human rights of Sri Lankan citizens. The that are going on across the globe, that survivors could US applied sanctions on army commander Silva for his be supported, and that potential prosecutions in future complicity in human rights abuses in February last year. years could be delivered. If the organisations that are The UK should immediately follow suit, in designating currently set up are failing to deliver that, I suggest that both General Silva and Secretary of Defence Gunaratne we push forward to create on our own new international on the UK sanctions list. body that can help to document these crimes, support Furthermore, given the Sri Lankan military’s continued survivors, and lead international prosecutions. Out of complicity in preventing any real accountability for every great conflict and crisis that has happened throughout historical and ongoing crimes against humanity, we mankind, great new reforming bodies have come, and should immediately halt UK defence engagement with this should be no exception. the Sri Lankan armed forces and withdraw our resident I want to make two final points. First, this year there defence adviser in Colombo. That post was established is the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in January 2019, in Rwanda, and, as has always been the case, we should “to hasten the development of a modern, accountable and human be able to speak truth to our friends. It would be a rights compliant military,” missed opportunity for us to not speak clearly at the but all the post has created is a legitimisation mechanism CHOGM about what has happened in Rwanda to for the Sri Lankan military and state. ensure that there can be co-operation in order to address The UK has a long record of training Sri Lankan the human rights violations that have happened. Secondly, military and security forces on human rights issues, but we must make sure that we raise these issues at the G7 in there is no evidence of significant changes in the approach order to provide support for those who have endured of the military to human rights, nor of effective vetting human rights violations, and to ensure that the perpetrators or accountability in the army for those accused of are brought to justice and the culture of impunity is serious human rights violations. The UK must not shattered. We have an opportunity—I do not believe remain complicit in these grievous crimes.If our engagement this to be bravado—to lead the international community is truly aimed at preventing further human rights violations, to take action to help safeguard human rights and to we must take real steps to remind the Sri Lankan lead by example, and I hope that we can do so. Government that they cannot expect military engagement and support unless those human rights violations are 2.57 pm addressed. Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) In conclusion, I hope that the UK Government take (Ind) [V]: The seriousness and urgency of this debate these considerations on board and act accordingly, and cannot be overstated. The current presidential I congratulate the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden Administration of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya (Siobhain McDonagh) on securing this debate. Rajapaksa and his brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stand accused of multiple historical and 3.1 pm ongoing human rights violations. Their Administration Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab): I, too,drawMembers’ continue to prevent any accountability for the Sri Lankan attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ military, many of whose leaders stand credibly accused Financial Interests. Like the right hon. Member for of innumerable war crimes in the Sri Lankan civil war. Chipping Barnet (Theresa Villiers), this time last year, These leaders include army commander Shavendra Silva just as the seriousness of the pandemic had become and Secretary of Defence Kamal Gunaratne, who are clear in our country and days before formal lockdown accused of deliberately shelling hospitals and civilians, was introduced, I was in Geneva, lobbying delegations involvement in sexual violence, extra-judicial executions and missions to the UN Human Rights Council about and enforced disappearances. the need for firm action at UN level as a result of During the civil war, an estimated 100,000 people both the failure of the Government of Sri Lanka to were forcibly disappeared. These disappearances have honour the existing commitments that had been made affected all communities, but the bulk of the victims and, as we have heard about during the debate, the were Tamils. Forced disappearances also occurred in ongoing human rights abuses in that country. Sri Lanka before the war, when hundreds of students in My hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden the south of the country were disappeared, as well as (Siobhain McDonagh) set out perfectly well both the in its aftermath. The vast majority of these cases remain historical context and the ongoing challenges in the unresolved, and attempts by relatives of the victims to country. I am afraid that it is with a sense of déjà vu attain justice have provoked visceral resistance from the that I participate in this afternoon’s debate, because we Sri Lankan state. have been here so many times before, discussing exactly In February 2017, the relatives of the disappeared in the same issues—the appalling atrocities committed the north and east, mainly Tamil women, began a during the civil war; both the literal scars and the continuous protest seeking the truth about what happened emotional scars that survivors of that conflict continue to their loved ones. At least 78 of the protesters have to feel to this very day; the disappearance of families, sadly passed away since the beginning of the protest, still unresolved; and the responsibility that rests on the without ever learning the truth about what happened to Government of Sri Lanka to promote truth, justice and their families. There is, at present, no prospect that reconciliation for all the peoples of Sri Lanka. 559 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 560

It had felt that we had begun to make progress. We the Foreign Secretary, to ensure that the resolution is had seen, through successive UN Human Rights Council strengthened for Monday and also that the vote is resolutions,not just focus from the international community overwhelmingly carried. I urge the Government to draw but the Government of Sri Lanka signing up to upon the full range of our diplomatic relationships, commitments before the international community.Those especially with our friends in the Commonwealth countries included a commitment for international involvement in Africa and Asia. in the investigation and prosecution of allegations of Many of us have been shocked but not surprised at historical war crimes, and a commitment—made before the latest report in January on the situation in Sri Lanka the eyes of the entire international community—to put from the UN Commissioner for Human Rights. It sets a stop to ongoing human rights violations. out straightforwardly the litany of concerns that our But what do we see from the report of the UN High own constituents have drawn to our attention: the failure Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as from a of the Sri Lankan Government to address past human wide a range of independent international NGOs? We rights violations; the closing down of the space for see a picture, described by the UN, of the last 12 months independent voices; the intimidation of civil society fundamentally changing the environment for advancing alongside a deepening attitude of acting with impunity reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri within the Government; a visible and increased Lanka: the erosion of democratic checks and balances militarisation of the civil Administration; and, yes, the in the civic space; threats to reverse the limited—I rise of ethno-nationalism and hate speech—there clearly emphasise that word as I thought the hon. Member for has been a concerted and targeted attack on the rights Hendon (Dr Offord) was far too generous in his of Tamil and Muslim communities. assessment—gains in recent years; and the risk of the I repeat what others have said: the seriousness of return to policies and practice that gave rise to the grave these issues means that the UK Government must throw violations of the past. Indeed, as we heard from my their full diplomatic weight behind the strengthening of hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden, not the United Nations Council resolution and make sure only do we have a Government who have withdrawn that we follow it through to implementation. As my from the commitments that Sri Lanka made to the hon. Friend for Ilford North said, we should also recognise international community, but we have back in power that the adoption of the resolution does not preclude the same cast of characters who were responsible for individual countries like ours from taking additional perpetrating human rights abuses during the civil war, unilateral action. I believe that this country has a special and resistance to any sense that they should be accountable responsibility for action as a former colonial power. We for their historical actions and for ongoing human united the three kingdoms, one of which was a Tamil rights violations. kingdom, into one country and then left in 1948. I ask the Minister: what is going to change, beyond Toprove that we are serious about holding the Sri Lankan the resolution, the lived experience of people in Sri Lanka, Government regime to account, the only way is for the and the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and around the UK Government to undertake unilaterally three distinct world, who are seeking accountability and justice for actions. First, we must ensure that all trade and aid historical crimes? As we have heard, it is not just the agreements with Sri Lanka are only granted following international community—I agree with the arguments the full ratification and enactment by the Sri Lankan made about the importance of CHOGM and the G7—that Government of the UN human rights conventions and can take action; we can take bilateral action to apply the fulfilment of their pledge to scrap the Prevention of Magnitsky sanctions against the rogues and criminals Terrorism Act. Secondly, I support all Members who who perpetrated human rights abuses. At this point, have said that we should use the Magnitsky provisions after many years of campaigning for justice, my Tamil that we have recently put into legislation to ensure that constituents are looking not just for warm words but we take action against those individuals who are accused for action and leadership, which has been missing from of gross human rights violations. Finally, we must ensure the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. that we fully fund and support bodies investigating human rights abuses and war crimes and bring on to the 3.5 pm agenda the claims of genocide during the war in Sri Lanka. John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab) [V]: I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford North 3.10 pm (Wes Streeting): how many more times do we have to be Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West) (Lab) [V]: It here before we get firm action? is an honour to speak in this debate about a situation I thank the hon. Members who secured this important that should concern all of us, and I congratulate my debate, and I pay tribute to all my constituents and the hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden community groups who have contacted me to express (Siobhain McDonagh) on leading it. their views about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. I have been contacted by a number of my constituents All of them, especially from the Tamil community, have for whom the pain and suffering caused by the civil war impressed upon me the need for decisive international in Sri Lanka and the persecution of the Tamil community action merely to secure a peaceful and just future for the is still very real. Many of us have been contacted about country. the hunger strike currently being undertaken by These next few days in the run-up to the UN Human Mrs Selvakumar. The fact that Mrs Selvakumar feels Rights Council meeting on Monday are critical to securing that this is the only way to get her voice heard is deeply a meaningful international intervention that could lead saddening. to that better future. That is why I support the call in The move away from the UN Human Rights Council this debate for urgent action from the highest levels of resolution in the past year by the Government of Sri our Government, in particular the Prime Minister and Lanka is very troubling, and the ongoing human rights 561 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 562

[Taiwo Owatemi] attacking civilians, hospitals, medical staff and no-fire zones; will we now do so too? Kamal Gunaratne, who is issues in that country must be a priority for our Government now Defence Secretary, led a February 2009 assault, as they focus foreign policy on the Indo-Pacific region. attacking civilian hospitals and food distribution points. The 30-year civil war between the Sri Lankan Government He commanded the Joseph army camp, which was and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam saw continuous notorious for torture after the war. The UN has named and terrible human rights abuses by both parties. When him; will we sanction him? Why on earth do we have a the war ended in 2009, it was hoped that finally Sri Lanka resident defence adviser in Colombo, providing training might find peace and the chance to reconcile and heal and legitimacy? He has met at least five people who the divisions that had beset the country since independence. have been credibly accused of mass atrocities. Surely But progress has been slow and halting at best, and that adviser must now be withdrawn. since the Sri Lankan Government removed themselves Before the 2019 Sri Lanka election, the Government as a co-sponsor from the UNHRC resolution, there there paid lip service to the Human Rights Council have been increasing concerns about their commitment resolution that they co-sponsored with the UK after to peace and justice. David Cameron visited as Prime Minister. The calculation Trends emerging in the past year have represented a seemed to be that if they paid lip service to engaging, clear early warning sign of a deteriorating human rights the international community would leave them alone. situation in Sri Lanka. We have seen an acceleration of They were right: there was no serious effort to hold the militarisation of civilian Government functions, the Sri Lanka to account. The new Sri Lankan Government, erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key elected in 2019, includes guilty men, as we have heard. institutions, increasing marginalisation of the Tamil They are no longer pretending; they have simply withdrawn. and Muslim communities and even the destruction of a Last month, the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and memorial to the victims of the war. There is ongoing Justice, which has Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese support, impunity and obstruction of accountability for the said that crimes and human rights violations that have occurred. “respect for the rule of law and human rights has demonstrably Victims and their families are calling out for international diminished” accountability, and the UN High Commissioner for and that the current Government have Human Rights has requested that members of the “significantly reversed progress on 15 out of the 25 commitments” UNHRC co-operate with victims and their representatives under resolution 30/1 to investigate and, indeed, prosecute international crimes “and halted progress on 7 others.” committed by all parties in Sri Lanka. Our Government must commit to doing all they can to have these crimes The president now controls all senior judicial appointments. investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted. In a climate of fear, human rights defenders and victim/ survivors are watched and harassed, and human rights The British Government created the Global Human lawyers are held without charge. We have been reminded Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 in order to prevent of the presidential pardon for one of the only soldiers the immunity enjoyed by perpetrators of serious human ever convicted of a wartime atrocity. Other key cases rights abuses. Will the Government commit to using have collapsed; witnesses and victims are intimidated; those sanctions to prevent further abuses in Sri Lanka? senior police officers are taken off investigations; and They have already announced a shift in foreign policy in the former head of the Criminal Investigation Department the Indo-Pacific region, but our foreign policy and has been arrested. The president has promoted war trade agreements must not come at the cost of people criminals; all Government Departments are led by former and their lives. It is imperative that the Government military commanders; military intelligence officers run commit to prioritising human rights as a cornerstone of covid contact tracing, threatening activists and victims; our foreign and trade policy in the region, and I hope and, as we have been reminded, Muslims are targeted. they will not put trade and profits before the interests of The Human Rights Council must pass an ambitious human lives. resolution next week.

3.13 pm 3.17 pm Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab) [V]: I warmly welcome Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: As this debate. The resolution to be voted on next week others have alluded to, Sri Lanka is a stunningly beautiful comes at a crucial time. It should make a reference to island, but for its Tamil citizens or, increasingly, its the International Criminal Court, as my hon. Friend Muslim citizens, and certainly for its citizens who are the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain Sinhalese and interested in human rights or are opponents McDonagh) argued so powerfully in opening the debate. of the Rajapaksa family, it is a very dangerous country. The evidence-gathering element is crucial to maintain Manyof those who are Tamil who live in my constituency materialfortheinternationalaccountabilitywhichSriLanka believe that nothing short of a genocide continues to has resisted for so long but which must come in due take place against Tamil citizens in Sri Lanka. They course. I welcome the proposed commitment to regular believe that Tamil citizens are increasingly viewed by report-backs on the conditions in Sri Lanka. the Sri Lankan Government in apparently the same way As others have reminded the House, we now have a as the Chinese Government view the Uyghurs. There is UK mechanism for sanctions against those guilty of deep frustration with the apparent impunity of the human rights atrocities; will we sanction those who are Rajapaksa family and their supporters in respect of guilty in Sri Lanka? The US has rightly designated either domestic or international accountability. There is army commander Shavendra Silva, who has been anger with the UK Government for their tolerance of mentioned already and led the ground assault on the that impunity and their complicity, at international beaches of Mullivaikkal at the end of the civil war, level, in thus far failing to get the international community 563 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 564 to take action against the Sri Lankan Government. I know exactly how beautiful Sri Lanka and its There is also disbelief that Tamil refugees might be people are because I lived and worked in Galle on the returned to a country so obviously ravaged by human south coast for a short time during the civil war. I rights abuses. cannot claim to have suffered because of it, but I certainly There is among the Tamil community in my constituency met many people who were suffering and heard stories a demand, similar to those expressed by others, for and rumours of what was going on at the time. It was in Britain to use the powers that it already has at its the years afterwards, however, when I returned just disposal to hold to account those who are clearly implicated after the war and was finally able to travel to the north in serious human rights abuses—as alluded to by many and on two further visits, that I heard at first hand what Members, not least my right hon. Friend the Member had happened. People were still frightened. In fact, one for East Ham (Stephen Timms)—and to take action, as man gave me a copy of the book that he had written recommended by the UN Commissioner for Human about his account of abuses against the Tamil community. Rights. The Tamil community want Ministers to back a He was so afraid of what might happen to me, should I call for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International be caught reading it, that he removed the cover and Criminal Court. A number of Members have referred replaced it with another. to the courage of Mrs Ambihai Selvakumar in her It was on those visits that I made in the years after the recent hunger strike, which, I am pleased to say, for her war that I got a clearer picture of what had happened, sake, has ended, but which served to draw international and it was from my constituents as a Member of the attention to the issues that we are debating today. Scottish Parliament from 2009 to 2011, from friends As my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and who stayed on to help rebuild Sri Lanka and from the Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) said in her excellent people in Sri Lanka I have kept in touch with for the speech, the frustration of the international community last 13 years that I got to understand more about what and the Tamil community in many of our constituencies happened—about the internally displaced people camps, dates back to the end of the conflict in 2009, when the missing people, the torture, the sexual violence and terrible war crimes were committed against the Tamil the shelling of so-called no-fire zones. community, including civilians and those surrendering The reason for today’s debate is to urge the UK at the end of the conflict. No one has ever been held Government to do more. The Sirisena Government of accountable for those crimes. I strongly support the call 2015, about whom I was somewhat cynical, did co-sponsor by Michelle Bachelet, echoed by my hon. Friends today, the UN Human Rights Council resolution, and it was for Britain to use the Magnitsky sanctions that it does hoped that this would encourage further investigations have available to it against Shavendra Silva and Kamal into civil war crimes. To an extent it did, in that it Gunaratne. established institutions with the functions of addressing In the short time that I have left, I also want to praise the impact of the war, but not much more happened the recent Amnesty International report and note the and the operation of these institutions has been hampered important contribution from Freedom from Torture by successive Governments. urging the Home Office to take another look, with the I will also acknowledge that the UK Government have Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, at played a vital role as leaders of the core group on Sri the country note that it uses to judge whether or not Lanka within the Human Rights Council, but it is clear refugees should be returned to Sri Lanka. Clearly, given now in which direction the Sri Lankan Government are the scale of torture and other human rights abuses, it heading, and the UK Government must step up their would be totally wrong to return people with credible commitment to reconciliation, accountability and human concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka. I look forward rights. Separation of powers and the independence of to the Minister finally taking some serious action against the judiciary have been grossly undermined by amendments Sri Lanka. to the constitution. I believe the 20th amendment, which removes almost every check on the executive powers of the President, to be the most significant signal that 3.21 pm there is no respect for the rule of law. Donald Trump is Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP) [V]: I an amateur compared with this guy. congratulate the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden The new Government are led by President Gotabaya (Siobhain McDonagh) on a speech that I know will Rajapaksa, who was the Defence Secretary in the final have moved many of my friends here and in Sri Lanka, throes of the war. The President’s brother, Mahinda as it did me. She and others in this debate have been Rajapaksa, the President at the time of the civil war, good and consistent friends to those campaigning for has been appointed Prime Minister, and we have heard truth, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka. about the nine other family members holding senior I will not repeat all that we have heard about what positions in that Government. The Rajapaksa brothers happened during the 30 year-long war. Instead, I will are credibly accused of a host of crimes during the war, focus on what has or has not happened since. It is a and of violating international humanitarian and human crime against humanity that nobody has been found rights law, yet there they are, President and Prime accountable since the war ended 12 years ago. There has Minister of Sri Lanka, with all the checks and balances been a sleight of hand performance between then and removed. They have consistently blocked, undermined now, with successive Governments promising the and obstructed investigations and court cases. The missing international community and their own people that are still missing. As we have heard, the President recently they will do X, Y and Z, then drawing back, then pardoned a soldier—one of the few ever to be tried, let promising again, but at the end of the day progress is alone found guilty. The soldier was guilty of the killing never made, accountability never happens, reconciliation of eight Tamil civilians, including a five-year-old child is never credibly attempted, and peace never really and two teenagers. I can only assume that was all part comes to this beautiful island. of his promise to end what he calls the 565 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 566

[Anne McLaughlin] of torture by the Sri Lankan state since the war ended, and it continues to receive referrals for Sri Lankan “era of betraying war heroes”. individuals today. As an MSP, I met two teenage girls living in Glasgow. The people of Sri Lanka, regardless of their ethnicity They were Tamils who had sought asylum because, as or religion, deserve justice. Those responsible must be children, they had watched their father shot to death in held accountable, and peace and freedom must be secured front of them by a Sri Lankan army soldier. He made for future generations. The Labour party is therefore them watch as he put a bullet through their dad’s brain. deeply troubled by what has been taking place in Should that soldier be tried, or should he be hailed as a Sri Lanka since the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in war hero, while the world looks on, simply shrugging its December 2019. shoulders? First, he has militarised his Government by appointing I back the calls on the UK Government from previous former soldiers such as Shavendra Silva and Kamal speakers and the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Gunaratne, who both stand accused of crimes against Justice, and I will reiterate just a few of those. In terms humanity, to key positions in his Cabinet. Secondly, he of trade, Sri Lanka should be removed from enhanced has done huge damage to his Government’s credibility framework level until it meets the conditions set and in the eyes of the international community by withdrawing agreed to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act—an from UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, which Act that allows arbitrary detention and strips the rights sets out a process for delivering accountability for war to due process for those detained. Their armed forces crimes. Thirdly, we are profoundly concerned by reports need to stop training their army until they satisfy the of the forced cremation of victims of covid-19, including conditions, set and agreed to, on human rights. The those of Muslim and Christian faith, for whom burial Minister needs to establish a screening policy for rituals and traditions are sacred. The World Health diplomatic meetings, so that the UK is no longer giving Organisation has issued guidance stating that the burial legitimacy to individuals critically accused of war crimes. of covid-19 dead poses no danger to public health. Finally, I would suggest that we engage the Global On the UNHRC resolution, in recent weeks and Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 to apply months I have written to the Minister twice about these sanctions against individuals credibly accused of issues and made it clear that, as the penholder on involvement in mass atrocities. Shavendra Silva would Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK be a start. It is the very least the victims of this war, has a crucial and unique responsibility to show moral both living and dead, both here and there, can expect and political leadership in its approach to co-ordinating from us. the international response. The final version of the draft resolution, which is set to replace 30/1, is certainly an improvement on the zero draft. However, we continue 3.27 pm to have real concerns about key aspects of it. Therefore, Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab): I congratulate I have the following questions for the Minister. my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden First, the draft resolution fails to incorporate the (Siobhain McDonagh) on securing this vital debate. I recommendations made by the high commissioner in pay tribute to my hon. Friends the Members for Brent her report of 27 January regarding universal or Central (Dawn Butler), for Slough (Mr Dhesi), for extraterritorial jurisdiction. We should be supporting Ilford South (Sam Tarry) and for Ilford North (Wes the high commissioner’s view that the principles of Streeting), my right hon. Friend the Member for Hayes universal or extraterritorial jurisdiction should apply, and Harlington (John McDonnell) and my hon. Friend and that states should pursue investigations and the Member for Coventry North West (Taiwo Owatemi), prosecutions in their national courts. Why have the who made truly powerful, moving contributions to the Government failed to include an explicit commitment debate. The really strong showing from the Labour to that in the resolution? Benches shows the central importance of this issue to our party. Secondly, the suggested evidence-gathering mechanism is clearly a step in the right direction, but it stops short The Labour party puts the rule of law, democracy of recommending the establishment of a fully fledged and universal human rights at the very heart of our international, independent investigative mechanism. Why foreign policy. We expect those principles to be upheld have the Government failed to include in their final consistently in every country throughout the world, draft a commitment to IIIM? including Sri Lanka. We will always stand up for the universal rights and freedoms of all citizens when Thirdly, it is clear that there is a strong basis for national Governments refuse to live up to their referring a number of senior members of the Sri Lankan international obligations. military and Government to the International Criminal In 2009, in the final few months of Sri Lanka’s long, Court. Why have the Government failed to include such brutal civil war, tens of thousands of civilians, mostly a recommendation in the resolution? We know that two from the Tamil community, lost their lives. It is a scar on of the permanent members of the UN will likely block the conscience of the world that no one has been held such action, but should the position of the Government accountable for those crimes, which include the deliberate really be shaped by the veto-wielding intentions of shelling of civilian targets, sexual violence, and extrajudicial China and Russia? executions. The shocking lack of accountability for past Fourthly, there is nothing in the resolution about atrocities is compounded by the fact that the human prevention. Why does not the resolution include explicit rights violations in Sri Lanka continue to this day. reference to protecting human rights defenders? Are Respected non-governmental organisation Freedom from British diplomats travelling regularly to the north and Torture has forensically documented more than 300 cases east of Sri Lanka to assess the situation on the ground? 567 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 568

Fifthly, the draft resolution requests a report on for their work on this important issue and for the many accountability options in 18 months.This is an unacceptably informed and passionate contributions that we have long timeline, given the evidence already available, and heard this afternoon. I will try to respond to as many of it will give the Sri Lankan Government yet more time to them as possible in the time I have, but I am conscious obstruct and obfuscate. Why have the Government that I have to give the hon. Lady a couple of minutes at failed to ensure that the resolution is based on a far the end of the debate. The Minister for South Asia—the shorter report-back timeline of six months, as I Minister that the hon. Member for Aberavon (Stephen recommended in my recent letter to the Minister? Kinnock) wrote to—would have been delighted to take Moving beyond the UN resolution, there are a number part in this debate, but obviously he sits in the other of bilateral steps that the Government should be taking. place so it is my pleasure to respond on his behalf and In my 11 December letter to the Minister, I suggested on behalf of the Government. that a number of Sri Lankan officials should be sanctioned Human rights in Sri Lanka are an important issue under the Government’s global human rights sanctions and a long-standing priority both for the UK Government regime, yet not a single Sri Lankan Government Minister, and for many fellow Members. This debate is timely, official or military officer has been designated. Could coming during the 46th session of the UN Human the Minister please explain why it is taking so long Rights Council, which began on 22 February.The human when the evidence is already widely available? rights situation in Sri Lanka and the limited progress on In my letter, I also raised the issue of the UK defence reconciliation and accountability raised by many right adviser’s engagement with the Sri Lankan military. Since hon. and hon. Members are deeply concerning. As the arriving in Colombo in January 2020, he has met at Opposition spokesman, the hon. Member for Aberavon, least four senior commanders of the Sri Lankan military pointed out, in February last year the Government of who stand accused of gross human rights violations. Sri Lanka withdrew their support for the UK-led UN Could the Minister please explain how the activities of Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and its successor the defence adviser will lead to greater accountability resolutions 34/1 and 40/1. Those resolutions concerned for the Sri Lankan military? Are the UK Government reconciliation, transitional justice and accountability. vetting who the adviser meets? Is the adviser’s defence The Sri Lankan Government then announced a domestic engagement delivering tangible results, or is it simply mechanism on accountability.As with previous domestic lending a veneer of legitimacy to a military that is initiatives, however, meaningful progress has yet to be committing human rights abuses? delivered. There have also been a number of setbacks Thanks to the recent leaking of comments made by on accountability, including the appointment into the Foreign Secretary, we know that he is perfectly Government positions of military figures accused of happy to pursue trade deals with Governments who are war crimes, as referenced by hon. Members this afternoon. committing human rights abuses.Are the UK Government As the right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen pursuing a trade deal with Sri Lanka? Will human Timms) pointed out, they also include the presidential rights conditions be applied? As an EU member state, pardon of former army sergeant, Sunil Ratnayake, one the UK was party to trading arrangements that offered of the few perpetrators of war crime atrocities to have a preferential tariff to Sri Lanka under the general been convicted in Sri Lanka. scheme of preferences enhanced framework known as Other worrying human rights developments include GSP+ because the Sri Lankan Government were the continued harassment and surveillance of minorities supposedly living up to their human rights obligations. and civil society groups, as was pointed out by the hon. Now that the UK has left the EU, will the Government Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), the increasing be reassessing their trading relationship with Sri Lanka? role of the military in civilian governance, and a Here’s one for the SNP spokesperson—to be answered constitutional amendment that has extended Executive at another time, I guess—if she is still tuned in. Police control over the judiciary and the independent institutions. Scotland has made 90 deployments of officers to Sri Lanka As the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi) pointed over the past 15 years. Have these deployments achieved out, the Government’s policy of forcibly cremating tangible results, or are they just lending a veneer of those deceased due to covid, which has only recently credibility? Finally, what assessment has the Minister been reversed, has particularly affected the Muslim and made of Sri Lankan soldiers continuing to be deployed Christian communities. Even now, our understanding is in UN peacekeeping missions despite the human rights that families face significant restrictions on where and record of the Sri Lankan military? how burials can take place. The integrated review is full of snappy slogans and The UK Government are deeply concerned by these rhetoric, but all it really achieved was to expose the developments. We have long stood by all the victims of chasm between the stated ambitions and the actual, the conflict in Sri Lanka. I was particularly taken by the tangible actions of this Government. If global Britain is comments made by the hon. Member for Glasgow to mean anything, it must surely mean consistently North East (Anne McLaughlin), who had very personal standing up for democracy, for the rule of law and for recollections of that time. We have condemned LTTE universal rights and values—not just with words, but terrorism and worked over many years to achieve post- with deeds. That must start today, and it must start with conflict truth, accountability and transitional justice. Sri Lanka. Together with our international partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka, the UK has led successive UN 3.36 pm Human Rights Council resolutions on Sri Lanka in The Minister for Asia (Nigel Adams): I am particularly 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. In February, June and grateful to the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden September of last year, we set out our continued support (Siobhain McDonagh) for securing this debate. I pay for the UN Human Rights Council framework and our tribute to her for her work with the APPG. I also pay growing concerns about the human rights situation in tribute to the many other Members across the House Core Group statements to the HRC. 569 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 Sri Lanka 570

[Nigel Adams] A number of hon. and right hon. Members raised the question of sanctions. We established the global human Sri Lanka is a human rights priority country for the rights sanctions regime in July 2020, and in a statement Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary set out the full our annual reports, and in Lord Ahmad’s autumn scope of the new regime without speculating, importantly, ministerial statement, the Government have highlighted on future designations. We continue to consider further a number of important concerns, which have been designations under this global human rights sanctions highlighted here this afternoon. Accountability and regime, and we keep all evidence and potential listings human rights have also been integral to any bilateral under close review. discussions we have had with the Government of Sri Lanka. I acknowledge and welcome the strength of feeling in The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of the House. We are right to be concerned. We will accountability when he spoke to the Sri Lankan Foreign continue to prioritise international efforts to support Minister in May. Lord Ahmad, the Minister for South accountability and reconsideration at this current session Asia and the Commonwealth, has also had numerous of the Human Rights Council, and we are pushing very discussions with the Foreign Minister, most recently in hard for our resolution to be adopted next week. I must January, and with the Sri Lankan high commissioner reiterate that we cannot speculate on future designations here in London. under the global human rights sanctions regime. We welcome the recent reports on Sri Lanka by the Finally,I make it clear that we want a positive relationship UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human with Sri Lanka. We share deep historical ties. We work Rights. We agree with the high commissioner that the well together on a number of common interests, such as Human Rights Council must continue to monitor the climate change and covid recovery, and we value that situation in Sri Lanka very closely and we must continue partnership, but accountability and human rights must to press for accountability and reconciliation. Along remain high on the agenda—accountability and human with our Core Group partners, the UK, as penholder, rights to provide justice for all the victims of the conflict has presented a new draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the and the lasting reconciliation and stability that will UN Human Rights Council. The resolution aims to allow the people of Sri Lanka to prosper. provide a continued framework for international engagement on human rights in Sri Lanka. The draft 3.46 pm calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to make progress on accountability and human rights, and stresses the Siobhain McDonagh: I thank all the hon. and right importance of a comprehensive accountability process hon. Members from across the House who have taken for all violations and abuses committed in Sri Lanka. It part in this debate. Their commitment to the minority aims to keep Sri Lanka firmly on the HRC agenda and community of a small island is very much appreciated, but requests OHCHR reporting on the human rights situation their interest is because of the hard work of the members and, importantly, on accountability. of the Tamil community. They simply cannot forget the relatives they no longer have, the relatives who they have A number of right hon. and hon. Members, including no idea where they are, the relatives who were bombed the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden and the in hospitals and the relatives who were left on beaches right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Ed Davey), having lost their limbs by a Government now led by the have called for an international accountability mechanism same men who did that to members of their family. —a mechanism to collect and preserve evidence of human This debate is about the credibility of the British rights violations—as part of the resolution. I can confirm Government in taking seriously the loss and distress of that our resolution strengthens the capacity of the OHCHR a community in this country—half a million who work to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence. hard, do their best and contribute greatly to our nation. The resolution supports future accountability processes Are we serious about representing them, or do we and builds on the investigations conducted under previous believe that Governments who have powerful friends HRC resolutions. We are now working hard to build should be allowed to behave as they like? support for our draft, which we hope will be adopted next week. I suggest that the Government of Sri Lanka only understand very firm action. To rely on that Government Regrettably, the Sri Lankan Government have made to seek out those who committed the atrocities or to clear their opposition to further substantive action by take action is simply a fool’s errand, and it has to stop. the HRC. None the less, we will continue to seek to We have to seriously mean that we will help the Tamils work constructively with them on these issues. We will in this country to find their relatives, to know what underline the importance of accountability and human happened, and to allow their relatives to live in a rights in our dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka. community where they are able to vote, to take part and My right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell to believe that their views are taken seriously. (Chris Grayling), my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) and the hon. Members for Brent Question put and agreed to. Central (Dawn Butler) and for Coventry North West Resolved, (Taiwo Owatemi) raised the issue of the hunger strike That this House notes with concern the reports of a systematic carried out by Ambihai Selvakumar. We understand attack in Sri Lanka on democratic governance, the rule of law that, as has been pointed out, she was able to conclude and human rights including renewed discrimination against the her hunger strike two days ago. We absolutely recognise Tamil and Muslim communities; is profoundly concerned that the Sri Lankan Government has refused to investigate accusations of war the concerns she has raised about the issues faced by the crimes including by key members of the current government and Tamil community in Sri Lanka. We have highlighted has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1; these concerns about the lack of progress towards post- welcomes the significant leadership role played by successive UK conflict accountability and the wider human rights situation. Governments at the Human Rights Council and urges the Government 571 Sri Lanka 18 MARCH 2021 572 to provide clear policy direction and leadership to ensure a new World Water Day substantive resolution is passed at the upcoming Council session in March 2021 that will enable continued monitoring by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and mandate 3.49 pm a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyse evidence of violations for future investigations and prosecutions; and calls upon the Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab): I beg to move, Government to develop a consistent and coherent policy to assist That this House has considered World Water Day 2021. the Sri Lankan people through its trade, investment and aid I thank the co-sponsors of this debate, ahead of World programmes, and in its diplomatic and military relations. Water Day on 22 March—the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr Wragg), my hon. Friend the Member Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): We will suspend for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) and the hon. Member very briefly for the cleaning of the Dispatch Boxes. for Dundee West (Chris Law). It also has the support of the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire (Mrs Latham) and 3.48 pm my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson). Sitting suspended. I also thank the many organisations that have campaigned on this important issue over the years—to name just a few, WaterAid, UNICEF, Oxfam and Global Justice Now. UN Water has done important work, as has, more widely, the United Nations. I also pay tribute to We Own It, whose tireless work on water access in this country has drawn attention to the spiralling cost of water to consumers since it was first privatised in England and Wales under Margaret Thatcher’s Government in 1989. The need for clean, accessible water is universal. It should not be a privilege for countries with the highest GDP or those that benefit from a geographical location that means they are safe from the ravages of climate change. It is a disgrace that almost half the world’s population is without access to clean water. It is even more shocking, given that we are in the midst of a global pandemic and a key factor in halting the spread of covid is people’s ability to wash their hands regularly. Despite that, figures by WaterAid reveal that more than 3 billion people are unable to wash their hands with soap and water at home, half of healthcare facilities in low-income countries lack basic water services, and 60% have no sanitation services at all. That is set to worsen with the climate emergency, with warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, increased floods, droughts and melting ice affecting the quality and availability of water and sanitation systems. Forecasts show that, by 2040, a quarter of all children worldwide will live in areas with extremely limited water access. Data from Oxfam, which has done so much to help communities gain access to clean water, reveals that 2.4 billion people do not have access to a toilet, while a staggering 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. The lack of access to water is a killer. Figures from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development show that unsafe water accounts for more than 1.2 million deaths each year. Every minute, a newborn child dies from infection caused by a lack of safe water and an unclean environment. That is backed up by WaterAid’s research, which adds that unclean births caused by limited water supply account for 11% of global maternal mortality, while approximately 20% of all global deaths are due to sepsis, which often arises from contaminated water. This crisis is being exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. More than half of all healthcare facilities in low-income countries are operating without access to hand-washing facilities. At present, according to WaterAid, just 5% of climate finance is spent helping countries adapt to climate change. Even less is given to the most vulnerable countries. Less than 1% of total global climate investment 573 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 574

[Navendu Mishra] commitment to maintain the higher target. At the start of the pandemic, DFID announced a £100 million goes on basic water infrastructure and services. The campaign to support better hygiene practices, including climate emergency is the greatest challenge facing our access to water. At the time, the Government stated that planet, and that approach falls well short of what is the programme would work in 37 countries and help urgently required. implement country-specific activities on safe water and Just a week after International Women’s Day, it is sanitation. Separate funding of £20 million was also worth noting that 80% of people displaced by climate made available in a humanitarian support package. All change are women. That means that, in the aftermath this is now under threat. of disasters, women are more likely than men to be In the UK, we are incredibly fortunate to have access displaced and become victims of violence. Women are to clean, safe water that has been treated and tested to also more affected by droughts and water shortages, the highest standards. However, in the past three decades, and often have to walk even longer distances to collect we have also seen the privatised model lead to spiralling water. This also has enormous implications for global costs that are not matched by investment in infrastructure food production. and quality of service. Research by We Own It revealed that between 1989, when the UK water companies were LloydRussell-Moyle(Brighton,Kemptown)(Lab/Co-op): first privatised, and 2016, water bills increased by 40%. My hon. Friend is listing some really important interlinkages According to the Commons Library, there were price of how water is vital to achieve all these other important hikes of up to 50% in the decade after water and other goals. Of course, many of them are the sustainable utility companies were denationalised—this despite UK development goals. Is he worried, as I am, that covid companies paying billions to shareholders.Indeed, between has put back much of our progress on the SDGs— 2013 and 2017 alone, UK water companies handed out particularly the water and sanitation goal—and that more than £6.5 billion to shareholders, clearly prioritising 2030 is looking further off than it did a year and a half profit over people. ago? While the water industry is always quick to argue that Navendu Mishra: I fully share my hon. Friend’sconcerns the increase in bills since privatisation has been accompanied about the sustainable development goals. by investment in infrastructure by companies and The cost associated with tackling this issue is not improvements in service quality, the reality is that the prohibitive; far from it. The World Health Organisation infrastructure is poorly maintained. That has resulted and UNICEF estimate that providing water, sanitation in the network haemorrhaging water, with more than and hygiene in 80% of healthcare facilities in low-income 3 billion litres lost each day, equal to 53 litres per countries by 2025 would cost approximately $3.6 billion, person, which is 21% of the water taken from the of which $1.2 is capital costs. To put that in context, environment each day by water companies. The reality funding the initial infrastructure costs would account is that it is far more commercially appealing for private for just 6% of the US Government’s $20 billion budget companies and their shareholders to buy new and often they set aside for global health, and it represents a tiny protected tracts of land to build new reservoirs, rather fraction of the $732 billion the US spends on its military than fix the existing leaking infrastructure. That has led budget each year. And that is just one country. to parts of London and the south-east facing severe shortages, and responsibility for that must, at least In the UK, sadly, our funding has often worsened, partly, be laid at the door of water companies. not improved, access to water when it is linked to projects that privatise services. For example, research by Global Justice Now revealed that, over the past decade, Lloyd Russell-Moyle: My hon. Friend is right to point UK aid accelerated the privatisation of public services out that Britain is the only country in the world to have in the global south. Overseas development aid was dabbled in complete privatisation of water. In places invested in for-profit schools, unaffordable private hospitals, where Labour has maintained power, we have mutualised water and sanitation privatisation and private sector it and renationalised it. Many customers in Britain will energy projects. be seeing rising water bills because they have been at home during covid. Does he agree that something the That approach does long-lasting damage. For example, Government could do to help the pound in the pocket in the 1980s and 1990s, a wave of privatisation swept of ordinary citizens is bring water back into a mutual, across much of the global south, with Latin America non-profit structure and make sure that the money goes and sub-Saharan Africa particularly impacted. Many to where it is deserved? indebted Governments who turned to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to restructure their debts were subsequently forced to reduce public Navendu Mishra rose— spending and privatise public services as a condition of future loans. Under dictator Pinochet, Chile enshrined Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I remind the water privatisation in its constitution, and 40 years later hon. Member that we are under massive pressure for it continues to pay the highest rates for water in Latin time, so he should be looking to wind up very soon. America. Despite reassurances from the Prime Minister when Navendu Mishra: I will, Mr Deputy Speaker. I fully it was announced last year that the Foreign and share my hon. Friend’s concerns; his point about water Commonwealth Office and the Department for companies going back into public hands is very valid, International Development would merge, the Government and I support that. have since shelved their ring-fenced commitment to I will conclude in a moment, but first I would like to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, cutting talk about the Flint water scandal. Time and again, we spending to 0.5% despite the Conservative manifesto have seen that private water companies do not have the 575 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 576 consumer’s best interests at heart, and the drive for middle, suffering increasing water scarcity as a result. increasing profit comes at the expense of health and Therefore, it is essential that international organisations safety. Perhaps the most notable example of that was work together to solve water scarcity and prevent conflicts the Flint water scandal in Michigan, which is one of the from arising. This is why the situation in Jammu and worst human-made environmental disasters in US history Kashmir is of international significance and why the and a case that has been held up as a symbol of conflict in the region must be brought to a peaceful and environmental injustice and racism. just resolution so that the people of Kashmir, Pakistan In an effort to cut costs with the private water contractor, and India do not face an escalating humanitarian crisis Veolia, former Governor Rick Snyder took the decision due to scarcity of water. to use Flint river to supply water to the city’spredominantly African-American and economically poor population. 4.3 pm The corrosive water,however,was not treated properly—a Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) (Con) [V]: Water is misstep that freed lead from old plumbing into homes. everywhere; after all, our planet is a watery one, with Despite desperate pleas from residents holding jugs of water covering 71% of Earth’s surface. One might wonder discoloured water, the Snyder administration and the why we need to worry about it, but despite our abundance drinking water regulator took no significant action of it our activities to plunder the world’s most precious until a doctor publicly reported elevated lead levels in natural resources give us cause for concern. children 18 months later. In the months and years that followed, 12,000 children were exposed to dangerous World Water Day is all about valuing water, and I levels of lead, while residents experienced rashes and rather worry that we take it for granted. All too often hair loss, and 12 people died from an outbreak of we risk denigrating our water supply, harming its Legionnaires’disease. It is time for private water companies sustainability and creating vast amounts of pollution, to be prevented from treating our environment like a and the growing threats from climate change will have a sewer and finally bring water back into public ownership. significant impact on the availability, quality and quantity of water for our basic human needs. In conclusion, I call on the UK Government to Water may be all around us, but it is also in us. As you continue to play their part and help alleviate the suffering sit there, Madam Deputy Speaker, your body is made and harm caused by limited access to clean water. This up of 60% water; it is rather important in regulating means ensuring that water, sanitation and hygiene are your temperature, transporting nutrients around and fully integrated into all health programmes supported helping digestion, not to mention many other bodily by UK aid, as well as using our role as chair of the G7 functions. Put simply, water is essential to life, because to bring donors together to make progress towards all lifeforms are dependent on it. And as such, Earth is funding the $1.2 billion that is needed to build the basic dependent on a stable hydrological cycle that if we do infrastructure for water, sanitation and hygiene and not use it properly threatens our water security. health facilities in low-income countries. I have dealt with many water security issues in my Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): To assist those constituency. Many of my constituents are farmers—the taking part in the debate, the wind-ups will begin at no very people who, arguably, do more than most to manage later than 4.36 pm with Patricia Gibson for six minutes, our precious planet by using it to grow food. Some of then Anna McMorrin at 4.42 pm for eight minutes, then my farmers are threatened with their livelihoods for Wendy Morton at 4.50 pm for eight minutes, and then abstracting too much water, despite any convincing Navendu Mishra will have the last two minutes. or compelling evidence base to support this claim. When these are the very people who create the jobs, the 4 pm employment and the food that we eat on many of the Tahir Ali (Birmingham, Hall Green) (Lab) [V]: World food shelves around the country, such threats are a Water Day is an important time to reflect upon the worry.Our focus must be on those who truly are harming universal value of water and the many obstacles freshwater our planet, not those doing the lion’s share to protect it. communities face across the world. Climate change is I would say to the Environment Agency that revoking driving water scarcity across the global south, affecting water licences on which many businesses depend will South and central America, Africa and east Asia, with have an adverse and permanent effect on the livelihoods projections of water shortages reaching extremely dangerous and employment of those involved. All decisions must levels over the next 10 years. That is why today’s debate be backed by unequivocal scientific facts. Need I point is so important and why it is deeply concerning that the out that growing the crops that we all eat needs more UK Government have substantially cut overseas aid than anything—yes, that is right—water. that would help millions of people facing some of the The Government’s 25-year plan, which commits to worst droughts, famines and humanitarian crises in achieving plentiful clean water, is commended, as is the recent history. landmark Environment Bill, but there is much to do. A It must also be noted that water scarcity is intensifying recent Environmental Audit Committee inquiry learned regional conflicts, one example of which is in Jammu that only 14% of our rivers are currently achieving good and Kashmir,where climate change means natural glaciers ecological status. Freshwater species are going extinct are melting, leading to a significant reduction in fresh more rapidly than terrestrial or marine species globally. water supplies. In addition, several rivers that run through Almost one third of freshwater biodiversity faces extinction the region provide water to two major regional powers, worldwide due to habitat loss, invasive species, pollution Pakistan and India. India’s recent military occupation and over-harvesting. of Kashmir was in part driven by concerns over water This debate nobly aims to raise awareness of water, shortages, and it is clear that the situation in Jammu but, perhaps, when we reach for the taps to make and Kashmir is part of a water conflict between Pakistan ourselves a cup of tea later today, let us not take it quite and India with the people of Kashmir caught in the for granted. We should think a bit harder about the one 577 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 578

[Duncan Baker] 4.10 pm Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con) [V]: World Water in 10 who do not have access to clean water. It is not our Day is about what water means to people, its true value gold, diamonds and pearls that are our precious resources, and how we can better protect this vital resource. The but our life-giver, water. issue of water means different things to different people. I acknowledge that, for many in the world, this means 4.7 pm access to a safe drinking supply, but today I want to Paula Barker (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab) [V]: First, focus on another area. As a former lifeguard and chairman let me thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport of the all-party parliamentary group on water safety (Navendu Mishra) for securing this debate. and drowning prevention, the issue that I want to Access to clean water for drinking and for sanitation discuss is that of access to water in order to swim. is an inalienable human right. Importantly, though, access Our connection to water is as old as humankind. It to water and sanitation is recognised by the United has even led some, such as Elaine Morgan, to propose Nations as a human right, reflecting the fundamental in her book “The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis” that humans nature of these basics in every person’s life. Lack of access evolved from creatures in the water. I would claim that to safe drinking water, water for sanitation and water we have never left it. Nowadays, it seems that everyone that is truly affordable has a particularly devastating is engaged in wild swimming, but this has not always effect on billions of people on their health, dignity and been the case. In the 19th century, swimming was an prosperity, especially in the global south. The markets and exclusive activity restricted to men and access to swimming the money men think differently, with water joining pools was a luxury limited by class. If women chose to gold, oil and other commodities being traded on Wall Street, swim in the sea, they had to ensure that no men were as worries about the uncertainty of its availability in the around. Even in the 20th century, they could be arrested future rises and therefore its attractiveness to big investors. and convicted if they sought to take a dip in a lake. Water traded as a commodity is morally reprehensible. Amazingly, it was not until the 1930s that women were While the privateers make a tidy sum, half a million die finally allowed to publicly bathe, so I am sure that we globally each year because of diarrhoea-related illnesses are all very pleased to see that the advancement of on the back of drinking contaminated water, and that is women’s rights has progressed, even if it has only been just scratching the surface. The water shortage issue is in outdoor swimming. slowly appearing on our media’s agenda, albeit on the Outdoor swimming has gained huge popularity in back of rich Californians being told that they are not recent years. The debate continues as to whether it is permitted to fill their swimming pools, or, of course, of better to swim with or without a wetsuit, but the health the hosepipe bans that we have seen issued in recent years benefits and potential for wellness and mindfulness across the south of England on the back of protracted have shown us that this activity improves not only droughts. Growing water shortages are every bit linked physical health but mental health. But we have a problem to the deepening climate emergency as global temperatures here in England. In Scotland, swimmers have a clear continue to rise. By 2040, one in four children worldwide right to swim, which goes alongside their right to roam. will lack access to clean drinking water. That means that, Scotland allows swimming in any outdoor water. In if they do not perish from diseases first, school days are England and Wales, the law is not so clear. It is legal to lost and all human development indices will be down. swim in any navigable waters, but this means water that I know that we are looking at the global picture is also being used by boats and other watercraft, posing today, but nations—be they rich like ours—need to lay a hazard to those swimming. Access to water becomes down a marker, driving the privateers out of the water fraught with problems around civil trespass, and actually markets, and that starts by nationalising our own water getting in and out of the water. Indeed, the private supply. Our international development strategy should owners of reservoirs ignore the desire for people to be focused on helping developing nations to take control swim, even though they allow activities on their water or maintain control of their own water supplies that are source. run in the interests of their own people, not private Today I am calling on the Government to support the profit. Outdoor Swimming Society’s campaign for clearer legal In many ways, water is the perfect commodity. It is a access to water bodies in England and Wales. We did it fixed, finite resource with a global market that covers for access to the countryside; now let us do it for access every human being on the planet who needs access to it to waterways. for survival. Most alarming is the emerging view that the resource wars of the future will be fought not on scarce resources like oil, but on water. We only need to 4.12 pm look at the recent past for evidence of what could await Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab) [V]: I congratulate poorer countries, particularly if right-wing autocrats my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu force their people to abide by World Bank privatisation Mishra) on securing this important debate. I agree with diktats in exchange for loans. We saw this in Bolivia every point he made. With climate breakdown threatening barely two decades ago, where it even went as far as to plunge vast swathes of the world into drought and criminalising the collection of rainwater and violent water conflict, it is simply shameful that the Government scenes broke out across the country. are cutting overseas aid spending. It signals a worrying Members of this place should be absolutely committed retreat from the UK’s long-standing humanitarian to this agenda—one that guarantees universal access to commitments, and I urge the Minister responsible to clean and safe water for every human being, and a just change course. My hon. Friend is quite right to demand settlement based on developing countries having the action for the 2.2 billion people globally who still lack tools at their disposal to oversee their own destiny. access to clean drinking water. 579 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 580

World Water Day marks a day dedicated to the In my work for WaterAid, Christian Aid and CAFOD, sustainable management of water resources, so I also want I have seen the transformative impact that having water to discuss the immense challenges facing us at home. It and sanitation can bring to people’s lives—to whole seems inconceivable that Britain, with its rolling green communities transformed by having water. I have seen fields and regular rainfall, could ever want for water, women who can now get jobs because they do not have but the climate crisis and water wastage could plunge us to be off fetching water. I have seen nurses and doctors into a life-threatening water shortage in less than 25 years. saying that they are able to do their job—that they are Sir James Bevan, head of the Environment Agency, has able to save lives now—because they have water facilities warned that we are staring into “the jaws of death”—the in their clinics. But I have also seen the impact of not point at which we will not even have enough water to having water. I have spoken to a mother whose baby supply our needs. Urgent action is needed to improve died of sepsis, an entirely preventable disease—clean infrastructure and reduce wastage, and that means water is necessary for preventing it—that is responsible acknowledging that water is a public good, not a private for an extraordinary one in five global deaths. commodity. Our aid budget simply does not fund WASH projects Since the privatisation of water in 1989, the average enough. Just 2% of the UK aid budget is spent on WASH, bill has risen by 40% in real terms, and £57 billion that and even that is under threat, with the aid budget being could have been invested in making much needed internal cut by devastating amounts, from £15 billion to £9 billion improvements has been paid out in dividends to private this year. I urge the Minister to think WASH in all her shareholders. We have been left with a system in which planning, budgeting and delivery.I am very disappointed almost 3 billion litres of water—approximately the amount that the integrated review published this week contains consumed by 22 million people—is lost in leaks every almost no mention of water and sanitation, and no day. If Members will forgive my phrasing, privatisation recognition of how fundamentally strategic this issue is. has been a busted flush. Its scale is enormous, and it must be met by equal I say to the Government, who have already borrowed ambition. We could be showing leadership on this across so much from my party’s 2019 manifesto, that there is the world. one more Labour policy ripe for the taking: a publicly Some 2 billion people lack access to safe water for owned, democratically controlled water system. By at drinking, cooking or personal use, and 55% of the global last bringing water back into public ownership, we population still lacks access to safely managed sanitation. could slash the average water bill by at least £100 a year One in two healthcare facilities in the least developed and plough profits back into securing water mains and countries lacks basic water services. If my local hospital reducing leakage. As part of a wider green industrial said it had no water, we would close it down. If my son’s revolution, we could create thousands of new, highly school said it had no water, we would not send children skilled jobs in the construction and maintenance of new to it. We would not say that those were adequate and improved waterworks. education or healthcare facilities, yet we fund the building Public ownership would not just bring benefits to people of healthcare clinics and schools around the world that living in Britain; the conversation about water is a do not have water. It has got to stop. A shortage of global issue, and the UK must play its part. By developing clean water for hand washing, sanitation and hygiene is much needed infrastructure, skills and expertise at home, also fundamental in stopping the covid spread the UK can play a leading role in assisting those nations I urge the Government to commit, as a minimum, to most afflicted by water scarcity and those people across returning to the 0.7% aid target as soon as possible. the globe deprived of this live-giving resource. I would like to hear more than warm words from the Minister today.Those words must be backed up by a step change in our funding for water and sanitation, using 4.15 pm the role as the chair of the G7 to bring together Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab): Congratulations to global donors to fund this and using our role as host of my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu COP26 to bring WASH funding to the fore. It is time Mishra) on securing this important debate, and I thank for the UK to return to being a world leader in delivering the Backbench Business Committee for allowing it. water and sanitation programmes, and the UK public will cheer us on. This debate marks international World Water Day, which is on 22 March and is an opportunity to talk about access for all to this necessary resource with a live-giving 4.20 pm property—water.As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary Alex Davies-Jones (Pontypridd) (Lab) [V]: It is a group on water, sanitation and hygiene, I am delighted pleasure to follow my good friend my hon. Friend the to be able to speak in today’s debate. As hon. Members Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson) on an issue that may be aware, I am unapologetically evangelical about is extremely close to both our hearts. Members are making the importance of water,sanitation and hygiene—WASH. some fantastic points about global water poverty, but I This debate will be warmly welcomed by constituents am sure it will come as no surprise that I will be keeping across the UK who support water projects so generously my contributions focused on the situation a little closer through organisations such as WaterAid and CAFOD. to home. Colleagues may not be aware of this, but in my They get it. They get that we cannot eradicate poverty, former life I worked at the not-for-profit water company we cannot have gender equality and education for all, Dwˆr Cymru—Welsh Water. I am also the proud co-chair we cannot tackle climate change, and we cannot achieve of the all-party parliamentary group on water. peace and security around the world if we do not fund I have raised the issue of flooding time and again in water,sanitation and hygiene. Investment in national public my contributions, and I am afraid that today, in a services and water systems is both a high value for money debate commemorating World Water Day, it would be investment and highly valued by the British public. remiss of me to open with any other topic. As colleagues 581 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 582

[Alex Davies-Jones] I am sure we can all agree that such schemes are vital to helping people across Wales, regardless of income, will be aware, my community in Pontypridd was hit by have access to clean, sanitised water. This is particularly devastating flooding in February last year. More than important in a world where, according to research by 1,800 homes were affected and, sadly, water entered more the World Health Organisation and the UN, a whopping than 320 homes across my constituency. Time and again 785 million people do not have clean water close to in this House, I and my Rhondda Cynon Taf colleagues home. With the Queen’s Speech just round the corner, I —my hon. Friends the Members for Rhondda sincerely hope that the Minister will carefully consider (Chris Bryant), for Cynon Valley (Beth Winter) and for the points raised here today. The Government have a Ogmore (Chris Elmore)—have called on this Government once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead from the front to step up and take the issue of flooding in Wales on climate change and to make a real and meaningful seriously.After much persistence from my Labour colleagues difference to everyone who lives under the threat of and me, I was pleased to see that the Chancellor finally flooding. accepted some responsibility to the communities in Wales, and pledged £31 million for flooding repairs and to help secure the coal tips. 4.24 pm Sadly, however, I have real concerns about this Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab) [V]: I congratulate Government’s commitment to working with the Welsh my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu Government to secure long-term, sustainable solutions Mishra) on securing this vitally important debate for to this problem. One of the major problems facing World Water Day. people in my community who have experienced flooding Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are key is accessing home insurance. Although the Flood Re foundations to supporting communities to break free scheme has helped some individuals, there are still from extreme poverty and inequality.Water Aid’s mission major problems of affordability, especially for the poorest statement says: households. One of the major concerns that brings real “Some people dream of finding water on Mars. Others dream anxiety to people who have experienced flooding is the of finding it here on Earth.” possibility that this could happen again. While developed countries continue to rightly seek progress, Ultimately, if nothing is done to address the climate we have to recognise that the basic life-sustaining rights crisis in this country, sadly, many more people will find we are afforded need to be replicated in deprived areas themselves with the same anxiety and fears as those of across the world. I recognise that progress has been made, my constituents. Indeed, the Met Office’s own report on as 1.7 billion people have gained access to safely managed the issue, “State of the UK Climate”, published in 2019, sanitation since 2000, but there is still a long way to go. shows that the UK’s climate is becoming wetter. The Some 55% of the global population still do not have findings highlighted that the highest rainfall totals over access to safe sanitation, and 2 billion people lack access a five-day period were 4% higher between 2008 and to safe water for drinking, cooking or personal use. 2017 compared with the averages between 1961 and 1990. We have seen over the past year how a shortage of We are lucky in Wales to have our fantastic Welsh clean water for handwashing, sanitation and general Labour Government, who not only have a fantastic hygiene in healthcare facilities worldwide has undermined record on tackling climate change, but are at the forefront countries’ covid response. The lack of access to water in of supporting sustainable planning and home building hospitals and clinics has risked the lives of health across the country. Colleagues may roll their eyes, but workers and patients as well as potentially perpetuating one of the policy areas I feel most passionate about is the pandemic. sustainable drainage systems. In 2019, the Welsh Labour Without concerted international action, the situation Government introduced mandatory regulations on new in the global south is going to quickly deteriorate housing developments to help reduce flood risk and because of the climate emergency. It is the world’s most improve water quality.These SUDS not only help address vulnerable who bear the brunt of climate breakdown the issue of flooding in a sustainable and environmentally despite having contributed to it the least. Extreme weather friendly way, but can help improve local wildlife and such as prolonged droughts is drying up water sources, biodiversity. Despite the fantastic benefits of SUDS, while rising sea levels and flooding are contaminating the UK Government still trail behind and have failed to ill-protected water supplies. The Environmental Justice introduce mandatory regulations for developments here Foundation has estimated that one in every seven people in England. in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change by To conclude, while I am aware that my contribution 2050. Former Governor of the Bank of England and today is at risk of turning into an ode to my former UN special envoy Mark Carney has said: employer, I would also like to place on record my “When you look at climate change from a human mortality support for any initiatives that improve accessibility to perspective, it will be the equivalent of a coronavirus crisis every clean water. The last 12 months have been extraordinarily year from the middle of this century, and every year, not just a difficult for my community both because of the devastation one-off event.” of last year’s flooding and because the coronavirus has It is shameful that when faced with such a huge injustice, left many people concerned about their jobs and livelihoods. the Conservative Government decide to step back from Welsh Water, being a not-for-profit company, truly is their international commitments by slashing the overseas leading the way with some fantastic work to support aid budget from 0.7% of GNI to 0.5%. The Government those who need extra help. Its HelpU scheme helps the must not renege on our internationally binding obligation lowest-income households eligible to have their bills to work collaboratively to guarantee access to water capped so that they know they will not be paying over a and sanitation for all by 2030 under the 2015 UN certain amount of money. sustainable development goals. 583 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 584

As well as addressing water scarcity in developing levels of cancer-causing chemicals in the water. It was a countries, the UK also has an obligation to ensure that devastating example of environmental injustice and it is not wasted domestically. The Tories’ privatisation of racism, driven by profit and greed. water has been a disaster. People have been left without From fracking in Lancashire to the Dakota access water for days and trillions of litres of water have been pipeline in the United States, private companies are lost through leakages, all while billions of pounds of ravaging our environment and putting profit before the bill payers’ money is siphoned off in dividend payments needs and wellbeing of our communities. The climate to wealthy shareholders. The only way to end the dismal change emergency brings further risks in respect of mistreatment of our utilities in the UK that is impacting access to clean water around the world. The question of the public’s pocket and our planet is by bringing water water justice is an urgent one and the challenges are back into democratic public ownership. growing fast. Some 2 billion people lack access to safe I echo the comments by my hon. Friend the Member water for drinking, cooking and personal use. Just as for Stockport about the Flint, Michigan water scandal. the challenges are global, so must be our movement. In In Flint, privatised water has had dire consequences for the year that the UK plays host to both the G7 and the local community. Private water company Veolia and COP26, we need to lead the way by increasing the share former governor Rick Snyder prioritised profit over of climate finance dedicated to helping the poorest people and the environment, subsequently poisoning a countries to adapt to climate change. With no clean predominantly African-American and economically poor water to drink, cook and wash with, communities falter community. If the terrible situation in Flint is to teach and people get sick, putting their lives, livelihoods and us anything, it is that access to water is a right and not a futures at risk. By 2040, the situation is predicted to be commodity to be profited from. even worse, with climate change making water perilously scarce for 600 million children. 4.28 pm I call on the Government to bring our water back Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab) [V]: I into public ownership and to do everything necessary to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport ensure that third-world countries have access to clean (Navendu Mishra) on securing this really important water to drink, cook and wash. debate for World Water Day. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing): I I pay tribute to the incredible Right2Water campaign have to reduce the time limit to three minutes. that the Irish people began in 2014 against the corporate theft of their water in order to maintain their water and 4.32 pm sanitation in public ownership, paid for by progressive taxation. This was the biggest single-issue mobilisation Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It is always a pleasure of citizens in the state’s history, bringing 600,000 people to speak in this House for three or four minutes. on to the streets over seven days of peaceful demonstrations I congratulate the hon. Member for Stockport (Navendu and collecting over 2 million signatures for their petition. Mishra) on bringing this matter to the House. We are so They demand that water and sanitation are enshrined blasé about water: we turn on the tap, the water comes as a fundamental human right, that water supply and out and we do not think about it. But there are parts of management of water resources are not subject to internal the world where that does not happen—although not, market rules, and that efforts are made to achieve of course, around Newcastle in South Down, where universal access to water and sanitation. people can look at the mountains of Mourne and see Today, on World Water Day, I take up those demands whether it is raining or about to rain, and that is and call for them to be implemented here in the UK. We perhaps where it is in that country. need a water and sanitation infrastructure that is driven A few years ago, I hosted a dinner in a local church by universal access, health and safety, protecting the and the profits from the meals were going to a project environment, and minimising waste. We know what called H2O—water.I heard the story of entire communities happens when this fundamental right is corrupted by taking their water from the river in which animals the profit motive. Throughout the world, private water bathed and did their business and that carried all human companies have ravaged our environment and put profits waste away. Finance was raised to bore a water well that before people. provided those communities with fresh water, and health The Flint water scandal was one of the worst man-made has improved in that village as a consequence. environmental disasters in American history.Tocut costs, I congratulate the church group Challenge Ministries the private water contractor was allowed to use the Flint Swaziland UK for its great work in Swaziland, but it is water supply to serve the city’spredominantly working-class not alone in the work it carries out. I note that the African American population, with 45% of residents living group is hosting a virtual concert called “Surviving Our below the poverty line. A wave of complaints about the Storm” on Friday 26 March at 6.30 pm, with choirs foul-smelling, discoloured and off-tasting water were from the Eden church in Newtownards, other churches chronically ignored, overlooked and discounted by local in Northern Ireland and churches in Swaziland. I will government officials for more than 18 months, despite post a link on my Facebook page next week, should the water causing itchy skin, rashes and hair loss among anyone wish to watch. It is hard to raise funds these residents. To date, 12,000 children have been exposed to days, but such projects, which think outside the box, the dangerous levels of lead that had seeped out of aged ensure that we do not abandon those who rely on us. and corroded pipelines and into people’s homes. Twelve There are many missionaries, churches and charities people died from a related outbreak of Legionnaires’ that work so hard to raise awareness and bring disease. Faecal coliform bacteria was found in the water about change, and I thank them for all that they do. I and dealt with by the adding of more chlorine without understand that the FCDO works with Unilever to addressing the underlying issues, resulting in increased bring together groups of people; how can churches, 585 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 586

[Jim Shannon] For example, the UK Government announced earlier this month that they would cut aid to Yemen by nearly missionary organisations and charity groups feed into 60% in 2022, directly risking cutting food and water that process? They are committed to Africa and further support to a quarter of a million vulnerable people. afield and can make things happen. Some 92% of the UK aid budget in Yemen goes to disaster We all know the horrendous stats: 2 billion people relief, health, education and water, with 7.8 million lack access to safe water for drinking, cooking or personal people in Yemen lacking clean water and sanitation, use; 1.7 billion people have gained access to safely including an estimated 9.2 million children who have no managed sanitation since 2000, but 55% per cent of the access to clean water,sanitation and hygiene.In sub-Saharan global population still lacks access; 3 billion people are Africa, 63% of people in urban areas, or 258 million unable to wash their hands with soap and water; and people, currently lack access to hand-washing facilities, one in two healthcare facilities in the least developed while it has been reported that the UK Government are countries lack basic water services, and three in five set to cut aid to the most water-scarce region of sub-Saharan have no sanitation services. These things are critical, so Africa by a staggering 93%. I urge the Government to respond in a way that means we can all help. The UK Government’s decision to refocus UK aid spending towards supporting trading interests in favoured It is my firm belief that the UK should use its role as countries, as opposed to poverty alleviation, will cost chair of the G7 to bring global donors together to fund the lives of the poorest people on earth, who do not the $1.2 billion needed to build the basic infrastructure even have suitable drinking water. There are deep concerns for water, sanitation, hygiene and healthcare facilities in about the UK Government’s £120 million funding cut the least developed countries. We can help and make a as well for international research on water security. difference and I believe sincerely that it is right and With almost no notice, this cut has taken place and has proper to do so. been condemned by the UN. I look to the Minister and to my Government to ensure, with the NGOs, that every person has access to that For the poorest people in the world, the situation is which we take for granted: the basic necessity of water. already much worse than any of us in the UK could imagine. Extreme weather, such as prolonged droughts, dry up water resources like springs and wells, while 4.35 pm rising sea levels and flooding contaminates ill-protected Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP) water supplies, with dire consequences. With no clean [V]: I thank the hon. Member for Stockport (Navendu water to drink, cook or wash, communities falter, putting Mishra) for securing this debate on World Water Day. their lives, livelihoods and futures at risk. By 2040, the Such a debate is a reminder of how lucky we are in the situation is predicted to be even worse, with climate UK and how fortunate I am. In Scotland, we enjoy change making water perilously scarce for 600 million world-class, high-quality water, drinkable straight from children—that is one in four. the tap, and, unlike in England, it is publicly owned and will remain so unless the Tories use the pernicious United Safer water has huge implications also for maternal Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 to privatise it. It is and newborn health and, tragically, infections associated worth noting that water bills in Scotland are 12% lower with unclean births account for 26% of newborn deaths than in England. and 11% of maternal mortality, together accounting for more than 1 million deaths each year. Approximately The theme of World Water Day 2021 is “Valuing Water” 20% of all global deaths are due to sepsis, amounting to and, indeed, water—safe water—is beyond price. As approximately 11 million potentially avoidable deaths highlighted by the International Rescue Committee, each year. More than half of all healthcare-associated practising simple hygiene, especially hand washing, plays deaths could be prevented through the provision of safe a critical role in reducing the transmission of covid-19 water and sanitation, as part of infection prevention and other communicable diseases, yet according to the and control. latest UNICEF estimates, only three out of five people worldwide have basic hand-washing facilities. Some 40% of A lack of access to water for hygiene and personal the world’s population, or 3 billion people, do not have use and sanitation can affect women and girls in multiple a hand-washing facility with water and soap at home. intersecting ways. Girls and women in sub-Saharan It is a terrible fact that billions of people worldwide Africa spend 40 billion working hours a year collecting still live without safely managed drinking water and water—time that therefore cannot be spent participating sanitation. The world is not on track, sadly, to achieve in education, employment, social and political activities. the sustainable development goal of sanitation for all With studies linking child survival most closely to their by 2030, as the current rate of progress needs to quadruple mother’s education level and poverty level, factors that to reach the global target of universal access by 2030. It reduce educational opportunities for girls have significant is shameful that while every other G7 country has implications, not only for their economic and social responded to the covid-19 pandemic by increasing aid, opportunities, but for the health and wellbeing of their the UK Government are alone in choosing to cut it by families and communities. approximately £4 billion this year,after a cut of £2.9 billion last year, and, in doing so, reneging on a legally binding Water security is quite literally the difference between aid spending commitment and breaking yet another life and death, and the poorest people on earth are manifesto promise. The Government must urgently rethink suffering and dying without vital access to this natural this move and U-turn on the plan to abandon their and essential resource. For the UK Government to 0.7% commitment to aid spending, if tragic consequences slash their aid budget when the poorest people on Earth for the world’s most vulnerable are to be avoided. need it most is truly shameful. Let’s change that. 587 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 588

4.41 pm Rosemary is talking about the importance of aid and development money, making sure that money reaches Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab): I congratulate my the people who need it, that girls have access to education hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu Mishra) and are not forced to stay at home, that the necessary on securing this important debate. I pay tribute to my equipment is built for new wells closer to home, and hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson), that there is money in place for preventive measures. We who has done so much work in this area, and who continues know, however, that this Government have announced to fight for proper funding for WASH, and to my hon. severe and damaging cuts, which will have a direct Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Alex Davies-Jones), impact on Rosemary. who speaks eloquently about the need for access to clean water close to home and about flooding issues. As well as scarcity,there is the increasing weaponisation of water. Naza, a young Syrian woman, told me, “It is It is a pleasure to follow such powerful contributions always the innocent that suffer.” After 10 years of war from across the House. I also want to put on record my in Syria, nowhere is that more true than in Hasakah in thanks to WaterAid and the many other organisations north-east Syria, where Turkish authorities break across the world fighting to put water accessibility at international law by restricting water for half a million the top of the agenda and continuing their fight for a people. Worse still, they have had their aid access cut at global solution to a global challenge. the border crossing. This must urgently be reauthorised by the Security Council this year. Water, and access to water, is at the very core of who we are. It fuels humanity and is the driving force of The Prime Minister chaired the most recent UN advancement and progress. Water is the thread that Security Council meeting, which looked at water access, binds us, weaving together people and places across the and just this week said that tackling climate breakdown globe; it is the universal language, but today we have is his top priority. Yet his actions do not match his heard Members across the House raise alarming issues, words. Let us look at what this Government are actually emphasising that in our rapidly changing world, when it doing. Where water scarcity is most acute, the Government comes to water we are no longer equal. Whether because have spent upwards of £4 billion on funding fossil fuel of dwindling resources or access, water is at the centre projects in developing nations since the Paris climate of the rising crises around us, from climate to conflict to agreement. Despite promises of a phase-out and a covid. We have a water emergency. consultation, which by all accounts the Government seem to have already prejudged, we are still waiting for A large portion of the world is on a collision course. action to be taken. Meanwhile, they continue to green-light Whether through drought, or scarcity, or water projects polluting water sources, fields and food chains. weaponisation by rogue actors, 3 billion people across This is unacceptable. the world are affected by water shortages—half of those Although distribution of an equitable vaccine through as a consequence of climate breakdown. When the wells COVAX is essential for fighting covid, it is unlikely that run dry we learn the true value of water. But it is no that vaccine will be available in those low income, longer just the wells; the once great lakes, and the roving water-stressed nations until 2023. Water and sanitation rivers that bring fresh water to communities, to fields are vital for maintaining good hygiene and preventing for crops, and that support jobs and livelihoods, are the spread of the virus. How do we beat a mutating also drying up. virus when one in three people does not have access to How lucky are we, then, to have such easy access to safe drinking water, and two in five people do not have water when so many have none—to live in a society basic hand-washing facilities? where we celebrate the discovery of water on distant Aid and development spend is our first responder planets, yet access for so many is becoming ever more and last line of defence to keep our world safe and distant. And it is the world’s most vulnerable who bear secure. It really sticks in the throat that the Minister will the brunt, whether that is in conflict zones, in fragile no doubt rise to tell this House about problems across states, or because of climate breakdown. the world when it is this Government’spolitically motivated cuts to aid that will undo the resilience necessary to Last week, I was fortunate to speak to some incredible tackle them. When the Government are slashing aid by women—Rose, Rosemary and Comfort, from communities one third, how do they hope to lead at the G7 summit? in Kenya and Uganda, three extraordinary women leading How will they address the £1 billion shortfall in the grassroots responses to climate breakdown in their own funding needed to build the basic infrastructure for communities. Rosemary, who educates women and girls water sanitation and hygiene? in rural Kenya to build sustainable water infrastructure, shared her experiences with me. She spoke of the women The Foreign Secretary has set out seven core priorities in her communities who walk for miles to find water, for the aid budget for the year ahead, but they do not exist meaning that there is less time to think about how to in a silo. When the Government are cutting £5 billion intervene in, adapt to and mitigate these crises. This from the aid budget, where do they draw the line? All means that their daughters must spend more time looking the issues overlap, driving inequality, scarcity and poverty after the household and their siblings, so they are unable collectively. Which projects are the Government going to go to school. “It is always the women,” she said, to cut? Which person’s lifeline are they choosing to “They are the ones disproportionately affected by the withdraw—Naza or Rosemary? What message does this climate crisis and water emergency. They are the ones send as we host COP26 this year? Will the Government who have to pick up the pieces. They are the ones who give those from climate-vulnerable, low-income nations have to find the dwindling supply and lean on daughters a voice, as Labour has called for, and a long overdue for support. Where is the international community seat at the table, so that the voices of those I have raised for help?” today are given equal weight? 589 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 World Water Day 590

[Anna McMorrin] partnership with Unilever: the Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition. It is a brilliant example of what we Ambition without action is fantasy. Now it is time for can achieve through partnership, with the private sector, the Government to start leading through the power of the public sector, civil society and research institutions their example. They should not turn their back on the all working together. We provided £50 million of funding, most vulnerable when they need us most. which Unilever matched in hygiene products and expertise in promoting behaviour change.1 4.49 pm The programme has been active in 37 low and middle- income countries, from Brazil to Kiribati and Syria to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, South Africa. Action on the ground is by an amazing Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Wendy Morton): team of 18 NGOs, UNICEF, the United Nations High I am grateful to the hon. Member for Stockport (Navendu Commissioner for Refugees and the London School of Mishra) for securing this important debate just four days Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Unilever has donated before World Water Day on 22 March. I am grateful to tens of millions of bars of soap and other hygiene Members across the House who have raised a number products, alongside its valuable advice and campaign of specific points, which I will address, and who have materials. This ambitious programme has an equally shared many experiences and examples of the importance ambitious target, which is to reach 1 billion people with of water both domestically and globally. essential advice on hand hygiene, and we are almost The theme of this year’s World Water Day is “valuing there. water”. What does that mean? The value of water is far More broadly, I am pleased to report that we have more than its price. Access to safe water, sanitation and exceeded our target of 60 million more people with safe good hygiene is critical for people’s health. In much of water or sanitation over the last five years. Those receiving the world, diarrhoea is a killer, responsible for the our support are among the world’s poorest and in deaths of 1,200 young children a day. Almost 60% of fragile or conflict-affected areas. those deaths are caused by inadequate water, sanitation Reliability and sustainability are important concerns, and hygiene. too. We are assessing the sustainability of our earlier We have committed to help end preventable deaths, work and that review will inform a shift in our emphasis. and improving water supply, sanitation and hygiene is We will move from supporting household or community one of the most effective ways we can do that. However, systems to supporting Governments to establish or as Members have rightly reminded us, nearly 800 million strengthen services. British innovation will drive services people still lack access to basic water supplies, 2 million from e-payment and smart maintenance systems to safe live without basic sanitation services, and 3 billion do reuse and recycling. That will maximise the impact of not have any hand-washing facilities at home. That last UK aid and, at the same time, demonstrate what the statistic should ring loud. We are dealing with the worst UK has to offer in this area. It will also help to attract pandemic in a century, and 40% of the global population domestic and private resources, which are vital to meet are unable to wash their hands at home—something our ambition of universal access to water, sanitation that we take for granted. and hygiene by 2030. Beyond the household, one in four healthcare facilities That shift will be reinforced by national leadership on has no water supply, rising to 50% in the world’s least water, sanitation and hygiene, with sound policies and developed countries. Health facilities should be a source plans that are backed up by good evidence. We will do of care, not of infection. We want universal access to that through several channels: the Sanitation and Water water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030, but at the current for All partnership, which includes more than 70 national rate of progress we are not going to achieve that before Governments, our support to the World Health the end of the century. Organisation for evidence-based guidance, and our support The value of water extends well beyond its direct to the UNICEF-WHO joint monitoring programme, connection with health. Water allows children—especially which is tracking progress against the sanitation and girls—to attend school and learn there. According to water global goal. That work reinforces our wider objectives UNICEF, one in three girls lacks basic water supplies. of safeguarding water resources. Even more lack facilities for menstrual hygiene, which is With UK support, water insecurity is an increasingly a massive barrier for adolescent girls. Access to water hot topic for Governments in the run-up to COP26 later for household use and public services is fundamental for this year in Glasgow.The new Adaptation Action Coalition human health and development, but it only accounts has identified water as one of the three priority themes for 11% of all the fresh water we use. Agriculture and to address with UK support. We know that the challenges industry use the rest, and demand is fast outpacing supply. are enormous, but I am confident that we can and will Climate change is making the situation worse, as we use our insight, experience and resources to good effect. have heard this afternoon. In many parts of the world, We will work with like-minded partners and deliver the prolonged drought and severe flooding are becoming impact that is urgently needed. more common, which have particularly high human impacts in developing countries. Poor people are experiencing 4.56 pm climate change through water. Navendu Mishra: I thank all those who have taken The UK Government take the issue of water and part in this debate ahead of World Water Day on sanitation very seriously, as a development concern and Monday. I thank the shadow Minister and the Minister as part of our approach to dealing with covid-19. for their contributions.In particular,I thank the Backbench Members have raised the importance of hand washing. Business Committee and my hon. Friend the Member Recognising that hand hygiene is a critical element to for Putney (Fleur Anderson) for supporting me with tackle the virus, in March last year we forged a unique this debate. 1.[Official Report, 23 March 2021, Vol. 691, c. 4MC.] 591 World Water Day 18 MARCH 2021 592

There is overwhelming support in this country for Public Landmarks Review bringing water companies back into public hands—63% are That this House in favour, and Scotland’s publicly owned Scottish Water Motion made, and Question proposed, do now adjourn.— is the most trusted utility company in Britain. From (Tom Pursglove.) listening to the many contributions to the debate, it is clear that there is widespread consensus that the 4.58 pm Government must honour the UK’s international aid Gareth Bacon (Orpington) (Con): Britain is under commitment, restore the ring-fenced aid funding and attack—not in a physical sense, but in a philosophical, reverse the cuts that have led to a number of programmes ideological and historical sense. Our heritage is under relating to the provision of clean water, hygiene and direct assault. There are those who seek to call the very sanitation being underfunded. sense of what it is to be British today into question. What was also communicated today is that the privatised Attempts are being made to rewrite our history,indoctrinate water system in our country is not fit for purpose and our children with anti-British propaganda and impose that it must be brought back into public hands to ensure an alternative worldview. the highest standards and value to the consumer. It Our institutions have been undermined. Attempts must finally be restored after decades of failure. have been made to sully the reputations of towering Question put and agreed to. figures from British history because the views of their time may not conform to today’s values. The rise of the Resolved, power, reach and influence of social media in recent That this House has considered World Water Day 2021. years has been highly influential, increasing the pace and spread of what is a broadly left-wing, anti-British, anti-western and anti-capitalist rhetoric. A domino phenomenon is being witnessed as a succession of national institutions and organisations accept, seemingly without question or critical analysis, the new orthodoxy. The new orthodoxy has become colloquially known as the woke perspective. In modern day Britain, the woke viewpoint includes attacking the historical concept of Britain by reinterpreting British history in a slanted and decontextualised manner, using modern viewpoints and value judgments. In woke eyes, the British empire is no longer seen as a modernising, civilising force that spread trade, wealth and the rule of law around the globe. Instead, it is viewed as a racist, colonialist, oppressive force than invaded sovereign foreign countries, plundered them and enslaved people en masse. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Tom Pursglove.) Gareth Bacon: Great British heroes such as Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill, who were until comparatively recently almost universally regarded in a highly favourable light, now have their reputations besmirched. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the hon. Gentleman for bringing this matter to the House. When we record greatness, we celebrate men and women who are inherently imperfect. When I look at Churchill’s statue in Parliament Square, I honour what Churchill represented: duty, fortitude and an unwavering belief that when we British stood together, we could not be defeated. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that these are worthy of celebration and honour today, and that by tearing them down we make no statement other than that we will not acknowledge our past, which makes me fear for our future?

Gareth Bacon: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. I agree with him unreservedly. I would also like to acknowledge the honour of being intervened on by him. I gather this is a rite of passage for any Member of Parliament: you are not really a Member of Parliament until you have been intervened upon by the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), so I am very grateful to him. 593 Public Landmarks Review18 MARCH 2021 Public Landmarks Review 594

[Gareth Bacon] aim, but he rather let the cat out of the bag when asked last June whether he thought the commission would Britain, a small country on the north-western edge of lead to statues being removed, and he said, “I hope so.” the European continent that led the world in the fields The Mayor’s desire to rewrite history is underlined in of science, industry, democracy, trade, law, the arts and the application pack for people aspiring to be on the much more besides, and that stood and fought, often for commission. In it, the Mayor states: long periods alone, for freedom against European tyranny in the shape of Napoleon and Nazism and successfully “Our statues, street names, memorials and buildings have left a opposed Soviet Communism, is reinterpreted in the woke distorted view of the past.” perspective solely as a slave-owning force of oppression He goes on to call for the commission to: and evil. The slanted views of the woke perspective focus “Further the discussion into what legacies should be celebrated.” firmly on the past. Its preoccupation is with rewriting that past in order to alter the present. By rewriting Britain’s The terms of reference for the commission stated that long and varied history to focus solely on slavery, without there would be: any acknowledgement of Britain’s huge role in stamping “A fair and transparent recruitment process resulting in a it out, the woke perspective seeks historical justification group of 15 Commission Members in addition to the two Co-Chairs for its ideological belief that modern Britain is inherently with broad-ranging knowledge, expertise and lived experience racist, with an entirely shameful past. relevant to the work of the Commission.” Anyone who takes that at face value is either spectacularly Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con): Does my hon. naive or they have not been following the development Friend agree that woke activists are of course entitled to of Sadiq Khan’s mayoralty. their views, and to express them, but that they are not In February, the membership of the commission was entitled to impose those views as though they were in announced, and it is fair to say that it removed any any way authoritative or unchallengeable? Does he pretence that it would produce an impartial and objective agree that that is an arrogant and divisive standpoint to historical world view. One of the commissioners has take? already been forced to resign for antisemitic comments he made in the past. Of the remaining commissioners, Gareth Bacon: I agree with my hon. Friend. In any one has said: mature democracy, the right to hold alternative views “The UK is evil. It is the common denominator in atrocities and to express them is unchallengeable. However, what across the world and is responsible for white supremacy everywhere.” I do not think is unchallengeable is an attempt to stamp Another said: out contrary views, to cancel people, to bully and intimidate them and to make them fear for their safety simply “Boris Johnson is an out and out complete”— because they have an alternative view. he then uses an obscene four-letter word beginning with c This woke view of our nation’s history fails to recognise —“who is overtly racist.” He goes on to express support the open, tolerant and global Britain that is a force for for defunding the police. A third claimed last year that: good in the world—a champion of democracy, equality, “The concept of race was created by white people in order to peace and prosperity that was forged in the empire. Its give them power over non-white people.” mission is to destroy the accepted sense of Britain in When setting this commission up, the Mayor claimed: order to impose a countervailing ideological perspective, because if it delegitimises the one, it is possible to “The membership will be representative of London’s diversity.” legitimise the other. Of course, there is no better way to Diversity of what? Certainly not diversity of thought or achieve this than to topple the towering heroes on of political opinion. These people are hand-picked, which British history balances. For example, left-wing hard-left political activists. Sadiq Khan is playing an efforts to paint Churchill as a racist are an attempt to irresponsible and dangerous game by establishing a new warp our country’s memory of the second world war. commission to tear down London’s landmarks. The It is against this backdrop that we see a sudden push Mayor expects this to be an easy, virtue-signalling public from some quarters to question the legitimacy of the relations win, but his decision has created division and statues, monuments and even the road names of certain inflamed tensions in the capital. A recent poll conducted parts of our country. Chief among them, of course, is by YouGov found that 42% of Londoners oppose the London. Our capital city has always been the political, plans, compared with 38% who are in favour of them. governmental, financial and cultural centre of our country. An e-petition calling for the protection of all historical It therefore has many historic monuments. Unfortunately statues and monuments has attracted more than 35,000 for London, it also has a Mayor who has never wasted a signatures of support. Shaun Bailey, Mr Khan’s moment in ingratiating himself with woke activists. Conservative opponent in the forthcoming London mayoral Within days of the protests in central London last election, commented: summer, Sadiq Khan announced that he would create a “The Mayor has driven wedges between communities…With commission for diversity in the public realm. Staggeringly, his diversity commission, he’s trying to re-write British history, for a man who constantly pleads poverty when it comes but he does not have the expertise or the authority to do this.” to carrying out his core functions of building houses, He is completely correct. running the transport system or keeping people safe on the streets, Sadiq Khan has set aside £1.1 million of One of my constituents wrote to me, and I will quote taxpayers’ money for this exercise. He claims that the what he said at length. He said: commission is about putting up more monuments of “I originated from Pakistan and my late Father was born in historically significant black and ethnic minority figures India. I am very concerned about how the identity politics and and to aid public understanding. This indeed is a worthy cancel culture is being promoted. I fully support those who have 595 Public Landmarks Review18 MARCH 2021 Public Landmarks Review 596 raised their concerns about Mr Khan’s initiative about changing 5.12 pm the names of London roads and dismantling historic statues and monuments. Sir John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) There are no other nations or countries which will wipe out or (Con): Politics is about values. Gone are the days when bring disrepute to their empires or Kingdoms and will actively degrade half-hearted political careerists could retreat to the safe their heroes. History is history and let it not punish our present!” ground of mechanistic economic minutiae, for the new battle of Britain has begun. Islamic extremists, Black He continues: Lives Matter radicals and Extinction Rebellion rioters “If we study the…British Empire, the British left a huge legacy despise our way of life, and British patriots expect throughout its vast empire. The British made a chain of Universities resistance, not retreat, and from resistance we will advance. and medical colleges, the world’s best irrigation system, it introduced In years gone by, as my hon. Friend the Member for a new structure of administration and introduced democracy in Orpington (Gareth Bacon) said, children were taught the Subcontinent. It built modern infrastructure including railway about the exploits of our nation’s heroes. Now, left-wing tracks, bridges and railway stations. Moreover Britain has welcomed people from North, South, East and West and we must teach zealots and their ill-educated acolytes are determined, patriotism in our schools.” by cancelling the past, to dictate the future. For them, heroes must be cancelled too. Yet in the struggle to Whether we like it or not, there are many very good, counter the brave new world of moral relativism and some bad and a few ugly elements in Britain’s past, and meaningless mundanity heroes remain vital, as he said, it is a complicated picture, filled with imperfect heroes. for our shared sense of identity. By embodying the spirit The notion that historical figures should be judged by of their times, they bring historical truth to life, so today’s standards will eliminate every British hero this building our collective understanding of how our nation country holds dear. Will Sadiq Khan topple Churchill was forged. for his support for the British empire? Will Admiral Nelson fall for living in a time when slavery existed? In essence, heroes bring us together, just as the identity Will Sir Francis Drake, Oliver Cromwell, King James II, politics of the left seeks to tear us apart. By dividing us Lord Kitchener and William Gladstone be erased, and into exclusionary social tribes, the socioeconomic elite their contributions to British history forgotten, because distract to disarm us, so perpetuating their heartless they were flawed characters? Where do we draw the line? rule over working-class patriots. Make no mistake, this Should Gandhi’s statue be removed because he believed political struggle of our time is for all time. Indians were racially superior to Africans? Will Karl Marx’s In Marxist cultural dogma, identity must always be tomb be destroyed because of his deeply held antisemitism? defined by a sense of grievance. Rather than fostering Should Egypt’s pyramids and Rome’s colosseum fall harmonious patriotic pride, they deride our colonial because they were built by slaves and those civilisations history,ignorantly dismissing our time-honoured worldwide profited from that abhorrent trade? contribution to civilisation. Nowhere is heroism more This is why Sadiq Khan was wrong to jump on this potent than when soldiers, sailors and airmen leave their latest virtue-signalling bandwagon. His decision to tear homes, families and friends to protect British interests down statues in London risks encouraging left-wing in storms of all kinds across vast oceans and distant mobs to topple statues themselves and far-right mobs landscapes. to take to the streets to protect them. The events of last Mindful of exceptional service, it is our patriotic duty summer are proof of that. Instead of posturing in this to commemorate those who have been awarded our way, the Mayor should take a long, hard look at his nation’s highest honours. A total of 1,300 individuals record of failure, which has left communities behind in have been awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the London. After five years at the helm of City Hall, it is presence of the enemy; 408 men and women have received time he took his fair share of responsibility for the the George Cross after displaying conspicuous courage challenges and inequities that exist in London today. in circumstances of extreme danger. Too many who On his watch: violent crime soared to record levels and have given so much have been all but forgotten. In some murder reached an 11-year high; only 17,000 affordable places, locals may be unaware that they tread in the homes have been completed in five years; 22 major footsteps of local heroes, who made a difference to their transport upgrades that could regenerate communities whole nation. have either been delayed or cancelled; and Crossrail is three years late and £4 billion over budget, and Transport The Members of Parliament associated with the for London has lost £2 billion in fares income it would Common Sense Group seek to commemorate VC and otherwise have accumulated. GC recipients by naming roads, parks and public buildings in their honour, reigniting their memory and refreshing The sad truth is that London is saddled with a Mayor their legacy. Let us have more plaques, more memorials, who is not especially interested in the core functions of more statues, not merely retaining and explaining, but his role. There is no virtue he will not signal, no passing retaining, explaining and acclaiming the heroism of bandwagon he will not jump on and no gallery he will those who helped to build Britain. not play to in his never-ending attempt to ingratiate In the same spirit, as our eyes are lifted to public himself with the latest trend on Twitter. Pandering to buildings, all should fly the Union flag—the flag of our woke activists in this way is deeply disturbing. These United Kingdom. I hope the Minister will confirm that, moves are illegitimate and dangerous. They will do immediately following this Adjournment debate, he will nothing for inclusiveness.Instead, they will foster bitterness take measures to put such an instruction in place. and resentment on all sides. We must not go down this route. If the Mayor of London insists on pushing ahead The story of our heroes teaches us that, through with this deeply divisive, virtue-signalling exercise, the service and sacrifice, men and women reach the apex of Government should step up to protect our national human endeavour. For our generation and those born heritage and explicitly strip him of the power to dismantle it. later, let us glory in this, our land of hope. 597 Public Landmarks Review18 MARCH 2021 Public Landmarks Review 598

5.16 pm Square was erected by public subscription, as was the statue in my own town, Tamworth, to Sir Robert Peel, a Tom Hunt (Ipswich) (Con): I will be very, very brief, man who repealed the corn laws,emancipated the Catholics, Madam Deputy Speaker. Churchill is the great thing founded the police—a force for liberal good in our that the left aim for, and there is a reason for that. country, even though last year there was a flurry on Churchill is at the core of why many people feel proud social media to pull him down. to be British—the Churchillian spirit. If they can take him down, if they can redefine him, what is to stop My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington spoke them? We must not allow it to happen, and those at about his concerns at the action of the Mayor of London Churchill College should hang their heads in shame for in setting up his commission for diversity in the public the way that they allowed his legacy to be questioned in realm, with the purported intention of increasing the the way that they did. representation of London’s great and diverse communities My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Gareth in its built environment, but the real aim of which seems Bacon) made a wonderful speech. This matter is not to be to airbrush the past and demolish public monuments just for London MPs. This is our nation’s capital, and to our history.Certainly,its composition is concerning—as the heritage of London is our nation’s heritage, so my hon. Friend suggested, one member has already despite being criticised by some Labour councillors been forced to resign—and although I have written to from my patch for getting involved in a debate about the Mayor about its true cost and its true intentions, he memorials and statues in London, I will continue to do has yet to reply to me, so I share my hon. Friend’s so, and I make no apology for that. concerns. We saw the reality this week in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. I am glad that we have Marco Longhi: Does the Minister therefore agree that increased the punishment for those who desecrate and the £1.1 million that the Mayor purportedly intends to damage our war memorials and statues, but we saw how spend on his commission for statues should be spent on the Labour party sought to ridicule that. It has ceased better supporting Londoners at this very difficult time, to be a patriotic party. Quite frankly, we are more likely and that the Leader of the Opposition should direct the to see its leader on his knees apologising for our country’s Mayor to do exactly that? past and heritage than proudly standing up for it as the greatest country in the world, as my hon. Friend the Christopher Pincher: I entirely agree with my hon. Member for Orpington has wonderfully done. I will Friend, who of course has a statue to the Earl of keep my comments at that: short, punchy and, hopefully, Dudley looking over his town in the west midlands. The patriotic. Leader of the Opposition should take his Mayor in hand, but I am afraid that I must borrow from Euripides, 5.18 pm who famously said that those whom the gods wish to The Minister for Housing (Christopher Pincher): May destroy they first make mad. If Euripides were with us I begin by congratulating both my hon. Friend the today, he would probably say that those whom the gods Member for Orpington (Gareth Bacon) on securing this wish to destroy they first make members and leaders of debate and the other Members who have spoken on the Labour party, because the leader of the Labour party their excellent, sincere and considered contributions? I has gone mad. He has been captured. He is a POW—a always listen with great care and attention to my right prisoner of woke. I trust that he will be released so that hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The he can direct his friend the Mayor of London to pay Deepings (Sir John Hayes) and, as far as I am able, I greater attention to Londoners, because it will be for always do what I can to achieve his objects. No one, them, ultimately, to judge whether that £1.1 million of either, would ever question my hon. Friend the Member public expenditure is spent on statue destruction, or for Ipswich (Tom Hunt) for being anything other than whether the Mayor might better spend his time and the punchy and patriotic in the pursuit of his constituents’ public’smoney trying to put up more homes for Londoners interests. rather than pull down their statues in public parks. The starting point, and the end point, for this I suspect that the Mayor’s real interest is to distract us Government is that it is our duty to protect our nation’s and draw our attention away from his lamentable failure history, traditions and heritage. We believe that our to build a better future for Londoners. To borrow from history shapes us, that we are poorer if we seek to deny Churchill—by the way, his statues are going nowhere— that history, and that the right approach to statues and Sadiq Khan is a very modest Mayor with much to be other public landmarks, as the hon. Member for Strangford modest about. Let me be quite clear: his lopsided (Jim Shannon) attested, however contentious they may commission has no mandate to advocate for the removal be to some, is to retain and, if it is appropriate, to of existing statues. The Government’s policy is that explain them to enable better public understanding and historic statues should be retained and explained rather respect. than removed, and any such proposed removal of an Many Members, today and in previous debates in the historic statue should rightly be, and will be, subject to House, have spoken proudly of the tradition that we planning permission or listed building consent. have in this country of commemorating individuals with statues to acknowledge their contributions to society, Sir John Hayes: And, I hope, to acclaim. In whether at local or national level. Those erected by local congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington communities can be a lasting and shared source of local (Gareth Bacon) on securing the debate, may I ask my pride. Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine, is right hon. Friend the Minister to support the idea that I commemorated in Coventry, where he is from, and in advanced of more plaques and statues, particularly for Lutterworth, Rugby and a number of other places winners of the VC and GC, who, by the way, are drawn around our country.Edith Cavell’smemorial near Trafalgar from all ethnicities? 599 Public Landmarks Review18 MARCH 2021 Public Landmarks Review 600

Christopher Pincher: I am always prepared to recognise Our view of retaining and, where right, explaining is the honour done for us by those great men who won the shared by Historic England, the Government’s advisory Victoria Cross, from wherever they hailed, and I certainly body on the historic environment. If we remove difficult hope that more plaques to their memory are forthcoming. and contentious parts of our heritage, we risk harming By doing the things that we are proposing to do, we our own understanding of our collective past; yet that is willgivethewholecommunity—notsimplytheself-loathing, where some of these book burners of the internet age Britain-hating perpetual revolutionaries who seem to are set on going. Ours is a great country with a proud have captured the commanding heights of the Labour and illustrious heritage of democracy, freedom and rule party, but the whole community—the opportunity to of law, and that is why we do not gloss over any failures engage and to give their views. Additionally, my right in our past, nor seek to destroy the historic heritage that hon. Friend the Secretary of State has the power to call can help us understand those failures. in planning applications, and he has set out his intention I am pleased to update the House on the changes that to exercise that power if appropriate. the Government are bringing forward to ensure the It is clear from the contributions in this debate and in protection of our heritage. The planning system plays a the wider public discourse that, with the passing of time crucial part in conserving and enhancing our heritage. I and changing values in society, there will be examples of am pleased to tell the House that under the changes those who have had statues erected to them whose own coming into effect in the spring, any proposals to remove story—and perhaps their family’s—is complex. Many an unlisted public landmark will require an application statues and other historical objects were created by for planning permission, giving communities the right generations with different perspectives on right and to be consulted. We are also introducing notification wrong from our own. Some of what they believed to be requirements to ensure that the Secretary of State is virtues, we now believe to be vices. But it is better—far made aware of any contentious applications and has better—to remember that history,reflect that not everyone the opportunity to exercise his call-in powers if he in the past was perfect, and retain that history and its considers that appropriate monuments, so that we can all better understand it, not History, by its nature, can be contentious. But rest destroy it as the Marxist, wokeist ideologues would assured: the Government will act to ensure that our insist on. national heritage is protected from those who would We have a proud and rich history. Britain led the way seek to remove or deface it. The Spanish philosopher, in the abolition of slavery; we were foremost in abolishing Jorge Santayana, wrote in his “The Life of Reason”—and it. The Royal Navy was one of the seminal forces Churchill often quoted him— sweeping it from the seas. So when we hear of those “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to who argue that some public memorials are an abomination repeat it”. and that statues of people who profited from the For the sake of our remembered history, so that we do transatlantic slave trade should be taken down, this not repeat it—and, please, for the sanity of the Labour Government’sclear view is that doing so is quite misguided. party—let us agree to remember and explain our past, As my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington asked, not seek to destroy it. where does that misguided logic end? Are we to take down the statue of Julius Caesar from Tower Hill, for we can be pretty sure that he brought slaves with him in Question put and agreed to. 54 BC and doubtless carried away a few enslaved ancient Britons when he left? Do we want the Elgin marbles taken down and hidden away because they appear to deny the existence of slavery in ancient Greece? That is 5.30 pm where that logic leads, but where does it end? House adjourned.

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their homes because they are unable to access publicly Westminster Hall funded care support until they have exhausted almost all their assets. Thursday 18 March 2021 There has been much focus on care in care homes during the pandemic, due of course to the tragic death [DR RUPA HUQ in the Chair] toll among people living in those homes, but we must also focus on the fact that social care is needed by BACKBENCH BUSINESS working-age disabled people too, and that proposals for reform must cover their needs. In fact, one in three users Social Care Reform of publicly funded care is under the age of 65, whereas Virtual participation in proceedings commenced only one in four is an older person in a care home, so the (Order, 25 February). crisis in our care system affects more than vulnerable older people. It is a crisis not only of catastrophic costs, [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] but of hundreds of thousands of people being denied 1.30 pm the opportunity to live their lives as they would choose. This is not a new problem. The reality is that social Dr Rupa Huq (in the Chair): I remind hon. Members care has been struggling for more than a decade now. that there have been some changes to normal practice, That is why the last Labour Government published a in order to support the new hybrid arrangements.Members White Paper in 2010 proposing major reforms to the participating physically and virtually must arrive for the way social care is delivered and funded. However, once start of the debate in Westminster Hall and are expected in government after the 2010 general election, the to stay for the entire debate. I must also remind Members Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition decided to drop participating virtually that they are visible at all times, those proposals in favour of starting another commission both to one another and to all of us in the Boothroyd on reform. That led to the provisions of the Care Room. If Members attending virtually have any technical Act 2014, including legislating for a lifetime cap on care problems, they should email the Westminster Hall Clerks’ costs, based on the recommendations of the Dilnot email address, which I think has been emailed to everyone. commission. That would have addressed some of the Members attending physically should clean their spaces issues with the social care system, although I do not before they use them and before they leave the room. think any of us believed that it was anything like the full We do not have any Members in the Gallery today, but solution. Since that change was first delayed by the new Members should speak only from the horseshoe, where Conservative Government in 2015, we have had any the microphones are. number of promises of future reform. 1.31 pm Ahead of the 2017 election, the then Prime Minister promised far-reaching reforms but promptly abandoned Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab) [V]: them. After that election, a Green Paper was promised I beg to move, by the end of 2017. At the end of 2017, the cap on care That this House has considered social reform and the social costs was completely abandoned and a new deadline of care workforce. mid-2018 was set for the Green Paper. That was pushed It is good to have you in the Chair for this important back to autumn 2018, and then to the end of 2018. In debate, Dr Huq. I am pleased to open the debate. I pay early 2019, we were told to expect a Green Paper by tribute to the House staff who have enabled Westminster April 2019. Hall debates to return with virtual participation. When the current Prime Minister took office, he The covid-19 pandemic has exposed the failings of claimed to have a social care plan ready to go, and he our social care system. With more than 30,000 deaths of repeated that claim during the 2019 general election. care home residents, the care sector has been hit hard The Conservatives’ manifesto at the last election said over the past year. However, the fundamental problems that they would seek a “cross-party consensus”, but in social care long predate the pandemic. A decade of they have not tried to seek that consensus. In fact, a underfunding meant that we were in a situation, even fairly broad consensus on the future of social care has before the pandemic, where 1.5 million people were not developed. Politicians from across the spectrum, including getting the social care they needed. While social care is, the Health and Social Care Committee and the House rightly, the last thing to be cut by local councils, the of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, have endorsed reality is that areas that have seen half of their central the model of free personal care as introduced by Labour funding cut since 2010 are left with little choice. in Scotland. That system is not perfect, but it should be Underfunding has led to fewer care packages, cuts to a strong position to start from. However, rather than care packages and providers being asked to take contracts acting on that consensus, we are still waiting for proposals that do not even cover their costs. nearly 18 months after the 2019 election. One clear illustration of how this is going wrong can When the Minister speaks, she may tell us that the be found in long-stay in-patient wards, where 2,000 autistic Government are working hard on their proposals and people and people with learning disabilities are detained, will publish them shortly.She would be the third Minister at enormous cost to the NHS. One reason for that is the of State to tell me that since the Government dropped lack of resources in the community to support them. their commitment to the cap on care costs, and we have When local authorities cannot afford care and support already missed at least 10 deadlines for reform. That in the community for autistic people and people with simply is not good enough. We need action now, not the learning disabilities, it becomes easier to put them promise of jam tomorrow. into inappropriate NHS in-patient units, even though If there is a team of civil servants working on this community support would be cheaper and more issue, there a few points that they should consider in appropriate. We also have older people forced to sell order for reform of social care to work. First, reform 209WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 210WH

[Barbara Keeley] There is a very poor level of support for unpaid carers. There are 13.6 million people providing care to a must deliver a fair deal for care staff. If the crisis of the friend or family member. Without them, our social care pandemic showed us anything, it was that without the system would not cope. Funding for respite care is hard work put in by care staff our care system simply increasingly hard to get. Many carers say that they would not work, but too often care staff are underpaid, would use a respite break to attend a medical appointment. undervalued and given few opportunities to progress. Responding to an Adjournment debate that I led last To fill the more than 100,000 vacancies we have for care Friday, the Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention staff, social care needs to become a career of choice, and Mental Health said that with better pay and conditions and better training. “45,000 carers have received respite or other carer support delivered When the average starting salary is only £15,000, it is to the person they care for.”—[Official Report, 12 March 2021; little wonder that people are not turning to a career in Vol. 690, c. 1212.] social care. We have 13.6 million unpaid carers, including 4.5 million As a starting point, reform should mean that all care who started caring during the pandemic. For a Health staff are paid the real living wage, as my own local Minister to report that only 45,000 carers received authority of Salford is now doing. We need to see respite care is an appalling record. We must do much investment so that the social care sector offers training more to support unpaid carers, and we could improve opportunities and real career progression for staff, their lives by funding formal care services better. recognising their skills and experience. If we are to fill It is now seven years since we put the Care Act into the vacancies in social care, we need a wide strategy law, but the Government still have not delivered for working across Departments to recruit and train the people who use social care. After years of broken workforce that we need. promises and delayed announcements, there is anger at The Prime Minister has said that he wants to end the the way social care has been underfunded and reform scandal of people needing to sell their homes in order to neglected. This has led to people who rely on social care pay for care. It is right that we should address the issue going without the support they need to live fulfilling of catastrophic costs, but that cannot be the only ambition lives. of social care reform. If all we do is end catastrophic Underfunding has led to care staff being paid the costs, we will still have nearly 2 million people not minimum wage and not being given the time they need getting the support they need. With providers struggling to provide high-quality care. It has also led to many to make ends meet, local authorities are left with no thousands of people facing catastrophic costs of care, choice but to cut budgets even further. often having to sell their homes to pay for it, and over We need reform that expands access to social care the past year it has meant 30,000 care home residents services. Over the past five years, we have seen fewer dying with covid-19. They were caught in a perfect older people receiving care every year as eligibility storm of an NHS discharge policy that seeded infections thresholds have crept up in response to budget pressures. into care homes before providers could implement infection Preventive care is increasingly uncommon, with intervention control measures. mainly coming after a crisis. Rather than providing People who use social care deserve better than all of low-level support to enable people to continue living this. They deserve reform that delivers a fully funded, independently at home, we are increasingly providing person-centred care system that meets their needs, and care only once there is no prospect of someone living they need it now, not at some point in the distant future. independently. When the Health and Social Care Committee looked Dr Rupa Huq (in the Chair): Given the popularity of at access to care, one witness, Anna Severwright, told the debate, and the fact that we have three Front-Bench us: spokespeople and a concluding statement from Barbara “I feel that I am not able to live a normal life. I do not have Keeley at the end, I am going to start with a time limit enough hours”— of three and a half minutes. There will be a clock visible of care— at the side of Members’ screens, and the chaps here can pull the plug if they go over the limit. With all that in “to be able to go out at the weekends and in the evenings, and do a mind, I will start with Andrew Lewer. lot of the normal things that make life worth living.” That is not good enough. People should not see their horizons limited solely because they need social care, 1.41 pm but with budgets under ever-increasing pressure, money Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) (Con) [V]: Thank for anything other than the basics of care is rarely you, Dr Huq; it is a pleasure to speak under your available. There is a better way to deliver social care chairmanship. than 15-minute care visits, and people should not have The pandemic has shone a light on the pivotal role curfews on their lives because care is not available in the that social care plays in our communities. It has, however, evening. laid even more bare the huge pressures that the sector As well as funding care properly, we could embrace has been facing for the past two decades. Having been in the spirit of the Care Act 2014 and ensure that care local government since close to the start of this century, packages meet people’s social and emotional needs as I recall papers saying how urgent reform was then, well as their physical ones. That kind of person-centred including the 1999 royal commission on long-term care, support would enable more working-age disabled people and it was a constant theme throughout my time as a to be productive members of society while also supporting county council leader. Such is the urgency now that, older adults to enjoy later life. At root, social care although a desire to get cross-party consensus on this is should be about supporting people to live happy and a welcome aspiration, it must not be used as a reason fulfilled lives without facing financial ruin. for delay. 211WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 212WH

At a time when, for all the wrong and tragic reasons, Although proper funding is crucial, it is not the public understanding and awareness of the care sector whole story. We need a properly funded system that has hugely increased, this should be harnessed to perhaps meets the needs of people receiving social care and that achieve a positive legacy from this pandemic, and to really and truly puts them first—one that is provided by achieve the long-sought parity of esteem between our a respected and valued workforce. Money will improve hard-working care sector workers and their colleagues care only as the current system will allow. Social care in the NHS. Having spoken about this many times reform needs to be first and foremost a transformation before in the House, through several Prime Minister’s of the culture surrounding the social care sector. For far questions and work on joint Select Committee reports too long, care has been treated as the problem no one discussing what reform should look like, I think that resolves. In 17 years, we have had 13 documents on there needs to be an emphasis on a joined-up approach social care reform, and over a decade of Tory austerity between health and adult social care, not only nationally has left social care a far cry from what it needs to be. It but locally. is just not good enough in a civilised society. Throughout the pandemic, local government has stood The disparity between healthcare and social care only shoulder to shoulder with the NHS in tackling coronavirus, makes the problems worse. Many people in the social and the Local Government Association, of which I am care sector feel that they are used as a care overflow or a vice-president, has done tremendous work in highlighting relief service, and that they are treated as secondary to this. However, too often the two services have been the supposedly more important healthcare workers. On placed on different footings. The past 12 months have top of that, social care is not even reaching potentially shown, perhaps more than ever, the need for closely hundreds of thousands with unmet needs. integrated health and social care, and I have seen the The status of the social care workforce has declined hugely positive impact that such an approach can have and needs to be drastically improved. How can we in my own constituency, through Northamptonshire expect underpaid, undertrained and overworked staff Health and Care Partnership’s innovative Integrated to give quality care? Staff turnover is huge, so we need a Care Across Northamptonshire programme. comprehensive workforce strategy, including proper I therefore urge caution to any colleagues who wish registration and a regulatory body. That would be an to see the social care sector cut from the local authority important step in bringing social care workers in line remit and subsumed within an ever-expanding NHS. with their healthcare colleagues, and in dispelling the This is an overly simplistic and short-sighted approach. misconception that it is a low-skill industry. It is not wrong to have varying models of social care Unfortunately, the social care sector includes some provided by different local authorities working with unethical and unaccountable providers, who will happily NHS services. That flexibility allows local services to be reduce the standards of care, employee support and better through both parts of the demos: demography protection in the name of profit margins. Councils and democracy. continue to give contracts based on the lowest price, In the last Parliament, I sat on the Select Committee because it works for their budgets. To many, it must on Housing, Communities and Local Government, which seem that the system fails to directly consider the needs commissioned a joint report with the Health and Social of the vulnerable people who rely on those services day Care Committee on possible long-term funding models in, day out. for social care. That report, which I commend to colleagues, We have an opportunity to put social care on a specifically left the door open for insurance-style funding proper footing. We need to grab it with both hands and solutions to the issue, which have been used in countries realise as a country that looking after those in need in such as Germany and Japan. It is a better approach our communities speaks volumes about our values and than the usual “rising taxes will fix this issue,” especially humanity. We need to act fast and act now. when we bear in mind the important, if sadly unfashionable, fact that rises in tax rates do not always lead to rises in 1.48 pm tax takes. Having recently been re-elected to the Select Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) (Con) [V]: It is a Committee, I am very keen that this option should be pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq, looked at once again, and I would welcome comments and to follow such excellent contributions from the from the Minister on the Government’s consideration hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara of these elements of such proposals in their final plans. Keeley), my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South (Andrew Lewer) and the hon. Member for West 1.45 pm Lancashire (Rosie Cooper). I completely agree with the Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab) [V]: My hon. comment just made by the hon. Member for West Friend the Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Lancashire: it is now or never. Keeley) has eloquently summed up the very sad current Over the last two decades, we have had 12 White situation we find ourselves in, so I will begin by stating Papers, Green Papers and consultations, and four the obvious: social care is in desperate need of proper independent reviews and commissions. I am ashamed levels of funding. Politicians agree that we need funding to say that a number of them happened when I was but then go on to torpedo any of the suggested solutions. Health Secretary for nearly six years, and we were When Labour produced a plan, the Tories called it a unable to make the progress that I wanted. In the last death tax, and when the Tories suggested a plan, it was decade, we have had five Select Committee reports from rejected by the Opposition. The price of the war of both the Commons and the Lords. words has been paid not in pounds sterling, but in the This time is different, however, because we have just undeniable pain and hardship endured by those denied had a pandemic that has shown the whole country how help and care. Calls for working together and royal amazing our care staff are and how dependent we are commissions never amount to any more than words. on a group of people who do extraordinary work on 213WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 214WH

[Jeremy Hunt] looked at one element of integration: supported housing. It estimated that nearly £1 billion could be saved each very low wages. If we are not going to fix it now, I do year by extending integrated mental health, social care not think we ever will. At the same time, the ageing and supported housing services across England. The population has continued to age, and last year was the report is a robust analysis of how supported housing first in human history with more over-65s in the global keeps people with mental health problems out of population than under-fives. institutionalised care. This means more than just savings. The Health and Social Care Committee undertook a The online launch began with a video from service report on this subject last autumn. We are clear that users, which had the hairs standing up on the back of there are three core elements to the reforms. We have to my neck. One man told us how it was the first time he address the catastrophic care costs that see one in had ever had his own private shower. He said that it 10 people pay more than £100,000 and the terrible made him feel like a king. These are small, but incredibly dilemma people face of losing their entire life savings to significant and humanising differences. pay for their care home, when they want to leave those We know that there is not enough money to sustain savings for their loved ones after they have gone. We the social care system as things stand. Any way to make should not be forcing people to make those choices in savings, while improving outcomes, must be seized. Yet, modern Britain. only a handful of NHS trusts and local authorities are We have to do more for the workforce, where turnover adopting an integrated approach. In my view, this missed is about a third. A third of social care staff leave their opportunity comes down to culture. I am not casting jobs every year—up to 40% in domiciliary care. Many aspersions; the system just is not geared towards different of them do not get the minimum wage because they are organisations working together. Outcomes are what not paid for the time between appointments, yet we matters and the goal, for most, should be to help people know how amazing they are. to live as long as possible, independently, away from institutionalised care. We need more funding; we cannot duck that now. The Select Committee thinks a minimum of £7 billion is Lasting reform requires not only innovation and needed to deal with the catastrophic care issue, the leadership by Government, but political courage on the growth in the demography and the minimum wage. We part of the Opposition. If social care funding is left as a should look at models in Germany and Japan, as my political football, we know who is being kicked around. hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South rightly Two decades have seen at least a dozen White Papers on said, when thinking about the best way to fund that. social care reform. The right ambitions are easy to state; it takes legislation and political will to achieve This is a big ask, but the country was bankrupt after them. As we emerge on the other side of the pandemic, the second world war in 1948 when, with cross-party the need for such services will only grow. The Prime support, we had the vision to set up the NHS. This is Minister has given us a road map for leaving lockdown; the equivalent challenge for today. It is in tune with the a road map for integrated social care would be as values of the British people. We are a kind country, but profound as the creation of the NHS. our social care system is not kind to the older people who depend on it and get 15-minute slots. It is not kind to the people who work in it. 1.55 pm My message to the Minister is that I know that she Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab) [V]: It is a pleasure cares about this and that behind the scenes she is doing to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. everything that she can, but what is the point of being in I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Worsley Government if not to grasp the nettle on difficult and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley), a formidable decisions that can transform the lives of ordinary people? campaigner in Parliament on such issues, on securing Now is the moment to rise to that challenge. the debate. Social care should have been at the forefront of the mind of every single Member of Parliament as 1.52 pm we witnessed our care homes face some of the worst Paul Bristow (Peterborough) (Con) [V]: It is a pleasure times during the pandemic, as carers put their own to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I draw health and lives at risk to care for our loved ones. I pay attention to my declaration in the Register of Members’ tribute to them. Financial Interests. Let me declare an interest: I have been a care worker. Before examining what needs to change, I want to It was a while ago, but things have not got better—the acknowledge the work of staff in the sector. This has a same challenges have gone unchecked or, sadly, are worse. personal element for me. My dad managed nursing I hope that I can give voice, in Parliament, to those homes and my mum was a deputy sister in a residential fantastic overworked and underpaid workers. home caring for people with dementia. I know how As we have seen throughout the pandemic, it is hard staff work each and every day. Pay can be low and women and black, Asian and minority ethnic workers recognition can be lacking. Likewise, the care workers who have risked the most and been hardest hit. To put who support people in their own homes do so much. We that into context, 82% of people working in social care only tend to see their importance in reverse, when the are women, and about 247,000 of them are from overseas. lack of a placement or support prevents hospital discharges. Our social care system is beyond overstretched. We Weneed to go much further in integrating our approach. have been fighting the pandemic with 117,000 fewer Last month I helped launch a report by Look Ahead. care staff than we need, and absences have trebled over Unlike most of the reports that land on our desks or in the past year. We need to future-proof our social care our inboxes, it called for reforms that would not cost system from future pandemics. This cannot happen again. money.In fact, taxpayers would save money.Look Ahead Social care has to be well paid, a secure career with the 215WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 216WH strong terms and conditions that our healthcare heroes unpaid carers vaccinated in Norfolk. So many are just deserve. Such people are not unskilled. I never want to unidentified, despite the incredible work they do and hear Ministers talking about them like that again. I the weight they lift off the NHS. challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to spend a day This is a huge topic, but I will deal with just two in a carer’s shoes. broad areas: first, how we fund the reforms, and secondly, Over the past year, I have heard terrible testimonies how we shift the perception of our social care workforce, from care workers who were told that they needed to so that we can value and perceive the workforce as the come into work even when they had symptoms, putting care professionals they are. Funding is a deeply complex at risk not just their own health, but the health of those problem where care settings vary hugely, whether that they care for. We cannot have the obscene situation in be public or private care home settings for older people, which even in a pandemic, they only get £95.85 a week or settings for those with complex needs. Every area to live on for sick pay.The Health Secretary has admitted needs a proper footing for funding. he could not live on that; we should not expect the I asked the Prime Minister at Prime Minister’squestions people who look after our loved ones to live on that on 13 January about a long-term plan for social care—one when they get sick either. that matches the NHS. I am pleased to hear that that is At the heart of any changes, we should hear from the coming forward, but care is often misunderstood. We people who need care. They should have a choice and often perceive that it is just for older citizens, but it is control over who is in their life, who supports them and not. Half of all social care expenditure is on working-age what the future of social care looks like. adults, and an estimated 1.5 million people work in Report after report has said that things need to adult social care across England. In Norfolk alone, change. The Health and Social Care Committee published there are 27,000 professionals in the sector. radical proposals for social care last month, just as it The pandemic has taught us who is best at delivering did before the last election. My own party put a joined-up those services, and I still think that that is local providers, national health and social care service, free at the point such as through our county councils. They know the of use, in our last manifesto, and in the manifesto families and the individuals on the ground, they know before that, the one before that and the one before that. their needs and how best to support people, but they The Conservative party promised reform in 2010 and need the funding to properly do that. I know that will be again in 2015. Then, nearly two years ago, the Prime difficult, given the economic shock we are dealing with, Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street to but we cannot raise this topic without dealing with the promise, secondary issue of the professional workforce themselves. “we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all”. If we go and talk to any carer, they will tell us that Clearly, from all the speeches today, there is the they are not given the high esteem or value that they political will to fix this broken system. People should should be. That is not good enough in the 21st century. not have to give up everything in their old age because Wages, status and training should be more comparable they need social care. Social care staff who fought the with those of nurses if we are to properly reform the virus with everything they have do not need to be paid a care sector and look after the growing needs of our pittance for some of the toughest work that can be country. How else will we be able to recruit the estimated imagined. People can and must have dignity. My plea to shortfall of 120,000 carers? the Minister is, let us look after the people who have Hon. Members might think that is a pipe dream, but been on the frontline of the pandemic and work together why should it be? Twenty years ago, nurses were not finally to fix social care in our country. esteemed as they currently are, but now it is a degree- level qualification and they are paid far better. Why 1.59 pm should not caring be esteemed in the same way? The professionalism and skills required to care for someone Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) (Con) [V]: It is a with dementia or deliver end-of-life palliative care include pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. patience like no other. I am glad we are having the debate and thank both the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South 2.2 pm (Barbara Keeley) and my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt) for securing it. Margaret Greenwood (Wirral West) (Lab) [V]: It is a Simply, this is one of the most important parliamentary pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. reforms in recent years. If we can do one thing in Social care is in a state of crisis as a result of severe administration before the next general election that underfunding by Conservative Governments. There is would mean more to my constituents, it would be how very little detail about social care in the White Paper. we reform the social care sector, fund it properly and The Government say they will bring forward separate meet the needs of our ever-increasing older population. proposals later in the year, but under the plans they People might expect me to say that, given that I am have put forward, integrated care systems will be given a the MP for North Norfolk, a constituency with the single budget for the health and social of their area, and oldest demographics in the country, but my interest is an ICS will have the power to increase resources in deeper than that. There can be no one who has not been some places and reduce them in others. touched in recent times by having a friend or relative Understandably, people are concerned that they might cared for in later life. I certainly have, when my aunt see a reduction in the NHS or social care offer in their gave up literally everything to care for my grandmother. area and that a stark postcode lottery will emerge. What Throughout the pandemic, I have wanted to raise the is the sense in creating a system where local NHS and profile of our social care workforce and our carers—one social care providers will be competing with each other could call it a crusade—to get hundreds of carers and for funding at local level? For all the talk of joint 217WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 218WH

[Margaret Greenwood] for an adult social care premium, which I shall speak about in a second. I think that there is a cross-party working, that is what will happen if this is put on a coalition forming around it. My hon. Friend the Member statutory footing: the system will be robbing Peter to for Northampton South (Andrew Lewer) referred to it, pay Paul, and levels of services and jobs within the as have others, not least my right hon. Friend the Member NHS and social care will be impacted. for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt) and my friend the The White Paper states: hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts), “There will be a duty placed on the ICS NHS Body to meet the under whose chairmanship I once served on the Housing, system financial objectives which require financial balance to be Communities and Local Government Committee. There delivered.” is cross-party consensus that we can build on. A senior health manager explained to me that the point Wehave to find a financial solution. When we talk about of having a single budget for a local health and social a social care premium people say, “We have national care system, and the requirement for the system to insurance,” but that is obviously already in the tax manage that budget, was to drive efficiencies in the system being used. There are huge demographic pressures system. He also told me that there needs to be a drive to that according to the Office for Budget Responsibility reduce the number of people in hospital, and the White will drive debt to national income to 314% by 2060 Paper supports such a drive. The proposals make it unless we tackle the problems, including pensions and easier for hospitals to discharge patients by removing healthcare. All the solutions that we hear of generally the legal requirement to assess patients for NHS continued involve a blank cheque from the taxpayer or the person healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care before they in need of care, neither of which can be right. are discharged from hospital. The German-style system—Germany moved to it in What about patient safety? Anyone who has experienced 1995 from a local authority-provided system—means seeing a friend or relative discharged from hospital too that everyone does what most people do, putting a small early, only to have to be readmitted, knows just how amount of income away every month, on a mandatory serious this is. What will this arrangement mean for the basis. It is roughly 2.4% of income, to save for later millions of unpaid carers who will be asked to take over rainy days. It is a pay-as-you-go system, so everyone is once their family member has been discharged from covered from day one. It is done through insurance hospital? companies, so it is not taxation. They are not-for-profit The question of the social care workforce is crucial. insurance companies in Germany,and I would recommend Retention is an issue, because carers generally earn a lot going down that route as well. There is cover for people less than nurses and other NHS staff. Given the duty of on low incomes, so that they do not have to contribute. the ICS NHS body to find financial balance within the There is also a cap for people on higher incomes so that system, there is a concern that responsible social care it is fair to everyone. Germany delivered that on a employers who look after their staff and pay well will be cross-party basis. We have cross-party support, as I said less likely to be awarded contracts, and that there will be earlier,and I worked on two cross-party Select Committee a race to the bottom when it comes to the pay and reports on the matter. The Health and Social Care conditions of care workers. There is concern, too, about Committee and the Housing, Communities and Local the influence that private companies will have on the Government Committee recommended it as one of the ICS health and care partnership boards and that providers solutions. are being given the power to help to design the very The key part of the solution is the social benefit, in services they want to deliver—representing the opportunity that someone who is independently assessed as needing for direct conflicts of interest. care can choose a service from a provider, or draw down The Government produced their White Paper in the the money personally and pay it to a friend or relative. middle of a pandemic, when NHS and care workers are That means that people can be cared for best by those exhausted. They should call a halt to the proposals and who love them most. That is a great solution, and it is a carry out a full public consultation once, and only once, solution for some of the capacity issues, too. It is simple, covid restrictions are lifted. scalable and sustainable, and I heartily recommend it.

Dr Rupa Huq (in the Chair): Now we go to the last 2.9 pm man standing: Kevin Hollinrake. Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab) [V]: It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this 2.5 pm afternoon, Dr Huq. Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I am The covid pandemic has thrown light on a number of delighted to be so. It is a pleasure to speak in the debate holes in social care provision. That is a pressing issue with you in the Chair, Dr Huq. not only because of the pandemic but also because an I am going to speak, not for the first time, in favour of ageing population will be a huge challenge for the a German-style adult social care premium. All the post-covid future. The key issue facing social care is the speakers today have made good points about the need privatisation of so many contracts. That has led to to resolve the problem, but we must address it with private companies being paid by local authorities with money. The need can be supported only by a financial public money, but being unable to provide an adequate solution. amount of care for those in need. There are three elements to getting anything done in The need for a more robust social care system was felt the world: building a compelling case; building a coalition most acutely in my constituency during the first wave of of people; and being very persistent. I am sure that the the pandemic. It has been reported that at Aspen Court Minister would agree that we have been persistent on care home, 21 residents died last year between 28 March this topic and its solution. There is a compelling case and 24 April. The loss of life during that significant 219WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 220WH period was so substantial that it needs to be investigated our most vulnerable in the marketplace of social care. at a national level. My condolences are with the families Instead, we must make a pact with people who just want of those who have been lost, who have been impacted to be safe and not exploited. Principle one is that the directly by this tragedy.The care home is run by HC-One, state has the duty to care. Principle two is simple: social a private company that runs many care homes across care must be a universal benefit. None of us knows the London. Staff at those care homes are delivering care in twists and turns of life that will lead us to need help. A a privatised system. Questions have been raised about caring society will reach out and meet that need. the level of pay, hours being worked and the quality of Principle three is funding—public not private insurance. training available to staff. As we see in healthcare and care systems around the This month, I learned that HC-One will sell 52 homes world, the private insurance industry’s lucrative revenue and move into more specialist care. I support the calls has driven the sick and the frail out of health and care. from GMB and other unions for the HC-One homes Every penny must be reinvested in enhancing care. If we being sold to be brought under local authority control, are ever to bring funding together, we need to have one and for the Government to fund the transition costs. system. We have to be honest—high-quality care costs. Aspen Court is one example of the national issue of the And a Government will pay for what they value. outsourcing of adult social care, which has exposed the Principle four is quality. First, the care must be safe. financialisation of chains and larger providers, often My report into care homes showed that the larger care funded by private equity firms that dominate contracts home companies provided some of the worst care. across adult social care provision. Secondly, the care must be person-focused and meet A key concern of the charity Inclusion London is aspiration; it should not just meet basic need or be that in many cases, those of working age who receive based on ability to pay. These are our mums and dads. disability benefits have to use those benefits to pay for We need a high-quality care standard, driving up quality. adult social care. For those whose disability is making it Principle five is robust accountability. Although the hard or impossible to earn money, it is completely unjust Care Quality Commission has its role, I have to say that that disability allowance should be utilised to pay for it seriously needs to beef up its whistleblowing processes; care. That is why Inclusion London and others, including commissioners of care hide under layers of contract me, believe that we need a robust social care system confidentiality. We need transparency. The sequencing provided by the Government and through our NHS. of the Department’s White Papers has meant that the In my constituency, the need for proper funding of governance White Paper has been published before we social care at this time of the crisis is felt acutely. Many know what the social care White Paper will say. So, can constituents rely on extended care offered through charity the Minister give assurances that the social care White and voluntary organisations. Organisations such as Paper will be published before the Health and Care Bill Neighbours in Poplar and food banks such as First Love comes to the House? Foundation are filling the gaps left by the fragmentation Principle six is about staffing. Care professionals of the social care offer. That will be compounded by the must be paid a professional wage, but 1.6 million of closure of a number of day care centres, which are them earn less than the real living wage and a quarter of integral to the well-being of the communities they serve. them are on zero-hours contracts. They need associated The suggested care that would replace them would rely registration to keep them and the public safe. As for further on the voluntary sector,which is utterly inadequate. insecure jobs—every person needs to know that they The overhaul of social care is needed now.The pandemic will be loved, cared for and kept safe when they need has highlighted such issues, and it is important that the care. Minister addresses how they will be dealt with going forward. 2.16 pm Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab) 2.13 pm [V]: It is a great pleasure to see you in the Chair today, Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: It Dr Huq. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dr Huq. The Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) on securing arguments are well rehearsed, the need well understood, this important debate and I pay tribute to her for her the unfairness deeply felt and the failure exposed in commitment to and advocacy for social care over many countless reports, but nothing changes. Like an annual years. custom, the Government announce a social care White I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Paper to be published later in the year, but nothing ever debate today as a co-chair of the all-party parliamentary emerges. Meanwhile, the most vulnerable families have group on adult social care. Throughout most of the to pay out tens of thousands of pounds, and one in covid-19 pandemic, I have met on a weekly basis members 10 over £100,000, for care by underpaid, undervalued of the APPG’sworking group, which includes not-for-profit and overworked care staff, either at home or in some care home providers, home care providers and people institution. This year, they have even been denied seeing with lived experience of receiving adult social care. familiar faces—imprisoned for the crime of growing These meetings provided a valuable insight in real old or disabled as their lives have faded into a so-called time into the impact that the pandemic has had on the care industry that largely seeks profit out of frailty. social care workforce. I have to say that, very often, the We must establish the core principle that the state first-hand experiences reported to me bore no relationship recognises its responsibility to care with parity of esteem to the Government’s statements on social care. There with the NHS. My report into care homes in York was no protective ring around care homes; residents exposed the failure of governance of funded care, with and staff contracted coronavirus and died, because they a business model that protects commissioners and providers, could not access personal protective equipment or testing. but not residents. We cannot continue to sell the lives of Domiciliary care was completely neglected. There were 221WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 222WH

[Helen Hayes] social care. The Budget, at the start of this month, did not even mention social care. Is it any wonder that most no protocols on managing infection risk for staff who people feel that 1.5 million people with unmet care provide care to multiple people in their own homes. needs are just not a priority for the Government? Thank People who manage their own care at home could not goodness for our 9 million unpaid carers, who daily pick get access to advice or PPE. There was not the financial up the slack and pay an enormous price, both financially support to enable care workers to self-isolate when and in their own physical and mental wellbeing, without necessary, without their having to worry about how any recognition. Where would we be without them? they would put food on the table. Our care system, as many have already said, was Throughout the pandemic, the social care workforce already in peril pre pandemic and is even more so now. carried on looking after our most frail and vulnerable Adult social care has consistently been an afterthought loved ones, consoling people who did not understand for Ministers throughout this pandemic, with more why family members were unable to visit, holding hands, than 25,000 lives lost in care homes to coronavirus and and comforting people as they passed away. delays in securing PPE and testing for the care sector In responding to my written parliamentary question on during the first wave. Many care homes are now teetering whether the Government would recognise the contribution on the brink financially. The sector is crying out—with of the social care workforce during the pandemic with a one voice,loud and clear—for a proper,joined-up workforce payment, as the Welsh Labour Government have done, strategy. We have a staggering 112,000 vacancies, and the Minister said that the Government had issued the one in six of the workforce are migrant workers, yet the care badge. A badge does not put food on the table, help vast majority of social care roles do not qualify under to pay the rent, compensate for lost income due to the new points-based immigration system, even after illness or self-isolation, or help with the stress and recent changes. trauma that many care workers have endured. With 1.6 million social care workers earning less than The pressures on the social care sector were well the living wage, a quarter of the workforce on zero-hours documented before the covid-19 pandemic, and the contracts and limited career prospects, how on earth pandemic has only made them worse. These pressures can we expect to provide decent, sustainable care for the are evident across the diversity of the sector: just 4% of most vulnerable adults in our country? The hon. Member local authority social care directors are confident that for York Central (Rachael Maskell) referred to our they have the budget to meet their statutory duties; an mums and dads. It is not only our mums and dads but increasing number of contracts are being handed back our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters; a large to councils; there are autistic people and people with number of those needing care are actually working-age learning disabilities who are still incarcerated in hospitals adults—almost half. because there is no funding for community provision; It is time for urgent cross-party action. The letter 1 million people are eligible for care but do not receive from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care any at all; and there are many more people whose care to all MPs last March inviting suggestions for social package does not meet the full range of their needs. care really does not cut it. Over the last year, the Liberal Social care has been urgently in need of reform for a Democrats have twice formally requested that the decade. There is not a route to social care reform that Government initiate cross-party discussions. As the Health does not address pay for social care staff. It is a shocking Foundation says: and unacceptable reality that in many parts of the “These problems are not intractable but solving them requires country it is possible to earn more in the local supermarket political will and government spending.” than it is in caring for the most vulnerable members of Given the monumental challenge before us, when will the community. That situation must change. Ministers make good on the Prime Minister’s promise There has been no lack of detailed cross-party work to fix social care and invite others to the table to help on the options for social care reform. Select Committees, develop those solutions? APPGs and independent commissions have all explored the options and brought forward proposals. The lack of Dr Rupa Huq (in the Chair): The good news is that delivery is the consequence of a lack of political will. Members have been very good at sticking to time, so we That has to change. We owe it to the workforce, who actually have a little bit of extra time to play with. If the have been through so much this past year, not to delay three Front Benchers all stick to 11 minutes, that will any longer. give the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) time to wind up the debate. First of 2.19 pm all, we are off to bonny Scotland and Dr Philippa Whitford for the SNP. Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) [V]: It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. Social care 2.23 pm is and has long been the poor relation of healthcare that successive Conservative Governments have promised to Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP) [V]: fix yet taken no action on. Here we are, eight years on Thank you very much, Dr Huq. I pay tribute to social from when the coalition Government announced and care staff for all they have done during the pandemic subsequently put into law a new model of social care and recognise that they, too, suffered bereavement when funding based on Andrew Dilnot’s recommendations, they lost residents to covid who they had been looking but the Conservatives refused to implement it. after for a long time. Instead of sympathy, they often Instead, we had real-terms cuts in social care funding, faced criticism and attack in the media. and now we have yet another top-down reorganisation Like the NHS,social care has faced huge pressures during of the NHS that promises integration, but will do nothing the covid pandemic, so it was shocking that it was not to address the structural or funding reform needed in mentioned at all in the Budget. While the Chancellor 223WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 224WH claimed the UK was in good shape when covid hit due Having been involved in redesign projects over many to the Government’s management of public finances, it years as a breast cancer surgeon, it was fantastic to see actually came at the end of a decade of austerity, with the usual barriers to innovation simply collapse, and the the NHS on its knees and an £8 billion social care relationships formed during the pandemic will definitely funding gap in England alone. Service cuts had led to accelerate integration going forward. Due to its size and under-provision, with Age UK identifying that almost rural nature, Scotland already had significant digital 1.5 million people do not get the support they need. health infrastructure, and video consultation systems, While most think of frail, elderly people when they talk such as Near Me, were extended to all areas. Care homes about social care, it is also critical to allow those facing were provided with devices and digital support to connect end of life to be at home if they wish, and to ensure that staff and residents to their families and, when needed, younger people with a disability can participate fully in to the NHS. The Scottish Government underwrote sick society. pay to ensure that staff could isolate if necessary. As well The Government’s Green Paper, first announced in as providing PPE to local social care providers, health 2017, has been postponed yet again, despite the Prime boards offered access to NHS locum banks to reduce the Minister boasting in the 2019 election that he had a need for agency staff and ensure safe workforce levels. plan for social care that was ready to go. Perhaps he was Scotland is unique among the four nations in having mixing it up with his oven-ready Brexit plan. provided free personal care to those over 65 since 2002, More recently, we have been told the delay is due to with the provision increased in 2011 and the age threshold cross-party discussions, but I certainly have not seen removed in April 2019 by Frank’s Law—named after anything, nor apparently has the shadow Minister for the footballer, Frank Kopel, who developed early onset Care. Several MPs in this debate have suggested that the dementia. Such provision encourages people to stay at Government should propose an insurance-based model, home, which most of us would prefer. Two thirds of and Germany and Japan are often held up as examples. social care is provided in people’s own homes. That However, closer examination shows that both systems means there is a need for a strong home care sector as have increasing shortfalls and that co-payments are, well as residential and nursing care homes. therefore, growing markedly. Taxation still provides the It is important to remember that social care is delivered greatest solidarity and security. The Secretary of State by people for people, so it is critical to recognise the has announced plans to reverse some of the most importance of relationships and the need for continuity, damaging aspects of the Health and Social Care Act dignity and respect. Social care staff also need respect 2012 and promote integration of health and social care. for their skill and dedication, and for what they do for Of course, the devil is in the detail, and there was very those we love. Part of that recognition should be paying little of that about social care in the White Paper. care staff properly for a tough job that most of us could not do. Scotland faces exactly the same issues as the rest of the UK: an ageing population, a growing need for The Scottish Government have funded the real living social care support, and the challenge of retaining and wage for care staff since 2017. They fund overnight recruiting care staff, particularly with new visa requirements sleepovers at the full rate, and they provided a 3% pay increasing the difficulty in recruiting from the EU. rise last year.Social care staff in Scotland have also received However, there are significant differences in both the the same £500 thank-you payment as their NHS colleagues provision and structure of health and social care in this month. Unfortunately, the UK Government refuse Scotland. After devolution more than two decades ago, to exempt it from tax or benefit deductions. the structures of the healthcare market, including hospital Care staff should not be described as unskilled workers, and primary care trusts and the purchaser/provider which we hear from the Home Office, just because they split, were reversed and the Scottish NHS returned to are paid too little. That fails to recognise the difference being a single public body with local services provided between wealth and worth. As many MPs have said this by geographical health boards. Since 2014, Scotland afternoon, caring needs to become a career and not be a has been working on integrating the NHS with social low-paid stopgap before someone gets a better job on care through the establishment of integrated joint boards. the checkout at Tesco’s. However, this is not just about They manage half of the total Scottish healthcare budget basic pay rates; it is also about overall terms and conditions for the provision of all community services. and the ability to take pride in one’s work through having an ongoing, satisfying relationship with the person Of course, covid highlighted how much further we receiving care, not just a rushed, 15-minute transaction. have to go, as social care is a much more fragmented landscape. The pandemic, however, stimulated a lot of Last autumn, the Scottish Government commissioned close working, including projects I was part of during an independent review of adult care in Scotland. The the first wave.One involved colleagues from acute medicine, Feeley report has now been published. It proposes the geriatrics and the local hospice holding online meetings creation of a national care service, with national contracts, with care home staff to discuss difficult cases and clinical standards, training and terms and conditions, to provide advice and training in symptom management ensure greater equity and consistency across Scotland. and end of life care. The other was to try and identify It promotes a human-rights-based approach for the unpaid carers, who often grow into the role so gradually care recipient, with the principle of seeing social care as that they do not recognise the part they play. The aim an investment rather than just a financial burden; it should is to reach out to them when they attend their local allow everyone to participate fully in society. One community pharmacy and encourage them to make recommendation is that all non-residential services should contact with our local carers’ hubs, where they can be provided free, in the same way as healthcare is. access support, benefit advice, PPE or even just have a We will be the next generation of care users, whether chat. Due to their pivotal role, unpaid carers are now as a recipient of care or as an unpaid carer seeking being invited to receive the vaccine. respite for a loved one. We therefore have a vested 225WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 226WH

[Dr Philippa Whitford] elderly people, not working-age adults with disabilities, who make up a third of the users and half the social interest in reform of the structure and provision of care budget. social care in all four nations of the UK and in how the Of course, the immediate cause of those problems is people who deliver it are trained and have access to the 10 years of cuts to local authority budgets. Local career development, but also how they are valued. To authorities have had £8 billion removed, which has improve the quality of social care, we must invest in meant fewer people getting help and not enough people those who deliver that care. Caring needs to become a getting the type and quality of help that they need. We profession, and a profession that is respected. know that there are longer-term problems, too. Social care was never included in the initial creation of our 2.32 pm NHS and welfare state. Any politician who has tried to Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab): It is a pleasure to solve that problem has risked being obliterated by their serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. As many political opponents. Wesaw that in 2010, with accusations others have done, I congratulate my hon. Friend the of a Labour death tax, and we saw it with Theresa Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) May’s Government and the accusations of a dementia on securing this debate.She has been a tireless,long-standing tax. In the end, however, it is not politicians who suffer, champion of these issues, and I really do pay tribute to but the users of social care and their families. her for her hard work. There is another issue that has not been touched on I think that reforming social care—along with tackling so far in the debate: one reason why this issue has not climate change—is the challenge of our generation. If been grasped is that caring work is predominantly done we cannot sort this issue out after the horror of the by women and is not valued in the same way as medical covid-19 pandemic, then frankly, as policy and law care provided by the NHS. We desperately need a new makers, we should pack up and go home, because this settlement of investment, yes, but we also need one of pandemic has brutally exposed the fundamental flaws reform, because putting more money into a system that in our system of social care, on which many people who is not working is not the right approach. have spoken today and many people who are watching We need a system that works for older people and for this debate have campaigned for years. disabled people. I want to pick up on a point that First, despite all the rhetoric, social care is still not several hon. Members have made: ensuring that people treated as equally important to the NHS. We have only do not have to sell their homes to pay for their care is an to think about all the effort and focus that went into issue—an important one—but it is not the issue, because setting up the Nightingale hospitals and contrast that for working-age adults with disabilities, that is not the with what happened to care homes. Frankly, there was fundamental problem in the social care system. We need not a ring of steel around care homes; that was not the a system that works for both. case. We can think about the examples of frontline care We need a real shift in the focus of services and workers saying that their PPE was requisitioned for support towards prevention and early intervention. I NHS staff. I want our NHS staff to have proper PPE, think we should have a “home first” principle and more but to have it actually taken from people when they options between care at home and care in a home. were caring for some of the most vulnerable in society Other parts of the world have lots of different examples was appalling. of housing and care being brought together, and that is Secondly, social care and the NHS are still not seen as what we need in this country. inextricably linked. We saw that with the discharges We need a system that is fully joined up with, but not from hospitals into care homes without covid-19 tests, run by, the NHS. One thing that care users will say is and we saw it with many care homes feeling abandoned that they have to tell their stories time and again to lots and feeling as though they did not get the support that of different services. We cannot have that in future, they needed and deserved from the NHS at the start of because people do not see a health need over here and a the pandemic. care need over there; they have just one set of needs. We Thirdly, our frontline care workers are chronically should design services around users, rather than getting undervalued and underpaid. The Minister will know them to fit into different parts of the system. We need to that of the infection control fund that went to care homes, put the principle of choice and control at the heart of the vast bulk went towards ensuring that frontline care the system, enabling older and disabled people to live workers were paid enough so that they could self-isolate the lives that they choose, with a radically transformed, if they had to have time off sick, and so that they did paid care workforce, and radically transformed support not have to have several jobs between care homes. Quite for families, too. frankly, that should not be additional, extra funding; it Kevin Hollinrake: I agree with virtually everything the should be embedded in the bottom line of funding for hon. Lady has said. A funding solution is key, because our frontline care workers. in order to expand capacity there has to be more money. Finally, the families who do the bulk of caring in this Does she have a funding solution for that? Would she country get precious little help and support in return. consider a German-style system, which has cross-party Unpaid family carers have come to my constituency support, or would she at least be willing to sit down office absolutely broken by the pressure from the extra with a number of people who support that system to hours of caring that they have had to do. They tell me engage with the idea? that they just have nothing more to give. We have to do more to support families in the longer term. I also think Liz Kendall: The hon. Gentleman may know that I that the pandemic has entrenched the misperceptions have been calling for cross-party work on this issue for about social care: that it is about only care homes, not the past five years. The principles are clear—we should care in people’s own homes, and that it is about only not leave the costs to individuals alone. We should pool 227WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 228WH our resources and share risks. That is essential for the (Barbara Keeley) and her co-sponsor, my right hon. future. I do not think any sort of private insurance system Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt), works. One issue around the cap on care costs was that the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, for the Government thought a private insurance market securing this debate on the important and interconnected would spring up. That was not the case, and it will not subjects of social care reform and the social care workforce. be the right solution for the future. The 1.5 million people who make up the paid social The Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing care workforce, and the 5.4 million unpaid carers, do Street 19 months ago and said he would fix the crisis in the most wonderful thing—caring for people, whose social care with a plan that he “had” developed—that lives depend on what they do. It is a service not just to he had it already.It is still nowhere to be seen. Lord Bethell those individuals, but to the whole country, and never recently said that now is not the time to have fundamental has that been more true than during this cruel pandemic. reforms, because we are busy dealing with the covid Yes, our social care system needs reform. It has needed crisis. I argue that now is precisely the time for reforms it for decades, and my party committed to that in our to give people hope that, after the horrors they have election manifesto. The pandemic gives us a moment in been through, there is a better system for the future. time; if not now, when? The pandemic has delayed our That is why I was disappointed not to see anything in work, but I reiterate the Government’s commitment to the Budget about social care reform. bringing forward plans for social care reform this year. Yesterday, there was an unprecedented statement from social care leaders, who called on the Government to This has been a really good debate, with many well- end years of inaction and fix the system. They said that informed contributions from across the parties. I will as well as emergency funding, we need longer-term plans mention just a few of them. The hon. Member for to make social care a cornerstone of the modern welfare Worsley and Eccles South talked about the long-term state. The crucial point is the potential for social care nature of the problems with social care; the fact that the not only to transform the lives of millions of older system is as important for those of working age as it is people, disabled people and families who use care, but for older people; and the importance of unpaid carers. to create jobs and drive economic recovery. The Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, In the remaining minutes, I will focus on this point. my right hon. Friend the Member for South West We often talk about the costs of reform, but the costs of Surrey, talked about the catastrophic costs faced by one not reforming the system are just as important. First, social in 10 people, who end up spending over £100,000—using care has huge potential to create good quality, valued their life savings—on their care, and about the problem jobs in this country. We need 520,000 more frontline care of high turnover in the care workforce. I thank him for workers just to meet growing demand by 2030. The his recognition of my personal commitment and the Resolution Foundation rightly argues that if we want to work I am doing, largely behind the scenes, on social create jobs immediately in every community—that is care reform. what we need to do to level up all parts of the country— social care is the place we should start, and I completely My hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South agree. (Andrew Lewer) drew on his experience in local government, Secondly, investing in social care is essential if we going back around 20 years, if my maths is right. He want all families to be able to balance their work and spoke about the need for closely integrated health and caring responsibilities. In today’s world, with our ageing social care. My hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough population, social care is as important a part of our (Paul Bristow) draw on his personal knowledge, as I economic infrastructure as the roads and the railways. have heard him do with great value before. I very much When one in three unpaid family carers have to give up look forward to reading the report on supported housing work or reduce their hours because they cannot get the that he mentioned, and I will look it up. This debate support they need to help their loved ones, it is bad for would have been missing something if my hon. Friend them, because they lose their job and income; it is bad the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) for business, because they lose their skills; and it is bad had not mentioned the German system as one for us to for the economy. consider as we work on proposals for reform. Finally, investing in social care is vital to make the I will set out some of the support we have given to best use of taxpayers’ money. We should not be paying social care and the social care workforce over the last more for elderly people to be stuck in hospital when they year, because it really is quite different from anything could be cared for in the community and at home. that has been done by Government for social care As we seek to get our public finances back on a more before. I also want to pick up on several points that hon. sustainable footing, value for taxpayers’money is essential. Members made during the debate. This issue is the biggest challenge of our generation. I hope the Minister will tell us when the Government will At the start of the pandemic, we identified carers, both introduce their reforms, because reforming social care is paid and unpaid, as essential workers or key workers. not just a matter of social justice, but an economic That was in recognition of how crucial they are, but also necessity. so that they could access support, such as places at school for their children when schools were closed, or Dr Rupa Huq (in the Chair): Finally, the last of the priority slots at supermarkets. We made it clear, in all-female Front Benchers, Minister Helen Whately. guidance and communications to care providers and local authorities, that care staff should receive full 2.43 pm wages if required to self-isolate because of covid. That The Minister for Care (Helen Whately): It is a pleasure has been one of the uses allowed for the infection control to speak under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I thank fund, which to date has amounted to £1.4 billion in the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South ring-fenced funding for social care. 229WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 230WH

[Helen Whately] both care homes and the domiciliary care sector. We are and have been supporting the sector with a national To the point made by the hon. Member for Luton recruitment campaign across broadcast, digital and social North (Sarah Owen), who spoke about care workers media, highlighting the vital role that the social care being told to work despite having symptoms,that absolutely workforce has played during the pandemic, along with should not have happened. I have heard of a small the longer-term opportunities of working in care. We number of cases and have investigated, and work has are working with the Department for Work and Pensions, been done to stop that happening. It has been made and I am working with ministerial colleagues in that very clear to care providers that nobody should come Department to promote adult social care careers to into work with symptoms. The Government’s funding jobseekers. I am hearing directly from care providers was provided specifically so that care workers would that they are seeing people taking up those jobs in care not have to worry about lost earnings in the event that and discovering the rewards of care work. However, I they were either covid-positive themselves, or required am clear that that alone is not the solution to the to isolate as a contact. In addition to that, in January we challenges of having the workforce we need in social provided a further £120 million to boost the social care care and that, as part of our reforms, we must also focus workforce and help providers that faced staff shortages, on what is needed to develop and support the social particularly as a result of staff sickness and self-isolation. care workforce. During the pandemic we have also provided free I turn to social care reform. The Government are PPE, which runs through to June. We have provided absolutely committed to the reform of the adult social millions of tests to identify covid cases in social care, care system. As I have said, we will bring forward protecting staff and those who receive care. I was proposals this year.Despite the challenges of the pandemic, disappointed to hear the shadow Minister, the hon. we have been gearing up for the reform so that, as we Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall), suggesting build back better, we have a system that is fairer and that there was some form of requisitioning of PPE from fitter for the future. I assure hon. Members that the work social care by the NHS. When I heard stories about has already begun. In fact, our White Paper, published that, they were investigated, and the investigations simply last month, sets out plans for a health and care Bill did not bear that suggestion out. that will both further integrate health and social care On vaccinations, as we started the herculean task of services and improve the oversight of how social care is rolling out vaccinations across the country, we put care commissioned and delivered for people. The Bill will home residents and staff in the highest priority group. also allow us to get better data on what is going on at a Thanks to the dedication and hard work of so many local level so that we can follow the evidence about what people, by the end of January we were able to offer works. vaccinations to all residents in over 10,000 care homes The enhanced assurance framework set out in the for older people. More than 90% of residents and over White Paper will introduce an independent voice through 70% of staff have now been vaccinated. the CQC, with clear and consistent oversight of adult The hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Dr Whitford) social care, supporting local authorities to improve the talked about how the pandemic had affected social care outcomes and experience of people and their families in workers, including how some social care workers have accessing high-quality care and support. That is only been bereaved by the sad loss of those they cared for. the beginning. For the long term, we want a sustainable She is absolutely right about that being a hard part of adult social care system that meets people’s needs and the experience of the care workforce. I have talked to aspirations and gives them the care and support that many care workers over the last year and knowing that they need to live life to the full. We want to empower they have been facing that during the pandemic has recipients of care and support people to live independently been a real concern to me. I have spoken to employers in their own homes and communities for as long as about this, and many care providers have put in resources— possible. We also want to improve the information access to counselling and mental health support, for provided to the public about the social care system, instance—to support their staff to cope with what they enabling people to plan for their care and make more have been going through. In government, we have worked informed choices. A stable and well-qualified workforce alongside the NHS and brilliant organisations such as is central to our ambitions for social care. the Samaritans, Hospice UK, and Shout to provide a package of emotional, psychological and practical resources Kevin Hollinrake: The Minister is doing a fantastic for the workforce, which includes support helplines and job on this issue, which is one of the biggest issues that guidance and specific support for registered managers faces us. If this is not going to be a blank cheque for the in care homes. taxpayer or for the recipient of the care, does the Minister agree, as I think the shadow Minister, the hon. I want social care to have a stronger voice in our Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall) did, that there health and care system and more visible leadership. has to be a pooled solution, perhaps like the German-style That is why,in December last year,we appointed Deborah system of social care premiums? Sturdy as the first chief nurse for social care. Deborah is providing that leadership. She is already a galvanising Helen Whately: My hon. Friend makes an important force, particularly in supporting infection prevention point. I will not be drawn into further detail about the and control, which must continue, even with the high system at this point. The questions about funding lie levels of vaccination that we have. with the Treasury rather than with the Department of Hon. Members spoke about vacancies in the care sector Health and Social Care. We want to tackle the problem and the problem of staff turnover. I am well aware of of the catastrophic costs of care that a minority of the challenges for social care employers and how some people face, as mentioned by my right hon. Friend the do struggle to recruit and retain the staff they need in Chair of the Select Committee. I emphasise that we 231WH Social Care Reform 18 MARCH 2021 Social Care Reform 232WH have made the commitment that no one who needs care number of hon. Members talked about the important should be forced to sell their home to pay for it. How we role of unpaid carers. I have recently highlighted the do that is indeed part of the reform work. fact that our millions of unpaid carers were not mentioned As we emerge from the pandemic, we will continue once in the White Paper on health and social care. That talking to stakeholders, pivoting the many conversations must be addressed because they are partners in care. that we have been having about covid to more conversations I join others in thanking all right hon. and hon. about reform. Our reforms will be informed by a wide Members for their contributions to this important debate. range of voices, not only colleagues and experts in the I believe there is cross-party support for reforming sector but also care providers, the workforce and those social care so that it delivers better for the people who with lived experience of the care sector. need social care, for the care staff who deliver it and for I thank all right hon. and hon. Members who have unpaid carers who would rely on it if it were better than contributed to this important debate. I know that everyone it is. who has spoken is deeply committed to their support of I thank the Future Social Care Coalition and other the social care workforce and reforming social care. The campaigners for their support and briefings ahead of Government are on the case to make that happen. I take the debate, and the House of Commons Library for its this final opportunity to thank all of those on the briefing. I cautiously welcome the Minister’s promise frontline providing care—people who go the extra mile that the Government are working on reforms and will to care for our loved ones, day in and day out. Carers bring them forward this year. I hope that is not another have been truly remarkable throughout this pandemic. promise that ends up being broken. It is for them and the people they care for that we must As I said at the start of the debate, we have seen move forward with the much bigger plans for the reform too many broken promises and everyone involved in of social care. social care deserves better than what we have. As the right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt) 2.57 pm and my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester West Barbara Keeley [V]: I am glad that we have, through (Liz Kendall) both said, if we cannot fix this system this debate, paid tribute to the care staff who have been now, after the terrible year for the care sector during the on the frontline of the pandemic and who have stepped pandemic, then we never will. Let us grasp that opportunity. up and done a fantastic job. My hon. Friends the Question put and agreed to. Members for Luton North (Sarah Owen) and for Dulwich Resolved, and West Norwood (Helen Hayes) did that and many other contributions highlighted it too. That this House has considered social reform and the social care workforce. From the debate, I would say that there is a real cross-party commitment to improve the pay and conditions, the training and the career progression of care staff, but 2.59 pm we have a long way to go to do that. I am glad that a Sitting suspended. 233WH 18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 234WH

World Social Work Day difficulty in old age, social workers might be perceived as the gatekeepers telling them that they cannot access services, support and finance from the local authority, [DEREK TWIGG in the Chair] rather than as an aid to help. In the postbags that we Members of Parliament receive, that side of social work 3.15 pm is often reflected. Derek Twigg (in the Chair): I remind hon. Members When I consider my experiences in my time in local that there have been some changes to normal practice in government, however, I remember the reprovision of a order to support the new hybrid arrangements. Timings residential centre of adults with disabilities. The local of debates have been amended to allow technical authority and the team of social workers who knew arrangements to be made for the next debate. There will those people—generally, adults in their 40s with Down’s be suspensions between each debate. I remind Members syndrome—extremely well proposed a new way to give participating physically and virtually that they must them independence, to provide them with support to arrive for the start of debates in Westminster Hall or, in live in their own homes, to access work and to travel this case, in the Boothroyd Room. Members are expected independently. There was huge fear among the parents, to remain for the entire debate. I must also remind many of whom had been told when their now adult Members participating virtually that they are visible at children were very young that they would never grow up all times, both to each other and to us in the Boothroyd because of the limitations of the disease. They told me, Room. If Members attending virtually have any technical “Weare afraid that as a consequence of what is happening, problems, they should email the Westminster Hall Clerks’ our children will die.” I remember meeting some of email address. Members attending physically should those parents a year later, and they said, “I never clean their spaces before they use them and before they realised that this young person I’ve been responsible for leave the room. would be living independently, would have a job and their own front door, and would be travelling on the bus 3.16 pm and the tube.” That was the crucial difference that good-quality social work had made to their lives. A David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) professional approach, understanding what people can (Con): I beg to move, do and not what they cannot, and patient work with That this House has considered World Social Work Day 2021. them brought about a transformational change in the It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, circumstances facing those young people. Mr Twigg, as I move this motion in celebration of When we consider the huge growth in the numbers of World Social Work Day and of Social Work Week. children who are on child protection plans and are In 1989, when the Children Act 1989 came into force, specifically referred to local authorities because of concerns, I was doing my work experience at the long-abolished we can see the difference that good social work makes, Mid Glamorgan County Council, in the children’s services especially if we look at the care system. The longer a department. That was the first time in my life when I child spends in our care system and the earlier they go had an insight into the work of our qualified social into that system, the better their outcomes are—for workers, who help many of the most vulnerable in our example, children who are adopted at birth tend to have society. For many of us in politics, it will have been outcomes that are entirely in line with their peers. through service in local government that we had the Where social work is not always able to make the opportunity to see how their work can help to transform difference is for those young people who may have spent the lives of our constituents, often at their darkest a long time at home or in a chaotic family situation, moments. where intervention comes late—perhaps in their teens—and where there is only a very short period to turn that Research across the UK indicates that even in those situation around. places where the most residents have some form of assistance provided through our social care system, Again, we see the evidence that good social work can fewer than one in five of the people we serve will ever, in make a huge difference in the lives of children, young the whole course of their life, come into contact with people, adults, and the elderly.For most of our constituents, our care system. That is important, because unlike the the most frequent form of contact with social work is in work of the police service, our military, GPs and people old age, when there is the need to access services from a who work in hospitals, most of our constituents will not local authority, perhaps in preparation for discharge come into day-to-day contact with what social workers from hospital to ensure that a person is safe and able to do. That work is done with children at a difficult time in return to their own home. For all these reasons, we can their lives, when they need professional intervention; recognise that in our society today social work, while it adults with learning difficulties in particular who need is not as glamorous and it does not have a flashing blue support as they make their way in life; and people who light attached to it, is absolutely crucial to keeping our are older, facing a period of frailty, who need to access society together and providing support to people at the support of the state and for whom our social their most vulnerable moment. workers are often, genuinely, an emergency service. I put on the record my thanks to, and my pride in, the Of course, we have to recognise that for a parent work of the social workers for whom I was responsible whose family is facing great difficulty, the knock on the during my time as a lead member of Hillingdon Council. door by a social worker is not a welcome moment in life. I also thank the British Association of Social Workers Far too often, there is a sense of fear and anxiety that it for the work that it does to raise the profile of social means the threat of their children being taken away, or work and make sure that more people in our country of being held to account for what is going on in the gain an understanding of what it can do, in order to privacy of their household. To people facing great contribute to an informed debate, recognition of the 235WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 236WH importance of social work, and—in the context of worker for more than three years, but when she turned 16, parliamentary work—ensuring that, in concert with our I was told I had to transfer her to the young persons’ NHS, we have a joined-up system that is properly team. She protested vehemently and was vile to me resourced and able to fulfil the expectations that our verbally due to the loss, but I completely understood. I residents have. knew she was hurting and did not want that level of separation. That is a concern because as legislators we 3.21 pm should be flexible. We need to have her and other children’s best interests in mind, and sometimes that Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab) [V]: I thank the means being flexible with our services and ensuring hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David they are not lost while we are focusing on what is best Simmonds) for having secured this significant debate. I for our institutions or sometimes for the team. am not used to being so high up on the call list, but I There was another boy I worked with; he was five very much appreciate it. years old and I worked with him for three years. I For as long as I have been involved in children and remember when I became the senior social worker, he family social work, I have only ever known children’s said to me, “If you are becoming the senior social services to be under immense pressure. I say this because worker, does that mean you’ll still be my social worker?” unless a person is part of this area of work, the crucial His case shows the lack of flexibility sometimes within role of children and family social work can be easily the service. I should have been able to carry on being his misunderstood, and not enough politicians understand social worker, and he should have had continuity of the children and social services. That is probably why there support he was enjoying at that time. Social services are so few of us taking part in this afternoon’s debate, should not be built around institutions; they should be which is disappointing. These services have been built around the child. We need to ask us ourselves undervalued and not invested in for many years; they whether the welfare of the child is really paramount, or have been cut year on year. whether we need to rethink how we do children and I became a children and family social worker in 1995. families social services. We really need to get this right, I first worked in the emergency duty team, then went on because we want children in need and in care to grow up to work with children in need before moving to work in to be well adjusted and to have a bright future. a looked-after children’steam. The red tape and bureaucracy As I have already stated, the social work profession have increased, and the majority of social workers’ time has always been under immense pressure, but the pandemic is spent at the office, completing reports and filling in has made that even worse. The social work profession is forms, as legislative and policy changes have been made. in crisis. Working conditions have got worse compared Obviously, those changes have often been in the best with what I knew them to be before.The British Association interests of the child, but they have meant that social of Social Workers found that 77% of social workers workers have been increasingly kept away from spending who responded to the survey on working through covid-19 more time with the child. felt that the lockdown restrictions had made it much In my seven years’ experience of working for a local harder to safeguard adults and children. Many respondents authority, there were five reorganisations. This can be felt there was a definite increase in people being referred really distressing for staff—having to be re-interviewed to social services. Capacity was already stretched, but and, in many cases, seeing their posts being deleted, the past year has brought it to breaking point. Social changing, or even moving buildings. When support is workers must be protected from burning out. They have removed and cuts are made to admin posts or specialist valuable views on how services can be transformed for workers’ posts, all of this adds to the caseload of the the better, and they must be part of framing a more social workers. Where social workers’ posts are cut, effective service for the future. caseloads increase, and what is often overlooked is There were also calls for more capacity to focus on where the children are in this: the child is supposed to tackling violence against women and girls. That issue be paramount, but less time is spent with the child. has come up in the public spotlight after the tragic All of this needs to be rethought, and there needs to events of the past few weeks, but it is something social be a whole new way of thinking about how to do workers are constantly dealing with. Social work practice children and family social work. Every time the Government frameworks must reflect the areas in greater need of make cuts to local authorities and the NHS, children’s attention, and local social services must have the ability service provision is affected—the cut is passed on to the to specialise in the problems affecting their communities— child. Fewer social workers and managers and increased for example culture-specific discrimination or gender-based caseloads mean less time and less interaction with the violence. child, and less support for them and their families. Cuts With problems in staff retention and growing caseloads, also mean a lack of resources and longer waiting lists, social services remains in crisis. Earlier this week, on the causing delays. Justice Committee, I spoke to the chief executive officer I have nothing but admiration for social workers— of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support children and family social workers and social workers Service, who said that we need to rethink and to reinvest across social care sectors within our society. They have in children’s services. I absolutely agree with her. one of the most highly stressful jobs. They must be valued, and to value them we must invest in them. 3.29 pm For someone starting in their role as a social worker, it is about supporting families to be healthy, to be happy Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab) [V]: It and to stay together as well as is possible, though is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg, sometimes that is not possible. I remember the case of a and to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham complex and lovely young person; I had been her social East (Janet Daby). 237WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 238WH

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck] of nearly 80,000, yet the Chancellor made no mention of the £800 million gap in children’s social services in It will come as no surprise that I will focus my his Budget. comments today on children’s social workers and the Social workers are rightly worried about their future constant, dangerous attempts by the Government to and the welfare of the children they work with if local dismantle children’s social care services so that they are authority public sector children’s social services are ripe for private takeover. Social workers know that once further eroded, replaced or diminished, and the current that happens, profit becomes the overriding principle model is outsourced for a profit-driven one. Social and care becomes an afterthought or an add-on. We workers have been the forgotten workforce throughout have seen that in adult social care, and we are already the pandemic, but they have remained strong in the face seeing it in fostering and residential children’s care, of attacks on our profession and in the face of those where vast profits are made for shareholders on the who aim, as the Government do, to diminish and trample backs of vulnerable children and adults. over our core values and principles of social justice, In 2017, the Government proposed allowing local respect and integrity. authorities, under the guise of innovation, to opt out of Social workers are the bravest, strongest and most protective legislation for children. After a groundswell principled people I know. I want them to keep making a of cross-party objection inside and outside this place, difference and keep changing the world. I know that the changes comprised in a whole chapter of the 2017 most of us in this place will never see or fully understand Act were removed at the 11th hour. In 2019, the then what they do—but I do. I have images and stories Minister disseminated a dangerous “myth busting” etched in my mind and heart that haunt me and will document advising local authorities to dispense with stay with me for ever. I promise social workers and the statutory guidance in relation to the most vulnerable families that they work with that I will always be their children. That attempt to deregulate and wipe away champion in this place. hard-fought-for protective legislation for children was eventually quashed, and the document was withdrawn. 3.34 pm Last year, shamefully using the pandemic as an excuse to force through deregulation once again, the Children’s Steven Bonnar (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) Minister with the stroke of a pen wiped away protective (SNP) [V]: It is a privilege for all elected Members here legislation for children through the Adoption and Children today to have the opportunity to voice our thanks and (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020—statutory gratitude to social workers and care workers across the instrument 445 of that year. Despite efforts from across nations of the UK, and celebrate the contributions that the House to scrap that dangerous statutory instrument, they make to a fairer and more just society for us all. it remains in force today. It is no coincidence that nearly There are more than 100,000 social workers in the UK 80% of social workers have reported to the British and they reside in every community in every constituency, Association of Social Workers that throughout lockdown including my own. Their work is at the heart of all their concerns about safeguarding vulnerable adults social, cultural and political environments. and children have increased, and that early intervention The celebrations this year are in many ways and help is not readily accessible. more significant than in other years. Undoubtedly, the Recently, the Government commenced their long pandemic has highlighted the invaluable work of the promised once-in-a-generation review of children’s social entire social care workforce, who, in the most challenging care. That review that is already shrouded in controversy of circumstances, have continued to provide care and and immense hurt and upset has been caused to those in support to our most vulnerable. The Local Government care and the care experience community by the outright Association heard excellent examples from the children’s rejection of hundreds who applied to share their valuable residential sector, such as staff moving into children’s views and insights into the care system. The independence homes full time to support them where cases of coronavirus of the chair has rightly been called into question—a were suspected. Social workers and colleagues across all chair who never opposed the attempts from 2017 onwards adult and children’s services should be commended for to deregulate, and who has already produced a blueprint their determination to keep children safe and well for children’s social care that slants towards deregulation throughout this crisis. which was developed in isolation from those who receive I speak today on behalf of the SNP, but I am sure I or have experience of care. The chair has no professional speak on behalf of all Scotland when I say to social background in social care at all. workers: we thank you for your efforts, we thank you The appointment led in February this year to a letter for your commitment, and we thank you for looking signed by a wide range of respected organisations expressing after our nearest and dearest when we, sadly, could not those concerns, as well as concern about the rushed be there ourselves. timescale of the review,and requesting that it be conducted While we celebrate the good work and commitment in a more inclusive, collegiate way. Since then it has of social workers, it would be remiss of us not to take been revealed that the review’s recommendations will be note of the challenges that remain in the sector,particularly formulated working alongside people with a financial in the light of the pandemic. The British Association of background and Government Departments. Also, the Social Workers carried out a survey of young members, recommendations, crucially, cannot be predicated on and I will highlight some of the key statistics. Some any extra funding at all. Social services do not exist in a 79% of social workers agreed that intervention and vacuum. What happens in wider society impacts more early help for vulnerable adults, children and families is acutely on the profession than on others. Millions of still not readily accessible, while a further 77% agreed children live in poverty and destitution, the attainment that their experience of working under lockdown restrictions gap is growing supportive services are being dismantled has increased their concerns about the capacity to safeguard and the number of children in care is at a 10-year-high and protect their clients. 239WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 240WH

Those startling statistics are coupled with the real-life localised Administrations that can ensure that tailored experience of many of my constituents who contacted assistance is provided to those who are most disadvantaged. me to highlight their concerns. They have spoken of the Herein lies the big issue: the sovereignty of Administrations. difficulties of working in a landscape defined by budget From a Scottish perspective, we need full powers to cuts, staff shortages and resources at an unprecedented make a permanent change and to tackle the main issues low. One constituent notes: that drive the plight of service users in Scotland. The “Every day, we are questioning our ability to keep going, main factors that drive adverse childhood experiences working 14-hour days, feeling like the problems of this sector are in Scotland are food and fuel poverty, and alcohol and so entrenched that what we do, on an individual basis, can’t substance abuse and dependency, coupled with high possibly make a difference.” rates of unemployment. The impact of cuts to this sector is affecting not only Wehave made great strides,but more can be done—more the workforce; it has had a staggering impact on those must be done—and we can offer more protection. But who should benefit from their work. Our poorest without the opportunity to redefine our response to communities are becoming alienated and disconnected, drug dependency and other problematic issues, we will with faith in social care policies and practices eroding. continue to struggle to find the answers required to Many families continue to have unfavourable experiences force the real changes that are required in order for care with the social work system, particularly shared parents to be truly effective,person-centred, fair,just, compassionate, and kinship carers, who often miss out on the full benefits dignified and respectful. These are all principles by of the support available. Single fathers, for example—I which a social security system would operate in an speak as one—often face prejudice in the system and independent Scotland and they will be at the very heart are let down by those they rely on for support. of every decision that we take. It will be a system to We meet here today as legislators, and it is only right liberate. and proper that we consider this debate as part of our If a global pandemic that has crippled our nations’ societal contribution to this sector. It cannot be denied economies is not the reason to have a stern look at how that we are at an important crossroads for the social we as Governments support our citizens in need, then work sector, and it is time for a radical rethink of our what is? On this world-renowned World Social Work approach to this profession. I begin by asking this vital Day, taking that look is the greatest gift that we can give question: why should we leave all this work and support our much-valued, much-loved and much-needed public to our public workers? A nation’s duty of care that it service workers. owes its citizens and its welfare approach need to be underpinned by social cohesion. 3.41 pm The theme for this year’s World Social Work Day is Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab): It is a pleasure to centred on the importance of human relationships, yet serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I congratulate child protection services have in a lot of cases lost the the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner trust of the communities in which they work. This will (David Simmonds) on securing this important debate take time and commitment to regain and repair. We on World Social Work Day. He will not know it, but my should encourage more time and freedom to be given to parents grew up in Pinner, so I know at least part of his this sector to form meaningful human relationships constituency fairly well. with those whom it supports, and for it to be given the I start by thanking the 100,000 social workers in the opportunity to be located directly where it is required United Kingdom, including 320 in Leicester, the city most, within our most deprived communities. The child that I am extraordinarily proud to represent. I thank protection system, as it stands, demands that up to them for their hard work, passion and commitment 80% of time is spent on administrative tasks, with only over all the years, but especially during the horrors of 20% available for direct work with children and families. the covid-19 pandemic. The hon. Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby) Social workers work at the heart of our communities shared some of her hands-on experiences of that, which to support millions of people, in order to improve those I am sure we all agree were illuminating. people’s chances in life. They work with people who Social work is not a job and should not be seen as a have learning disabilities, autistic people and children at job; it should be viewed, like so many other professions, risk. They support families where there is domestic as a vocation. Social work is not meant to be unforgiving abuse and mental illness, and those people who do not and inhumane; it should be a support network that have the mental capacity to make their own decisions. allows every recipient to achieve their full potential. That means that social workers can be found across Social work is not about working against communities; many different sectors and many different services, from it is about working with communities, in tandem and residential care homes to hospitals and children’s homes, collaboratively. On World Social Work Day 2021, I and in local authorities, charities and the community. reach out to those in positions of power and influence As my hon. Friends the Members for Lewisham East across the Governments to say that support for our (Janet Daby) and for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) children and families should be a basic right, and that have already said, social workers have faced huge extra Government funding should reflect that. To our social pressures during the covid-19 pandemic, which come on care workforce, I make a call to action. We all have a top of a decade’s worth of cuts to local council budgets— responsibility to shape and influence the services that £8 billion pounds has been removed, putting extra we deliver, and to work towards a more humane, more pressures, stresses and strains on social workers, who human and more just way of working. were already reporting burnout and stress. The future of social work lies with empowering As many hon. Members have said, the latest survey ourcommunities, in a collaborative approach among from the British Association of Social Workers has multiple support organisations and agencies, and in clearly demonstrated concerns that more people need 241WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 242WH

[Liz Kendall] we have had an increasing number of claims for duvets that people can put on their beds and for coats to put on help and support from social work, but also that it is their children’s backs. In the 21st century, in one of the much harder to get help and support, especially—this is richest countries in the world, that is a national disgrace, absolutely critical—the up-front early intervention and and it does not have to be that way. preventive care and support that is so crucial to prevent The last Labour Government lifted more than 1 million problems from getting even worse and ending up in an children out of poverty, and President Biden’s covid emergency, which is not good for families and actually recovery plan in the US will halve child poverty—that is ends up costing the taxpayer far more money.In particular, absolutely essential. If we want to build back a better the survey showed that almost eight out of 10 social future for our country, and if we want to level up in workers say that they are increasingly concerned about every part of the country for all our constituents—especially safeguarding children and vulnerable adults during those with whom social workers work day in, day lockdown. That is a real concern as we begin to emerge out—tackling child poverty must absolutely be a priority. from the pandemic. What are we going to do? Where is I look forward to hearing the Government’s plans on the plan and strategy to tackle and deal with those this issue when the Minister responds. issues that we know have been building up during Secondly, I want to focus on a point that has rightly lockdown? been made by the British Association of Social Workers: To add to those points, social workers in Leicester say an unacceptable number of people with learning difficulties how isolating working from home has been during our and disabilities are still in hospital settings and assessment year-long lockdown—in fact, in Leicester we have never and treatment units because there simply is not enough been out of lockdown—and how much they have missed support in their home communities. The association their colleagues. Those relationships are vital, both says that must be a priority for the future, and I agree. professionally and personally. To deal with the problems It has been 10 years since the appalling scandal of caused by lockdown, social workers have also had to be Winterbourne View, when the BBC’s “Panorama” benefit advisers,furniture finders,and food bank directories. programme exposed the shocking, and indeed criminal, They feel undervalued compared with organisations treatment of people with learning disabilities in that such as the NHS, the police and the other services that institution. At the time, 3,400 people with learning the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner disabilities were in long-stay institutions. The Government mentioned, when they are all trying to work as one promised more than half of them would be moved into system and one team across so many different organisations. the community by 1 June 2014, yet by November 2014 In future, we really need to focus on the importance of the Government had failed to achieve that—there were identifying strengths in families and communities, rather still 2,600 people in these hospital units. I vividly remember than focusing only on deficits and problems. I think that, because it was the first ever urgent question I that is something that we in politics could all learn asked as the shadow Minister for Social Care. from, quite frankly. The review by Sir Stephen Bubb called for urgent In the rest of my speech, I will focus on the three action to tackle this problem, which the Government really big issues that we need to tackle in order to again promised to deliver, this time by 2016. At the improve the lives of our constituents and the lives of time, I said that the missed deadline was a total disgrace, people with whom social workers work day in, day out. and that I feared Sir Stephen Bubb’s review risked First, we urgently need to tackle rising rates of poverty, gathering dust alongside all the other reviews. I am sad particularly child poverty. The vast majority of parents to say that this has proved to be the case, despite all the in poverty are doing their very best to support their promises and all the reviews. I say to the Minister that children, but for those who are already struggling, despite the Government’s Transforming Care programme, poverty makes things much harder. In reality, even in September 2020 the CQC found that there were still before the pandemic struck, more than 4 million children more than 2,000 people with learning disabilities in in this country were growing up in poverty, including assessment and treatment units. Many are subjected to, 12,000 in my constituency alone. Once housing costs “undignified and inhumane treatment, including prolonged have been taken into account, more than 40% of children seclusion and unnecessary restraint”. in Braunstone, Abbey and New Parks are growing up in poverty. This is one of the worst examples of a failed policy that I have seen in more than 25 years of working in the Since the pandemic struck, more than 2,500 children health and care sector. We need leadership, grip and across Leicester have had to claim free school meals. focus from Ministers and NHS England. Crucially, we The number of people claiming universal credit has need the views of people with learning disabilities and doubled, and there has been a 300% increase in the autism, and the views of their families and social workers, number of people using food banks, as I know only too to drive fundamental and lasting change. I hope that well from my role as chair of Feeding Leicester—I the Minister will set out what the Government are doing know that my hon. Friend the Member for South and will continue to do in order to tackle this issue. Shields is really involved in the Feeding Britain organisation. Finally, there is an urgent need for the Government They are not just people who out of work; they are in to bring forward longer term plans for reforming social work but on very low incomes, and they just cannot care—an issue we talked about just minutes ago in the afford to put food on the table. previous Westminster Hall debate. More than 19 months We are seeing some appalling examples of the levels ago, on the steps of Downing Street, the Prime Minister of need in our city from the work that we have been promised to fix the crisis in social care with a plan he doing on our winter grant. Increasing numbers of people had already developed. That plan is still nowhere to be need help with the absolute basics of living, such as seen. There was nothing in the Budget on these vital food and paying for their gas, electricity and water, and long-term reforms. The Minister says that the Government 243WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 244WH will bring forward these plans this year, but that is what Meanwhile, our chief social workers for adults have she promised last year. I hope that when she stands up played a vital leadership role in guiding local government she will set out why we should believe that it will be and national Government’s response to the pandemic. different this time around. They have reminded Government of the importance of human relationships, maintaining connections and asking 3.52 pm the questions that need to be asked. Under Fran Leddra The Minister for Care (Helen Whately): It is a great and Mark Harvey’s joint stewardship, social work’s pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. values and grass-roots perspectives have been writ large It is also a great pleasure to reflect on World Social in the work of the covid-19 social care taskforce, the Work Day, which was on Tuesday, and to celebrate the winter plan and, now,our post-pandemic recovery planning. vital role of social workers within our communities and The ethical framework that the two social workers our health and care services across the country. I would produced at the outset of the public health crisis has also like to thank my hon. Friend the Member for provided a strong foundation for those endeavours and Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds) for many others, both centrally and across the regions. securing this debate on such an important topic. He I pay tribute to the principal social workers network. brings a wealth of experience in this area, particularly That alliance of highly experienced senior social workers from his time in local government, and he spoke eloquently has worked closely with Mark and Fran to maintain a about the importance of social work and the difference strong link between central Government and the local that social workers can make. delivery of social work. That is a valued relationship We have around 96,000 social workers practising that we want to build on and continue to learn from. We across the country. For adults, 19,000 of them do so know how vital social work is in the provision of mental within local authorities and the NHS, and there are health services; the essential role of approved mental health around 32,000 social workers working with children professionals, or AMHPs, enshrined in the Mental Health and families. I pay tribute to the Under-Secretary of Act 1983, is almost wholly undertaken by social workers. State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), for the brilliant work that she As part of World Mental Health Day last year, I met does supporting children’s social work. Many thousands an inspiring group of AMHPs from across the country of social workers are also supporting people at the who are working in settings across NHS and local heart of our communities, in charity and voluntary authority services. The meeting was one of the most organisations and in the independent sector, and many memorable I have had as Care Minister. The group of others are engaged in vitally important research. Wherever people I spoke to brought to life the game-changing they work, social workers are helping people receive the role that they play in people’s lives. care they need to live more independent, more fulfilled The AMHP role marries well with social work skills, and happier lives. experience and capacity for independent oversight. AMHPs The theme for this year’s World Social Work Day was have the authority to make informed judgments on inspired by the Zulu word “ubuntu”, which translates hospital detention, thinking wider than clinical need, as, “I am because we are.”This speaks to our individuality, and making sure the decisions taken are the correct but also to the strength we draw from others. Social ones for the individual. It should be no surprise, therefore, work, wherever it is practised in the world, is about that we have committed ourselves to expanding the forging and strengthening connections between individuals, number of social workers specialising in mental health, families and our wider communities. Ubuntu is therefore through our Think Ahead graduate training programme. a particularly apt concept. But we are not stopping there. We will invest in more As we look back over the past year, we reflect on how training and development as part of post-pandemic the pandemic—isolating and disruptive in so many recovery planning and preparation for the reformed ways—has also, almost counterintuitively, spurred us to Mental Health Act. break down barriers. Barriers have melted away between professions,organisations and services,as closer connections We are also committed to the delivery of responsive, have been forged out of necessity and from the desire to high-quality adult safeguarding. As we celebrate World do the right thing. Social Health Day, it is important to remember that social workers in both adults’ and children’s services are Coronavirus has upended all our lives, but closer the lead professionals in delivering safeguarding. In the collaboration has been a vital part of the response. coming months, our chief social worker will publish a Parts of our recently announced health and social care briefing on the importance of transitional safeguarding. White Paper have been inspired by, and will build on, It is vital that young people are positively supported as that collaboration. they move from children’s services into the adult world. Social workers occupy a unique position in our health and care system. Often, they are the linking professionals Our amazing social care workforce have been through between clinical and care services, helping to create and so much and they need our support. Prioritising their maintain a wider network of support, with the individual’s mental and physical health has never been more critical. needs, aspirations and right to choose at the centre. For To that end, we have supported social workers through that reason, it is my sincere belief that social work’s core the pandemic, including providing social workers with values have helped us to rise to the unique challenges PPE and prioritising our frontline social care workforce posed by covid-19. Social workers have responded rapidly for vaccination. On that point, last year, the chief social to huge pressures and changing needs. They have remained worker worked with the Tavistock and Portman NHS on the frontline to support those shielding and those at Foundation Trust to publish guidance for the support higher risk of infection, including people needing safe and wellbeing of adult social workers and social care discharge from hospital. professionals during the pandemic. In the years ahead, 245WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 246WH

[Helen Whately] Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Steven Bonnar) spoke of the aspirations he sees as deliverable we will continue to support the mental health and through a more devolved model with greater local discretion. wellbeing of our hard-working and dedicated social There is an enormous challenge for social workers. care professionals. As we recognise, on the one hand there is a sense of It is vital that we support people with learning disabilities frustration at the bureaucracy that surrounds them in and autistic people to live as independently as possible. doing the job of helping families; on the other, there is Again, social workers are the key professional group in huge criticism levelled at the Government should they contact with those individuals, helping to develop care seek to alleviate that bureaucracy. We therefore need to and support plans, enabling people to aspire and live as find a way to cut through when we consider the toxic independently as possible. Last month, our chief social trio—domestic abuse, mental ill health and substance workers for adults and for children published a joint misuse—that bring children into the care system. Some report entitled “A spectrum of opportunity”, which 63% of children in our care system are there because of looks at the role of social work in support of autistic neglect. Those are complex issues to tackle, so we need young people. The report draws on the experiences of to ensure that there is proportionate regulation and young people and their families across a range of local guidance from Government, but that the social workers authorities and highlights the exceptional work social who know those families well—know their circumstances workers have been undertaking and what more can be and their communities—can make decisions with them, done to strengthen practice. Across Government, an for them, and sometimes without them, to pursue the all-age autism strategy informed by that learning will be best interests of the children and individuals at the published this year. heart of that. I spoke earlier of the complex world we find ourselves I welcome the care review. Although around 3% of in. Coronavirus has had a cruel and disproportionate our population of 12 million children in the United impact on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Kingdom are in the care system, those children are the Protecting the health and wellbeing of our health and most vulnerable in our society, and, from the perspective care workforce is a crucial step towards tackling health of public services and the Government, the most expensive. inequalities. We know that 21% of the adult social care On average, a high-needs placement to a local authority workforce are from ethnic minority backgrounds, but costs more than £130,000 a year per child. Although the there are huge regional variations, with London’s vibrant picture, according to Ofsted, is of an improvement in and diverse communities registering 66% of staff from the supply and quality of placements available for local ethnic minority backgrounds. There are also variations authorities when they are making arrangements for by professional role. children, the system, none the less,remains under significant As of April, 18 local authorities will be implementing pressure because children and frail elderly people form a workforce race equality standard across their adult a much larger proportion of our population than they and children’s social work departments, building on the have in recent years. learning of the NHS RES, which is in its fifth year. The Owing to that, we expect a proportional increase in RES is one step in my ambition to improve our information the pressure on our social work services, and we need on the social care workforce, allowing us to identify and to respond. Over the years, numerous initiatives from address barriers that prevent the full spectrum of voices central Government have been designed to achieve an from being heard. That will provide positive insights improvement—not just for social workers, but in the into staff progression and representation in senior outcomes for the people they work with. Quality Protects management to support us fostering equal and fair was the first that came to my attention, but there have opportunities for all. I look forward to the lessons that since been many initiatives, under many Governments, social workers will bring to us during the first phase of of all parties, to improve the work done and the outcomes implementation. achieved for our most vulnerable children. In closing, I put on record my sincerest thanks to According to international comparisons, the UK has social workers across the country not just for their work the best—the second best, on some measures—child throughout the covid-19 pandemic, but for all they protection system in the world. That is a system in bring to our health and care services. No other profession which social workers—derided and often criticised in touches, teaches and transforms so many parts of our the press, and working in obscure areas—do a job that health and care system and liberates so many individuals, is genuinely world class and something we should be families and communities to live the lives they want and proud of. When I consider the Government’s investment deserve to lead. in the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care, I commend working directly with those who best-know 4.2 pm families, adults, elderly people and children, and what David Simmonds: I thank my hon Friend the Minister they have done to bring about a transformation in for focusing her speech very much on the people at the outcomes—and how we can enable that more easily at heart of what we are here to celebrate in our debate on national level. Social work, in particular for children, is World Social Work Day 2021. There is clearly a debate the only area of local government spending that has to be had about the complex social care system that we risen in the last decade, as local authorities have chosen have in this country. We have heard from Members with to strip spending in other areas to prioritise early direct personal experience.The hon. Member for Lewisham intervention and child protection activities. East (Janet Daby) spoke of her experience as a children We go forward to ensure that our social care system— and families social worker, the hon. Member for South around half of which looks after adults of working age, Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) spoke of what she had seen not people who are frail and elderly—can work seamlessly in her community and in her career, and the hon. with the NHS on issues such as hospital discharge and 247WH World Social Work Day18 MARCH 2021 World Social Work Day 248WH supporting people in their community, and, at the same I shall finish where I started. Today is an opportunity time, is not ancillary to the acute and hospital sector, to put on record our thanks and praise for social but part of the bigger picture effectively supporting workers, recognise their contribution and ensure that people. The hon. Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall) what we have heard feeds through to the spirit of the made the point that social workers are the key leads for care review, as we look at ways to make this system, those individuals, and that is the right way to see it. which is already extremely high performing by international On World Social Work Day, I hope that watching standards, even better in the interests of our constituents. social workers, senior managers and people with an Question put and agreed to. interest in the sector have noted the strong sense of Resolved, cross-party good will and desire for higher recognition of the professional contribution that social workers That this House has considered World Social Work Day 2021. make, as well as the desire to improve the working environment—not just physically, but the requirements and regulations people work under—and the ability to act in the way necessary to transform the lives of the 4.9 pm most vulnerable people in our country. Sitting adjourned.

13WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 14WS Written Statements Role of UN COP President The COP President-designate is responsible within Thursday 18 March 2021 the UK for delivering the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Ahead of the summit I am engaging with the UNFCCC secretariat and the current COP President as they prepare CABINET OFFICE the provisional negotiations agenda. I am working to increase ambition internationally, developing effective European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common international relationships with countries, institutions, Frameworks Report businesses and stakeholders to achieve the necessary commitments in advance of and at COP. I am regularly The Minister for the Constitution and Devolution engaging with the members of the UNFCCC to understand (Chloe Smith): I am today laying before Parliament a their positions and work with them to reach consensus report, “The European Union (Withdrawal) Act and on the negotiations. I will continue my close engagement Common Frameworks: 26 September 2020 to 25 December with a large number of civil society actors as we seek to 2020”. I am laying this report because it is a legal deliver an inclusive COP. requirement under the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 for With the will of all parties, I will formally become quarterly reports to be made to Parliament on the COP President during the opening ceremony of the progress of the work to develop common frameworks. Glasgow summit. At the summit, I will participate as The report is available on gov.uk and details the progress COP President, under the authority of the COP and its made between the UK Government and devolved 197 parties. I will lead the formal negotiations, preside Administrations regarding the development of common over meetings and will facilitate proceedings in accordance frameworks. This report details progress made during with the COP’s draft rules of procedure. I will have the 10th three-month reporting period, and sets out oversight of the overall package of outcomes and will that no “freezing”regulations have been brought forward work closely with UNFCCC members to secure consensus. under section 12 of the European Union (Withdrawal) As COP President I will also lead the COP Bureau, Act. A copy of “The European Union (Withdrawal) which is an 11-member body that assists the President Act and Common Frameworks: 26 September 2020 to and supports the work of COP, for the duration of my 25 December 2020”report has been placed in the Libraries term until COP27 in late 2022. of both Houses. The publication of the report reflects the The Prime Minister has made the role full time and as Government’s continued commitment to transparency. a full member of the Cabinet. My Cabinet colleagues [HCWS857] remain responsible for delivering on their respective policy responsibilities. COP26 Delivering a successful outcome COP26 Presidency: Governance, Structure and At the Climate Ambition summit on 12 December Parliamentary Accountability 2020, I set out four clear objectives for the UK presidency. To ask countries to commit to net zero by mid-century, COP26 President (Alok Sharma): Following the creation building on the 70% of world GDP covered by net zero targets today. To set the path to this, countries are being asked to of a full-time COP26 President role, I wanted to update come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets the House on the governance, structure and parliamentary (known as NDCs) which align with net zero goals. We will accountability of the role. also be looking to accelerate the phase-out of coal, encourage COP26 is a UN conference hosted by the UK, in investment in renewables, halt fossil fuel subsidies and pick partnership with Italy, which will be held in Glasgow in up the pace on electric vehicle roll out. All of these areas are November 2021. World leaders will attend the conference, critical to stop average global temperatures exceeding 1.5C. with the aim to agree how to tackle the threat of global To urgently protect and help adapt our communities and climate change and deliver a resilient, net zero economy natural habitats from the destructive effects of climate change. that protects and values the natural world This will involve enabling and encouraging countries affected by climate change to build defences, warning systems and The UK is a world leader on climate change. We were resilient infrastructure to avoid loss of homes and livelihoods. the first major economy to legislate for net zero by 2050. In November 2020, the Prime Minister set out our To increase funding to support these aims, making good on the $100 billion annual climate finance goal affirmed through new nationally determined contribution, committing to the Paris agreement. We need to be in a position to unleash reduce our emissions by at least 68% by 2030 on a 1990 the trillions in private and public finance to meet global net baseline, and in December 2020 we published the UK’s zero. first adaptation communication. To close off the outstanding elements of the Paris rulebook, Ministerial team and accelerate delivery of the Paris goals through collaboration The right hon. Lord Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific between Governments, businesses and civil society. and the Environment, will be the COP26 spokesperson We will deliver these objectives through a major in the House of Lords. The Minister for Business, Energy international engagement programme. I have briefed all and Clean Growth, my right hon. Friend the Member UN member states three times and have personally for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Anne-Marie Trevelyan), will engaged with over 50 countries. In the last month I have also address COP26 questions in the House of Commons visited Ethiopia, Gabon, Egypt, Nigeria, India, Nepal, and is the UK international champion on adaptation Belgium and France, and have spoken to representatives and resilience for the COP26 presidency. My hon. Friend from a wide range of other countries and organisations, the Member for South Ribble (Katherine Fletcher) has including the United States and China and hosted been appointed as my Parliamentary Private Secretary. virtual roundtables and engaged with civil society groups. 15WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 16WS

Parliamentary scrutiny and engagement internationally. I continue to chair the Climate Action There will be regular oral questions, which commenced Implementation Cabinet Committee (CAI), which supports on 24 February. And written questions can be submitted the CAS to operationalise the Government’s climate to the COP26 President. strategy. There will be full Select Committee scrutiny of the I am supported by the COP26 unit which has over role. A BEIS Select Committee session was held on 19 200 posts and is based in the Cabinet Office. The COP January.The Chairs of the Business, Energy and Industrial unit team brings together civil servants from across Strategy, Environmental Audit, Science and Technology, Whitehall and external expertise.International engagement, Foreign Affairs, International Development, Treasury, co-ordinated by the COP26 team in co-operation with Transport, Scottish Affairs, Environment, Food and the FCDO, takes place across all Departments and by Rural Affairs and Liaison Committees have come together all Ministers with an interest in the cross-cutting campaigns informally as a “committee on COP26” which is an and our COP objectives, as well as by the Prime Minister. initiative I welcome and am committed to appearing in As set out above, the regular processes are in place to front of them alongside my ministerial colleagues, who ensure parliamentary scrutiny and support towards delivery will also be able to answer questions on their respective of COP26. policy responsibilities. Progress so far My ministerial team and I will send a regular newsletter Reducing emissions: countries representing around 65% of to colleagues in both Houses. I have agreed a programme global CO2 emissions and around 70% of the world’s economy of engagement activity with the chairs of the climate have now committed to reaching net zero emissions or carbon all-party parliamentary groups. neutrality. When the UK took the role of incoming COP presidency in December 2019, coverage was just 20% of global We will be providing a digital toolkit to Members in emissions and 26% of world GDP. On 12 December, over due course to support them to engage constituents in 90 countries, businesses, sectors, cities, including 75 world the Together for Our Planet campaign. We will also be leaders, attended the Climate Ambition summit, co-hosted working with partners to engage schools in COP26, with the UN and France in partnership with Italy and Chile. including providing a tailored toolkit. At the summit 45 leaders highlighted plans for new and more ambitious NDCs (covering 71 countries including all EU A range of opportunities are available for Members member states) and 24 countries announced new commitments, and their constituents to get involved at COP26 itself. strategies or plans to reach net zero or carbon neutrality. The These include hosting events, creative installations and summit delivered real steps forward—for example Colombia exhibitions within UK Government managed spaces. committed to an impressive 51% emissions reduction target; and Pakistan announced a moratorium on new coal plants. We also expect there will be a range of fringe events and activities across the city of Glasgow and throughout On helping protect communities and natural habitats from the impact of climate change: at the CAS, 20 countries put the UK organised by stakeholders,civil society organisations forward plans for protecting their economies and communities and businesses. from the impact of climate change. On 25 January we Domestic and devolved Administration engagement launched the Adaptation Action Coalition to bring together countries to identify the solutions, technologies and resources We are working with the Scottish Government, the needed to protect people and nature as the planet warms. Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive Action on nature is at the heart of our COP presidency. At to ensure an inclusive and ambitious summit for the the UN General Assembly in September 2020 the Prime whole of the UK. All parts of the UK will have important Minister signed the leaders’ pledge for nature committing roles to play in ensuring the summit’s success. leaders to take 10 urgent actions to put nature on a path to recovery by 2030. The UK played a key role in pioneering I have invited climate change Ministers from the and negotiating the pledge, and which now has over 80 countries Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the signed up. On 2 February 2021 we launched the forest, Northern Ireland Executive to participate in a regular agriculture and commodity trade (FACT) dialogue, which devolved Administrations group to ensure effective will bring together key countries exporting agricultural products engagement and collaboration on COP26 in support of and the countries consuming these products to agree global principles and a roadmap of actions to make global supply the delivery of an inclusive and welcoming COP26 chains process greener and more sustainable, tackling one of representative of the whole of the UK. the primary drivers of nature loss. I also chair the COP26 UK Mayors’ and Regions On increasing climate finance: there is an urgent need to get Advisory Council with mayors and council leaders from more finance flowing to support swift climate action. Developed across the UK, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff countries must meet and surpass the $100 billion of climate and Belfast. In addition to ongoing engagement with finance commitment, matching UK ambition to double UK stakeholders across the UK, to ensure an inclusive, ICF to at least £11.6 billion between 2021 and 2025. Private whole of society COP26, that is representative of all of finance is also key. So far we have seen major asset owners, representing over $5 trillion, and asset managers, representing the UK in Glasgow. over $9 trillion, commit to net zero targets by 2050. Climate- Wehave launched the Together for our Planet campaign related financial disclosures are increasing and jurisdictions which will raise awareness and understanding of COP26 in Brazil, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Switzerland are and the work the UK is doing to combat climate taking action to make disclosure mandatory, complementing the UK’sannouncement for a pathway to mandatory disclosure change. The campaign aims to drive awareness and across the economy by 2025. create opportunities for people across the UK to participate in the run-up to COP26. On making progress on the outstanding elements of the Paris rulebook, and accelerating delivery of the Paris goals: we have COP Unit governance been convening UNFCCC members in discussions to lay the groundwork for the negotiations, and we will be hosting, The Prime Minister chairs the Climate Action Strategy alongside Chile, a series of monthly multilateral consultations. Cabinet Committee (CAS), which determines the UK’s More broadly,we have built partnerships to increase international overarching climate strategy both domestically and collaboration on key issues, establishing the Energy Transition 17WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 18WS

Council and Zero Emissions Vehicles Transition Council, as The Post Office reached a full and final settlement well as working through existing coalitions: the Powering with claimants in the group litigation in December 2019 Past Coal Alliance has grown to 114 members covering 20% and apologised for its past failings. That settlement was of OECD coal power capacity. an important step towards addressing the wrongs of the I look forward to engaging with you and continuing past, but it was only the start of a long journey for the to update you over the coming months on the road to Post Office to repair and strengthen the relationship COP26. with postmasters. [HCWS858] As part of the settlement the Post Office agreed to set up the historical shortfall scheme. The scheme was open to current and former postmasters who did not participate BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL in the group litigation claim against the Post Office and STRATEGY did not have a criminal conviction, but who may have experienced and repaid Horizon shortfalls. It is therefore an important step in making sure that all those who Notification to Parliament of a Contingent Liability: were affected have the opportunity to seek resolution. Indemnification to CGI IT UK Ltd The scheme closed in August 2020 and received over 2,400 applications. This number was higher than the Post Office had anticipated when the scheme was established. The Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth All of these applications of course need to be properly (Anne-Marie Trevelyan): In line with our emergency assessed. response for nuclear incidents obligations, my Department The Post Office is committed to the successful delivery has been developing a new software application to and timely completion of the historical shortfall scheme. support the management of nuclear emergencies. The However, the cost of the scheme is beyond what the new system will replace two ageing legacy systems managed business can afford. by BEIS and MOD. The Government will therefore provide sufficient financial My Department is procuring application management support to the Post Office to ensure that the scheme can and support (AMS) services presently. We intend to proceed, based on current expectations of the likely indemnify the selected supplier in respect of liabilities cost. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and that they may incur if employees of the former supplier Industrial Strategy is providing this support in his capacity of these services bring employment law claims against as sole shareholder in the Post Office. them in relation to the application of the Transfer of There are two reasons this is being done. Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). First, we must ensure that those postmasters who have applied to this scheme are able to seek redress. By In relation to this, I have today laid before Parliament supporting the scheme, we will make it possible for a departmental minute giving notice of the Department these postmasters to be fairly compensated. incurring this contingent liability in the form of indemnity protection provided to the selected supplier. Secondly, we must protect the post office network. As we have seen through the pandemic, it provides essential We believe it is appropriate to incur this contingent services to citizens across the country. liability, to ensure that the new software system can go live without any delay. We consider the provision of this Without this support the Post Office would be unable liability as the best value for money option to ensure the to deliver fully the historical shortfall scheme and it new service is available. would be unable to continue to operate its network as we know it today. This is a critical intervention that [HCWS854] benefits current and former postmasters and the millions of customers that rely on their local post office branch. Post Office: Horizon Historical Shortfall Scheme The final cost of delivering the historical shortfall scheme will be determined over the coming months, including through the work of an independent panel. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, This support will ensure that postmasters are appropriately Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully): Problems compensated, however we will not spend more of taxpayers’ with the Post Office’s Horizon IT system have affected money than is necessary to ensure the scheme meets its the lives and livelihoods of many postmasters. objectives. Over the years, the Horizon accounting system recorded The Post Office is rightly contributing what it can shortfalls in cash in branches. The Post Office at the from its own resources to the delivery of the scheme. time thought that some of these were caused by postmasters, While it is important that the scheme remains and this led to dismissals, recovery of losses by Post independent of Government it is also important that Office Ltd and, in some instances, criminal prosecutions. this shareholder support delivers value for money. The A group of 555 of these postmasters, led by former Government are confident that the controls in place in postmaster Alan Bates, brought a group litigation claim the design of the historical shortfall scheme will make against the Post Office in 2016. It is clear from the sure this is the case. findings of Mr Justice Fraser, just how wrong the Post The Post Office will make the first offers to applicants Office was in its relationship with postmasters and that shortly.However, given the number of applications it will there were clear failings with the Horizon system. take time to work through all the claims that the Post Office The Government pay tribute to those postmasters has received. The Government would therefore like to thank and colleagues across the House who continue to shine postmasters in advance for their patience and reassure a spotlight on such an important issue. them that their claims will be properly handled. 19WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 20WS

The Horizon dispute has affected the lives of too many measures to unleash competition and strengthen governance people and supporting the scheme operated by the Post in the audit market, overseen by a new regulator, to Office will help them right the wrongs of the past. increase choice and drive up resilience; We must also ensure that a situation like this can never recognising the economic importance of the largest privately- be allowed to occur again. That is why this Government owned companies by ensuring they meet the highest have asked Sir Wyn Williams to lead the Post Office governance and reporting standards; Horizon IT inquiry. making companyreporting more transparent and informative: Sir Wyn’s inquiry will work to fully understand what so that they pay out dividends only when they have sufficient reserves, and enabling companies to have a wider range of happened, gather available evidence and ensure lessons metrics audited, for example climate disclosures. have been learnt so that this cannot occur again. It will These proposals will all be backed by the creation of also look specifically at whether the historical shortfall a strong and independent statutory authority for audit, scheme is being properly delivered. The Government corporate reporting and governance. Replacing the look forward to receiving Sir Wyn’s report in the summer. Financial Reporting Council, the new regulator will be [HCWS853] given much stronger powers to enforce standards. We also propose that it will have the power to impose an Audit and Corporate Governance Reforms operational split between the audit and non-audit functions of accountancy firms, to reduce the risk of any conflicts The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial of interest that may affect the standard of audit they Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng): Today the Government are provide. publishing their ambitious plans to strengthen the UK’s The UK is consistently placed as one of the leading audit, company reporting and corporate governance destinations for foreign investment in Europe and around framework, “Restoring trust in audit and corporate the world. These reforms will sustain and build on the governance”, which I will lay in the House. These UK’s position, and reinforce the Government’s wider proposals will ensure the UK’s markets are at the cutting work to ensure the UK remains a world-class destination edge of global best practice. for investment. British business is built on trust, so it is vital that our The reforms cover the whole of the UK since, although leading companies can command the confidence of the company law is devolved in Northern Ireland, to date financial markets, investment community and wider the Northern Ireland Executive has preferred to align public as the UK recovers from the effects of covid-19. with Great Britain in this area. The Government will Our comprehensive package of reforms will strengthen also continue to work closely with the devolved reporting, audit and governance in the UK’s largest Administrations in Wales and Scotland in developing companies. The proposals will help cement the UK’s the final provisions. position as a world-leading destination for investment In light of the challenging circumstances for companies, by helping to ensure that our leading companies are the Government’s consultation period will run for 16 governed responsibly and that investors, creditors, workers weeks. The Government then intend to bring forward and others have access to the information they need. legislation when parliamentary time allows. We will Our proposals respond to the independent reviews implement reforms in a proportionate way that does led by Sir John Kingman, Sir Donald Brydon and the not prove burdensome to business, for example considering Competition and Markets Authority, and I would like a limited exemption for newly listed firms from the new to thank each of them for their valuable contributions. requirements. Today’s publication sets out a balanced and wide-ranging I will place a copy of the three supplementary package of reforms which will lay the foundations for publications, including an impact assessment of the British companies to build back stronger as the UK proposed measures, in the Libraries of both Houses. recovers from the effects of covid-19 and in the wake of [HCWS852] recent corporate failures. Restoring business confidence, but also people’s confidence in business, is crucial to TREASURY repairing our economy and building back better from UK Counter-Terrorist Asset-Freezing Regime: the pandemic. 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020 In particular, the Government’s proposals include: supporting directors of large companies in planning for The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen): long-term success through annual resilience statements: setting out how they are mitigating short and long-term Under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (TAFA risks, for the benefit not only of shareholders but also of 2010), the Treasury was required to prepare a quarterly local communities, suppliers, customers and the wider report regarding its exercise of the powers conferred on UK economy; it by part 1 of TAFA 2010. This written statement making directors of the country’s biggest companies more satisfies that requirement for the period 1 October 2020 accountable when they breach their duties, with the prospect to 31 December 2020. of fines or bans only when there are serious failings, such This report also covers the UK’s implementation of as misleading accounts or hiding information from auditors. the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida asset-freezing This measure is targeted at the very largest companies in regime (ISIL-AQ), and the operation of the EU’s asset- the UK, not start-ups and small businesses, and would freezing regime under EU regulation (EC) 2580/2001 not affect the vast majority of directors. Instead, it reflects the level of responsibility that comes with a board position concerning external terrorist threats to the EU (also in the largest companies; referred to as the CP 931 regime). addressing “rewards for failure” through mechanisms to Under the ISIL-AQ asset-freezing regime, the UN claw bonuses back following misconduct or management has responsibility for designations and the Treasury, failures; through the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation 21WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 22WS

(OFSI), has responsibility for licensing and compliance The EBRD is a multilateral development bank (MDB) with the regime in the UK under the ISIL (Da’esh) and where HM Government (HMG) has an 8.52% capital Al-Qaida (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011. shareholding. The Chancellor is UK governor at the EBRD, Under EU regulation 2580/2001, the EU has and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development responsibility for designations and while the UK was a Secretary is the UK alternate governor. The UK’s overall member of the EU and throughout the transition period capital contribution totals £2,300,000,000, of which OFSI had responsibility for licensing and compliance previous payments have made up the 20% “paid-in” with the regime in the UK under part 1 of TAFA 2010. capital contribution requiring a cash transfer. The other 80%, £1,738,000,000, is “callable capital”—the EBRD EU regulation (2016/1686) was implemented on has the right to call for payment for these shares if there 22 September 2016. This permits the EU to make is a crisis affecting the bank’s assets or liabilities. No autonomous Al-Qaida and ISIL (Da’esh) listings. MDB has ever issued a call to payment on callable UK sanctions following the end of the transition period capital shares. Since the transition period ended at 11:00 pm on Although the EBRD has the right to call for payment 31 December 2020, the UK no longer applies EU of this callable capital incurred when the initial capital sanctions regulations and all sanctions regimes will be instalment was paid, no such instance has occurred in implemented through UK regulations. The Sanctions any MDB in the past. EBRD has a AAA credit rating, and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (the Sanctions with a diversified portfolio of investments across a large Act) provides the legal framework for the UK to impose, range of countries. As of June 2020, the EBRD held update and lift sanctions autonomously. Information ¤29.8 billion in equity (including shareholders’subscribed on the three new counter-terrorism sanctions regimes capital) and ¤11.6 billion in its reserves. Again, the can be found via this link: transfer of the contingent liability from FCDO to HMT swaps the liability between balance sheets but does not https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk- incur or undertake further liabilities. If the liability were counter-terrorism-sanctions to be called, provision for any payment will be sought These new sanction regimes ensure that the UK through the normal supply procedure. implements its international obligations under UN Security [HCWS860] Council resolution 1373 and give effect to the UK’s obligations under UN Security Council resolution 2368. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE This is the final quarterly report to Parliament on the UK’s terrorist asset-freezing regime. Independent Review into Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Orders The attached tables set out the key asset-freezing activity in the UK during the quarter. Attachments can be viewed online at: http://www. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions- (Matt Hancock): The Government are announcing today answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2021- the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) 03-18/HCWS862/. report into the use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions taken during the [HCWS862] covid-19 pandemic. We would like first to thank the CQC for their swift work on the review, as well as the people, their families, representatives and staff who shared their Transfer of the European Bank for Reconstruction and experiences on such an important and complex issue. A Development Contingent Capital Liability copy of the report is available at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/. The report follows concerns raised at the beginning of the pandemic around the use of “blanket” DNACPR The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak): I am decisions across groups of people, particularly our most today laying a departmental minute to advise that HM vulnerable. The Care Quality Commission has investigated Treasury (HMT) intends—subject to the standard these concerns. procedure for notification to Parliament of the assumption Sensitive and well communicated DNACPR decisions of contingent liabilities as described below—to transfer can be an important part of patient care and end of life the contingent liability of £1,738,000,000 with respect experience. It is essential, therefore, that good practice to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is embedded across the health and care system to build (EBRD) from the Foreign, Commonwealth and understanding of the role good DNACPR decisions Development Office (FCDO). play in high-quality personalised care. This transfer provides HMT with financial and We are pleased to see the numerous examples of good accounting responsibility for the EBRD to match HMT’s practice, across both health and social care settings, longstanding policy responsibilities. HMT is not incurring highlighted by the report. We heard about experiences or undertaking a new contingent liability—the EBRD’s of people and their families seeing health and care standing contingent liability is swapping from the FCDO providers go above and beyond to overcome the challenges to the HMT balance sheet. This will not produce a net posed by the pandemic. budget impact on either Department’s balance sheet as However, such good practice was not true everywhere. it is budget neutral and will appear as nil in the 2021-22 The report tells the stories of people who were denied main estimates. The EBRD’s shareholding is held by the opportunity to discuss their DNACPR decisions, as the UK Crown, meaning it is at HMG’s discretion well as of families and carers feeling unable to support to determine which Department holds the EBRD’s their loved ones or challenge DNACPR decisions. This callable liability. is completely unacceptable. 23WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 24WS

Inappropriate or “blanket” application of DNACPRs In 2015, we committed to resettle 20,000 of the most decisions are wholly unacceptable, even in pressurised vulnerable refugees who fled the brutal conflict in Syria circumstances. All decisions about DNACPR must, in through the vulnerable persons resettlement scheme all circumstances, be made on an individual basis according (VPRS). This included people requiring urgent medical to need. treatment, survivors of violence and torture, and women We must be able to ensure that people feel equal and children at risk. partners in their care and that staff across all care settings Today we are delighted to be able to confirm that we feel well equipped to hold these difficult conversations. have now met that commitment. We have resettled 20,080 Wemust have processes to ensure that people feel supported vulnerable refugees across the UK since September 2015. to speak up when they have concerns. We support the In total, this means that, across all Government-funded recommendations of the CQC, including ensuring that resettlement schemes, more than 25,000 refugees have staff have the training needed to be able to support been resettled in the UK over the past six years, around people with DNACPR decisions; that there is national half of whom were children. guidance and system level oversight; and that people This achievement has been made possible thanks to are well informed of what good practice looks like, the outstanding work and dedication of many partners, what their rights are and for DNACPR decisions to be including non-governmental organisations in the UK considered as part of good end of life care. and international partners, community and faith groups, The Government are determined to tackle bad practice local authorities, devolved Administrations and individual and welcome the report’srecommendation for a ministerial members of the public. I am truly grateful for this oversight group to drive progress on this important collaborative effort. issue. We are committed to driving forward the delivery Resettlement is vital to safely and legally provide a of these recommendations and ultimately ensure everyone path to settlement for vulnerable people fleeing persecution experiences the compassionate care they deserve. and it is right that we continue to offer safe pathways [HCWS859] for those in need of protection. The launch of our new global UK resettlement scheme will now build on the HOME DEPARTMENT success of previous schemes and we will continue our proud record of resettling refugees who need our help Third Annual Report of the Biometrics and Forensics from around the world. Ethics Group We want refugees in the UK to have the freedom to succeed and that means access to the tools they need to The Minister for Crime and Policing (Kit Malthouse): become fully independent, provide for themselves and My noble Friend the Minister of State, Home Office their families and the ability to contribute and integrate (Baroness Williams of Trafford) has today made the into the economic and cultural life of the UK. following written ministerial statement: That is why today I have also announced £14 million I am pleased to announce the publication of the third annual of funding to help newly granted refugees to integrate report of the Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group on in the UK. The £14 million fund will pilot new approaches 18 March 2021. The group provides Ministers with independent across the country to support newly granted refugees to advice on matters relating to ethical issues in forensic science learn English, move into work, access housing and and biometrics and considers issues in data ethics. build links in their local communities. Lessons learned I would like to thank the group for its advice concerning the from these pilots will inform future support available to use and retention of biometric identifiers and for its advice all refugees. on the development and testing of biometric technologies. This Government continue to step forward to provide The group has provided advice and guidance on issues such help to those facing oppression or tyranny. This year we as: retention of additional DNA profile information on the have also introduced a new pathway to citizenship for national DNA database, and a trial on the use of near-match British national (overseas) status holders and their family reporting; consideration of the ethical issues in genetic genealogy members who are facing draconian new security laws in and massively parallel sequencing approaches for criminal investigations; and recommendations for leaflets to inform Hong Kong, which may see an estimated 320,000 people the public on issues relating to burial at sea and deletion of come to the UK over the next five years. custody images. We have also enabled over 29,000 close relatives of The Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group annual report refugees to join them in the UK through refugee family can be viewed on the website of the group at: https://www. reunion in the last five years. gov.uk/government/organisations/biometrics-and-forensics- Looking ahead, as we reform the asylum system, ethics-group and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of global Britain will continue its proud tradition of providing both Houses. safe haven to those in need through safe and legal routes. [HCWS856] [HCWS855] Refugee Protection and Integration HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL The Secretary of State for the Home Department GOVERNMENT (Priti Patel): Global Britain has a proud record of helping those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme Funding from around the world. In addition to providing £10 billion each year to support people in need through overseas aid, the UK is a global leader in refugee resettlement. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Between 2016 and 2019 we resettled more refugees from Local Government (Robert Jenrick): Today,the Government outside Europe than any EU member state. are launching the next phase of the rough sleeping 25WS Written Statements 18 MARCH 2021 Written Statements 26WS accommodation programme. Councils across England Further information on future years of the programme are invited to bid for a share of funding totalling is available in the fund’s prospectus, available at: https:// £212 million for 2021-22 to 2023-24 to deliver move-on www.gov.uk/government/publications/rough-sleeping- homes for rough sleepers. These homes will be a national accommodation-programme-2021-24. asset to support vulnerable people, and high-quality The Government have made clear that no one should support services will be provided alongside to help be without a roof over their head, which is why we have vulnerable people move on from rough sleeping. committed to end rough sleeping. That is also why,including this programme, we have spent £700 million in 2020-21 This funding is part of the £433 million rough and are spending over £750 million over the next financial sleeping accommodation programme available over the year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. lifetime of this Parliament to deliver 6,000 new homes for rough sleepers, announced by the Government in This programme builds on the Government’s May 2020. This represents the largest ever investment unprecedented Everyone In initiative, which has so far in move-on accommodation. Today’s announcement supported 37,000 individuals during the pandemic, with builds on the first year of the programme, in which the more than 26,000 already successfully moved on to Government allocated more than £150 million for move-on longer-term accommodation. Together with our pledge accommodation for rough sleepers, as well as investing to fully enforce the Homelessness Reduction Act, this in high-quality support over the next three years, so funding demonstrates our commitment to making the that vulnerable people helped through the programme most of this opportunity to transform the lives of the can maintain their tenancies and move on from some of the most vulnerable in society, and to ending rough sleeping. rough sleeping for good. [HCWS861]

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 18 March 2021

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY GENERAL...... 479 DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—continued County Lines Drug Dealing...... 481 Covid-19: Elite Sport ...... 472 Covid-19: Backlog of Court Cases...... 485 Culture Recovery Fund...... 469 Covid-19: CPS Engagement with Local Data Flow to and from EU...... 469 Communities and External Stakeholders ...... 483 Exports to EU: Art and Antiques ...... 467 Covid-19: Public Understanding of the Law...... 486 Fibre Spine Infrastructure: West Dorset...... 474 CPS Complex Casework Units...... 479 Fourth National Lottery Licence ...... 471 Domestic Violence ...... 484 Gigabit Broadband ...... 468 International Law on Rights of Refugees: Live Events and Cultural Festivals: Government- Government Compliance ...... 480 backed Insurance Scheme ...... 470 Modern Slavery...... 482 Topical Questions ...... 476 Work Permit-free Travel: Musicians and DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 467 Performers ...... 474 Covid-19: Culture and Entertainment Industries ... 473 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 18 March 2021

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 23WS STRATEGY ...... 17WS Refugee Protection and Integration ...... 23WS Audit and Corporate Governance Reforms...... 19WS Third Annual Report of the Biometrics and Notification to Parliament of a Contingent Forensics Ethics Group...... 23WS Liability: Indemnification to CGI IT UK Ltd.... 17WS Post Office: Horizon Historical Shortfall Scheme .. 17WS HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL CABINET OFFICE...... 13WS GOVERNMENT...... 24WS European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme Frameworks Report...... 13WS Funding ...... 24WS COP26...... 13WS COP26 Presidency: Governance, Structure and TREASURY ...... 20WS Parliamentary Accountability ...... 13WS Transfer of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Contingent HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE...... 22WS Capital Liability...... 21WS Independent Review into Do Not Attempt UK Counter-Terrorist Asset-Freezing Regime: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Orders...... 22WS 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020...... 20WS No proofs can be supplied. Corrections that Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked on a copy of the daily Hansard - not telephoned - and must be received in the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 25 March 2021

STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT GREATLY FACILITATES THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF BOUND VOLUMES

Members may obtain excerpts of their speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), by applying to the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons. Volume 691 Thursday No. 193 18 March 2021

CONTENTS

Thursday 18 March 2021

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 467] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Attorney General

Business of the House [Col. 487] Statement—(Mr Rees-Mogg)

Independent Review of Administrative Law [Col. 504] Statement—(Robert Buckland)

Health and Social Care Update [Col. 517] Statement—(Matt Hancock)

Data Transparency and Accountability: Covid-19 [Col. 533] Select Committee Statement—(Mr Wragg)

Backbench Business Sri Lanka [Col. 542] Motion—(Siobhain McDonagh)—agreed to World Water Day [Col. 572] General debate

Public Landmarks Review [Col. 592] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Social Care Reform [Col. 207WH] World Social Work Day [Col. 233WH] General Debates

Written Statements [Col. 13WS]

Written Answers to Questions [The written answers can now be found at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers]