Daily Report Thursday, 17 September 2020

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 17 September 2020 and the information is correct at the time of publication (06:28 P.M., 17 September 2020). For the latest information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements, please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/

CONTENTS ANSWERS 6 Inappropriate Behaviours in BUSINESS, ENERGY AND the Armed Forces Review 13 INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6 Ministry of Defence: Equality 14 Department for Business, Navy: Fisheries 15 Energy and Industrial Strategy: Overseas Operations (Service Staff 6 Personnel and Veterans) Bill Developing Countries: Fossil 2019-21 15 Fuels 6 Qatar: Military Aid 15 Energy: White Papers 6 UK Border Force: Military Aid 16 New Businesses 6 Yemen: Military Intervention 17 Retail Trade: Coronavirus 7 DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND Shipping: Investment 8 SPORT 17 Small Businesses: Antenatal Care and Children's Discretionary Grants 8 Play: Facilities 17 Census 9 British Telecom: Redundancy 18 Elections: Law 10 Broadband 18 Redundancy 10 Broadband: Poplar and UK Trade with EU 10 Limehouse 19 Veterans: British Nationals Coronavirus Job Retention Abroad 11 Scheme: Tourism 19 Voting Rights: EU Nationals 11 Coronavirus: Disinformation 20 DEFENCE 11 Gambling: Advertising 20 Armed Forces: Crime 11 Gambling: Coronavirus 20 Côte d'Ivoire: Demonstrations 12 Internet: Safety 22 Defence: Procurement 12 National Lottery 22 HMS Queen Elizabeth: Pornography: Internet 22 Coronavirus 13 Sports: Coronanvirus 23 Telecommunications Systems 23 Dogs: Public Spaces Telecommunications: Huawei 24 Protection Orders 38 Theatres: Young People 25 Falcons: Exports 39 Tourism 25 Flood Control 39 EDUCATION 26 Flood Control: South Yorkshire 40 Adult Education: Coronavirus 26 Hunting: Coronavirus 41 Apprentices: Coronavirus 27 Outdoor Recreation: Coronavirus 41 Assessments 27 FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH Children: Day Care 28 AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 41 Education: Coronavirus 29 Abduljalil Abdulla al-Singace 41 Free School Meals: Voucher Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups 42 Schemes 29 Bahrain: Capital Punishment 42 Further Education: Finance 30 Bahrain: Political Prisoners 43 Neurofibromatosis: Pupils 30 Bangladesh: Rohingya 43 Outdoor Recreation: Coronavirus 31 China: Military Exercises 44 Pupils: Genetics 31 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons 44 Pupils: Poverty 32 Coronavirus: Disease Control 45 Schools: Coronavirus 32 Côte d'Ivoire: Politics and Schools: Uniforms 33 Government 45 Special Educational Needs: Democracy and Human Rights 46 Reviews 34 Developing Countries: Religion 46 Students: Employment and Higher Education 34 Ethiopia: Demonstrations 47 Teachers: Documents 35 Ethiopia: Human Rights 47 Universities: Coronavirus 35 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Equality 48 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS 37 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Agriculture: Trade Fairs 37 Personnel Management 48 Air Pollution 37 Foreign, Commonwealth and Association of Inshore Development Office: Religious Fisheries and Conservation Freedom 48 Authorities 38 Foreign, Commonwealth and Department for Environment, Development Office: Food and Rural Affairs: Staff 38 Reorganisation 49 Foreign, Commonwealth and DNA: Databases 62 Development Office: Staff 50 Entry Clearances 63 Foreign, Commonwealth and Hampshire Constabulary: Development Office: Training 50 Finance 63 India: British Nationals Abroad 50 Home Office: Racial India: Religious Freedom 51 Discrimination 64 Israel: Palestinians 51 Hygiene: Products 64 Maira Shahbaz 52 Immigrants: Finance 65 Myanmar: Rohingya 52 Immigration Controls: Aiports Palestinians: Overseas Aid 53 and Ports 66 Palestinians: Textbooks 54 Passports: Applications 67 Saudi Arabia: Immigrants 54 Police: Staff 67 Taiwan: Sustainable Police: Training 68 Development 54 Security: Training 68 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 55 Trespass: Reform 68 Abortion: Coronavirus 55 Unexplained Wealth Orders 69 Abortion: Drugs 55 Victim Support Schemes 69 Care Homes: Coronavirus 56 Visas: Hong Kong 71 Care Homes: Visits 56 HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND Deloitte: Coronavirus 57 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 71 Health and Social Services: Building Safety Fund 71 Quarantine 57 Derelict Land: Maps 71 Health Professions: Flats: Insulation 72 Discrimination 58 Local Government: Sanctions 72 Members: Correspondence 58 Mayor of the West Midlands 72 NHS: Physiotherapy 58 Mortgages 73 Respite Care: Dementia 59 Planning Permission: Social Services: Coronavirus 60 Coronavirus 73 Social Services: Staffordshire 60 Plants: Urban Areas 73 SUDEP Action 61 Remembrance Day: HOME OFFICE 61 Coronavirus 74 Asylum: Housing 61 Social Rented Housing: Construction 74 British National Socialist Movement 61 Swimming Pools: Coronavirus 75 Crime: Young People 62 Tobacco 75 UK Shared Prosperity Fund 75 Passengers: Coronavirus 93 INTERNATIONAL TRADE 76 Pedestrian Areas and Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia 76 Pedestrian Crossings: Disability 93 Board of Trade: Meetings 81 Railways: Concessions 94 Food: Import Duties 81 Railways: Repairs and Free Trade: USA 82 Maintenance 94 Riot Control Weapons: Chile 82 Road Traffic Control 95 Tobacco: Imports 83 Shipping: Coronavirus 95 JUSTICE 84 Shipping: Exhaust Emissions 96 Prisoners: Disability and Transport: Hydrogen 99 Special Educational Needs 84 TREASURY 99 Prisons: Cockroaches 84 Affordable Housing: Prisons: Hygiene 85 Coronavirus 99 TRANSPORT 85 Bank Services 100 A34: Accidents 85 Beer: Excise Duties 100 Airports: Non-domestic Rates 85 Business: Coronavirus 100 British Airways: Conditions of Centrica: Coronavirus Job Employment 86 Retention Scheme 101 Cycling and Walking: Inland Charities: VAT 101 Waterways 86 Children: Day Care 102 Cycling: Voucher Schemes 87 Elizabeth Truss 102 Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls 87 Health Services: Staffordshire 103 Department for Transport: Insolvency 103 Ethnic Groups 88 Public Expenditure 104 Department for Transport: Shipping: Tax Allowances 104 Staff 89 Tenants: Loans 105 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Treasury: Staff 105 Agency: Standards 90 WALES 106 Driving Instruction: Coronavirus 90 Hydrogen: Wales 106 Hammersmith Bridge: Repairs WORK AND PENSIONS 106 and Maintenance 91 Employment: Coronavirus 106 Invalid Vehicles: Speed Limits 91 Employment: Disability 106 Motor Vehicles: Hydrogen 92 Financial Services: Advisory Motor Vehicles: Testing 92 Services 107 Industrial Health and Safety: WRITTEN STATEMENTS 117 Coronavirus 107 DEFENCE 117 Jobcentres: Staff 108 Legal Protections for Armed Kickstart Scheme: Bosworth 108 Forces Personnel and Kickstart Scheme: Veterans 117 Staffordshire 108 HOME OFFICE 117 Pensions: Fraud 109 Amendment to the Manchester Social Security Benefits: Arena Inquiry Terms of Children 111 Reference 117 Social Security Benefits: HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND Terminal Illnesses 111 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 118 Universal Credit 112 High Streets update 118 Universal Credit: Darlington 113 Rough sleeping update 119 MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS 115 WORK AND PENSIONS 120 HOME OFFICE 115 Disability Benefits Operational Update 120 Victim Support Schemes 115

Notes: Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared. Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an oral question and has since been unstarred. ANSWERS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Staff Neil O'Brien: [87652] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many members of staff in their Department have one or more of the words equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT or race in their job title. Nadhim Zahawi: There are six members of staff in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that have equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT or race in their job title.

Developing Countries: Fossil Fuels Preet Kaur Gill: [87615] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish the outcome of the review into funding support for fossil fuel projects overseas; and what exemptions he plans to include in the Government’s new policy on the provision of UKEF funding. Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government keeps all policy under review and the outcome of any such reviews are published in a timely fashion.

Energy: White Papers Liz Saville Roberts: [89795] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date he plans to publish his Energy White Paper. Kwasi Kwarteng: The Energy White Paper is a priority and it will be published this Autumn.

New Businesses Rachael Maskell: [87594] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what additional support the Government is providing to help start up businesses establish themselves in the current economy. Paul Scully: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) aims to make the UK the best place to start, scale up and grow a business. The Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank, provides government-backed business loans of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum with repayment terms of 1 to 5 years. As well as finance, every loan recipient is also offered a dedicated mentoring service and access to a free expert business mentor for 12 months to help them with every aspect of setting up a business. At the end of March 2020, the Start Up Loans programme had delivered more than 71,500 loans, providing more than £586 million of funding. For new businesses starting up or for existing businesses wishing to scale up, all advice and guidance – including employee support, tools to identify the right finance, and checklists for setting up the business in line with regulations – the main source of information is the GOV.UK website, with support also available via the Business Support Helpline on FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098 and the British Business Bank online Finance Hub. Start up businesses may also contact the network of 38 local Growth Hubs in England. These are a gateway for local information, guidance, and expertise for businesses across England, including on taxes, finance and funding schemes.

Retail Trade: Coronavirus Conor McGinn: [89761] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of job losses in the retail sector during the covid- 19 outbreak an on regional inequalities. Paul Scully: The Government recognises the impact that the coronavirus is having on retailers and businesses as a whole, which is why we have delivered one of the most generous and comprehensive packages of support globally.. Retailers are benefitting from the removal of business rates for 12 months and have been able to access grants through the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant Fund. Retailers have been able to benefit from The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, and an extension on the moratorium on commercial landlords’ right to forfeiture for the non-payment of rent to 31 December 2020. Additionally the Job Retention Bonus will encourage businesses, including retailers, to keep on furloughed workers, helping to protect jobs and our economic recovery. We have announced a new Plan for Jobs – making available up to £30 billion with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs. This includes a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme creating hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country and £1.6 billion investment in scaling up employment support schemes, training, and apprenticeships to help people looking for a job. We are ramping up and bringing forward investment, creating jobs in every part of the UK. At the Budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £88 billion of capital funding for this year. In the New Deal package, we announced our plans to accelerate a further £5 billion of additional investment projects.

Shipping: Investment Mr Kevan Jones: [86565] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support private investment in the UK maritime industry. Nadhim Zahawi: The Department is working to make the UK the best place in the world for all businesses to thrive and grow. The UK maritime sector has strategic importance for our economy and we encourage private investment into the sector. We have recently supported the £33 million investment in Artemis in Belfast to develop an autonomous water taxi. The maritime sector is also benefitting from the Government’s Covid-19 support, which includes access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Covid-19 Business Interruption Loans.

Small Businesses: Discretionary Grants Rachael Maskell: [87583] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what value of grants from the Discretionary Grant Fund have been awarded to (a) small businesses in shared offices or other flexible work spaces, (b) regular market traders with building costs, (c) bed and breakfast businesses and (d) charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates. Paul Scully: On 1 May, the Government announced up to £617 million available in the form of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund to support certain small businesses that are not liable for business rates or rates relief and are therefore out of scope of the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund. Local authorities were responsible for defining precise eligibility for the scheme in their area, subject to businesses meeting the national eligibility criteria set out in the guidance. Local authorities continue to pay grants to eligible businesses. We will publish data on Discretionary Grants Fund payments to businesses in due course and once all payments have been made. We do not receive management information from local authorities broken down by sector. Rachael Maskell: [87584] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much of the £617 million of the Government's Discretionary Grant fund has been granted to businesses by local authorities. Paul Scully: On 1 May, the Government announced up to £617 million available in the form of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund to support certain small businesses that are not liable for business rates or rates relief and are therefore out of scope of the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund. Local authorities were responsible for defining precise eligibility for the scheme in their area, subject to businesses meeting the national eligibility criteria set out in the guidance. Local authorities continue to pay grants to eligible businesses. We will publish data on the amount granted to businesses under the Discretionary Grants Fund in due course and once all payments have been made. Rachael Maskell: [87585] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason (a) day nurseries and (b) children's indoor play centres were not identified as priority business types in the Discretionary Grant programme. Paul Scully: The Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund was primarily and predominantly aimed at: • Small and micro businesses, as defined in Section 33 Part 2 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and the Companies Act 2006; • Businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs; • Businesses which can demonstrate that they have suffered a significant fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis; • Businesses which occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000. A number of priority groups were identified, including small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, following consultation with local authorities. Recognising that economic need varies across the country, local authorities have had the discretion to exercise their local knowledge and have been responsible for defining the precise eligibility for this Fund. Mandatory criteria requires that a business was trading as of 11 March, however local authorities have been allowed to determine which cases to support within those criteria.

Census Preet Kaur Gill: [87616] To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to postpone Census 2021 in line with Scotland; what estimate he has made of the cost of postponing the census; and what steps the Office for National Statistics is taking to mitigate such costs. Chloe Smith: The Government is not planning to postpone Census 2021 in England and Wales. I regret that Census 2021 has been postponed in Scotland.

Elections: Law Owen Thompson: [89790] To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when they plan to (a) review and (b) bring forward new proposals on the legislative framework for electoral law. Chloe Smith: The Government has welcomed the Law Commissions’ Electoral Law report. The Government will consider the issues raised in the report in conjunction with its wider programme of electoral integrity reforms, and will respond fully in due course.

Redundancy Rachael Maskell: [88899] To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have lost their job in each month in the last 15 years. Julia Lopez: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Attachments: 1. UKSA response PQ88899 [PQ88899.pdf]

UK Trade with EU Paula Barker: [82581] To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to secure frictionless trade with the EU. Rachael Maskell: [84305] To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on a trade agreement with the EU. Penny Mordaunt: We want to reach an agreement and we believe there is still time. We will continue to work hard to achieve it. The eighth round of negotiations began on 8 September and we hope to make quick progress on an agreement based on our reasonable proposal for a standard free trade agreement, like the one the EU has agreed with Canada and so many others. Veterans: British Nationals Abroad Allan Dorans: [87661] To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to support the welfare of British veterans overseas. Johnny Mercer: The Government provides a range of different support measures for British Armed Forces veterans living overseas. Regardless of where a veteran lives, they can receive any Armed Forces Pension, War Pension, Gurkha Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments they are entitled to. In addition, healthcare support is also provided. Over 25,000 Gurkha veterans and their families live in Nepal and can access medical care provided by the Gurkha Welfare Trust. In 2019 the Government committed £25m over the next 10 years to improve this healthcare support. Elsewhere, any veteran who has received a gratuity payment due to disablement resulting from service or is in receipt of a disablement pension under the War Pension Scheme can have the costs of treatment met where there is no free healthcare for that condition available in the country they reside. In addition to this financial and healthcare support the Commonwealth Veteran’s Programme provides funding to over 7000 Commonwealth veterans in more than 30 countries to ensure they receive the equivalent of two healthy meals a day. Any Armed Forces veteran can also contact the Veterans UK helpline wherever they reside in the world.

Voting Rights: EU Nationals Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [89803] To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what franchise EU citizens with (a) pre-settled and (b) settled immigration status will have after 31 December 2020. Chloe Smith: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 66206 on 6 July 2020.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Crime Carol Monaghan: [89751] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) service personnel and (b) veterans were charged for crimes which allegedly took place during overseas operations in each of the last 20 years. Carol Monaghan: [89752] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) service personnel and (b) veterans were convicted for crimes which allegedly took place during overseas operations in each of the last 20 years. Carol Monaghan: [89753] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in each case in which a (a) member or (b) veteran of the armed forces has been charged for a crime which allegedly took place during an overseas operation over the last 20 years, what length of time passed between the alleged criminal act and charges filed. Carol Monaghan: [89754] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for each case in which a (a) veteran or (b) member of the armed forces has been convicted of a crime which took place during an overseas operation over the last 20 years, what length of time passed between the criminal act and conviction. Johnny Mercer: As this data is not held centrally it is taking some time to compile, and I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Côte d'Ivoire: Demonstrations Stephen Morgan: [86746] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help reduce violence committed against civilians in the Ivory Coast amid clashes between Government forces and people protesting against President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term. James Heappey: The UK Government has a strong partnership with Côte d'Ivoire. Stability and inclusive economic growth are shared priorities, with a view to consolidating peace after a decade of crisis and uncertainty. We take every opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to peaceful, free and credible elections, in line with international law, and encourage all parties to work towards this goal. We have done so directly with government and opposition political parties in Côte d'Ivoire. The elections are the responsibility of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, all political parties, and the Ivoirian people. We urge all parties to participate responsibly, engage fully in the process and avoid the use of inflammatory language. UK Defence is working closely with partners across Government and our Embassy in Abidjan in supporting security forces' training which focuses on ensuring public security during the election period is maintained, including respect for human rights.

Defence: Procurement Mr Kevan Jones: [88827] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has signed defence programme contracts with suppliers which purport to prohibit either (a) the prime contractor or (b) subcontractors from speaking to hon Members on matters related to the defence programme. Jeremy Quin: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 September 2020 to Questions 84656 and 84975.

Attachments: 1. 84656 - Non Disclosure Agreements [Hansard Extract (1).docx]

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Coronavirus Stephen Morgan: [87640] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the second covid-19 outbreak onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth on the outcome of training exercises involving the vessel. Stephen Morgan: [87641] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what additional steps are being taken onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth to prevent further outbreaks of covid-19 onboard the vessel. Stephen Morgan: [87642] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the latest outbreak of covid-19 onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth will effect the vessel's ability to declare carrier strike capability ahead of its first operational deployment in 2021. James Heappey: Extensive COVID-19 quarantine and testing procedures were developed and successfully employed, prior to sailing in UK waters, and these continue to be refined. Although there was a two-day delay for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH sailing, extant measures have proven our ability to detect, contain and manage COVID-19 ahead of bringing the Strike Group together. We remain on track, ensuring our ability to deliver training exercises, declare Initial Operating Capability (Carrier Strike) and conduct the first operational deployment in 2021, all as scheduled. Individuals who present as symptomatic or who have tested positive have been isolated ashore and, while at sea, any individual who experiences symptoms will be isolated onboard in accordance with Public Health England guidelines and receive the appropriate medical attention. We continue to work with the NHS Test and Trace system to ensure the virus does not spread further, and with Public Health England to ensure all appropriate control measures are in place.

Inappropriate Behaviours in the Armed Forces Review Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [88829] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2020 to Question 85970 on Inappropriate Behaviours in the Armed Forces Review, what the terms of reference are for Danuta Gray’s one year on review of the Wigston report. Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [88830] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2020 to question 85970 on Inappropriate Behaviours in the Armed Forces Review, whether he has plans in place for the consultation of (a) charities, (b) Community Interest Companies and (c) other stakeholders for Danuta Gray’s one year on review of the Wigston report. Johnny Mercer: Danuta Gray began her Review on 15 July 2020 and the terms of reference are attached. The Review seeks to assess progress made against the Wigston recommendations over the past year. Tackling unacceptable behaviour requires a culture change, therefore Ms Gray's Review has engaged with personnel at all ranks and grades, with Non-Executive Directors and private sector experts; it has also been informed by a range of studies and feedback. Culture change is a long-term process and the Wigston Review estimated it would take five to ten years to make a measurable difference; it is too early to consult on a wider basis, but future work is likely to include liaison with Service charities.

Ministry of Defence: Equality Sir John Hayes: [88818] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) the role and (b) cost to the public purse is of his Department's director of diversity and inclusion. Johnny Mercer: The senior leadership of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), military and civilian, is committed to improving Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) across the Department. We know we are not sufficiently diverse, not yet reflecting the society we defend and serve, and we are determined to deliver tangible progress at pace. The Department has recently set Levels of Ambition for D&I, backed by action plans that will be regularly assured and reported on. There is a palpable energy for change, from across Defence personnel, and to harness this and create real momentum we have directed that D&I will be a high-priority programme, taken forward on a sustained and enduring basis, across the whole of Defence. To lead this exciting agenda, we are seeking to appoint a senior D&I professional as Director and Senior Responsible Officer. The successful candidate will develop and deliver the Department’s D&I Plan and will hold our Executive Committee to account, putting the Department’s D&I work on a programmatic footing in order to make an enduring step change in momentum and drive actions at all levels to bring about substantive improvements for the whole MOD workforce, both Service and civilian. They will set D&I policy, refresh D&I strategy and assure delivery against actions plans by Defence, Top Level Budgets, Chiefs and Director Generals, together supporting around 240,000 personnel. This post attracts a salary of £110,000 and offers a Civil Service pension. However, if the successful candidate is an existing Civil Servant, they will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules meaning if they are taking up post on level transfer they will retain their existing salary. Candidates on promotion will either have their current salary increased by ten per cent or receive the starting salary for a Senior Civil Servant (Pay Band 2) role which is £92,000 (whichever is higher).

Navy: Fisheries Mr Kevan Jones: [87496] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a minesweeper currently in operation will contribute to fisheries protection after the transition period. James Heappey: Royal Navy Minehunters are not currently scheduled to contribute to fisheries protection after the transition period.

Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill 2019-21 Carol Monaghan: [89755] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill on the number of convictions of armed forces personnel. Johnny Mercer: The Impact Statement for the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill was published on 17 September. It is not possible to estimate how many potential future prosecutions will not proceed as a result of the statutory presumption against prosecution measure as there is limited available data. In addition, it would not be appropriate for the Government to "play prosecutor" and try to assess what decision a prosecutor might have made in an historical case if the presumption measure had been in place at the time.

Qatar: Military Aid Martin Docherty-Hughes: [86677] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Royal Air Force personnel and 9b) Qatari Emiri Air Force personnel have been assigned to 12 Squadron RAF. James Heappey: There are currently 163 RAF personnel assigned to 12 Squadron. I am withholding information on the number of Qatari Emiri Air Force personnel assigned to 12 Squadron as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and another State. An initial cadre of Qatari Emiri Air Force personnel is currently on the Squadron; this will gradually increase as further personnel graduate from training. Martin Docherty-Hughes: [86678] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much 12 Squadron RAF has cost the public purse in each year since 2018; and how much of those costs have been borne by the (a) Qatar Emiri Air Force and (b) Government of Qatar. James Heappey: 12 Squadron has formed in three stages: Stand Up of the Squadron (July 2018), commencement of RAF flying operations (2019) and commencement of flying operations with Qatar Emiri Air Force (2020). To date 12 Squadron costs from the RAF Operating budget have been £1.951 million in Financial Year (FY) 2018-2019, £9.959 million in FY 2019-2020 and £5.423 million in FY 2020-21 to end August 2020. I am withholding detailed information on the costs the Qatari Emiri Air Force have borne for 12 Squadron operations as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and another State. However, I can confirm as part of the wider £6 billion Export Sale of Typhoon to Qatar, the Government of Qatar has funded 50% of the Squadron operating costs since the point at which QEAF pilots started flying on the Joint Squadron.

UK Border Force: Military Aid Mr Kevan Jones: [86555] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, prior to his Department accepting the Home Office’s request for military assistance in the English Channel, what assessment his Department conducted of the compatibility of that request with his Department's strategic objectives. James Heappey: Responsibility for security and integrity of the UKs borders resides with the Home Office and Border Force. Support provided to other Government departments is done so against set principles that guide the provision of Defence support. Support to the Civil Authorities in this instance was provided in support of wider Defence activities. Mr Kevan Jones: [86556] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the operational effectiveness of his Department’s intervention in the English Channel; and if he will make a statement. James Heappey: Defence is providing assistance as a part of a Home Office-led operation, therefore the ultimate assessment of its effectiveness will lie with them as the lead department. The Ministry of Defence and the Home Office will work together to ensure that all requests for Defence support continue to be delivered according to the principles of Military Aid to the Civil Authorities. Yemen: Military Intervention Zarah Sultana: [88410] To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July to Question 68798, how many alleged breaches or violations of International Humanitarian Law in Yemen took place in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017, (d) 2018, (e) 2019 and (f) 2020 to date. James Heappey: Disaggregating the number of alleged instances of breaches or violations of International Humanitarian Law in Yemen listed on the "Tracker" database would be misleading without the addition of sensitive contextual information, which I am withholding as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and other states.

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Antenatal Care and Children's Play: Facilities Damien Moore: [82345] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support the Government plans to provide for (a) soft play centres and (b) maternal classes when those facilities reopen after the covid-19 outbreak. Nigel Huddleston: Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active and the Government has been committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so. On 13 August, the Government announced that indoor play and indoor soft play venues could open from 15 August. Indoor play and indoor soft play venues have been able to access the unprecedented financial support package that the Government has provided businesses across the economy during the pandemic. Antenatal classes are provided by the NHS. Like all areas of NHS care, maternity services will be affected by the pandemic, but antenatal contact and new baby visits should continue. Maternity units are working to ensure services are provided in a way that is safe, supported by greater use of digital and remote technologies. Video consultation capability by NHS providers has rapidly been scaled up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attend Anywhere is a web-based video consultation platform intended for use on tablets, smartphones, laptops or PC’s with a webcam and is funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement for all maternity providers to use. British Telecom: Redundancy Conor McGinn: [89758] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with BT Group on preventing compulsory redundancies at BT Technology; and if he will make a statement. Matt Warman: My department regularly engages with BT about a range of topics, including their UK workforce, at both official and ministerial level. The Government is committed to boosting job creation in the UK. On 8 July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s Plan for Jobs which makes up to £30 billion available, with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs.

Broadband Apsana Begum: [87704] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2020 to Question 64332 on Broadband and Mobile Phones, what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of the strategy to ensure access to full fibre broadband through promoting network competition and commercial investment. Matt Warman: The government set out its high level strategy for delivering nationwide coverage of gigabit capable broadband in the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR), published in July 2018. As part of the review, the government commissioned an independent report by Frontier Economics to consider different competitive models for achieving these aims against a set of criteria including overall coverage, pace of deployment, quality of service delivered, total cost and feasibility. The FTIR concluded that the best way to achieve the government’s aims was to promote competition and commercial investment where possible, and intervene where necessary. The review estimated that c.80% of the country could support competitive networks, and that the remaining c.20% may need further intervention to deliver gigabit-capable networks. Since the FTIR, the government has supported measures to enhance competition in the telecoms market, including Ofcom regulations to open up access to Openreach’s ducts and poles network. The government has also focused on reducing barriers to commercial deployment, including through the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill currently before Parliament. In addition, we have committed a record £5 billion to support the deployment of gigabit-capable broadband in the hardest to reach 20% of the country. We have seen a considerable increase in gigabit capable coverage since the FTIR was published. Full fibre coverage has increased from 5% of the UK in May 2018 to 14% as of May 2020, according to Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations figures. Gigabit- capable coverage is even higher as a result of Virgin Media’s upgrades to its cable network, with ThinkBroadband now reporting that over a quarter of the UK can access gigabit-capable broadband.

Broadband: Poplar and Limehouse Apsana Begum: [87702] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to ensure that people who work and live in Poplar and Limehouse constituency can access full-fibre broadband internet. Apsana Begum: [87703] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of access to full-fibre broadband internet for people who live and work in Poplar and Limehouse constituency. Matt Warman: The government has the ambition of providing nationwide gigabit-capable connectivity as soon as possible, and will continue to take action to remove barriers to commercial network rollout. Broadband rollout in Poplar and Limehouse has been undertaken commercially, with 63% of premises now able to access full fibre broadband - this is up from 1% in March 2016. This 63% figure is nearly four times the UK figure of 16%. Openreach are responsible for 12.5% of full fibre connections, and Hyperoptic are also playing a significant role in delivering full fibre connectivity across the constituency.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Tourism Rachael Maskell: [87586] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the tourism sector on extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Nigel Huddleston: We recognise the significant impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector. We continue to monitor the situation and the Government has put in place an unprecedented economic package to support the sector, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Through the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Visitor Economy Working Group, we continue to engage with stakeholders from the tourism sector on the economic support packages available, and to assess how we can most effectively support tourism’s recovery on an ongoing basis. Coronavirus: Disinformation Chi Onwurah: [89696] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2020 to Question 84695 on Coronavirus: Disinformation, how many full time equivalent staff are engaged in the Counter Disinformation Unit. Caroline Dinenage: Addressing the challenges of COVID-19 disinformation and misinformation is a whole of Government effort. This work draws on a range of existing cross-government teams, giving it the flexibility to respond to a range of different issues.

Gambling: Advertising Carolyn Harris: [86702] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what sanctions are in place for gambling operators that breach age-restricted advertising rules. Carolyn Harris: [86703] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of banning gambling advertising. Nigel Huddleston: Gambling companies that advertise to British consumers must abide by strict rules on the content and placement of ads, including that they must never be targeted at children or vulnerable people. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK’s regulator for advertising and where it finds an ad to be in breach of its codes it will require the ad be amended or removed. If an advertiser fails to act on this warning, the ASA has a range of sanctions it can take, including Ad Alerts to the media, withdrawal of trading privileges, and mandatory pre-vetting. The ASA’s authority is underpinned in regulation of broadcast advertising by a statutory relationship with Ofcom and the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions and codes of practice require operators to comply with the advertising codes for all forms of gambling advertising. Serious and repeated breaches of the codes may lead to an operator being referred by the ASA to the Gambling Commission, which has the power to suspend or revoke licences and issue financial penalties. The Government assessed the evidence on advertising in its Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures, the full response to which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-for- changes-to-gaming-machines-and-social-responsibility-measures. We continue to keep emerging evidence under review.

Gambling: Coronavirus Carolyn Harris: [86700] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the (a) number of (i) men and (ii) women gambling and (b) rates of problematic gambling during the covid-19 outbreak; and whether he has made an assessment of the effect of covid-19 lockdown on the propensity of people already gambling to try new products. Carolyn Harris: [86701] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the rates of play on different gambling products during the covid-19 outbreak. Carolyn Harris: [88916] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the amount of (a) money and (b) time spent by people on gambling by category of gambling type during the covid-19 outbreak. Nigel Huddleston: The Gambling Commission has monitored gambling behaviours during the Covid-19 period by collecting data from operators and through regular surveys. Information from both of these sources has been published on the Commission’s website and is available here: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and- statistics/news/2020/Data-shows-the-impact-of-Covid-19-on-gambling-behaviour-in- May-2020.aspx Survey data collected during April, May and June this year shows that 35% of men and 27% of women had gambled in the past four weeks. Amongst those past-four- week gamblers, 31% tried a new product, with the most common being National Lottery draws (18%). Rates of participation for different forms of gambling are also given, showing that, for example, 24% of people played National Lottery draws and 2% played online slots or instant win games during that time. In addition, respondents were asked whether they had spent more time or money on any gambling activities in the past four weeks than they had previously. 73% of respondents had not spent more time or money, with National Lottery draws the most popular activities amongst those who had increased either time (8%) or money (14%) spent. The Gambling Commission conducts a quarterly telephone survey of gambling behaviours which collects data about problem gambling prevalence. The most recent wave of that survey was carried out in June 2020, and the next is due to take place in September. As this quarterly data is aggregated to provide annual figures, and problem gambling is measured using questions which ask about past year experiences and behaviours, the survey has not yet provided an indication of the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on problem gambling rates. However, any significant shifts are likely to be reflected in the next set of data which is due to be published in October. Figures for the year to June can be found at https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/Statistics-and- research/Levels-of-participation-and-problem-gambling/Research-library.aspx Internet: Safety Chi Onwurah: [88316] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions Ofcom has had with (a) social media companies and (b) citizen and consumer groups on online harms in 2020. Caroline Dinenage: Ofcom has responsibility for the video sharing platform (VSP) regime which will come into force by this Autumn. Ofcom is working constructively alongside industry to develop the foundations both for this regime and any future online regulation. Through its engagement with stakeholders, Ofcom will ensure its guidance for the VSP regime is informed by robust evidence, best practice and an understanding of the current capabilities of different services. Ofcom also has regular ongoing engagement with a wide variety of online-related bodies in the delivery of its media literacy duties including through the Making Sense of Media (MSOM) programme, which brings together organisations and individuals with expertise in media literacy with a shared goal of improving the online skills, knowledge and understanding of UK adults and children. In February 2020, the Government published the initial consultation response to the Online Harms White Paper and announced that it was minded to appoint Ofcom as the online harms regulator. Further details will be included in the full government response to the consultation, which we will publish later this year.

National Lottery Carolyn Harris: [88917] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will raise the age limit on the National Lottery to 18. Nigel Huddleston: I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 3 August 2020 to Question 75396.

Pornography: Internet Fiona Bruce: [88858] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2020 to Question 75251 on pornography, what plans he has to publish the Government's analysis of pornography sites. Caroline Dinenage: Details of how the online harms legislation will apply to pornography sites, will be published later this year in the Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation. Fiona Bruce: [89676] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2020 to Question 75251 what proportion of commercial pornography sites (a) allow user-generated content and (b) place (i) all, (ii) some and (iii) none of their pornographic content behind a paywall. Fiona Bruce: [89677] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2020 to Question 75251, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s analysis of commercial pornographic websites that require payment. Caroline Dinenage: Details of how the online harms legislation will apply to pornography sites, will be published later this year in the Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation.

Sports: Coronanvirus Catherine West: [87612] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance he has published for amateur sports clubs to return safely during the covid-19 outbreak. Nigel Huddleston: Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. It is important that sports clubs remain accessible for people from all backgrounds as we make efforts to return to normality after the Covid lockdown period. Government guidance on team sports is available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on- phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/return-to-recreational-team-sport- framework#team-sport-guidance Guidance on indoor sports is available: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely- during-coronavirus-covid-19/providers-of-grassroots-sport-and-gym-leisure-facilities General guidance is available on line at : www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus This guidance includes advice on existing rules on social distancing and hygiene, and updates on those rules when they change with the evolving situation.

Telecommunications Systems Chi Onwurah: [88314] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the switch off of the Public Switched Telephone Network; and what plans he has to ensure that consumers are (a) prepared for and (b) informed of that switch off. Chi Onwurah: [88315] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the (a) value of equipment that will need to be replaced and (b) number of homes affected by the planned switch off of the Public Switched Telephone Network. Matt Warman: The retirement of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and its replacement with Internet Protocol technology, is being led by Openreach and Virgin Media, as the relevant infrastructure owners. Openreach and Virgin Media have publicly set out their plans to withdraw these services by the end of 2025. The migration is likely to affect all fixed exchange lines, of which there are 31.3 million in the UK. As an industry led process, the Government has not made an assessment of the value of equipment to be replaced. In June this year, the Broadband Stakeholder Group, a government advisory forum on telecoms policy, launched the ‘Future of Voice’ website. This is a consumer-facing website to inform the public of the PSTN switchover process. The website has been developed with the support of telecoms companies, Ofcom and DCMS. DCMS regularly engages with the telecoms industry, Ofcom, and other Government departments on PSTN withdrawal, to discuss the impact this will have on consumers, business and public services and plans for migration to Internet Protocol technology. For example, DCMS attends Ofcom’s working groups with industry on this issue and also holds a regular meeting with relevant Government departments.

Telecommunications: Huawei Chi Onwurah: [86649] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing quarterly reports to Parliament on the progress on removing Huawei from 5G and other telecommunications networks. Matt Warman: Forthcoming legislation on telecommunications security will ensure that there are appropriate reporting, compliance and enforcement arrangements in place in relation to the management and oversight of directions in relation to high risk vendors. Subject to the passage of the forthcoming legislation, the Secretary of State will have the ability to make directions relating to high risk vendors in the UK 5G network, working alongside Ofcom, who may be asked to provide the Secretary of State with factual reports on operators’ use of high risk vendor products. The Secretary of State may choose to publish any reports, or a summary of such reports. The Secretary of State would also be responsible for taking forward enforcement action where necessary to ensure directions are adhered to. Theatres: Young People Tracy Brabin: [88924] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of recent changes to covid-19 restrictions on youth theatres. Caroline Dinenage: A number of exemptions to the Rule of Six have been published and the exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people include: registered childcare, education or training supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups Venues such as theatres, concert halls and other entertainment venues that are already able to host larger numbers, and are Covid secure in line with the relevant guidance, will continue to be able to do so - as long as groups of more than one household are limited to six and do not mix with one another.

Tourism Joy Morrissey: [88399] To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support the tourism sector as it moves from the summer season into autumn. Nigel Huddleston: We recognise the significant impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector. We continue to monitor the situation and are taking steps to support the sector as it moves to the autumn season. The Government has implemented a series of measures that will assist tourism business over the coming months, such as the cut to VAT which will last into January and business rates relief for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses which will last until the end of March. We are working with VisitBritain on an Autumn and Winter campaign, 'Escape the Everyday', which will help extend the tourism season. The Government is also encouraging local planning authorities to exercise their discretion in relation to planning conditions for caravan, campsites and holiday parks, in order to help these businesses extend their open season. And through the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Visitor Economy Working Group, we are continuing to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively support tourism’s recovery across the UK. EDUCATION

Adult Education: Coronavirus Rachael Maskell: [88897] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to help ensure the safety of adults with additional needs (a) travelling to and (b) taking part in activities at adult education centres during the covid-19 outbreak. Gillian Keegan: It is our priority to make sure that all students return to education this September as this is the best place for their education, development and wellbeing. Colleges are making every effort to ensure students and staff are as safe as possible for face to face teaching and are confident they will achieve this. The department has published guidance which sets out how further education colleges can reopen safely for all learners, including those that are older or vulnerable. The guidance has been developed in close consultation with sector and medical experts from Public Health England. It sets out in detail the steps colleges should take to protect their staff and learners with a requirement to undertake full health and safety COVID-19 risk assessments and implement the September reopening protective measures. The full guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining- further-education-provision/what-fe-colleges-and-providers-will-need-to-do-from-the- start-of-the-2020-autumn-term. In many areas, students make extensive use of the wider public transport system, particularly public buses, to travel to education. Students and staff using public transport should refer to the Department for Transport’s safer travel guidance for passengers which can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus- covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers. Further education providers are being advised to work with their local authority to consider the transport needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities and those with an education, health and care plan and to identify when it might be necessary to take steps to manage demand on public transport or to arrange additional transport. Local transport authorities have received additional funding for school and college dedicated transport to support students in their region return to further education providers. More information regarding this funding is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-pound-funding- package-for-school-transport. The 16-19 bursary fund offers financial support for students who need additional support in a range of areas including accessing digital learning, and other forms of support. For adults we are introducing changes to the Adult Education Budget funding rules for the 2020 to 2021 academic year. This is to enable providers to use learner support funds to purchase IT devices for students aged 19 plus and to help them meet students’ IT connectivity costs, where these costs are a barrier to accessing or continuing in their training.

Apprentices: Coronavirus Mr Barry Sheerman: [87484] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that levels of intakes for apprenticeships nationally does not decline due to the covid-19 outbreak. Gillian Keegan: Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow following the COVID-19 outbreak. We have introduced a range of flexibilities to support apprentices and employers to continue with and complete their apprenticeships. These include encouraging the remote delivery of training, introducing flexibilities to end-point assessments, and allowing furloughed apprentices to continue their apprenticeships and end-point assessments. We recognise that employers face increased challenges with hiring new apprentices. The government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ will help to kickstart the nation’s economic recovery by offering employers payments for recruiting new apprentices. Businesses will be able to claim £1,500 for every apprentice they hire as a new employee from 1 August 2020 until 31 January 2021, rising to £2,000 if they hire a new apprentice under the age of 25. In addition, to support smaller employers, we are ensuring sufficient funding is available for those wanting to take on an apprentice this year

Assessments Mary Kelly Foy: [84355] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with education providers on the timetable for (a) SATs, (b) GCSE, (c) A-level and (d) BTec assessments in the 2020-21 academic year. Nick Gibb: The Department has confirmed its intention for all existing statutory key stage 1 and 2 assessments (commonly known as SATs) to return in 2020/21, and to take place in accordance with their usual timetable. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education asked Ofqual in June to consider a short delay to the GCSE, A and AS level exam timetable in 2021, to free up additional teaching time. The Department is continuing to work with Ofqual, the exam boards, regulators in the devolved administrations, and groups representing schools, colleges and higher education to consider the best approach, and decisions will be confirmed as soon as possible. The Department has been working with Ofqual regarding requirements for assessments and examinations for vocational and technical qualifications, which include BTEC qualifications. Ofqual is currently consulting and engaging with awarding organisations to agree guidance on how awarding organisations can adapt assessments in 2020/21, including timetabling considerations.

Children: Day Care Mr Andrew Mitchell: [89616] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what (a) practical and (b) financial support is available to families that rely on childcare provided by extended family members in areas with additional covid-19 restrictions in place which prevent the mixing of households unless they are in a support bubble. Vicky Ford: We recognise that extended family members often provide informal childcare. In relevant areas where local restrictions are in place on household mixing, people cannot host others they do not live with, or who are not in their support bubbles, in their homes and gardens. Informal childcare is not exempt from these restrictions. Nationally, our ‘Rule of Six’ guidance specifies the exceptions where groups can be larger than six people, which includes registered childcare and supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups. Parents who need support to obtain suitable childcare to meet their circumstances can contact their local authority for information and guidance about what childcare is available in their area. The government funds a significant package of free and subsidised childcare. All 3 year olds and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week, with 30 hours of free childcare available for eligible working parents. The government has acted to protect families that have faced a reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Parents who who were eligible for the 30 hours free childcare entitlement prior to the COVID-19 outbreak remain eligible until October even if they have experienced a change in income. Disadvantaged 2 year olds are also eligible for 15 hours of free childcare a week and eligible working parents may also be eligible for tax-free childcare. Parents can find out more about the free and subsidised childcare offers at: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a series of policies to support people, jobs and businesses on 20 March 2020, during which he confirmed an increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance for 12 months, in addition to planned uprating of 1.7%. The Universal Credit childcare offer remains the same, and working families can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month. This can be claimed up to a month before starting a job. For families with 2 children, this could be worth up to £13,000 a year. Help with up-front childcare costs for starting work is available through a non- repayable Flexible Support Fund (FSF) award for eligible Universal Credit claimants. The FSF received an additional £150 million this financial year to help support Universal Credit claimants to move closer to, or into, work. Help with up-front costs for eligible Universal Credit claimants is available through Budgeting Advances.

Education: Coronavirus Stephanie Peacock: [89801] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department is providing to schools to help disadvantaged pupils catch-up on time missed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. Vicky Ford: All children have had their education disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is likely that disadvantaged and vulnerable groups will have been hardest hit. The government has announced a catch-up package worth £1 billion, including a catch-up premium worth a total of £650 million to support schools to make up for lost teaching time. To help schools make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published a support guide for schools, which is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/covid-19-resources/national-tutoring- programme/covid-19-support-guide-for-schools/#nav-covid-19-support-guide-for- schools1. The guidance includes evidence-based approaches to catch-up for all students and a further school planning guide: 2020 to 2021, which is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/covid-19-resources/guide-to- supporting-schools-planning/. Alongside this universal grant, a National Tutoring Programme worth £350 million will deliver proven, successful interventions to the most disadvantaged young people. Research shows high-quality individual and small group tuition can add up to five months of progress for disadvantaged pupils. Schools continue to receive the pupil premium, worth almost £2.4 billion this year. We strongly encourage school leaders to review their Pupil Premium Strategy to ensure that it responds to the needs of pupils as they resume learning in the autumn term.

Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [88255] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer on 20 July 2020 to Question 74468 on Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes, what the source of funding was for Edenred's delivery of the School Food Voucher scheme. Vicky Ford: The government has taken unprecedented and substantial action to ensure that children do not go hungry as we take measures to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, including in relation to free school meals. In the first instance, we asked schools to support eligible pupils at home by providing meals or food parcels through their existing food providers wherever possible. For circumstances where this was not possible, we also established a national voucher scheme to support schools and families while schools were closed to most pupils. The cost of the vouchers issued to parents under the national voucher scheme and the COVID-19 Summer Food Fund were met by Her Majesty’s Treasury.

Further Education: Finance Mr Toby Perkins: [89672] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education of 7 September 2020, Official Report, column 349, on Further Education College Finances, if he will publish a list of the 40 further education colleges officials of his Department are working with to help structure their finances. Gillian Keegan: The department does not release information on specific colleges we are working with as this is commercially sensitive. Where colleges are expecting that they will face financial pressures, the Education and Skills Funding Agency and Further Education Commissioner teams are working directly with the college to ensure that there is the right support in place and that learners are protected.

Neurofibromatosis: Pupils Greg Smith: [87685] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that schools are aware of the social, psychological and health problems that pupils with neurofibromatosis 1 may have. Vicky Ford: The government is committed to pupils with medical conditions being properly supported at school so that they have full access to education. In 2014, the government introduced a new duty on schools to support all pupils with medical conditions and has published statutory guidance on this for schools and others. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with- medical-conditions--3. The guidance does not specify which medical conditions should be supported in schools. Instead, it focuses on how to meet the needs of each individual child and how their medical condition impacts on school life. Governing bodies must ensure that arrangements are in place in schools to support pupils at school with medical conditions, and that school leaders consult health and social care professionals, pupils and parents to ensure that the needs of these children are properly understood and effectively supported.

Outdoor Recreation: Coronavirus Daisy Cooper: [82433] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to publish re-opening guidance for residential outdoor activity centres as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased. Nick Gibb: The guidance for full school opening advises against overnight educational visits at this time. We continue to review this position and should the situation change, the Department will update related guidance accordingly. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the- coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

Pupils: Genetics Greg Smith: [87686] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what advice his Department gives to schools to ensure that pupils with (a) neurofibromatosis 1 and (b) other genetic conditions receive adequate and effective support. Vicky Ford: Our ambition is for every child, no matter what challenges they face, to have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life. The statutory guidance to support pupils at school with medical conditions are designed to help schools ensure that they are meeting their legal responsibilities by taking reasonable action to support children with medical conditions and to give parents confidence that the right support will be put in place. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at- school-with-medical-conditions--3. The guidance covers a range of areas including the preparation and implementation of school policies for supporting pupils with medical conditions, the use of individual healthcare plans, staff training, medicines administration, roles and responsibilities, consulting with parents and collaborative working with healthcare professionals. It was developed based on good practice in schools. We will continue to work with organisations such as the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance to help raise further awareness of the duty on schools. Collaborative working between local authorities, health bodies, schools and school governing bodies is vital to ensure that pupils with medical needs are appropriately supported in school. Pupils: Poverty Margaret Greenwood: [82011] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the regional distribution of schools with an above national average proportion of pupils living in relative poverty. Nick Gibb: The national funding formula for schools includes a deprivation factor that acts as a proxy measure for schools that are most likely to need extra resources to support their pupils in reaching their full potential. This is identified through two indicators - eligibility for free school meals (current eligibility and historic eligibility through the “Ever6” measure, which records pupils who have been registered for benefits-based free school meals at any point in the last six years); and the level of relative deprivation in the postcode where the pupil lives (measured using Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index, or IDACI). IDACI measures the proportion of children in an area living in income-deprived families and provides funding based on the relative socio-economic deprivation of the areas in which their pupils live. By using this measure, we have broadened the scope of deprivation funding beyond just those who are eligible for free school meals and the pupil premium. The Department applies a “banding” methodology whereby IDACI scores are grouped into seven bands, with each band representing an increase in the expected level of deprivation. The table below shows the proportion of pupils aged 4 to 16 in mainstream schools, in each IDACI band, in different regions, based on the October 2019 census. Band A is the highest level of deprivation, and band F is the lowest (Band G – which is the least deprived and largest band – is not shown because it is not funded):

Attachments: 1. Deprivation bands by area [82011_Deprivation_by_area.xls]

Schools: Coronavirus Mary Kelly Foy: [84352] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has published guidance for schools on a national school outbreak plan in the event of a covid-19 case. Nick Gibb: The Government has been clear that all pupils, in all year groups, should return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term and on 2 July we published guidance to help schools prepare for this, including advice on the responding to any infections. This includes how schools should manage confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst the school community, and contain any outbreak. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the- coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools The 2 July guidance set out that every school should plan for the possibility of local restrictions and how they will ensure continuity of education in exceptional circumstances where there is some level of restriction applied to education or childcare in a local area. The Department of Health and Social Care has published an overview of the tiers of restriction for education and childcare, to be implemented only where absolutely necessary, in its contain framework. This can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/containing-and-managing-local- coronavirus-covid-19-outbreaks/covid-19-contain-framework-a-guide-for-local- decision-makers We have published guidance on how schools can plan for tier 2 local restrictions due to the operational challenges that schools could experience. This can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-schools-can-plan-for-tier-2-local- restrictions/how-schools-can-plan-for-tier-2-local-restrictions

Schools: Uniforms Jonathan Gullis: [82550] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) quality, (b) sustainability and (c) cost considerations are prioritised in school uniform policy. Jonathan Gullis: [82551] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the importance of maintaining school autonomy when developing policy on school uniform. Jonathan Gullis: [82552] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the importance of ensuring school uniform retailers maintain year-round availability of uniform to pupils. Nick Gibb: It is for the governing body of a school (or in the case of academies, the academy trust) to decide whether there should be a school uniform policy and what it should be. To support them to do this, the Department has issued best practice guidance, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform. This makes clear that high priority must be given to cost considerations. Governing bodies should be able to demonstrate that they have obtained the best value for money from suppliers. Governing bodies should also consider the available supply sources and year round availability of the proposed uniform. The Government supports the recently introduced Private Members’ Bill to ‘Make provision for guidance about the cost aspects of school uniform policies’, which will place a duty on the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance pertaining to cost aspects of school uniform policies.

Special Educational Needs: Reviews Alexander Stafford: [87715] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government’s SEND review is conducted (a) promptly and (b) thoroughly. Vicky Ford: The government remains fully committed to a thorough and fundamental review of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. The issues that the SEND system face are complex, but we are determined to deliver real, lasting improvements, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. I have met with many stakeholders across the SEND sector, to ensure that the review responds to the concerns of families and representative organisations. The findings of the review will be published as soon as it is practicable to do so.

Students: Employment and Higher Education Afzal Khan: [83926] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that (a) private candidates and (b) home-schooled students do not miss out on a place at college or university, or employment, as a result of not having a centre assessment grade. Afzal Khan: [83927] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) private candidates and (b) home schooled students who are missing out on a place at college or university, or employment, as a result of not having a centre assessment grade. Nick Gibb: Where schools and colleges had accepted entries from external candidates (students who they have not taught themselves because they have been home educated or studying independently), those students should have been included in the process of producing centre assessment grades (CAGs), where the head teacher or principal was confident that they and their staff had seen sufficient evidence of the student’s achievement to make an objective judgement. Ofqual and the exam boards explored the options for those students who did not have an existing relationship with an exam centre and who needed results this summer for progression purposes. The Joint Council for Qualifications published guidance for exam centres on accepting private candidates which set out the options that would be available. Ofqual asked organisations that represent higher and further education earlier in the year to consider the steps that they could take when making admissions decisions this summer for any external candidates who do not receive a grade. Ofqual informed the Department that they believed that institutions would consider a range of other evidence and information for these students to allow them to progress wherever possible. The Government asked universities to be as flexible as possible, and we will continue to make every effort to minimise the impact of the pandemic on young people’s education and progression. Students who were unable to receive a grade will need to sit exams, either in the autumn exam series or in summer 2021. Exams will be available in all GCSE, AS and A level subjects in the autumn. We have made clear that we expect schools and colleges that had accepted entries from private candidates in the summer to enter them into exams in the autumn where the students wish to sit an exam, and we have put in place arrangements to ensure that there are no financial barriers to them doing that.

Teachers: Documents Fleur Anderson: [86771] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will highlight changes in guidance to schools to ensure that teachers are easily able to find small changes in long documents. Nick Gibb: The response to COVID-19 is a fast-moving situation and, as it has evolved, guidance for schools has been needed on a range of issues. The Department have continued to update our guidance in response to feedback from school leaders and stakeholders, and to ensure that it reflects the most up-to-date medical and scientific information to make sure that teachers, parents and young people are as well- informed as possible in the current rapidly changing circumstances. The Department published guidance for schools on full opening on 2 July, to support schools to prepare for the autumn term. We have kept this under review and updated it when needed. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the- coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools. Guidance from the Department lists any changes at the start of all documents to enable school staff and others to see what has been updated. The Department have also made efforts to reduce the number of different guidance documents on our website so that leaders can, as far as possible, access all the information they need in fewer places.

Universities: Coronavirus Rachael Maskell: [86100] To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional steps he is taking to ensure that universities have the resources they need to respond to the covid-19 outbreak. Michelle Donelan: We are working closely with the higher education sector to provide both practical and financial support through the COVID-19 outbreak. On 10 September, we published updated guidance to the higher education sector on reopening buildings and campuses, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher- education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings- and-campuses. This updated guidance provides further advice on, among other topics, reopening university buildings, face coverings and social contacts, student accommodation, local outbreaks including student movement, and on NHS test and trace. Furthermore, we announced a higher education support package in early May. HM Treasury confirmed higher education providers are eligible to apply for government business support schemes, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced its research stabilisation package on 27 June. From the autumn, the government will provide a package of grants and no-interest or low-interest loans to cover up to 80% of a university’s income losses from international students for the academic year 2020-21, up to the value of their non- publicly funded research activity. On 16 July, we also announced further information about the higher education restructuring regime. This may be deployed as a last resort, if a decision has been made to support a provider in England, when other steps to preserve a provider’s viability and mitigate the risks of financial failure have not proved sufficient. We have also announced that, subject to parliamentary approval, we will completely remove temporary student number controls to help ensure that there are no additional barriers to students being able to progress to higher education. We have lifted caps on domestic medicine and dentistry courses for 2020-21 and supported providers to offer places to as many students who have met the grades for their current offer as they have capacity for, and where there are clinical placements available, through additional grant funding to support the costs of this provision. We are providing additional teaching grant funding to increase capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and other high-cost subjects which are vital to the country’s social needs and economy. The Office for Students (OfS) will consult the sector on the details of how the allocations are made. Providers will also be eligible to bid for a share of up to £10 million of funding to support capital expenditure. This funding will be used to support the infrastructure required to accommodate additional students recruited as a result of the changes to policy on A level grades. The fund will be administered by the OfS, and providers will be eligible to bid for projects that support expansion in 2020-21. We will continue to monitor the situation and consider the effects that deferrals will have on future years. Funding decisions for future years will be taken at the Spending Review. Lastly, and most importantly, we are supporting providers to protect students’ mental health and wellbeing. This is a priority and I wrote to all higher education providers asking them to ensure they continue to support students. We have clarified that providers can use funding worth £256 million for the academic year 2020-21, starting from August, towards student hardship funds and mental health support. Furthermore, the OfS has provided up to £3 million to fund the Student Space platform to bridge gaps in mental health support for students. Student Space is a collaborative mental health resource to support students at English and Welsh universities through the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 outbreak.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Trade Fairs Carla Lockhart: [89886] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to agricultural shows in England in each of the last three years. Victoria Prentis: The information requested is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

Air Pollution Mr Barry Sheerman: [87483] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that upcoming legislative proposals protect air quality. Rebecca Pow: This Government takes its air quality obligations seriously and the world-leading Clean Air Strategy, published in January 2019, sets out the comprehensive action required across all parts of Government to improve air quality for everyone. The Environment Bill delivers key parts of this Strategy. It introduces a duty to set a legally-binding target for fine particulate matter concentrations, the pollutant of greatest harm to human health, alongside a duty to set a further long-term air quality target. It also ensures that local authorities have a clear framework and simple to use powers to address air quality in their areas; and provides government with new powers to enforce environmental standards for vehicles. Alongside this, the Bill will include a UK Environmental Protections policy which will allow for greater transparency and strengthened scrutiny by Parliament regarding future environmental legislation, including on air quality. Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities Luke Pollard: [87659] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times since 2010 his Department has issued guidance to the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities. Victoria Prentis: The Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA) is not a statutory body therefore the Department does not issue any guidance to it. Defra officials have a monthly meeting with the AIFCA, and a Defra representative has regularly attended quarterly meetings held between the Association and the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Staff Neil O'Brien: [87654] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many members of staff in their Department have one or more of the words equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT or race in their job title. Victoria Prentis: I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 September 2020, PQ UIN 83985. [ questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-09-01/83985 ]

Dogs: Public Spaces Protection Orders Jane Hunt: [87713] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of Public Space Protection Orders regarding dog control as a tool for encouraging responsible dog ownership. Victoria Prentis: Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 each individual Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) should be reviewed every three years by the relevant local authority. This allows PSPOs to be assessed for their efficacy and to be possibly amended or cancelled. In addition to PSPOs there are other tools that police and local authorities can use to control dogs and encourage responsible ownership. The 2014 Act includes specific measures to enable the police and local authorities to tackle irresponsible dog ownership before a dog attack occurs. The main tool to combat this form of irresponsible dog ownership is the Community Protection Notice (CPN). CPNs can be issued by local authority officers or the police on dog owners, or anyone temporarily in charge of a dog at the time of an incident, where dogs are behaving in an unruly way; for example, if a dog is running loose in a park and threatening children, or where a dog threatens, or is allowed to attack another dog. The CPN could require the dog’s owner, or the person in charge of it, to take appropriate action to prevent a reoccurrence of the offending behaviour. To breach a CPN is a criminal offence and could lead to a significant penalty. The Government is determined to crack down on irresponsible dog ownership and to that end we are encouraging police forces across the country to use these new tools.

Falcons: Exports Allan Dorans: [87660] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the APHA Cites applications currently processed in Bristol, what progress he has made on replacing the paper-based application process for a licence to export live falcons with an online process; and what the timescale is for the completion of that process. Victoria Prentis: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are continuing to develop an electronic permitting (e- permitting) system through which traders and individuals would be able to apply for CITES permits and certificates online. The system would be accessible for all CITES listed specimens including live falcons. Timelines for progressing this work are currently subject to further discussion however we remain committed to delivering an efficient and modern domestic regime.

Flood Control Stephanie Peacock: [89799] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings he has had on the winter 2019-20 flooding with hon. Members whose constituencies were affected. Rebecca Pow: The Government recognises the impact that flooding has had on individuals, local communities and businesses and sympathises with all those affected. Following the winter 2019-20 flooding, the Secretary of State, myself and the department have been actively engaging with hon Members whose constituencies were affected. The Secretary of State has made a number of site visits and hosted an event following the winter floods in November 2019 and February 2020. These included visits to Ironbridge and Shrewsbury. He has also met individual Members including the hon Member for Halifax and the Rt Hon Member for Newark to discuss flooding in their constituencies. In addition, I have taken part in a Westminster Hall debate on the South Yorkshire flooding with several affected Members. I have also met hon Members to discuss flooding in their constituencies including the hon Member for North East Derbyshire, the hon Member for Brigg and Goole and the hon Member for Don Valley. I have also attended an end of day debate with the hon Member for West Worcestershire. I also attended an all-party meeting about the Severn Valley, held on 21 July 2020. The hon Members for Shrewsbury and Atcham, Gloucester, Montgomeryshire, West Worcestershire, Ludlow, North Herefordshire, Stroud, Stafford, and Defra's Parliamentary Private Secretary, the hon Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, attended. I have been in contact with hon Members from the South Yorkshire area on the issue of a round table and I expect to be able to confirm a date very soon.

Flood Control: South Yorkshire Stephanie Peacock: [89800] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings he has held with regional stakeholders in South Yorkshire on (a) the winter 2019 floods and (b) flood defence support in the last 12 months. Rebecca Pow: The Government recognises the impact that flooding has had on individuals, local communities and businesses and sympathises with all those affected. Following the winter 2019-20 flooding, the Secretary of State, myself and the department have been actively engaging with regional stakeholders. As Minister for floods I engaged in a Westminster Hall debate focused on the flooding in South Yorkshire over the winter. This was attended by the hon Members for Barnsley East, Kingston upon Hull North, Rother Valley, Newport West, and the Rt Hon Member for Doncaster North. I have also met with the hon Member for Don Valley to discuss the impact of the winter floods and Sheffield City region's planned investment programme. A number of hon Members from South Yorkshire have also written to Defra since November 2019. These include the hon Members for Barnsley Central, Don Valley, Rother Valley, and the Rt Hon Members for Doncaster North and Wentworth and Dearne. Recently South Yorkshire, Sheffield, Upper Don Valley and the Upper Don Catchment NFM programme schemes received an allocation of the £170 million announced on 14 July, £15.4 million for the Sheffield Upper Don scheme and £600,000 for the NFM programme. Following this announcement, I met with the Member for Penistone & Stocksbridge to discuss flooding. I have been in contact with hon Members from the South Yorkshire area on the issue of a round table and I expect to be able to confirm a date very soon. Additionally, my officials have been engaging actively with eligible local authorities on the Property Flood Resilience Fund to provide clarity on the guidance for these schemes and to provide clarity on delivery questions. Hunting: Coronavirus Luke Pollard: [89853] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) grouse shooting and (b) trail hunting are exempted activities from the rule of six covid-19 regulations. Rebecca Pow: Some types of shooting and hunting may qualify for an exemption from the gatherings limit, as certain types of physical activity are allowed in groups larger than six. If someone on a shoot or hunt holds a permit or license, issued by a public body, that is required for the activity or any equipment used in that activity and the organiser of the has undertaken a risk assessment, the activity may be able to go ahead. There is also an exemption which allows people to participate in fitness-related activities in larger groups. Some types of hunts may therefore be exempt where riders are undertaking equestrian activity related to fitness. Individual hunts will want to take their own advice about whether the rule of six applies to them. For fitness related activity, a business, a charitable organisation, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public body, or a political body must organise.

Outdoor Recreation: Coronavirus Luke Pollard: [89854] To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he received representations on which outdoor activities are exempt from the rule of six covid-19 regulations. Rebecca Pow: We have exempted over thirty types of sport, exercise and physical activity such as football, rugby and other outdoor pursuits from the gatherings limit. Outdoor activity is safer from a transmission perspective, and it is often easier to social distance. Where such activities take place, safety measures must be taken including conducting a risk assessment and compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance. For fitness related activity, a business, a charitable organisation, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public body, or a political body must organise. The Secretary of State did not receive any formal representations on the exemptions before they were made.

FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Abduljalil Abdulla al-Singace Andy Slaughter: [87502] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to reports of ongoing medical negligence in Jau Prison in Bahrain of (a) inmates not being provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) despite cases of covid-19 and (b) Dr Abduljalil AlSingace not receiving medical treatment, if the Government will make urgent representations to the Government of Bahrain on provision of appropriate (i) PPE and (ii) treatment for Dr AlSingace. James Cleverly: We are not aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bahrain's prisons. The Government of Bahrain has made clear that access to appropriate medical care for those in detention continues to be guaranteed, which means under normal circumstances that any prisoner wishing to see a doctor is taken to the prison clinic, with referral to specialist facilities where required; but that as part of Bahrain's COVID-19 precautions, all initial medical consultations now take place via video calls. Where necessary, physical appointments with external medical specialists continue to be available, although, in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organization, prisoners seeing external specialists are required to isolate for 10 days in a separate detention facility before returning to prison ensuring the safety of both patients and medical staff. We welcome these assurances from the Government of Bahrain, urge continued transparency and would encourage those with any concerns about treatment in detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini human rights oversight body.

Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups Seema Malhotra: [88872] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Afghanistan on the protection of minorities, particularly Afghan Hindus and Sikhs in that country. Nigel Adams: [Holding answer 16 September 2020]: We continue to urge the Government of Afghanistan to ensure that the rights of minorities are protected, in line with the Afghan Constitution. The Minister of State for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, last raised human rights with the Afghan Foreign Minister on 14 May. Most recently, the UK's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Alison Blake CMG, discussed citizens' rights with Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on 3 September. The UK strongly condemns the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs. The Minister publicly condemned the 25 March attack in Kabul on a Sikh Gurdwara.

Bahrain: Capital Punishment Stephen Farry: [86209] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 77846 on Bahrain: Capital punishment, if he will set out the international standards referred to in the Answer James Cleverly: Our support for Bahrain fully complies with our international human rights obligations as it is dependent on a robust assessment under the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process, which requires that recognised human rights and other risks must be considered prior to providing assistance, including an assessment of the potential impact of any proposed assistance, and the identification of mitigation measures against the risk that assistance might directly or significantly contribute to a violation. Furthermore, our assistance is regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure it continues to deliver against these standards, and is often delivered in cooperation with respected international partners such as the United Nations Development Programme.

Bahrain: Political Prisoners Wera Hobhouse: [86137] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of (a) the article written by Bahraini political prisoner and rights activist Ali AlHajee, published by the Independent on 15 August 2020 and (b) Mr AlHajee’s request that the Government call for the release of all political prisoners in Bahrain. James Cleverly: We are aware of the allegations contained in Mr Al Hajee's article, which have been investigated by Bahrain's independent human rights oversight bodies. The UK Government takes note of a number of sources of information on Bahrain when making assessments. Our latest assessment was published as part of our Human Rights and Democracy Report in July 2020.

Bangladesh: Rohingya Yasmin Qureshi: [86621] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received representations on the resumption of the Government of Bangladesh pilot of the Myanmar curriculum in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps; and whether steps towards the resumption of that curriculum have been agreed. Nigel Adams: [Holding answer 11 September 2020]: The Government of Bangladesh agreed earlier this year to ensure Rohingya children have access to the Myanmar curriculum. Since then the COVID-19 crisis has forced the closure of all learning centres in the camps. Education partners have tried to ensure continuity of learning; for example, by providing caregivers with learning materials. We hope learning centres will re-open soon, with measures in place to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers. This includes piloting the Myanmar curriculum. The Foreign Secretary has stressed the importance of this in his communication with the Government of Bangladesh. FCDO officials regularly engage on education for Rohingya refugees, including through the Myanmar curriculum, with stakeholders in Cox's Bazar, Dhaka and London. Yasmin Qureshi: [86622] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in Bangladesh on a timetable for the reinstatement of internet services for Rohingya refugees. Nigel Adams: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has consistently engaged with the Government of Bangladesh on the importance of restoring internet services in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps since restrictions were introduced in September 2019. The Foreign Secretary raised this in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July. The Minister for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, has discussed the issue several times with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in London. The British High Commissioner in Dhaka has also spoken with the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Friday 28 August, we were pleased to see internet services restored in the camps.

China: Military Exercises Sarah Champion: [88875] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his Chinese counterpart on the China’s People’s Liberation Army large-scale military exercises in airspace southwest of Taiwan on September 9 and 10, and (b) his Taiwanese counterpart on maintaining peace and stability in the region. Nigel Adams: [Holding answer 16 September 2020]: We oppose any action which raises tensions in the region and hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of any issues. The Foreign Secretary has not discussed the military exercises in the Taiwan Strait that occurred on 9 and 10 September with anyone in the region, but all our international partners are clear on the UK's longstanding position

Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons Lisa Nandy: [88867] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Government is yet to join the other permanent members of the UN Security Council in ratifying Protocol V of the Convention of Certain Conventional Weapons. James Cleverly: [Holding answer 16 September 2020]: The UK is fully committed to the humanitarian aims of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and has ratified four of the Convention's five protocols. The UK already abides by the spirit of Protocol V and is assessing its position with regard to ratification. Coronavirus: Disease Control Ms Lyn Brown: [86616] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of persecution of religious minorities within the covid-19 pandemic response in (a) Nigeria, (b) India, (c) Bangladesh, (d) Somalia, (e) China, (f) Myanmar, (g) the Gulf region and (h) other countries. Nigel Adams: We are continuing to assess the impact of COVID-19 on minority religious and belief communities around the world. We are deeply concerned by incidents of hate speech targeting minority religious and belief groups, including the rise in conspiracy theories that certain faiths or beliefs are to blame for coronavirus. Such incidents are unacceptable, and the UK will continue to refute these divisive and harmful claims. We are also concerned by reports that some minority communities have been denied access to aid and information. As part of our ongoing work to promote Freedom of Religion or Belief for all, we have issued statements calling for states to ensure that any restrictions to the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief are necessary, proportionate and time-limited to protect public health. The Minister for Human Rights, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, also urged states to take steps to mitigate the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society, including religious and belief minorities, during the UK's closing statement at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Côte d'Ivoire: Politics and Government Neil Coyle: [84699] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the political and security situation in the Ivory Coast. James Duddridge: The UK Government has a strong partnership with Côte d'Ivoire. Stability and inclusive economic growth are shared priorities, with a view to consolidating peace after a decade of crisis and uncertainty. The upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections are the responsibility of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, all political parties, and the Ivoirian people. Peaceful, free and credible elections, in line with international law, are an opportunity to build long term peace and stability in Côte d'Ivoire. We encourage all parties to work towards this goal. We are concerned about reports of protests and violence, which resulted in a dozen deaths in August. We urge all parties to participate responsibly, engage fully in the process, avoid the use of inflammatory language, and denounce violence and hate speech. To support these aims, alongside members of the international community, our Embassy in Abidjan is working closely with the United Nations Development Programme to support fair and transparent elections. This includes £300,000 of funding to support dialogue and prevention management of the risks of electoral violence. This includes increasing the number of women mediators involved in election management and organising meetings between security forces, civil society and communities. We are also supporting the training of security forces, which is focused on ensuring that public security during the election period is maintained and that human rights are respected. We are following developments closely. We expect elections to be conducted transparently and that due process be followed before and during the polls.

Democracy and Human Rights Jim Shannon: [87549] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will invite submissions from civil society during the process of preparing his Department’s Human Rights and Democracy report. Nigel Adams: We regularly engage with a wide range of civil society organisations globally on human rights issues and value their contributions in achieving our foreign policy and development priorities. This engagement will be reflected in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's 2020 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report to be published in 2021.

Developing Countries: Religion Ms Lyn Brown: [86614] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that religious identity is not a barrier to equal access to UK Official Development Assistance. James Cleverly: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) use of country context analysis has increased the extent to which religious dynamics and religious groups are factored into all of our country programmes. The FCDO undertakes interdisciplinary analysis of a country's politics, society, state and economy to identify the most significant problems that hinder development and the main entry points and opportunities to create change. There is a strong emphasis on how politics, security, and demographics interact with economic growth and human development. This includes the role of religion and the persecution of religious minorities. The FCDO is committed to working with all its partners, including faith-based organisations, to ensure that the most vulnerable people and groups are prioritised for humanitarian assistance, in line with international humanitarian principles. This includes religious and ethnic groups who are at risk of discrimination and persecution. We work closely with our partners to ensure they are rigorously assessing vulnerability and needs (including those linked with religious identity), ahead of allocating assistance, as well as conducting robust monitoring to ensure that aid is reaching those most in need.

Ethiopia: Demonstrations Patrick Grady: [86686] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Ethiopian counterpart on the recent protests in that country. Patrick Grady: [86687] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help reduce violence committed against civilians and protesters in Ethiopia. James Duddridge: [Holding answer 11 September 2020]: The UK is concerned by reports of violence and displacement of people in a number of regions in Ethiopia. I raised this with the Government of Ethiopia when visiting Addis Ababa at the end of July. I raised the importance of open and transparent investigations into ongoing incidents of violence. The UK supports the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to strengthen accountability and has been encouraged by their efforts to open the political space - in particular the release of thousands of political prisoners and the reform of legislation which constrained civil and political rights. We are committed to supporting civil society organisations in Ethiopia so that they can play an increasing role in monitoring human rights. We shall continue to monitor the situation and to raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Government of Ethiopia and regional leaders.

Ethiopia: Human Rights Patrick Grady: [86688] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help reduce human rights violations against the Oromo people in Ethiopia. James Duddridge: [Holding answer 11 September 2020]: I am concerned by reports of human rights violations against the Oromo people that included the murder of Ethiopian musician Hachalu Hundessa on 29 June, and the violence that followed in Addis Ababa and the Oromo region. I visited Ethiopia from 27 - 29 July and was able to discuss these events with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President of Oromia Region. I urged for transparent investigations into these incidents of violence and asked that those detained receive access to justice, and that their cases are heard promptly. I also expressed the need for more peaceful dialogue between different groups in Ethiopia and for space to be given for political debate. We shall continue to monitor the situation and to raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Ethiopian Government and regional leaders.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Equality Yasmin Qureshi: [84997] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure his Department's management board is diverse in terms of (a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) experience. Nigel Adams: [Holding answer 9 September 2020]: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is committed to putting diversity and inclusion at its heart. The people appointed to the interim Board bring a range of experience, including from FCDO, HM Treasury, BEIS, Cabinet Office, the private and voluntary sectors and academia. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by gender or ethnicity for the Board members as this would contravene GDPR principles. Biographies of all Board members can be found on Gov.UK.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Personnel Management John Stevenson: [84203] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in the (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office's and (b) Department for International Development's human resources section in April 2020. Nigel Adams: As of the 31st March 2020, the Department for International Development had 64.6 FTE staff employed in the Human Resources Department and 27.3 FTE officers employed in the in-house HR Operations function. As of the 31st March 2020, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office had 116.8 FTE staff employed in the Human Resources Directorate and 57.6 FTE officers employed in the in-house HR Operations function.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Religious Freedom Jim Shannon: [87546] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make protecting freedom of religion or belief a priority for his Department. Jim Shannon: [87551] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it remains his Department's policy to implement the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Review of the FCO’s work to support persecuted Christians. Nigel Adams: Defending the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The UK Government has committed to implement the Bishop of Truro's 22 recommendations in full, in a way that will bring real improvements in the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief. Over half of the recommendations have either been implemented, or are in progress, and work is continuing to implement the remainder. Jim Shannon: [87548] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Departmental officials who work in countries with significant freedom of religion or belief violations are using his Department's freedom of religion or belief toolkit to help tackle that issue. Nigel Adams: The FCDO has developed a workshop that helps our staff in overseas Posts to implement our toolkit on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The Freedom of Religion or Belief toolkit was developed with input from legal and academic experts, and is intended to support FCDO human rights officers as they promote and protect this human right, and respond to violations or abuses of it (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/561516/Freedom_of_Religion_or_Belief_Toolkit_-_2016.pdf). Colleagues in Posts are encouraged to report to the Department on FoRB issues in their host countries on a regular basis.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Reorganisation Catherine West: [84721] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development on British foreign policy objectives. James Duddridge: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will maximise UK influence around the world by combining diplomatic leverage with world-leading development support and expertise. The FCDO will continue to pursue our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We will promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. As the PM has made clear, the new FCDO will maximise the impact of our aid budget to help the world's poorest while making sure we get the best value for UK taxpayers money. The objectives of the FCDO will be informed by the outcome of the Integrated Review, which is expected to conclude in the autumn. Both the review and the inception of the FCDO are evidence of the Government's commitment to a unified British foreign policy that will maximise our influence around the world.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff Apsana Begum: [87695] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether civil servants in the (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) Department for International Development will see a change in their legal employer on the formation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Nigel Adams: As employees are and will remain Crown employees, there is technically no change of employer due to the merger. However, all staff affected by the merger have been advised that they transferred into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 2 September.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Training Neil O'Brien: [86155] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much the Department spent on unconscious bias training in each of the last five years. Nigel Adams: There are three ways the FCDO supports staff in this learning: by direct access to the Civil Service Learning (CSL) website, by accessing CSL via the FCDO's internal learning system, Global Learning Opportunities (GLO), or by learning provided by specialists and learning champions overseas. There is no cost to departments for the online CSL unconscious bias training. We do not hold any data centrally for unconscious bias courses delivered overseas or for earlier periods.

India: British Nationals Abroad Zarah Sultana: [84743] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs,what recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on the deaths of (a) Sakil Dawood, (b) Saeed Dawood and (c) Mohammed Aswat during riots in Gujarat in February 2002. Nigel Adams: We have not had any recent conversations with the Government of India about this. We stand ready to provide further consular assistance if requested. India: Religious Freedom Paul Girvan: [82301] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Indian counterpart on the persecution and murder of Christians and members of other minority religious groups in India. Nigel Adams: The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India, talking regularly to the Government of India, including about freedom of religion or belief. Where we have concerns, we raise them directly with the Government of India: the Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, has raised these issues on several occasions with the Indian High Commissioner in London and his opposite number in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. We also continue to engage Indian religious leaders of all faiths and to support Indian partners to promote interfaith relations among young people

Israel: Palestinians Rushanara Ali: [85045] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the rate of (a) demolitions and (b) confiscations of (i) Palestinian homes and (ii) other structures by Israel in 2020 compared to the last five years. James Cleverly: The UK is concerned by the demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. We also remain concerned about Israeli confiscations of Palestinian homes and structures. These practices are harmful to the peace process. We continue to urge the Government of Israel to develop improved mechanisms for zoning, planning and permitting in Area C for the benefit of the Palestinian population, including by facilitating local Palestinian participation in such processes. Rushanara Ali: [85048] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report to the UN Human Rights Council of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, dated 15 July 2020, what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on ending all measures amounting to collective punishment of Palestinians including the closure of Gaza. James Cleverly: We have serious concerns about the use of punitive acts against the families of Palestinians who have been accused of violent acts by Israel, including Israel's policy of demolitions to destroy the homes belonging to suspected Palestinian terrorists or their families. Such punishments, in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to international humanitarian law. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have registered concerns about this policy with Israeli authorities. The UK also remains deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions are doing to the economy and to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza. There remains an urgent need for all parties to reach an agreement that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict in Gaza.

Maira Shahbaz Alex Sobel: [82339] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the decision by the Lahore High Court that 14-year old Maira Shahbaz must stay married to a man who allegedly abducted her at gunpoint in that country. Nigel Adams: We are closely monitoring Maira Shahbaz's case following her reported abduction in April. We are concerned about women's and girls' rights and ongoing reports of forced marriage and forced conversion in Pakistan, including such reports of this happening to women and girls from religious minorities such as Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls. We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girl's rights and gender equality with the government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised our human rights concerns with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 15 July.

Myanmar: Rohingya Claire Hanna: [84755] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made in (a) advocating Myanmar accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya population and (b) making representations on the Rohingya people’s safe, voluntary and dignified return home. Nigel Adams: The UK has been clear that those responsible for serious human rights violations should be held to account. We have used our role on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to increase international attention on the Rohingya crisis and we continue to lead calls for accountability. The UK has worked with partners to try and implement the Fact Finding Mission recommendations, including establishing the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar to collect and preserve evidence of atrocities. When I spoke to the Myanmar Minister for International Cooperation on 23 June, I encouraged Myanmar to continue to engage with the International Court of Justice process in a transparent way. On 6 July, the UK's Global Human Rights sanction regime (GHR) listed the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, for overseeing the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya and other minorities, as set out in the Independent Fact Finding Mission Report. This is in addition to the sanctions which the UK secured through the EU, against 14 members of the Myanmar military responsible for serious human rights violations. The UK has been clear that Rohingya returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified, in line with the principles of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). We agree with the UNHCR's assessment that conditions are not yet in place to enable this. Since early 2019 there have been serious clashes in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army, an Ethnic Armed Organisation, and the Myanmar military. We have called at the UNSC for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We continue to press the Government of Myanmar for full implementation of the Kofi Annan Rakhine Advisory Commission (RAC) recommendations, including granting citizenship, freedom of movement and permitting immediate and effective access for agencies. The UK is clear that the RAC recommendations remain the best and only internationally and domestically agreed template for tackling the problems in Rakhine State. Ms Lyn Brown: [86611] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support he is providing to the International Criminal Court Investigation ICC-01/19 of crimes against the Rohingya people. Nigel Adams: The UK wants to see accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar. The UK provides both practical and financial support to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The UK currently contributes 8.4% of the ICC's total budget. ICC investigations are funded through this annual programme budget.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid Rushanara Ali: [85046] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department plans to provide to vulnerable Palestinians through the £2.7m UK aid package that he announced on 25 August 2020. James Cleverly: The Foreign Secretary recently announced a £2.7 million UK aid package to UN agencies to help provide food assistance, medical supplies and personal protection for the most vulnerable Palestinians. This includes food vouchers for over 120,000 people for one month to prevent malnutrition; cash assistance for 1,114 households for eight months and personal protection for frontline doctors and aid workers to stop the spread of the virus. Palestinians: Textbooks Jonathan Gullis: [86781] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts in response to reports that the EU's review into the Palestinian curriculum presents Israeli textbooks as those published by the Palestinian Authority. James Cleverly: The UK Government has a zero tolerance approach towards incitement to violence and lobbied our European partners to conduct a thorough independent review of textbooks used in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which is now underway. This review is ongoing, and the final report is not due until the end of 2020. We will study its findings carefully. The UK does not comment on leaked reports. Our European partners have been clear that the study does not look at Israeli textbooks. We understand that the methodology of the study will include a separate section on a very limited sample of textbooks used in East Jerusalem and modified by Israel for the purpose of comparison.

Saudi Arabia: Immigrants Jim Shannon: [87550] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Saudi Arabian authorities on the forceful detention of African migrants in covid-19 detention centres in that country. James Cleverly: We are monitoring the situation closely, as we always do on human rights issues. In July, I met with the Head of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, Dr Awwad al- Awwad, to discuss our human rights concerns. Lord Ahmad also discussed our concerns with Dr al-Awwad in June, including on human trafficking and migrant workers' rights. It is important that we work collectively to respond to the unprecedented threat of COVID-19 to limit the spread of the virus and to mitigate its negative impacts, whilst simultaneously respecting fundamental human rights.

Taiwan: Sustainable Development Andrew Rosindell: [88251] To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to strengthen its co-operation with Taiwan on achieving and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nigel Adams: The UK Government welcomes the contribution Taiwan voluntarily makes to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, despite not being a member state of the UN, and we continue to work closely with Taiwan on this and other matters. We enjoy a constructive relationship covering a range of issues through organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite, such as the WTO and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. The UK believes that the people of Taiwan have a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern and this includes on sustainable development.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Abortion: Coronavirus Andrew Rosindell: [88252] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that temporarily allowed home abortions during the covid-19 outbreak do not place women at increased risk of complications; and whether he will suspend them pending further investigations of these risks. Helen Whately: The Department is aware of a small number of incidents of concern which we are looking into alongside with the Care Quality Commission and other partners. We continue to closely monitor the impact of the temporary approval for women’s homes to be classed as a place where both sets of medication for early medical abortion can be taken up to 10 weeks gestation. The Government has committed to undertake a public consultation on making permanent the COVID-19 measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women. Further details on the consultation will be available in due course.

Abortion: Drugs Scott Benton: [88412] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the health risks of abortion pills taken at home. Helen Whately: The Department continues to closely monitor the impact of the temporary approval for women’s homes to be classed as a place where both sets of medication for early medical abortion can be taken up to 10 weeks gestation. Officials have regular meetings with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Care Quality Commission and abortion service providers. The Government has committed to undertake a public consultation on making permanent the COVID-19 measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women. Further details on the consultation will be available in due course. Sir David Amess: [88805] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which Minister in his Department has responsibility to make an assessment of the effect of the temporary measure to approve both sets of medication for early medical abortion to be taken at home during the covid-19 outbreak; when such information with be made available; and if he will make a statement. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 16 September 2020]: Responsibility for abortion policy within the Department falls within my Ministerial portfolio. The Department continues to closely monitor the impact of the temporary approval for women’s homes to be classed as a place where both sets of medication for early medical abortion can be taken up to 10 weeks gestation. The Government has committed to undertake a public consultation on making permanent the COVID-19 measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women. Further details on the consultation will be available in due course.

Care Homes: Coronavirus Steve McCabe: [55852] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the criteria are on care home prioritisation for covid-19 home testing kits. Helen Whately: In June, the following criteria were assessed in order to prioritise sending test kits: - care homes referred to us by Public Health England because they have had a new outbreak; - care homes for older people and those with Dementia that have over 50 beds, then those with 25-50 beds; and - all other care homes.

Care Homes: Visits Sarah Olney: [86130] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to update visiting arrangements in care homes to allow for closer interaction between residents and their visitors while maintaining the health and safety of care workers and residents as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 10 September 2020]: Our first priority is to prevent infections in care homes, and this means that visiting policy should still be restricted with alternatives sought wherever possible. However, we are aware that limiting visits in care homes has been difficult for many families and residents who want to see their loved ones. The decision on whether or not to allow visitors, and in what circumstances will be for the relevant Director of Public Health and managers of each individual setting to make. Care homes will be supported by local infection control leads in making decisions about visiting, to ensure that the balance of risks and benefits is appropriately considered. Advice for residents and families should be set out in the visiting policy of the care home and shared with them. All our guidance is designed with care users in mind, to ensure that individuals are treated with dignity and respect and that their particular needs are addressed. The latest guidance on visiting arrangements in care homes is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during- coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes

Deloitte: Coronavirus Stella Creasy: [69535] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2020 to Question 48980 on Deloitte, if he will set out the total sum of monies paid by his Department to Deloitte for each month of 2020. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 9 July 2020]: We do not currently hold data in the requested format. However, information on Deloitte's contract with the Department will be published in due course at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Health and Social Services: Quarantine Debbie Abrahams: [67650] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what equality impact assessment he has made of the disparity in rules for quarantine upon arrival in the UK for (a) carers of people with disabilities who are either directly employed as a personal assistant or employed through a care agency registered with the Care Quality Commission and (b) health and care workers with proof of professional registration with a UK-based regulator. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 6 July 2020]: On 8 June new rules for international travellers were introduced in order to reduce the risk of new COVID-19 cases from abroad. An exemption to the requirement to self-isolate was added to allow registered health and care staff to return to England to provide essential healthcare, helping to strengthen the country’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and save lives. On 30 July the Government removed the exemption for registered health and care staff, thereby requiring them to self-isolate for 14 days on return from a non-exempt country or territory. The removal of this exemption ensure consistency with wider self- isolation measures and continue to protect public health.

Health Professions: Discrimination Sir Mark Hendrick: [81550] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what unconscious bias training his Department offers to healthcare professionals. Helen Whately: There are elements of the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Level 1 session, which deal with the concept of unconscious bias. This session is part of the e- Learning for Healthcare Statutory and Mandatory Training Programme and is aimed at all staff, including unpaid and voluntary staff. Individual National Health Service organisations have responsibility for training their own staff and will provide further relevant training where appropriate.

Members: Correspondence Mr John Baron: [69461] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letters of 29 April 2020, 7 May 2020 and 18 June 2020 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on Ms Valerie Utting. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 9 July 2020]: I replied to the hon. Member’s letter on 19 August 2020.

NHS: Physiotherapy Liz Twist: [87619] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to retain physiotherapists who have entered NHS employment temporarily during the covid-19 outbreak. Helen Whately: In total, 3,754 physiotherapists have joined the Health and Care Professions Council’s COVID-19 temporary register. A recent survey of returners indicated that around 50% across all professions were interested in continuing to work in the health and social care system. There are existing return to practice schemes designed to support physiotherapists who have been out of the workforce for a number of years to safely re-start their careers. NHS England is working with the Department and other local employing organisations to consider a range of flexible options to make it easier for professionals including physiotherapists who are interested in re-joining the National Health Service workforce to do so.

Respite Care: Dementia Caroline Lucas: [86623] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to require a uniform method of recording (a) the provision of respite care across local authorities and (b) whether the person being cared for has dementia; if he will undertake regular assessments of the implications for his policies of respite care data at a national level; and if he will make a statement. Caroline Lucas: [86624] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the recommendations in the Alzheimer’s Society report, The Fog of Support – An inquiry into the provision of respite care and carers assessments for people affected by dementia. Caroline Lucas: [86625] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the provision of dementia-specific carers’ respite services since the Prime Minister's statement to the nation on covid-19 on 23 March 2020. Helen Whately: Day services are an important form of support for people with dementia and their carers. Decisions about opening and delivery of care lie at local authority level, in line with local risk assessments and the latest public health advice. Some services were able to stay open, but others in more complex or closed settings may have closed and may now be looking to re-open or provide services that meet the needs of their communities in alternative ways, subject to any local or national restrictions to prevent the risk of infection. We have worked with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish guidance to help make decisions on restarting services and to provide quality care safely. The guidance was published on Friday 10 July. Support groups such as dementia support groups remain exempt from the ‘rule of 6’ that came into force on 14 September. Such groups can take place in COVID-secure settings or public outdoor spaces, if the support group is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support to its members or those who attend its meetings. Data on day services is not held centrally. Day services may be run by private providers, voluntary organisations or local authorities. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning services in their areas. We are working with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to better understand the current picture relating to day services and alternative arrangements that have been put in place by local authorities and providers with the aim of sharing best practice. The Department continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, local authorities and providers to support those with the need for social care.

Social Services: Coronavirus Kate Hollern: [81960] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support adult social care providers to prepare for the potential effect of a second wave of covid-19 infections in winter 2020-21. Helen Whately: The recommendations from the Social Care Sector Covid-19 Taskforce will shape our approach to COVID-19 in the adult social care sector and, in particular, the plans we put in place for winter which we will set out in the Adult Social Care Winter Plan. This will be published shortly. Rosie Cooper: [83712] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to publish the Social Care Taskforce plan for supporting the social care sector through the covid-19 outbreak. Helen Whately: [Holding answer 7 September 2020]: The recommendations from the Social Care Sector Covid-19 Taskforce will shape our approach to COVID-19 in the adult social care sector and, in particular, the plans we put in place for winter which we will set out in the Adult Social Care Winter Plan. The Taskforce concluded at the end of August and will publish its recommendations in September on what measures need to be in place across all parts of the care sector in England to respond to COVID-19 and winter.

Social Services: Staffordshire Jonathan Gullis: [82557] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the social care sector in (a) Stoke-on-Trent and (b) Staffordshire during the covid-19 outbreak. Helen Whately: The recommendations from the Social Care Sector Covid-19 Taskforce will shape our approach to COVID-19 in the adult social care sector and, in particular, the plans we put in place for winter which we will set out in the Adult Social Care Winter Plan. The Taskforce concluded at the end of August and will publish its recommendations in September on the advice on what measures need to be in place across all parts of the care sector in England to respond to COVID-19 and winter.

SUDEP Action Mr Ben Bradshaw: [81510] To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Government will meet representatives of SUDEP Action to discuss its research into the effect of covid-19 on (a) people with epilepsy, (b) health professionals and (c) people bereaved by that condition. Helen Whately: While there are no specific plans to meet representatives of SUDEP Action at this time, the Government is committed to working with the charity sector to utilise their research into epilepsy, and to ensure that the needs and views of the diverse and often specialist stakeholders and services are captured and valued.

HOME OFFICE

Asylum: Housing Dame Diana Johnson: [84663] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been allocated to initial accommodation by local authority in each of the last three years. Dame Diana Johnson: [84665] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many local authorities classed by her Department as dispersal areas received an allocation of asylum seekers for initial accommodation in each of the last three years. Chris Philp: The number of asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement- datasets#asylum-support There are141 Local authorities across the UK which accommodate asylum seekers. We do not publish data for each separate initial accommodation.

British National Socialist Movement Nicola Richards: [82636] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the threat posed by the British National Socialist Movement to the public; what representations she has received on the British National Socialist Movement; and if she will make a statement. Victoria Atkins: The British National Socialist Movement (which is also sometimes called the British Movement) is a white supremacist group that originated in 1968. The Government is committed to tackling Right Wing Extremism (including white supremacist and neo-Nazi activity). This includes undertaking assessments of Right Wing Extremist activity by the Counter Extremism Insight and Analysis unit. The Building a Stronger Britain Together (BSBT) programme brings people across England and Wales to tackle extremism at local level. Since the programme’s launch in 2016 it has supported over 240 civil society organisations.

Crime: Young People Sir Mark Hendrick: [81570] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the rate of crime involving young people. Kit Malthouse: No data exists on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the rate of crime involving young people. However, the National Police Chiefs Council reported on its website on 27 August 2020 that provisional data from police forces in England and Wales shows a reduction in crime during the Coronavirus outbreak and that the vast majority of the public are following government regulations enacted in response to the crisis. It also reported that the provisional data indicates certain crime trends are returning towards pre-lockdown levels. This report is available from: https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/provisional-data-shows-crime-slowly-returning- to-2019-levels The Office for National Statistics published a report ‘Coronavirus and crime in England and Wales’ on 26 August 2020, which estimated a significant reduction in crime during April and May 2020 compared with a two-month average in the pre- lockdown period, and that reductions were seen across many types of crime. This report is available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/cor onavirusandcrimeinenglandandwales/august2020 Police recorded crime statistics and Crime Survey of England and Wales data covering the period to June 2020 will be released in October 2020.

DNA: Databases Philip Davies: [88851] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many DNA profiles have been removed from the national DNA database since 1 April 2018. Kit Malthouse: Between 01/04/2018 and 31/03/2019 117,430 subject profile records and 4,846 crime scene profile records have been deleted from the National DNA Database. Between 01/04/2019 and 31/03/2020 124,492 subject profile records and 7,597 crime scene profile records have been deleted from the National DNA Database.

Entry Clearances Karen Bradley: [R] [87540] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many individuals have been refused entry to the UK at all ports of entry as a result of convictions for human trafficking and modern slavery or similar offences (a) in the UK, (b) in the EU and (c) in the rest of the world, in each calendar year from 2016 to 2019 inclusive. Chris Philp: The specific information you have requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is because a manual search through individual records would be required to identify individuals have been refused entry to the UK from 2016 to 2019 inclusive We do not hold data on those refused in EU countries and the rest of the world Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery, both in the UK and overseas, is a priority for the government. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 gives law enforcement agencies the tools to tackle modern slavery and provides protection for victims. The Modern Slavery Act also includes powers which enable law enforcement officers, including Border Force, to pursue modern slavery perpetrators at sea. Border Force has a duty of care to all crossing the border and adults with vulnerability for any reason will be dealt with respect and care.

Hampshire Constabulary: Finance Stephen Morgan: [86750] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment has she made of the effect of the police allocation formula adequacy of funding allocated to Hampshire Constabulary. Kit Malthouse: The police funding formula remains the most reliable mechanism the department has to distribute core grant funding to forces. The police funding settlement for 2020/21 sets out the biggest increase in funding for the policing system since 2010, with Hampshire Constabulary receiving a total of up to £366.4m, an increase of up to £26m on 2019/20. The Government will consider the way core grant funding is distributed to forces as part of our longer-term vision for policing. Home Office: Racial Discrimination Catherine West: [86124] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) police officers, (b) police staff, (c) National Crime Agency staff and (d) UK Border Force staff have been (i) suspended and (ii) dismissed for racism in the last three years. Kit Malthouse: A & B) The Home Office collects and publishes information annually on the outcome of misconduct proceedings and criminal investigations involving police officers, including the number of officers that have been dismissed following proceedings. However, information on the reason for dismissal is not collected centrally by the Home Office. The latest data on the outcomes following misconduct proceedings, which covers cases in the year ending March 2019, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30- september-2019. The College of Policing publish data annually relating to those who have been dismissed from policing and placed on the Police Barred List. The most recent data shows that, in the period ending 31 March 2019, 15 officers and 7 members of police staff were dismissed under the category ‘equality and diversity’. This data is available here: https://www.college.police.uk/News/Collegenews/Documents/Barred_List_2019.pdf Suspension of police officers or police staff is a matter for local forces. The Home Office does not collect or store this data. C) No NCA officer has been suspended on grounds of racism in the last 3 years. There has been one dismissal of an NCA officer on racism grounds in the last 3 years. D) Border Force does not hold the data on suspensions on the grounds of racism in the last three years. There has been one dismissal of a Border Force officer on racism grounds in the last three years.

Hygiene: Products Sir Paul Beresford: [88239] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant of the Answer of 3 September 2020 to Question 81490 on Hygiene: Products, whether the National Fire Chiefs Council’s press statement setting out the low risk of alcohol-based hand sanitisers takes into consideration the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on storing alcohol in workplaces across the UK. James Brokenshire: The consideration of guidance that informs National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC’s) press statements is a matter for the NFCC. Under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002, employers must assess and eliminate or reduce risks from dangerous substances so far as is reasonably practicable in order to keep people safe. As outlined in my answer to Question 81490, those responsible for premises are also required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to consider the fire risks on that premises and ensure that these are mitigated to as low a level as reasonably practicable.

Immigrants: Finance Claudia Webbe: [82590] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of people who have No Recourse to Public Funds conditions attached to their immigration status in (a) Leicester East constituency and (b) the UK. Chris Philp: The information you have requested is not currently published by the department. The department has written to the UKSA with regard to this matter. Please see the link below: https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/correspondence/response-from- daniel-shaw-to-ed-humpherson-parliamentary-question-response/. In the Chief Statistician’s response to the UKSA, we committed to investigate whether there is data held by the Department which can inform understanding of the effect of the NRPF condition. Following our investigation, we have now published information relating to change of conditions at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-protection-data-august-2020 Migrants coming to the UK are expected to maintain and support themselves and their families without posing a burden on the UK’s welfare system. Access to benefits and other publicly funded services reflects the strength of a migrant’s connections to the UK. The Home Office publish a range of statistics on entry clearance visas, and extensions of leave in the UK in the quarterly Immigration Statistics. However, these do not show the number of people subject to NRPF. Stephen Timms: [87474] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for a change of conditions to the no recourse to public funds condition were made (a) with and (b) without a representative; and what proportion of each type of application has been (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful in each quarter since the third quarter of 2017. Stephen Timms: [87475] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants for a change of conditions to the no recourse to public funds condition have been made in each quarter since the third quarter of 2017 were aged (a) under 18, (b) 18-25, (c) 25-30, (d) 30-40, (e) 40-50, (f) 50-60, (g) 60-70, (h) 70-80 and (i) over 80. Stephen Timms: [87476] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applicants for a change of conditions to no recourse to public funds made in each quarter since the third quarter of 2017 had dependents under 18. Stephen Timms: [87477] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants for a change of conditions to no recourse to public funds in each quarter since the third quarter of 2017 had dependents under 18 who are (a) British children and (b) have a disability. Stephen Timms: [87478] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applicants with dependents for a change of conditions to no recourse to public funds in each quarter since the third quarter of 2017 (a) applied as single applicants, (b) made a joint application (c) had a non-applying partner. Kevin Foster: Following previous questions and the commitment given to UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), Change of Conditions information is now part of the transparency data which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-protection-data-august- 2020. The relevant data is in tab CoC_01. Currently we cannot provide the data requested because this information is not readily available and would require a more detailed examination of all Change of Conditions cases to establish whether the data requested is held and would meet the quality requirements for release. As part of the regular publication of this data the Home Office will review whether the data can be meaningfully broken down any further.

Immigration Controls: Aiports and Ports Karen Bradley: [R] [88309] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many exit checks (a) in person and (b) using automated processes were carried out for EEA and Swiss nationals departing from all UK ports and airports in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what information those checks recorded. Karen Bradley: [R] [88310] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on introducing automated exit checks for people departing the UK; and whether exit checks will be carried out on (a) all travellers and (b) at all ports from 1 January 2021. Kevin Foster: We re-introduced exit checks in April 2015 to further complement our work on border security, plus support the Home Office’s wider work to deal with illegal immigration. The vast majority of passengers leaving the country on scheduled commercial international air, sea and rail routes now go through exit checks. The data collected is already providing the police and security services with information to help track the movements of known criminals and terrorists. Border Force hold data for outbound alerts issued by Border Force at the National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC). However, we do not hold a breakdown of the data in the format requested. A variety of agencies, including Border Force, undertake in person outbound interventions, as a result of this activity there is no single record held on their respective outcomes. Government is working to ensure all parties including other government departments, traders, industry and passengers are prepared for the changes which will come into effect at the UK border on 1 January 2021.

Passports: Applications Holly Lynch: [82132] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Her Majesty’s Passport Office's update on passport applications published on 24 July 2020, how many passport applications are currently being processed by HM Passport Office. Chris Philp: Due to COVID-19, Her Majesty’s Passport Office continues to operate at reduced staffing levels so that its people can continue to socially distance, and it is therefore taking longer than usual to process passport applications. As part of its contingency arrangements, HM Passport Office is rapidly increasing its capacity for processing passport applications, in line with public health guidance, that will help to ensure that it continues to meet the travel needs of its customers. As at 31 August 2020, passport applications work in progress is approximately 239.1k. There are a further 134,414k applications that will need to be worked through in the coming weeks once initial documentation has been received and allocated.

Police: Staff Mr Steve Baker: [88864] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will secure funding settlements for the police extending over two to three years in the Spending Review. Mr Steve Baker: [88865] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that police officers are not used to backfill police staff roles to achieve cost savings; and if she will make a statement. Mr Steve Baker: [88866] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, she will ensure that police staff roles are sufficiently resourced through the Spending Review to ensure that new police officers are not diverted away from core policing duties. Kit Malthouse: The Department is in the process of undertaking work on the Spending Review, in consultation with the policing sector. We will continue to make the best case for policing to deliver this Government’s top priorities and will make an announcement in due course.

Police: Training Wera Hobhouse: [88375] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for which foreign states the College of Policing provided training courses in (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19 and (c) 2019-20; and what the subject of each of those training courses was. Kit Malthouse: This is a matter for the College of Policing, but I can confirm that it does provide bespoke training packages to international partners.

Security: Training Mark Eastwood: [86773] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for the launch of the Security Training Fund. James Brokenshire: The Home Office has listened to the security concerns of our faith communities, including through the recent public consultation on faith security. We recognise that protective security must be tailored to support the specific requirements of faith communities. The Home Office is currently developing a security training package, which will be suitable for all faiths. This will ensure that our commitment of 19 March 2019 to deliver this training within three years is met. Security advice for places of worship is currently available for free from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office on GOV.UK.

Trespass: Reform Joy Morrissey: [88400] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set out a timetable for bringing forward legislative proposals to reform the law on trespassing. Kit Malthouse: We have a clear manifesto commitment to tackle unauthorised encampments. We remain determined to ensure that the police have the powers they need. The consultation has closed and the Government is considering the response. It is our firm aim to bring forward legislation later this session.

Unexplained Wealth Orders Alyn Smith: [82386] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the efficacy of Unexplained Wealth Orders in tackling financial crime in the UK. Kit Malthouse: Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) were introduced as part of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and came into force from 1 January 2018. Whilst still relatively new legislation, the Home Office assesses that UWOs (and associated Interim Freezing Orders) are an important addition to existing powers which can result in the provision of critical information which could not be obtained in any other way. UWOs have been used in four cases so far, in relation to property worth an estimated £143.2m. The Home Office keeps the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Criminal Finances Act 2017 under review to ensure that all powers remain effective.

Victim Support Schemes Simon Fell: [87667] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications there have been to the National Referral Mechanism by region in each of the last five years. Simon Fell: [87669] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applications to the National Referral Mechanism received a reasonable grounds decision in each of the last five years following appeal of a negative decision. Victoria Atkins: Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes. Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national- referral-mechanism-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019. The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. Simon Fell: [87668] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applications to the National Referral Mechanism received a reasonable grounds decision in each of the last five years. Victoria Atkins: Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes. Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national- referral-mechanism-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019. The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. Simon Fell: [87670] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have been recognised through the National Referral Mechanism as being a victim of a crime have gone on to prosecution; and how many of those prosecutions have been successful by type of crime in each of the last five years. Victoria Atkins: The Single Competent Authority (SCA) operates the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which is a civil process for the identification and support of victims of modern slavery. The SCA does not collect data on the number of prosecutions related to people being recognised as a victim of modern slavery through the NRM. Many victims are recognised through the NRM independently of a prosecution being linked to their case. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) publishes quarterly modern slavery prosecution statistics, and the latest quarter can be found at: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/cps-data-summary-quarter-4-2019-2020 https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/cps-data-summary-quarter-4-2019-2020 Visas: Hong Kong Alberto Costa: [82086] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the UK's capability to accommodate citizens from Hong Kong under the bespoke Hong Kong BN(O) Visa. Kevin Foster: While this visa offer is a generous one, recognising our historic commitment to Hong Kong BN(O) citizens, it is not an unconditional offer. BN(O) citizens will need to support themselves independently while living in the UK; they will need to show they can support themselves in the UK for at least six months and will contribute to our brilliant NHS through the Immigration Health Surcharge. Successful applicants to the route will be able to work in the UK in almost any capacity and have no recourse to public funds. This means they will be unable to claim most benefits, tax credits, or housing assistance that are funded by UK taxpayers for the full five years of the visa. We are working closely with other government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, to ensure BN(O) citizens coming into the UK can be self-sufficient, whilst integrating with and contributing to the betterment of society across our United Kingdom.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Building Safety Fund Hilary Benn: [89610] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when applicants to the cladding building safety fund will be allocated to caseworkers. Hilary Benn: [89611] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications to the cladding building safety fund each caseworker will be responsible for handling. Christopher Pincher: If confirmed eligible for the fund, building owners are contacted by officials following their registration and are invited to apply. The number of applications handled by case workers varies depending on the level of support required by building owners at each stage of the registration and application processes.

Derelict Land: Maps Steve Reed: [89713] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to publish a national map of brownfield sites. Christopher Pincher: All local planning authorities in England are required to prepare, maintain and publish registers of previously developed (brownfield) land that they have assessed as being appropriate for residential development.

Flats: Insulation Hilary Benn: [89612] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of leasehold flats in buildings that do not have an EWS1 certificate. Christopher Pincher: The EWS1 form was introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assist in valuation of high-rise residential buildings for mortgage purposes, and so the Department does not hold this information. EWS1 assessments are not commissioned by the department but are requested from building owners by some lenders.

Local Government: Sanctions Dr Rupa Huq: [86722] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Supreme Court ruling of 29 April in R (on the application of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Ltd and another) (Appellants) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Respondent), what plans the Government has to bring forward legislative proposals to allow local authorities to pursue boycotts, divestments and sanctions against foreign nations and UK defence industries. Luke Hall: The Government remains firmly opposed to local boycotts which can damage integration and community cohesion, hinder exports, and harm foreign relations and the UK’s economic and international security. Local authorities should not undertake boycotts that could undermine foreign policy, which is a matter for the UK Government alone. We will legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Mayor of the West Midlands Liam Byrne: [89615] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many representations he has received from the Mayor of the West Midlands on proposed changes to the planning system. Christopher Pincher: The Secretary of State and other Ministers in the department have regular and productive discussions with the Mayor. Mortgages Daisy Cooper: [88934] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2020 to Question 86761 on Mortgages, what steps he is taking to encourage mortgage lenders to accept equivalent evidence; and what examples of suitable equivalent evidence he has encouraged mortgage lenders to accept. Christopher Pincher: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 11 September to question UIN 86618.

Planning Permission: Coronavirus Alberto Costa: [87579] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to tackle any backlog of planning applications resulting from the covid-19 outbreak. Christopher Pincher: Government has introduced a number of measures to prevent delays and to ensure the planning system has remained open during the Covid-19 pandemic. Guidance for local authorities is published here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19- planning-update

Plants: Urban Areas Catherine West: [87610] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to protect vegetation in the urban environment. Christopher Pincher: The forthcoming Environment Bill will include measures to protect urban vegetation including new powers to establish local nature recovery strategies with local business and communities, including those in urban areas. We are also mandating biodiversity net gain through the Environment Bill, which will mean that a gain of at least 10 per cent in habitats for wildlife, including trees and woodland, must be achieved by any proposed developments. We have also committed to the protection of trees by establishing the Tree Preservation Order (TPO). The system allows local authorities to protect trees and woodlands so that they can continue providing ecological, health, cultural and economic benefits to current and future generations. An Order makes it an offence to cut down, prune, uproot, willfully damage or destroy a tree covered by that Order without the local authority’s written permission. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-preservation-orders-and-trees-in-conservation- areas. In addition, the Government has ensured that the planning system provides protection for locally, nationally and internationally designated wildlife sites, and irreplaceable habitats including ancient and veteran trees through the National Planning Policy Framework. Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2. The Government has recently announced £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund in England. The fund will support projects that are ready to deliver and focus on nature restoration, nature-based solutions and engagement with nature. The fund will protect up to 2000 jobs and create up to 3000 more whilst delivering against the goals of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Further information on the fund can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-40-million-green-jobs- challenge-fund.

Remembrance Day: Coronavirus Justin Madders: [87571] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what advice the Government has issued to local authorities on conducting covid-secure Remembrance Sunday services. Luke Hall: Should local authorities or other organisations wish to hold Remembrance Sunday events they should consult the relevant public health guidance on holding events during the pandemic and ensure appropriate licences are secured and that COVID- 19 risk assessments are completed to ensure the risk of transmission is minimised. The Government has published guidance for the safe use of Places of Worship, and for special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic. At Remembrance events inside places of worship or in public places there can be multiple groups of six people doing the same activity provided that these groups do not mingle.

Social Rented Housing: Construction Thangam Debbonaire: [89749] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the proportion of new homes delivered through the 2021-2026 affordable homes programme that will be for social rent. Christopher Pincher: The Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and has recently confirmed the details of £12.2 billion of investment. This includes a new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme which will be delivered over 5 years from next year (2021-2026), providing up to 180,000 new homes across the country, should economic conditions allow. This programme represents the highest single funding commitment to affordable housing in a decade. We are committed to delivering wide range of affordable homes of different tenures so that we can support range of people in different circumstances and stages in their lives. Half of these homes will be for Affordable and Social Rent, to help those in the greatest need.

Swimming Pools: Coronavirus Steve Reed: [89712] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of local authority run swimming pools including pools run under contract by third parties that have (a) reopened after the covid- 19 lockdown and (b) remained closed. Luke Hall: The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport published guidance on the safe reopening of swimming pools and it can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-gyms-and-pools-to- reopen-safely. Decisions on reopening are made by local authorities and this information is not held centrally.

Tobacco Steve Reed: [89714] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what meetings (a) he has and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with tobacco companies or their representatives since March 1st 2020. Kelly Tolhurst: None.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Rachael Maskell: [89775] To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the (a) criteria and (b) budget for the Shared Prosperity Fund. Luke Hall: Now we have left the European Union, we will create the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as the domestic successor to EU structural funds. The fund will bind together the whole of the United Kingdom, tackling inequality and deprivation in each of our four nations. The Government understands the importance of this investment for local communities across the UK. At minimum, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will match the current levels of funding for each nation from EU structural funds. Final decisions on the design of the fund will need to be taken after the Comprehensive Spending Review. In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with interested parties whilst developing the fund.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia Emily Thornberry: [87504] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 21 January 2016 air- strike on a house in Majz was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87505] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 7 August 2016 air- strike on a store in Nihm was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87506] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 30 August 2016 air- strike in Shara'ab Al-Rawnah was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87507] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 30 August 2016 air- strike on a residential area in Saada was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87508] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 10 March 2017 air- strike on a market in Al-Khawkhah was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87509] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 17 May 2017 air- strike on a vehicle in Mawza was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87510] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 18 July 2017 air-strike on a displaced persons camp in Mawza was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87511] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 18 July 2017 air-strike on a house in Taizz was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87512] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 25 August 2017 air-strike on a residential area in Bani Matar was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87513] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 7 November 2017 air-strike on a residential area in Aflah Yamin was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87514] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 17 November 2017 air-strike on stalls in Abs was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87515] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 15 December 2017 air-strike on a residential area in Al-Khawkhah was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87516] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 30 December 2017 air-strike on a market in Al-Jirahi was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87517] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 17 February 2018 air-strike on a vehicle in Kitaf Wa Al-Boqe'e was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [87518] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 9 August 2016 air-strike on a crisp factory in Nahda was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88258] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 25 August 2017 air-strike on houses in Sanaa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88259] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 22 January 2018 air-strike on a house in Saada was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88260] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 11 June 2018 air-strike on a cholera treatment centre in Abs was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88261] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 23 August 2018 air-strike on a vehicle in al-Duraihmi was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88262] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 13 October 2018 air-strike on a bus in Hodeidah was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88263] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 24 October 2018 air-strike on a market in Hodeidah was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88264] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 11 March 2019 air-strike on a village in Kushar was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88265] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 26 March 2019 air-strike on a petrol station near a hospital in Kitaf was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88266] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 31 March 2015 air-strike on a dairy factory in Al-Hali was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88267] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 16 April 2015 air-strike on a residential area in Bani Suraim was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88268] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 21 April 2015 air-strike on a hotel in Harad was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88269] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 1 May 2015 air- strike on a residential area in Shu’oub was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88270] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 5 May 2015 air- strike on stores in Sihar was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88271] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 11 August 2019 air-strikes on houses and an open space in Al-Sawamel were (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Emily Thornberry: [88272] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 24 September 2019,air-strikes in Al Muzaimir was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law. Mr Ranil Jayawardena: I refer the Rt Hon. Lady to the answer that I gave on 11th September (UIN: 84666).

Board of Trade: Meetings Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [89802] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2020 to Question 86738, when the date and location of the next board of trade meeting will be advertised. Graham Stuart: I refer the Hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown to the answer given to him by my Hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade on 11 September 2020, UIN: 86738.

Food: Import Duties Judith Cummins: [89728] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate she has made of the additional annual cost to UK food and drink manufacturing businesses of the application of the published UK global tariff. Judith Cummins: [89729] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what information she holds on the potential effect of the application of the published UK global tariff on the average weekly family grocery purchase. Greg Hands: The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) is tailored to the UK economy and balances the interests of UK consumers and producers. It is a lower tariff regime than the EU’s Common External Tariff. In designing the UKGT, we assessed all available evidence submitted during the public consultation in depth and considered a range of factors, such as the five principles set out in the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018. The UKGT eliminates tariffs on imports where the UK has limited domestic production, which may lower cost pressures for UK households and businesses. We will publish more analysis in the Taxation Information and Impact Note (TIIN) alongside the legislation, as is standard practice.

Free Trade: USA Emily Thornberry: [89627] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions (a) officials and (b) Ministers in her Department have had since 27 September 2017 with external (i) individuals and (ii) organisations involved in the production of the document entitled the Ideal US-UK Free Trade Agreement, published by the Initiative for Free Trade and the Cato Institute on 18 September 2018 on the (A) development and (B) contents of that document. Greg Hands: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Emily Thornberry: [89628] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether officials from her Department attended the launch events in (a) London or (b) Washington DC on 18 September 2018 for the Ideal US-UK Free Trade Agreement, published by The Initiative for Free Trade and The Cato Institute. Greg Hands: One junior Department for International Trade (DIT) official attended the London event in order to take a readout, and no DIT officials attended the Washington, DC event.

Riot Control Weapons: Chile Owen Thompson: [89789] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many licences for the export of 12 gauge rubberised buckshot TEC Harseim ammunition to Chile have been granted in the last 12 months. Mr Ranil Jayawardena: None. Tobacco: Imports Emily Thornberry: [88831] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what information her Department holds on the 10 largest source countries for tobacco leaf imports into the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what volumes were imported from those countries; and what tariff rates are set to apply to imports of tobacco leaf from those countries from 1 January 2021. Emily Thornberry: [88832] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on the UK tobacco manufacturing industry of the imposition of the UK Global Tariff on imports of tobacco leaf from 1 January 2021. Emily Thornberry: [88833] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on (a) the average prices, (b) consumption and (c) tax revenues deriving from the sale of duty-paid tobacco products in the UK as a result of the imposition of the UK Global Tariff on imports of tobacco leaf from 1 January 2021. Emily Thornberry: [88834] To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the imposition of the UK Global Tariff on imports of tobacco leaf from 1 January 2021 on forecast levels of smuggling of counterfeit and other tobacco products into the UK. Greg Hands: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) remains committed to promoting compliance and tackling avoidance and evasion. Guidance on how to not facilitate smuggling of tobacco products is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-477-tobacco-products-duty- control-of-supply-chains/excise-notice-477-tobacco-products-duty-control-of-supply- chains-1. In addition, on 12 July 2020, we announced more than £705m in additional funding to make sure our border systems are robust and operational. We will publish more analysis in the Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) alongside the legislation, as is standard practice. JUSTICE

Prisoners: Disability and Special Educational Needs Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [86579] To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners in England and Wales have (a) dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties, (b) speech and language difficulties and (c) other special educational needs and disabilities. Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [86580] To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent estimate his Department has made of the level of undiagnosed (a) dyslexia, (b) other specific learning difficulties, (c) speech and language difficulties and (d) other special educational needs and disabilities in prisons. Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [86581] To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to support prisoners with (a) dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties, (b) speech and language difficulties and (c) other special educational needs and disabilities. Lucy Frazer: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to meeting the needs of all vulnerable offenders, including those with learning disabilities, difficulties and speech, language and communication needs. All individuals who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) need to be able to access the right support to help them engage with their sentence. For those who go into learning and where screening indicates an issue, education suppliers assess them to ensure the right adaptations and support arrangements are put in place. The available data on offender learning participation, and learner characteristics, is published by the Department for Education. Data on learning difficulties and/or disabilities amongst those prisoners who engage in prison education is available via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-education-and- training In addition, prison officer training covers disabilities and responding sensitively and appropriately to behaviours.

Prisons: Cockroaches Ms Lyn Brown: [86612] To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisons recorded cockroach infestations in each month from January to August 2020. Lucy Frazer: For the period January to August 2020, six prisons reported pests at their establishments. Each prison in England and Wales has a pest control contract in place managed by the relevant provider and monitored by HMPPS contract management staff. Where any infestation takes place, appropriate action is taken to eradicate the problem.

Prisons: Hygiene Ms Lyn Brown: [86613] To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent representations her Department has received on (a) delays and (b) inadequacies in the delivery of clean prison kit from HMPPS stores. Lucy Frazer: No recorded delays or inadequacies have been recorded recently with the supply of clothing and/or equipment from the HM Prison and Probation stores at Branston.

TRANSPORT

A34: Accidents Layla Moran: [89827] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2019 to Question 28460 on A34: Oxfordshire, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) deaths and (b) injuries on the A34 in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019. Rachel Maclean: The table below shows the number of fatalities and all casualties in reported road accidents on the A34 in Oxfordshire in 2018. Number of fatalities and all casualties in reported road accidents on the A34 in Oxfordshire in 2018:

FATALITIES ALL CASUALTIES 1

1 79

1. All casualties include fatalities Source: DfT STATS19 Data for 2019 will be published on September 30 2020.

Airports: Non-domestic Rates Seema Malhotra: [88874] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the alleviation of business rates for airports in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. Robert Courts: Business rates are managed by HM Treasury in conjunction with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Local Authorities. The Department for Transport and HM Treasury have been engaging closely with industry, through the Expert Steering Group, to understand their assessment of the outlook for the sector and implications of any sector specific support measures, including business rates.

British Airways: Conditions of Employment Dan Jarvis: [88869] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the email correspondence to British Airways staff of 2 June 2020 on the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) representatives of the International Airlines Group on proposed redundancies and changes to terms and conditions of employment. Robert Courts: The Government recognises that, despite the measures put in place to protect the economy, there remain serious challenges for the aviation sector, and we are working at pace to ensure the recovery of the aviation sector. Departments across Government, including the Department for Transport, are working together to progress options to support individuals affected. I appreciate that this is a very worrying time for BA’s loyal and devoted airline staff and their families. Although these are commercial decisions for companies, they are decisions which I nevertheless profoundly regret. It would not be appropriate to comment on any individual discussions.

Cycling and Walking: Inland Waterways Robert Largan: [86782] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential effect on (a) levels of active travel and (b) the connectivity of the most deprived areas of England of Canal & River Trust proposals for 30 towpath improvement schemes across the country; and if he will make a statement. Chris Heaton-Harris: On 28 July the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to boost cycling and walking, with the aim that half of all journeys in towns and cities are cycled or walked by 2030. This includes a £2 billion package of funding for active travel. This will significantly increase the funding available for local authorities to deliver cycling and walking infrastructure, including on canal towpaths. Further details of funding for the different commitments in the Plan will be determined as part of the Spending Review process in the autumn. Cycling: Voucher Schemes Carla Lockhart: [89885] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applications have been made to the Cycle to Work Scheme in each month of 2020. Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government does not hold this data. The Cycle to Work Alliance, an industry body which represents four of the leading providers of bicycles and equipment under the cycle to work scheme, has informed the Department that weekly applications to their members increased between the period May-July 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls Sir Peter Bottomley: [87467] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much revenue has accrued to the public purse in each year since charges replaced the original tolls at the Dartford crossing; and what estimate he has made of the time taken to pay for the costs of building the Elizabeth Bridge and funding its long-term maintenance. Rachel Maclean: The revenue accruing from the Dart Charge is published each year in the Dartford- Thurrock river crossing charging scheme accounts (in the table headed income) which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=%22dartford+thurrock%22+accounts&order =relevance. Toll charges were levied until 2003 when the debts associated with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the tunnels had been fully discharged. A Road User Charge was introduced in 2003 to manage the high demand for use of the Crossing after a study reported that traffic levels would be 17% higher if payment was removed. The charges imposed and collected are used to fund transport improvements in accordance with the Transport Act 2000, though not exclusively Dartford-related. The published accounts include figures on the maintenance and operation of the crossing in the expenditure table. The maintenance cost for both the tunnels and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, for the year ended 31 March 2019, amounted to £11.371 million. This figure included costs for:

EXPENDITURE (2018-2019) £000

Highways England Staff 3,530

Safety Scheme 4,833

EU Tunnel directive on safety 1,848

Technology projects safety 890

Network Resilience 136

Routine maintenance 494

Department for Transport: Ethnic Groups Apsana Begum: [87701] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of staff who applied for promotion within his Department between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 and identified as (a) BAME and (b) White were successful at each grade; and if he will make a statement. Chris Heaton-Harris: Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of resourcing across the Department for Transport (DfT); developing and testing innovative new approaches to attract and hire a more diverse candidate pool. We have clear objectives to increase representation rates to reflect the proportion of BAME individuals in the local working-age population, strengthen our BAME talent pipeline (grades 6 and 7) and our leadership cadre (SCS) as well as increase diversity in roles and professions where BAME staff are underrepresented. The data provided relates to roles advertised by the Department for Transport on the Civil Service Jobs recruitment platform. Any permanent promotion opportunities within the department would be advertised on the platform to allow fair and open competition with an appointment being made on merit in line with the Civil Service Commissioners principles. The data provided is based on identifications of applicants who are currently Civil Servants in any government department or agency, and is not restricted to promotions just from the DfT workforce and covers the Department and its four executive agencies. It does not include the diversity of applicants or successful applicants who were applying from outside the Civil Service. The data can be found in the attached table. The completeness and accuracy of the data above is influenced by the following factors. For vacancies advertised across government, individuals need to have a verified account to confirm their eligibility as existing Civil Servants. As part of their personal profile, Civil Servants are requested to provide their current substantive grade. If individuals have not completed their personal profile we would be unable to identify whether they were promoted. For vacancies advertised externally, individuals have the option to use a privately registered account as there is no requirement for them to confirm that they are existing Civil Servants. This means that in the instance that an existing Civil Servant applies for an externally advertised vacancy using a private account, then we cannot identify whether or not the successful individual is being promoted. In light of this, the data provided may not be comprehensive and would only be indicative of ‘how many and what proportion of Civil Service staff who applied for promotion within his Department between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 and identified as (a) BAME and (b) White were successful at each grade’.

Attachments: 1. Table of employees on promotion - BAME [Table - no. of employees on promotion - BAME.docx]

Department for Transport: Staff Sir Christopher Chope: [88811] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many members of staff in his Department were (a) working at their normal place of work, (b) working from home, (c) on annual leave, (d) on sickness absence and (e) not working for another reason in the week commencing 7 September 2020; and what plans he has in place to encourage departmental employees back to their normal place of work. Chris Heaton-Harris: The core department has, over the last few months, flexed to working almost entirely from home, and has continued to deliver against our objectives. From 1 September 2020, our two primary offices in London and Hastings were made Covid secure and were opened to staff with strict social distancing measures in place. a) Since opening on 1 September, 32% of core DfT staff have returned to their usual workplace, with a) 24% attending during the w/b 7 September; b) The remainder of staff were either working from home or absent due to annual leave, sickness or other reasons (see below); c) On average, there was an 8% absence due to annual leave each day during the w/b 7 September; d) On average, there were 11 absences less than 1% due to sickness each day during the w/b 7 September; e) On average, there were 51 absences (2%) due to other reasons (including maternity leave) each day during the w/b 7 September. Our number one priority is the safety of our staff, and we are continuing to look for opportunities to maximise the capacity in our buildings whilst ensuring they remain Covid secure. The core Department’s headquarters, Great Minster House, is currently undergoing a planned refurbishment which is limiting our safe capacity and demand is currently at capacity. As each stage of refurbishment is completed, further capacity will be released with social distancing measures in place to meet the increasing demand, and we are exploring other options to maximise space available for staff to return.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Standards Fay Jones: [87671] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve waiting times at the DVLA. Fay Jones: [87672] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of the DVLA to people seeking to use its services. Rachel Maclean: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has a range of services available online offering quick and easy ways of transacting. The DVLA’s online services have worked well and as normal throughout the pandemic. Between March and the end of August, the DVLA has issued nearly seven million registration certificates and three and a half million driving licences. The DVLA’s 6,000 staff are largely based at a single site in Swansea and to adhere to Welsh social distancing requirements the number of staff onsite had been greatly reduced. This impacted on the time taken to process applications sent by post as these have to be dealt with in person. The DVLA has reconfigured its accommodation to maximise staff numbers whilst meeting the requirement in Wales to maintain the two-metre social distancing and ensure it remains Covid secure. Drivers with a licence that expires between 1 February and 31 December 2020 have been given an automatic extension from the date of expiry. This means they will not need to renew their entitlement to drive until 11 months after the original expiry date. The DVLA has also accelerated the development of additional online services to further reduce paper applications and supported their take up through a publicity campaign.

Driving Instruction: Coronavirus Mr Barry Sheerman: [88248] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of covid-19 social distancing restrictions on learner drivers. Rachel Maclean: The Secretary of State for Transport has not had any recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions on learner drivers. But the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the part of his department responsible for driver training and testing, understands the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on learner drivers. The agency’s priority throughout the pandemic has been the safety of its staff and customers. That remains its priority as it restarts its services. The agency has developed new COVID-safe risk assessments and standard operating procedures and shared them with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Public Health England (PHE). PHE has said they comply with general public health principles and existing guidance for the reduction of virus transmission risk. The DVSA has also sought similar clearances with the respective public health bodies in Scotland and Wales.

Hammersmith Bridge: Repairs and Maintenance Andy Slaughter: [88828] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) membership, (b) terms of reference (c) work programme and (d) budget is of the Hammersmith Bridge taskforce. Rachel Maclean: The first meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge task force, chaired by Baroness Vere, took place on 16 September 2020. Alongside the Department, the task force has a membership of all key stakeholders including: Transport for London; The London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham and Richmond upon Thames; the Port of London Authority; the Greater London Authority, and; Network Rail. The task force will focus on urgently pulling together all necessary information, including technical and operational information and costs, in order to reach a decision on the most appropriate way to safely re-open Hammersmith Bridge to full use and provide appropriate temporary measures during the works. Any funding will be subject to the findings of the task force and the agreed next steps.

Invalid Vehicles: Speed Limits Sarah Olney: [89797] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the speed limit for mobility scooters on UK roads to that in the EU. Rachel Maclean: The Government has not made an assessment of increasing the speed limits of mobility scooters for use on the roads. The safety of all road users is a key priority for the Government and the current speed limit for mobility scooters is based on both safety and mobility considerations and balances the interests of all road users. Motor Vehicles: Hydrogen Fay Jones: [87675] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had about the role hydrogen passenger vehicles can play as part of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. Rachel Maclean: Ministers and officials are engaging extensively with UK hydrogen stakeholders including through the Net Zero Transport Board, our strategic priority workshops that ran through July and August and involved over 700 key stakeholders, as well as a number of Ministerial and official roundtables and bi-laterals meetings as we develop the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. We are committed to exploring all the options for green hydrogen across freight, buses, trains, maritime and aviation and ensuring the UK can leads the world in its deployment and use in transport applications. Fay Jones: [87676] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the role hydrogen passenger vehicles can play in decarbonising transport. Rachel Maclean: In 2018, the Department for Transport published the outputs of the Transport Energy Model. The model provides an assessment of the relative environmental impacts of a range of fuel and powertrain options for road vehicles over the period to 2050, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Motor Vehicles: Testing Sir Peter Bottomley: [R] [87466] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment he has made of the (a) number of and (b) deficit in MOT testing in each month since March (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020; what estimate he has made of the (A) number of MOT tests required to restore adequate service levels and (B) average number of days before a request for a MOT test is met; and if he will make a statement. Rachel Maclean: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) monitors MOT testing capacity constantly to inform future planning. The agency does not hold data on MOT booking requests as they are made directly to MOT testing stations (cars) or authorised testing facilities (lorries, buses and trailers). For lorries, buses and trailers, where DVSA staff conduct annual road worthiness (MOT) tests, the DVSA has issued a series of exemptions. The deadline for a vehicle’s next test depends on when the MOT was originally due and whether the vehicle qualifies for a 3-month or a 12-month exemption. These exemptions will be automatically applied. The DVSA is confident, with its plan for exemptions in place, that it can deliver to capacity to carry out tests when they are due. DVSA is working with industry to ensure that tests are presented when due, so that demand is managed. For light vehicles, such as cars, where private garages carry out MOTs, a six month extension was applied automatically to all MOTs expiring between 1 April and 31 July 2020. The DVSA is working closely with the industry to help it manage demand for MOTs now extensions are no longer being issued. There is confidence the network of 23,000 garages that conduct MOTs will be able to meet demand for MOTs from light vehicle owners.

Passengers: Coronavirus Dan Jarvis: [88868] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that passengers are financially compensated for cancelled flights as a result of changes to Government travel advice during the covid-19 outbreak. Robert Courts: The department is in regular contact with industry and has encouraged businesses to act fairly during this unprecedented event. The Government has been clear that airlines and travel agents should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) undertook a review of the refund policies of all UK airlines, as well as a number of international airlines that operate flights to and from the UK. The CAA has utilised this review to influence airlines to change their processes and practices in order to improve performance in providing refunds. The CAA’s actions have led to an improved quality of service and performance from most airlines. The CAA continues to work with carriers to drive down waiting times, but balancing the support businesses need during this unprecedented situation.

Pedestrian Areas and Pedestrian Crossings: Disability Dr Luke Evans: [86767] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to support the development of disability friendly pavements and crossings. Chris Heaton-Harris: As set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy, the Department wants to see well maintained pavements, appropriately placed dropped kerbs and navigable and legible routes in our public realm. Local authorities are responsible for the design of their streets and public realm. It is for them to ensure their streets, including pavements and crossings, are designed to be inclusive and meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. To help deliver this, we are updating Inclusive Mobility, the key piece of design guidance covering the pedestrian environment as a whole. This will also include advice covering the much greater knowledge and understanding now available of the needs of those with hidden disabilities, including autism, dementia and mental health conditions.

Railways: Concessions Rachael Maskell: [89773] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the (a) young person's railcard and (b) 26 to 30 railcard for 12 months to encourage young workers to use the train. Chris Heaton-Harris: My Department recognises that Railcard holders have been unable to use their cards while travel restrictions were in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are considering a range of options for all Railcard holders. We have not specifically considered the potential merits of extending the Young Person’s Railcard or the 26 to 30 Railcard. We continue to work closely with the Rail Delivery Group and the wider industry to consider how best to support those returning to the railway

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance Lilian Greenwood: [88859] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he intends to publish an updated Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline list, which was last updated on 21 October 2019. Chris Heaton-Harris: The Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline showing the status of rail enhancement schemes at different stages of development will be published on an annual basis. An update of this will be published following the Spending Review. Lilian Greenwood: [88860] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what rail schemes are listed at any stage of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline as of September 2020. Chris Heaton-Harris: The Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline Schemes Update was last published in October 2019, and can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/840709/rail-network-enhancements-pipeline.pdf The schemes currently in the Pipeline are at different stages of development and spread across the country. The Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline will be updated on an annual basis and will be published in due course. Lilian Greenwood: [88861] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to accelerate projects listed in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline. Chris Heaton-Harris: We want to see rail infrastructure projects delivered faster and as efficiently as possible. We have implemented the Small Operational Enhancements Fund which will allow smaller schemes that give rapid operational benefits to progress quickly through the pipeline. In order to deliver all transport infrastructure projects better, greener and faster DfT has established a new Acceleration Unit. It will seek to ensure that we unblock issues that impact the delivery of infrastructure projects, with close Ministerial support and oversight.

Road Traffic Control Dr Rupa Huq: [86723] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding has been received by each local authority in (a) London and (b) England for the purposes of creating low traffic neighbourhoods. Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government’s £225 million Emergency Active Travel Fund, launched in May, is designed to help local authorities implement measures to create an environment that is safer for both walking and cycling. This can include the development of low traffic neighbourhoods, should a local authority see fit. Full funding allocations to local authorities for tranche 1 of the Emergency Active Travel Fund and indicative allocations for tranche 2 can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local- transport-authority-allocations/emergency-active-travel-fund-total-indicative- allocations . Local authorities have received their tranche 1 funding, and an announcement on tranche 2 funding is due to be made shortly.

Shipping: Coronavirus Mr Kevan Jones: [86559] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department is providing to the maritime sector as part of the economic recovery from the covid-19 oubreak. Andrew Stephenson: The maritime sector plays a vital role in the UK economy and continues to provide vital freight and key worker services throughout the pandemic. However, as with many parts of the economy, it has faced significant disruption and challenges. That is why the Chancellor announced a £330bn package of financial support to support businesses and employees during these unprecedented times. In addition, the Department provided bespoke financial support to ensure that critical lifeline and freight services continued to operate through the most challenging period. My Department is now working closely across the maritime sector on their restart plans identifying the support that is needed to enable the safe resumption and continued increase of services and operations. We are also working with the sector on a longer-term Maritime Recovery Plan which will build on the Maritime 2050 launched by the Government last year. The Recovery Plan will draw on the plans the industry has already provided and consider both fiscal and non-fiscal opportunities.

Shipping: Exhaust Emissions Mr Kevan Jones: [86561] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government is providing to the maritime sector to help it decarbonise. Andrew Stephenson: The Department for Transport is working actively with the maritime sector to support decarbonisation at both international and domestic level. Internationally we are working with other high ambition states and the sector to develop and adopt pragmatic, effective short and medium term measures that will peak and reduce emissions from the sector. Domestically we have published research exploring the opportunities and challenges arising from decarbonisation, to provide the sector with greater clarity on what is required to achieve decarbonisation, and in support of this the Department has provided £1.5m of grants through Maritime Research and Innovation UK, supporting clean maritime innovation in the UK Mr Kevan Jones: [86562] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with the maritime sector on the effect decarbonising that sector will have on improving (a) the environment and (b) air quality. Andrew Stephenson: Officials have regularly engaged with industry on the issue of maritime decarbonisation, particularly since the launch of the Clean Maritime Council, in 2018. When discussing the need for rapid decarbonisation with the maritime sector the Department for Transport has been careful to consider and include the opportunities for wider environmental improvements, including to air quality. Research carried out for the Department in support of the Clean Maritime Plan considered air quality elements alongside decarbonisation, and looked at options for decarbonisation that would also maximise the air quality benefits. This work has been published on Gov.UK, and was shared with the maritime sector as part of a wider dialogue on zero emissions shipping. Mr Kevan Jones: [86564] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Government has had with the maritime sector on the potential effect of decarbonising that sector in securing a transition from jobs reliant on carbon industries to those in low and zero-carbon sectors. Andrew Stephenson: In 2019, the Department published the Clean Maritime Plan, which identified the potential for clean economic growth in the UK as a result of the transition to zero emission shipping. In line with the Government’s vision for sustainable economic growth as set out in the Clean Growth Strategy and Industrial Strategy, the Clean Maritime Plan seeks to support the innovation already present in British manufacturing, technology, fuel production and services, encouraging the translation of this expertise to the potential new clean maritime market. The Clean Maritime Plan has been developed in close partnership with the maritime industry. This has included an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement, including the establishment of a Clean Maritime Council, alongside workshops and ongoing dialogue. Sir Mike Penning: [86582] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had on the role decarbonising the maritime sector can play in reaching Net Zero by 2050; and will he make a statement. Andrew Stephenson: In June 2019, the UK became the first major economy to legislate for a net zero domestic greenhouse gas emission target by 2050[1]. This target includes emissions from domestic shipping, making the case for supporting maritime decarbonisation even more urgent[2]. The Clean Maritime Plan, published in 2019, sets out an ambitious and bold plan to put the sector on a path to deliver this objective while securing growth opportunities for the UK. The publication of the Clean Maritime Plan was underpinned by extensive stakeholder engagement with the UK maritime industry on decarbonising maritime, including through the Clean Maritime Council, which was established in 2018 to ensure strong collaboration between Government, industry and academia on this matter. This partnership continues today, supporting my Department’s action in tackling shipping emissions and ensuring that the whole transport sector delivers on the legislative objective to reach net zero emissions by 2050. [1]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net- zero-emissions-law [2] Whilst international shipping emissions are not formally included in the net-zero target at present, the Government is still required to take these emissions into account when setting carbon budgets under the Climate Change Act. Sir Mike Penning: [86583] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the value of decarbonising the maritime sector in terms of economic growth. Andrew Stephenson: In 2015, the Department published the Maritime Growth Study, which considered all aspects of the maritime sector and identified where action could be taken to generate growth[1]. Following the publication of Maritime 2050 in 2019, which builds on the findings of the Maritime Growth Study, the Department published the Clean Maritime Plan, which identified the potential for clean economic growth in the UK as a result of the transition to zero emission shipping[2]. Alongside the Plan, the Department published an assessment of the value of potential economic opportunities from low and zero emission shipping. This review provided a framework for assessing the scale of the opportunity generated by emission reduction technologies, including a mapping of the relevant supply chain, an assessment of the global uptake of these technologies, the economic footprint of the UK firms in the supply chain and the UK’s share of global export of these technologies [3] . [1]https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/maritime-growth-study [2]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/815664/clean-maritime-plan.pdf [3]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/815666/economic-opportunities-low-zero-emission-shipping.pdf Sir Mike Penning: [86584] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had on the role decarbonising the maritime sector can play in reaching net zero by 2050. Andrew Stephenson: The domestic maritime sector falls under the UK’s national net zero target, and in common with the wider economy will need to be decarbonised by 2050 in order to achieve net zero. The Department has regular meetings with industry and civil society on the issue of decarbonisation, and has published extensive research on Gov.UK into the opportunities and challenges presented by the sector’s transition to net zero. Wes Streeting: [87603] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of funding that would be required to decarbonise the maritime sector. Robert Courts: The Department has undertaken extensive research to consider the level of investment required for the UK’s domestic maritime sector to achieve net zero by 2050. This research comprises a range of scenarios assessing different policy options, including both costs and benefits, and has been published on Gov.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-maritime-plan-maritime-2050- environment-route-map For the global shipping industry, research carried out by UMAS, part of UCL, and published in January 2020, suggests that the total cost to achieve global maritime decarbonisation may be in the region of £1.5 trillion, invested over the next thirty years, with the majority of that investment occurring in the production and supply of alternative fuels.

Transport: Hydrogen Allan Dorans: [86751] To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential role hydrogen in decarbonising transport. Rachel Maclean: In 2018, the Department for Transport published the outputs of the Transport Energy Model. The model provides a clear assessment of the relative environmental impacts, including on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, of a range of fuel and powertrain options for cars, vans, buses and heavy goods vehicles over the period to 2050, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The Transport Secretary is exploring options for green hydrogen in transport across freight, buses, trains, maritime and aviation and how the UK can lead the world in its deployment and use. Further details will follow in due course.

TREASURY

Affordable Housing: Coronavirus Stephen Farry: [86211] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make housing more affordable for people who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. Steve Barclay: The Government has put in place significant measures to help people with their living costs, including housing, by paying up to 80% of their wages, increasing the amount available to welfare claimants and raising the Local Housing Allowance rate to the 30th percentile, supporting tenants who may be struggling with their rent. Also, 1.9 million mortgage payment holidays have been granted, equivalent to 1 in every 6 UK mortgages, and the current stay on lender repossessions of homes will be in place to 31 October 2020. Furthermore, the Government has committed an additional £9.5 billion for the Affordable Homes Programme at the Budget. This takes funding from 21/22 to £12.2 billion. The £12.2 billion will be spent over five years and this will deliver up to 180,000 new affordable homes We also introduced a stay on possession proceedings for renters in England and Wales to ensure no one needed to be concerned about the threat of eviction over the summer. From 21 September courts will start to hear possession hearings again and these will be subject to new court processes and procedures, developed by the Judiciary, including prioritisation of the most serious cases. The Government has changed the law to increase notice periods to six months in all but the most egregious cases. This means that renters now served notice can stay in their homes over winter, with more time to find alternative support or accommodation. We are also taking steps to ensure that no enforcement of evictions will take place in areas where local lockdown measures are in force which restrict access to premises. There will also be a ‘winter truce’ on the enforcement of evictions, with no evictions permitted in England and Wales in the run up to and over Christmas except in the most serious circumstances, such as cases involving anti-social behaviour or domestic abuse.

Bank Services Dan Carden: [89824] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2020 to Questions 75431 to 75432 on Bank Services, 75433 on Bank Services: Foreign Nationals and 75434 on Bank Services: Undocumented Migrants, for what reason that information is not held by HM Treasury. John Glen: Although HM Treasury sets the legal framework for the regulation of financial services, it does not routinely collect such specific information of this kind. The information relates to commercial data from UK financial institutions.

Beer: Excise Duties James Wild: [89862] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HMRC has made of the number of brewers producing between 2,100 hectolitres and 5,000 hectolitres a year. Kemi Badenoch: HMRC publishes annual statistics on Small Brewers Relief, this includes the number of people claiming the relief. Information on the number of brewers claiming the relief by production volume is not readily available. The Government will be bringing forward more details on the reform of SBR as part of the technical consultation later in the Autumn.

Business: Coronavirus Anneliese Dodds: [89828] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what conditions on (a) environmental performance, (b) treatment of employees, (c) continuation as a going concern, (d) tax practices, (e) corporate behaviour including the use of share buybacks and dividend payments and (f) executive remuneration are imposed on companies receiving support through the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, (b) Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme, c) Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan scheme and (d) COVID- 19 Corporate Financing Facility. Kemi Badenoch: The Government support measures are well-targeted at businesses most in need, bearing in mind the need to act very quickly to deliver this unprecedented package. The OBR has said that that the positive actions the Government have taken “should…help to limit any long-term economic ‘scarring’, by keeping workers attached to firms and helping otherwise viable firms stay in business.”. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in particular, has supported more than 1.2 million firms to furlough 9.6 million jobs. We expect everyone to act responsibly and in the spirit of these packages, and only claim and use support as intended. In addition: Under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), borrowers are required to restrict dividend payments, which means they are only allowed to make dividends payments which were a) declared before the CLBILS loan was taken out, b) are in keeping with similar dividends payments made in the preceding 12 months, and c) do not have a material negative impact on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. In addition to restrictions on dividends payments, firms borrowing more than £50m will be required to agree to not make dividend payments or share buybacks, and to restrictions on pay and bonuses for senior management. These restrictions remain in place until the loan has been repaid. Issuers participating in the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) are required to commit to restraint on their capital distributions (including dividends and share buybacks) and on senior pay. This applies to all commercial paper (CP) maturing after 19 May 2021. Issuers will be required to provide a letter of commitment to HM Treasury in relation to this if a) an increase in an issuer's CCFF limit, over and above that suggested by the issuer’s investment rating, is requested and approved, and/or b) a CCFF transaction is entered into which involves CP maturing on or after 19 May 2021. HM Treasury reserves the right to publish this letter, should it become aware that the terms of the letter have not been complied with.

Centrica: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Charlotte Nichols: [89867] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total sum of payments made to Centrica plc and its subsidiaries is under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Jesse Norman: It is not possible to provide an answer to this question. In line with their responsibilities under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, HMRC do not comment on identifiable taxpayers.

Charities: VAT Fiona Bruce: [89673] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reconsider the provisions under Section 33 of the VAT Act 1994 which mean charitable bodies cannot recover VAT on public benefit works on endowed sites. Jesse Norman: Eligibility for VAT refunds for public bodies is subject to strict criteria, as set out in UK legislation. Although the Government keeps all taxes under review, there are no plans to extend the scope of Section 33 at this time.

Children: Day Care Tulip Siddiq: [88366] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) forecast expenditure and (b) actual expenditure for the tax-free childcare scheme in the last three financial years to date. Steve Barclay: The forecast expenditure (forecast in March 2017) was £400m in 2017/18, £800m in 2018/19 and £900m in 2019/20. The actual expenditure was £32m in 2017/18, £117m in 2018/19 and £236m in 2019/20. Forecast expenditure has been published by the OBR (https://obr.uk/efo/economic-fiscal-outlook-march-2017). Actual expenditure has been published on the gov.uk website (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tax-free-childcare-statistics-june-2020). The Government recognises that take up of Tax-Free Childcare has been below expectations, particularly for school-aged children. For this reason, at March 2020 Budget we announced a measure that will make TFC payments compatible with school payment agents, allowing up to 500,000 eligible children to access TFC for the first time. Tulip Siddiq: [88367] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the forecast expenditure is for the tax-free childcare scheme for (a) 2020-21 and (b) the next three financial years. Steve Barclay: The forecast expenditure is £0.3bn in 2020/21. It is £0.5bn in 2021/22, £0.6bn in 2022/23 and £0.7bn in 2023/24. This is information is also available at https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-march-2020/.

Elizabeth Truss Emily Thornberry: [89625] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many events were attended between 1 September 2017 and 24 July 2019 by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the invitation of: (a) the Institute or Initiative for Free Trade; (b) the Institute for Economic Affairs; (c) the Adam Smith Institute; (d) the Centre for Policy Studies; (e) Politeia; (f) the Cato Institute; (g) the Heritage Foundation; (h) the Manhattan Institute; (i) the American Enterprise Institute; (j) the Competitive Enterprise Institute; (k) the Mercatus Center; and (l) the Legatum Institute. Steve Barclay: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts- and-overseas-travel

Health Services: Staffordshire Jonathan Gullis: [86776] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of funding for the NHS over winter 2020-21 in (a) Stoke-on-Trent and (b) Staffordshire. Steve Barclay: The NHS is the Government’s number one spending priority and this year we are part way through the largest cash increase to the NHS budget in its history, which will take the NHS budget in England to £148.5 billion in 2023/24. This year we have gone further in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic, which is why the Chancellor set out at the Summer Economic Update that the Treasury had approved £31.9 billon of extra support to health services in 2020/21. The Prime Minister subsequently announced an additional £3 billion package of support to manage NHS capacity pressures over winter- including to deliver the largest ever flu vaccination programme and to continue access to independent sector hospitals for NHS patients. This unprecedented support for the NHS will benefit patients and protect the public across the UK, including in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. As well as increasing day-to-day spending the Prime Minister has also announced £1.5 billion of additional capital funding for NHS hospitals in England this year, including towards improving A&E capacity. I am pleased to say that £4.3 million of this A&E funding has been allocated to the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust which serves patients in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Insolvency Anneliese Dodds: [89829] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the return of HMRC preferential creditor status on (a) the willingness of retail banks to extend credit and loans, and (b) the ability of retail banks to renew the facilities of existing borrowers. Jesse Norman: The recent legislative change gives HMRC second preferential creditor status for certain taxes. This change ensures that when a business enters insolvency, more of the taxes paid in good faith by its employees and customers, but held temporarily by the business, go to fund public services as intended, rather than be distributed to other creditors. This change is not expected to have a significant impact on financial institutions, the lending market or wider economy. This measure is forecast to raise up to £220 million a year. To put this into perspective, bank lending to small and medium-sized businesses alone in 2019 was £57 billion.

Public Expenditure Stephen Farry: [86784] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the economic effects of the covid-19 pandemic, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of index-linking devolved Administrations' borrowing limits to reflect cost pressures. Steve Barclay: The devolved administrations receive a share of funding from UK Government borrowing through the Barnett formula. This demonstrates the significant benefit derived from pooling and sharing resources across our Union. The UK Government has guaranteed that the devolved administrations will receive a minimum of £12.7bn of additional resource funding in 2020/21. This is an unprecedented guarantee of additional in-year funding. The devolved administrations can also augment this funding through their own borrowing powers and Reserves, ensuring they have the tools to deliver their response to COVID-19 this year.

Shipping: Tax Allowances Anneliese Dodds: [89830] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to inform UK seafarers who have been unable to work due to covid-19 travel restrictions that they may face a tax bill as a result of not qualifying for the Seafarers Earnings Deduction. Jesse Norman: The Seafarers Earnings Deduction (SED) offers a 100 per cent reduction in income tax on maritime employment income for UK and EEA resident seafarers who have a qualifying period of time absent from the UK. The qualifying period must be made up of at least 365 days, but return visits to the UK during that time up to a maximum of 183 consecutive days can count towards the qualifying period. This is among the most generous reliefs available to seafarers worldwide. In addition, the Government has introduced a broad range of support to help meet this challenge. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self- Employment Income Support Scheme and mortgage holidays for homeowners and landlords. Guidance is available on GOV.UK for seafarers to check whether they are eligible for SED and what steps they need to take to claim, including a worksheet which seafarers can use each year to determine their eligibility. As with other areas of tax policy, the Government is keeping this under review in light of the pandemic.

Tenants: Loans Layla Moran: [88927] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to introduce a tenant hardship loan fund. Steve Barclay: The UK Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support which is available to tenants, and we will continue to monitor closely the impacts of Covid19 for renters. Notably, we have increased the local housing allowance rate to the 30th percentile. This increase will mean nearly £1bn of additional support for private renters claiming Universal Credit or Housing Benefit in 2020/21 and benefits over 1 million households, including those in work. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has offered support for business to pay staff salaries, enabling people to continue to pay their rent. For those who require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments are available. As announced at the spending round for 2020/21, there is already £180m in Discretionary Housing Payments for Local Authorities to distribute for supporting renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sectors.

Treasury: Staff Neil O'Brien: [87650] To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many members of staff in their Department have one or more of the words equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT or race in their job title. Kemi Badenoch: HM Treasury have three job titles that include diversity, inclusion and race. Currently there are 5 staff matching with one of the three Job Titles below:- Diversity and Inclusion Manager Diversity lead Let's Talk About Race project Head of Diversity & Inclusion WALES

Hydrogen: Wales Fay Jones: [87673] To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what support his Department is providing to the Welsh hydrogen economy. Simon Hart: The Government aims to consult on a preferred business model for low-carbon hydrogen production in 2021. This will be key to stimulating the deployment of hydrogen across the UK. In addition, I am pleased to see that the South Wales Industrial Cluster is being supported by UK Research and Innovation’s £170m Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, which is looking at options for decarbonising the region’s industrial base, including using hydrogen. My officials regularly engage with officials in other departments across the UK Government to raise awareness of the opportunities in Wales for hydrogen energy generation.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Employment: Coronavirus Sir John Hayes: [88816] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support people of all ages back into work as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased. Mims Davies: I refer the Rt. Hon. member to my response to question 43982.

Employment: Disability Sir John Hayes: [88814] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department is providing to help disabled people (a) find and (b) remain in employment during the covid- 19 outbreak. Justin Tomlinson: The Government has put in place a range of provision to help disabled people find and stay in work across the country. Our programmes include Access to Work, Disability Confident, specialised employment support including the Work and Health Programme and the Intensive Personalised Employment Support Programme, and local trials in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care. During the Covid-19 outbreak, we have provided this support remotely and made the Work and Health and Intensive Personalised Employment Support programmes easier to access by allowing self-referrals as well as referrals through work coaches.

Financial Services: Advisory Services Henry Smith: [87528] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a training programme for pension and finance professionals to ensure they can more readily identify scam risks. Guy Opperman: The Government is committed to working closely with industry, regulators and pension scheme providers to help identify and prevent scams, it is working with Project Bloom, the Pension Regulator led taskforce, to stop scams and co-ordinate action against offenders. Through Project Bloom, DWP works with other government departments, regulators, enforcement agencies and the pensions industry to monitor the evolution of scam typology and respond with a collective and coordinated response. Project Bloom is examining the range of measures that all agencies including providers and financial professionals could take to help prevent scams. DWP will consider with Project Bloom, industry and the regulators the feasibility of how a training programme could be developed. This would build on training individual providers already provide for their people.

Industrial Health and Safety: Coronavirus Neil Coyle: [89720] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many covid 19-related workplace inspections the Health and Safety Executive undertook in each of the last six months; and what the outcome was of each of those inspections. Mims Davies: The table below provides details of Covid specific site visits carried out by the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) operational staff in each of the last 6 months and up until 15th September 2020. Where an outcome has been recorded this has been provided below and please note that there will be some instances where an outcome has not yet been recorded.

1 ST - 15 TH MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER TOTAL

No. of Covid 1 35 126 159 1,820 1,103 475 3,721 Site Vists

No Action Taken 1 10 41 47 913 532 216 1,761 1 ST - 15 TH MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER TOTAL

Verbal Advice - 12 55 61 619 379 195 1,322

Written - 13 24 37 165 111 34 384 Correspondence

Enforcement - - 6 13 31 15 3 68 Notices served

Notes: i) As the above data is taken from a live operational database it is subject to change e.g. when the outcome of an inspection is determined and recorded, due to the delay between a site visit and details being recorded onto the database and as a result of data quality checks. ii) The data also does not include site visits for other purposes which may have addressed Covid issues e.g. investigations of reported accidents and workplace concerns and inspections carried out for other purposes.

Jobcentres: Staff Seema Malhotra: [89705] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many full-time equivalent work coaches there are in her Department. Mims Davies: As at 31 August 2020, c14,000 full-time equivalents were employed on Work Coach activity.

Kickstart Scheme: Bosworth Dr Luke Evans: [86766] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the efficient roll out of the Kickstart scheme in Bosworth constituency. Mims Davies: We are pleased to confirm that the department is now processing many applications from across the UK, this is currently a clerical process, so reliable management information, particularly on geographical areas, is not yet available.

Kickstart Scheme: Staffordshire Jonathan Gullis: [86775] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking with employers to help ensure as many young people as possible benefit from the Kickstart scheme in (a) Stoke-on-Trent and (b) Staffordshire. Mims Davies: We are pleased to confirm that the department is now processing many applications from across the UK, this is currently a clerical process, so reliable management information, particularly on geographical areas, is not yet available.

Pensions: Fraud Henry Smith: [87524] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential increase in pension scams since the covid-19 outbreak. Guy Opperman: Through Project Bloom, DWP works with other government departments, regulators, enforcement agencies and the pensions industry to monitor the evolution of scam typology and respond with a collective and coordinated response. Project Bloom is examining the range of measures that all agencies including providers and financial professionals could take to help prevent scams. At the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, the Department convened a cross- government and regulator group to closely monitor and respond to any increase in transfers and scams. The group includes DWP, HMT, both the Pensions Regulator and the FCA as well as the Money and Pensions Service and the Pension Ombudsman. This is supported by cross government and regulator gathering, monitoring and evaluating of data in order to develop as complete and robust a picture as possible. At this point the Department doesn’t yet have any robust evidence showing an increase in pension scams activity but will continue to monitor across the industry. In addition to active monitoring, the Government, working with the regulators and the Money and Pension Service has been communicating with pension savers to alert them to the risk of scams in the current climate. DWP continues to communicate regularly on social media out the warning signs of a scam. A joint statement was issued by The Pension Regulator, Financial Conduct Authority, and Money Advice and Pension Service on 7 April pointing to the actions members should seek to take to safeguard against becoming victims of scams. Additional guidance was issued to trustees, and providers from both The Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator to support them to produce suitable communications during the Covid-19 outbreak. Please see links below for more information about the joint statement from Regulators and the Money Advice Service, and help available, produced by the Pension Protection Fund and supported by government. https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/covid-19-savers-stay-calm-dont-rush- financial-decisions https://www.ppf.co.uk/sites/default/files/file-2020-05/COVID-19-and-your-pension.pdf Henry Smith: [87526] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have contacted Action Fraud on potential pension scams since the covid-19 outbreak. Guy Opperman: The Government continues to work with Regulators and the Police to prevent scams and this has continued during Covid-19. In the period March – July 2020, 116 reports of pension fraud were received by Action Fraud, compared to 179 for the same period in 2019. In recognition of the potential impact of Covid-19 on individual’s pensions savings the Department convened a cross-government and regulator group, to closely monitor and respond to any increase in transfers and scams. Regulators, Police and Action Fraud have confirmed that to date no evidence has emerged to demonstrate an increase in either transfers or scams, based on their internal monitoring of the industry. Although this is encouraging Government recognises it needs to continue to monitor and react to the changing environment. Henry Smith: [87529] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions her Department has had with HMRC on its investigation of tax rule breaches arising from pension scams. Guy Opperman: Tax liabilities relating to unauthorised payments and HMRC’s investigation of tax rules arising from pension scams are the responsibility of HMT. DWP will continue to work closely with HMRC to understand their position and how these may impact the Pensions Schemes Bill and savers. Government continues to work with regulators and industry to protect consumers and find the best ways of preventing pension scams. HMRC and DWP have held regular discussions relating to the enhanced protection measures in the Pension Scheme Bill 2020. Henry Smith: [87530] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions her Department has had with (a) pension regulators, (b) pension providers and (c) HMRC on encouraging victims of pensions scams to report that scam. Guy Opperman: Through Project Bloom, DWP works with other government departments, regulators, enforcement agencies and the pensions industry to monitor the evolution of scam typology and respond with a collective and coordinated response. Project Bloom is examining the range of measures that all agencies including providers and financial professionals could take to help prevent scams. DWP consistently works with other organisations to raise awareness of pension scams and encourage reporting, including regular campaigns, from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator, conducted through the ScamSmart branding. Alongside promoting what to look out for to recognise a pension scam, the ScamSmart campaigns and website encourage people to report when they think they have been scammed. These messages are proving effective, in the most recent campaign prior to Covid-19, June to September 2019 over 222,000 visited the ScamSmart website to find out how to identify a scam scheme and report a scam. The Government, working with the regulators and the Money and Pension Service communicates with pension savers to alert them to the risk of scams in the current climate. DWP continues to communicate regularly on social media to set out the warning signs of a scam and has made 18 posts referencing Pension Scams and ScamSmart in total across Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn in the period March to September 2020. A joint statement was issued by The Pension Regulator, Financial Conduct Authority, and Money Advice and Pension Service on 7 April pointing to the actions members should take to help safeguard against scams. Additional guidance was issued to trustees, and providers from both The Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator to support them to produce suitable communications during the Covid-19 outbreak. Please see links below for more information about the joint statement from Regulators and the Money Advice Service, and help available, produced by the Pension Protection Fund and supported by government. https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/covid-19-savers-stay-calm-dont-rush- financial-decisions https://www.ppf.co.uk/sites/default/files/file-2020-05/COVID-19-and-your-pension.pdf

Social Security Benefits: Children Seema Malhotra: [89708] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of households with children subject to the benefit cap; and what assessment she has made of the correlation between that cap and levels of rent arrears among those families. Mims Davies: As published in August here, there are 132,900 households with children that had their benefits capped at May 2020. No assessment has been made of the level of rent arrears among these households. Claimants can approach their Local Authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment if they need additional support to meet rental costs.

Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses Vicky Foxcroft: [87602] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2020 to Question 52243 on Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illness, when her Department plans to publish the outcome of the review into how the benefits system supports people who are terminally ill, announced in July 2019. Justin Tomlinson: As I stated during recent oral questions [Hansard, 14 September 2020, Column 3]. The evaluation took longer due to covid-19. It has shown that there are three themes: the need to change the six-month rule, to improve consistency and to raise awareness of the support. The Department is working at pace across government to bring forward proposals.

Universal Credit Chris Stephens: [88351] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claims in each parliamentary constituency had deductions taken from them in the most recent month for which data is available; what the average deduction was in each constituency; and what proportion of each sum was deducted to repay advance payments. Will Quince: [Holding answer 15 September 2020]: The requested information surrounding deductions to Universal Credit payments by parliamentary constituency is shown in the attached table. Universal Credit advance repayments are made gradually over 12 months, and deductions are capped at 30% of claimants’ standard allowance. This is further to the reduction of the overall maximum level of deductions from 40% to 30% of the standard allowance since October 2019. From October 2021, the repayment period will be extended from 12 months to 24 months and the reduction of the deductions cap from 30% to 25%. For those who find themselves in unexpected hardship, advance repayments can be deferred for up to three months in certain cases.

Attachments: 1. 88351 Attachment [Proportion of Universal Credit claims with deductions by Parliamentary Consituency.xlsx] Vicky Foxcroft: [88358] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2020 to Question 72774 on Universal Credit, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of providing information on the number of payments of financial redress her Department has made since March 2019 to claimants who moved from legacy benefits to universal credit on her Department's advice and became worse off. Will Quince: When considering our response to PQ 72774, the Department undertook a sampling exercise that indicated an estimated cost in excess of £850 for providing the requested data. For this reason, the Department considered that the information could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Drew Hendry: [89762] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that increased time frames for personal independence payment renewals do not prevent people whose PIP is no longer paid from accessing universal credit's limited capability for work related activity element when their income is above the conditionality earnings threshold and stopping them from having a universal credit work capability assessment. Justin Tomlinson: As I stated during recent oral questions [Hansard, 14 September 2020, Column 6] the Department has supported disabled customers during the Covid outbreak by automatically extending existing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards. As PIP payments are unaffected until any review activity has been completed, the circumstances whereby an individual loses access to Universal Credit's limited capability for work and work related activity element do not arise.

Universal Credit: Darlington Peter Gibson: [88398] To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support people transitioning from legacy benefits to universal credit in Darlington constituency. Will Quince: We currently spend over £95 billion a year on working age benefits including Universal Credit and remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society. Recent changes to Universal Credit include temporarily increasing the standard allowance by up to £1,040 per year and increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates, including the Shared Accommodation element, so that it covers the lowest 30% of local market rents benefiting over one million households by £600 a year on average. The Department has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit on to Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. Since July 2020, an additional two-week run has been introduced to assist eligible claimants moving from Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (IR) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (IB). Advance payments are available so nobody has to wait five weeks for payment. We are also doubling the number of work coaches across our network of jobcentres, from 13,500 to 27,000, so that every jobseeker receives tailored support to get back on their feet, build skills and move into work We recognise that some people will need extra help to successfully establish a claim to Universal Credit. Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, have supported in excess of 250,000 individuals through ‘Help to Claim’ since April 2019, offering tailored and practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim and up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. ‘Help to Claim’ is funded by the Department and is available online, on the phone and face-to-face in locations including Jobcentres and Citizen’s Advice offices. MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

HOME OFFICE

Victim Support Schemes Simon Fell: [87667] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications there have been to the National Referral Mechanism by region in each of the last five years. An error has been identified in the written answer given on 17 September 2020. The correct answer should have been: Victoria Atkins: Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes. Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national- referral-mechanism-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019. The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes. Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-referral-mechanism- statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019 The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. Simon Fell: [87669] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of applications to the National Referral Mechanism received a reasonable grounds decision in each of the last five years following appeal of a negative decision. An error has been identified in the written answer given on 17 September 2020. The correct answer should have been: Victoria Atkins: Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes. Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national- referral-mechanism-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019. The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. Statistics relating to the number of referrals made to the National Referral Mechanism by region is not currently published by the Single Competent Authority. Published statistics include the police force the referral was sent to for investigation and crime recording purposes.Data tables detailing the number of RG decisions made and their outcomes for the last five years can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-referral- mechanism-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2019. The published data details the final outcome of an RG decision and does not take into account any previous decisions that may have been made on a particular case. There is no appeals process for negative RG outcomes, however an individual, or someone acting on their behalf, may request reconsideration of a negative RG decision. Further detail on this can be found in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Statutory Guidance for England and Wales v1.02 sections 14.220 - 14.235. All negative decisions are reviewed by a Technical Specialist who is senior to a Decision Maker. WRITTEN STATEMENTS

DEFENCE

Legal Protections for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ben Wallace): [HCWS456] Today, I am announcing the publication of the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s Analysis and Response to the 2019 public consultation on "Legal Protections for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans serving in operations outside the United Kingdom". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and will be published on GOV.UK. There were over 4,200 responses to the consultation, with approximately 3,750 of respondents identifying as being a current serving member of the Armed Forces, or a veteran, or a relative of either. We also received approximately 20 responses from legal firms, interest groups and NGOs. The Analysis and Response includes statistical data and identifies the key themes drawn from the textual comments provided by respondents. A MOD response has been provided for each question set to explain how we have reflected on these key themes, and also against the more general points made by respondents (points not directly linked to the questions and measures in the consultation). While the responses to the consultation proposals were overwhelmingly supportive, in order to ensure a balanced analysis, we have also referenced where respondents either did not support or expressed concerns about the proposed measures. The analysis of the responses helped to guide our thinking and to shape the legal protections measures that we introduced on 18 March 2020 in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, to deliver our manifesto commitment to legislate to prevent vexatious claims being brought against the Armed Forces. I look forward to discussing this vitally important issue with the House at Second Reading of the Bill.

Attachments: 1. Ministry of Defence's Analysis and Response [20200907-MOD Analysis and Response- FINAL.pdf]

HOME OFFICE

Amendment to the Manchester Arena Inquiry Terms of Reference The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel): [HCWS455] On 22 October 2019 I announced an independent public inquiry to investigate the deaths of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack, and the Terms of Reference for that Inquiry. I have now received a request from the Inquiry’s Chair, Sir John Saunders, to make a small addition to the Terms of Reference. The additional text was not explicitly included in the original Terms of Reference due to the risk of prejudicing a future trial. That trial has now completed and therefore I have agreed that it is in the public interest that the Terms of Reference should more fully reflect the scope of the Inquiry’s investigations. Therefore the following text will be added to section 1(ii): “whether Prevent referrals should have been made in respect of Salman Abedi and/or any of his family members”. The updated Terms of Reference can be found on the Inquiry’s website at www.manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk. I would like to thank Sir John Saunders for his continued work, and I pay tribute to the strength and courage of all those who will be sharing their experiences to ensure the Inquiry can deliver its vital work.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

High Streets update Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick): [HCWS453] I am today informing the House that I have laid a statutory instrument that will extend the moratorium on commercial landlords’ right to forfeit a lease due to the non-payment of rent to the end of the year. The moratorium was established via Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and was due to expire on 30 September. It has now been extended by three months and will expire on 31 December 2020. This extension will help provide businesses and employees with certainty and protect vital jobs, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors. This is being accompanied by an amendment to Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery measures led by the Ministry of Justice. Accompanying restrictions on the service of statutory demands and winding-up petitions, implemented through the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, are currently in place until 30 September, and we are working closely across Government to consider a similar extension to these. Since March, Government has implemented a range of measures to support commercial property tenants and landlords. The objective of these measures was to preserve tenants’ businesses through the Covid-19 lockdown and to give time and space to landlords and tenants to agree reasonable adjustments to rent and lease terms, including terms for the payment of accumulated rent arrears. This is a temporary measure being extended; however government recognises that it cannot go on indefinitely. We recognise the impact that this extension has on landlords, therefore we expect both sides of the sector to use this time to negotiate and government will intervene further if necessary. This extension will provide the businesses with certainty as they scale up their recovery from Covid-19 and will ensure that sectors most acutely impacted by the closure of non- essential retail can benefit from the Christmas trading period. This is not a rent holiday. Government is clear that landlords and tenants should be coming together to negotiate in good faith where a tenant is unable to pay in full, using the principles set out in the voluntary Code of Practice we published in June which recommends that those tenants who can pay should do so while those landlords who are able to grant concessions should do so. This Code of Practice and approach was supported by a wide range of sector bodies representing tenants and landlords. England, Northern Ireland and Wales are covered by the protection from forfeiture in the Coronavirus Act. Section 82 relates to England and Wales, and the Welsh Government have already laid a statutory instrument to extend the measures for an additional three months. Section 83 relates to Northern Ireland, who are currently considering a similar extension. The Scottish Government passed separate emergency legislation to implement similar measures.

Rough sleeping update Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick): [HCWS457] On 18 July, as part of the Government’s ‘Everyone In’ initiative, we launched the Next Steps Accommodation Programme to support local authorities and their partners to prevent the nearly 15,000 people accommodated during the pandemic from returning to the streets. There are two parts to this funding: £105 million to pay for short-term and immediate accommodation and support; and £161 million to deliver 3,300 units of longer- term move-on accommodation this year (part of the £433 million total). Today I have announced the allocations for the short-term aspect of this funding. 274 councils across England will be receiving £91.5 million to provide short-term and immediate accommodation and support to help vulnerable people to move on into sustainable accommodation. This funding will enable councils and providers to support individuals into the private rented sector, facilitate reconnections with friends and family, or maintain or extend emergency accommodation where necessary on a short-term basis, including where additional provision is required over the winter. Additionally, this funding will allow local areas to provide support for those with complex needs. We will continue to work with local authorities to allocate the remaining £13.5 million funding to enable them to tackle new or emerging challenges. For the longer-term aspect of the fund, we are progressing our assessment of bids. This includes conducting due diligence regarding proposals and undertaking further negotiations where required to make proposals viable. Details on successful bids will be announced in due course. This allocation is part of a broader £433 million funding package which will provide 6,000 homes for rough sleepers over the course of the Parliament, the largest ever investment in accommodation of this kind. Taken together, this funding will provide immediate reassurance to those housed as part of our ‘Everyone In’ campaign and give longer-term assurance of more move-on accommodation – ensuring as few people as possible return to the streets. Today’s announcement is on top of the £112 million Rough Sleeping Initiative funding provided to councils earlier this year. We have also provided £3.7 billion to help councils to manage the impacts of COVID-19, including supporting homeless people and a further £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to support vulnerable rough sleepers as part of a total package of almost £28 billion of support to councils, communities and businesses since March. An additional £23 million will be provided so that vulnerable individuals experiencing rough sleeping, including those currently in emergency accommodation as a response to COVID-19, can access the specialist help they need for substance dependency issues. This funding, together with our pledge to fully enforce the Homelessness Reduction Act, demonstrates our commitment to making the most of this opportunity to transform the lives of the some of the most vulnerable in society, and to ending rough sleeping for good.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Disability Benefits Operational Update Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson): [HCWS454] I would like to update the House on the Department’s plans to implement the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v. MM, known as MM 1 , into the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process. The Supreme Court judgment concerned the definition of “social support”, when engaging with other people face to face, in activity 9 of the PIP regulations, and how far in advance that support can be provided. I set out to the House on 23 July 2019 that we would carefully consider the full judgment before updating the House on our implementation plans. We have worked hard to implement the judgment quickly, but given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our staff resources and services, this has taken longer than we would have liked. We have also consulted Mind, the mental health charity, who intervened in the Supreme Court case. We have now made the necessary changes to the way PIP Activity 9 is assessed and these are reflected in revisions to the PIP Assessment Guidance (PIPAG) published today on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal- independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment- guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria Despite the challenges, all DWP staff and Healthcare Professionals working for our Assessment Providers have been trained to apply the judgment. DWP will be applying the changes to all decisions from today. A FAQ will be deposited in the House library. On 23 July 2019, I also confirmed that the Department would be undertaking an administrative exercise to check whether claimants are entitled to more PIP as a result of the judgment. This is a complicated exercise and we are still planning our approach. This will be a substantial undertaking and will take some time. I also want to update the House on the administration of Severe Disability Premium Transitional Payments (SDP). On 22 July 2019, we laid legislation to provide additional financial support for former SDP recipients who had moved to Universal Credit on account of a change of circumstances. As at 17 January 2020, we had already paid over 15,000 people, totalling more than £51.5 million. The UC (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 provide for the conversion of these transitional payments into transitional elements. This means that payments will be made through the UC system rather than manually, and all transitional protection will be subject to the same rules. I will be signing a Determination setting the conversion day to 8 October 2020 and will place a copy in the library. This is when the UC system will have capacity to convert SDP transitional payments to transitional elements. 1 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Appellant) v MM (Respondent)(Scotland) 18 July 2019 https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2017-0215-judgment.pdf