Tuesday Volume 692 13 April 2021 No. 199

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 13 April 2021 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 119 13 APRIL 2021 120

would my right hon. Friend agree that it is more important House of Commons than ever,as our NHS starts to recover from the pandemic, that we provide the best possible health facilities? Tuesday 13 April 2021 : Yes, I would. The NHS has clearly played such a critical part in the response to the pandemic The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock in the last just over a year. I thank all those working in and around Stoke, including at the Royal Stoke, which PRAYERS is a great hospital. We have put £32 million into the local NHS, and we protected the NHS even through the worst challenges of this pandemic. Of course, I will be [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] open to further investment to make sure that the NHS Virtual participation in proceedings commenced across Stoke gets the support that it needs so that we (Orders, 4 June and 30 December 2020). can build back better. Today, we are all able to see the [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] improvements that are being made in the response to the covid pandemic, with the opening yesterday of step 2 —I am delighted, Mr Speaker, to see that you have had Oral Answers to Questions a haircut. So many of us have been looking forward to being able to get life back to normal, and thanks to the work of people across Stoke and across the nation, we are able to take these steps. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Mr Speaker: This is Mrs Hoyle’s effort, but there we The Secretary of State was asked— are. Health Service Capital Estate Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): Congratulations to Mrs Hoyle on a job well done. Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con): What progress New investment is welcome, but it is no consolation his Department has made on improving the health to those patients missing out because the rest of the service capital estate. [914189] NHS estate is being starved of investment. We have Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con): What seen a 23% increase in treatments being delayed or progress his Department has made on improving the cancelled in the last year because of infrastructure failures, and the maintenance backlog went up by another health service capital estate. [914205] 50% last year. We are not going to see those record The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care waiting lists drop if operations are cancelled because (Matt Hancock): In our election manifesto, we committed basic repairs are not done, so will the Secretary of State to building 40 new hospitals by 2030 and upgrading tell us by what date we will see no more delays to another 20 hospitals.Weare delivering on that commitment treatment because of crumbling buildings? and now have plans to build 48 new hospitals this decade. We will open a competition for the eight further Matt Hancock: We are putting a record amount of new hospitals shortly. investment into the infrastructure of the NHS. That is evidenced by the questions that we have had already, Holly Mumby-Croft: I thank my right hon. Friend for with the improvements in Stoke, Scunthorpe and across the investment that we have seen in Scunthorpe General the rest of the country. It is about not just the physical Hospital over the last year. Residents are seeing those investment, but making sure that we support staff to be changes and it will certainly help us in the medium able to deliver and making sure that the NHS gets the term. Looking to the future, will he continue to work support that it needs to tackle this backlog. We have a with me on the plans for a new hospital for Scunthorpe? very significant backlog because of the pandemic and we are working incredibly hard to tackle it. Matt Hancock: I thank everybody who is working at Scunthorpe General Hospital for their incredible effort Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out over the last year. My hon. Friend has been an assiduous campaigner for Scunthorpe hospital and the upgrades Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con): What assessment he that we have already been able to put money into, and has made of the progress of covid-19 vaccine roll-out now there are eight slots for further new hospitals. among the UK adult population. [914190] Forty have been announced and we will build eight more over this decade. We will shortly announce how (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con): we are going to make that decision. There will be an What assessment he has made of the progress of covid-19 open process and I look forward to working with her, vaccine roll-out among the UK adult population. her colleagues and colleagues across the NHS in [914191] Lincolnshire to make sure that they can put together the best possible application. The Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment (): First, I would like to pay tribute to our fantastic Jack Brereton: I would like to take this opportunity NHS and all the frontline vaccinators, our volunteers, to thank the Government for investing in mental health armed forces and local authorities and all those working facilities at Heartlands Hospital and acute facilities at on the vaccine deployment programme. I am very grateful the Royal Stoke University Hospital. Together, this will for their tireless efforts in vaccinating those most at risk see over £32 million being invested in our local NHS, so across the country. 121 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 122

I am absolutely delighted, Mr Speaker—no haircut The Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention puns at all here—that another significant milestone has and Mental Health (Ms ): In October been reached, as we have met our target of offering a 2020, I commissioned the Care Quality Commission to vaccine to those in cohorts 1 to 9 ahead of schedule. review how do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation Over 32 million people have had their first dose and decisions were taken throughout the covid-19 pandemic more than 7.6 million have had their second dose. We and whether they had been inappropriately applied. We are making phenomenal progress, but we remain focused welcome the CQC report, which was published on on ensuring that no one gets left behind. 18 March, and we are committed to driving forward delivery of the recommendations through a ministerial Tom Randall: Last week I became one of those people oversight group, which I will chair, to ultimately ensure who had their first jab, at Boots the chemist in Nottingham. that everyone experiences the compassionate care that Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking all those in they deserve. places such as Boots and all those involved in the roll-out of the Pfizer-BioNTech, -AstraZeneca Karin Smyth [V]: I welcome the Minister’s comments. and Moderna vaccines? Does he agree that the best way It is over a decade since I worked with clinicians on how out of this situation is to get that jab, and that when the to communicate end-of-life care, so I was shocked by time comes and people get the call, they should take some of the reports and by reading the CQC and that opportunity as soon as they can? Compassion in Dying reports. The lessons learned from coronavirus can and should be seen as a catalyst to Nadhim Zahawi: I absolutely agree with my hon. having more open and honest conversations about this Friend, and I thank Boots the chemist not only for its decision making and advanced care planning. Will the frontline capability but for its distribution arm, which Minister commit to a public awareness campaign, including has helped us to distribute Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford- groups such as Compassion in Dying, Marie Curie and AstraZeneca and, now, Moderna. I agree that when Hospice UK, to ensure that patients are fully aware and people get the call, they should come forward and have at the heart of these decisions? their jab. Ms Dorries: I thank the hon. Lady for her question. That is exactly what we are trying to do at the moment. Elliot Colburn [V]: I welcome today’s news that the We have posted a public-facing message on the nhs.uk over-45s are being invited to receive their first dose of website, which informs the public about how DNACPR the vaccine, and I thank everyone in Carshalton and decisions should be taken and the process involved. Wallington who is involved in the roll-out. I recently There should be no blanket application of DNACPR held a vaccine roundtable with NHS leaders in Carshalton notices. Every patient should be involved in the decision and Wallington to encourage everyone, including ethnic when a notice is applied, as well as the family, relatives minority groups, to come forward and get the vaccine and care workers, and where possible it should be when their time comes. Could my hon. Friend update signed by a clinician. This engagement with the NHS, the House on what steps the Government are taking to the wider public and the voluntary and care sectors is work with community leaders and others to ensure that ongoing, and we continue to monitor it. every part of our community comes forward and gets the vaccine? Health and Social Care Integration

Nadhim Zahawi: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, (Burnley) (Con): What steps and I echo his comments about the incredible work that he is taking to support integration within the health and is happening across the borough of Sutton. I social care system. [914193] thank him for his work in promoting the vaccine, and according to the latest NHS figures almost 90,000 The Minister for Care (): We want individuals have had their first dose of covid-19 vaccine health and social care to be joined up effectively, with in Sutton. To this end we are working closely with faith the different parts of our system working together to and community leaders to help to spread information meet people’s needs. The health and care White Paper about vaccines through trusted, familiar voices and in a sets out our plans for integrated care systems, which will range of different languages and settings. That also not only join up local NHS organisations but strengthen means leveraging the influence of celebrity figures such collaboration among the health service, local authorities as Sir Lenny Henry and the powerful and incredibly and others involved in social care. moving “call to action” letter and video to black and Afro-Caribbean communities. This is really important. Antony Higginbotham: One thing that will really help We are also working to support the vaccine programme the integration of health and social care is the better use over important religious observances such as Ramadan, of technology and innovation, but one of the barriers which begins today. We are working with the Muslim we face is the sharing of information among different community and reiterating the verdict of Islamic scholars clinicians, general practitioners, hospitals and social and key Muslim figures within the NHS that the vaccine care settings, so will my hon. Friend confirm that as does not break the fast and is permissible, so come and part of the plans for better integration we are looking at get your vaccine. how data and information can be shared much more effectively? Covid-19: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Helen Whately: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: interoperability is essential to harness the potential Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab): What assessment benefits of health and care data for individuals and to he has made of the use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary create a health and care system that is fit for the future. resuscitation orders during the covid-19 outbreak. [914192] We are going to legislate to ensure more effective data 123 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 124 sharing across the health and care system and will Breast Cancer Diagnosis Data outline our plans in the upcoming data strategy for health and social care. Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): What proportion of NHS trusts are in compliance with the requirement (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP) to collect data on all new diagnoses of recurrent and [V]: Despite the incredible challenges of the past year, metastatic breast cancer. [914195] neither the Government’s White Paper nor the Budget even mentioned social care. Health and care integration The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health has been progressing in since 2014, and the and Social Care (): The National Cancer have committed to developing a Registration and Analysis Service works closely with national care service and ensure equity throughout hospital trusts to determine sources of data that can be Scotland; will the Minister make such a commitment used to complete the cancer outcomes and services for ? dataset. It also works with the software suppliers of cancer-management systems to ensure that data items Helen Whately: Actually, I have to disagree with the can be recorded. Compliance with data standards is hon. Member: the White Paper does mention social monitored by local CCGs, but I recognise that that is care and includes several steps on the path to the reform not enough, as data is incomplete after some eight years. of social care. We will bring forward further information about social care reforms later this year. Rosie Cooper [V]: Currently, women with metastatic breast cancer are counted only when they die. That is Martyn Day: Integration and service improvement despite the fact that, since 2013, it has been mandatory cannot be delivered without sufficient social care staff. for trusts to collect data such as the number of women The Scottish Government already fund the real living involved, how long they have survived and whether wage for social care staff in Scotland, have included there are any health inequalities. It cannot be acceptable them in the £500 thank-you bonus, and plan to standardise to count only the dead, not the living. Will the Minister pay and training. Does the Minister not recognise that commit to ensuring that the 2013 mandatory requirement the only way to attract people to build a career in social to collect data on women with metastatic breast cancer care is by valuing care staff? is enforced?

Helen Whately: I agree with the hon. Member that it Jo Churchill: Yes. As I explained in my earlier answer, is essential that we value social care staff. Just as we one of the challenges is that there is not a consistent have valued NHS staff during the pandemic, so we have way of capturing the data. We need to sort that out: we rightly recognised the vital contribution of the social need to make it simple; we need to make people understand care workforce. We must continue to value our social what data we are collecting; and we need to make sure care workforce, for which we plan to bring forward that, for both breast cancer patients and all metastatic proposals as part of our social care reforms. cancer patients, we know where they are and that we are helping them with this disease as effectively as we can. Local Health Services: Consultation Covid-19: Bereavement Services

Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): What Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): steps he is taking to ensure patients are consulted on the What assessment he has made of the effect of the provision of their local health services. [914194] covid-19 outbreak on bereavement services. [914196]

The Minister for Health (Edward Argar): The The Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention Government are committed to putting patients at the and Mental Health (Ms Nadine Dorries): The Government centre of our health service. Patients are consulted on recognise that the effects of covid-19 have increased the their local health services in a wide variety of contexts, demand for bereavement services and highlighted the including through Healthwatch England, complexity of grief that these services support. In response, national champion for patients.When a major or substantial since March 2020, we have given more than £10.2 million reconfiguration or change to services is proposed, the to support mental health charities, including bereavement local clinical commissioning group is legally required to services, to support adults and children struggling with hold a consultation with local people. mental wellbeing due to the impact of covid-19.

Steve McCabe [V]: I wrote to the Secretary of State Seema Malhotra: Last year,along with the Co-operative for Health and Social Care about this issue a month party, I called for a proper plan for bereavement to ago. Last December, amid the pandemic, Birmingham ensure that everyone who has experienced loss during and Solihull clinical commissioning group decided to this difficult period has the support that they need. close Goodrest Croft GP surgery—which has more Awareness of the services available is vital if people are than 6,000 patients—in my constituency. The CCG did to get this help. The Good Grief Trust, with which I not consult anyone because apparently it is not required have been in contact, has said that too many people to do so. Does the Minister find that acceptable? simply do not know where to turn. What steps is the Minister taking to help signpost families to bereavement Edward Argar: Although I am not familiar with the charities and support and to increase awareness of the detail of the specific local case the hon. Gentleman support available to families in need, which also includes raises, I am happy to meet him to discuss it if that is support that can be signposted from hospitals when helpful to him. loved ones die? 125 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 126

Ms Dorries: I thank the hon. Lady for her important The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health question. The mental health and wellbeing recovery and Social Care (Jo Churchill): We are continuing to action plan published on 27 March this year aims to work with the NHS and the wider scientific community respond to the impact of the pandemic on people’s to understand better the long-lasting effects of covid-19 mental health, specifically targeting groups that have infection and the potential treatments. We are committed been most impacted. She mentioned the Good Grief to supporting patients suffering from long covid. Specialist Trust, and I mentioned the £10.2 million of funding NHS assessment services have opened across England, that we have allocated recently. That is on top of the and the “Your COVID Recovery” website contains £2.3 billion a year for general mental health, which support and provides a personalised programme for includes bereavement counselling, and the £500 million people recovering from covid-19, following a clinical additional spending that we received in the spending consultation. More than £30 million of funding has review. Some of that money did go to the Good Grief already been committed to research projects and a Trust, which has done a fantastic job. It has been further £20 million was made available on 25 March. signposting services by putting cards in doctors’ surgeries and in A&E departments in hospitals so that people Paul Holmes [V]: I pay tribute to all NHS and military have immediate access to a line, but there are 700 other staff who are administering vaccines across the UK, charities across the UK that are providing bereavement including to my mum and dad last week. The Minister and grief counselling services to many members of the knows of the debilitating and lasting effects of long public. We recognise that the demand is high, but the covid. She has just outlined the funding elements that services are there and available. she proposes to put forward. Will she tell us whether she might set up a specific taskforce to look at more research Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting) (Lab): With your into the damage that long covid causes and the effects permission, Mr Speaker, I will pay a tribute to my that it has on so many people? father, Mohammad Aslam Khan, who passed away a few days ago. Not only was he a keen cricketer and an Jo Churchill: We are already taking strong action in amazing dancer, he was also a champion of equality. He this area; we have already worked hard and are taking was incredibly strong and brave until his very last long covid seriously. We are listening to patients, taking breath and he shall be missed beyond measure. I extend a patient-first approach, working with the NHS and the a huge thank you to all the team at St George’s, especially wider scientific community, and engaging with the Royal the marvellous team on Dalby ward, also to Victor and College of General Practitioners to better understand the incredible staff and carers at Ronald Gibson House the disease, which is physiological and neurological. It is and to a wonderful nurse called Anne Wheeler. My different for different people, and therefore treatments brother and I saw at first hand that not all angels have need to be different for different people. We are working wings. on ensuring that we have the best post-covid assessment Covid-19 has stripped the humanity out of grieving, care and the best pathways. with millions being unable to attend funerals, say final goodbyes, or be with loved ones following a death. Last Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Scotland year, the Government provided £10.2 million to mental health organisations to ensure that services could continue Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) during the pandemic. Many people have been relying (Con): What steps he is taking to support covid-19 on the support of dedicated bereavement organisations vaccine roll-out in Scotland. [914198] to help them cope, yet the extra financial support ended on 1 April. Will the Minister please consider reviewing The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care this vital funding immediately to ensure that no one has (Matt Hancock): The covid-19 vaccination programme to go through bereavement alone? has been the biggest in the history of the United Kingdom. The UK Government have ensured that the excellent Ms Dorries: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and her work done by the vaccines taskforce to procure vaccines brave words about her much missed father. Politics for the whole country has been rolled out to protect divides us, but grief, for many reasons, unites us across people across the UK. Tosupport the roll-out in Scotland, this House. I have personally declared to my hon. I recently announced an additional £660 million of UK Friend that I am here should she need me. I pay tribute Government funding for Scotland. That is of course on to her for her bravery, being here today so soon after the top of the £3.6 billion that Scotland is already receiving loss of her wonderful father. I hear her request; it is over the next financial year through the Barnett formula. constantly under review.Bereavement services are incredibly important to me personally and to many of us. She Andrew Bowie: I thank my right hon. Friend for his mentioned the £10.2 million. There are 700 bereavement answer. Does he agree that this is proof of the irrefutable charities, including the Good Grief Trust. We monitor truth that we achieve much more together than we ever carefully how people access bereavement services. We could apart and that we should be focusing on the know that there is an increased need at the moment and vaccination roll-out and recovery—not a damaging and that is being watched very carefully. My hon. Friend is divisive second referendum on , incredibly brave. which would be the case if the won the Scottish election on 6 May? Long Covid Matt Hancock: I entirely agree that the vaccination Paul Holmes (Eastleigh) (Con): What steps he is programme has clearly been a huge UK success story taking to improve the understanding and treatment of and that is because of the UK working together: the long covid. [914197] NHS across the whole UK; the military working in 127 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 128 support across the UK; and, of course,the UK Government Social Care Sector: Pay and Conditions working with the devolved authorities and local councils. It is a big team effort. To split and separate out this (Hemsworth) (Lab): What steps he is team effort for no good reason would, in my view, be taking to increase pay and improve working conditions counterproductive to improving the lives of people in the social care sector. [914200] across the whole country.We should be working together, not pursuing separation. The Minister for Care (Helen Whately): We recognise the extraordinary commitment and compassion of social Online Junk Food Advertising care staff, especially during the pandemic. While the Government do not have direct responsibility for pay in (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): What adult social care in England, we want care providers to steps his Department is taking to limit online junk food reward and support their staff appropriately for the advertising to children. [914199] vital work they do. During the pandemic we have asked care providers to pay staff full pay when they need to (Calder Valley) (Con): What steps self-isolate and provided over £1.4 billion of extra funding he plans to take to ensure a level playing field between to support the cost of this and other infection control online and mainstream broadcasters in the implementation measures. of the proposed advertisement ban on foods high in fat, sugar and salt before 9 pm. [914213] Jon Trickett: First, I imagine the whole House will join me in mourning the 364 care workers who have The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health died in public service since covid began. Many care and Social Care (Jo Churchill): We have made clear our workers have told me that they feel undervalued by the intention to end the advertising of high fat, salt and fact that their average salary is only £17,200. I am sure sugar products on television before 9 pm. We recently there are very few Ministers who could live on that kind held a short consultation on how to introduce advertising of salary. They particularly feel devalued when they restrictions for online and we will publish our response discover that the Government are paying nine times soon. A level playing field, however, is important. I that salary equivalent to Test and Trace consultants. It want to make it easy for everyone to be healthy. is an outrage. Will the Minister now say how she will show that these people are valued by doing three things: first, end privatisation; secondly, insist on a proper Andrew Selous [V]: Does the Minister agree that salary rise; and thirdly, ensure that a professional career ending junk food marketing online is hardly an outrageous structure is instituted which recognises and rewards the assault on our freedoms, would remove 12.5 billion professionalism, talent and commitment of these essential calories a year from children’s diets, and would allow workers? advertisers and food companies to make plenty of money from producing and marketing healthy food? Helen Whately: I share the hon. Gentleman’s sorrow for the lives that have been lost among the health and Jo Churchill: Indeed I do. We are not banning food. It social care workforce during the pandemic. I am determined is very important that we make the environment right to that we will support and continue to support our health ensure that people can make the healthy choice as a and social care workforce through these difficult times. default option and enjoy a healthy balanced diet where One of the things that I want to achieve for our social they have the full knowledge and understanding of care workforce, for whom I am truly ambitious, is that what they are purchasing. I think this is actually a great rather than doing something one-off for the pandemic, opportunity for companies. we should come up with a workforce strategy that will improve the opportunities for those working in social Craig Whittaker [V]: May I send my deepest condolences, care to develop their careers, with a real career progression thoughts and prayers to the hon. Member for Tooting in working in that sector. That will be part of our social (Dr Allin-Khan) and her family? care reform proposals. It is good to hear the Minister say that there will be a level playing field in this area, but it has been reported Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab): Despite repeated on national media over the past few weeks that the promises, the truth is that someone would be better off Government seem to be dropping plans to ban ads stacking shelves at Morrisons than caring for older or online for foods high in fat, sugar and salt. On that disabled people, and that is simply not good enough for basis, surely she will agree that when half of 10-year-olds our country. Can the Minister confirm that the and 83% of 12 to 15-year-olds own a smartphone, with Government’s covid infection control fund had to be 86% of those children using video on demand, it would used to improve pay so that staff did not have to work be absolute nonsense to ban advertising on mainstream for more than one care home and could actually afford broadcast TV where children watch very little. to self-isolate? If that is the case, will she commit to permanently enshrining these improvements across the Jo Churchill: I agree that making sure that there is a sector to keep all care users and all care workers safe? level playing field is the right thing to do. If we were currently doing so well, we would not have the number Helen Whately: In response to the hon. Lady’s question of children and young people overweight or living with about the use of the infection control fund, it was obesity, so we must work on making sure that we do available to providers to use in a range of ways to keep everything we can so that every child can be a healthy their residents safe from covid, including, for instance, weight. But my hon. Friend will not get me to pre-empt reducing the movement of staff between one care home the consultation that we will be reporting on shortly. and another, which is often part of the service model of 129 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 130 how care is provided, and also, as I mentioned earlier, Helen Whately: I completely agree with my hon. funding full sick pay for staff who needed to self-isolate Friend that staff must be allowed and supported to because of covid. I am determined that as part of our recover from the pandemic. We have advised NHS social care reforms that we will be bringing forward, we Employers to make sure that staff can carry over annual will look at how best we can support the workforce. leave. We are determined that the pace of NHS recovery must also allow staff the rest and recuperation they Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety need. Review Health-Related Manufacturers (Bury South) (Con): What progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): What steps he is taking the independent medicines and medical devices safety to encourage health-related manufacturers to base review. [914201] themselves in the UK. [914204] The Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health (Ms Nadine Dorries): A written The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ministerial statement was published on 11 January 2021, (Matt Hancock): The UK is one of the best places in the updating Parliament on the Government’scurrent progress world to locate a life sciences business. We are making on each of the nine recommendations. The Government vaccines in Livingston, Wrexham, Oxford and Hartlepool. will respond in full to the report later this year. It took We are making cell and gene therapies in Stevenage, more than two years to produce the report and we surgical robots in Cambridge, cancer medicines in therefore consider it vital, for the sake of patients and Macclesfield, hip replacements in Leeds and care products especially those who have suffered greatly, to give this in Hull. Last week, we announced another £20 million independent report the full consideration it deserves. fund to incentivise companies to put medicines and diagnostics manufacturing investments here in the UK. Christian Wakeford: Baroness Cumberlege’s respected report makes it clear that those harmed by sodium Ian Lavery [V]: Some people have very short memories, valproate have suffered great and irreparable harm for I must say. The UK was found desperately wanting many decades and that redress is needed. The patient when this horrid covid-19 pandemic swept through the reference group adds more delay for people who have cities, towns and villages of this country. The nation’s waited long enough already.Will my hon. Friend commit silverware was sold off and the stock cupboards laid to doing the right thing today and take up this issue of bare. There was a deliberate policy of under-investment redress and give those harmed the support they have in the NHS, with a view to buying everything on the waited so long for? cheap from elsewhere. This was an ideological crime. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that Ms Dorries: I would like first to convey my most we are never again left without the capacity to produce sincere sympathies to anyone who has suffered as a essential health and safety equipment, and how might a consequence of taking sodium valproate during pregnancy. real industrial strategy aid the need to produce personal It remains still the only drug that some women who suffer protective equipment, to bring good, well-paid jobs to from epilepsy can take to control their epilepsy. As set long held back communities like Wansbeck here in the out in the recent written ministerial statement, the north-east? Government will carefully consider the recommendations and make a full response to the whole report later this Matt Hancock: There might be a meeting of minds year. between the hon. Gentleman and me. Over the last year, we have developed the capacity to produce 70% of the Recruitment of NHS Nurses country’s PPE needs here in the UK. We set that target last summer. We met it at Christmas for all different (East Surrey) (Con): What progress types of PPE, with the exception of gloves, but we keep his Department has made on increasing the recruitment working on bringing glove manufacturing onshore. As I of nurses to the NHS. [914203] said in my response, we have built a huge amount of The Minister for Care (Helen Whately): NHS nurses pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity here in the UK, have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic. and there is a lot more to come. We are committed to increasing the number of nurses in Brain Tumours: NIHR Research Grants the NHS by 50,000 over this Parliament through improving retention and increasing domestic supply and international recruitment, and we are on track to do that. The number Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab): What of nurses in the NHS is at an all-time high of 301,491 discussions he has had with the National Institute for full-time equivalent nurses employed in NHS trusts and Health Research on increasing the number of research CCGs. grants for the treatment of brain tumours. [914207] Claire Coutinho [V]: We all know how hard our NHS The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health nurses have had to work in the past year, many without and Social Care (Jo Churchill): It is essential that we a break and, for those with international origins, without increase the amount of research to treat brain tumours, seeing their families either. As public focus inevitably which is why in 2018, through the NIHR, the Government turns towards the NHS backlog, can Ministers assure announced £40 million over five years for brain tumour me that they will work with NHS England to protect research as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission staff holidays and enable and encourage NHS staff to to increase the number of applications and grants allocated. get the rest and recuperation they need? The NIHR released a highlight notice that encourages 131 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 132 collaborative applications to build on recent initiatives most important to them. That includes community-owned and investment already made in this area, as well as sports clubs and sporting and leisure facilities that are working with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to at risk of being lost without community intervention, fund workshops for previously unsuccessful researchers and I urge my hon. Friend to work with his community in order to support them in submitting higher-quality to ensure that he has those facilities locally. applications. Cancer Workforce: Nurses Ruth Cadbury: Like many across the country, my constituent Greg has a family member with a brain (Strangford) (DUP): What plans the tumour; in his case, it is his young nephew.The £40 million Government have to ensure an adequate number of of funding is certainly welcome, but only £6 million of nurses in the cancer workforce to deliver the targets for it has been delivered, and there are still difficulties for cancer set out in the NHS long-term plan. [914209] those trying to get grants for this urgently needed research. Will the Minister commit to taking a more The Minister for Care (Helen Whately): Cancer diagnosis proactive approach to this—for example, by ensuring and treatment is a priority for this Government. I am that brain tumour experts sit on the grant panels for working with the Minister for prevention and public research bids? health—the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Bury Jo Churchill: I thank the hon. Lady and would like to St Edmunds (Jo Churchill)—to ensure that we have the extend my good wishes to Greg for this treatment. necessary workforce to deliver improved cancer care. There has been £8.8 million committed so far based on Overall, we are increasing the number of nurses in the the NIHR programme and academy spend. The important NHS, with over 10,000 more nurses in the NHS this thing is the quality of the applications. Brain tumours January than a year ago. We are training 250 more are invidious, and we need to do more and we need to cancer nurses and 100 more specialist chemotherapy go faster. I will look at her suggestion, but I am aware nurses. that there are already experts sitting on the panel. Jim Shannon: I thank the Minister for that encouraging Obesity response, but will she outline what steps have been taken to ensure that Northern Ireland students educated James Daly (Bury North) (Con): What steps he is in UK mainland nursing schemes can easily transition taking to tackle obesity among (a) adults and (b) children. to fill the needs in our cancer wards both in the UK [914216] mainland and in Northern Ireland?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Helen Whately: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his and Social Care (Jo Churchill): Helping people to achieve question, and if he will allow me, I will look into that and maintain a healthy weight is one of the most and write to him. important things we can do to improve our nation’s health. That is why we published our healthy weight Alex Norris (Nottingham North) (Lab/Co-op): Prior strategy last summer. We are taking forward actions to the pandemic, cancer services were understaffed and from previous chapters of the childhood obesity plan, not meeting their targets. During the pandemic, our as well as further measures to get the nation fit and staff have made incredible efforts, but a cancer backlog healthy, protect against covid-19 and protect the NHS. has built up. The Government are now asking the same Question 25 on the call list is grouped with Question 26. understaffed cohort to run their normal services and to deal with the backlog at the same time. This is unfair, Mr Speaker: Yes, but unfortunately will lead to burn out and will not work. Will the is not here. You managed to jump in before James Daly Government commit today to extra resources specifically could speak. Not to worry. We will go to James Daly. targeted at cancer to give those staff a fighting chance?

James Daly: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Encouraging Helen Whately: I thank the hon. Member for his an active lifestyle is a crucial part of tackling the obesity question. The Government have already committed challenge that our country faces. Does my hon. Friend significant additional resources to support the NHS in agree that local authorities, working with partner agencies, recovering from the impact of the pandemic, and that should invest in iconic community venues such as Gigg will include cancer services as well as other areas of Lane in my constituency to house a wide range of treatment. public health services and provide inspirational settings for young people to take part in sport, no matter what Topical Questions their background or personal circumstances? [914159] Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab): Jo Churchill: I agree wholeheartedly that we should If he will make a statement on his departmental encourage all children to make sure that they can take responsibilities. part in sports and enjoy the outdoors. Regular physical exercise is important for the health and wellbeing of The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care young people, and the local community has an important (Matt Hancock): I am delighted to be able to tell the role to play in developing facilities. That is why the House that, across the UK, we have met our target to Government launched a £150 million community ownership offer a vaccine to everyone in the top nine priority fund, to ensure that communities across the UK can groups ahead of the deadline on 15 April. We have now benefit from the local facilities and amenities that are delivered a first dose to more than 32 million people, 133 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 134 and are on track to offer a vaccine to all adults by the stakeholders, and the Minister for Care has held a end of July. This weekend, we also saw a record number number of roundtables on the subject. We want this to of second doses. Overall, as of midnight last night, we be an open and broad programme, to ensure that we get have now delivered more than 40 million doses of the right answers to these long-standing questions. vaccines right across the UK. It is a remarkable achievement. Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab/Co-op): Today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Will the Secretary of State explain why, following a Immunisation has published its final advice on an age-based private drink he had with Lex Greensill and David prioritisation, which we accept in full. So I can announce Cameron, Greensill was handed an NHS payroll financing formally that, from today, we have opened up invitations contract that sought to convert income from NHS staff to get a vaccine to all aged over 45, and then we will pay packets into bonds to sell internationally,and effectively proceed to everyone aged over 40, in line with supplies. to make money on the back of NHS staff in a pandemic? Finally, following a successful start last week in , Why was that contract given without tender? Why was the Moderna vaccine will be rolled out in England from that meeting not declared? What pressure did the Secretary today. I am very grateful to everybody involved in this of State put on officials to hand that contract to Greensill? vaccination programme, which allows us to lift restrictions across the country, and already has saved over 10,000 Matt Hancock: Ministers were not involved in the lives, with more to come. decision by NHS Shared Business Services to facilitate the provision of salary advances in pilot schemes. I Mr Sharma [V]: With your permission, Mr Speaker, attended a social meeting organised by the former Prime may I wish all Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and other Minister, and given that departmental business came communities celebrating their religious and cultural up, I reported to officials in the normal way. events in the coming days and weeks a happy, peaceful and prosperous time? Jonathan Ashworth: This is part of a wider pattern of behaviour. We see PPE contracts going to Tory donors, The Secretary of State is clear about the importance and a pub landlord WhatsApping the Secretary of State of vaccination, but how is his Department working to and receiving a testing contract. We see a US insurance ensure that all adults without English language knowledge, firm taking over GP contracts, and one of its bosses with very low levels of health literacy and in pockets gets a job in Downing Street. It is cronyism and it traditionally untouched by health campaigns, choose to stinks. If the Secretary of State thinks he has done be vaccinated, rather than being coerced—not just regarding nothing wrong and has nothing to hide, will he publish covid-19 vaccines but other vaccines? all the minutes, emails, correspondence and directions that he gave to civil servants, and all his text messages Matt Hancock: I wholeheartedly agree with the hon. with , so that we can see exactly what Gentleman. I am very proud of how, across this House, went on with the awarding of this contract? people have united to support the vaccination effort and to get those messages out there as he says so clearly. It is Matt Hancock: Yesterday the Government announced very important that we have trusted confidants working a review into this matter, and I will of course participate in and with communities to explain the benefits of in that in full. It is important that Governments engage vaccination to those who may be hesitant. For instance, with external stakeholders and businesses and, as was in Leicester we have ensured that within the Somali raised in the previous question, it is important that that community,Somali clinicians are administering the vaccine. happens, and happens in an appropriate way within the Having a vaccination centre that is staffed by the Somali rules, which is what happened in this case. community near where they live, even though there is another vaccination centre round the corner, has proved [914165] Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con): The successful in driving up vaccination rates in that community. covid-19 vaccine roll-out has shown the value of comparable I pick on that as one excellent example of the national statistics not only in this country,but worldwide. However, and local systems working together, listening to the directly comparable data are often lacking for healthcare data, and working with local communities. and I very performance and outcomes between England, Wales, much look forward to working with the hon. Gentleman Scotland and Northern Ireland. Does my right hon. to make that happen. Friend agree that UK-wide data in the NHS, along with aligned inspection mechanisms and audit procedures, would increase transparency and ultimately improve (South West Surrey) (Con) [V]: At the service delivery? Liaison Committee three weeks ago, the Prime Minister confirmed that there would be a 10-year plan for the Matt Hancock: Yes. I think that through the pandemic social care sector, like that of the NHS, to fix the crisis we have seen an improvement in our ability to see what in social care. Will the Secretary of State tell the House is happening in the NHS right across the UK, and that what he thinks that 10-year plan needs to contain, and helps us all work together better to deliver for patients. whether external organisations such as Age UK, the One example of that is the vaccine programme. That is Alzheimer’s Society, Care England, and the Health and a UK-wide programme with UK-wide metrics but it is Social Care Committee, will be able to contribute to the delivered, of course, by the local NHS wherever people Government’s thinking on that plan? Will they be able are in the UK. There are lessons we can learn from that. to do so before the plan is published later this year? [914160] Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD): I am Matt Hancock: I warmly welcome my right hon. hearing increasingly difficult stories from constituents Friend’s enthusiasm and support for that project, which across my constituency whose children are suffering the Prime Minister set out at a high level to the Liaison severe mental health problems and are regularly having Committee. We are working hard, including with to wait up to a year for a first appointment. In that 135 Oral Answers 13 APRIL 2021 Oral Answers 136 year, their condition gets progressively worse, so by the and mental, of the major environmental incident going time their appointment comes around, they already on in my constituency, and will he meet me and the need a much greater level of treatment than they would Environment Secretary to discuss the matter? have needed had they been seen earlier. That also has a disruptive impact on their education, on top of the Matt Hancock: I am very happy to meet my hon. disruption that they have all experienced over the last Friend. I am grateful to him for raising this vital question year. The situation is getting worse; we are seeing more of local public health in the House, and I am absolutely and more young people needing mental health care in determined that the authorities—both the local authority, my constituency. What is the Secretary of State doing with its responsibilities, and the national authorities, to increase resources in this very important area of including Public Health England—play their role in child and adolescent mental health? tackling this problem.

Matt Hancock: We are putting record resources in. [914162] Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab) Of the increase in the NHS budget, the fastest increase [V]: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is in the long-term plan settlement is for mental health giving all its staff an extra day’s leave this year to thank services, and within that, for children’s mental health them for their sacrifices during the pandemic. I am sure services. We have also increased support through the that is a welcome gesture, but staff in Nottingham and pandemic. There is an awful lot that we continue to across England deserve so much more. Real-terms pay need to do, and there is a very significant plan, as part in the NHS is already below 2010 levels, and we went of the long-term plan, for improving access to these into the pandemic facing serious staff shortages, with vital services. 40,000 nurse vacancies and 7,000 doctor vacancies. What will the Government’s proposed real-terms pay [914168] (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and cut do to vacancy rates? Selkirk) (Con): Last week we had the fantastic news that the Moderna vaccine had arrived in the United Matt Hancock: I am very glad to say that the numbers Kingdom. Can the Secretary of State tell the House that the hon. Lady uses are out of date. We have seen a how many vaccine doses, across all three vaccines very significant increase in the number of nurses and currently being rolled out, have been allocated to other staff in the NHS. In fact, we have a record Scotland so far? number of nurses in the NHS. For the very first time, we have more than 300,000 nurses in the NHS. We have Matt Hancock: Scotland gets her fair share of vaccines seen over 10,000 more nurses over the last year alone. allocated, and then we publish the amount of vaccines Of course, the mission to work caring for others and that are delivered. That is slightly lower in Scotland as a looking after the health of the nation in the NHS has proportion of the population compared with the UK as never been more important, and I am delighted that so a whole, but we are working very closely with the NHS many people are rising to that, because we have record across Scotland, with the armed services and, of course, numbers of people in training too. with the Scottish Government to try to make sure that [914175] Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): they can catch up. While the NHS acted heroically when the pandemic first hit, what lessons have been learned about translating [914161] Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): the learnings of junior doctors and experienced nurses Yesterday, many hospitality venues remained closed. into policy more quickly? For example, junior doctors Those that could open erected large marquees and were knew that loss of taste and smell was a symptom, and able to recover some of the losses that they have that proning helped patients, quite some time before suffered. Others were completely dismayed that there is those became policy. clearly no difference at all between some of those marquees and well ventilated, covid-secure indoor Matt Hancock: There is a huge amount that we can hospitality. Will the Secretary of State explain what he learn from the early response to the pandemic, and it is perceives the difference to be? very important that we adopt the scientific understanding and learnings as quickly as is rigorously possible. We Matt Hancock: The definition of “outdoors” used in need the time for the rigour, but we need to adopt the these regulations is the one set out by the Labour policies. We have seen in the vaccine roll-out a huge Government in the ban on indoor smoking. amount of these lessons adopted, and the speed at which the scientific advice takes into account what we [914169] (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Con): The are learning on the ground in the vaccine roll-out is foul gases and odour coming from Walley’s Quarry impressive. So we should keep going down this route— landfill in my constituency are no longer just an always open-minded, always asking the scientific questions environmental catastrophe; they are also a major public and always then asking how quickly we can rigorously health concern. A local GP surgery in Silverdale reports put those understandings into practice. exacerbation of asthma, hay fever-like symptoms, nausea, insomnia and depression. The Environment Agency Mr Speaker: I am now suspending the House for figures that have been passed to Public Health England three minutes to enable the necessary arrangements for show that World Health Organisation guidelines for the next business to be made. hydrogen sulphide have been exceeded on the 24-hour public health limits. What is going on is not fair on my 12.31 pm constituents. What assessment has the Secretary of State Sitting suspended. made of the public health implications, both physical 137 13 APRIL 2021 Speaker’s Statement 138

Speaker’s Statement Cheryl’s direct and well-informed questions, but it was working with Cheryl on the 1922 executive, so ably 12.34 pm chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale West (Sir Graham Brady), that I observed her Mr Speaker: I regret to have to report to the House real qualities. Her bright mind always enabled her to the death of the right honourable Cheryl Gillan, the calmly put things into perspective and provide quiet, Member for Chesham and Amersham. I know hon. sensible and sound advice. She had a real sense of Members in all parts of the House, including the Deputy caring for people, particularly when they were in difficult Speakers, are, like myself, in shock. They were great or sad circumstances. She would always be there, offering friends of Dame Cheryl. I know the House will join me them words of comfort. in mourning the loss of a colleague and in extending In saying farewell to Cheryl—her family and friends, our sympathy to the right honourable Member’s family her constituents and staff—the whole House has lost and friends. one of its hardest working Members. She had an Cheryl was a Member of this House for nearly 30 years. enormously generous heart. She was always prepared to In that time she made an outstanding contribution from have a kindly word for anyone in trouble. Above all, she both the Back Benches and the Front Benches, and as was a fierce and effective defender of the interests of her the first woman to be appointed as Secretary of State constituents in Chesham and Amersham. People such for Wales. She was a doughty defender of her constituents’ as Cheryl, who enter politics for the very best of reasons, interests, most notably in her long campaign against the are rare indeed and she will be sorely missed. High Speed 2 rail line, and she was the champion of the private Member’s Bill that led to the Autism Act 2009. Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab) Above all, she will be remembered as a friend and [V]: Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I was mentor to many Members—especially new Members—on so, so sad to hear of the death of Cheryl Gillan at the all sides of the House. age of only 68. Sometimes politics can feel like a hostile I also take the opportunity to pay tribute to five environment, which is why Cheryl was so important as former Members who passed away while the House was somebody who was just completely warm, non-judgmental, in recess: Peter Ainsworth, Ian Gibson, Robert Howarth, vivacious and outgoing. She called us all “darling” not Paul Marland and Baroness Williams of Crosby. Our because she had forgotten our names, but because she thoughts are with their families. wanted to put everybody at their ease. I will now take brief points of order to allow for When she came to the House in 1992 as one of tributes to our esteemed colleague. 336 Conservative MPs, she was one of only 20 women, so she was very much a pioneer of women’s presence on Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): the Tory Benches. Over the three decades she served in On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know the family will the House, she very proudly and protectively watched appreciate your words. As the House knows, Cheryl over the growing flock of Tory women MPs. passed away on 4 April, courageously fighting against It was very energising to work with her on her autism the odds with cheerfulness and bravery. campaigns. It was admirable to see her being such a thorn in the side of the Government, fiercely championing Cheryl, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ribble her constituents in their opposition to HS2. Above all, I Valley (Mr Evans), now a Deputy Speaker, and I came know she will be missed by her family, to whom I extend into the House together 29 years ago and became firm my deepest, deepest condolences. We really, really will friends. I attended the funeral of her beloved husband miss her. I can hardly believe that she is not on the green Jack in 2019 and I was in touch with her throughout her Benches today. She was such a presence in the House, illness. It is with enormous sadness that I am privileged becoming a grandee in the 1922 committee, but never to pay tribute to such a special person. grand. After several jobs in the Conservative Opposition I would like to just briefly mention the loss of Shirley years, Cheryl was appointed Secretary of State for Williams, who was a Member of our House from 1964 Wales and was much respected for singing the Welsh to 1983. I briefly crossed over with her when I came in national anthem in the Welsh language. After leaving in 1982. To my young and pregnant self, despite the Cabinet, as you said, Mr Speaker, she stepped up her acrimony and bitterness between the Labour party—I opposition to HS2. There was not a debate or question was a Labour MP—and the Social Democratic party, of in this House on the matter where she did not speak. which she was a member, she warmly welcomed me to After the House changed the rules, on 19 January this the House. She was an extraordinary politician and an year, Cheryl was able to make her final speech, fittingly, extraordinary intellect. She was vilified by the press for on consideration of Lords amendments to the High her wild hair and overflowing handbag. She, too, was a Speed Rail (West Midlands-Crewe) Bill. Despite her woman in a man’s world, and a champion of social advancing illness, she was in her usual feisty form, justice and an instinctive feminist. I extend my sympathies denigrating the whole HS2 project. I know that the to her family, too. opportunity meant a huge amount to her. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing the House to change the rules. Sir Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West) (Con): As you said, Cheryl campaigned alongside autistic Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you people and their families for many years and successfully for this opportunity to pay tribute to a great friend, introduced the Autism Act 2009. She was also a champion Dame Cheryl Gillan, and to the former Members who for people with epilepsy,raising the profile of the condition have sadly passed in recent days. I am grateful to throughout her parliamentary work. Cheryl rejoined colleagues on both sides of the House for the warmth of the Public Accounts Committee after the 2019 election their remarks about Cheryl both today and in the days and many a permanent secretary feared the force of since she died, on 4 April. 139 Speaker’s Statement 13 APRIL 2021 Speaker’s Statement 140

Mr Speaker, you mentioned Cheryl’s kindness to new people because she was also gentle and polite. She Members. I was a beneficiary of that in 1997. As an became, particularly in later years, one of my most Education Minister in the previous Parliament, she was trusted friends. very active in making sure that those of us with an She was an exemplary employer of her staff, who interest in and a passion for education got involved in were devoted to her. She was terrific fun and, as has dealing with the first piece of legislation from that been said, she was a champion of women in politics. Government. When she lost her beloved husband Jack, she raised a Much has also been made of the great work she did fund in his memory for Women2Win, which has helped in promoting the interests of women in the House of promote more women into Parliament, as a mark of Commons. I would also want to add that I ended up how much he had supported her in her political career. being perhaps the greatest beneficiary of her sterling Her failing health and then cancer were particularly qualities in the few years she spent as vice-chairman of bitter for her, because while outside the covid measures the 1922 committee. I certainly benefited from her great the House now allows proxy voting for MPs who are unflappable qualities. She was a very smart, very stylish expecting a baby or have just had one—she would call woman and always there to give support. As soon as them women, I have to tell you—we still do not give something happened—we had one or two emergencies proxies to people who are incapacitated by sickness. in the last few years—a call to Cheryl would immediately Perhaps we should have a campaign to rectify that and settle my nerves and I would know that everything call the campaign “Cheryl’s Vote”. We will sorely miss a would be done as well as it could possibly be done. trusted colleague and a dear friend. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD): Further to that Co-op): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I point of order, Mr Speaker. I feel privileged, on behalf associate myself in full with the comments of the hon. of the Liberal Democrats, to extend our most sincere Member for The Cotswolds (Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown), condolences to Dame Cheryl’s family, and to all her save the bit about the 1922 committee, which I have many friends both across the House and beyond, on the obviously not had the privilege—a dubious privilege, in extremely sad news of her death. my case—of serving on. Cheryl was, as the hon. Member I feel very privileged to have served with Dame Cheryl for Richmond Park (Sarah Olney) and others have said, on the Public Accounts Committee over the past year. a member of the Public Accounts Committee. I have to Despite our engagements being mostly remote during confess, Mr Speaker, that I pursued her to join this very extraordinary time, I learned a great deal from the Committee, and you would not have realised that listening to her as she held civil servants to account. She she was dealing with this serious illness unless you was always elegant, always gracious, but woe betide any knew. The amount of work she put in would put many Department for Transport official who arrived unprepared other Members to shame. I really valued her intellect, for her dignified and tenacious grillings on the progress her robustness and her good fun. We did sometimes of HS2. disagree, but with Cheryl we always disagreed well. If we can take anything from the way she did things here, It has been a pleasure to hear the memories of the we can all learn from that hard work, that intellectual hon. Member for The Cotswolds (Sir Geoffrey Clifton- curiosity and that ability to work with people—even Brown) and the right hon. and learned Member for with those with whom she disagreed—in a gracious Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) with their own matter in these times. experiences and obviously long association with Dame I will miss her enormously. I cannot really believe Cheryl. I feel quite acutely the loss of what might have that she has passed. It is also extraordinary to realise been. Despite her long service in this House—I was that only two Conservative women MPs elected prior to surprised to find that she was only 68, not because she me are still serving in this House. Her loss is a loss for looked older but because of how long she had served—she women in this place, too. I pass on my condolences to had a great deal more to give. She has been taken from her family, her staff and her many friends. us far too soon. For those of us who are much newer to the House, I feel we have lost the great potential to have (South Northamptonshire) (Con): benefited from her wisdom, gathered over many years. I Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. There are would like to take the opportunity once more to extend few people in politics you can consider a real friend, but my sincerest condolences. Cheryl Gillan was exactly that: a real friend to so many people in this place, and in so many ways. She shaped Sir (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): and influenced so many of the things that have taken up Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Like my a lot of our time in recent years. She was a huge friend hon. Friend the Member for The Cotswolds (Sir Geoffrey to this House when a number of us, cross-party, were Clifton-Brown), I was elected in the same year as Cheryl working on the complaints procedure. Cheryl was a in 1992 and knew her for over 30 years. As a shadow stalwart a member of the 1922 committee who was Minister and then a Minister, she was, like so many determined to get it right—to provide the right level of women, probably underestimated because she did not protection for those who felt they had been wronged in employ sharp elbows to get in front of her colleagues. these Houses of Parliament, and equally to be fair to When I was Chair of the Public Administration Select those who serve here as elected Members. She was Committee and then the Public Administration and always absolutely determined to do the right thing, and Constitutional Affairs Committee, she always made always in a kind way. well-informed, principled, shrewd and wise contributions Cheryl was a great friend to my constituents in South to our inquiries as well as, indeed, advice to me. She Northamptonshire as she fought so diligently on their knew how to get far more out of witnesses than most behalf and on behalf of her own constituents and 141 Speaker’s Statement 13 APRIL 2021 Speaker’s Statement 142

[Andrea Leadsom] Cheryl walked the streets with me, she shared a choice comment or two with a heckler in the post office, others against HS2—but we will leave that there for and then she sat down with me in a pub to tell me what now, Mr Speaker. She has been a true friend. Perhaps was what. Despite having known me for barely an hour, most of all, she was someone who loved to hug. As the she offered me space in her office were I to be elected. Mother of the House said, Cheryl called everyone She was as good as her word: in my first month here, I “darling”, but she also hugged frequently. We do not do camped out alongside her, benefiting not just from a enough of that either. desk and some space, but from her wisdom. I vividly I completely agree with my hon. Friend the Member remember when she heard me discussing a proposed for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin) that email in response to a particularly vitriolic correspondent. Cheryl was harmed by the fact that she was always so She came and stood quietly behind me and said, “I keen to give, yet only lately, when she was very ill, did think you could just say, ‘I remember meeting you very this House enable her to vote by proxy and take part well.’ He will get the message.” She was, of course, right. virtually. We need to think about that. I agree with my I did not hear from him again. hon. Friend that we should call it “Cheryl’s Vote”, and I Dame Cheryl gave me and many of the 2019 intake hope we will make progress on it. valuable tips that have already stood us in excellent stead. She was always willing to give her time, and even I send my deepest condolences to Cheryl’s family and so many years after coming to this place herself, she was friends. willing to share the benefit of her long experience with us. We newbies will miss her too. Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): Further to Dame Cheryl cared. She cared profoundly for her that point of order, Mr Speaker. Cheryl and I entered constituents, she cared for fellow Members of this House, the House on the same day in 1992, delighted and a and she cared greatly for her staff, and they cared little surprised to find ourselves on the Government greatly for her. It is my honour to have been asked to side following that election. The Conservative party has work with them in the coming weeks. Thanks to your lost a loyal, hard-working and mainstream advocate, kindness, Mr Speaker, three of Dame Cheryl’s staff sit the likes of whom we see too seldom these days. Parliament today in the Public Gallery. They are all of course has lost a great defender of our values and traditions, desperately sad at the loss of not just their boss, but a someone who worked tirelessly across party lines to great friend and mentor. They know how much of an make our democracy work better for everyone. We MPs impression Dame Cheryl made on everybody with whom on both sides of the House have lost an almost unnaturally she came into contact, and they have expressed to me good-natured, kind and generous friend. Her charm their gratitude for being able to be here to hear your could lure Front Benchers into a very false sense of words and those of other right hon. and hon. Members security, which they seldom fell for twice, and her in tribute to Dame Cheryl’s extraordinary service to bravery in the face of a long and difficult illness is truly Chesham and Amersham, the entire county of an inspiration to all of us. Buckinghamshire, her party and her country. If the importance of public service is judged by independence of mind and sound judgment, if the Sir Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): Further to success of public service is measured by the level of that point of order, Mr Speaker. Dame Cheryl was a respect in which any MP is held by their constituents, great constituency MP, as we have heard. There have and if the value of public service is reflected in the not been many happy days over the past two years, but esteem in which any of us is held by our parliamentary in May 2019 I joined Dame Cheryl and her assistant, peers, with Cheryl’s untimely death we have truly lost a Mel, for a picnic on the banks of the River Chess with great public servant. She will be enormously missed and our mutual friend, Paul Jennings. It was a wonderful even harder to replace. day. Her eyes sparkled, the mayflies danced, and I just say this: she will be much missed by many in her constituency, and the River Chess Association would (Aylesbury) (Con): Further to that point like, through me, to pass on its great thanks for all her of order, Mr Speaker. I am a new Member of this place, service to it over the past decade. but even in my very brief time in politics, Dame Cheryl had a profound impact on me. I first met her when she Mr Speaker: May I thank the House? We are always came to Aylesbury to help me campaign from her at our best when we come together and the House neighbouring constituency. We had HS2 in common. certainly has come together. I say on behalf of myself With her was her much loved dog, Jimmy, who brought and the Chairman of Ways and Means that Dame her so much joy after the loss of her husband. Cheryl will be missed on the Speaker’s Panel. 143 13 APRIL 2021 144

Speaker’s Statement

12.55 pm 12.56 pm Mr Speaker: I am aware that Members are likely to be Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) (Lab/Co-op) (Urgent taking part in campaigning for the forthcoming elections Question): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if on 6 May. It may therefore be a timely reminder to all he will make a statement on the process by which right hon. and hon. Members, including Ministers and Greensill Capital was approved as a lender for the shadow Ministers, that when a Member visits another coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme. Member’s constituency, except on a purely private visit, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, they should take steps in advance to tell the Member in Energy and Industrial Strategy (): Greensill whose constituency the visit is taking place. Guidance Capital (UK) Ltd was approved by the British Business on this can be found in the document called “Rules of Bank for the coronavirus business interruption loan behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons”. scheme and the coronavirus large business interruption That guidance also states that loan scheme last year in accordance with the bank’s “failing to do so is regarded by colleagues as very discourteous.” published guidance on accreditation. All decisions taken by the bank were made independently and in accordance with the bank’s usual procedure. The criteria by which the decisions were made were based on those used in the existing enterprise finance guarantee scheme, dating back from 2009, and were set out in the CLBILS request for proposals, which was a publicly available document. These criteria included minimum requirements such as the ability to demonstrate a track record of lending to larger enterprises, provision of evidence-based forecasts, the ability to demonstrate sufficient capital available to meet the lending forecasts, a viable business model, robust operations and systems, that the proposed lending will not have unreasonable lender-levied fees and interest, and that the lender has all the necessary regulations, licences, authorisations and permissions to operate the scheme. All accredited lenders are subject to regular audit by the bank to ensure their compliance with scheme rules. Following analysis of loan data as part of its standard due diligence, the bank opened an investigation into Greensill Capital’s compliance with the terms of the scheme in October 2020 and informed the Government of this on 9 October. That investigation is continuing and the Government’s obligations as guarantor under the CLBILS guarantee are suspended on a precautionary basis. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the investigation at this time. Anneliese Dodds: I start by paying tribute to the Duke of , who was an extraordinary public servant. My thoughts today are with the Queen and the rest of the royal family as we all mourn his passing. They are also with the friends and family of Cheryl Gillan, and I would like to associate myself with the very moving tributes that we quite rightly heard a few moments ago. I welcome the Minister’s presence, but it was the Chancellor who needed to come to the House today; the Chancellor who told David Cameron that he would “push” his team to amend emergency loan schemes to suit Cameron’s new employer; the Chancellor whose officials met with Greensill 10 times; the Chancellor who took the credit for Government business loan schemes when they were in the headlines and, indeed, who personally announced those schemes. Yet the Chancellor is frit to put his name to those loan schemes today. He has just spent £600,000 on communications. I would have thought that that would extend to communicating with Parliament. In the Chancellor’s absence, let me ask: what was the alternative that the Chancellor pushed his team to explore after David 145 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 Greensill Capital 146

[Anneliese Dodds] provide supply chain finance through the CLBILS. It was only accredited to provide invoice finance, term Cameron texted him? What discussions did the Government loans and revolving credit facilities. have with the British Business Bank about Greensill’s access to CLBILS after it had already been rejected for Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con): Will my hon. the covid corporate financing facility? Were the criteria Friend confirm that in all dealings with Greensill, the for CLBILS amended so that Greensill could access the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, scheme? Why was Greensill the only supply chain finance the Chancellor, his Ministers and his officials always firm accredited for CLBILS, and what due diligence followed all appropriate codes of conduct? was done? Paul Scully: Indeed; all the decisions were taken Hundreds of millions of pounds of public money independently, and that included rejecting Greensill were put at risk by giving Greensill access to this from being able to access the higher level of loan scheme. With Greensill’s collapse, thousands of jobs—in facility, the only request for which came from the shadow Rotherham, Hartlepool and right across the country—have Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member been put at risk. Those workers and taxpayers across for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey). the country deserve answers. The Chancellor said that he would “level with” the public. Why is he running (Glasgow Central) (SNP) [V]: I express scared of levelling with them on the Greensill scandal? my condolences, on behalf of the Scottish National party, to the family and friends of Cheryl Gillan and Paul Scully: I associate myself with the hon. Member’s Shirley Williams. I also wish my constituents, and everyone words about the Duke of Edinburgh and, of course, our celebrating, Ramadan Mubarak and a happy and peaceful colleague Cheryl Gillan, both of whom will be sorely Vaisakhi. missed. This scandal further exposes the depth of cronyism at The Chancellor wrote to the hon. Member last week the heart of this UK Tory Government—and it is not with a comprehensive response to her questions regarding new, because back in November the National Audit engagement between Greensill and HM Treasury. The Office expressed concerns about a VIP list of suppliers, Prime Minister has asked Nigel Boardman to conduct a with those on the list 10 times more likely to get a review to look into the decisions taken around the contract than those who were not. The Financial Times development and use of supply chain finance and the reports today that £19 billion of covid contracts were associated schemes in Government—especially the role awarded without rival bids. of Lex Greensill and Greensill Capital—and to set out There remain serious questions about the role of any findings as necessary. The Government recognise Greensill while Mr Cameron was Prime Minister and the interest in the matter. It is right that we now let that about who exactly is being afforded similar influence in review happen. the UK Government today. It is absolutely galling that In the interests of transparency, the Chancellor has some have hoovered up so much Government support provided all the messages that were sent from him to while millions who do not happen to have ministerial David Cameron on this matter; they relate exclusively to phone numbers get absolutely nothing at all. Greensill’s proposals for the covid corporate financing Will the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and Secretary facility. The Chancellor is right to push officials, as we of State for Health and Social Care come before the all have, to explore all ways of capital getting to House to explain their actions? How can we have confidence businesses—large and small. That is what all Members in the inquiry that has been announced when, from the of this House were asking and demanding the Government Home Secretary’s bullying to the race equality report, to do at that particular point. It is important to remember this UK Government have such a woeful record on that the Chancellor rejected the idea that he should marking their own homework? rewrite the CCFF to include any banks. The reason the Chancellor is not here is that the Paul Scully: A number of the issues the hon. Lady question is about the CLBILS. I suggest to the hon. raised were slightly wide of the mark in respect of this Lady that she asks her question in a different forum or urgent question. The review will do its work and Nigel that she asks a different question, because the coronavirus Boardman has had assurance from all parties that they large business interruption loan scheme, to which this will co-operate and offer any information required. He question pertains, is administered by the British Business is due to report back at the end of June. Bank. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con): The furlough scheme, Industrial Strategy is the sole shareholder in the bank. the self-employment income support scheme and the As such, the responsibility for the delivery of the scheme coronavirus business interruption loan scheme have sits with BEIS. The accreditation process for any of the been lifelines for many thousands of my constituents in covid loan schemes is run independently by the British Redcar and Cleveland, and across Teesside almost Business Bank; neither BEIS nor HM Treasury had a 500 businesses have benefited from CBILs worth well role or were involved in the CLBILS accreditation over £100 million. Will the Minister confirm that all decision for Greensill. those businesses have gone through the appropriate There were two other non-bank lenders accredited checks to be approved and that HMRC will take action under the CLBILS, with over 75 accredited for the against any fraudulent abuse of the scheme? CBILS. It was an important feature of the covid loan schemes that there was a diversity of lenders to ensure a Paul Scully: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: any broad range of choice for borrowers, enabling them to business applying for any of the Government schemes—I access the finance they needed to survive and recover have talked about the accreditation required to deliver from the pandemic. Greensill was not accredited to those schemes—has to go through a robust procedure. 147 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 Greensill Capital 148

HMRC and other organisations will indeed make sure Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): If we that we are hot on fraud, because this is taxpayers’ can put to one side the blatant political opportunism money that we are talking about. That is why, in the here, there is a scandal behind this. Greensill failed instance that this question is about, it is important to because it overextended itself to GFG Alliance. That remember that the Chancellor rejected the suggestion was signed off by Grant Thornton, GFG’s auditors, that was put forward. The process is doing its job. effectively on a business model that included borrowing hundreds of millions of pounds based on the security of Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD): When an urgent a very insecure, possibly non-existent order book. Will question of a similar nature came before the House just my hon. Friend bring forward his intended reforms to before the recess, I asked the Secretary of State for the audit regulatory system and make sure that Grant Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy whether a list Thornton’s role in this is properly investigated? of all the organisations that have received loans—whether they were under the bounce back loan scheme, CBILS Paul Scully: My hon. Friend will appreciate the audit or any of the other schemes—would be made available, reforms that we are consulting on. It is absolutely right because the Minister has said previously that that will that the markets work when they are transparent and be done “in due course”. When I asked the Secretary of open, which is why we are determined to make sure State on that occasion, he said to me that he will “try to that, in the light of recent failures, we get these audit see” what can be done to put that list of businesses in reforms through, and I look forward to his contribution the public domain. I hope the Minister agrees that to that debate. many of these questions are arising because of a lack of transparency in the way that some of the support has Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ been awarded. Will he tell me how the Secretary of Co-op): It is incredibly sad and disappointing that, State is getting on with publishing that list? throughout this pandemic, we have seen too little transparency from Government about every aspect of how taxpayers’ money is being spent. The Government Paul Scully: As the hon. Lady will know, at the time keep saying to the House, “Well, it was terribly difficult of delivery we were trying to deliver money to businesses in those first two months.” We are now a year on, and as quickly as possible. The fact that businesses have we are still uncovering more. Is the Minister really accessed support—especially the larger loans under satisfied that a six-week inquiry, dragged out as an CLBILS—will appear in their accounts, and will obviously announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday, is enough be reported to the European Union should that be to shine sunlight on the millions of taxpayers’ money required for state aid purposes. that has been given to organisations such as Greensill, backed by Government and therefore a loss to the Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con) [V]: I remind the taxpayer when things go wrong? Is six weeks enough, Minister that one of David Cameron’s last big acts as and will he commit to far more transparency, including, Prime Minister was to hold a large anti-corruption if necessary, calling witnesses before this House? summit in London, with some hard-hitting findings. Will the Government recommit to delivering on all the Paul Scully: The hon. Lady talks about two different promises made in the subsequent anti-corruption strategy? things. There is a review into supply chain finance and Will the Minister confirm that if any changes need to be the request from Greensill Capital, but there is also the made as a result of the inquiry that is just starting, they wider view of how taxpayers’ money was spent when will be brought to Parliament as soon as they possibly the Government were working about as close to real can be? time as they will ever get to do. Business owners will understand the huge difference between the speed at Paul Scully: I admire my hon. Friend’s work on which business and Government work. We will review anti-corruption. It is important to keep raising the how taxpayers’ money has been spent, but we will also issue, but it is also important to keep a sense of perspective make sure that, as my hon. Friend the Member for and to tackle actual corruption rather than speculate on Redcar (Jacob Young) said, we chase people who have other issues for political purposes. As I say, it is important used Government grants and support inappropriately. to remember that in these circumstances the process has worked well: it was right to push for as much capital as (Henley) (Con) [V]: Is it not true that the possible to flow to small and large businesses, but it is accreditation process that was used allowed a wide important to remember that the Chancellor did reject diversity of lenders to become accredited under the scheme the suggestion put forward by Greensill. in order to give more choice to borrowers, and that focus on the choices available to borrowers was crucial? Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab) [V]: I would like to wish all celebrating the Hindu new year a happy Navratri Paul Scully: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The and the Sikh community a happy Vaisakhi today. Chancellor and a number of Ministers reflected the view of the House that we wanted to push to make sure The Bank of England is rightly independent of the we had that diversity of finance and capital available to Government. Can the Minister confirm whether or not businesses of all different types. We should be proud of Bank of England officials were requested by the Treasury the support that has been given out, which has allowed to make amendments to its covid corporate financing companies to get through this incredibly difficult time, facility to suit Greensill Capital after the former Prime and it remains a difficult time. Minister had texted the Chancellor? (Glasgow South West) (SNP) [V]: In Paul Scully: As I have said, the Chancellor rejected responding to this story, David Cameron said that any notion that the CCFF scheme should be rewritten. “important lessons” must be learned—I should certainly 149 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 Greensill Capital 150

[Chris Stephens] we can by speaking to businesses large and small and by speaking to stakeholders to try to smooth out those cliff think so, given these shady back-door lobbying efforts edges of support. As we get to that road map, as we with Cabinet Ministers. My question is simple: if serving start to reopen and recover our economy,it is as important Ministers are found to have breached or been in breach as ever to make sure that we have that flexibility within of the ministerial code, will they resign? our support. Paul Scully: The review will look to see exactly what happened in this situation. Nigel Boardman will do his Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) work, which will report back at the end of June, and all (Ind) [V]: It is apparent in the text messages sent in the parties involved have committed to make sure that April 2020 between the Chancellor and David Cameron, all the information is available. now published by the Treasury, that the Chancellor pushed the team to explore an alternative with the bank (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: Clearly, at regarding cheap loans for Greensill. Will the Minister the beginning, when the pandemic first struck, it was explain what those alternative arrangements were and vital that we as a Government moved very swiftly to why Greensill was deemed such an important recipient ensure the protection of small and medium-sized enterprises. of public funds, even after the Bank of England refused Does my hon. Friend agree that it was right that the to authorise Greensill’s entry into the covid corporate Treasury listened and gave consideration to all the potential financing facility scheme? options to support businesses to survive the pandemic given the extraordinary and unprecedented challenges Paul Scully: The Bank of England refused Greensill’s facing UK SMEs last spring? entry because there were no banks in the scheme. It was Paul Scully: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The a way for the Government and the Bank of England to scheme that we are being asked about today for large get money to businesses and of underwriting it rather businesses protects many jobs in those companies, but it than its being a separate loan scheme. That is why is right that we also looked at a diversity of lenders and Greensill was accredited for CLBILS. The only other of approaches to cover small businesses, as they do not request to expand Greensill’s reach came from the shadow always have the resilience and capacity of those larger Front-Bench team, who asked for it to receive the businesses to survive and respond in these tough times. higher level—up to £200 million.

Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab) [V]: I Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab) [V]: assumed that “whatever it takes” meant making sure The Chancellor now washes his hands of the covid that people got the help and the support that they public lending schemes that he set up. It is laughable needed, not deploying Treasury officials to try to mangle given the fanfare and fuss he made of their launch. I the rules in order to protect David Cameron’s shares. almost feel sorry for the Minister. He has been sent here Just how many people and how many hours did the to defend the actions of senior Ministers who are not Chancellor devote to Mr Cameron’s concerns as opposed even in his Department. Given that the Chancellor is to those 3 million excluded self-employed people whom the person who we know received lobbying texts from this Government have abandoned? David Cameron, can the Minister tell the House what Paul Scully: The Chancellor and other Ministers have he thinks the Chancellor is afraid of? spent many, many hours speaking to lenders and to businesses of all sizes to make sure that we can best Paul Scully: The Chancellor has delivered £356 billion- reflect on and flex the support that is given to them. The worth of support, I think it is currently, to businesses. system worked when the Chancellor was asked to change He has flexed at every opportunity across Government the scheme inappropriately, because, rather than having in devising and designing loan schemes, which are overseen the banks involved in the CCFF, it was a Government- by the British Business Bank, which is overseen, as the backed scheme with the Bank of England. That is why single shareholder, by the Secretary of State for BEIS. he rejected that approach, which meant that the procedure That is what we should be proud of. The Chancellor is went well. not afraid of anything here. The question is about the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme, Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con) [V]: Businesses in which is administered by BEIS, and that is why I am Dudley South want support to go to the businesses that here to answer it. need it as quickly and effectively as possible rather than just falling back on how things have always been done when are far from ordinary. Can my hon. Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: I Friend assure them that, while processes will be transparent understand and share my colleagues’ concerns about and due diligence will be done with taxpayers’ money, lobbying, but, like other corporate financial scandals his Department will continue to look at all the options such as Enron, we need to follow the money. We know to make sure that the necessary support is getting to that it was the German Greensill Bank that made the where it is needed rather than just going with traditional loans to Sanjeev Gupta and also supported the use of processes of distributing funds? the private jets on which our former Prime Minister made many journeys, and that the bank is now under Paul Scully: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. What criminal investigation as many thousands of German the Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Business, people face bankruptcy. What conversations has the Energy and Industrial Strategy and other Ministers Minister had with the German prosecutors about the have done throughout is to make sure that, rather than CLBILS loan scheme, and will they be invited to give just reacting to events, we can flex and respond as best evidence to the inquiry? 151 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 Greensill Capital 152

Paul Scully: As I said in my opening statement, the officials, and the junior Minister has the audacity to bank opened an investigation into Greensill Capital’s stand there and say that this is a system working well. compliance with the terms of the scheme in October When David Cameron was the Prime Minister, he said 2020 and informed the Government of that on 9 October. corporate lobbying was That is continuing. The obligations as guarantor of the “money buying power, power fishing for money and a cosy club at CLBILS scheme are suspended on a precautionary the top making decisions in their own interest.” basis, but it would not be appropriate for me to comment He could not describe this grubby, shabby Government on further investigations at this time as it is ongoing. any better, could he?

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab): As if the Paul Scully: Treasury Ministers, like other Ministers, billions of pounds of crony covid contracts was not bad have had a number of meetings with lenders of all sorts, enough for hard-working Brits to stomach, we now because as we heard earlier it is so important to have a have a former Tory Prime Minister sending private text diversity of lenders involved to create an understanding messages to the Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers of their model and what support they can give. The lobbying for Government loans for a firm in which he accreditation itself was determined independently by himself is a shareholder and that is now insolvent; we the British Business Bank. have him going for a private drink with his financier friend Lex Greensill and the Health Secretary; and we Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): The have a Chancellor who messaged back to say that he inquiry announced by the Prime Minister seems to would “push” his team to find a solution, and now has focus on the actions of David Cameron, but it is quite neither the courtesy nor the courage to come to this clear that the bigger consideration is the actions of House to be held accountable for his actions. Does the Government Ministers and how they interacted to get Minister agree that this just stinks—downright stinks—not Greensill what it wanted. It goes along with Government just because we are talking about former and current business as usual: crony appointments to the House of Tory Ministers all in it together, but because it is not Lords and crony appointments to external bodies and merely the Chancellor’s money that has been put at risk regulators. Tory peer Baroness Harding was appointed but the British taxpayers’ hard-earned money that is at to roll out the failed track and trace system. Then we stake? have all the dodgy PPE contract awards. Surely it is not a short inquiry that is needed, but a public inquiry into Paul Scully: May I respectfully suggest to the hon. the entire actions and dealings of this Government. Gentleman, through the Speaker, that if he wants the Paul Scully: The review goes beyond the actions of Chancellor to come to answer a question, he might ask one man in this matter, but it is important to remember a question that relates to the Treasury rather than one that the Chancellor in particular rejected what Greensill that comes under the British Business Bank, which is a actually wanted, so there is no case in that regard, responsibility of BEIS? As for the Chancellor, as I say, because that was rejected out of hand. the system has worked. The hon. Gentleman may be touting his Opposition day debate tomorrow about Feryal Clark (Enfield North) (Lab) [V]: The public wider things, but the Chancellor asked his officials to deserve answers. This is not the Prime Minister’s money, push for wider capital flows to be able to go through the Chancellor’s money or the Conservative party’s larger and smaller businesses, as we all wanted, and he money; it is public money. Can the Minister explain rejected Greensill’s ask to try to change the CCFF why Greensill Capital met Treasury officials 10 times scheme to involve banks including Greensill. That process last summer,as my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield worked. (Mr Perkins) said, when the most meetings any other coronavirus business interruption loan scheme lender Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC): From a former Prime secured with the Treasury was two? The vast majority Minister texting Ministers in pursuit of his own financial of lenders did not even have any meetings with his interests to concerns over Russian state access to the Department. other place, it is little wonder that questions have arisen as to the integrity of decision making in the UK. I Paul Scully: Lenders and businesses have had many, acknowledge the Government’scommitment to investigate many meetings across Government without favour, to the Greensill debacle, but will they go further by make sure that we can get that information to ensure a implementing the Intelligence and Security Committee’s diversity of lenders and that we could flex. The various recommendations regarding undue influence in decision loan schemes were added to and amended along the making, particularly in the practice of Lords for boards, way to make sure that we could take the temperature of to safeguard the transparency of our democratic decision exactly how that lending was or was not working. making? John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): I would Paul Scully: The review specifically looks at supply like to associate myself first with the comments made chain finance and the discussions with Greensill. As I earlier about Cheryl Gillan from all sides of the House. say, Nigel Boardman will do his work and report back Many Members will remember that seven years ago, at the end of June. when David Cameron was putting his lobbying Bill through this place, he point blank refused to adopt any Mr Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): I have written new clauses or amendments that would bring greater to Ministers on behalf of businesses in Chesterfield—many transparency to the corporate lobbying industry.I wonder other MPs have written too—and have waited months why he did that. All these years later, is it not time to put for a reply while a business was on the brink, yet that right and introduce greater transparency—not to Greensill gets 10 meetings in three months with Treasury stop corporate lobbying, which is a perfectly legitimate 153 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 Greensill Capital 154

[John Cryer] Paul Scully: I am not aware of any communication between Ministers and the British Business Bank about business to engage in, but to introduce greater the accreditation of Greensill, which was made accountability—so that we and the public know who is independently of Government. There is an ongoing being lobbied and by whom? investigation into Greensill, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this time. Paul Scully: I started off by talking about how the market works when there is transparency and openness, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): Five and lobbying comes within that. We should always years ago this week, the former Member for Bolsover review what is and is not there. The lobbying register was asked to leave the Chamber for using unparliamentary should be working, and we need to make sure that that language towards David Cameron regarding his personal continues to work, but we always should be able to finances. Does the Minister now agree that he was, and review lobbying activities to make sure that they are, as indeed remains, dodgy? the hon. Gentleman says, transparent. Paul Scully: No. Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab): Is the central fact not that there was communication between a former Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: Prime Minister and Ministers about his private interests? When businesses continue to collapse and charities fold Will the Minister confirm that that is a breach of the in our constituencies because they have not received a long-standing British value that high office is not a penny of support, it now appears that not everything grubby route through to great riches in the afterlife? that the former Prime Minister did was , Will he indicate that he could take immediate action as exchanges took place to procure hundreds of millions while we wait for this inquiry, which sounds like a of pounds out of the Treasury for a company that he whitewash to me, to remove the impression that powerful was profiting from. The very loopholes that Labour wealth dominates public institutions? He could stop the tried to close in his lobbying legislation left sufficient revolving door between Ministers and the private sector. room for that corruption. So will the Minister stop He could stop immediately all forms of lobbying within hiding the detail and now publish a timeline of every Westminster and Whitehall. Finally, he could stop the meeting, call, text message and conversation between process of outsourcing to Tory chums. the former Prime Minister and Members of this current Conservative Government and their officials—publish them before this House, so that we can understand the Paul Scully: What I can do is explain the difference extent of his lobbying? between an output and an outcome. An output means that any number of meetings, any number of requests— Paul Scully: The Chancellor has published his text unless you block the number, any Minister will receive messages and there is a review that, rather than hiding, those texts. An outcome is what actually happens as a will go into the detail. As I said, all the parties involved result, and I was absolutely clear that the Chancellor have pledged their commitment to comply with that rejected what was put forward by Greensill and rejected investigation, which will report back at the end of June. what was put forward by David Cameron. Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab): The simple fact is (Midlothian) (SNP): This process is that, again and again, Members from all parts of the just another example of where covid contracts are becoming House pleaded with the Chancellor to meet us to hear a genuine source of public concern. The allegations are the plight of millions of people who were excluded from further undermining public confidence and cultivating any Government support, and the Chancellor would among the public a feeling of suspicion about all the never find the time for such a meeting; but a few texts activities of this Government. How do the Government from dodgy Dave, and Greensill has got 10 meetings propose to rebuild public trust in the wake of the and a ream of correspondence with senior Treasury emergence of yet another scandal? officials—the type of access that most businesses in this country could only dream of. So I ask the Minister why Paul Scully: Having been in opposition at a local it was that, in correspondence between Greensill and a level, I know what causes speculation and mistrust senior Treasury official, they put in words: among the public, and it is that chipping away, the “Whilst not using this precise phrasing, we have crafted a politicisation of some of these issues. But the Chancellor formulation both in substance and form which provides an even has been particularly robust in his actions and his stronger political position.” outcomes here. There is a review; Nigel Boardman will Why is a private company advising Treasury officials do his work. People have committed to be open and about political positioning; and does not this show that, transparent with him, and the review will report back at despite his protestations, it is ludicrous that the Business the end of June, and will show results for the public Minister is here, not the Chancellor? If the Chancellor to see. had nothing to fear, he would have nothing to hide and he would be here to answer the questions. Dame Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab) [V]: Was the British Business Bank approached by senior civil servants Paul Scully: I am afraid that in Government we have or Ministers about Greensill’s having access to the to deal with details, and that includes asking the right coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme? question in the first place. If a question is asked about a Did Greensill exceed its authority and lend more than it BEIS responsibility, I think it is fair and reasonable that was authorised to lend—£400 million to the Gupta a BEIS Minister should come here and answer it. However, group alone, all of which has now been lost? I come back to the point that the hon. Gentleman can 155 Greensill Capital 13 APRIL 2021 156 come up with all he likes about process, but what Chinese Government Sanctions on businesses want are outcomes, and that means capital UK Citizens flowing through those businesses. The outcome in this situation was that the Chancellor rejected such a proposal, Mr Speaker: Before I call the hon. Member for East but the detail that the hon. Gentleman talks about will Worthing and Shoreham (), I wish to be investigated by Nigel Boardman, and that review will make it clear that it is in the public interest that Members be published by the end of June. should be able to speak and act freely in raising issues of concern. They should not be impeded in carrying out Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP): Just three their duties—and that includes the Chair of the Foreign weeks ago, I asked Ministers to back an independent Affairs Committee. They are democratically elected investigation into the actions of crony Cameron. At representatives and nothing should interfere with the that time, they refused to answer, so I welcome the democratic process. U-turn that has again taken place. However, the public expect and want total accountability and transparency, 1.40 pm so will the Minister back a wider review into the dishing Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con) out of covid contracts to Tory donors and friends? (Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if Paul Scully: I am not sure I recognise the name that he will make a statement on recent sanctions imposed the hon. Gentleman calls the former Prime Minister, by the Chinese Government on UK citizens. which I think is inappropriate. There is a review, which is investigating as we speak. With regard to covid, as I The Minister for Asia (Nigel Adams): The Government say, there are a number of things that we will look at stand in complete solidarity with those sanctioned by when we are past this pandemic. We will look back at China. As the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary what has happened and at the support that the Government have made clear,this action by Beijing is utterly unacceptable have given—the many hundreds of millions of pounds and unwarranted. that the Government have given to small and large The House will recall that on 22 March, the UK, businesses. alongside the EU, Canada and the United States, imposed asset freezes and travel bans against four senior Chinese Mr Speaker: I am suspending the House for three Government officials and one entity responsible for the minutes to enable the necessary arrangements to be violations that have taken place and persist against the made for the next business. Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. In response,China sanctioned nine individuals and four organisations,including Members 1.36 pm of this House and the other place, who have criticised Sitting suspended. its record on human rights. It speaks volumes that while 30 countries are united in sanctioning those responsible for serious and systematic violations of human rights in Xinjiang, China’s response is to retaliate against those who seek to shine a light on those violations. It is fundamental to our parliamentary democracy that Members of both Houses can speak without fear or favour on matters of concern to the British people. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made absolutely clear the Government’s position through their public statements and on 22 March. I also summoned China’s representative in the UK to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to lodge a strong, formal protest at China’sactions. This Government have been quick to offer support to those who have been sanctioned. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary held private meetings with the parliamentarians named in China’s announcement. My noble Friend, the Minister for human rights, Lord Ahmad, met other individuals and the entities that have been targeted. Through this engagement, we have provided guidance and an offer of ongoing support, including a designated FCDO point of contact and specialist briefing from relevant Departments. Just as this Government will be unbowed by China’s action, I have no doubt that Members across this House will be undeterred in raising their fully justified concerns about the situation in Xinjiang and the human rights situation in China more broadly. I applaud the parliamentarians named by China: my hon. Friends the Members for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton), for Tonbridge and Malling (), for Harborough (Neil O’Brien) and for Wealden (Ms Ghani), my right hon. Friend the Member 157 Chinese Government Sanctions on 13 APRIL 2021 Chinese Government Sanctions on 158 UK Citizens UK Citizens [Nigel Adams] UK boardrooms, will the Government commit to a detailed and transparent audit of Chinese influence in for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan our education system, our military capability,our business Smith), the noble Lord Alton and the noble Baroness and our infrastructure projects, and, if found to be Kennedy for the vital role they have played in drawing acting against British interests, send them packing? attention to the plight of the Uyghurs and other minorities Given the disgraceful recent dressing-down of our in Xinjiang. ambassador in Beijing for supporting on social media This Government have worked with partners to build the role of a free press, will the Minister confirm that the international caucus of those willing to speak out British diplomats will not be bowed and will be fortified against China’s human rights violations and increase in calling out abuses by the Chinese Government wherever the pressure on China to change its behaviour. We have they happen, as we sanctioned parliamentarians have led joint statements at the UN’s human rights bodies, been fortified to call out the abuses of the totalitarian most recently joined by 38 countries at the UN General Government in China by their badly-thought-out and Assembly Third Committee in October, and we have counterproductive use of sanctions, which we will wear backed up our international action with robust domestic as a badge of honour? Will the Minister signal, clearly measures. In addition to the global human rights sanctions and firmly, that project kowtow is over and that Britain announced on 22 March, the Foreign Secretary announced will not flinch from standing up and calling out Chinese a series of targeted measures in January to help ensure Government abuses, which they have got away with for that British businesses are not complicit in human far too long? rights violations in Xinjiang. The United Kingdom will continue to work alongside its partners to send the Nigel Adams: I thank my hon. Friend for his questions clearest possible signal of the international community’s and for his bravery in the work that he and other right serious concern and our collective willingness to act to hon. and hon. Members have done, which led to these hold China to account for its gross human rights violations extraordinary measures by China. in the region. We have been absolutely clear with China that its sanctioning of UK individuals and entities is unwarranted Tim Loughton: Mr Deputy Speaker,I thank the Speaker and unacceptable. My hon. Friend is right to shine a for granting this urgent question and for his robust light on these measures. We will not allow this action by support, together with that of the Lord Speaker, the China—neither will our diplomats—to distract attention Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister from the gross human rights violations in Xinjiang. We today. I suppose I need to declare an interest as one of will continue to work alongside our partners to send the the five right hon. and hon. Members of this House clearest possible signal of the international community’s who have been placed on the Chinese Government’s serious concerns and our collective willingness to act. sanctions list, apparently for “maliciously” spreading My hon. Friend mentioned Jo Smith Finley, who is “lies and disinformation”; in the language of the Chinese another of the individuals named. Academic freedom Communist party, of course, that is a euphemism for and freedom of speech are fundamental UK values and speaking the truth. As parliamentarians we have been a cornerstone of the world-class UK higher education singled out, together with Lord Alton and Baroness system. The attempt to silence those highlighting human Kennedy of The Shaws, presumably for our vociferous rights violations in Xinjiang in academia is absolutely calling out of the genocide against the Uyghur people unwarranted and unacceptable. We are offering support by the Chinese Government, the industrial-scale human to Jo Smith Finley, as we will and have for all those rights abuses in Tibet and the suppression of free speech impacted by these sanctions. and liberty in Hong Kong. That is what parliamentarians do, without fear or favour, in a democracy. To be Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab) [V]: The Labour sanctioned by a totalitarian regime is, therefore, not party stands in solidarity with the nine British citizens, only deeply ironic and laughable, but an abuse of including Members of both Houses, who have been parliamentary privilege of this House, by a foreign sanctioned by the Chinese Government solely for calling regime. out Beijing’s appalling human rights abuses against the What further action are the Government considering Uyghur people in Xinjiang. We welcome the Prime against the Chinese Government to emphasise how Minister’s invitation to those who were sanctioned to unacceptable and unfounded their action is? Will the meet him, and we hope that the Government are providing Minister assure the House that the Government will not those individuals with adequate advice and support. be proceeding with any new agreements with the Chinese However,we are deeply concerned about the rank hypocrisy Government while these sanctions remain in place? and inconsistency in the Government’s actions regarding The other individuals named were Newcastle University China. academic Dr Jo Smith Finley and Uyghur expert lawyer, When Beijing introduced the Hong Kong national Sir Geoffrey Nice QC. Does the Minister agree that this security law last summer, the UK withdrew from two also represents an attack on academic freedom and the UK-China Government investment forums: the joint independence of the legal profession in the United trade and economic commission and the economic and Kingdom? What support are the Government offering financial dialogue. However, it is reported that those to those two individuals? forums are now reopening. Will the Minister confirm Given growing concerns about the malign influence that? of the Chinese Government in sensitive research projects On Hong Kong, does the Minister now agree with in our universities, the sinister tentacles of the Confucius the Opposition that British judges who serve in Hong institutes on campuses and increasingly in our schools, Kong are only lending a veneer of credibility to a not to mention the wide-scale buying of influence in broken system and that they should therefore withdraw? 159 Chinese Government Sanctions on 13 APRIL 2021 Chinese Government Sanctions on 160 UK Citizens UK Citizens Lord Reed’s review was announced in November. When where do we go with our relationship with China? will its conclusions be published? Where are the Magnitsky China has sanctioned, without reason, British politicians, sanctions against Carrie Lam and the human rights people beyond the political sphere and organisations. It violators in Hong Kong? has also sanctioned people in Europe and in America. In January,the Foreign Secretary said that “we shouldn’t Surely it is now time for the Government to lead our be” doing trade deals with countries committing human allies in Europe and the United States in saying to rights abuses China that there can be no preferential trade, economic “well below the level of genocide”, or commercial deals done while our citizens are sanctioned. Will the Minister resist any moves by any other part of yet the Government whipped their MPs against the Government to water down any of the measures in the genocide amendment to the Trade Bill. Will the Minister new National Security and Investment Bill, which is explain that rank hypocrisy and why the Foreign Secretary going through Parliament? says one thing in public and something else altogether in private? The Government claim to be alive to the Nigel Adams: I commend my right hon. Friend for his threat that Chinese state-backed investment poses to continued work on this subject. The Government see Britain’s economic security and prosperity, so why on China’s increasing international assertiveness at scale as earth is the Business Secretary weakening our defences potentially the most significant geopolitical shift in the by watering down the National Security and Investment 2020s, but it is vital that we co-operate with China to Bill? Today, Taiwan suffered the biggest Chinese military tackle the most important challenges facing this generation, incursion into its airspace to date of 25 planes. What not the least of which is climate change. We will do conversations is the Minister having with his counterparts more to adapt to that growing impact and to manage about that worrying development? our disagreements. We need to defend our values but co-operate where our interests align. We must pursue a It is clear that the Government have no strategy on positive economic relationship as well as tackle global China at home and no strategy on China abroad. Will challenges. I said in response to a previous question that they now commit to an audit of every aspect of the the House should be in no doubt that China is an UK-China relationship so that we can finally call time authoritarian state, with different values from those of on the Conservatives’ failed golden era strategy and the United Kingdom. We will continue to act on matters replace weakness, division and inconsistency with an on which we do not agree, including human rights and approach that is instead based on strength, unity and Hong Kong. consistency? (Stirling) (SNP) [V]: As Members have Nigel Adams: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his said, the sanctions fit into a wider pattern of action that questions. The reality is that the UK has always wanted Beijing has been taking forward across the European a mature, positive relationship with China. That has to continent and the US, reaching beyond politics and into be based on mutual respect and trust. There is still academia and elsewhere. From the perspective of the considerable scope for constructive engagement and Scottish National party, the whole point of democracy co-operation, but we will not sacrifice our values or our is that we can disagree, if not as friends then certainly as security. It is worth getting it on the record that China is colleagues, and I have no hesitation in expressing our an authoritarian state with different values from the total support and total solidarity with the right hon. UK. We continually act on matters on which we do not and hon. Members across the House and those elsewhere agree, including human rights and Hong Kong. who have been sanctioned in this way. I am quite sure it The hon. Gentleman mentioned Hong Kong. The will not silence them; it certainly will not silence SNP prosperity and way of life for Hongkongers relies on politicians in the or in this place. respect for fundamental freedoms, which includes an Beijing has taken advantage of mixed signals from independent judiciary and the rule of law. We are fully the UK Government. Although the Government have committed to upholding Hong Kong’s high degree of not done nothing, they could be tougher. It was a autonomy and rights and freedoms under the joint Conservative Government who whipped their own declaration. On the national security law, the imposition Members against a genocide amendment to the Trade of the new rules including disqualifying elected legislators Bill—a matter of great regret—and the UK still does and changes to election processes, clearly constitutes a not define the situation in Xinjiang as genocide. Does serious breach of the joint declaration. We consider the Minister not agree that we need to be tougher on Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with this? It is high time that the UK Government follow the the Sino-British joint declaration. lead of others, define what is happening in Xinjiang as genocide and make it clear that the UK will not do On Taiwan, yes, we are clearly concerned by any business with genocidal regimes anywhere? action that raises tensions in the Taiwan strait and risks destabilising the status quo. We have a long-standing Nigel Adams: The amendment to the Trade Bill that policy that the Taiwan issue needs to be settled peacefully was passed is consistent with our long-standing policy by the people on both sides of the Taiwan strait through that any judgment on whether genocide has occurred is constructive dialogue. We continue to work with Taiwan a matter for a competent court, rather than for Governments constructively on economic trade, education and cultural or non-judicial bodies, and should be decided after ties, and I think our relationship brings huge benefits to consideration of all the evidence available in the context both the United Kingdom and Taiwan. of a credible judicial process. Ms Nusrat Ghani (Wealden) (Con): I want to put on Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford the record my thanks to Mr Speaker for his robust Green) (Con) [V]: I thank Mr Speaker for his opening support. He fully understands that sanctioning MPs statement of support, which is absolutely right, and the was not only about intimidating us, but about threatening Minister for his response. Surely the key question is: the integrity of this House. 161 Chinese Government Sanctions on 13 APRIL 2021 Chinese Government Sanctions on 162 UK Citizens UK Citizens [Ms Nusrat Ghani] announced that have led to these sanctions. That should give the hon. Lady some comfort that the UK Government It is absurd for MPs to be sanctioned for producing a are working together with our international partners to Select Committee report that talks about slave labour in shine a light on these gross violations. Xinjiang. My question to the Minister is this: if we know that the United Nations is broken when it comes (Dudley North) (Con): Does my hon. to determining genocide, what are we to do now that the Friend agree that if China wishes to rebut claims of Chinese communist party has decided to sanction those human rights violations made by this Government or Members who dared to speak about it? The Minister this House, the easiest thing it can do is to allow free spoke about the work the Government are doing with and unfettered access to the United Nations Human businesses to make sure that modern slavery is not in Rights Commissioner? supply chains, but that is now worthless, because every business doing the right thing that was identified in our Nigel Adams: My hon. Friend is spot on. That would report is now being threatened by the Chinese communist help to clear up a lot of these issues. The Foreign party. Secretary has made it clear that the UN High Commissioner Finally,alongside many colleagues, I led on the genocide for Human Rights or another independent fact-finding amendment to the Trade Bill. Although it is good that body must be given unfettered access to Xinjiang to the Government’s compromise tackled genocide, it is check the facts. We have called for this repeatedly in shameful that it excluded the Uyghur. I do not expect a joint statements and national statements at the UN. It is change in the law, but I do expect the Minister to say vital that China allows such access without delay. If, as that the Uyghur people can now come forward in any China claims, these allegations are fabrications and process in this place that is established to see whether falsehoods, how can it object to granting access? genocide is taking place. Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: China Nigel Adams: I thank my hon. Friend for her persistent sees the UK Government refusal to allow our courts work in this area. She—and other colleagues and entities and Parliaments to make judgments about genocide in that have been sanctioned—obviously have the full support relation to trade agreements as a sign of weakness, and of the Foreign Office. I know that her work on the issue its sanctions against UK citizens is the latest move to of genocide has been long standing, but I do think the show that it will suppress democracy, abuse human Government’s amendment to the Trade Bill is consistent rights and flout the rule of law. Since bullies only with our policy. Select Committees will be able to come respond to strength, will the Government now use their up with a report that the Government have to consider. chairing of COP26 and the G7 to bring unity in our Depending on the response of the Select Committees, trade and financial agreements to strongly support our that could very well lead to a meaningful debate on the shared values and our shared environment? Floor of the House. Nigel Adams: The hon. Gentleman raises a point Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD) [V]: about genocide that I have answered on previous questions. The Liberal Democrats offer full solidarity with colleagues We are absolutely committed to ensuring that our trade and organisations who have been sanctioned for daring policy is consistent with our international obligations, to speak out against atrocities committed by China. If and it is absolutely clear that more trade does not have the purpose of those sanctions was to try to muzzle to come at the expense of human rights. We have a high them, I am sorry to say that all it has done is made all of level of ambition for our trade and investment partnership us even more determined to speak truth to power in this with China, but it should not come at the expense of place. human rights. On 8 April, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez announced a bipartisan Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab) [V]: Many in Newport agreement on new comprehensive China legislation. West were delighted by the election of Joe Biden and What consideration has the Minister given to seeking Kamala Harris, and I for one was among them. The cross-party support for a comprehensive and nuanced Minister will know that the American Government new foreign policy settlement towards China that protects have taken action where we have not, so can the Minister democracy and human rights? As he will have seen from be clear? He has already been asked the question, but I the strong support for the genocide amendment to the was not clear on his answer. Does he intend to bring Trade Bill, such a settlement would be welcomed across forward further sanctions on other entities and more the House. senior individuals in relation to the appalling situation in Xinjiang? A simple yes or no will do. Nigel Adams: Four months ago, the Foreign Secretary initiated a small, interdepartmental, Minister-led group Nigel Adams: We have acted to hold to account on China, working on the exact point raised by the hon. senior officials and a senior organisation responsible for Lady. It is absolutely right that we react after seeing the human rights violations taking place in Xinjiang. China’s increasing international assertiveness in recent We have also acted with 30 other countries on an agreed years. As I said previously, these are some of the most set of designations. We have increased the reach and significant geopolitical shifts that we have seen in the impact of these measures, and we have sent the clearest 2020s. We will continue to hold China to account by possible signal of the international community’s serious bringing together the coalition through statements at concern and collective willingness to act. As I have said the UN, and by working with and having alongside us many times at this Dispatch Box, it is not particularly 30 countries regarding the measures that we recently wise to speculate on further such designations. 163 Chinese Government Sanctions on 13 APRIL 2021 Chinese Government Sanctions on 164 UK Citizens UK Citizens (Stourbridge) (Con) [V]: Does my We need to manage those disagreements, defend our hon. Friend agree with me that we should be focusing values, but co-operate where those interests align. That not only on sanctions, but on the measures that stop includes pursuing the positives. As the former Foreign businesses in the UK profiting from forced labour in Secretary William Hague pointed out, this is a difficult Xinjiang? balancing act, but we must pursue a positive economic relationship. That includes tackling all sorts of other Nigel Adams: My hon. Friend is spot-on, and I agree challenges, but we have to call out China when it with her. That is why on 12 January we announced a commits human rights violations. In great contrast to series of measures to help ensure UK businesses and the sanctions that China has placed on right hon. and the public sector are not complicit in human rights hon. Members, the sanctions that we issued, alongside violations in Xinjiang. These measures target in a forensic our international partners, were thought out. They way those profiting from forced labour or those that took some time to deliver, but they had a legal basis to would financially support it, whether deliberately or them, contrary to the recent sanctions on our colleagues otherwise. that we have seen from China. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the Minister Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab) [V]: I, too, put on for his response. I spoke to the Minister beforehand, so he record my thanks to Mr Speaker for granting this knows my question in advance. Will he further outline Urgent Question. The Foreign Secretary described what what support has been offered to those who have left is happening in Xinjiang as China and Hong Kong and taken up UK citizenship? “barbarism we had hoped was lost to another era”—[Official They are being called by the Chinese embassy to pick Report, 12 January 2021; Vol. 687, c. 160.] up letters—as my constituents have been over the last The growing evidence of Uyghur Muslims being repeatedly few weeks—with no further information about what is violated and used as slaves to farm cotton is indeed in the letters or even the need for them to attend in barbaric. When will the House be presented with person to pick up the letters. They have been shaken by Government legislation to firm up section 54 of the this secrecy and what some of them term as the “threat” Modern Slavery Act 2015, so that all companies have a of these letters. This is happening right here in the responsibility to prove that their supply chains are free United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. from forced labour, and to reinforce sanctions for non- Nigel Adams: I thank the hon. Member for his point, compliance? and up until a few minutes ago I was not aware of the Nigel Adams: I thank the hon. Lady for her question reports to which he refers. He will know the level of and for her support of the Government policy that will support we are offering to those coming from Hong come forward to the House. Evidence of the scale and Kong, not least the £30-some million announced by the severity of the human rights violations being perpetrated Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in Xinjiang against the Uyghur people is far reaching last week, to help people assimilate within communities. and, as I am sure she will agree, paints a truly harrowing If he were to write to me formally with more detail, I picture. We are looking forward to hearing about further would be more than happy to provide a full response or measures, but hon. Members should be in no doubt that indeed to meet the hon. Member. the Government will take action to ensure that slave Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): When it comes labour is not used in any United Kingdom supply chains. to the call to accuse China of genocide in Xinjiang, I Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con): Does am reminded of the work of Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who my hon. Friend agree that we should stand in solidarity wrote in “The Friends of Voltaire”, as an illustration of not just with those Members facing sanctions in this House, Voltaire’s beliefs: but with all those law makers and others who have faced “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death sanctions for speaking out against China in the United your right to say it”. States, Canada and the EU? We will not be silenced. Therefore all of us, perhaps especially those of us who have had China visas denied in the past for alleged Nigel Adams: My hon. Friend is right. We have made misdemeanours, should show our solidarity with colleagues it clear that we regard China’s attempts to silence those so sanctioned. who highlight and shine a light on human rights violations Does the Minister agree with the statement made the in Xinjiang as unwarranted and unacceptable, and we other day by the former Foreign Secretary William stand in solidarity with all those sanctioned by China. Hague? He said that We are in close contact with the United States, Canada “it’s very important to find a framework of co-operation even and our European partners, who have also had citizens with a rival power when there’s so much at stake in the world on or entities sanctioned. climate change, arms control and on the future stability of the financial system.” Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP) Does my hon. Friend agree that this has to be the way [V]: Have we now reached the point where the Minister forward? should confirm that the Government will not countenance any form of trade talks with the People’s Republic of Nigel Adams: My hon. Friend speaks with a great China while it continues to sanction UK citizens? deal of experience on China. It is the case that China has different values from the United Kingdom, and as I Nigel Adams: I am not aware of any formal talks have said, its increased international assertiveness is the towards a formal trade partnership with China currently most significant geo-political shift in recent years. A taking place, but we must be clear eyed about this. We recent publication on international relations highlights must co-operate with China, but we will not be held that we will do more to adapt to China’s growing impact. back from shining a light on human rights violations. 165 Chinese Government Sanctions on 13 APRIL 2021 Chinese Government Sanctions on 166 UK Citizens UK Citizens Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con): Freedom of speech is Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: May I associate a fundamental part of our British democracy. Can my myself with the tributes paid to Cheryl Gillan, the late hon. Friend confirm that he unequivocally supports the Member for Chesham and Amersham? She was a dear right of Members of this House to criticise China over friend, and we will miss her. human rights abuses? Does he agree that it is our duty Does my hon. Friend agree that the Members who to draw attention to outrages perpetrated by the Chinese have been sanctioned by the Chinese, be they hon. or Communist party in Xinjiang and elsewhere whenever right hon. Members, are heroes of this Parliament for we learn of them? speaking up for free speech? Is this not just a thinly veiled attempt to distract the public from the horrific Nigel Adams: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The crimes that the Chinese Government are committing fundamental difference between our two countries is against not only the Uyghurs but other minority that parliamentarians in the United Kingdom have communities in China? freedom of speech and are allowed to raise issues in this place and outside it without fear or favour—that is the Nigel Adams: I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. fundamental difference that China does not quite seem Friend’s remarks about our former colleague Cheryl to understand. Its attempt to silence those highlighting Gillan. I was her Whip for a time when I first became a violations in Xinjiang is not only, frankly, ridiculous; it Whip. I had not realised that Cheryl had also been a is unacceptable and unwarranted. The Prime Minister Whip and knew how the game worked, and she very has made it clear that the freedom of parliamentarians politely reminded me of that. I remember her telling to speak out in opposition to human rights violations is me, “If you need to be bothering me as a former Whip fundamental, and that is why this Government stand over this particular vote, Nigel, then you really are in firmly with all those who have been sanctioned. trouble as a Government.” She will be sorely missed. I also wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend’s Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) comments about whether this is a thinly veiled attempt (LD): The Chinese approach to geopolitics is grim to to distract attention from the horrific crimes.Well, of course behold. At the United Nations, scores of countries have it is. I agree 100% that we must not let this action by China signed up to China’s distorted view of human rights. distract from the horrific violations taking place in Xinjiang. What is the UK doing at the United Nations to build an We will continue to work with our international partners alliance that will take on China when it needs to be to send the clearest possible signal that the international taken on? community has a collective willingness to act. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr ): I shared a Nigel Adams: The hon. Member raises a good point. room with Dame Cheryl for a period of time, and it just As we have heard, this is a big year for the United shows the strength of Dame Cheryl that she was able to Kingdom on the multilateral stage. Wehave built alliances. put up with me for so long. We sat on the Council of To be able to get 38 countries supporting our statement Europe together and, Dame Cheryl, we are going to last October in the UN and to pull together an international miss you greatly. caucus, with a number of countries that has risen from I thank the Minister for responding to the urgent the early 20s to the late 30s, is by no means a small question, which, as the Speaker intimated, hits at the achievement. The ability also to work with international very heart of the democracy in this country. We are now partners—every country in the European Union, the going to suspend for three minutes. United States and Canada—to deliver the announcement the other week on our global human rights sanctions is 2.20 pm a significant achievement. Sitting suspended. 167 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 168

Northern Ireland the democratic process, not through violence or disorder. It is incumbent on all of us engaged in political discourse 2.23 pm to support Northern Ireland in leaving its divisive past behind and continuing instead to look ahead to all the The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon opportunities of the future. Lewis): With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would Policing and justice matters are devolved under strand like to make a statement to update the House on the 1 issues under the Belfast/ Good Friday agreement. recent disorder in Northern Ireland. Despite this being a devolved matter, though, the The main areas of unrest have been specific parts Government have an important role to play in supporting of Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Ballymena, the Executive to ensure that calm prevails and in offering Cookstown, Coleraine and Londonderry. The 7 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and all those 8 April saw an escalation in the violence at an interface committed to dialogue and democracy our fullest possible area, commonly referred to as a peace wall, in west support. I have continued to meet with Northern Ireland’s Belfast, with missiles being thrown by large numbers of party leaders and the Police Service of Northern Ireland mainly young people over interface gates, and police over recent days to discuss the unrest. Our collective coming under attack. As a result of the unrest, a total of priority is to work together to ensure public safety. 88 police officers have been injured, 18 arrests have been I very much welcome the statement from the Northern made and 15 individuals have been charged. My thoughts Ireland Executive on 8 April that set out a common and, I am sure, the best wishes of everybody in this position from all Executive parties against the violence House are with those police officers. and declares their support for law and order and policing. On Friday 9 April, the incidents of public disorder I want to express my gratitude to them for their efforts were significantly reduced compared with previous evenings. and to the PSNI for continuing to work to keep people There was, however, localised disorder in north Belfast. safe. The remainder of the weekend and since has been much I also welcome recent statements from many across calmer, with only a few isolated incidents of disorder. the community and beyond condemning the violence The violence witnessed last week was totally unacceptable. and appealing for calm. The Government respect the Attacks on police officers are utterly reprehensible. right to protest, but it must be done in a peaceful Those engaged in this destruction and disorder do not manner that fully respects the rule of law. On 10 April, represent the people of Northern Ireland. It is tragic we marked 23 years since the signing of the Belfast/Good and deeply concerning that young people have been Friday agreement, an achievement of which the people engaged in, and encouraged into, this violence, and, as a of Northern Ireland are justifiably proud and on result, will now end up with criminal records. which we can continue, and must continue, to work It can be easy to look for a simplistic explanation for closely with the Irish Government as co-guarantors of the recent disorder, but it is clear that the factors behind that agreement. In that time there has been a transformative it are, in fact, complex and multi-faceted. People are change in Northern Ireland. Peace has brought frustrated after a year in which coronavirus has challenged stability and opportunity.It has enabled Northern Ireland all of us, and I do recognise how frustrating it has been, to develop into the vibrant, exciting place that it is especially for young people in Northern Ireland facing today. the uncertainty around the lifting of lockdown restrictions The Government are resolutely committed to peace without having the clear road map in Northern Ireland. and prosperity in Northern Ireland. We have invested There is also a perception that the rules and restrictions significantly in a wide range of programmes and initiatives have not been enforced equally in Northern Ireland, to that end. The Belfast/Good Friday agreement provided and we all know that there are strongly held political the foundation for peace and a framework for prosperity views within and between communities that can be in and we are committed to it, as, I think, everyone in this tension with each other. I recognise that there are House is. All of us across this House have a duty to concerns about the implications of the Northern Ireland support the people of Northern Ireland in shaping a protocol—concerns that overlap with wider questions peaceful and prosperous society for the future—a future about national identity and political allegiance—and that they can shape.I have seen at first hand an inclusive, this comes at a time of economic uncertainty caused by prosperous and hopeful society that continues to build the pandemic. on that hard-won peace. Northern Ireland has made huge strides over the past We must all work together to resolve the tensions that two decades, but it is a post-conflict society and there are currently being faced. I know from my ongoing do remain elements of fragility. Some sections of the engagement with stakeholders, including the Irish community feel that their concerns are not understood. Government, that that is a shared view. The only way to The reconciliation, equality and mutual understanding resolve differences is through dialogue, and in that between the communities and traditions envisioned in regard we must all lead by example. I commend this the Belfast/ Good Friday agreement are not recognised statement to the House. or experienced by all. There is still work to do. 2.30 pm The Belfast/Good Friday agreement, which was signed 23 years ago, highlighted the importance of progress in Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab): I thank the areas of social development, such as integrated education. Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. These will be a vital part of Northern Ireland’s future, Twenty-three years ago this week, the Belfast Good enabling even more young people to grow up in the Friday agreement was signed. The violence in recent reality of a shared society and able to effect positive days, some of it carried out by children with no memory change in their communities. The answer to all these of the dark days of the past, has been painful to issues and any others lies in dialogue, engagement and witness. Our thoughts are with those injured, and our 169 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 170

[Louise Haigh] justice. We saw that in the courage of communities along the interface in Belfast this past week. We must deep gratitude belongs with the police, community workers now see political leaders match that courage. and leaders on the ground who have helped to restore This moment must mark the end of an era in which some sense of calm in recent days. Northern Ireland has been relegated to little more than The violence was unjustified and unjustifiable. Those an afterthought and the promise of peace allowed to adults cheering on youngsters showed a sickening disregard stall. It demands a collective renewal of our commitment for their children’s futures. But recent months have to the agreement and the principles that secured it. It shown just how fragile the peace is, and that it requires demands that the vacuum of leadership and strategy in responsible and careful leadership to safeguard. As the Northern Ireland is now filled. The Prime Minister Secretary of State has outlined, there are complex and must face up to the consequences of his own actions varied factors behind the causes of the rioting—disrupted and show the leadership that the communities are crying paramilitaries lashing out at the police; anger at the way out for. in which the Bobby Storey funeral was handled last year—but there is also a very deep sense of hurt and : I welcome the hon. Lady’scondemnation anger among the Unionist and loyalist communities, of the violence and her support for the PSNI and which has been building for months and must not be others, as well as her words about the social fabric ignored. structure issues in Northern Ireland. It sounds like we The Prime Minister made promises to the people of have a shared view on that, particularly when we think Northern Ireland that there would be no border with about the failure to see the delivery of integrated education, Great Britain, knowing full well that his deal for example, which was outlined back in 1998. That is would introduce barriers across the Irish sea. He made one of the areas we need to work on. That is why the those promises because he knew that economic separation Government’s programme of work on levelling up and would be unacceptable to the Unionist community, and investing in city and growth deals and other areas is so the growing political instability we are seeing has its important: to make sure that people can see the benefits roots in the loss of trust that that caused. Trust matters. of what is happening and can take the opportunities It is what secured and has always sustained the Belfast and move forward in a positive way. Good Friday agreement. The hon. Lady is absolutely right—I agree with her—in In moments of instability, what Sir and her comments about the Unionist and loyalist communities. , Mo Mowlam and the right hon. Member It is so important to ensure that our friends and partners for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith)—Labour and in the EU come to fully understand the issue around Conservative—understood was that trust, leadership identity that people feel so passionately about—rightly and partnership are paramount to finding a way forward so—in Northern Ireland in the Unionist community, in Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor to the Belfast and the impact that the decision on article 16 has had Good Friday agreement, the Prime Minister owes it to for people in that community. I welcome the fact that the people of Northern Ireland to restore the trust he Vice-President Maroš Šefcˇovicˇ met with civic society has squandered. He is not a casual observer to these and business leaders some weeks ago now. I encourage events. He must step up and urgently convene talks with him to do as he has pledged to and to do more of that the political parties in Northern Ireland and all parties work to fully understand. to the protocol to find solutions and political agreement. The hon. Lady referenced the protocol. As I have just Can the Secretary of State outline when the Prime noted, issues on that protocol have played a part in Minister is planning to travel to Belfast to convene talks tensions in the loyalist and Unionist communities. That and show the leadership this moment demands? What is is why I and the Prime Minister have been very clear the strategy for addressing the loss of trust among the about our determination to deal with those issues and Unionist and loyalist communities to demonstrate that to find a way forward. We all remember that the protocol legitimate grievances are being heard? How are is there and in place because of the unique circumstances representatives of Northern Ireland being brought into of Northern Ireland. We have got to make sure it works the negotiations on huge decisions affecting their future? in a good, fluid and flexible way, so that it works for the And can the Secretary of State detail—I have asked him people of Northern Ireland, because ultimately it only this many times from this Dispatch Box—what practical works if it is working for everybody across the community. solutions the Government are seeking with the EU to It has to be something that is acceptable to the Unionist reduce checks and requirements between Britain and and loyalist communities as well. Northern Ireland? Fundamentally,the people of Northern The hon. Lady mentioned talks. Obviously, I have Ireland must see that politics can work, and that the met leaders in the Executive, as well as party leaders. I word of politicians can be trusted again. do that regularly and will continue to do so. The Prime Recent weeks have demonstrated starkly that peace is Minister has met with people from civil society and the an ongoing process. It is no coincidence that violence business community on the protocol. We support the has flared in areas of profound deprivation, where established bodies that have been set up—the Joint educational attainment is too low, paramilitary activity Committee and so on—and there is the work we are 23 years on from the agreement is still criminally high, doing there to resolve the issues. and children are educated in segregated schools and I am glad to hear that the hon. Lady wants to see grow up in segregated communities. For them, the promise reduced checks. I assume that she supports retrospectively of peace has not arrived. A toxic combination of deprivation the unilateral action that we took just a few weeks ago and disregard has fuelled deep disillusionment. But we and will support the work that the Government are must believe that there is still a deep urge for a future doing to ensure that we reduce the checks so that the where reconciliation walks hand in hand with social protocol works in the pragmatic way that was always 171 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 172 envisaged. Ultimately, we come back to being united on fair and proportionate across all sections of Northern the fact that, wherever we agree or disagree, the way Ireland. Above all, it will require leadership, integrity, forward is always through dialogue, never through violence. honesty and respect from politicians. There has, sadly, to date been a dearth of some of those qualities on Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con) [V]: I thank my show in the way that the protocol has been negotiated right hon. Friend for his statement. I echo the comments and implemented. The price being paid for that is sadly of the shadow Secretary of State. Our thoughts and all too clear. The protocol was entered into freely by the prayers are with the injured PSNI officers and the vast UK Government and it is here to stay. Surely we can majority of law-abiding residents who have been caught agree that the only route to amending it is through trust up in the recent thuggish, criminal behaviour. and good will on all sides. Peace and prosperity are, as my right hon. Friend The great success of the Good Friday agreement was knows, two sides of the Good Friday agreement coin. in ensuring that the symbols of a border in the island of We know that there can be no prosperity without peace. Ireland disappeared. If we can all agree that there is I urge him to turbo-charge, with the Executive, the now a trade border,we can surely agree that the symbolism prosperity agenda, so to bring back into the fold those of that matters. One practical step, which I have raised who might say, like those fictional Judeans in the film, with the Secretary of State before, would be to introduce “What has the GFA ever done for us?” We must focus a realignment of sanitary and phytosanitary checks on prosperity as much as peace. between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That would remove some of the more snagging aspects of the Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend, who chairs the current protocol and the difficulties with symbolism Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, makes a very that it causes. Will the Secretary of State, in his discussions good point. He is absolutely right, not just in his admiration with all partners in this process, continue discussions on for cinema, but in his recognition that there is work that whether that is something we can do to smooth the we need to do. I share his view of cinema in that respect. passage of the protocol? Will he agree to work with One of the things I am looking forward to working other devolved Governments, which that would also through is the delivery of the new deal programme, the impact upon? £400 million investment we have secured on top of the city and growth deals and the investment through “New Brandon Lewis: I certainly agree with and appreciate Decade, New Approach”. That is looking very specifically the hon. Gentleman’s remarks in the first part of his at how we help Northern Ireland benefit from and take statement. forward opportunities in the years ahead, as well as The hon. Gentleman spent a fair part of his question working with the Executive through the £15 billion referring to the protocol. We have to be very cautious block grant, to make sure that we are creating opportunity. when talking about the intentions, issues and views That includes skills for the future. The social fabric is people have about the Northern Ireland protocol. As part of that. I passionately feel that integrated education valid as they may be, they do not—it should never be has to be an integral part of that future, to bring people argued that they do—in any way legitimise what we saw together and make sure that people are getting a really the other week. As others have said, it is right that we good education and the economy is growing and thriving. work through anydisagreement in a political and democratic way. We also have to be very wary of the simplicity of One thing that those of us who spend time in Northern thinking that what happened the other week was over Ireland always see is the entrepreneurial spirit and the one particular issue. As I think I outlined, and as the ability to see opportunities and drive forward in a hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Louise Haigh) outlined, positive way, which is great for the economy and creates it was a multifaceted set of issues. jobs. As we come out of covid, Northern Ireland’s economy can have a really bright future. I recognise the issues that are there from the outworking on the protocol as we have seen it in the first part of this Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP): I thank the Secretary year. We are committed to wanting to deal with that. of State for advance sight of his statement. I associate We are very clear that Northern Ireland is an integral myself with the remarks of both Front Benchers in their part of the UK and an integral part of the UK customs condemnation of the violence we have sadly seen. My territory.The protocol was put in place primarily because thoughts are with those injured in the disturbances, and the EU has a clear focus on protecting its single market. in particular with those in the emergency services who Our focus is on ensuring that the Belfast Good Friday have been working hard to keep their communities safe. agreement is respected in all of its strands, and that includes east-west. That is why we are very clear that The disorder we have seen in recent days represents, while we want to ensure that goods moving into the EU for those of us who grew up with strong memories of through the Republic of Ireland are properly dealt with, the troubles, scenes we thought we had left behind for goods that are moving from Northern Ireland to Great good. We do not strengthen communities by encouraging Britain are unfettered, as they are, and goods moving criminality and disorder within them. We can all agree from Great Britain into Northern Ireland can do so how sickening it was to see young children being encouraged freely and flexibly in a pragmatic approach. in acts of violence by their elders who lived through that cycle of violence themselves. (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con) [V]: I associate Moving on from where we are will require a number myself with the preceding comments made about the of things. It will require respect for the law and those sad passing of our friend and colleague Dame Cheryl who enforce it, whether that is the officers of the PSNI, Gillan. I also associate myself with the support expressed the leadership of the PSNI or the prosecution service. for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and those All must be supported fully in dealing with criminality affected in the troubles in recent days. In view of the and maintaining public order in a way that is consistent, serious events in Northern Ireland and the underlying 173 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 174

[Alun Cairns] with something better that restores Northern Ireland’s place fully within the internal market of the United causes, does my right hon. Friend agree that there is a Kingdom? need for the European Union, the Republic of Ireland and the UK to be pragmatic and practical in coming to Brandon Lewis: As the right hon. Gentleman knows, an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol? we took unilateral action just a few weeks ago to ease Furthermore, does the Secretary of State believe that some of these issues—issues that would have made the European Union fully understood the potential matters even more difficult, as I suggested at the time. I implications and risks, when it invoked article 16 of that think it is now very clear that that was the right action protocol? to take and that, through that, people can see that we are determined to deal with some of the problems and Brandon Lewis: I hope you will excuse me, Mr Deputy the issues in the protocol. My right hon. Friend the Speaker, if I join my right hon. Friend in his comments noble Lord Frost is working through the correct established about the late Cheryl Gillan. This is the first chance I bodies—the Joint Committee and so on—with our partners have had at the Dispatch Box to say that she became a in the EU to come to and work out a proper, long-lasting very, very good friend to me over a period a short while solution in terms of the challenges around the protocol. ago, as I think you know full well, Mr Deputy Speaker, The right hon. Gentleman is also absolutely right and she will be very, very sorely missed by all. about—as I mentioned in my opening remarks—people My right hon. Friend is absolutely right about this perceiving that not everybody has been treated equally situation, as I said earlier. I am encouraging our friends in terms of the implications of the rules around coronavirus. and colleagues in the European Union, particularly The Bobby Storey funeral is a very clear example of Maroš Šefcˇovicˇas vice-president, and his team, to take that, with the decision that came through just a few the opportunity, as restrictions allow—whether it is days before the violence got to the point that it did. virtually at the moment or, as restrictions ease, by being There is a very important role for the PSNI and the present in Northern Ireland—to understand the Northern Ireland Policing Board in working with implications of the outworking of the protocol, including communities to restore and build trust. I have been the practical supply line issues that we took action on talking to the Chief Constable about that, and to the recently, and also to understand the real issue of identity parties on the Executive, as the right hon. Gentleman that the loyalist-Unionist community feel. The outworking knows. I think everybody is very alert to the very real of the protocol affects everybody in Northern Ireland. fact that, whatever anybody’s view of what happened It is not a constitutional issue, in that sense. Whatever around the funeral, the decision that was made has had part of the community somebody is from, some of the a very substantial impact. There is work that the various outworkings for consumers and businesses have an agencies and bodies, including the PSNI and the Policing impact. The issue of identity for Unionist and loyalist Board, need to do to reconnect with communities to people in Northern Ireland is very real, and there is no show them that the PSNI is there for the safety and doubt that that was intensified after the action the EU protection of everybody across the entire community of took around article 16. While the EU recognises that Northern Ireland. that was a mistake, it is important that it fully takes the time to understand the long-term implications of it and (Wokingham) (Con) [V]: I strongly why it is so important that we work together to find support all that the Government and the Opposition pragmatic, proper solutions. have said about the violence. As the Northern Ireland protocol stresses the need to maintain Northern Ireland’s integrated place in the United Kingdom’s internal market, Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): We will the UK Government now ensure the easy and free condemn the violence. It is not justified. Attacking movement of all goods from GB to Northern Ireland police officers in this way is wrong. Our thoughts and that are not at risk of going to the Republic? Should a prayers are with the police officers who have been good not be able to move as easily from Liverpool to injured, and we thank them and their colleagues for Belfast as from Liverpool to Birmingham, and should their courage and determination in impartially applying that not be under the direct control of the UK authorities? the rule of law. The hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Louise Haigh) Brandon Lewis: I welcome my right hon. Friend’s put her finger on it when she said that the issue is trust. comments on the violence, and he is absolutely right. Taking the peace process forward has to be built on The position that he has outlined that we need to get to trust. That trust was broken in relation to the findings is exactly where we want to get to. Obviously we want to on the Bobby Storey funeral, undermining people’s do that in partnership and agreement with our friends trust and confidence in policing and justice in Northern and partners in the EU, and that work is what we are Ireland. There is a two-tier policing system in the eyes doing at this very moment. of some, and that needs to be addressed. Importantly, there was also a breach of trust in relation to the Mr (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): Northern Ireland protocol and creating barriers to trade For years, the Government have been warned that peace between Great Britain and Northern Ireland that we in Northern Ireland was a delicate and fragile thing that were told would not happen and have happened, was not to be taken for granted. The fact that we have undermining the sense of identity and the place of reached this point illustrates sadly only too well the Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. What is recklessness of the Prime Minister in particular with the Secretary of State going to do, with the Northern regard to the position of Northern Ireland and our Ireland political parties, to address the issues around departure from the European Union. This is not the policing and justice, and, crucially, to replace this protocol first time in the past 23 years that we have found 175 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 176 ourselves in peril. On previous occasions, it has taken about? Has he had discussions with the Chancellor of the Prime Minister of the day to step up to the plate. the Duchy of Lancaster and the Irish Government The symbolism and demonstrating leadership are what about holding another British-Irish Intergovernmental is necessary. His predecessors have done it; will he do it Conference? Such conferences are so crucial to the now? relationship across these islands and we have not had one for nearly two years. Brandon Lewis: For my part, that is absolutely the work that we are doing with the parties, civic society and business leaders in Northern Ireland. The Prime Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady makes a fair point. Minister and I have been involved in that all the way The British-Irish Council has met regularly and continues through. He has had a consistent focus on ensuring that to do so—it met in November last year and has met we are delivering for the people of Northern Ireland regularly, annually. The British-Irish Intergovernmental over the entire period, and not just the past few days, Conference, which did not meet between February 2007 although obviously he has been involved in the past few and July 2018, has met three times since then. We will of days and had conversations with the Taoiseach, rather course look for the appropriate time for the next meeting like my conversations with the Irish Foreign Minister. of the BIIGC, especially in the context of ensuring the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between the The right hon. Gentleman makes a good point about UK and Ireland now that we have left the EU—I have the Good Friday agreement. We always need to remind spoken to the Irish Foreign Minister about that—but ourselves that the Good Friday agreement has three we also need to be clear that policing is a devolved strands, and we must resist the temptation that some matter so falls outside the remit of the BIIGC. people have to see the Good Friday agreement through simply one strand of north-south. The east-west and Northern Ireland strands are hugely important. One of Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con): I welcome my right the things we have to do is make sure we are delivering hon. Friend’s statement and his continuing commitment on the east-west part of the Good Friday agreement, so to resolving the issues thrown up by the Northern that the agreement is applied and working in all its Ireland protocol. Given that one of the many reasons strands. for the recent unacceptable disorder is that one side of the community undoubtedly feels their concerns are not Mrs (Basingstoke) (Con) [V]: May I being listened to, not least by those in the European add my condolences to those expressed earlier and send Union, what representations will my right hon. Friend them to Cheryl Gillan’s family, following her sad death make to those outside Northern Ireland such that they last week? She was seen on our Benches as the mother listen more carefully to the concerns of all communities of our side of the Chamber. She was a generous lady. in Northern Ireland? She was kind, and we will really miss her. People will be listening to these exchanges today Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend raises a really important concerned that this unacceptable violence and disorder point. Colleagues from all parties are speaking about could mean yet more delay to the implementation of this issue in the House today and they have influence the laws that we agreed in this place over a year ago on and relationships throughout the EU, and it is incumbent access to abortion and abortion aftercare in Northern on us all to make the case widely that it is important Ireland—healthcare that is routinely available in the that the EU understands the issue of identity and why rest of the UK. Can my right hon. Friend assure the the tensions that we are seeing in the loyalist and House that he will not be distracted from the steps he Unionist community are there in respect of some of the set out a few weeks ago, and that there will be no more things that happened earlier this year, as we have already delay in giving women and girls in Northern Ireland the outlined. As I say, there is a fundamentally multifaceted, same rights as women and girls throughout the rest of complex set of reasons behind what happened last the UK when it comes to access to abortion and abortion week, and there is work for all of us to do in moving aftercare? things forward. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we all have a part to play to ensure that people understand Brandon Lewis: Yes, I can give that assurance. I would the complications, nuances and sensitivities in Northern go a little bit further: even in the conversations I was Ireland. having in Belfast yesterday with community groups and political leaders, everybody was very determined to continue to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab) [V]: The Secretary of in the widest sense through the “New Decade, New State deserves the support of the whole House and, Approach” agreement. We will not be distracted from indeed, of the people across these two islands for every delivering on our promises and the actions we took on effort he makes to bring together politicians in Northern abortion, as we outlined just a few weeks ago. It comes Ireland, in Dublin and here in Great Britain, but the back to remembering that, with what we saw last week right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sir Jeffrey M. for those few days—hopefully we do not see a recurrence Donaldson) is right to point out that at the moment the of it—we all have a part to play in encouraging a calm lack of trust is palpable. If the Secretary of State wants approach to disagreements, but we must not be deterred to make sure that the European Union understands the from the wider work to deliver for Northern Ireland by situation in Northern Ireland and if he wants to bring the actions of criminals, thugs and hooligans. people together, it would not be just symbolism for him to tell the Prime Minister that he has to be visible at this Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab) [V]: I welcome the time if he is to provide the kind of leadership that we Secretary of State’sstatement and particularly his comments have expected from Prime Ministers in the past. We on integrated education, but may I press him on strand need brave decisions; it is now up to the Prime Minister 3 of the Good Friday agreement, which he has talked to step forward and provide that kind of leadership. 177 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 178

Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman has a long-held Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is right about the and strong passion for Northern Ireland and has always multifaceted situation. There is work that we have to do. worked in a collegiate way to ensure that the people of We have touched on integrated education. We also have Northern Ireland are well supported. He is absolutely to ensure that there is a stronger and more connected right about bringing people together, which is what we relationship in some communities with the police and have been doing. As I have outlined, it is important that political parties in Northern Ireland—across the we encourage our friends and partners around the communities. That has come through very clearly in the world, including the EU, to do that. The Prime Minister engagement that I have had—not just in the last few has been integrally involved in Northern Ireland and days, but over a period of time—with people across was actually there just a couple of weeks ago. various community and civic groups. As I said earlier, we will of course look for an appropriate time for a (Foyle) (SDLP): I thank the Secretary future meeting of the BIIGC, particularly in the light of of State for his statement, but I have to say that I am the redevelopment and strengthening of the bilateral disappointed by the lack of any acceptance of culpability relationship between ourselves and the Irish Government from his Government in respect of how they have dealt now that we have left the EU. with the Brexit issue from the start and how they have (Upper Bann) (DUP) [V]: May I say not been honest with the Unionist population in Northern at the outset that my thoughts and prayers are with the Ireland. Church leaders have asked us to come together officers injured in recent days? Although all right-minded to deal with this crisis in our peace process. Despite people will condemn any violence or threat of violence what the Secretary of State has said, policing may be in Northern Ireland—now and in the past—does the devolved but peace is not devolved. We all have a Secretary of State accept that the anger in the Unionist responsibility to deal with this situation. Why will the community goes far beyond those who have taken to Secretary of State and his Government not convene the the streets in recent days? Will he take any opportunity British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference? to point out to his Irish or European colleagues, whose belligerent approach has exacerbated the difficulties, Brandon Lewis: On the hon. Gentleman’s last comment, that the rigorous implementation of the protocol is not he might want to have a look through Hansard later and only inconsistent with the Belfast agreement—it is also, reread my remarks, because that is not what I said. It is even before it has been implemented in full, causing actually quite the opposite—I have spoken to the Irish societal difficulties in Northern Ireland? Will he also Government—so I suggest he has a look at what I confirm that, with or without necessary flexibility being actually said. shown by the European Commission, the Government It is very misleading to try, as I said earlier, to will fulfil the Prime Minister’s assurance in December legitimise or even to simplify—I appreciate that the 2019 that there would be “no checks” on goods going hon. Gentleman is not legitimising it, to be fair—what from Northern Ireland to GB or from GB to Northern we have seen over the past few weeks and the tensions Ireland? around Brexit. As many of us know—I know the hon. Gentleman knows this because it was outlined to him Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady has strongly and and me by the Chief Constable at the end of last passionately outlined the sense of frustration and tension week—there is a multifaceted set of issues, not least in Northern Ireland. I have talked to businesses, and some of the brilliant work that the PSNI has done to whether somebody is nationalist or Unionist, they have crack down on crime. Some of that has been rehearsed seen an impact from the outworkings of the protocol, today. such as some of the issues that we saw earlier this year. We are working with the business community and civic I have faith in the Northern Ireland Executive and society across the whole community of Northern Ireland Ministers, one of whom is a member of the hon. to find sensible solutions. Gentleman’s party, to do their work to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. The Executive came together We would like to work on this with our European just a few weeks before covid came upon us all last year. partners, but the hon. Lady is right that the actions that The way in which they have worked through the last we saw, particularly those around article 16, had an year—staying together and working together for the acute impact on the sense of frustration, tension and people of Northern Ireland—has been a phenomenal anger across the Unionist community. Thankfully—she achievement and huge credit goes to all those involved. is absolutely right about this and we need to be clear I have faith in them to do the work that is devolved to about it—the vast majority of people who have that them. I will continue to support them in that and to anger are expressing it in the right way: through their support the PSNI to do the job that it is focused on politicians, to move things forward in a democratic doing: keeping everybody in Northern Ireland safe. sense, with dialogue; and through peaceful protests. That is absolutely right. We defend their right to do that and we will continue to engage on that. As she rightly Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con): As my right says, that does not at any point ever excuse violence; we hon. Friend said, the reason for the scenes that we have need to be very clear about that. We are determined to seen over recent weeks are multifaceted and that means work through these issues and ensure that the protocol that there is not a single solution to the problems; there can work for everybody in a sense that is pragmatic and will have to be a holistic approach. Will he confirm that flexible, with free-flowing trade for GB into NI. he is finding ways to bring together all partners—not just the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Executive, but Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance) [V]: I also the Irish Government, the European Union and civil express my full support for the PSNI, including the society—to come up with a holistic strategy for bringing Chief Constable. The Secretary of State well knows my peace back to the streets of Belfast? views on the importance of a UK-EU veterinary agreement 179 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 180 to take the heat out of the protocol. He also directly are on finding a way to move forward to deliver on this. referred to the need to address deprivation and segregation. We have been clear from the beginning that the protocol In that regard, may I invite him to consider extending is there because of the unique circumstances in Northern his Government’sFresh Start funding, which is so important Ireland. It has to work in a way that works for people for the expansion of integrated education, and to work across the communities in Northern Ireland and for the with his ministerial colleagues to provide urgent clarity whole of Northern Ireland—in a flexible, pragmatic on the shared prosperity fund, which is so important for way. local employability schemes? The hon. Lady talks about the Prime Minister’s involvement. Obviously, he has been involved, not just Brandon Lewis: I am very happy to do that. In fact, in the last few days but consistently through this process. we organised a meeting just recently for Executive Ministers He has been very clear about our determination and his and Ministers and officials from Government, including determination—this is exactly what Lord Frost is working the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local on at the moment through the Joint Committee and Government, to talk through the schemes—not just the with my Department—to ensure that we deliver an shared prosperity fund but the community renewal outcome that means that these products flow in a fund and others—because there are substantial extra flexible manner, because the protocol is there. As I said funds available this year for Northern Ireland as we earlier, we understand that the EU has that great concern move towards the shared prosperity fund. As I set out about protecting its single market. We have to make earlier, part of the £400 million of new deal money will sure that the protocol respects the Good Friday agreement be focused on work around social fabric and potentially in all three strands, including east-west. integrated education, and I am really keen to engage to make sure that that money is put into areas where it has Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con): Does my right the most beneficial impact and is positive for people on hon. Friend agree that the violence we have seen is the ground in Northern Ireland. utterly unacceptable and that the only way we can make progress on these issues is through peaceful and inclusive Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con) [V]: Does the Secretary dialogue? of State agree that the democratic institutions in Northern Ireland have a key role to play in ending this violence? Will he therefore urge all the parties not to take the step Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. of suspending the institutions, as we have seen in recent Obviously, we need to understand all the issues that years, and to keep talking to find a solution to take have come together to lead people to think that violence Northern Ireland forward? is the solution, completely unacceptably,and work through that with the political parties and the community groups Brandon Lewis: The short answer is yes, but I want to in Northern Ireland. She is absolutely right: there is no stress that the main political parties that form the excuse for what we saw the other week. It was utterly Executive in Northern Ireland are all in the place that reprehensible. As I have said before and as others have my hon. Friend outlined—working together. That is rightly said, our thoughts are with the police, whose why it was really good to see them come together last focus is on keeping people safe. week with a joint statement on this. There are five different political parties in a power-sharing arrangement (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) in a devolved authority. Obviously, they will disagree on (SNP): The abdication of any responsibility for the things from time to time. What they absolutely agree on scenes that we have seen on the streets of Northern is their right to disagree and to do so in a democratic Ireland by this Government and this Secretary of State and peaceful way, which they have worked together on is shameful. The Prime Minister made consistent promises very well since the re-formation after the New Decade, that there would be no border down the Irish sea. The New Approach agreement last year, and I hope they Prime Minister also persistently threatened to break will continue to do that. From my engagement with international law, repeatedly undermining the Good them all at the moment, I am confident that they will, Friday agreement. The nature of politics towards the and it is the right thing to do—it is certainly what the north of Ireland under this Government as a consequence people of Northern Ireland want to see. of Brexit has been, at best, regretful. Does the Secretary of State understand the complexities—I have my Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): I associate concerns—and will he take responsibility for the repeated myself with the shadow Secretary of State’s remarks on failures of his party in government? the complex situation in Northern Ireland. Notwithstanding that, just five weeks ago, the Prime Minister said that Brandon Lewis: If the hon. Gentleman looks at what the Northern Irish protocol must not place “barriers of I have said this afternoon, I think he will see that I have any kind” down the Irish sea. Can the Secretary of State proven quite the opposite in acknowledging the multifaceted explain to the House why the Prime Minister negotiated issues that led to the violence we saw the other week, an agreement that did exactly that? Does he accept that not that that excuses or legitimises in any way the the gap between what the Prime Minister says on Northern reprehensible behaviour we saw from some and the Ireland and what he does has contributed to a serious encouragement of young people, which I find particularly collapse in trust that now requires urgent prime ministerial despicable. It is good to see, if I heard his question attention? correctly, that he now fully supports us in ensuring that there are no borders. I therefore look forward to his Brandon Lewis: It is interesting that, in talking about support if we have to take further action and for any a complex and multifaceted situation, the hon. Lady further action we take to deliver on that in the way we goes straight to talking about Brexit, which again highlights promised people in Northern Ireland: with a pragmatic that Labour is so far behind where the general public and flexible approach to the Northern Ireland protocol. 181 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 182

Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con): Does my right hon. Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is correct. To be fair, Friend agree that the Belfast/Good Friday agreement the EU has recognised the mistake, acknowledged the has brought untold benefits to Northern Ireland over mistake, apologised for it and stepped back from the the past 23 years and that it is therefore the Belfast/Good brink, but that action definitely had an impact. That is Friday agreement that must be the basis for future something that representatives from civic society made co-operation and political engagement? clear to the vice-president. That is why it is important that our colleagues and friends in the EU take some Brandon Lewis: Absolutely. We now see a vibrant, time to really understand some of the nuances and exciting economy. Whether it is FinTech, renewable complexities of the communities in Northern Ireland energy, cyber, the creative arts or advanced engineering and in particular the sense of identity of the Unionist and manufacturing, wherever people go in Northern and loyalist community and why that action not just Ireland, they will see entrepreneurship and opportunity, had an impact that night but has had a lasting effect on which is a testament to the phenomenal success of the people’s sense of identity. Belfast/Good Friday agreement. I want that to continue to live on. I am absolutely passionate about ensuring Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab) [V]: Given that the that we deliver on that for the people of Northern Government are committed to seeking an agreement Ireland. We do so by respecting, delivering on and with the EU on veterinary standards, which has been working with everything and every part of the Good repeated by the Secretary of State for Environment, Friday agreement. Food and Rural Affairs, can the Secretary of State confirm that that is something that Ministers are pursuing in the Joint Committee? Does he support such an (Belfast East) (DUP) [V]: May I agreement, which would reduce checks and red tape convey my thoughts for those PSNI officers who have and lower tension in the long term? been injured in the last week? They serve our community valiantly and often become the casualty when politics Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady is right. The Joint does not work. I also commend the leadership shown by Committee, Lord Frost, my colleague the Secretary of my colleagues in my constituency of Belfast East and State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and community leaders who have ensured that our part of other relevant Departments have, across Government, the city has remained calm. been working on the various issues, to iron out the The Secretary of State is right to caution against challenges and some of the problems that we have seen legitimising violence. It should not happen. Violence is with the outworking of the protocol in the first few wrong. But when we talk of dialogue, I hope he will months of this year. We must get those things resolved, agree that the serious issues that have been raised should and our intention, aim and focus is on doing so by not be ignored. I hope he will appreciate that there are agreement, and in agreement with our friends and partners still too many politicians in Northern Ireland who not in the EU. only dismiss the concerns but denigrate those in our community who voice them. If we want to see politics Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) (Lab) [V]: Social work, and I do, and we want to see constitutional media has been used to lure young people to interfaces politics work, and it should, we need to see the tangible between communities, inflaming the crisis with provocative results of all the flexibilities and resolutions for the messages and fake news. Will the Secretary of State injurious imposition we are facing in Northern Ireland. make clear that social media giants such as Facebook and WhatsApp cannot wash their hands of responsibility, and they have a duty to act to prevent their platforms Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely from being used to incite violence? right. I commend him and his colleagues in the area who have been working closely with their communities Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady makes a good point, and giving the support that the community groups, and it is another example of how, even in an extended communities themselves and indeed the PSNI have discussion such as this one, many more issues have been benefited from. He is also right that we all need to involved over the past few weeks. She is right to mention ensure that we are engaging properly across the entire social media and people being subject to fake news, bot community of Northern Ireland. We should be engaging accounts and so on, and all those things have played a with anybody looking to find a peaceful solution and to part. The PSNI and, more widely, the Executive and the use dialogue to condemn violence, and wanting to be UK Government are working with social media companies, part of taking Northern Ireland forward in a positive and people should be cautious and aware of these way. It is absolutely right that we take the time to have things. That kind of activity on social media does not those difficult conversations sometimes, when they are help anybody, and the social and digital media companies there, even on issues where we disagree, to ensure that have a part to play in helping to ensure that such we can understand and look at how we can deliver on messaging does not spread and risk more violence anywhere things in a way that works for everybody. In short, he is on the streets of the United Kingdom. absolutely right. Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP) Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con): Further [V]: The Secretary of State indicated that there was to what my hon. Friends have said about the Northern widespread condemnation of the violence of the past Ireland protocol, does my right hon. Friend agree that week or so, and he is right. That was not always the the reckless invocation of article 16 by the EU, for case, but thankfully it is now. Two outstanding problems however short a period, without thought for the need to be resolved with the utmost urgency. One is the consequences, has contributed to the political tensions Northern Ireland protocol, which he alluded to, and we now see in Northern Ireland? the other is the position of the Chief Constable. Will the 183 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 Northern Ireland 184

Secretary of State recommit himself to ensuring that supported. We have been clear that we will take the those two obstacles to progress can be dealt with in a action needed to make sure this works for Northern satisfactory way, so as to take us forward peacefully and Ireland. Our focus is on working through the proper democratically? channels with our friends and partners in the EU to get an agreeable solution that works for those EU friends Brandon Lewis: As I have outlined this afternoon and and partners we trade with as well as people across the previously in the House, we have a clear focus on the United Kingdom, and enables the GB-NI trade that we work to move things forward on the protocol in a all want to take place. pragmatic and flexible way, so that it works and delivers for people in Northern Ireland, without hindrance or Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab) [V]: As the problem. The entire focus of the Chief Constable is on hon. Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley) said, the the safety and security of people in Northern Ireland, protocol is at the heart of this issue. The Secretary of and I support him in that work. State knows that there were only three options: all-UK alignment with the customs union and the single market, Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab) [V]: I am of the a land border between north and south, or a border in generation that remembers what discord in Ireland meant the Irish sea. The Prime Minister chose the sea border, for people here on the mainland. I remember my mum but then he promised that it would not involve the being scared to go to work in London because of the checks that he signed up to in the protocol. I think he bombs that were going off. Scared to go to work in either did not understand the agreement he signed, or London! What would the Secretary of State say today did not care about telling the truth. Which was it? to those like my mum who would not understand how the Government have allowed the current situation to Brandon Lewis: Given that this was outlined earlier arise? today, it is interesting that Opposition Members continue to want to talk about nothing else but leaving the EU. I Brandon Lewis: As the hon. Gentleman will know, think that highlights their lack of connection with sadly and inexcusably we have seen pockets of violence people who want to move forward. across the UK over the last few months, in London, Bristol and elsewhere. None of that is acceptable, and As we have said, we want to make sure that the we should see none of it. We should all be working, arrangements work for the people of Northern Ireland. wherever we are in the UK, to support the local police It is clear—it is one of the things the Prime Minister has and communities to bring an end to such things and consistently outlined—that the protocol is there for the return to calm and proper dialogue. I caution the hon. unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. It is there Gentleman against comparing what we saw the other because it recognises that the EU wants to protect its week with what was seen some decades ago. Nobody single market. We respect that position. That is about should return to that, and the people of Northern protecting the EU goods from goods that move through Ireland deserve better. That is not what we saw last Northern Ireland and into the Republic of Ireland, and week, and it is not what anybody wants to return to in therefore the EU. We are determined to deliver on all the future. We all have a job to ensure that the calmness strands of the Good Friday agreement, not just one of that is there now remains, and that we work together them, and that means recognising, as the protocol itself with a proper, democratic dialogue. says, that not only will it not disrupt the everyday lives of people and communities, but respect and recognise Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP) [V]: It is a denial, the integrity of the market of the United Kingdom. Sir, not to acknowledge the consequences of decisions Northern Ireland is an integral and fixed part of the taken by those on both Front Benches, and imposed on United Kingdom customs territory. We are determined Northern Ireland, which have caused seismic societal, to ensure that it remains so and to get trade flows economic and community breakdown. That is the Northern moving freely. We recognise the EU’s desire to make Ireland protocol, and we are witnessing that breakdown sure that goods moving into the EU via the Republic of today. I condemn the violence, but all the condemnation Ireland are properly dealt with, but that is very different in the world will not make the violence go away if from the challenges we are seeing for all the goods action is not taken. The cause is not covid-19. Seriously? moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. We The cause is not Bobby Storey’s funeral, although that have been clear that we will fix that. was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The Secretary of State knows that the protocol lies at the heart of this, Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): The wholly unacceptable because the identity of Ulster is at stake as a result of disorder was in part driven by the non-tariff barriers on the protocol. I fear a continuing downward spiral unless exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. I the Secretary of State takes action, and the key action understand the Government are planning the full he can take is to invoke article 16, take control of the implementation of border checks on imports from the situation, and address—[Inaudible.] European Union from October.Will that include non-tariff barriers on exports from Northern Ireland to Great Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Sorry Ian, but Britain? I think we got the gist of the point you are making. Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman could look at Brandon Lewis: Yes, I understand the point the hon. the legislation we passed last year that ensures that Gentleman was making. He referenced a few of the Northern Ireland businesses have unfettered access to things I outlined in my opening remarks about the markets in the rest of the UK. We legislated for that, we challenges, the straw that broke the camel’s back and have delivered on that, and we will continue to work to the issues around the protocol earlier this year. That is ensure equally flexible and free flow of trade from GB why we took unilateral action a few weeks ago, which he to NI, as I have outlined this afternoon. 185 Northern Ireland 13 APRIL 2021 186

Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank and agree Road User Charging (Outer London) with the Secretary of State. We all agree that violence is unjustified and unjustifiable. It will break lives and Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order homes, but it will not fix the problems. Democratic No. 23) politics is the only solution, and politics must be seen to 3.31 pm work. The overwhelming majority of good, law-abiding folks in Northern Ireland will never pick up a stone or (Dartford) (Con): I beg to move, throw a petrol bomb. We support the police and the rule That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that the Mayor of law. of London may not impose charges for driving in Outer London; and for connected purposes. However, the Northern Ireland protocol has disrupted The Mayor of London’sfinancial stability plan, published business and has created problems on the streets. People in January, proposes a seven-days-a-week charge of are dismayed, there is anger and the frustration is £3.50 for all motorists using a vehicle registered outside boiling over. Some of them feel they are—indeed, we Greater London, rising to £5.50 for the more polluting probably all feel we are—second-class citizens. At the vehicles. Sadiq Khan is looking at building a literal same time, 2,000 people attended the Bobby Storey financial wall between London and its neighbours. The funeral; we buried my mother-in-law last October, with proposal would divide communities and set Londoners 25 at the funeral. Will the Secretary of State join me in against all others. It is quite literally a border tax. The rejecting two-tier policing where there is one rule for us, Mayor of London’s proposal to charge drivers to enter but another rule for Sinn Féin, and will he recognise Greater London would have a catastrophic impact on that the flawed Northern Ireland protocol is disrupting places like Dartford and all the areas surrounding London. peace, rather than cementing stability? It would also have a detrimental impact on outer London boroughs. Businesses located in outer London would Brandon Lewis: I agree in large part with what the suffer from people being reluctant to travel often the hon. Gentleman has said. It is why it is important for us short distance across the border to use those businesses. to be working to find solutions for the impact of the That would have an impact on dry cleaners, pubs, outworking of the protocol on the ground and—he is takeaways, shops, hairdressers and more—exactly the absolutely right, and I absolutely understand this—the businesses who are suffering the most from the coronavirus impact on people’s sense of identity. I welcome his epidemic. condemnation of the violence we saw the other week. The Mayor of London claims this is necessary to On policing, it is important that people are clear that offset the £500 million of road tax Londoners pay out the PSNI’s work is to be there to support, keep safe and each year and cannot keep, but no other area gets to protect people of all communities on an equal basis. keep the road tax that they pay, either—Dartford does People need to have trust and faith in that, and I know not even get to keep the revenue from the Dartford the PSNI is focused on looking at what it can do to crossing. Although it is true that Highways England make sure it is delivering it. It is simply unacceptable, does not own a great number of roads in London, it particularly with such a set of regulations, that any one does not have many roads in other areas either; London community should be in a position where it believes it is not alone in that respect. Londoners do drive on can see there has been a difference in treatment from motorways and those motorways have to be paid for. one part of the community to another, especially with something so sensitive as family funerals over the last The Mayor of London claims that Transport for year or so. I absolutely understand people’s frustration, London has not had enough in subsidies. Even if you and I know the PSNI does as well. It is working to accept that argument—which I do not—the proposal ensure that people are clear and can have confidence for a border tax is completely the wrong approach. It is and trust that it is there to work for people across the divisive, punitive and aggressive. It is as if the Mayor of whole community of Northern Ireland—equally, fairly London is saying, “Give us more money or look what I and properly—to keep us all safe. can do. I can ruin you. I can hit you financially and make you pay if I don’t get my way.” That is effectively Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I thank the what he is saying. This proposal sends out the clear Secretary of State for his statement and for responding message that, far from London being open, as the to 31 questions in just over an hour. We are going to Mayor claims, it will be very much closed for motorists suspend now for three minutes for cleaning the Dispatch trying to enter the capital. Boxes, so that after the ten-minute rule Bill we can go Every mayor around the country is trying to raise straight into the Finance (No.2) Bill. revenue. That is perfectly understandable but it should not be attempted on the back of blackmail that says, 3.26 pm “Give me money or I will charge you to visit your loved ones. Give me money or I will charge you for dropping Sitting suspended. off relatives to the local railway station. I will charge you for using London’s small businesses. I will charge you just for driving out of your road.” That is not commendable; it is an abuse of power. The Mayor said that the proposed charge will reduce pollution in the capital. This proposal has nothing whatsoever to do with pollution. Pollution in London is at its worst around the airports and in central London. It is not concentrated in outer London, so I do not understand why the Mayor of London seems to hate outer London so much. 187 Road User Charging (Outer London)13 APRIL 2021 Road User Charging (Outer London) 188

The border around London is not neat. It does not move out to neighbouring counties. Many of us commute run along major routes. Instead, it straddles residential into London. There is a good relationship right now roads. In Dartford, for example, we have residential between London and the neighbouring counties, yet the roads that are based in Kent that people cannot leave Mayor of London wants to change all that. He wants to without entering the London Borough of Bexley. We set London against its neighbours, but in doing so, he have a number of roads just like that, and we have roads damages not just people who live outside London, but where the border literally goes down the middle of people who live inside London. It is no wonder that them, so people leave the road in Kent and re-enter it in YouGov recently found that the majority of Londoners London. Many of my constituents would therefore face oppose this charge. having to pay at least £3.50 a day just to drive out of It is claimed that opposition to the proposal is timed their road. This proposal is for the charge to apply seven to marry up with the London mayoral elections. Actually, days a week, so that hundreds of my constituents and the timing is completely down to the Mayor of London. thousands of people around London would pay over He decided when to announce the proposal, he is responsible £1,200 a year just to be able to drive each day out of the for the timing and he published the document setting it road where they live—£1,200 a year just to get out of out just three months ago, so it is hardly surprising that their house. For thousands of others, it would mean a we are having this debate at this time. £3.50 charge just to visit loved ones, to drop a child off If the proposal goes ahead, it will have the most at school, to visit a hospital or to go to work. profound impact on Dartford and the other constituencies So many frontline workers in London live in bordering London that we have ever seen. The decision neighbouring counties. These are the people who keep will be taken by somebody over whom Dartfordians London functioning. Over half of London’spolice officers have absolutely no control. It is the most divisive issue live outside the capital and the same applies to London ever conceived by a London Mayor and it needs to be firefighters. These people, whom Londoners rely on stopped. most, will be hardest hit by this proposal. They will be hit just for going to work. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I have had no indication that anybody intends to oppose the 10-minute Possibly the worst aspect of this whole proposal is rule motion and I see none, so I intend to pose the that the Mayor wants to levy a charge on people to question. whom he is totally unaccountable. The people who would have to pay the daily charge cannot vote for the Question put and agreed to. London Mayor. They cannot vote to remove Sadiq Ordered, Khan or do anything to stop this charge; he knows it, That Gareth Johnson, Henry Smith, Sir , and that is why he is targeting them. It is taxation Gareth Bacon, Bob Blackman, , Damian without representation, taxation without accountability, Green, Gordon Henderson, , Dean and it needs to be stopped. Russell and Felicity Buchan present the Bill. Dartford is not part of London. We are proud of our Gareth Johnson accordingly presented the Bill. Kentish heritage, yet many people who are now Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time Dartfordians used to live in London. Many Londoners tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 283). 189 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 190

Finance (No. 2) Bill We want a tax system that is more flexible, so that it is better able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances Second Reading and to provide targeted support for businesses and individuals when needed. We want a tax system that is Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I inform the more resilient—both resilient itself and better equipped House that Mr Speaker has selected the reasoned to strengthen the core resilience of the UK economy in amendment in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, the face of a future crisis. That transformation of our and I will call James Murray to move the reasoned tax system is already under way, but, as the House will amendment when he comes to speak immediately after know, we have also taken steps to improve the process the Minister. I now call the Minister, . of tax policy development, most recently with the tax policies and consultations day we held on 23 March. By 3.41 pm giving this wide array of consultations more profile, we The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman): hope to make the tax policy process still more collaborative I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. and transparent and improve the quality of tax policy As you will be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, the scrutiny making. of Finance Bills has lain at the centre of our parliamentary Let me turn to the Bill. The House is well aware of process for many centuries, ever since its origins in the the massive public health and economic shock that this 13th century, and it is a rare honour for me to bring this country has experienced. The damage done by coronavirus Bill forward today. to our economy and our society has been severe. More At the beginning of last month, my right hon. Friend than 700,000 people have lost their jobs since March the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlined a Budget last year. The economy has shrunk by 10%, the largest with three key objectives: first, to protect jobs and fall in more than 300 years, and this country’s borrowing livelihoods and provide additional support to get the is the highest it has ever been outside wartime. British people and British businesses through the pandemic; The Government’s response has been comprehensive secondly, to be clear about the need to fix the public and sustained, with the total package of support to the finances once we are on the way to recovery and to start economy this year and next now estimated at £407 billion. that work; thirdly, as we emerge from the pandemic, to That response is already showing its value. Thanks to lay the groundwork for a robust and resilient future that and to the rapid roll-out of vaccination, the Office economy. This Finance Bill enacts changes to taxation for Budget Responsibility and other independent authorities that support all those objectives. now expect a swifter recovery than previously anticipated, I will come to the Bill itself shortly, but before I do so with faster growth, lower unemployment, more investment I want to pay tribute again to the work of the Treasury and higher household incomes. Indeed, the OBR expects and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over the past the UK economy to recover to its pre-crisis levels six months year and more. I can testify from personal experience earlier than it did—in the second rather than the fourth that officials have worked around the clock throughout quarter of 2022. In the words of the Resolution Foundation, that period to get the covid schemes up and running, to if realised, this projected rate of unemployment, make sure that they are as effective as possible, to tweak “would be by far the lowest unemployment peak in any recent and extend them where they can and, by those means, recession, despite this being the deepest downturn for 300 years.” to support millions of people and hundreds of thousands At the heart of our covid response is precisely that of businesses up and down the United Kingdom in the support for jobs, delivered through Her Majesty’sRevenue face of the worst peacetime economic crisis in recorded and Customs as the tax authority, with more than history. I will not say that this was their finest hour; they 11 million jobs furloughed between the beginning of will have had many of those, as these are institutions the pandemic in March last year and February of this that are arguably nigh on 500 years old. None the less, year. As the OBR outlined last month, without the this has certainly been a time to which future historians additional measures at Budget, which included the extension will look back when they seek examples of exemplary of the coronavirus job retention scheme, unemployment public service. would have peaked two quarters earlier and at a higher It has been a privilege to work alongside officials at level. Indeed, it estimates that there would have been an both Her Majesty’s Treasury and Her Majesty’s Revenue additional 300,000 unemployed people in the fourth and Customs,and to see the great machinery of government quarter of this year without these latest interventions. working so well. I will, if I may, add one other word of The tax measures outlined in the Bill go further now scene-setting about the wider approach that we have to protect jobs and support the economy.Weare extending taken to tax. It is a measure of the approach taken by the 5% reduced VAT rate until 30 September in order to the Treasury and HMRC and of our own strategic protect 150,000 hard-hit hospitality and tourism businesses, approach as a Government that, alongside these pandemic which employ almost 2.5 million people. To help those measures, we have also accelerated work to create a businesses manage the transition back to the standard more effective and resilient tax system. Our goal, in rate,VATwill then increase to an interim rate of 12.5% from simple terms, is to enhance the stability and effectiveness October until the end of March. of the UK tax system, using last year’s announcement For similar reasons, the Bill puts into legislation the of a new 10-year tax administration strategy as the temporary cut in stamp duty land tax with a residential springboard. SDLT nil rate band remaining at £500,000 in England We want a tax system that enhances productivity, and Northern Ireland until the end of June. This, again, especially across the long tail of our small and medium-sized will be followed by a phased transition back to the businesses. Digitisation of the tax system provides a normal rate. From 1 July 2021, it will fall to £250,000 until useful nudge to these firms to upgrade their use of the end of September, before returning to £125,000 on information technology and the skills that it demands. 1 October. 191 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 192

For any business that took advantage of the original The next goal of this Budget has been to lay the VAT deferral new payments scheme, the Bill ensures foundations of our future economy as we emerge from that they will be able to pay that deferred VAT in up to the pandemic. If that economy is to support the creation 11 equal payments from March 2021, rather than by of new jobs, to spur growth and to drive productivity one larger payment due by 31 March 2021. For those forward, we need to encourage business investment businesses that have been pushed into losses, the trading now, so this Bill contains a highly innovative new super loss carry-back rule is being extended from the existing deduction measure, which is expected to lift the net one year to three years for losses of up to £2 million, which present value of the UK’s plant and machinery allowances will deliver a significant cash-flow benefit for businesses. from 30th among the countries of the OECD to first. As well as protecting jobs and livelihoods, the Bill In most cases, this measure will allow companies to takes important steps to strengthen the public finances. reduce their taxable profits by 130% of the cost of The damage done by coronavirus and the urgent need investment they make, equivalent to a tax cut of up to to respond to the crisis have created huge challenges for 25p for every pound they invest. The super deduction is the Exchequer. The OBR’s fiscal forecasts show that expected to be worth £25 billion during the two years it this year the UK is expected to borrow a record amount: is in place, which would make it the biggest business tax £355 billion. That is 17% of our national income—the cut in modern British history. The OBR has said that, at highest level of borrowing since world war two. Borrowing its peak in the financial year 2022-23, the super deduction is forecast to be £234 billion next year, which is 10.3% of is expected to bring forward an additional 10% of GDP—an amount so large that it has only one rival in business investment, with a value of £20 billion. recent history, which is the level of borrowing this year. Alongside a programme of national recovery, we also It is our responsibility as a Government to balance want to stimulate regional recovery. That is why this Bill the extraordinary support we are providing to the economy also enables the Government to designate tax sites for now with the need to start to fix the public finances, and freeports in Great Britain. Once approved, eligible businesses the Bill strikes that balance. will be able to benefit from a number of tax reliefs, First, the income tax personal allowance rises with including an enhanced 10% rate of structures and buildings the consumer prices index as planned to £12,570 from allowance, an enhanced capital allowance of 100% for this month and will then be maintained at this level companies investing in plant and machinery, and full until April 2026. The House will recall that the UK has relief from stamp duty land tax on the purchase of land the highest basic personal tax allowance of any G20 or property—and to help them to invest and grow, the country. A typical basic rate taxpayer now pays over Bill maintains the annual investment allowance at the £1,200 less in tax than in 2010. The higher rate threshold higher level of £1 million until the end of this year. also rises to £50,270 from this month and will then be The House will also recall that these measures are maintained at this level until April 2026. These changes supplemented by the Budget’s new Help to Grow: Digital are fair and progressive. It is important to note that the scheme, which will assist smaller businesses in developing 20% highest income households will contribute 15 times their digital skills by giving them free expert training that of the 20% lowest income households. An average and a 50% discount on new productivity-enhancing basic rate taxpayer will be less than a pound a week software. This is all part of a package that the Institute worse off in 2022-23. of Directors has called Secondly, the inheritance tax thresholds, the pensions “a big win for SMEs.” lifetime allowance and the annual exempt amount in Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): It is significant capital gains tax will also be maintained at their 2020-21 that no freeport sites have been allocated in Northern levels until April 2026. Maintaining the pensions lifetime Ireland. Will the Minister clarify whether all the measures allowance at current levels affects only those with the that will be included in freeport status will be exempt largest pensions—those worth more than £1 million. from the state aid rules, which will still apply in Northern Thirdly, the Government are providing businesses Ireland because of our association with the EU single with over £100 billion of support to get through this market rules? pandemic, so our judgment has been that it is only fair to ask them to contribute to this overall recovery. The Jesse Norman: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman Bill therefore legislates for the rate of corporation tax for his question. He will know that it is absolutely the paid on company profits to increase to 25% from 2023. Government’s intention to have a freeport in Northern Since corporation tax is charged only on company Ireland, and that they are in discussion with officials profits, businesses that may be struggling will, by definition, and members of the Northern Ireland Executive to be unaffected. discuss precisely how it will work. I am not in a position The Government are also protecting small businesses to comment on how it will work, but certainly the with profits of £50,000 or less by creating a small profits expectation is that this should be a functioning, highly rate, maintained at the current rate of 19%. The effect successful and effective freeport. It should enjoy a very of this is that 70% of companies, or 1.4 million businesses, attractive set of benefits that will benefit the companies will not see an increase in their tax rate. There is also a involved and be comparable to the ones we will see taper above £50,000 so that only businesses with profits elsewhere, although it is important to note that freeports of a quarter of a million pounds or greater will be taxed are themselves a mixed bag. We have had a variety of at the full 25% rate—and that is itself still the lowest different bids of different kinds to the competition that corporation tax rate in the G7. The increase is two years has been run. away, well after the point when the OBR expects the All the measures we have taken in relation to business economy to have recovered, but it is important to growth and investment are part of a package, which the legislate for this now in order to give businesses clarity Institute of Directors has called about our future plans. “a big win for SMEs.” 193 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 194

[Jesse Norman] because it fails to set out the ambitious plan for jobs and growth that is needed to help the country emerge strongly from the worst I was also pleased to see that the Resolution Foundation economic crisis of any major economy. said that the Budget May I start by extending my deepest sympathies to “rightly sought to boost the recovery before turning to fixing the Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family at this sad public finances”. time? His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh devoted his life to public service and, crucially, to his role as a That is an important point. supportive husband. My thoughts are particularly with I have discussed the work we are doing to create a the Queen as she mourns the loss of someone who has more flexible and resilient tax system, but the Finance been at her side, or just behind her, for 73 years. Bill also includes important measures to make it fairer As this is my first time physically in the Chamber for and more sustainable. As part of the United Kingdom’s well over a year, I would also like to put on record my commitment to be a global leader on tax transparency, thanks to Mr Speaker, the Deputy Speakers and the the Bill allows for the implementation of OECD reporting Speaker’s Office for doing so much to help all Members, rules for digital platforms. The rules will help taxpayers particularly those of us like me with relevant medical in the sharing and gig economies to get their tax right. circumstances, to take part virtually throughout the It will also help HMRC to detect and to tackle non- pandemic. Now, having recently had my second jab and compliance. having spoken to my doctor, I am glad to be here in To build on the successful introduction of Making person to speak today to this important Bill. Tax Digital for VAT, the Bill will enable the extension of Like millions of others in this country, I feel so MTD requirements for smaller VAT businesses from grateful to be benefiting from the brilliance of our NHS April next year. It also makes widely welcomed reforms and GP staff, scientists, lab technicians, nurses and to the penalty regime for VAT and income tax self- volunteers, but we know that the health crisis of covid-19 assessment, so that it is fairer and more consistent as a is very far from over and that the harm to jobs and the system, and harmonises interest for VAT and income economy resulting from the outbreak is even further tax. from being over. On the Chancellor’s watch, our country The Bill tackles promoters of tax avoidance through is enduring the worst economic crisis of any major strengthening existing anti-avoidance regimes and tightening economy, yet in his and the Government’s plan we lack rules. Importantly, it introduces an exemption from the ambitious, confident modern approach we need to income tax for financial support payments for potential emerge from this crisis stronger. victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, made The Budget in March and this Finance Bill should by the UK Government and devolved Administrations. have been an opportunity to pull out all the stops to get Finally, let me turn briefly to how the Bill helps us to the economy going. The Chancellor should have focused deliver the important commitments the Government resolutely on supporting families, securing jobs and have made on the environment and on carbon reduction. backing small businesses. The Government should have The new plastic packaging tax, first announced at Budget used this opportunity to make sure we invest in solutions 2018, will encourage the use of recycled plastic instead to the problems that we have struggled with as a country of new plastic in packaging. For plastic packaging that for so long, from social care to the climate emergency contains less than 30% recycled plastic content, the rate and the housing crisis. of the tax will be £200 per tonne. This will transform There are many missed opportunities in this Bill and the economics of sustainable packaging. the recent Budget to take on some of the big challenges The last 12 months have delivered a grave shock to to which our country is begging for a solution. Take this country and its economy, but the Government have high streets, for example. We are all acutely aware of the met that shock with a determined and sustained response. severe difficulties that high streets are facing because of That work is not done. With this Finance Bill, we are covid and how well online delivery-based businesses continuing to support the lives and livelihoods of families have done during lockdown. We know that for years, and businesses up and down the land, while simultaneously high street businesses have struggled with business rates, setting the terms for an investment-led recovery. The while tech giants have paid very little tax by comparison, Bill puts in place the foundations for a fairer and more and we know that the outbreak has made that imbalance sustainable tax system. It further enshrines commitments far worse. Now should have been the time to at the very on the environment and the work we are doing to tackle least level the tax playing field for high street businesses climate change, and it begins the work to rebuild the and online firms, yet there was nothing on that in this public finances. For those reasons and more, I commend Budget, no decisions were taken on the Government’s it to the House. new tax day, and the Finance Bill is silent on this crucially important issue. That is just one example of 3.57 pm how the Government have missed opportunities to support and shape our country for the better. James Murray (Ealing North) (Lab/Co-op): I beg to move, Instead, so much of what the Government have done will make the problems we face worse. This Government That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the have the wrong priorities and the wrong values, and Finance (No. 2) Bill because it derives from a Budget that failed to guarantee a pay rise for NHS workers after their unparalleled their Ministers are following failed approaches from the service over the last year; because it undermines the country’s past that now lack much, if any, of the wider support economic recovery, targeting household finances by freezing income they may once have claimed for them. tax allowances before increasing the rate of corporation tax; because it does nothing to mitigate the effect on family finances of Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I agree the sharp council tax rise in April; because it contains measures with the hon. Gentleman that we need to level the connected with a cut to social security later in the year; and playing field between high street businesses and online 195 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 196 businesses. That is a very tricky thing to do, particularly for tax avoidance purposes in the past, yet the Government when talking about business rates. What is his solution have failed to say or do anything to address widespread to that? concerns that the super deduction is open to fraud and abuse. Economists from the Institute for Fiscal Studies James Murray: I am very glad to have the hon. have said that the super deduction will Gentleman’s support for our push for a solution. As he “create a risk of tax avoidance and even potentially fraud as knows, the Government have been promising for some companies essentially try to find ways to dress things up as plant time to come forward with proposals on business rates, and machinery investment”, but we have nothing. We had the new tax day, when we yet the Chancellor has done nothing to counter suggestions were supposed to hear lots of announcements—nothing. from industry consultants that the deduction could be We want to see something to help high streets, and we used for luxury items, including jacuzzis. have not had anything. We need the Government to step up and offer a solution to the problem, which has The Government have also failed to address bedevilled high streets for so long. environmental concerns. With the deduction giving firms an incentive to buy new rather than existing assets, the Kevin Hollinrake rose— Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury was recently unable to guarantee that the super deduction would be used to James Murray: I will make a bit of progress. support green development. The Chancellor himself High streets are just one example of how the Government has seemed confused about the overall impact of the have missed those opportunities. Ministers have shown deduction, recently claiming that, as well as bringing that they simply do not have it within themselves to investment forward, offer solutions to the challenge we face. “it will also increase the amount of investment”.—[Official Report, First and most immediately, the Government are 9 March 2021; Vol. 690, c. 641.] taking money from people’s pockets. Families in all That claim comes despite the Office for Budget their many forms are the target of tax rises from this Responsibility revealing a week earlier that cumulative Government. People will suffer and our economy will business investment over the next five years will be stall if families see money taken from them when they £8 billion lower following the Chancellor’s announcement need it most. It is unfair and economically illiterate, yet of his new scheme than had been projected before. it is exactly what this Government are doing. Half the country will pay more next year, thanks to the provisions Particularly with a tax cut of this size, it is crucial that in this Bill to freeze income tax personal allowances. we understand who it is helping and what it will achieve. The truth is, as we know, that companies can already At the same time, the Bill does nothing to stop the benefit from the annual investment allowance, a 100% tax sharp council tax rise that the Government are forcing break on investment up to £1 million, which the Bill councils to implement right now. It supports the extends to the end of this year. The Treasury Committee Chancellor’s plan to cut £20 a week from social security concluded in its report “Tax after coronavirus” that the this autumn for some of those who need that help most. annual investment allowance It tells us everything we need to know about the Government’s priorities: they raise taxes and cut help “appears well targeted to promote growth in small and medium-sized enterprises.” for families immediately and without a second thought, years before an increase in corporation tax. At the same With the existing allowance apparently well targeted at time, they are letting some of the world’sbiggest companies the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, and stop paying tax altogether. with such businesses standing to benefit only marginally If that was not bad enough, the Government are also from the new super deduction, we are left with an choosing in this year of all years to take money from inescapable conclusion: the main beneficiaries of the the pockets of NHS workers. We now know how hollow Chancellor’s new scheme will be the big firms that need those claps on the doorsteps of No. 10 and No. 11 must help least. No wonder TaxWatch has nicknamed this have echoed around Downing Street. The Government the “Amazon tax cut”—a giveaway from the Chancellor are cutting NHS workers’ pay. Ministers are breaking that could wipe out Amazon UK’s tax bill entirely. their promises, and the Conservatives are showing how little they have learned from the awful experience of the Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab): I am last year. grateful to my hon. Friend for talking about what has been identified as an Amazon tax cut. Has he noticed—and If we add that NHS workers’ pay cut to the personal I get the impression from his contribution that he allowance freeze, the council tax hike and the cut to has—that most of the firms that will benefit from this universal credit, the scale of the impact of the Government’s are foreign-owned large tech firms that are not British, decisions becomes clear. To give an example, a newly and most of the firms that will not benefit are the qualified nurse living with their partner and two children smaller British firms that will feel the wrong end of the in rented accommodation will lose more than £1,100 a Government’s policies? Does he not find it rather ironic year. Rather than supporting families out of this crisis, that the Conservatives, who wrap themselves in the flag, the Government are prioritising tax breaks for tech giants. are actually being entirely un-British and damaging That tax break is being handed to big businesses British interests? They claim to be patriotic, but they through the so-called super deduction—the £25 billion are doing exactly the opposite. tax break for companies that the Chancellor and the Minister say represents James Murray: My hon. Friend makes a very important “the biggest two-year business tax cut in modern British history”, point and exposes again the hypocrisy in the Government’s and that forms our second key concern about this Bill. approach. The fact is that, rather than helping families As the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation get through the tough times ahead, this Government has made clear, investment incentives have been abused are delivering a tax break for tech giants. 197 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 198

[James Murray] Aside from all the concerns about the super deduction— from its potential for fraud, abuse and misuse to the fact We know that Amazon workers have provided vital that it offers to wipe out Amazon’s UK tax bill—the deliveries to millions of people across the country during fact that the Government’s only national policy for lockdown. They need their rights at work to be protected growth and investment relies almost entirely on this tax and strengthened, and we all want that company to pay break brings us to our third key concern about the Bill its fair share of tax. I see no one calling for a tax break and the profound lack of ambition in the Government’s for Amazon, yet that is exactly what this Government approach. There is simply no plan from the Government are providing. The Government would do well to learn to make sure that we invest in what is needed for the from the new Biden Administration’s approach. The US future. The Bill follows a Budget of cuts. The OBR has Secretary of State has said that, rather than compete on confirmed that the Government will cut departmental lowering tax rates for corporations, the United States resource spending plans by £15 billion a year from will focus on its 2022-23 onward, and rather than bringing forward capital “ability to produce talented workers, cutting-edge research and spending to invest in the green recovery that we need state-of-the-art infrastructure”. now, the Government have cut capital plans for this year by half a billion pounds. The new President has also been leading a drive to put in place a global minimum corporate tax rate. A Far from charting a course for the future, the Bill spokesperson for the Treasury here has indicated that lacks any mention of a plan to tackle the big problems the UK might back those plans. Taken along with the that we have faced in this country for a decade or more Chancellor’s decision to raise corporation tax to 25%, and that have in so many cases been brought into sharp this seems to be an admission by the Government that focus by the covid outbreak. It is clear that over the past the last decade of Conservative corporate tax policy decade under this Government, our country’s social making has been totally wrong-headed. If that is the care system has been underfunded, with its workers case, we welcome the Government’s admission, and it is chronically underpaid. Our country’s response to climate vital that the UK plays a leading role in developing and change has stubbornly lacked the urgency, ambition implementing the proposals that President Biden is and scale that it needs. Our country’s answer to the backing. We have not yet heard from Ministers on this housing crisis has been left to developers and speculators, matter in Parliament, however, so I urge the Exchequer leaving an entire generation let down and left behind. Secretary to use her closing speech today as an opportunity Investing in better social care, new green infrastructure to confirm to the House that she and the Chancellor and the council housing that we need would create jobs, back plans for a global minimum corporate tax rate and improve lives and finally start to tackle the problems that they will do all they can to make this a reality. that our country needs to resolve. While the initiative on international tax is being led The Conservatives have had more than 10 years to by those overseas, closer to home the offer from this stand up to the challenges I have outlined, yet they have Chancellor of such a large tax break to companies will, failed to do so. With the recent Budget and this Bill, of course, make people wonder what processes will be they have proved themselves again unable or unwilling in place to prevent Ministers from intervening improperly to do so. The Government’s whole approach is being on behalf of commercial interests in how decisions are exposed as one of failure rooted in the past and an made. The Chancellor is still refusing to properly account inability to rise to the future. In fact, Conservative for his role in the Greensill scandal. To ensure public Ministers are continuing on the course that began in confidence in who will benefit from this £25 billion tax 2010—one that brought us a decade in which UK break, we strongly urge the Exchequer Secretary to growth was below the average of all major economies today set out what new safeguards will be put in place and business investment fell to the lowest rate in the G7. to make sure that public money is not misused. Our country’s economy will be £300 billion smaller in 2026 than was forecast at the start of the previous decade. At times during that decade, Ministers may Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Before the debate, have benefited from some international cover for their I spoke to the shadow Minister about insurance companies. misguided and harmful choice of cuts rather than investing It has come to my attention that some insurance companies in growth in response to the financial crisis, but no are unfairly using business interruption insurance premiums more: a new international consensus has rapidly been to punish businesses that had the foresight to take out gaining strength. As the International Monetary Fund’s said insurance before the pandemic. Insurance premiums head of fiscal policy said, our Government and others are being increased dramatically.Does the shadow Minister should use fiscal policy to beat covid and to stimulate agree that when it comes to supporting small and medium- our economies by reducing unemployment and restoring sized businesses, we need to close the loopholes that economic growth. That focus on growth, investment insurance companies are notorious for using and ensure and jobs is at the heart of the approach set out by the that the spirit is legislated for? Perhaps—just perhaps—this shadow Chancellor, my hon. Friend the Member for Bill might be the way to do that. Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds). Our framework will meet the challenges of our times—it is a responsible James Murray: The hon. Gentleman is right to draw approach in which a balanced current budget over the attention to the fact that the Bill does everything for the economic cycle would never prevent us from protecting big businesses that need the help most but does not do people and businesses during a crisis or making critical what is necessary to protect small and medium-sized investments in our future. businesses. I am sure that the Ministers present heard As the Bill progresses through the House, we will his points, and I hope that the Exchequer Secretary will look at the detail in respect of the points I have outlined respond to them in her closing speech. so far, as well as on other measures in the Bill such as 199 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 200 those relating to freeports. We want to see good jobs NHS workers deserve our support, that we need good and economic growth in every part of the country, new jobs in every region in the nation; that the economy irrespective of whether an area has a freeport. We need will grow only through responsible investment; and that long-term, locally led investment in every region and we need to fix social care, the climate emergency and the nation, and freeports will in no way compensate for housing crisis. Above all, people in our country need a Ministers’ inexplicable decision to scrap their industrial Government who are on their side, and it is absolutely strategy and disband their industrial council just when clear from the choices that the Bill and their Budget we need a long-term plan to support our critical industries. make, and the problems that they choose to ignore, that Furthermore, with freeports elsewhere in the world this Government fail that test. having become magnets for organised crime, tax evasion and smuggling, we fear that at a time when HMRC is Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): We already overstretched Britain is not well placed to manage now go to the Chair of the Treasury Committee, Mel such risks. Stride. In Committee, we will challenge the Government over their approach to tax avoidance and tax evasion 4.17 pm more widely, following up our long-standing concerns Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con) [V]: I shall speak that Treasury Ministers continue to drag their feet on in support of Second Reading. tackling these problems. Although the Bill contains The opening remarks by my right hon. Friend the measures to tackle the promoters of tax avoidance and Financial Secretary to the Treasury were extremely well change the system of penalties, there is a clear sense made. He pointed out the huge challenges that we face that those measures are extremely limited in scope, as a country due to the economic crisis and the worst rather than the comprehensive action that we need. drop in GDP for 300 years, but he also rightly spoke of Indeed, those changes are not even included in the the extraordinary work that the Treasury and HMRC Budget report costings, suggesting that their financial have carried out over the past 12 months to ensure that, impact must be minimal. at pace, we have had bold initiatives that have supported We will use the next stage of consideration of the Bill the economy, not least the labour force. I know, having to go through the detail of the measures it contains that held his position for about the same time as he has held seek to address the problem of plastic pollution and to his position, just how high-quality those people are and increase the use of recycled content. The principle of a how hard and imaginatively they will have worked over plastic packaging tax is one that we support, and because the previous months. we want it to be as effective as possible we will ask My right hon. Friend was right also to draw the Ministers to consider the detail of its operation in attention of the House to the improved outlook across Committee. Overall, however, we cannot support this the various forecasts. I think he mentioned the OBR, Finance Bill. The Bill, and the Budget that it follows, but he could equally have mentioned the IMF, whose should have seized the opportunity to help people who recent forecasts for the UK economy point to a lower are struggling now; to invest in good new jobs in every peak in unemployment than was feared at the start of part of the country; and to be ambitious in finally the crisis. All of that is due, not just to the work that has getting to grips with social care, housing and other been done to roll out the vaccine, but to the support challenges that our country has faced for so long without packages that the Government have provided. I am not solving. In fact, rather than supporting families out of saying that everything has been perfect, but overall I this crisis and setting an ambitious plan for the future, think the effort has been pretty impressive. the Government are prioritising tax breaks for tech giants. The Bill is one step in an important journey to restore the health of the public finances. My right hon. Friend If this Bill had been presented by Conservative Ministers did not tell the House, because it is not his role to 10 years ago, it would have been the wrong solution frighten the horses, what the consequence would be if then; a decade later, their approach has not changed but we did not signal clearly to the markets that we are the rest of the world has moved on. No longer will they serious about getting on top of both our debt and the find allies for their approach in international institutions, deficit. That would be an increase in interest rates, and and the politics of the United States shows that the we know from the forecasters that, roughly, a 1% increase consensus around the world is shifting. The Government in interest rates would lead to a £25 billion additional are out of step with economic reality. They are taking black hole in the public finances. To put that in some decisions that will push up taxes for people across our perspective, it would be equivalent to all the money that country while helping Amazon to reduce its tax bill. has been raised through the increases in corporation tax They are choosing to cut NHS workers’ pay while and the income tax threshold freezes. It is therefore failing to fix our system of social care, and they are essential that this Bill goes through the House to deciding to continue a decade of cuts to public services demonstrate that the Government are serious about when we urgently need to invest in the future. getting on top of the public finances. I would like to focus on some of the measures in the Kevin Hollinrake: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Bill. I turn first to income tax. I think that was the right place to go—a broad-based, important, very high-yielding James Murray: I have only a few moments. The hon. tax—in order to raise the kinds of amounts that are Gentleman may speak later. required. The fact that the Chancellor has chosen to We will vote for our amendment and against the Bill, freeze thresholds rather than increase rates allows him, to make it clear to people in our country that we of course, to maintain the triple lock commitment in understand that people need to be spared the Bill’s tax the Conservative manifesto. Incidentally, I have always rises; that Amazon does not need any favours; that argued that, depending on how things pan out, the public 201 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 202

[Mel Stride] find that companies delay investment such that they can gain the offset from those investments against a higher might perhaps—under the circumstances—forgive the corporation tax rate. It is therefore important that the Government were they to decide to breach the manifesto super deduction came in—in a sense, to stop that in one or two areas, given the extraordinary times in forestalling. What happens after that two-year period of which we live, but it is good that the Chancellor the super deduction will be critical. has managed to avoid doing so, at least on this occasion. I urge the Treasury to look carefully at the way in We need a progressive tax system. Of course, with which companies are undertaking investment expenditure. income tax—the wealthiest 1% paying some 28% of We know there have historically been weaknesses, quite income tax—that is exactly what we have; but we also outside the crisis. Measures such the R&D tax credits need an income tax system that does not undermine the will be important in that respect. I notice that clause 19 link between those who pay tax and public spending. provides a cap on those for SMEs, which, if I understand Through freezing the personal allowance, as well as the clause correctly, is about ensuring that there is no raising more money, there is some benefit in ensuring double counting or double relief between a principal that those who benefit from public services do, at least company and a subcontractor. When the Bill goes into to some degree—albeit that we want a very progressive Committee, that provision should be given careful scrutiny. system—also pay tax to support those services. I welcome clause 15, on the extension of the annual Corporation tax also provides a large amount of investment allowance at the £1 million level, albeit that money to the Exchequer. The Bill provides for quite a that is temporary. large increase in corporation tax, from 19% to 25%. The critical point is that we remain internationally competitive. Turning briefly to the diverted profits tax, I will pick The shadow Minister mentioned on a number of occasions up on one or two remarks made by the shadow Minister, President Biden and his tax policy. Well, his policy is who seemed to imply that the Government’s record on to increase corporation or federal taxes from 21% clamping down on avoidance and evasion was rather to 28%. If we add on state taxes, that still leaves us very wanting. My recollection of my time as Financial Secretary competitive—even at 25%—and certainly among members to the Treasury is quite the opposite. I direct the hon. of the G7. Gentleman to HMRC’s annual report on the tax gap—the I was pleased to see in the Bill the small business rate amount of money not collected that could be collected— relief. It will be important to support particularly our which I think in recent years has been at historic lows, small and medium-sized enterprises as we come through and has certainly been among the best of the figures this crisis. There are many reasons, which I will not go available across tax authorities around the world. into in huge detail now, why that particular sector of Remarks were made about tax breaks for tech giants. the economy may be especially vulnerable as we come It is for the Government to decide whether their corporation through the crisis. In the event that large swathes of tax policy is to go in lock step with President Biden’s SMEs go out of business, we could well see increases in idea of minimum corporation tax rates across the world. market concentration and a contingent decrease in That could be one solution to profit shifting. We must competitiveness across the economy, so it is important not forget, however, that this country has been in the that we are careful and that the Treasury is mindful of vanguard, unilaterally rolling out the digital services tax the fact that those small and medium-sized enterprises to make sure that companies including Amazon, Google will need ongoing support. and eBay pay the appropriate level of tax. It is for the I want to say just one thing about the Laffer effect. In Americans to join us in a multilateral endeavour to the context of corporation tax, it is often argued that— make sure that such taxes actually work. I am quietly because corporation tax fell from 28% to 19% between optimistic that the new American Administration is at 2010 and the present day, and at the same time the yield least leaning in the right direction. I would be interested from corporation tax rose by 50%— there is some kind to hear the Exchequer Secretary explain why the diverted of causation, rather than correlation. I would argue profits tax increase just maintains the punitive margin quite strongly against that. I think that the improved between the level of that tax and the increased corporation yield from corporation tax was as much to do with tax in the years ahead, rather than the decision being improvements in the economy across that period, made to widen the margin, given how successful the the bank levy, the bank surcharge and various anti- diverted profits tax has been in preventing profit shifting. avoidance measures such as the corporate interest restriction. We should not fool ourselves into believing Free ports feature prominently in the Bill. The Chancellor that raising taxes on companies will necessarily yield is, of course, enthusiastic about these, and they have less in the medium to longer term—albeit that in the exciting potential, particularly in terms of the levelling-up longer term we of course want to see those taxes as low agenda, but I point to two areas where caution is as possible. needed. One is the possibility of fraud in free port areas. Careful scrutiny is needed of the tax incentives, albeit it Incidentally,if my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary that SDLTstructures and building allowances and enhanced to the Treasury were looking for areas where there allowances for plant and machinery seem to be tax might be a Laffer effect, I would point him to three breaks that are difficult to game, because they relate to taxes: the higher rate of capital gains tax; the stamp fixed assets in a specific geographical location. The duty land tax on high-value properties; and duty on second issue is possible displacement of economic activity. cigarettes. There is scope for reducing rates and getting We do not want activity that would have occurred a higher yield in all three of those areas. anyway, perhaps nearby, occurring in a particular location I very much welcome the super deduction. I guess simply because there are advantageous economic and that there was an inevitability to it; if we signal that tax arrangements in place. The scrutiny Committee will corporation tax rates will go up in future, we tend to certainly be interested in the operation of free ports. 203 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 204

One element of the Bill that I was especially pleased not make time for that. Indeed, they might make better, to see that has not been mentioned so far and probably more considered financial legislation if the evidence to will not be mentioned again in this debate is the change support it was better examined. that ensures that where an employee receives a covid Over the past year, the UK Government, like all test provided by an employer in their place of work, it Governments around the world, have taken a range of does not count as a taxable benefit in kind. Were it to do steps to support people and businesses. The Bill gives us so, millions of workers up and down the country would an opportunity again to assess those measures, commend find that they were liable for tax in relation to those those that have worked, and examine which could usefully tests. I raise the matter because there is a small but be extended and enhanced. It also allows us the chance important lesson in scrutiny here. Tony Verran, who is a to reflect on how we got here. The overriding context member of the Treasury Committee secretariat, having for the situation in which we find ourselves today has joined us on secondment from HMRC, spotted this been a decade of austerity.The British Medical Association, anomaly in HMRC guidance. Within about 24 hours, I in an article last October, referred to austerity as “covid’s was able to raise it with the Chancellor on the Floor of little helper”, reflecting on how public health services in the House in Treasury Questions, and within 24 hours England have been cut back and undermined, resulting of that, to his great credit, he changed the guidance, and in a stalling of life expectancy in England. That came now we see the provision in the Bill. That is how through the political choices—the budgetary and taxation Parliament should work, so I am grateful to Tony and choices—of this UK Tory Government. The tax breaks others who were able to point me to that issue. and the loopholes of this and previous Finance Bills, In conclusion, I very much welcome the Bill. There and the decisions of the Chancellor,have caused significant are areas that will need considerable scrutiny. When I damage to public services across the UK, including in had my time as Financial Secretary to the Treasury I Scotland, where people did not vote for this austerity think I took through three Finance Bills with more than but have been forced to mitigate its impact. 1,000 pages of legislation, and I know the extraordinary amount of work involved in that, and the extraordinary We know that austerity is far from over; a second amount of detail that my right hon. Friend will be wave of Tory austerity is rushing towards us. The IFS going through over the coming days and weeks. I wish has said that under current plans him well. The Treasury Committee will, of course, “many public services are due a second, sharp dose of austerity” closely scrutinise the Bill, and will no doubt have much and that for non-protected Departments the to say about it. “Chancellor’s spending plans are even tighter than they first 4.30 pm appeared.” Departments such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP) [V]: It is a of Housing, Community and Local Government, and pleasure to follow the Chair of the Treasury Committee. the Department for Work and Pensions, will suffer cuts As the SNP reasoned amendment sets out, the Bill falls of 3% in 2022-23, which represents an 8% cut relative to short in a number of respects. My colleagues and I pre-coronavirus plans in March 2020. When the Barnett approach the Budget and the Finance Bill that follows formula is taken into account, that represents a cut of with a sense of frustration, given the limited powers around £4 billion. It is a cut we cannot afford, on the that the Scottish Parliament has over many matters in back of so many that have come before. I am sure the the Bill, and the imperviousness of the UK Tory Tories will argue that the Scottish Government should Government to suggestions of improvements to their simply put up taxes, but they continually fail to recognise legislation. The most minor suggestions for how they that we already pay in to the UK coffers, but we do not might do things better are dismissed, whether they have control over what the Chancellor chooses to waste come from us as Members of the House, or from expert on dangerous vanity projects such as Trident, or on organisations. crony contracts to his Tory pals. That is a symptom of how this Parliament does its work, with no real incentive for compromise. There are The measures in this Finance Bill regarding the aspects of the Bill in clauses 36 to 38 where Ministers coronavirus job support scheme and the self-employment are coming back to fix measures from the 2017 Finance income support scheme show the degree of complexity Bill to make them work as intended. Expert organisations that we are now left with as a result of schemes being such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the Association brought in necessarily in haste and extended for longer of Taxation Technicians, the Institute of Chartered than the UK Government had anticipated. While the Accountants of Scotland, the Institute of Chartered vaccine roll-out is progressing well, we are not yet out of Accountants in England and Wales, and the Low this pandemic, and the scenes of young people out Incomes Tax Reform Group have all pointed out sensible celebrating the end of lockdown last night should give tweaks to the Bill the Government could easily make. I us all a wee bit of pause for thought, along with the new urge Ministers to listen carefully to that expertise and to variants that could evade vaccination in the future. act. The UK Government have never been able to guarantee, I ask again for evidence sessions ahead of the Finance regardless of their rhetoric, that life will be back to Bill. All other Government Bills—even, on occasion, normal any time soon, so they should ensure that the private Members’ Bills—schedule evidence sessions, but support schemes reflect the course of the virus and not this major piece of legislation, which will impact extend them for as long as is necessary. They must now everyone in these islands. The recent Financial Services fill in the gaps in the support schemes and finally give Bill had useful evidence sessions where the Economic some certainty to the millions of excluded people who Secretary to the Treasury asked useful questions of our have been left with not one penny piece from the UK witnesses. I see no reason why the Government would Government for over a year. 205 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 206

[Alison Thewliss] practice, whether the benefits of the scheme will make a real difference to the wider economy and, as some have I received some mail this morning with a book called said already, whether this will give rise to tax dodges. “£xcluded Voices” from Stephen Liddell. It includes The SNP has raised concerns for years about the UK’s 151 stories of those excluded from support, and I hope low productivity, and the UK Government might want very much that his book reaches the Chancellor’s desk. to act further to encourage businesses to invest more in Stephen is a tour guide whom I had the pleasure to meet staff, skills and technology. A real living wage, rather during a demonstration last year, and 95% of his income than their pretendy living wage, might be a better place comes from overseas tourists. It is a sector of the to start. economy that is highly unlikely to get going even when We believe there should be a greater focus on pushing sectors start to reopen, and that will be two summer investment to meet net zero. The UK Government must tourist seasons lost. He is among so many who have ensure that this investment is one for future generations, been left behind, completely without hope—and entirely and I ask how exactly Ministers intend to monitor the without justification. effectiveness of this super deduction. There should be UKHospitality has highlighted that, with over 1 million safeguards against what Tax Justice has called egregious employees in the hospitality sector still on furlough, it investments such as Jacuzzis. I note also that the purchase was critical the schemes were maintained, and it did of flags might be on the list of things people could buy welcome that, as do we. Yet moving to business through their companies, which will no doubt please all contributions from July could prove difficult for some the Tories on Zoom. businesses that are not yet trading or that are off-season, and could yet result in further job losses. The stop-start, The Association of Taxation Technicians has some on-off furlough dither last autumn caused job losses concerns about interaction with the introduction from from employers unable to bear the costs and the uncertainty, 1 April 2023 of the small profits rate. I appreciate that and the UK Government must not repeat that mistake. the UK Government may believe they have good grounds for excluding leased or second-hand machinery, but the It almost goes without saying that the SNP wants the ICAEW has pointed out that industries that lease plant £20 universal credit and tax credits uplift to be made and machinery rather than acquire it outright make a permanent, but I have a wee query on the specifics in significant contribution to the UK economy. The clause 31 about making the working tax credit uplift Construction Plant-hire Association estimates that the match the temporary £20 increase to UC by means of a UK’s plant hire industry is worth £4 billion per annum, one-off £500 payment. There are real concerns about and the Construction Equipment Association estimates the rough edges of this policy from experts such as the that 60% to 65% of all construction equipment sold in low incomes tax reform group. My understanding is the UK goes into plant hire. This sounds to me to be that this £500 will be paid automatically, but there will quite significant, and I would ask Ministers to set out be a charge to income tax where someone receives this their reasoning in greater detail. in error—an error that would be HMRC’s error, not the recipient’s. There is a lack of certainty about what will Moving on to clause 15, the annual investment allowance happen if people get money they are not entitled to has jumped about over recent years with permanent through HMRC’s own error, and what those receiving and temporary limits, so it would be good to get more support are expected to do if they are unsure, especially certainty on that. In the “Tax after coronavirus” report, as there is only a 90-day period in which to notify that the Treasury Committee, on which I sit, commented: error. I ask the Minister to give us some further detail “The Annual Investment Allowance is valued by business and on how exactly he envisages that this will work and it appears well targeted to promote growth in small and medium-sized what information people will receive. enterprises. As with all tax reliefs there is likely to be some We will certainly get into further detail next week, but deadweight cost; but we urge the Government to look favourably I wish to run through some of the concerns that we and on further extension and possibly permanency at the existing level, which would provide welcome certainty to small and medium- experts have with the measures put forward in this sized enterprises.” Finance Bill, in the doubtless vain hope that Ministers will start to get moving on improvements to it. The ATT agrees that such extension or permanency Beginning with the income tax personal allowance would be welcome for many businesses in providing uplift and freeze, this would appear to be contrary to certainty, although for smaller businesses an opt-out the Government’s stated policy on low-income taxpayers. provision might be a useful solution. National insurance thresholds will continue to move, Part 2, on plastic packaging tax, takes up a substantial and those under the personal allowance threshold, including chunk of the Bill and is a particular area where I would those on universal credit, will not really see any benefits like to see more evidence and scrutiny of the UK from this move. As always with the UK Government, Government’s proposals from experts in the sector. there are problems in the detail. I would note that There is certainly a lot in here for businesses to get their Ministers are also not taking the opportunity to amend heads around. The Green Alliance sent a helpful briefing the high income child benefit charge, which has proved to Members, which I hope Ministers have also seen. It so problematic for so many people. suggests: differentiated obligations; an escalator for the Wewelcome the UK Government’smove on corporation percentage of recycled material and the level of tax; a tax, but would push them to work alongside President price-stabilising mechanism to de-risk investments in Biden on his call for global action on corporation tax. reprocessing and ensure that recycled content, as the This is a golden opportunity for a concerted effort to more sustainable option, is always cheaper than virgin move away from a race to the bottom. material; removing the exemption from packaging made On the super deduction, I must at least give the UK of multiple materials, which can be difficult to recycle; Government credit for a snazzy slogan, if for nothing and, finally, ensuring that a verification mechanism is in else, but we have some queries about how it will work in place. Those are all worthy of further consideration, 207 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 208 and I am sure that as the Bill progresses we will hear If devolution means anything at all to the UK Tory from more organisations out there with their views. We Government, they must allow Scotland to pursue a model have an opportunity to make legislation useful not only that fits the policies and ambitions of the democratically for the here and now, but for the future. elected Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government. Clauses 92 and 93 are on VAT on tourism and They must step back from using the United Kingdom hospitality, which is an area long overdue for reform. Internal Market Act 2020 as a battering ram, driving The UK has had one of the highest VAT rates on through policies that Scotland did not vote for. hospitality in Europe. It is welcome that the UK Where this Finance Bill really does not go far enough Government heeded the calls from industry and from is on tax evasion and tax avoidance. Yes, there are some the SNP for a cut in VAT for tourism and for hospitality. measures here, but there are also some massive gaps. With people unlikely to be able to travel for their Despite raising it in every Finance Bill, Scottish limited holidays this year, it is more important than ever to partnerships continue to exist as a means of shifting build the local tourism sector up and encourage people dirty money around the world. Just last month, the to take up the wonderful tourism opportunities on our investigative journalist, David Leask, wrote about NovoLine doorstep. Scotland has done its part in giving 100% Resources, a shell company with an address in Edinburgh, business rates relief for hospitality,and the UK Government which was blacklisted by the World Bank following an must now do their part, too. investigation into the contracts that it won to supply It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government equipment to Uzbekistan’s Health Ministry.If the World will extend the 5% rate only until the end of September, Bank can see that this company is up to no good, it as due to the lockdowns people have not been able to baffles me why the UK Government will not act to shut take full advantage of the reductions. Increasing the it down. Ministers must get serious about the financial rate to 12.5% until March next year—then presumably crime that their lack of attention is facilitating. it will revert to 20%—will mean that the tourism and There are also gaps around trusts, and we are still hospitality sector will not see the benefit over the October waiting for the much-delayed Registration of Overseas holidays or the Christmas period, and then it will take a Entities Bill. I really do have to question whose interests further hit next Easter. As I understand it, the reduction this serves: it is now three years since I implored the also applied to live music, funfairs, shows and events, so Government to stop fannying about on this matter it makes even more sense to extend the reduction to a during the consideration of the Sanctions and Anti-Money sector that has been unable to open its doors at all for Laundering Act 2018, and very little has happened the best part of a year. I urge the UK Government to since. consider that fully.There are also some practical difficulties This is another great big chunk of a Finance Bill, but for firms in moving the rates and dates, as that may there is so much still that is missing. It is a point of cause confusion. A wider review of VAT more generally some frustration that the Scottish Parliament, with its would seem sensible. I ask Ministers where that features ambitious agenda for fairness, sustainable growth and a in their plans. green recovery, does not have access to the levers and On clause 113 and schedule 25, on penalties for the powers that it needs and that, in so many instances, failure to pay tax, there is no doubt that I support the UK Government, who do, do not even want to people paying the taxes they should in full and on time make use of them. We will do our best in diligently and that there should be a penalty for not doing so. trying to improve this Bill. We will engage with experts That said, the ATT and the ICAEW have concerns that and we will move our amendments, which the UK the proposed late payment penalty regime is overly Government will almost certainly choose to reject. I complex and, as a result, will not be understood by look forward to the day when these financial powers are taxpayers and not act as an effective deterrent. The vested much closer to the people of Scotland, in our ATT in particular feels that allowing HMRC up to own Parliament, where we can make much better use of 48 weeks in some circumstances to notify a person of them. the award of a penalty point, and up to two years to assess a penalty liability, is quite excessive. The periods 4.46 pm should be further reduced and/or assurances should be given by Ministers that they will be used only in the George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): It is a great most exceptional circumstances. pleasure to speak in this debate and to follow the hon. I turn to freeports. We on the Opposition side continue Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss), principally to have concerns about their effectiveness and the potential because I can say how wonderful it is that the Scottish for tax dodging. The point by the Chair of the Select people have enjoyed the benefits of this great British Committee about displacement was also well made. vaccine success. It has been enjoyed by the entire United Their use around Europe and around the world has left Kingdom, and funded by our deep commitment to UK many scratching their heads about what the UK life science, which comes from the United Kingdom Government aim to achieve. Scotland has set out a Government. The great Scottish cluster benefits from differentiated approach, engaging in good faith but that hugely. I was surprised not to hear the hon. Lady adapting and improving the UK’s model to address the accept and regret the fact that, had the Scottish Nationalist climate emergency in our green port approach. The party succeeded in persuading the people of Scotland Scottish Government stated: to leave, they would not now be enjoying the vaccine “Operators and beneficiaries will be required to commit to security that they currently are. It is a wonderful thing. adopting Fair Work First criteria and contribute to Scotland’s We are stronger together in health as we are in economics. just transition to net zero”. As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary put Trade Minister Ivan McKee recently raised concerns it so eloquently at the start of this debate, covid has about the UK Government’s lack of willingness to engage been not just a health catastrophe, a global pandemic on that while pushing forward with their own plans. on a scale that none of us in this generation has seen 209 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 210

[George Freeman] measures in it, but I want to highlight one or two that the people of Mid Norfolk and I particularly welcome before, but an economic catastrophe. It has been an and then highlight three points that we need to think economic shock to this country and to the global growth about as we seek to drive a powerful recovery. engine, which is not yet over. It is a sign of the generosity I particularly welcome the measures in the Budget for of the Treasury’s support that it will be only when the the self-employed, who, in the first part of covid last furlough programme, which has been rightly extended, year, were hit hard. Many of them were living at risk, ends in the autumn that the beginnings of the full reveal hand to mouth and on each month’s proceeds, without of the economic damage will strike us all. It is for that the stability of a company behind them. reason that the measures in the Finance Bill and in the wider relief that the Government have put in place are There is also the support for apprenticeships and to be so welcomed and are so important. traineeships. In Norfolk, when the furlough ends, we are expecting to see between 30,000 and 50,000 unemployed. I will, if I may, start by echoing the comments of The Government have rightly moved quickly to make others and by thanking the Chancellor and his teams—both sure that a very powerful skills and training pathway his ministerial and official teams. It is not that common package is in place, so that people who have left old jobs to praise Her Majesty’s Treasury in this Chamber, and that have not survived this accelerated crisis—it has particularly not for moving with speed, compassion and accelerated much of the challenge on the high street—can an instinctive desire to spend money on behalf of the quickly find jobs in the new economy that we are health of the British people. This happened both in the creating. economic crisis in the crash, when the Treasury moved at pace over one weekend to put in place a phenomenal I want to highlight the £700 million package for the package to prevent the meltdown of the City of London, arts, culture and sport. In particular, we need to support and in this crisis. Indeed, it is barely possible to think the artists and creative people at the heart of those that, a year ago, the Chancellor stood here and took the industries, not just the buildings. It is that genius—that nation by surprise with the pace, compassion and speed creativity—which is so key to the British instinctive with which he announced his package. The fact that creative spirit, that we need to support. Rather too more than 1 million jobs have been furloughed and many of our great artists are working in all sorts of jobs protected and £800 billion has been spent in immediate and seeing their artistic careers disappear. We need to relief is an absolute cornerstone of the fact that the make sure that we keep them busy and get them back to economic recovery that we are now beginning to see is work. so strong. On levelling up,I highlight the Government’sphenomenal package of support, rightly making the crisis not just a Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman moment to prop up the pre-covid economy but to drive makes a comparison between the Treasury’s response to growth out. The 45 town deals and the eight freeports the covid crisis and the Treasury’s response to the last are genuinely transformational for places such as Teesside financial crisis. I wonder, therefore, whether we ought to that have been left behind by successive Labour be blaming the enormous deficit and debt now on Governments, who ought to have been representing Conservative profligacy or whether we will finally accept them better. There is the move of the UK infrastructure that, in 2007-08, as now, the Treasury did exactly the bank to Leeds, the levelling-up fund, the community right thing to prevent the economic situation being even renewal fund, the Help to Grow for SMEs, the future worse than it would otherwise have been. fund and the substantial commitment to net zero and the green infrastructure that we need for a proper George Freeman: The hon. Member makes an interesting recovery. This was a Budget not just to repair the point that I relish responding to. My praise was for the damage of covid, but to lay the foundations for a more Treasury in moving at pace to solve and sort a crisis sustainable and sustained economic recovery, creating incubated by the last Labour Government in leaving jobs and opportunities for generations to come. I welcome this country deeply vulnerable as a result of a whole it particularly for that reason. series of measures put in place during the Blair and That financial package is allied with the extraordinary Brown years, not least the smash-and-grab raid on our success of the UK life sciences community, and perhaps pensions and the foolish and reckless deregulation. The at this point I could, as a former life sciences Minister, Treasury moved quickly to solve a crisis, but I am not pay tribute to its extraordinary work. In particular, claiming, at the same time, that the Government of the there are the scientists at Oxford and AstraZeneca, to day were not responsible for incubating that crisis. They whom we owe so much, and in Norfolk, there is the are different points. work of the Norwich Research Park and the Quadram Institute, which has done pioneering work in some of Jesse Norman: May I remind my hon. Friend of a the genetic sequencing. At the same time, I welcome the fact that he will know well? The leverage ratio of the work of the vaccine taskforce, led by the redoubtable British banking system was 20 times equity for 40 years Kate Bingham, with whom I know the Financial Secretary until the year 2000, after which it went up from 20 times has a strong working relationship. I am tempted to to 50 times in seven years under a Labour Government. channel my inner William Hague and remember the time when he commended Yorkshire for having more George Freeman: I thank the Financial Secretary for gold medals in the 2012 Olympics than France. In fact, pointing that out. I am tempted to remind everyone that he went further, saying that Mrs Brownlee had won the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and then Prime more gold medals than France in those Olympics, and I Minister sold the gold at a record low and various other do not think any couple has done more for the UK things, but I shall not be distracted—I simply record health economy than the Financial Secretary and the that—and focus on this Budget. I will not list all the head of the vaccine taskforce. 211 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 212

I genuinely believe that this package is responsible, commercial environment, I genuinely think that this is a responsive and lays the foundations for a resilient set of moment when we could unleash a new cycle of growth, public finances. The challenge now is to get the growth so that we look back at this, yes, as a crisis, but also as that we need from the private sector to build a really an opportunity, such that future generations will thank sustainable recovery, and I want to turn to that and us for getting us off the boom and bust cycle of over-reliance make three key points. First, if we are really to escape on short-termism, the City, housing and retail booms, debt—the debt legacy from the crash in 2007-08 and the and laying the foundations for serious global growth debt legacy from covid—and to build a clean, green, based on technology transfer. smart economy, we need not just to get back to ticking Secondly, from the perspective of rural Mid Norfolk— over with 2% to 3% growth; to get to 4%, 5% or 6% not 40 miles from Cambridge but at times feeling like growth, we will have to be able to host, or incubate, 100 miles, or 100 years, from it—the small towns are economies growing at 100% a year. That is the key to fundamental. That is why I welcome so much the 45 town growth in this economy. We cannot escape debt by deals in the Budget. I hugely welcome all of them and building over the whole of the south of England or the work that is being done. However, it is vital that as building over any last rural area around Cambridge. To the Treasury launches these funds, we also think about support growth, we have to make sure that we grow the how we can make it easier for the places and communities economies that will grow our economy, building back that have often been left behind because they do not better one local economy at a time and one sectoral have the resources of a metro Mayor or the big capacity economy at a time. To avoid the boom and bust of the to access multiple Government funds. Somewhere in the City, housing and retail cycles that have left us in this mix is a role for what I might call local regeneration state, the Treasury is absolutely right to commit to the corporations—small, fleet of foot, locally place-based deep infrastructure investment for tomorrow’s growth public-private partnerships with powers to access money sectors. I am delighted that after my short period in the for multiple funds and deploy them over a five or wilderness, the Prime Minister has asked me back to 10-year plan to drive transformational local change and lead his taskforce on innovation, growth and regulatory to pull in private finance alongside public. They would reform to look at where, as we come out of covid and have the powers to do some compulsory purchase, to seek to lay the foundations for this recovery, free from move in quickly and regenerate land left fallow after the European Union’s regulatory frameworks but still covid, to embrace some of the opportunities of land able to trade with its market, we may be able to strike a value capture and tax increment financing, and to raise blow for bold innovation and regulation for innovation. infrastructure bonds and finance. Many investors around I want to highlight some sectors that are growing the world would love to contribute to and have a stake spectacularly and that, if we were to invest strategically, in this British recovery. Many places around our country would help to grow our national economy in the same will not be able to access on their own sufficient finance way. The broader bioscience sector includes not just from the Treasury. We need to make it easy for them to pharmaceuticals but the bioeconomy sector of food, drive local engines of growth that will go on in decades medicine and energy, and, in particular, areas where to come, in a similar way to the successes of the London those three support each other. In Norfolk I recently sat Docklands Development Corporation, the Tyne and in a Lotus built at Hethel Engineering Centre that was Wear Development Corporation and the County Durham powered by a Formula 1 low-carbon biofuel made by development corporation in the ’80s and ’90s, which genetically modified bugs breaking down agricultural were so transformational. waste. That is what I mean by bioscience and the bioeconomy. In this century, it is biology and bioscience Kevin Hollinrake: My hon. Friend makes a very good that will drive growth globally, just as physics did in the point about regional economies. On engines for growth, last century and chemistry in the one before. We are a does he think that regional mutual banks might be part phenomenal powerhouse in the biosciences, and if we of the solution? They are very effective in places such as invest in that, support it and commercialise it better, we Germany and the US, focusing on regions, making sure will grow the industries of tomorrow. that SMEs get lending into the productive parts of our Similarly, in nutraceuticals, where pharmaceuticals economy. Would he look at that as part of his remit on meet food and nutrition, there is a whole range of new regulatory reform? crops that support growth and crops that are drought resistant and disease resistant, such as crops we export George Freeman: With pleasure, and I can go further. to Africa to help drive sustainable development. In My hon. Friend is typically astute and on the money— biosecurity, and plant, animal and human health, we absolutely. It is true that in the pension funds of this share much of the genomic sequence with most of the country,we invest remarkably little in equities, remarkably animals that we rely on in our agricultural system. little in small company finance and remarkably little in There are huge opportunities for us to breed out our own infrastructure. I am not for a minute suggesting susceptibility to disease and traits that will lead to huge that Norfolk County Council should put all of its suffering. There is a huge opportunity to harness genomics money into the Cambridge to Norwich railway, although for the benefit of animal welfare, as well as progressive I think it would be quite a good investment, but it agriculture, in artificial intelligence, in immunotherapy, would be an awful lot better than finding it had quite a in space, in biofuels, in carbon capture and storage, and lot in the Iceland bank during the crash, where we lost a in biodiversity investment. These are huge sectors that lot of money. There needs to be a reasonable balance. I this country is poised to grow into substantial industries, think a lot of people in this country would quite enjoy creating jobs and opportunities for tomorrow. If we get having a stake in their own infrastructure. the regulatory regime for this right, which Brexit gives People have season tickets. What about also having a us an opportunity to do, and, as the Treasury is doing, share in the mutual railway company and a share in we invest in the deep infrastructure and create the right infrastructure that they are helping to fund and that 213 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 214

[George Freeman] year. Nearly a million people were working on zero-hours contracts. Going into this pandemic, the NHS had they rely on? That is part of the revolution of place-based suffered the longest funding squeeze in its history and capitalism—one might even call it stakeholder capitalism, there were 100,000 vacancies, including 40,000 nurse if one were on the Opposition Benches. We can call it vacancies. Social care was even worse, with £8 billion what we want, but it is about giving people a stake in taken out of social care budgets since 2010 and, according their own economic destiny. to Age UK, 1.5 million of our older people not getting The third area that I wanted to highlight is the the care they needed. The existential threat of climate importance of global markets. If we are really going to change was effectively ignored, with the Government become an innovation nation, home to these incredibly hopelessly off target to secure even the modest goal of exciting technologies that will drive tomorrow’s growth, net zero emissions by 2050. we need to make sure we are better connected to those We cannot stand by and let this Government return emerging markets around the world, which are growing us to all that. If this Finance Bill is to have any relevance at 10% or 20%. As the Foresight report highlighted, whatsoever, it must address those issues, but also the global population growth means that by 2050, we are impacts and challenges presented by the pandemic, going to have to double food production globally on the which has exacerbated many of those issues of the same land area, with half as much water and energy. pre-covid economy. That is a phenomenal global grand challenge, but it is Unemployment is forecast to hit 6.5% this year. one that this country is well positioned to respond to, Introducing the furlough scheme without conditions with our historic strengths in agricultural science and enabled fire-and-rehire employers to cut wages and technology and the biosciences I have talked about. conditions of employment. Low wages and inadequate The real trick is how to link our leadership and sick pay have resulted in around 750,000 households innovation and commercialisation in the City to global being behind on their rent or their mortgage, and millions markets. I suggest that our liberation through Brexit more are behind on basic household bills. With the from the European trading structure, challenging though eviction ban ending on 31 May and, realistically, no it is in many ways, does create an opportunity for us to action on debt from the Government, we risk a surge in embrace variable tariffs. Imagine if you will for a moment evictions leading to more homelessness. saying to countries in Africa, “Look, we are not going Public services remain stretched, in many areas to to charge you 40% on food tariffs, like the European near breaking point, getting through only by the Union—that is immoral. We will reduce it to 5% or commitment and dedication of often underpaid and 10%, but 0% is only for those who are growing and still undervalued staff. Half of all care workers earn less producing at the most responsible and progressive than the living wage—the real living wage. As my hon. standards—the very highest standards of animal welfare Friend the Member for Ealing North (James Murray) and food quality.We will help you to do that by exporting said from the Front Bench, the Government clapped for the technologies that we have developed here using our our key workers, yet now they are rewarding millions of aid budget.” them with a pay freeze or an insulting 1% rise. Inequality With those commitments to growth and local places, was rising before the pandemic, and the pandemic has and to globalisation, this is an opportunity, given what only widened it. the Treasury has done, to make this crisis a genuine The Government’s response, contained in this Finance moment to unlock a new cycle of growth for the benefit Bill, has nothing to do with building back better. Some of this country and generations to come. have suggested that, because the Government have been forced by the pandemic into large-scale spending and 5.2 pm borrowing and corporation tax rises are now mooted, John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab) [V]: the Chancellor is implementing the policies advocated Budgets and their associated Finance Bills give practical by Labour in its 2019 manifesto. Nothing could be meaning to the political aims of Governments. Manifestos further from the truth. It is not the rhetoric that is and the rhetoric of party-leading Members and eventually important; it is the substance. Without structural change the Queen’s Speech are the mechanisms used to describe in our economy that fundamentally shifts the balance the society that the governing party aims to construct, of power and wealth in favour of working people, our but it is its Budgets and its Finance Bills that are the society will simply replicate the inequality and injustices tools by which the foundations of that society are laid. of the past. What we can discern from this Finance Bill is that, This Finance Bill demonstrates that it is largely the despite all the rhetoric from the Prime Minister, and all same old Tories and the same old Tory policies taking the personalised, personally signed social media promotions us back—building back, but not better for the many. If by the Chancellor, the society they want to build back we look at the evidence from the Budget and in this Bill, to and to return us to is, in essence, the same pre-covid far from addressing the mounting poverty in our society, society of insecurity and inequality that left us so the Government are not only cutting universal credit vulnerable to the pandemic. but freezing the tax thresholds of the low paid and I have heard the Prime Minister and the Chancellor doing nothing for those who do not even earn enough claim that we have only been able to meet the demands to reach the threshold. of a pandemic because of the so-called strength of the On low pay, the Government have already failed to pre-covid economy, so it is worth reminding ourselves meet George Osborne’smuch-heralded target of a minimum what the pre-covid economy was like. Some 4.2 million wage of £9 an hour by 2020, and they are imposing a of our children were living in poverty—30% of children pay freeze on many of the very people who have helped in this country. Rough sleeping had more than doubled. to see us through the pandemic. To compound that Food banks were handing out 1.5 million food parcels a disregard for people struggling to get by on poverty pay, 215 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 216 there is also nothing in the Bill that discourages employers The test of the Government’s purpose in the Bill will from using brutal fire-and-rehire tactics to force through be their attitude to the amendments that will be inevitably permanent wage cuts. be tabled to protect the lowest paid from the stealth tax increases of threshold freezes; to ensure that tax reliefs The timings of the Bill’s tax proposals betray the are not used as methods of tax abuse; to make unearned reality of the Government’s attitude to inequality. The wealth taxed at the same rate as income from work, Bill pushes through a tax threshold freeze for low and as was proposed by the Government; and to prevent middle earners but delays corporation tax increases, ministerial interference, tackle low pay and exploitation which there is already speculation could be dropped in a and ensure that responsibilities to tackle climate change pre-election giveaway to business at some stage in the are upheld. From their attitude to those amendments, future. Plus, the Bill contains no action to fulfil the we will see whether this Government are a Government much-publicised proposals to equalise the rate of capital for the people or, as I suspect, a Government for the gains tax with income tax. The Government have talked corporations. about levelling up, but Tax Justice UK’s analysis demonstrates that 1,600 of the wealthiest Londoners made more in capital gains than the entire north of 5.15 pm England. Instead, the Bill proposes super deductions (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): I welcome tax reliefs—a huge giveaway of £25 billion to large the Bill. It is worth trying to get under the skin of corporations. Budgets, because it is so difficult. There are so many As we have debated in this Chamber, tax reliefs have a documents, there is a huge build-up, and large parts of long history of corporate abuse and failure to meet it are incomprehensible to anybody other than the their stated objectives.I remind Members of the cross-party Financial Secretary. As Members of Parliament, we debates we have had on the issues around the entrepreneurs have to try to get under the skin of what, fundamentally, allowance, the patent box and the tonnage tax, to name is going on here—what are the Government trying to just a few of the allowances that have failed to deliver do with the key measures? and been open to abuse. Unless legislative protections In my view, the Chancellor is fundamentally trying to are put in place, there will be huge opportunities for tax deal with one big thing that has not got enough attention abuse and waste, and a level of corporate looting that in the House: our productivity problem. He is dealing could make the billions at stake in the crony contracts with some of our deep-seated, deep-rooted economic and the Greensill scandal look like chicken feed in productivity problems in two principal ways. The flashier comparison. one—and there has been some discussion of it today—is the super deduction, but I will not linger on that. In Similarly, previous track records demonstrate that particular, I want to talk about the Help to Grow the Bill’s proposals for freeports will, unless strictly scheme, which is fundamental, transformative and can regulated, open up a vista of tax abuse, wage undercutting make a big difference to businesses across my constituency, and the drainage of investment from surrounding regions. Hertfordshire and, indeed, the whole United Kingdom. It cannot be right that the Government’s freeports will be in place before the Office for Budget Responsibility On the super deduction, from listening to some of the has done any assessment of their merits. As Tax Justice criticism from Opposition Members, I do not think UK has pointed out, the Treasury does not even have they really understand the nature of what is going on. confirmed costs for this policy, despite the Government One of the biggest economic problems that we have had already announcing the eight freeport sites. for a very long time is a lack of private sector investment compared with our neighbours. That private sector Also, nothing exposes the vacuity of the Bill more investment has been further damaged by the covid than its real failure to address the existential threat of pandemic for obvious reasons, as everybody appreciates. climate change with firm action. There is nothing in the The super deduction is an inventive, creative, clever new Bill that dictates this priority and the scale of investment way of turbocharging and increasing private sector and action needed to address the crisis of climate investment and moving it forward so that we can help catastrophe that we now face. If there is one thing that build back better during this very difficult phase that we people have maybe begun to learn in recent months, it is are trying to come out of. that the promises of the Prime Minister and the policies The hon. Member for Ealing North (James Murray) of the Chancellor do not generally coincide either with kept going on about tech companies. Well, I am afraid reality or, as some have alleged, with the truth. that he obviously has not read the detail. The super This Finance Bill evidences starkly the level of corporate deduction is about plant and equipment. Plant and capture of this Government. This is a Finance Bill for equipment tends to impact manufacturing businesses. I the corporations, not the people. Before the much-heralded know that the Labour party is going through all sorts of corporation tax rises ever happen, corporations will be internal difficulty and transformation at the moment, compensated with huge tax reliefs, including the massive but it is a sad day when the Labour party cannot £25 billion tax giveaway to corporations paid for by tax welcome measures that will benefit manufacturing rises on working people. At the same time, £15 billion of businesses up and down this country. cuts each year in departmental budgets will continue the austerity that has undermined our public services Sammy Wilson: Furthermore, had the hon. Member over the last decade. So, far from building back better, for Ealing North read the detail of the Bill, he would this Finance Bill lays the foundations for widening know that the super deduction is on new capital equipment, inequality and continuing a low-pay, insecure work not on second-hand capital equipment. So even the economy, complemented by huge potential for tax abuse manufacturing of equipment, provided it is made here and with crony capitalism virtually embedded in our in the United Kingdom, will generate jobs and income economy. for firms here in the United Kingdom, which will then, 217 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 218

[Sammy Wilson] companies adopt the newest technology and use it well, and the companies at the bottom end do not. The as the hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden Government are trying to address that diffusing of (Bim Afolami) pointed out, increase productivity in the knowledge throughout the economy and throughout firms that invest in the machinery. different regions with the Help to Grow scheme. How? The Government are providing grants and assistance Bim Afolami: I welcome that intervention. Opposition for productivity-enhancing software for companies in Members have also been saying, “This is only going to every single sector and the ability for them to get online benefit the big companies, and the poor small companies help and advice on what technology to adopt. That won’t benefit.” First, it does benefit all companies if could make a huge difference to hundreds of thousands they qualify. The smaller companies already have the of businesses all around the country and should be annual investment allowance, which is continuing and welcomed by everybody in this House. has been welcomed by everybody, including by them. The second aspect of our productivity difficulty is And—whisper it—big companies are important for our management and our utilisation of human capital—that productivity too! Big companies employ lots of people, is, the people who work in businesses up and down the so it would be negligent of the Government to say, “We country. How are we dealing with that? The Chancellor are not going to bring forward a measure that will help has an MBA from one of the best MBA schools—if not our economy because it might benefit big employers the best—in the world, Stamford, and went on to have a that employ thousands of our constituents.” very successful career in finance. Not everybody will be able to do that or has the time and ability to do that, but Kevin Hollinrake: May I add another point to my everybody—right down to the small companies in each hon. Friend’s list of positives? Lots of the money spent of our constituencies—can get huge benefit from access because of the super deduction will be spent in the to high-quality management training provided by the supply chain, thereby helping SMEs. very good local business schools up and down the Bim Afolami: Indeed. I am having too much fun on country. The Help to Grow scheme gives the individual the super deduction—I will talk about the Help to managers and owners of SMEs the ability to access that Grow scheme in a moment—so I shall finish on it. The sort of knowledge, which is the sort of knowledge that super deduction is not something that the Chancellor most people running SMEs do not get. just thought up as something that it might be a good If we combine that improved management capability—by idea to try; it is backed by fundamental economic the way, the Bank of England has identified that analysis by people as eminent as Andy Haldane, the management capability is poorer in this country than it chief economist of the Bank of England, who I saw is in our competitors—with the adoption of technology, today has been appointed chief executive of the Royal we have a ready-made mix of policies directly targeted Society of Arts. He is an incredibly able guy who has to improve the most difficult aspects of our productivity done a huge amount of work and thinking on this issue problem. I do not know whether Help to Grow will deal and is one of the many economists who have talked with everything—I suspect it will not—but it will make about investment being a key problem for our economy. a big difference, and it is a shame that so few Opposition That brings me to the second key thing that the Members have managed to understand and see the Budget will do for productivity: the Help to Grow depth of seriousness of the Chancellor’s approach in scheme. So much of what we talk about in this place is that regard. That really needs to be brought out. the big numbers—the massive infrastructure projects, I shall finish—[Interruption.] Yes, I know I should the huge budgets for the public services and all of that, finish. Hanging over us today is not just as an unusually which is all very important—but specific measures for cold April but the spectre of inflation potentially coming small and medium-sized businesses often do not reach back in the next year, two, three or four years. There are the Floor of the House. They are either hyper-localised many people warning about this from all over the in one’s constituency or they appear to be too big and world. If inflation does come back to whatever degree, too macro. The Help to Grow scheme could be really interest rates may need to go up in future. If interest important, because it does two things that will directly rates do go up, lest the House forgets, the need for fiscal help small and medium-sized businesses such as the responsibility will not have gone away. Small rises in family business that my wife runs, which employs five interest rates do not just affect households trying to get people, and hundreds of thousands of other companies mortgages or businesses trying to expand or to get debt; like that. they also affect the Government hugely. Underpinning First, the Help to Grow scheme helps to deal with the Chancellor’s approach across everything I have said our economic difficulty—pointed out by Andy Haldane, and lots of other things that have been talked about is a among others—which is that in most areas of the core understanding that fiscal responsibility matters. economy and of the country, we have an incredibly This Finance Bill helps to keep that in check, reminds well-performing top 10% of highly innovative, successful the House of that, puts us on the right course and deals companies,and we have our poorest-performing companies, with our productivity problems, and I welcome its Second and the gap between those two groups is greater than it Reading. is among all our competitors. That gap is around 80% larger in the United Kingdom compared with France 5.25 pm and Germany. That is a significant economic difficulty Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab) [V]: I support the reasoned for us. The question is: why is that the case? amendment in the names of my hon. and right hon. The Bank of England’s analysis points out two key Friends. I hope to make a brief contribution, given the things among lots of different things.The first is technology scope of the debate—I do not want to fall foul of your adoption. In effect, the most successful, innovative legendary patience and tolerance levels, Madam Deputy 219 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 220

Speaker—but it goes to the heart of the concerns on the In doing this year after year since about 2017, outwith Opposition Benches that the Government are failing to elections, the Government are breaking a 90-year-old address the many challenges faced by a whole variety of protocol. They are freezing Parliament out. Regrettably, sectors across the country, especially in the light of covid. this is yet again more chipping away at the powers of I want to use one example in due course of the the House by the Executive’s sequestration programme, lacuna—not addressed substantively in the Bill—that supported by obtuse Members on the Benches opposite. may affect the finances of families and the broader That is all I have to say on that matter. health of the economy, which in turn impact on revenue raising. It is a proxy for the wider malaise that the Bill 5.30 pm does not address. (Waveney) (Con) [V]: It is a pleasure to I appreciate that the Bill is about raising revenue and follow the hon. Member for Bootle (Peter Dowd). not necessarily the spending of that revenue. In this regard, my call for spending on palliative care—the care In considering the provisions in the Budget presented that enables people to live life as fully as possible and by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer enjoy precious time with loved ones before the end of on 3 March and the ensuing Finance Bill, it must be life—is vital, but is not necessarily about revenue raising. borne in mind that they are being delivered against a However, I recognise that the Government have to some backdropof whollyunprecedentedeconomiccircumstances. degree recognised how important the independent hospice The global economy has suffered a shock that has not sector is to our health and social care and the benefit it been seen for almost 100 years. Set in that context, my brings to the economy. The Government have recently right hon. Friend has generally struck the right balance used revenue from previous Finance Bills or borrowing in supporting people and businesses through the crisis, to support the sector and enabled it to survive. Crucially, beginning the task of fixing the public finances and that eases the financial pressures on the families of laying the foundation for an investment-led green recovery. those affected who need palliative care, but that is a There are some very welcome initiatives: the extension proxy for the Government in this Bill not addressing the of furlough to the end of September; two further grants real needs of the economy. for the self-employed, with an additional 600,000 people The economy has been under stress and will continue eligible; the restart grants; extending the VAT cut to 5% to be so for a considerable period of time. We all have for a further six months, before tapering for another six; our experiences of families who are affected in one the extension of the business rates holiday for three fashion or another, and palliative care and the support months,before tapering for nine; the increase in corporation of people in that situation are part of that. It is time for tax, but with a small profits rate retained at the existing the Government to recognise that they have to look level; the super deduction on capital investment; and after those in most need and use the benefit of the the steps to promote pension fund investment in Finance Bill to raise revenue to support them. infrastructure. The hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim From a Suffolk and Waveney perspective, the headlines Afolami) talked about productivity. Yes, we are one of in the Budget and the Bill are the Felixstowe freeport the worst nations in the G7 for productivity. We are and the Lowestoft towns fund deal. These can be a about 30% less productive than the Germans, about catalyst for private sector investment. For the latter, 20% less productive than the French, about 9% less where I sit on the place board, it is estimated that the productive than the Italians, and similarly 30% less £24.9 million of public funding will leverage in productive than the Americans. There is nothing at all £350 million-worth of private sector investment. Previously, in this Bill in substance that deals with productivity I was doubtful about freeports, concerned that they issues. As much as the hon. Gentleman likes to say it, move business around, displacing projects rather than the Bill does not deal with that. It does not deal with job attracting additional investment. However, taking into insecurity, low pay and low skills. It does not deal with account the unprecedented challenges of covid and the inequality in education, social care and health. It talks opportunities of Brexit, it is necessary to pursue policies about levelling up, but when, where and how? They are that can help to attract footloose global investment, just phrases. There is absolutely no action and no route although, as we heard, the provisions of the policy will for the action that the Government wish to take over need to be looked at very closely. the years. A concern I do have is that the focus on freeports My example in relation to the health sector, and in could lead to the abandoning of enterprise zones,introduced particular the palliative care sector, is a proxy to say, very successfully by my right hon. Friend the Member “We should be investing our resources in supporting for Tunbridge Wells () in 2012. The Lowestoft people in need, whether that is on job security or the and Great Yarmouth enterprise zone has worked very hospice sector, because if we do not, it impacts on the well. Its provisions need some changes, so that it is economy in one fashion or another.” properly aligned with the exciting opportunities emerging I do not want to go on too much, so I will finish on in the maritime and port sectors. It is important that this point. I would like to put on record my disappointment that and other enterprise zones continue. that the Government are continuing with the no amendment The Finance Bill paves the way for the levelling-up fund of the law provision. As the Hansard Society notes, if and the UK community renewal fund. There are elements there is no amendment of the law resolution, then in the small print that cause me concern. With the “no amendment”— former, the Lowestoft and Waveney area, where there to the Finance Bill— are significant areas of poverty,is in the priority 2 category, “may be moved unless the relief proposed is covered by one of the while with the latter there are no priority places in Suffolk, Ways and Means resolutions…Nor may an amendment…exceed yet there are in the surrounding very similar counties of any figure prescribed in the relevant resolution.” Norfolk, Essex and . This appears illogical 221 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 222

[Peter Aldous] property market is red hot. Indeed, last November, this country paid back more than it had borrowed on its and not properly thought through. I am writing to the credit cards for the first time since July 2013. But to say Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local that we are heading out of the woods and just to keep Government seeking clarification of the selection criteria. going is to fail to recognise why we are so vulnerable in Covid has hit hard the poorest in society. It was thus the first place, why the UK economy collapsed so badly right that a year ago the Government moved quickly to over the last year and why our communities were so at introduce the £20 uplift to universal credit and to provide risk of harm from the virus that our death rate has been unprecedented levels of funding to local government so high—the underinvestment and austerity that mean for welfare support. I welcome the extension of the that our productivity rate is so sluggish, our poverty universal credit uplift to the end of September and the rate is rising and our people are not waving but drowning one-off payment of £500 to those receiving working tax in their debt. We do a disservice to our communities if credit. However, I am concerned that the impact of we underplay these issues or the scale of the task ahead. covid on the most disadvantaged will extend beyond the We need a Finance Bill made not for the here and end of the summer and could well be heightened at the now, but for the long term. We cannot go back to time that furloughing is scheduled to end. normal when normal means 23% of our population The Government have put in place some very good living in destitution; when millions of people are sitting initiatives, such as the kickstart scheme, the restart on debts and rely on insecure work in industries that scheme and the lifetime skills guarantee, but there needs will never be the same when furlough ends; when our to be a strategic approach to providing people with a health inequalities have worsened so dramatically over pathway out of poverty and there is a worry that some the last year. important stepping stones are missing. I urge my right In addressing those underlying problems in our economy, hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to work I can welcome much in the Bill. I recognise that it is closely with his Cabinet colleague and my constituency right to look at corporation tax, given that those with neighbour, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the broadest shoulders should help the most with repairing my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal our fractured economy. We should be tackling the (Dr Coffey), to ensure that we have a welfare support devastating impact on our environment of plastics; with system that is fit for the task ahead. This should incorporate some amendments, the proposals could drive not only a proper long-term funding for local welfare assistance reduction in use, but new industries. We should be and synchronisation with the implementation of the trying to tackle tax avoidance, although I always tell national food strategy, and it should ensure that those Treasury Ministers that it would be simpler to ask my on legacy benefits are not left behind. right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Dame Margaret In conclusion, the Bill provides the framework for Hodge) what they should do next. meeting the biggest economic challenge in our lifetime, The truth is that the Bill takes a nut to a sledgehammer. but there is a need to look more closely at some of the We would do better if we were to start again, rather detail, whether the criteria for bidding to economic than continue on with the fantasy that, with a few regeneration funds or the need for a strategic approach tweaks here and there, everything can go back to normal— to welfare support. I hope that the Government will do whatever normal is. My worry is that relying on the that in the weeks ahead. fantasy the Bill creates will leave millions of families abandoned who may have weathered the shock of the 5.37 pm pandemic, but were always going to be sunk by continued Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: This austerity. While millions have benefited from working week the shops have opened, many of us have finally from home and being able to save, millions more are had a haircut and some have even had their eyebrows struggling to make ends meet, having lost their job or done. Vaccines are being given out and unemployment seen their income fall. has started to fall, which we all welcome. We know how The Institute for Fiscal Studies found that last year hard this year has been for our constituents and the the richest fifth of households swelled their bank balances challenge of how to help weighs heavily on the minds of by over £400 a month, while the poorest were about many across the House. Some would say that that £170 worse off each month. This is not people spending challenge is just about the impact of the pandemic and to entertain themselves during lockdown. Citizens Advice that this week shows that it is slowly being addressed—that shows that roughly 6 million people have fallen behind it has been a horrific year with the loss of loved ones, on at least one household bill during the pandemic. and the shutdown of businesses made necessary to Most people visiting the citizens advice bureau for debt prevent transmission, but we are making it through. advice are not coming to ask about credit card debts or And let’s be honest, some people have done well in the rent-to-own purchases; instead, they are in debt to the last year. We have seen them: the ones who have been public sector because of tax credit overpayments, benefits able to spend time with their families and to work from overpayments, council tax arrears or utility bill arrears. home okay—wi-fi willing. They are the ones the Chancellor The Trussell Trust tells us that over half of food bank is counting on to spend their savings and make his sums users struggle to afford food and clothes because they work—the people to whom short-term measures to are repaying universal credit debts. Anyone who questions keep pumping up our housing market and spending on why that extra £20 matters should look at that information DIY will appeal. and realise that it needs to become permanent. Thanks to the Chancellor’s efforts and legislation In total, £10.3 billion of debt and arrears attributable such as this, everything is neatly in place for a classic to covid have built up in the UK, most often by those short-lived consumer-led boom. Cheap borrowing costs who were already struggling before the pandemic—people and the stamp duty holiday mean that the residential such as renters, young people, single parents and low 223 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 224 earners; people who, now that evictions have restarted, makes that inadequate at this point in time. And we have few options when it comes to keeping a roof over have not even today even really begun to understand their head; and many who were excluded from Government how the B-word—Brexit—interacts with these longer-term help altogether. I see nothing in the Bill to change those challenges, hitting as it does our high-productivity export facts. Indeed, instead of helping, the Bill is walloping sectors while covid hurt our employment-rich domestic them with a tax rise. It squeezes family finances by service sector. But truthfully, nothing in the Bill will freezing the personal allowance, after many families will help those at the mercy of either factor—unless they have struggled to pay their increased council tax bills as happen to have shares in Amazon or Google, or possibly well. The Chancellor might think he is being clever by the Chancellor’s private phone number. using the least visible taxes to raise funds, but I tell him Austerity has weakened the very foundations of our this: the public will notice. They notice when nurses get economy, but it is a political choice that the Chancellor a pay cut, when VAT goes up and when they have even is making in this legislation to use straw dust, not less money left at the end of the month with which to concrete, to try to repair them. Parliamentary time is pay their bills. They notice just how segregated this valuable, and tax and spending is crucial to get right in country has become, with the haves and the have-nots such a context, so I propose to the House that we reject not just in income terms, but in the divides between the Bill today and instead demand better for all our town and city, north and south, because of our failure constituents. to invest in the people of this country. “Freeports!” the Government cry in answer. The Bill 5.45 pm suggests that this will somehow generate jobs and growth (Hertford and Stortford) (Con) [V]: The in communities that were struggling long before anyone Financial Secretary set out very clearly that the post- had heard of covid-19, but no one can explain why, if pandemic context of the Bill is unlike anything that we regulation is bad for business in the Thames Gateway, it have faced before. What I see in the Bill is an understanding is not bad for businesses in my community in Walthamstow. that it is not Government’s role to create growth and This is not the levelling-up agenda we need. It does not prosperity.Government does not create wealth or growth— recognise that we stand alone among OECD economies consumers and businesses do that. We, like a groundsman, in the extent to which our productivity problems are have the crucial job of preparing the pitch for our regional rather than sectoral, or that a super-deduction players. We have the crucial job of ensuring that the scheme will do little to invest in the children of Hartlepool, players—consumers and businesses—have the right pitch Harwich or Hendon. that they can play on to create that growth and prosperity. We need not just to build back better, but to build There is no doubt that we are playing on a really tough back for all. Andy Haldane has highlighted that around wicket at the moment, so we have a really tough job on 10 million people in this country are on insecure contracts. our hands as that groundsman; but I think the Bill rises Our economy was so hard hit by covid because it was to that challenge. over-reliant on services, which made up as much as With that in mind, there are two questions that I ask 80% of our GDP, whereas just 14% was based in about the Bill today. The first is whether it maintains construction and just 6% in manufacturing. The Bill and secures support for businesses and consumers in shows that the Government still have not learned the my constituency and throughout the UK. In Hertford lessons about how we are able as a nation to handle and Stortford I have spoken to so many businesses—so future shocks and diversify; to invest alongside business many pubs and restaurants, and those in hospitality—that and academia in new technologies; to learn from the will greatly welcome the extension of the VAT cut, the vaccine programme and encourage co-operation and business rate holiday, restart grants and the many other innovation alongside the state and not in spite of it; or, measures of support that the Chancellor is delivering in the run-up to COP26, to provide the incentives to through the Bill. We could combine those with extending renewable energy manufacturing and production that the lost carry-back, providing new VAT deferral payment could futureproof our economy for decades to come. schemes and extending furlough—things that I do not This Government have no answer to our research and have time to cover. The Government are clearly innovating development sector, which is crying out for support and continuing to provide packages of flexible support while they use this Bill to give a tax break that will go to that will maintain protection for those businesses and the biggest corporations and venture capitalists. Our the jobs that are still subject to restrictions. charity sector is on its knees, but it gets nothing from The second question is whether the right combination this legislation. Charities cannot claim the super deduction of policies is in place to enable long-term, sustainable tax for their IT equipment, whatever the hon. Member economic growth. That is the area most important to for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami) might suggest. the long-term health of our economy, and that is where Other nations are investing in their people and the Bill contains measures that I particularly welcome, infrastructure, yet our Business Secretary has chosen such as the super deduction, freeports, the UK this moment to abandon the industrial strategy enacted Infrastructure Bank, Help to Grow, the Future Fund just four years ago and replace it with something that is breakthrough and refinements of our tax system, which neither industrious nor strategic. Combined with the will ensure that investment levels keep pace in this approach in the Bill, that will simply confirm what a lot country and grow to support innovation and promote of companies and investors have already suspected for growth in strategically important sectors of the future—I some time—that it is unwise to expect any UK Government commend the remarks on that subject by my hon. to stick to a programme of supply-side reform for more Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman). than a couple of years. Frankly, the UK has generally To keep it brief, I am very happy that with the Bill the got away with muddling through economic crises in the Government have risen to the challenges that we face past, but the scale of the challenges that we approach and I wholeheartedly support Second Reading. It gives 225 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 226

[Julie Marson] not even matter what the size of the order is—the cost of customs declarations, supplementary declarations, us the pitch that we need, as the economy’s groundsman, frontier declarations and the guarantee management to withstand the bouncers and the strength to knock system arrangements adds £20 to an order. When the the ball out of the park—well over the boundary—for firm ordered a specialist screw that cost 35p, there was a the future. I commend the Bill and look forward to £20 surcharge on it because of the arrangements under seeing its results on the ground, particularly in Hertford the protocol. I was hoping the Finance Bill would deal and Stortford. with some of those issues, but it has not, and I think the Government will have to come back to them. 5.49 pm Let me come to the issues the Chancellor had to deal Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): First, I think with. I do not think anyone can deny that the Government everyone recognises that the Chancellor had a very took the right course of action. They had no option in difficult job when bringing forward the Budget and the my view. When they decided that they were going to subsequent Finance Bill. There are many things pulling close down the economy,they could not abandon workers, in different directions. On the one hand, as the Financial firms, businesses and so on, so huge amounts of money— Secretary said at the very start, we have to make sure over £400 billion—have been spent on support. As a that we have dealt with the impact of the restrictions on Unionist, I keep on reminding people in Northern the economy and the difficulties that was causing for Ireland that the support that businesses have had, as businesses. Secondly, we have to look at the recovery: well as furlough payments that workers are still getting, how to recover from GDP falling by 10% and self-employed payments and so on, are owed to the fact unemployment going up by 700,000—indeed, there may that we are part of the fifth biggest nation in the world be other factors to come—and then, of course, we must and, without the support of the Exchequer in the United look at the long-term sustainability of the economy. At Kingdom, we would not have been able to find a way the same time, we did not want to be sending out the through. Of course, the health service has also benefited signal that we are careless about the debt we have from the vaccine programme. On that aspect, the incurred, otherwise the signals to the financial markets Government have made the right choices and those may cause us a bit of difficulty. So no one envies the clamouring for independence, even if they have no Chancellor the job he had to do. emotional ties to the United Kingdom, ought to remember Before I say anything about the objectives the Chancellor the economic benefits of being part of the United has set out, I want to make some comments about Kingdom. specific Northern Ireland parts of the Finance Bill. As has been discussed time and again in this House, the At the other end of the scale, looking to the future Northern Ireland protocol has placed considerable burdens and having a sustainable economy, the Finance Bill on the Northern Ireland economy already. One of the deals with many of those issues. We have already had a areas affected has been the steel industry, or industries discussion today on the tax allowances, which have been that use steel in Northern Ireland. Because of the quota maligned by the Labour party, but they are designed to system and the taxes where steel is consumed out of ensure that businesses across the United Kingdom have quota, they faced 25% increases in the cost of steel. My an incentive to use their profits to invest to increase party drew this to the Chancellor’s attention, when productivity and competitiveness and to benefit from others were of course trying to pooh-pooh the impact the opportunities that Brexit will bring us in doing deals of the protocol; they supported it, so they did not want across the world. Spending on apprenticeships and training to know its bad effects, although now they cannot will increase the skills of our workforce and prepare ignore it. those who need to move into new industries with the skills they will need, again increasing productivity and As the Chairman of the Treasury Committee, the competitiveness. right hon. Member for Central Devon (Mel Stride), has said, when the issue was drawn to the Government’s There has been some debate about the value of freeports, attention, it was dealt with, and I welcome clause 97, but they, too, will help to deal with the long-term which tackles it. It ensures that engineering firms in sustainability of the economy. My main concerns are Northern Ireland, which do have considerable global on the aspect that concerns most people in the immediate markets, but would have found those global markets period: does the Finance Bill deal with the issues that affected by the 25% tariff, are now exempted from that. must be addressed to get us back from where we are at I would just point out to Members that one of the present and help us to start growing the economy? I will major landmarks in London is the Shard, and the steel look at the figures given in four areas. Let us take the for the Shard was cut, packaged and sent in sections income tax proposals and the freezing of allowances. I from Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and is now part understand that the Government have not increased tax of one of the iconic buildings here in GB. Many engineering rates, but the freezing of allowances will increase the tax firms of course export heavy machinery, and the steel burden. If we are relying on consumer spending to aid tariff would have been extremely onerous on them. our recovery—do not forget that 80% of our GDP is I am disappointed, however, about other issues that consumer spending—even though there may be some we were told would be dealt with in the Finance Bill, pent-up unspent money and demand, when we nevertheless such as the customs regime that has caused huge costs consider that as a result of the proposals over the next in Northern Ireland. Customs declarations for even the five years we will take 25% more in income tax from simplest thing now have to be made for goods coming people in the economy, and 10% more in the next year, from this part of the United Kingdom to Northern we must ask: will that dampen the immediate increase Ireland, which has added considerably to costs. I was in GDP and the immediate demand we require to get speaking to a firm today, and on average—and it does businesses going again? 227 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 228

Let us look at VAT. Yes, I welcome the rate for the covid, and I commend their long-term strategy in hospitality industry being held until September, and considering how to make the economy more sustainable then there will be a reduced rate until March 2022, but I in future, there is a big gap regarding what impact the speak to businesses in the hospitality industry who have Bill will have on the immediate recovery. We are going already expended considerable amounts of money to have a difficult period. Once furlough finishes, we do converting their premises to make them safe and, even not know what the impact on the economy will be, what though they have had support over the last year, many the redundancies will be like, and what that does. The have still had to dip into their reserves because not all proposals in this Finance Bill, I am afraid, do not give their costs were covered. One hotelier in my area told me any optimism that the right decisions are being me that in the last year he has spent £3 million of his made. Some support did need to continue to be given. own money paying those bills that still come in and for In their desire to reduce the debt and bring in more which he was not given any support, and no support revenue, the Government may well have made the wrong was available. Businesses will therefore find themselves decisions that will stymie our recovery and have impacts in a perilous position and we do not know how quickly on many areas, especially those that are most vulnerable they will be able to operate fully. When will restaurants to downturns in the economy, including regions such as be able to have people sitting inside? When will pubs Northern Ireland. have people sitting inside? While still social distancing many will be operating with lessened capacity, and if 6.5 pm they cannot do that, their profitability will be affected. Yet even before all the restrictions are lifted—they will John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con) [V]: I have declared be lifted at different rates in different parts of the my business interests in the Register of Members’Financial country, and in Northern Ireland we do not even have a Interests. I strongly support those MPs from Northern date for restaurants and pubs being allowed to open—we Ireland who are urging the Government to move on and find that some of that support will be removed. make sure that we can restore the important trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It has My third point is about business rates. Again, if we been damaged. The EU is being too intrusive. The look at the impact of business rates over the next five Northern Ireland protocol clearly sets out that the years, the impact of the Budget means that in money United Kingdom is a whole and has its own internal terms, the business rates take across the economy will market. It states that Northern Ireland should be fully go up by 50%. In the next year it will go up by 20%. part of that market, and that is not true today, so I urge That is a considerable burden on businesses that are the Government to take control over all trade that is coming out of a difficult period, that have not built up internal—trade from GB to Northern Ireland and not cash reserves, and that still do not know exactly how the going on to the Republic of Ireland, therefore not of economy and the demand for their services will increase. concern to the European Union—and to ensure that it Corporation tax has been mentioned, and on one runs smoothly. hand—I have some sympathy for this—those companies That is just one part of a much bigger picture that we that invest will get the super allowances. However,because need to fuel a strong recovery. Of course I agree with of the increase in corporation tax and so on, over the the Government that the current level of deficit is next five years covered by this Budget, corporation tax unacceptably high and we cannot go on with deficits on take will go up by 112%, or 20% over the next year. If that scale indefinitely. I also agree with the Government we are looking at how to stimulate recovery, we must that it must be a one-off, and the Government did need ask whether taking that amount of money from consumers, to be very generous, given all the damage being done to businesses, and the hospitality industry will reduce the individual livelihoods and businesses by the health measures impact of the Budget and make it more difficult for the being taken to combat the pandemic. But all the time economy to recover. that restrictions and adverse measures are in place for My final point is about air passenger duty.Air passenger health reasons, the Government should continue to be duty is going up, and over the next year, the take from generous. People and business need support. We want that duty will increase by 50%. According to Red Book people to be available to go to work and businesses to figures, over the five years of this Budget it will go up by be available to produce goods and services as soon as 300%. This industry is currently in the doldrums. It has they are legally allowed to do so. no prospects, because we do not know when international It is a big cost, but it is manageable. We are seeing travel will be allowed again. It has already had a considerable around the world that many Governments are having to drain on it, and there has been no specific strategy for it do the same thing, interest rates have stayed very low as there was for the hospitality industry. In many areas and, so far, the debt has remained affordable. I encourage of the United Kingdom, especially areas such as Northern the Government to understand that the deficit will Ireland where we rely almost totally on air connectivity, collapse very rapidly as soon as the controls are off and there has been an impact from the reduction in flights. I all those policies in place to promote a fast economic came here yesterday. There was one flight from Belfast recovery take effect. We are going to have a much faster City airport. That is putting airports under severe strain, recovery than normal once the controls are off, because yet when we consider the proposals in the Finance Bill, we had a much bigger fall thanks to the controls themselves, we find that rather than there being any help for this which, in an unprecedented way, stopped people working industry, which has been particularly badly hit, the and stopped businesses trading. proposals in the Bill represent a huge cash take from that The Government should take some encouragement industry in the next year and over the next five years. from the United States’ example. The United States’ For those reasons, although I commend what the monetary stimulus and fiscal stimulus are huge. If we Government have done regarding the particular problems adjust for the size of the economies, the stimulus under caused by the economic decisions made to deal with the Federal Reserve Board’s actions and President Trump 229 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 230

[John Redwood] I also say to the Government that we need our small business community to get back on its feet and to be and now President Biden is about twice the scale of the able to trade again successfully. Small businesses have UK stimulus in monetary terms and is considerably had a lot hurled at them, and some of them did not higher in fiscal terms. Perhaps the US is taking more manage to benefit from all the schemes that the Government risks with inflation than we would like. I am not suggesting put forward, so they have been particularly hard hit by that we need to match the American numbers, but I up to a year of lockdown or impediments to their am saying to the Government that we are nowhere near trading and their normal work. the American numbers, so worry not. This is the time I do not think this is the time to be looking at new for stimulus—this is the time to make sure that the taxes on small businesses and the self-employed. I do economy is properly supported and people can get back not think the IR35 idea is a particularly good one. It to work. would be good if there were more forthcoming to With that in mind, I urge the Government to look promote small businesses, which we are going to need. again at the idea that we need tax rises in the years They will have flexibility and the ability to respond. If ahead. If we threaten too many tax rises, it will damage every self-employed person were able to take on an confidence. We will put people off investing here and extra employee, it would transform the employment make people nervous about spending and make them position, but that requires patient work on ensuring want to save more. This is the time when we need people that it is affordable and that the administrative burden to spend, to recreate those jobs and get businesses going is not too great, obviously without undermining important again. This is the time when we really need businesses to protections for individuals as employees, which we rightly want to come to the United Kingdom or to stay and value. grow in the United Kingdom, because we need that We need flexibility and support from the Treasury massive investment. We are short of capacity in all sorts and the rest of the Government to understand how of areas. We have had too much deindustrialisation important small businesses and the self-employed will over the last few decades, and now is a great opportunity be to trigger this revival and to build back in a different to promote it. The Government recognise that with way—to build back better, as they are saying on both their short-term measures to boost investment, but they sides of the Atlantic and as this Government are saying. may need to show that we are going to have a very That implies doing different things, and it requires the benign climate on business tax after the initial impetus innovation and the productivity-driving measures that and stimulus is offered. If people think that we are can come from small companies and the self-employed, going to gravitate to the average or to a higher tax who need to be flexible. regime, it will put them off. There is a huge amount to be done, but the Government I pray in aid our neighbour the Republic of Ireland, should be of good cheer. There can be a very rapid which has been extraordinarily successful by having an recovery. They have not done too much on the deficit or extremely low corporation tax rate.It is 12.5%—a knockout the monetary stimulus and have fallen quite a long way low rate—and what has happened? First, the Republic behind America in the size of the stimulus. They should of Ireland collects far more as a proportion of its total be ready to do more, be generous if the controls have to tax revenues from business than us or other European go on longer than we would like, and work with the Union countries, because so many great companies small business community and the big business community have gone there and book a lot of profit there, since the on what is a sensible tax regime. There are issues still to rate is obviously agreeable and favourable. be solved on business rates and VAT. The whole purpose of the reviews should be to promote a strong recovery— The Republic of Ireland also has a much higher GDP better jobs,more better-paid jobs,more small business—and per head. It is more than twice the EU average, and it is then the revenue will flow. Think of the jobs, the incomes considerably higher than the United Kingdom’s. That is and the prosperity, and the revenue follows. Thinking entirely because the Republic of Ireland has this extremely too much about the revenue first, in the mood of attractive tax policy, which has been so successful in putting everybody’s taxes up, will be a great dampener attracting a lot of inward investment, a lot of jobs on the recovery we need. based on that, and a lot of turnover and profit booking, particularly from great American corporations. 6.14 pm I do not know how that will work out now that Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It is a President Biden is encouraging a minimum rate, which pleasure to follow my right hon. Friend the Member for would mean almost doubling the Irish rate; we will have Wokingham (John Redwood). My comments relate to to see. However, in the meantime, if anyone doubts the the small and medium-sized enterprises that he was power of lower rates to generate prosperity, greater talking about so passionately. The sage of Omaha, the GDP per head and, above all, greater tax revenue, they great Warren Buffett, once said that what we learn from should look at the Irish example, which is very vivid. history is that we do not learn from history. I particularly I would like to see the Government speed up with want to look at what happened to the SMEs after the their freeports and be very generous with both the last recession—the global financial crisis. It was the five number of freeports and the areas they cover. I also years following 2008 that were so destructive for SMEs, urge the Government to be as friendly as possible to and I am very keen to ensure that we do not make the business on taxation and on permits over what to do same mistakes again. I draw the House’s attention to with the land and how to create all those extra jobs we my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. wish to see. It is an interesting initiative, and the sooner I was interested in the comments of the shadow Minister, it is rolled out the better. Surely, this is the time we need the hon. Member for Ealing North (James Murray). it—when we need to promote recovery. On tax avoidance, he must never have heard about the 231 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 232 diverted profits tax or the digital services tax; they are halves the payments on bounce back loans, which is very key measures. One thing about the DST that great, without getting into any credit problem with their should be looked at—perhaps he will join the calls for bank. this to be looked at as well—is that direct sales of Similar measures do not apply to coronavirus business Amazon are not covered by the digital services tax. interruption loans or the larger scheme, CLBILS. That That gives Amazon a competitive advantage over the leaves businesses on their own. I urge the Government other sellers on its platform, which cannot be right. to work with the banking system to ensure that businesses The Government are consulting on business rates of all shapes and sizes that have accessed these loans to reform and have three ideas: a land value tax; an online help them through the crisis have these forbearance sales tax; or VAT. I strongly urge the Minister to consider measures at their disposal without them having to go VAT as a replacement for business rates, which I advocated cap in hand to the bank. We know that banks are not in my ten-minute rule Bill. very good in these situations when their money is at risk. Their shareholders need returns. We need support The shadow Minister talked about social care a lot. for SMEs. He mentioned many problems, but did not come up with any solutions. One solution that I have advocated Personal guarantees are also an issue, which will long and hard in this place is a German-style social care come as a surprise to many.I have put personal guarantees premium, which, hopefully, will feature in the Green or up for my business lending most of my life. If someone White Paper that is due to come forward shortly. puts up a personal guarantee, most people think the bank will go to the business first, look at the business The Government have included many things in this assets and realise those before it goes to personal assets. Bill for SMEs. A typical SME is very grateful for the That is not the case—it does not have to do that. It can support that it has received from the Treasury, which go straight to personal assets. The Lending Standards has done a tremendous job in concert with its various Board put in place a policy that banks should look at agencies, introducing the job retention scheme, VAT business assets first before going to personal assets, discounts, and rates grants, particularly rates discount. which has now been dropped from its regulations or The Government have also introduced some very guidance. I would very much like to see that brought good loan schemes. I speak as co-chair of the all-party back in, particularly at this time. group on fair business banking. A very wise commentator Thankfully, there is now dispute resolution in the said at the start of those loan schemes that the Government form of the Financial Ombudsman Service and the would not lend £1 billion using those loan schemes; Business Banking Resolution Service. All businesses some £75 billion later, we can see the success of those with a turnover of up to £10 million will get access to schemes. That, of course, has led to an unprecedented free dispute resolution, which should mitigate some level of debt among SMEs in this country, which is issues, but there are concerns nevertheless. I urge the what I am particularly worried about. On top of that Treasury to look at this point and make sure that are the new loan schemes coming from the recovery businesses are treated fairly over the next few years in loans, which will be more difficult for SMEs to access. the fallout of this crisis. Unlike the other schemes, there is a forward-looking viability test, which will be challenging. Either way, it will mean that many SMEs are carrying lots of debt, 6.21 pm which they will struggle to service over the next few Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: I, months and years. too, pay tribute to Prince Philip; in tribute to him, I am Furthermore, what will happen when the Government wearing my father’s tie. Like Prince Philip, he served in pull those schemes and let the banks go on their own in the Royal Navy in the second world war. He lost his terms of lending? After the last crisis, banks were not own father at the age of 12; Philip was, of course, very good at lending to the SME community from their estranged from his father at 13. Both fought the Nazis. own resources—bank lending to SMEs reduced by I mention this partly because the main conflict there 25% between 2008 and 2013, just at a time when SMEs was the battle of the Atlantic, which was the attempt by needed it. In Germany, where there is a high proliferation the Germans to starve Britain. In 1939, half our meat, of regional mutual banks, which take a much more 80% of our fruit and 70% of our cereals were imported. patient approach to SMEs, lending went up by 20% from Last year, 80% of our food was imported. Thanks to the those bodies. A policy that we should really push in this botched Brexit deal—there was no mention at all of this country is decentralising our business banking system, in the Budget—we now have the prospect of self-imposed so that, rather than 80% of lending coming from large food shortages. In January our exports to the EU, our banks, we move towards a more regional, mutual, not-for largest market, were down more than 40%. Imports profit system of banking, which would have a transformative were down by 29%. They will go down more when we effect in terms of lending to the productive economy. introduce non-tariff barriers. The reality is that in Britain The key thing in terms of making sure that SMEs are today, a carrot pulled up in Spain on Monday could be treated fairly is in the forbearance process. When businesses on our shelves by Thursday. That will no longer be the hit trouble, they need to be treated fairly and consistently. case. We face the prospect of food shortages and food The Government did absolutely the right thing with inflation. bounce back loans. They set up a framework for how it The Office for Budget Responsibility found that the would work, which lets SMEs take 12 months interest botched Brexit deal would cost the economy 4% within free, or payment free. They can take another six months 15 years, and something like 1.4 million jobs and £1,300 of no payments whatsoever, and then another 18 months each. The reason we are seeing tax increases, taking us of interest only. They can also extend the loan to to a share of taxes not seen since the 1960s, is not the 10 years from the standard six years, which more than pandemic, which is a one-off hit that will be recovered, 233 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 234

[Geraint Davies] equipment, track and trace and food parcels that have been done through Tory party dealers. We have also but the ongoing problems of the botched Brexit. We heard about David Cameron being involved with Greensill. need to remember that. We need to look towards better There are question marks about how well this Government realignment and better trade with our closest marketplace. are treating taxpayers’ money. The other thing to bear in mind is that last year When it comes to the Chancellor, of course we know something like 1 million people from the EU left this that he was a founding partner of the hedge fund, country to go back to Europe. Many will not come Theleme, which presumably had a partner stake. We do back, partly because of the hostile environment here, not know about that because those tax returns and and that creates an issue about the size and quality of details are in the Cayman Islands, but we do know that our labour market when it comes to productivity and that particular hedge fund appreciated in value from production. The EU is already questioning the legality something like £7 billion to £39 billion shortly after we of our breaches of the Northern Ireland protocol and heard news that the Health Secretary had ordered 5 million there is a question mark over divergence of standards doses of the Moderna vaccine, in which the hedge fund and protections in the future that might lead to tariffs. had invested. We do need to get to the bottom of these If we manage this badly, we may be hit even harder. things and find out what happened. If it was the case, For those on the Government Benches who say, “Oh, for example, that the Chancellor had, say, 15% of that don’t worry—we’re opening up loads of other markets,” hedge fund, his share of that increase— it is worth remembering that, the Japan deal, for example, is worth £1.5 billion to GDP, but if it had been done Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): through the EU, it would have been worth £2.6 billion, Order. I do think it is quite important that we address because it can negotiate a better deal because it is bigger. some of the issues in the Finance Bill, so I am sure that The truth is that while the Government are spending the hon. Gentleman will be doing that. enormous amounts of money on covid, that is not really the explanation for the massive personal tax Geraint Davies: Thank you very much for that advice, increases that Britain will suffer. Madam Deputy Speaker. I was just going to turn to the nurses’ pay increase. Had the nurses been granted a The other thing to mention about productivity, other 5% increase in pay in this Budget, that would have cost than the loss of young workers to the EU, is that not £1.7 billion gross, but in fact, after looking at the only have we had the highest rate of death in the world recovery of taxes from both income tax and sales tax— from coronavirus, but there is clearly a move, once we consumer tax—we see that it would have cost just have got people over 50 vaccinated, to be reckless again. £330 million a year. On my calculation, that is about a The issue is the fall in productivity of younger people 10th of the value of the appreciation in the hedge fund with long covid. We all know anecdotal examples, but that I was mentioning—the 15%—that would have been we do not know the full impact of that. I have knowledge privately earned by the Chancellor. Obviously, we need of music students, for instance, who have had a shake—a to have these figures disclosed. I am trying to put in violinist—or who cannot blow the trumpet as well because context the fact that we can afford to pay the nurses a they have lost lung capacity. These issues are significant decent wage. There are tremendous amounts of money for the overall productivity of our economy in the future. moving around at the moment and we do not really On the workforce being fit and ready to work for our have a proper tie on it. recovery, we should also think about the fact that in We should contrast that with what is happening in today’s Britain, 7.6 million people are living in hunger, Wales, where we have a more effective system of track 1.7 million of whom are children—it is an absolute and trace, PPE is bought more effectively, food parcels disgrace. They are left in food insecurity, as the UN are not bought privately but down to local authorities, calls it and as the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the sickness rate and death rate from coronavirus Committee recently reported. In essence, that means are much lower. We should contrast it with the way that they do not have sufficient nutritious food on a that money has been invested to help business. The daily basis. That is deplorable. Chancellor has put money into cutting stamp duty, Interestingly enough, in 1952, when the Queen came and lots of that has been spent on second homes—but to the throne and Philip was 35, rationing was still in not in Wales—because that money is not well targeted place for sugar, butter, meat, cooking fat, cheese and so where it is needed. Money has been given to large on. In that year, Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the businesses with large properties, but again not in Wales, national health service, famously wrote “In Place Of where the larger supermarket stores with big properties Fear”, in which he warned that while we had to confront will not get the council tax relief because they are poverty and that it was difficult to define, the basic making extra-normal profits during coronavirus. The requirement was to ensure that there was no hunger. He issue is investing money where it is most needed. warned that if millions were left in hunger, our civilisation Turning back to the nurses, in Wales we have the highest would be at risk. It is certainly the case that we now face proportion of single earner households in the country a depleted, physically weakened and hungry workforce. and the lowest average wage, which is 70% of gross That surely is not the recipe for the productive economy value added in terms of the UK average. These people that we need for the future. On top of that, our youngsters might include a nurse as the only earner in a poor have lost a year in education—[Interruption.] I apologise household who has faced nearly 10 years of pay freezes for that, Madam Deputy Speaker. and now another pay cut. It is no surprise that nurses The Government say that they have spent a lot on are going to food banks. These things are not necessary; coronavirus and of course they have, but we have read they are political choices. I am just drawing the contrast in the newspapers and elsewhere that, in many cases, the between those who have so much and those who have money has not been well spent—personal protective not enough. 235 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 236

Mention has been made of Amazon and the fact that that people are now expecting the economy to grow it and others have basically decimated our physical more quickly and more strongly, and for that recovery retail side. There are questions about what should be to be more sustained. That must be in large part due to done about that. In my view, local authorities should be measures in the Finance Bill that build the necessary empowered to provide digital marketplaces to support confidence and give people necessary security for the local businesses to sell to local people with overnight future, including the extension of the universal credit delivery so that people would have a choice between uplift; the one-off £500 to those on working tax credit; sending their money offshore to some huge American the job retention scheme; and the self-employment income organisation that does not pay tax, is destroying local support scheme. All those measures are combined with jobs and undermining workers and supporting local the restart grants of up to £6,000 for non-essential retail businesses through a collective approach with a modernised and £18,000 for hospitality businesses. Those provisions online service. are now extended to my constituency; initially the £51,000 We have of course elections coming up, as you know, threshold was not in place. I have to say to the Treasury Madam Deputy Speaker, and people are making these Bench that I am extremely grateful on behalf of the financial choices and comparisons—including, in Wales, hospitality industry in Wimbledon. those aged 16 to 18. In this Budget, prescription charges My hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury in England are now going up to £9.35, whereas in Wales will not be surprised that I wish to make two very quick people do not pay for prescriptions. In Wales, we have points about the people who have been left out. First, ensured greater safety by giving advice that people do I make the plea yet again on behalf of the English not travel more than four or five miles, whereas in language teaching sector. Those schools received no England people could go wherever they liked. In Wales, support and are hugely important to constituencies a two-metre rule was put into legislation— across the country. Secondly, I know that my hon. Friend will have read clause 117 and schedule 29 on the Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): prevention of tax avoidance and promoters of tax avoidance Order. May I just interrupt the hon. Gentleman again schemes. The explanatory notes state: and say that we really need to address the Finance Bill? “This clause and Schedule have also been introduced in order I think the feeling is that perhaps he might be bringing to see the responsibility for the obligations within POTAS, and his remarks to a close fairly shortly. for any failure to comply with them to be placed on the people and entities behind the schemes.” Geraint Davies: Yes, that is my feeling as well, Madam I have to say to my hon. Friend that a number of us Deputy Speaker. I was simply making the case that have stood up for what we believe to be hard-working owing to a more cautious approach in terms of coronavirus, small businesspeople who have been in those schemes we have got to a situation where productivity is better and recommended those schemes, and we feel that if supported. that clause had already been in place, many of those I will bring my remarks to a close as you suggest, only people may not be suffering from the problems of the finally to say that we need to do more on the issue of loan charge now. Even at this late stage, if she has the climate change and the environment, because 64,000 chance to talk to colleagues about this issue, we would people a year are dying from air pollution, while nothing be very grateful. has been done about diesel or accelerating towards It is clear that we need a Finance Bill that looks at electrification. We need to look at a different approach investment and improving infrastructure, so that we see whereby we can generate growth and opportunity for improvement in productivity. I listened carefully to the the future. remarks of my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami), who set out the clear economic 6.33 pm rationale for the super deduction. It is a vital measure to encourage business to invest now. Historically, the UK (Wimbledon) (Con): It is a pleasure has underperformed; we have failed to invest at similar to follow the hon. Member for Swansea West (Geraint levels to our economic peers. It is investment that drives Davies). Before I begin my short remarks on the Finance some of the factors that I mentioned a moment go Bill, I would like to put on record—because I was not when it comes to improving productivity. Therefore, able to be here yesterday—my condolences and those of supercharging investment through a super deduction my constituents to Her Majesty the Queen on the death means that we are likely not only to strengthen, but to of the Duke of Edinburgh. lengthen the economic recovery. That seems an entirely This Finance Bill follows a year of unprecedented sensible, welcome and rational economic measure. economic disruption unknown in the modern era, as It is also likely that we want to see measures that well as a year of unprecedented support from the improve not only physical infrastructure and capital Government to business and individuals, ensuring not formation, but human formation. I particularly welcome only their jobs but their lives and livelihoods. That has the support for new apprentice hires in the Bill. I encourage been true for millions of citizens, including those in my the Government to think a bit more about this, as it is constituency of Wimbledon. This Finance Bill therefore the way of the future. Could we not link the new needs to enact measures that ensure not only that our apprentice scheme to, for instance, the length of the super economy is in a place from which to recover and bounce deduction? The super deduction is in place for two back, but in one from which we can also see sustainable years, while the new apprentice scheme is in place for six future growth—growth that is clean and green. months; I encourage the Government to think about We all know the OBR forecasts that were set out in linking the two. I know that my hon. Friend the Minister March; I will not reiterate them now. What is clear to will recognise that human capital formation and investment me from reading economic commentators since then is in skills are as important as physical formation. 237 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 238

[Stephen Hammond] 6.43 pm

Like many colleagues, I was fascinated to hear the Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD): This Bill is a contribution from my hon. Friend the Member for Mid catalogue of hard choices unconfronted, challenges ducked Norfolk (George Freeman), who spoke at length about and emergency measures to deal with the pandemic driving growth through innovation and the adoption of used as a fig leaf for the failure to face up to long-term new technologies. Of course he is right. When one talks challenges. to a number of the people at whom the super deduction We have heard a great deal in recent months about is aimed, one learns that it will be commonplace—it the Government’s approach to public procurement—how almost is now—that they will be investing in things such personal friends of Ministers get to jump the queue as AI, 3D printing and big data. Alongside that, we will when contracts are being handed out. We have heard a need a workforce that has in-demand skills, so I particularly great deal in the past few days about how friends of the welcome the investment in digital skills and the lifetime former Prime Minister get preferential access to Treasury skills allowance that the Bill will introduce. officials to make the case for financial support. Many Members have referred to the freeports policy, which clearly brings the opportunity to boost jobs in In keeping with that theme, the Chancellor presented regions and to boost economies through the use of a Budget for selected beneficiaries. Carefully handpicked differing tariff regimes for different sectors. My hon. groups are going to do well, but it was clearly not a Friend the Minister will know the principal criticisms of Budget for the nation as a whole. We could have had, freeports—that they merely redirect economic activity for example, a bold move on business rates. Real reform and investment. in this area to level the playing field between high street and digital retail has been long overdue. I was delighted May I talk about next year’s Finance Bill, Madam to see retail and hospitality reopen across my constituency Deputy Speaker, just for a very brief moment? yesterday and I hope that predictions of a retail boom, funded by savings built up during the pandemic, will Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame ): This materialise to the benefit of our small businesses, but is a debate on this year’s Finance Bill. consumer behaviour is changing and that change has been accelerated by the pandemic. What is the long-term Stephen Hammond: I urge the Government to think future for our town centres? How will our communities about learning the lessons of economic history in respect thrive without the retail businesses that traditionally of the power of putting wider economic development provide the heart of our towns? zones and the encouragement that they bring alongside freeports. We all recognise that such zones need seedcorn We need to lower the barriers to entry to retail and grants from the Government; that could give the other town centre businesses, and invite new entrepreneurs Government the opportunity to consider local recovery to try new ideas. However, instead of business rates bonds. We have already seen the prospect of the green reform or devolution of power to local authorities, infrastructure bond; why do we not see some local which could have allowed for real change across the recovery bonds to sit alongside that work and boost whole country, a select few high streets, mostly in Tory- economic development zones? That would seem to me supporting constituencies, get a cash bung. What is the to be a perfectly sensible development. long-term plan for the retail sector and for small businesses in our high streets? These businesses support our The Chancellor is absolutely right to focus on communities, providing flexible and well-paid jobs. They infrastructure spending and investment. Infrastructure support entrepreneurship at all levels and in particular is not an end in itself—it is the driver of growth and provide opportunities for women. productivity—so the policies coming through and the measures in the Bill to allow the increase in transport Small businesses of all kinds will have breathed a sigh spending and in departmental spending limits are welcome. of relief at the Government’s announcement that they I also welcome the establishment of the UK infrastructure plan to continue furlough and business rates holidays bank. It is the private sector that will drive the investment until the end of September, but what will happen then? I that is necessary. worry that there will be a huge spike in unemployment As I said a moment ago, the green gilt is welcome, but when furlough ends and I see nothing in the Budget that just as I urge the Government to think about local will address that. The Liberal Democrats are calling for recovery bonds,I urge them to think about an infrastructure the Government to cut national insurance contributions bond. As many will know, there is a consultation on the for small businesses in order to boost employment in capital cap for pension funds; if that change is combined this sector. with an infrastructure bond, we could see a wealth of We have also seen very little action for those groups pension funds looking to invest in the UK’s economic that have been excluded from financial support during recovery. the pandemic. What frustrates me is that so many of the Finally, the jewel in our crown is undoubtedly financial sectors that have been hardest hit are the very same that services. A few moments ago my hon. Friend the Member we should be investing in as key strategic industries that for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) talked about can provide future growth for the economy as we move the need for mutual banking and to encourage small out of the pandemic. In particular, the cultural sector, banks. I urge the Government to think about a review the travel sector and the live events and exhibitions of the regulation of financial services and banking to sector have been left scrabbling for support, with many ensure that the regulation with regard to conduct and of their contractors and freelancers excluded from help. capital is competitive and appropriate. That will drive The continuing failure of the Government to help those not only those sectors but the investment that will sustain individuals is completely baffling. When the cultural the economic recovery that everyone in this House seeks. sector is reopened, it will struggle to find skilled staff as 239 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 240 so many will have been forced out of the sector by 6.50 pm financial necessity and will find it extremely difficult to come back. Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Richmond Park I would like to take this opportunity to mention (Sarah Olney). I welcome the Bill, which delivers on the again that many people who were excluded from help Budget. The Budget struck the right balance, providing werecontractorsmovingbetweenpay-as-you-earncontracts, the immediate support that businesses need to enable us which they were forced to take on because of the IR35 to begin the economic recovery from the past year, regulations that the Government are still insisting on paving the way for sustainable growth in the mid-term introducing. Had they been able to continue as self- and laying the ground for some of the tough decisions employed, they might have qualified for help. and challenges that we are going to face in the years to The biggest opportunity missed, however, is the fight come to balance the books. against climate change. We have heard many warm I particularly welcome the measures to support the words on global warming from this Government. They hospitality sector. I speak as the chair of the all-party appear to have grasped the magnitude and immediacy parliamentary group for hospitality and tourism, a of the crisis we face, yet they have no plans for action. sector that has been among the hardest hit as a result of The 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, the lockdowns. All the measures that were in the Budget, released before Christmas, announced a wide range of including extending the VAT cut and the business rate aspirations, but no concrete policies or spending holiday, the additional round of grants, the extension of commitments. The Budget continues that trend. Liberal the furlough scheme and the additional self-employment Democrats welcome the new direction to the Bank of income support scheme, have been hugely welcomed by England to take account of climate change, but that is a the many businesses in my constituency that rely so small drop in an ever-deepening ocean of what needs to much on tourism and hospitality. I also very much happen if we are to take the necessary action. welcome the extension of the universal credit uplift, The Government have shown with this Budget and which will be vital for many families to support them Finance Bill that they are not serious about achieving through the rest of the spring and summer. net zero and creating a green recovery. They have gone There is lots in the Budget and the Bill to welcome as far as scrapping the industrial strategy,leaving businesses and support, but I just want to raise one element that I in the dark about how the UK will tackle climate have grave concerns about. It relates to clause 98—I change and achieve green growth in the years to come. know that the Minister will be aware of this as I have The Budget promised to re-establish a new infrastructure already raised it with her—and it is the removal of the bank, which merely replaces the green investment bank red diesel entitlement. Let me make it clear that, in established by the Liberal Democrats in 2010 and sold principle, I absolutely support this measure. We need to off by the Tories in 2016. There was nothing on extending move people and businesses away from an over-reliance the green homes grant scheme, which could have tackled on diesel and towards a cleaner and greener form of fuel poverty and cut energy bills for millions of homeowners fuel, but I am concerned about the impact that the while cutting emissions—and since then the Government speed with which this measure is being introduced will have scrapped the scheme altogether. The Government have on one particular sector. I welcome the fact that even failed to cut VAT on home insulation products to agriculture and fishing will be exempt from this change encourage people to invest in their home themselves. and will continue to be able to use red diesel. That is There was nothing on increasing incentives on electric vital for constituencies such as mine that have many vehicles, including VAT cuts or new grants. There was businesses in those sectors, but there is another sector nothing on investing in more public transport or new that is very important to my local economy: the mining walking and cycling infrastructure. Liberal Democrats and quarrying sector. wanted a Budget to kickstart the green recovery, but the Conservatives have failed to deliver. We must see a bold I should place on record that I am the chair of the green recovery plan that will invest £150 billion in the all-party parliamentary group for mining and quarrying. next three years to tackle climate change, create new For more than 150 years, mid-Cornwall has been mining green jobs and help us to grow our way out of this crisis. the highest-quality china clay in the world and exporting it around the world. This industry is still a vital local What is the Chancellor’s plan for investing in sectors employer and a significant part of our local economy. that will create jobs? It is freeports in selected sites, yet The removal of the red diesel entitlement from businesses there is little evidence that they increase economic activity in this sector is going to cost businesses in my constituency rather than displace it. Again, we see the benefits alone more than £10 million a year. That is £10 million concentrated in preferred areas of the country, rather that is going to be taken directly out of our local than a strategy for the country as a whole. The one economy. advantage of freeports, of course, is that they can avoid the customs duties and paperwork currently creating I absolutely understand the Government’s rationale such a barrier to trading, thanks to the Government’s behind the decision to move people away from diesel terrible deal with the EU. I find it extraordinary that the towards alternative fuels to help to reduce their Chancellor has made no mention of how he plans to environmental impact and to help us as a country to offset the OBR’s projected 4% hit to the UK’s GDP as a move towards our net zero target, but the fact is that result of leaving the EU. He is bringing forward planned much of the heavy gear used in the mining and quarrying economic activity or concentrating it in specific areas of sector just does not have an alternative to diesel. The the country, rather than investing in new sources of technology does not yet exist to provide an alternative wealth and future jobs. This Budget ignores the real form of cleaner energy. The sector will therefore bear needs of our economy, both for the immediate challenges the brunt of the Government’s decision to introduce of the pandemic and for its long-term future. this change from next April in the short term. 241 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 242

[Steve Double] their hands on contracts that should have been in the public sector, and boosted their profits. We have seen Let me also make it clear that the sector is not how contracts worth billions have been handed over to resistant to moving to clean power, and it has already those with political connections to top Tories, and the done so where alternatives are available, but in many Greensill case involving the former Prime Minister is no cases the technology is not yet available to replace some one-off— of its heaviest machinery with cleaner alternatives. It seems unfair to penalise businesses that are willing to Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing): Order. move to cleaner fuels and sources of power but are I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman is not here in the unable to replace their diesel-powered equipment at this Chamber and so is not getting the atmosphere of the time. In the coming years, alternatives are likely to be debate, but no matter what the rules are, this debate is developed, but I am told that we are probably at least about the Finance Bill. It is only about the Finance Bill five, and perhaps 10 years away from there being a and matters within the Finance Bill, which is pretty viable commercial option. Imposing the change next wide-ranging. The hon. Gentleman appears to be making year will mean that businesses face additional costs that a speech that he might wish to make tomorrow. Could they simply cannot avoid, which seems counterproductive. he please stick to the Finance Bill today? As is often the case when decisions such as this are made, there are unintended consequences. The sector Richard Burgon: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. provides much of the raw material for our economy, The example I have just given is one of how our system particularly in manufacturing and construction, yet it works, and I would argue that that is entirely relevant to will be unable to absorb the additional cost, which will the Finance Bill, because while the super-rich have been result either in job losses or in rising costs.The Government’s able to profit from the crisis, the Government have ambition is to invest heavily in infrastructure and washed their hands of others who needed support. Just housebuilding. It seems strange, just at the time when this week, millions relying on legacy benefits such as we want to invest significant sums in building, to introduce employment and support allowance for disabled and a change that is likely to result in increased costs. sick people got a pathetic 37p increase in their benefits. All this is unlikely to have any beneficial impact on What a snub, especially after already being refused the the environment. There will be no reduction in emissions. £20 additional payment that went to those on universal Diesel will still be burned by these heavy-duty bits of kit credit. With that 37p increase, the Government are because there is no alternative. It is not as though there deliberately punishing disabled people. It is yet another will be a shift away from diesel to something else, example of how they seek to make the vast majority pay because alternatives do not yet exist. If the aim of the for one of the world’s deepest economic collapses. measure is to reduce emissions, in the short term it is I will vote against the Bill because it fails to give NHS unlikely to achieve it. In fact, it could actually increase staff the proper pay rise they need, because it cuts the the environmental impact, because if it results in UK pay of millions of public sector workers and hands businesses becoming uncompetitive or, worse still, going billions in giveaways to mega-corporations such as Amazon, out of business, we will end up importing these materials many of which have done very well out of the crisis, from countries that are burning diesel and increasing because it leaves many of the lowest earners facing tax the carbon footprint. rises and because later this year it will cut social security I ask the Treasury team to look again at the speed at payments for people who really should get much more which the change is to be introduced. Let me be clear: I help. I will vote against the Bill because it serves the few believe it is the right decision; I just question the timing and not the many. This crisis has not only shone a of implementation. We need to give the quarrying and spotlight on the deep inequalities in our society but mining sector the time needed for new technologies to widened them. We should be coming out of it with a emerge, so that the sector can find alternative fuels more equal society, but, to help us do that, where is the before this significant additional cost is imposed. tax on the companies that have made super-profits during the crisis? Where is the one-off tax on the I wholeheartedly support the Bill. It contains the super-wealthy as other countries are doing? I will vote right measures that our country needs now. I simply ask against the Bill and table an amendment calling on the the Government to look at the speed of the removal of Government to take measures for a super-tax on the the red diesel exemption, particularly for the mining super-rich. We need to start to build a society that and quarrying sector, to give it time to adjust and the serves the many, not the few. That is what the Bill economy time to recover before the additional cost is should be about, but it is no surprise that, with this imposed. Government, it is anything but.

6.58 pm 7.2 pm Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab) [V]: The coronavirus (Arundel and South Downs) (Con) crisis has not just been a public health emergency; it has [V]: It is kind of you, Madam Deputy Speaker, to call been a social emergency as well—a social emergency me in this important debate. I will try to reward that by worsened by the Government’s catastrophic handling of sticking to the topic we are discussing. This is an the crisis, which, as the Office for Budget Responsibility excellent Finance Bill for a much-needed recovery. The says, led to one of the worst economic downturns of UK is already a great place to start, grow and run a any major economy. business, but to increase the rate of economic growth in Of course, for some, the pandemic has not been half the UK we need to restate and foster the pro-enterprise bad—in fact, it has been a very good crisis for some. philosophy and measures that have served us so well in Serco and the like have been able to use the crisis to get the past. 243 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 244

Togovern is to choose and the Chancellor was absolutely In the year in which the UK hosts the UN climate right to choose fiscal discipline. The Bill begins to fix summit, let me conclude by welcoming two measures in the public finances with a fair and honest plan about the Bill that help us move towards a low carbon future. how to do so. Nothing is more devastating to enterprise The first is part 2, which introduces a plastic packaging and investment than high and volatile costs of borrowing, tax from next April. We should tax things we wish to which wipes out small businesses like a pyroclastic flow have less of, and on that basis this is an excellent piece clearing forested slopes. Thousands of otherwise successful of legislation that will provide a clear economic incentive businesses were crushed in the recession of the early to use recycled material in the manufacture of plastic ’90s caused by the error of the UK’s membership of the packaging. It is estimated that as a result, the use of exchange rate mechanism. recycled plastic could increase by around 40%, equal to carbon savings of nearly 200,000 tonnes a year and A centrepiece of the Bill is the super deduction. I saving a lot of plastic from ending up in landfill and have spoken to lots of businesses in my constituency, incineration. We only have one planet, so as soon as this and it is already mobilising significant investment. The useful measure is on the statute book, I encourage my Bill also contains two excellent initiatives under the Treasury colleagues to look at increasing the rate and Help to Grow banner. I believe that the Government lowering the exemption threshold. are really on to something here and that we could see the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Similarly, I welcome the removal of red diesel from Strategy start to deliver a string of practical interventions many sectors, although I am glad there is a continued to give small businesses a hand up. When the opportunity exemption for agriculture, which makes a significant allows, I encourage them to go further. Only 10% of contribution to the landscape in my constituency of small and medium-sized British businesses currently Arundel and South Downs. Red diesel accounts for export, leaving 90% of enterprises as potential exporters. about 15% of diesel used in the UK and is responsible That is a vast untapped opportunity to grow the scale for the release of 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a and productivity of UK plc. Global Britain brings huge year. This change will help the adoption of cleaner and scope to increase the number of firms involved in greener alternatives, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, international trade, but for many firms, where time is and is yet another meaningful step by this Government, the scarcest resource, it is a big and uncertain step to who are absolutely leading the world on climate action. take. Alongside the other elements of Help to Grow in this Bill, I suggest we make available grants to support 7.8 pm exporting. It would be a natural extension of the support (Glenrothes) (SNP) [V]: I am pleased to that the Government provide today under the useful, be able to contribute to this debate and to expand on but relatively modest tradeshow access programme. the reasons so passionately set out by my hon. Friend Like most, I welcome the extension of the lower rate the Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss) as of stamp duty in this Bill. On a future occasion, I to why the SNP will vote against the Bill this evening. encourage the Government to bring forward an exemption The purpose of the Bill is to give legislative effect to the to stamp duty for downsizers. In many parts of the Chancellor’sBudget. That Budget was a regressive Budget. country, the real housing crisis is one of under-occupancy. It was an austerity Budget that turned its back on With an ageing population, too many homeowners millions of those worst affected by the covid pandemic. rattle around in accommodation that would be more It is a Budget that severely damages the interests of my suitable for growing families. Stamp duty is a real brake constituents, so it is a Budget, and this is a Finance Bill, on downsizing. The Treasury will understandably be that I cannot and will not support. cautious about leakage, but it should be perfectly possible Austerity is not an economy necessity. It is a political to define a downsizing transaction based upon the ratio choice. It has been the first-choice response of almost of values and the limited time interval between the two every British Government of every complexion during housing transactions. my adult life, so it is maybe not surprising that so many people seem to have forgotten that there is a different This is not an academic issue. Right now my constituents way, a fairer way, and in fact a much more effective way are blighted by development proposals on unsustainable to respond to an economic crisis. All we have to do is to greenfield sites in Ashington, Adversane, Buck Barn, care as much about the millions in these four nations Kirdford and Mayfield, all based on the fallacy that, who do not have enough to live on as we care about the despite the UK already having more than 600,000 empty lucky handful whose only problem is that they cannot homes and the highest rate of housebuilding since 2007, count how many billions they have. the only answer is to pile up even more supply. There is no disagreement about the fact that we need For a similar reason, although I fully understand the to start to repair the economic damage caused by the context in which the decision was made, I regret the pandemic and by the measures that had to be taken in freeze on the lifetime allowance on pensions. The UK response. There are lessons to be learned, but perhaps used to have one of the best systems of providing for the most vital lesson of all is that the inequalities that retirement in the western world. Freezing the lifetime have been deliberately created and deliberately maintained allowance is another Jenga brick whipped away from in our society by successive Governments have also that once strong pillar. NHS consultants, headteachers made our society as a whole much more vulnerable to and airline pilots are hardly plutocrats, but they now the ravages of the disease. We know that the economic face a tax on thrift. Money that would have gone into costs of covid have fallen much more heavily on the well-regulated, well-diversified pension funds and been people who could least afford them. To give just one allocated to grow UK businesses has instead fuelled a example, the British Retail Consortium did a survey boom in buy-to-let property, putting home ownership that confirmed what we would probably have expected: for millions further out of reach. during the pandemic, highly-paid people such as Members 245 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 246

[Peter Grant] A previous Tory Government brought in tax information and impact notes in a blaze of publicity, announcing that of Parliament have got better off and now have more they would support better parliamentary scrutiny of savings than we had before, while most of our constituents tax policy, but how can Parliament scrutinise the success on low incomes have been using up their savings just to of this new tax if the key measure of success announced survive, and many of them effectively have no savings by the Chancellor does not even appear on the success left at all. radar of the Department that has to implement it? Presumably, the way we respond to that is to use the My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow Central powers in the Finance Bill to redress that balance. Well, raised the more general point about the woefully inadequate no—that is not the priority of this Government. In scrutiny that the often massive decisions in Finance clause 5, we see a multi-year freezing of the income tax Bills receive. I know that the Government will point to basic rate limit and, much more damaging, a freezing of the number of minutes, hours, days or weeks that the personal allowance at £12,570. It is not easy to find people have spent talking about it in Parliament, but a way to change an income-based tax system so that we talking about it and reading prepared speeches is not collect more tax but target the impact on people on the same as proper scrutiny. For example, in this Bill we lower incomes, but that is exactly what the Government can accept, reject or amend clause 32 on the tax statement propose to do. If it is accepted that the Treasury needs of payments under the self-employment income support to collect more money in real terms from income tax, scheme, which is fair enough for those who qualify, but we should at the very least make sure that the impact in we cannot redress the glaring injustice of the excluded real terms is equally spread. In fact, the SNP would millions who do not qualify at all. We can accept clause argue that whenever the time comes to increase taxes, 31 or amend it to make it a lot better, to support those of us who are lucky enough to be on high incomes working people whose income has been affected by should be asked to bear a wee bit more of the pain. covid, but we cannot vote to remove the 30 September cliff-edge when the furlough scheme is removed, because I know that the Government will point to other that would be an inadmissible amendment. Although provisions, such as clause 31 and the one-off uplift in the Bill can be improved in Committee and made slightly working tax credit. In principle, that is something the more fit for purpose, we are powerless to force the SNP supports, but as my hon. Friend the Member for Government to undo some of the deliberately disastrous Glasgow Central mentioned, the way that it is implemented flaws and omissions in existing support schemes. could harm some of the very people it is supposed to help. The eligibility criteria are crude, to say the least. It It is right that this Budget and this Finance Bill will not be at all easy for recipients to work out for should start the process of rebuilding the economy after themselves whether they qualify. What assessment have covid, but as the right hon. Member for Hayes and the Government made of the number of payments that Harlington (John McDonnell) mentioned, the Government they expect to be made in error, and are they seriously seem hellbent on taking us back to exactly the same then going to chase down the recipients of those erroneous unfair, unequal and divided society that we had before. payments as if they had committed some kind of fraud, In fact, they will probably succeed in making it even when in fact they have done absolutely nothing wrong? worse than before. Of course, the Tories do not want to talk about the fact that their own analysis shows that I was interested to hear the comments of the Chair of the long-term economic damage of the covid pandemic the Treasury Committee, the right hon. Member for will be less than the damage of the self-inflicted and Central Devon (Mel Stride), on freeports. “Freeport” is totally avoidable disaster that is Brexit. obviously a buzzword that the focus groups have told It is an indication of how out of touch the Government the Tories goes down well with the party faithful, so are with my constituents, and with the people of Scotland they have decided to invent, or rather reinvent, something generally, that the Tories, the official Opposition in that looks like a rehash of 1980s-style enterprise zones Scotland, have already surrendered in the Scottish but call it a freeport because that sounds like a better Parliament elections. They are not even pretending that term. Leaving aside the terminology, how do the they want to try and form an alternative Government Government know that the provisions in clauses 109 to after 6 May. They are delivering glossy six-page leaflets 111 will create new investment and new jobs, rather that literally have no policies on them. They are not than just move investment and jobs that would have even pretending that they have anything positive to say happened anyway, as the Committee Chair asked? How or to offer in Scotland—which, after all, is kind of what will they make sure that those who buy and sell land in a Scotland has been saying to them since 1955. designated freeport area are investing the tax breaks they enjoy in creating jobs on the site, rather than just The Bill will get its Second Reading tonight, it will siphoning the money off into the profit and loss account get through the Committee and it will become law. Its of an offshore investment trust somewhere? regressive provisions will be imposed in Scotland against the will of three-quarters of our people, no doubt to Almost a third of the Bill’s clauses relate to the great cheers from the socially distanced Government plastic packaging tax, and no doubt the Bill Committee Benches. But let me say this to them: enjoy imposing will want to spend a proportionate amount of time this Finance Bill on Scotland’s people, because in just scrutinising the details, but for now, I draw the Minister’s over three weeks’ time, those same people will take a attention to the National Audit Office report on 12 February decisive step towards making sure that their time for this year. The report found that, although the Chancellor imposing their policies on our country comes to an end. in his Budget speech last year was able to tell us how many tonnes of carbon the tax would save, Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing): I “the exchequer departments did not set these as measures of appreciate that this is a Finance Bill and technically it success in the Tax Information and Impact Note”. can go to any hour, so the House could be sitting until 247 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 248

11 o’clock or midnight, but I ought to say something to plant and machinery in clauses 9 to 14, together with the Members who are not in the Chamber but who I hope provision in clause 15 for an extension of the £1 million might be listening. It sometimes seems that Members annual investment allowance. We are enabling the private who are at home and participating virtually do not pay sector to build back better. attention to the rest of the debate. If they are listening, It is often said that Chancellors are conjurors, pulling let me say to them that there is something a little bit rabbits out of hats, but today’s Chancellor is more of a distasteful about those who are sitting at home making tightrope walker, trying to maintain a very delicate very long speeches and keeping the entire operation of balance indeed. He is admirably succeeding. We are the House of Commons going till well into the evening. emerging from the international crisis with renewed Everybody has the right to speak on the Finance Bill national confidence in a long-term future of better days and it is very important that they do so, but it is ahead. generally recognised, and I particularly recognise it today, that that which can be said in 10 minutes can usually be said more effectively in five. 7.21 pm Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab) [V]: 7.17 pm This Finance Bill fails to meet the scale of the economic (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Con): The Bill challenges and it fails to provide the growth that is recognises both the short-term demands of the covid needed to recover from the pandemic, not to mention crisis and the long-term needs of global Britain’seconomic the impact of Brexit. Unemployment is already at 5% and future, and I am delighted to support it. I shall keep my is set to rise to 6.5%. Some groups have been hit particularly comments brief. hard, especially the young—youth unemployment is at 14.3%—and those from minority backgrounds face much As we emerge from lockdown in a cautious and higher levels of unemployment. gradual way, it is right that provisions are made to extend furlough, reduce VAT for tourism, maintain the Business investment has been in decline for many increased universal credit payments, support grants for years and the pandemic has not, of course, made matters the self-employed and so on. It will be some time yet any better.Wehave heard a great deal about the productivity before the economy is back to pre-covid levels of activity, rate being incredibly slow, which it has been for the past although it may not be as far away as we had feared just decade. Instead of focusing on the big challenges facing six months ago. Those who have managed to save the country, such as tackling the jobs crisis and youth money over lockdown are keen to put their cash back unemployment, and promoting growth, what we see is into our national economy. the Government reverting to their comfort zone with Stoke-on-Trent city centre business improvement district an irresponsible council tax hike that will create even has ensured that we will play our local part in the greater pressures for families who have faced the most resumption of consumer spending. Operation Sparkle unprecedented of challenges over the last year, and is making our city centre smarter, cleaner and more huge adversity—ordinary families in constituencies such inviting, but there is only so much that even the most as mine, where the level of child poverty is among the dedicated local groups and bodies can do to fight highest in the country. against litter,so I welcome part 2 of the Bill for its potential By freezing the threshold for the personal income tax to gear the tax system ever more against plastic waste. allowance, the Bill introduces a stealth tax on households. There is a real problem with litter, particularly along Meanwhile, the so-called super deduction gives tax cuts Stoke-on-Trent’s beautiful watercourses and green spaces, to some of the biggest businesses in the country, including made much worse by the thoughtlessness of those who those who have done particularly well during the pandemic, fear no consequence from dropping bottles and wrappers when the support should be targeted to companies that that will not immediately biodegrade. It makes responsible need much greater help and where there is greater need residents across my constituency rightly angry. The tax for support. system should not be neutral on litter. We have all seen It is as if the Government have learned nothing from the dramatic impact of the plastic bag tax. I hope that this crisis, as they take funding away from families who the plastic packaging tax is another step towards a tax desperately need help. That brings me to the issue of system that increasingly targets problem litter and universal credit, which will return to its original level incentivises the reuse, return and recycling of packaging. later in the year. Millions of families will suffer when The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts that the that happens. That is why I believe that this Finance Bill pre-covid level of GDP will be reached only one year does not support families. The stealth tax that has been from now. It further predicts that unemployment will be introduced will hurt ordinary families, including our in its second quarter of decline by then, having peaked NHS heroes and other key workers who have sustained at 6.5% by the end of this year. That means that UK us through the pandemic. unemployment will still be 1.4 percentage points lower The Bill does not go far enough to support the than when the Labour party left office in 2010. It is an 700,000 young people who face unemployment. Only extraordinary achievement. The balance of measures one in 49 are eligible for support through the kickstart has been more or less right, just as the balance of scheme. The Government have not taken the opportunity measures is right in the Bill. in the Bill to provide additional support to get those We were never going to escape a global pandemic young people back to work. unscathed. Now we must face the reality of once again Despite the fact that local councils such as mine have looking for measures to bring the books back into had to spend a great deal more because of the pandemic, balance in the medium and longer term. However, that there is nothing in the Bill to support them. There is should not mean reductions in productive investment. very little to support our public services when they are I particularly welcome the super deductions for new facing an unprecedented crisis. The Bill lacks the ambition 249 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 250

[Rushanara Ali] impact and geographical reach of that super deduction. Given the pressing challenge of climate change, and the that is desperately needed after the biggest economic hit need to recapitalise our economy to further decarbonisation for generations.It lacks the ambition to get the unemployed efforts, our amendment will require the Government to back to work, and bold action to increase investment, consider the impact of a super deduction on climate productivity, and innovation, create the green industrial change mitigation efforts. I sincerely hope that the revolution, and power our economic growth in the face Government will be supportive of that amendment, of the double hit of the pandemic and the 4% long-term particularly given the Bill’s overall lack of measures and hit to GDP as a result of Brexit. It hits families hard support for the green transition—except, it is worth when they need to be supported, and it lacks the ambition noting, a welcome change to the Bank of England’s to match the scale of the economic, social and healthcare mandate. challenges exposed by the pandemic. I will therefore not Although I welcome the proposed plastic packaging vote for the Bill. tax, even that illustrates Westminster’s inability adequately to act on the pressing issues facing society across the 7.25 pm four nations of the UK. Only days ago it was reported Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC): Diolch, Madam Deputy that the much vaunted deposit return scheme has been Speaker, for calling me to speak in this debate. It is a further delayed until 2024. Having been unnecessarily pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Bethnal Green tied to Westminster inaction on that issue, Wales will by and Bow (Rushanara Ali). Last month’s Budget was a then have waited six years for such a scheme to come to missed opportunity to protect jobs and incomes, support pass.That outcome is made even worse by the Government’s struggling employers, and set out a clear vision for a United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, which green, sustainable and fairer post-pandemic economy undermines Welsh efforts to counter plastic pollution, that works for all four nations of the United Kingdom. and pales in comparison to Scotland’s ability to deliver Instead, the Budget became an exercise in political a bespoke system by next year. showmanship, which further undermined devolution In conclusion, this Bill fails to correct the flaws in the and put party politics above the collective good. Supposedly Government’s pandemic response, fails to live up to new spending pledges were proven to be nothing of the their rhetoric on levelling up and fails to match ambitious sort, most clearly at Wales’s expense, where only 5% of climate rhetoric with policy action to further the green the spending announced was new and unconditional. transition. Instead, the Bill not only reflects the deeply That disappointment was compounded by the proposals misguided sense that the Treasury knows best when it unveiled for the so-called levelling-up fund, which I am comes to regional inequality, but misses an opportunity afraid does a disservice to Wales and to devolution. to provide a long-term plan for our post-pandemic The Bill confirms some of the most damaging elements recovery. of that Budget-day display. It prematurely ends the VAT reduction to help hospitality businesses across the 7.30 pm UK. It neglects fully to correct the exclusionary failures Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con): Let me start by expressing of the self-employment income support scheme, and it my sadness at the death of His Royal Highness Prince fails to guarantee the permanency of the £20 a week Philip. I send my condolences and those of the people universal credit uplift. Those measures alone suggest of Redcar and Cleveland to Her Majesty the Queen and that the Bill will hamper rather than encourage our the royal family at this difficult time. short-term recovery. I direct Members to my entry in the Register of EquallyworryingistheGovernment’scleardetermination Members’ Financial Interests as a board member of the to re-establish the pre-pandemic dysfunctional UK South Tees Development Corporation. economic model through a “Westminster knows best” In the short time I have, I want to focus my remarks approach that is openly hostile to devolution. That is on clause 109 on freeports and on why I was so pleased why, to ensure that Westminster works with rather than to see Teesside playsuch a prominent role in the Chancellor’s against the devolved nations on policy issues such as Budget. Freeports are not of course new to Britain, but freeports, Plaid Cymru will table amendments requiring our ability to use them properly was strengthened by the consent of the devolved Parliaments before freeports Brexit and the Prime Minister’sEU withdrawal agreement. can be established in their respective nations. That such Outside the EU, freeports have a significant role to play amendments are necessary is sadly indicative of the in our recovery and in levelling up our left-behind areas such Government’s centralising tendencies over the economy, as Redcar and Cleveland, and clauses 110 and 111 will despite their appalling record on delivering schemes help achieve that. such as tax reliefs, which worsen rather than address Our Teesside freeport is the largest in the UK, with a regional inequality in the UK. plan to create 18,000 jobs over the next five years. In less For instance, through the UK Government’s two main than a month since that Budget announcement, we have innovation investment reliefs—the enterprise investment seen the creation of more than 2,000 jobs in offshore scheme and the seed enterprise investment scheme— wind, with General Electric building its new turbine between 2015 and 2018, start-ups in London received blade manufacturing plant within our freeport. However, four times more per head of population than businesses the journey to this point was not a happy one. One of elsewhere. In contrast, only 1.3% of UK-wide investment Teesside’s darkest days was in October 2015 when SSI through the enterprise investment scheme was in Wales. fell into liquidation, with the end of 170 years of steel Noting the significant risk that the proposed capital making on Tees and the loss of 3,000 jobs overnight. allowance super deduction might turbocharge regional For many of us in Teesside this felt like a fatal blow and inequality in the UK, Plaid Cymru will also table an a shock from which we could not recover. For me as a amendment requiring the Government to consider the chemical industry worker at the time, I remember the 251 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 252 sinking feeling that we would be next—the next domino need to see an economy in which they can have some to fall into industrial collapse—but Teessiders throughout hope—an economy that focuses on opportunities and time have shown their immense resilience, and we refused wellbeing rather than on an obsession with growth. to allow our decline to be inevitable. They need something that offers them more than just In 2017, the election of a Conservative, Ben Houchen, personal debt and insecurity in the years ahead. as the Tees Valley Mayor began the journey of devolution This year, the UK hosts COP26, which provides even in Teesside and the transformation of our area. That year greater impetus than ever to be a leader in climate we formed a development corporation to cover the action, with meaningful cross-governmental action right site—the first mayoral development corporation outside at the very heart of the Bill and right at the very heart of London. Although there were many bumps along the road, this global inflection point that we are experiencing at by February 2020 the deal was done to get full control the moment. for the rest of the site, taking full ownership of the former We have been doing things differently necessarily for steelworks. In July last year, Teesworks was launched, the past year and we should continue to do that and to the new name for the now 4,500 acre site, and in August follow a different ecological and economic course from demolition began, clearing the way for the new jobs to the one that we would otherwise be on. The Government come. It is the largest development site in Europe alongside have repeatedly highlighted the importance of net zero, the deepest port on the east coast, publicly owned and which is welcome, but the Bill does not reflect the led by a Mayor who is determined to deliver for his area. urgency of what we are experiencing here and what we We started this journey with the loss of 3,000 jobs are seeing around the world. We cannot keep putting on Teesside, but now that site sits at the heart of the the meaningful actions into the “too difficult” piles. UK’s largest freeport, with a plan to create 18,000 jobs Recent moves by the Government, including approving over the next five years. The Teesside freeport, which a mine, granting new licences for oil and gas exploration, covers Teesworks, Wilton, port of Hartlepool, port of scrapping the green homes grant and cutting overseas Middlesbrough, Wilton Engineering and Teesside airport, aid to countries that are dealing with the impact of will be our gateway to global trade and the engine room climate change and removing funding at a time when for the northern powerhouse. This is our plan to level they need to transition to less carbon-intensive measures, up our region, transform Teesside and truly build back is going in the wrong direction. These are not the better. Recoveries of the past have seen some areas signals of a Government who are serious about a green boom while other areas go bust, and over the last recovery or serious about the wellbeing of the planet or 12 months we have faced a crisis like no other in our of future generations. There needs to be consistency in history. Now we will build a recovery like no other, domestic policies and international objectives that we where nowhere is left behind. are not seeing here. I am pleased also to co-sponsor the Climate and 7.33 pm Ecology Bill, which would have provided some signals (Belfast South) (SDLP) [V]: That was a for the actions that this Government could have chosen fair point well made about contributions earlier, Madam to take in this Bill if they were serious about the Deputy Speaker, and as I am mostly going to address environmental urgency and dynamism that we need to climate change, I will try to be aware of the levels of hot see, so we will be opposing the Bill on that basis. air I am producing myself. 7.37 pm I rise to speak in favour of the reasoned amendment in the name of the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion Mr Richard Holden (North West Durham) (Con): I (Caroline Lucas)—my name is also on the amendment— draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ and to say that Social Democratic and Labour party Financial Interests. I also want to highlight, as other Members will vote against this Bill. We spoke last Members have done, the tribute from my constituents month in the Budget debate to highlight the missed following the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, opportunities, including the opportunity to respond to the Duke of Edinburgh. I know that the thoughts of so the economic challenges and the challenges of inequality many have been with Her Majesty the Queen over the that have been exposed by the pandemic. However, past few days. while interim and half measures can perhaps be explained I speak today in huge support of the Finance Bill. It away with an economy in lockdown and in deep freeze, is absolutely fundamental in the steps that we are taking they cannot be justified for the live climate crisis we are for constituencies such as mine both in the short and facing at the moment. This Bill misses the opportunity the long term. I would like to associate myself with the to act on that ecological emergency because it lacks the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford ambition and the urgency required to meet the UK’s and Stortford (Julie Marson). She made a really obligations under the Paris agreement. It does not fundamental point, which is that we politicians in deliver the transformational investment needed to create Westminster do not create the wealth; that is down to green jobs, particularly at a time when so many people the businesses, entrepreneurs and workers in North have lost their work and when so many sectors will take West Durham and across the country, but we can help time to recover. Opportunities also need to be there, not to set the pitch and enable them to succeed. The least here in Northern Ireland. Government’s work recently, particularly in relation to Additionally, the Bill provides very little for those continuing the business rate holiday and the VAT holiday, who have been working on the frontline throughout the has been helpful and will really help some of my businesses pandemic. It does not say much either to people whose rebound. economic precarity has really been exposed over the The broader point is that this Budget sets out some past 12 or 15 months, or to young people who have really good things for the long term, particularly around missed so many experiences and opportunities and who productivity, as highlighted by my hon. Friend the 253 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 254

[Mr Richard Holden] spending in the long term. I think this is a really balanced approach. It has some short-term measures in Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami). there to restart the economy and some of the long-term Technology adaptation, along with the Help to Grow measures that my constituents voted for at the general scheme, needs to happen for those productivity gains in election. And crucially, it is a proper Conservative Budget, businesses. The super deduction gives a real opportunity, because at the heart of it is long-term fiscal responsibility. particularly for the manufacturing centre, which is so capital intensive, to invest for the long term, knowing 7.42 pm that that cash will be repaid in spades and also that Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Streatham) (Lab) [V]: The there will be a tax break. That will also help to counter Government’s mishandling of the pandemic and an some of the issues that we are bound to see around inadequate social security system have caused widespread unemployment because of the covid pandemic. financial hardship, unemployment and debt, yet the More broadly, we are now seeing the levelling up start Finance Bill falls short in tackling poverty, low pay, to take shape. The finance for lifelong learning is provided insecure work and the ever-deepening divisions in our for in the Bill. That is hugely important for constituencies society. Instead, it includes a whole host of damaging such as mine, where a far higher than average number of measures, such as cutting working tax credit to its people do not have the level 3 skills that we know make lowest level in decades. the real difference to people’s earning capacity. Last Action for Children estimates that 2.5 million families year, we saw the great motor homes tax cut from the with children currently on universal credit and working Chancellor in the Budget. That has had a real, direct impact tax credit will miss out on a combined total of £1.3 billion on my constituents this year in our manufacturing centre. across this financial year when these cuts are implemented On the levelling-up fund, it has been great to see that in October. Today, the Child Poverty Action Group’s £4.6 billion was announced. The Treasury need to be new report looking into the Government’s two-child tax aware that I will be putting in bids for both Consett and credit limit estimates that at least 350,000 families, the three-town area of Crook, Willington and Tow Law. including 1.25 million children, have now been affected I have already had conversations with some of the other by the policy since it started four years ago; a far cry council candidates and the local council about that, so I from the Government’s so-called levelling-up agenda am really hoping that we can get some of that cash into when those in the poorest parts of the country— our areas to help to boost them and the towns that have children—will suffer even more. felt left behind for too long. But should we be surprised when the austerity policies I felt that a couple of comments from the Opposition pursued by this Conservative Government continue to on higher council tax being forced on to councils did have widespread and devastating impacts on the most beggar belief to a degree, especially when, in Durham, disadvantaged? Years of austerity, welfare cuts, benefit we are seeing our Labour-controlled council—Labour-run changes and cuts to public services have disproportionately for 102 years—spending £50 million on a new county affected women, disabled people and black, Asian and hall on a floodplain with a roof terrace, at the same minority ethnic people—a fact that has been repeatedly time as raising council tax, which is currently the eighth outlined by the TUC, the Runnymede Trust, the Joseph highest in the country out of 340 councils. Rowntree Foundation and many more. That is why it I would particularly like to pick up on one other was so utterly astounding and offensive that the report thing, as mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for of the Government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Redcar (Jacob Young): the really great news about the Disparities sought to downplay the existence of institutional freeport. It just goes to show what great local MPs racism, against all the evidence and facts showing that working with the superb Mayor of Teesside, Ben Houchen, economic outcomes in our country are rife with racial can do. That is exactly what we need to see in County disparities. Equally, the covid-19 pandemic is widely Durham as well—great, entrepreneurial, business-focused noted to have exacerbated these trends. It is disingenuous local government working with local MPs. I was somewhat and misleading to seek to divide ethnic minority working- alarmed by the comments from the hon. Member for class communities and white working-class communities, Ealing North (James Murray) from the Opposition which is what the report did. The same issues affect all Front Bench. He suggested that these freeports would our working-class communities. Opportunistically cherry- be places for smuggling and organised crime to thrive. picking figures cannot alter what is clearly laid out in He made it sound a bit like “Pirates of the Caribbean” extensive research by a wide range of credible researchers is coming to Teesside, when the truth is actually quite and actual experts over a number of years. different. We have already seen thousands of jobs being When it comes to such legislation, as the Women’s created locally and huge numbers of Government jobs Budget Group has rightly argued, meaningful equality both from the Treasury and the Department for impact assessments should consider cumulative impact, International Trade moving to the north-east. That is intersectional impact, the impact on individuals as well incredibly welcome not just for Teesside and the constituents as households, impact over a lifetime, and the impact on there, but the entire north-east region. unpaid care. Conversations about sexism, ableism, racism, There is a lot to commend in this Budget, but the poverty and the economy must go hand in hand. That is financial responsibility and the need for fiscal responsibility why I have consistently called on the Government to have not gone away. It really matters in the long term, as carry out and publish equality impact assessments, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Central Devon I will be tabling an amendment to insist that they do so (Mel Stride), the Chair of the Treasury Committee, for this Bill. said at the start. We have to ensure that we maintain Tax Justice UK and the Women’s Budget Group that financial responsibility because any rise in interest rightly argue that taxation and wealth is an equality rates will see serious issues for the economy and Government issue. On average, women not only earn less than men, 255 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 256 but they own less wealth than men, with women in the but in a couple of years’time is sensible and proportionate. UK owning approximately 40% of the country’s total Equally, our rates will still be some of the lowest in the personal wealth. Coupled with the very obvious way in G7. Those making the lowest profits—under £50,000—will which the pandemic has hit women the hardest, it is be largely unaffected and only those earning over £250,000 clear that the Government should really be publishing will pay the top rate. The vast majority of limited equality impact assessments. Equality is our law, yet the companies in the UK will see little tangible difference. Government refuse again and again to do that, and they However, I would like the Minister to explain why the have not done so for the 2021 Budget or for this Finance super deduction is only applicable to limited companies. Bill, either measure by measure or cumulatively. While I acknowledge that it is a superb incentive for investment, tax information and impact notes for each tax measure as it is designed to be, but why not broaden the scope? are available, they lack detail and quantitative estimates Imagine farmers in my constituency parting with the of impact, or simply state that no equality impacts are best part of half a million pounds to buy farm machinery anticipated. That is not good enough for legislation that such as combine harvesters, as many of them may do, will so fundamentally impact on our society. I hope that but because they operate as partnerships they are ineligible the Minister will confirm why the Government have not for the tax break. published the information needed for Members to fully As I repeatedly and relentlessly mention in this place, assess how the Bill impacts people right across the my fears for the overall UK high street still remain. Yes, country. our high streets will have the rates reprieve for nearly Incentives such as the super deduction are biggest for another year, but in the long term they will suffer as larger firms, and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury those who have converted to shopping online continue has admitted that only 1% of firms will benefit this year, to operate under that trend. The Government must as the rest are within the annual investment allowance. look at modernising the rates system and consider how How can the Government justify the fact that, under we level up the disparity in competition between those this Bill, the rich and big business are being treated to bricks-and-mortar stores that now face online competition. mouth-watering tax giveaways and reliefs despite unclear I certainly look forward to perhaps seeing more of this evidence about whether that will actually create the in the autumn. But I take nothing away from the tax investment needed? For example, who benefits from breaks. The confidence that the Government have injected Amazon paying no corporation tax in the UK as a into the economy is working and the green shoots of a result of the super deduction? post-crisis recovery are already germinating. This Bill is a missed opportunity for a green recovery based on intersectional economics and progressive taxation 7.51 pm to create decent, well-paid, unionised jobs and address our care crisis. It has the wrong priorities, it will create Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) (Lab): Today I will further inequality and it has unfairness and injustice rooted vote against this Bill’s Second Reading, and I will focus at its very core, so I will be voting against it today. on three reasons why. Reason No. 1 is that I genuinely believe that our NHS and key workers deserve a decent pay rise, not just 7.47 pm platitudes—the clapping of hands every Thursday some (North Norfolk) (Con) [V]: An time ago, the selfies and the video clips. A vote for this unprecedented time calls for an unprecedented Budget, Bill today is a vote to cut, in real terms, the salaries of and that is exactly what the Chancellor delivered, which those heroes, our key workers. is now set out in this Bill. The Budget had at its heart a Reason No. 2 is that the regressive council tax bombshell focus on supporting people and businesses as we begin of 5% imposed by the Chancellor on councils up and to emerge from the pandemic, and it laid out how, down this land is classed as spending power in his through fair taxation measures, not austerity, we can Budget—a Budget of smoke and mirrors—while ushering begin to rebuild and fix the public finances. Even the in a new era of austerity, with billions of pounds taken latest figures, published this morning, show an economy from the public sector providing vital services for the recovering, with exports, imports and GDP all improving. most vulnerable and the most needy, whether children We already have a vaccination policy that, thanks to or adults, in our society. this Government, has been world-beating, and we now Reason No. 3 is that I and others are making a stand have an economy repairing itself faster than we all for the millions excluded from financial help and business expected. support, whether freelancers in the Northwich part of Not only can North Norfolk celebrate the fact that its my constituency or care workers from Frodsham who economy, which is driven by leisure and tourism, will no deserve a fair level of sick pay when they have to doubt boom this summer, but my constituents have self-isolate in this covid pandemic. even more to celebrate, North Norfolk being in the top My constituents may not have a direct line to the 100 places for the UK community renewal fund. Contrary Chancellor, Ministers or leading civil servants, and they to some beliefs, this is a Government reaching out to certainly do not have share options worth millions of every corner of the UK, and I thank the Chancellor for pounds. However,305 of my constituents in the Daresbury putting North Norfolk on the map. area of Weaver Vale have just lost their jobs—former You might expect that a chartered accountant would employees of Greensill. That is the bulk of the UK want to talk about the taxation measures in this Bill, employees; they are 305 of the 400 or so who have lost and I would hate to disappoint you, Madam Deputy their jobs in the UK. Of course, there are thousands in Speaker. There are undoubtedly those who have prospered associated industries, whether that is at Liberty Steel or in lockdown from a sense of a captive market, and thus further afield. They are victims of an unregulated shadow the taxation policy to increase corporation tax not now banking crisis and the new episode of Tory sleaze. 257 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 258

[Mike Amesbury] I urge the Government to accept that there still needs to be a fair resolution for those facing the loan charge. I want to see a Chancellor who pushes his team not to The vast majority of people facing the loan charge and support his old boss, the former Prime Minister, but to those duped into schemes since 2017—often lower-paid give our key workers a decent pay rise and fully fund people—are victims of mis-selling by promoters and our councils, as promised, to help the many who have operators who gave and still give assurances of compliance been excluded from business and personal support. and legitimacy, and did not make any mention of the That is how we build forward fairer for all. It is certainly risk of being pursued by HMRC. The reality is that not through supporting this Bill, which I and those on people are simply not able to pay the loan charge, and the Opposition Benches will oppose. enforcing it will lead to bankruptcy, hardship and worse. It is time that the Government and HMRC sought a 7.54 pm compromise—a way to resolve this without destroying lives and families, and without making people unable to Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab): I work through their being declared bankrupt. I urge the welcome and endorse all the points made by my hon. Government to look again at the APPG’s proposal last Friend the Member for Ealing North (James Murray) year for a final settlement opportunity. about the Opposition’s deep concerns about the Finance Bill; I will be voting against it. We in the all-party parliamentary loan charge group welcome action to tackle promoters of schemes, but we I want to focus on measures relating to contractors. want to see the details from the Government. We have The all-party parliamentary loan charge group has just seen very little so far. At the same time, we need published a comprehensive report, “How Contracting legislative action to stop these schemes in the first place Should Work”, which found that the unintended and the misery that they cause, and we want a fair consequences of IR35 or off-payroll legislation has resolution for those facing the loan charge. The Finance been a proliferation of umbrella companies, some of Bill gives the Government an opportunity do this, to which have pushed people into disguised remuneration clean up the supply chain, and to stamp out tax avoidance schemes. The report also exposed significant malpractice, schemes and other malpractice. Given the importance including withholding of holiday pay, kickbacks for of these workers to the economy and our public services, recommending or passing on contractors, and even the this is an opportunity that the Government must take provision of fitted kitchens and holidays for recruitment now. agency directors. We concluded that we need legislative changes in and beyond the Bill, including aligning tax 7.58 pm and employment law. There is a real opportunity in this Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP): It is a pleasure to Finance Bill to address some specific concerns. speak in support of my colleagues in our opposition to Clause 21 deals with “Workers’ services provided the Finance Bill on Second Reading. This might be the through intermediaries”. It has been described in the Finance Bill that we have, but it is certainly not the explanatory notes as addressing Finance Bill that we need right now. Despite warnings “an unintended widening of the conditions which determine and despite the damage to employment that was caused when a company is an intermediary”. by previous hard deadlines that the Chancellor set But, actually, this is a change following lobbying efforts himself on furlough—which turned out not to be such by umbrella companies.The legislation as originally drafted hard deadlines after all—we once again face just such a would have meant that recruitment agencies had to put set of cliff edges with these measures come September. workers on their own payroll, where they would also We face a cliff edge with the ending of the support for have enjoyed the protections offered by existing agency the self-employed, the ending of furlough and the non- legislation. That would also have meant closing the door continuation of the equivalent of the £20 universal on tax avoidance schemes. Now that door has swung wide credit uplift—a policy that has done so much to get open again, which is a very odd thing for the Government families on low incomes through the pandemic, making to be doing when at the same time they claim they sure that food was on the table, bills could be paid and intend to clamp down on tax avoidance schemes. the wolf was kept from the door. We will also face a cliff The Government could simply strike out clause 21. edge in key elements of the Scottish economy thanks to Doing so would ensure that workers got the agency the removal of the 5% VAT rate for hospitality. As rights they should be getting. Agencies can run their things stand, all these cliff edges will be encountered own payroll; they do for their own staff anyway. They irrespective of the condition of the economy come do not need umbrella companies and neither do their September or, indeed, the progress that we continue to contractors. Alternatively, the Government could redraft make in suppressing the virus. clause 21 to seek to stop the exploitation. They must do This Bill fails to get to grips with the big issues of one or the other. ensuring a green recovery and fails when it comes to As the Government and HMRCare well aware, schemes dealing with the much-vaunted levelling-up agenda. In are still being sold—mis-sold—to people including mid the time I have left, I wish to highlight two points of and low-paid public sector workers, nurses, NHS doctors particular interest to my constituents and to wider and other clinical specialists, teachers and social workers. society across the north-east of Scotland: the recently Such schemes are also being sold to many in the private announced sector deal for the North sea and the levelling-up sector, including in IT, business services and so on. We agenda. in the APPG support more action through the Bill First, lest there be any doubt, the sector deal is against promoters of such schemes, but we want to see absolutely welcome. It has been called for for a long some detail in this legislation. Schemes must be stopped time and I know that the Government and industry have now, rather than trying to go after promoters when the been working together closely to deliver the package. damage has been done—many are offshore anyway. Although it might be a sector deal, whatever else it might 259 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 260 be it is emphatically not a fiscal deal. There are big That tells me that we need to look at how we can numbers in respect of the amounts of investment money encourage and build the sector. Not just the Airport that might potentially come in, but the Government are Operators Association’s airport recovery plan but the not putting a huge amount of money on the table to Office for Budget Responsibility downgraded their achieve that. It may help—I hope it does—to drive the estimations of the recovery of levels of air passenger objectives of a just transition and to boost the skills and duty until as far away as 2024 and 2025. The Government retain human capital in the north-east of Scotland, but need to acknowledge that other European countries are we need to be prepared for the possibility that further giving substantial grant-based funding to airports. The incentivisation might be needed. UK Government’s lack of support, other than limited Secondly, on levelling up, people who listened to my rates relief and access to loans, risks UK aviation falling good friends and colleagues from neighbouring behind our European competitors. That cannot be allowed constituencies who represent the Conservative and Unionist to happen given our vision of global Britain. party would believe that the levelling-up fund was going Instead of supporting the sector, the Finance Bill to leave not a single pothole unfilled, not a bridge includes rises in air passenger duty that will harm the unrepaired and not a single social project unfunded in recovery of an industry that has largely been shut down the north-east of Scotland. Instead, when the prospectus for over a year. Added to that, there is the blow of the was unveiled, the city of Aberdeen was in level 2 and removal of airside VAT-free shopping at the end of Aberdeenshire was languishing in the lowest level, level 2020. That is another hit for airports,which rely heavily—up 3, despite the urgent need to address the hit that the oil to 40% of their income—on retail and require a firm and gas sector has taken and tackle the impact of Brexit financial footing to successfully recover throughout the on our exporters. It seems that the post-Brexit power rest of the decade. The Finance Bill, unfortunately, fails grab on Scotland’s devolved Government has morphed to reverse that damaging decision, or put compensation into a cash grab on the north-east of Scotland. in place such as arrivals duty-free shopping. In conclusion, this is the Bill that we have but it is not I conclude with this comment. In an intervention at the Bill that we need. Along with my colleagues, I look the beginning of the debate, I made a comment about forward to exposing more of its shortcomings as we see insurance companies. Some companies are unfairly using them, as the Bill progresses. business interruption insurance premiums to punish businesses that had the foresight to take out said insurance 8.2 pm before the pandemic. I believe there is a chance with this Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): My contribution Bill— insurance companies are notorious for finding will not be long, Madam Deputy Speaker; I just wish to a loophole—to address this issue. I ask the Minister to make a few points. do that. As on several other occasions over the past year, I have looked to ascertain whether we are doing our best 8.5 pm to offer support to help to sustain businesses and then encourage regrowth. I put on record my thanks to the Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab): Government for all that they have done, but I must also I would like to begin by echoing the tributes made from put something on the record on behalf of the aviation all sides of the House in recent days to the Duke of sector. I hope the Minister will forgive me for putting Edinburgh, Prince Philip. It is a testament to the endurance this on the record, but it is important that I do so. of his public life that you would have to be almost 80 Although I accept the difficult nature of presenting a years old to have any real memory of a time when both Budget at this time and the immense pressure on the he and Her Majesty the Queen were not at the pinnacle Chancellor, there were a number of gaps in the Budget, of the monarchy. On behalf of my constituents, I would one of which was support for the aviation sector. The like to send Her Majesty and the royal family our temporary extensions of the job retention scheme and deepest condolences at this most difficult time. the limited business rates relief for airports were welcome, Turning to the debate, it is a pleasure for me to but there was palpable disappointment in the sector respond on behalf of the Opposition. I thank all Members that the Government failed to recognise in their Budget on all sides of the House, who made very wide-ranging the impact of covid-19 on aviation. contributions today, and some of them, Madam Deputy The only aviation-specific clause in the Bill is one to Speaker, related to the Bill before us. We have heard increase the tax burden on international travel through excellent contributions on a wide range of issues, including air passenger duty—this at a time when the Government the move away from diesel, climate change, local recovery should be putting all their efforts behind the recovery of bonds, the taxation of covid tests, those excluded from the UK’s lost aviation connectivity. As a member of the Government help schemes, the arts and cultural sector, Democratic Unionist party, I have long opposed APD the aviation sector, the Help to Grow scheme, freeports on internal travel—I believe it is a factor in the growing and regional inequality—or, as the Government call it, feeling of isolation that Northern Ireland is going levelling up. through—but that is for another debate in which the On the latter, we heard of the urgent need for action Unionist voice must be heard and acknowledged much because of years of neglect. Now, I hate to pose an more than it is being currently. awkward question, but I have been scratching my head The covid-19 pandemic is the worst crisis in the history and I have to ask: who has actually been in power for of aviation. Last summer, passenger numbers travelling the past 11 years? Who presided over that neglect? Who through UK airports were at their lowest level since was it who cut billions of pounds from local authority 1975. Office for National Statistics data shows that budgets over the past decade? Who was it that abolished aviation was the worst-hit sector of 2020 and will continue the regional development agencies that were responsible to be the worst-affected sector in 2021. for regional development in the first place? Who was it 261 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 262

[Mr Pat McFadden] have had to pay a single extra penny toward the costs of the pandemic. In Hartlepool, there are 11,732 households that downgraded Sure Start, and attacked the opportunities on universal credit. The decision to withdraw the £20 a and life chances of some of the lowest-income children week uplift from them later this year will cost them in the country? I really think that we should be told who collectively almost £12 million extra over the following it was who presided over the neglect that has spurred 12 months. That is what these changes mean in one the Government to these policies today. I admit that it is constituency. That is what they mean to families around a neat trick to pretend that you have only been in power the country. for a year, but the truth is that it has been 11 years. The Bill also sets out plans for the new system of What the Government are now trying to do is fix their investment allowances, which are related to the recovery own mistakes to repair damage that they caused in the loan scheme recently launched—I underline this—by first place. the Treasury. The Treasury cannot escape ownership of Now, I admit it must be a relief to the Treasury this one. What will the Treasury system be to accredit Ministers to attend the debate today and to be able to lenders under the new recovery loan scheme? Will it just shelter on the Front Bench for a few hours, to get some be for regulated lenders? How will it test the capital respite from calls from David Cameron. They can tell adequacy of the institutions involved? How will it avoid him that they were in the Chamber and they had their a repeat of accrediting for the scheme a lender who is on mobiles switched off as he worked his way through the the brink of collapse? whole Department. If I am right, the Minister responding Of course, the overall judgment on the Budget and is one of the few people in the Treasury who has not yet the Finance Bill must be by the test of how it gets us received a call from the former Prime Minister, but he through what is happening now and the foundations it might still be working his way through the list. Right lays for the future, and the Bill deals with only one now in the Treasury there are no doubt officials cowering phase of that. On the extension of many of the emergency behind doors, hoping that the former Prime Minister measures put in place since the beginning of the pandemic, does not have their phone number. If he does get we called for many of those measures in the first place, through, they can give him the new excuse we heard and they are obviously necessary while we are still in the today: that the new Government loan schemes on which teeth of the fight against the virus. By that, I mean of he has been lobbying have nothing to do with the course the extension of the furlough scheme, the help Treasury. Ignore all the press releases, ignore all the for the self-employed and so on. Those interventions tweets, ignore the Instagram videos, ignore the invitations cost considerable sums of money, but the social and to “Ask Rishi”. It turns out that the case for the defence economic cost of not doing them would have been far, is that it is all somebody else’s responsibility. But that far greater. Governments can act in times of crisis to will not wash—it will not wash at all. help the country through. Indeed, if a Government did At the heart of the Finance Bill are the tax changes not do so, we would have to wonder what they were for. set out in the Budget. As we established during the But in addition to that immediate crisis help, there is a Budget debates a few weeks ago, those tax changes turn longer-term rebuilding job to be done. We are going to on its head decades-long conservative orthodoxy, not need strong, job-creating growth if we are to recover from just because tax rates are going up but because the the past year. The economy will not come back exactly as expectation is that alongside rising tax rates will come it was before the first lockdown. The pandemic has exposed rising revenues. The projections are set out in the Red deep inequalities in society. It has shown the stark reality Book on corporation tax, thresholds for income tax of what many key workers are paid. It has laid bare the and the other measures laid out in the Bill. vulnerabilities of our society and the very different circumstances of those who could work from home and The Red Book estimates and the Bill lay to rest the those who had no choice but to go to work day after argument set out by Conservative politicians from Margaret day, no matter the risk to themselves and their families. Thatcher to George Osborne that cutting rates rather In terms of other changes, the pandemic has been than raising them leads to an overall rise in revenues. described as the “great acceleration”—10 years’ change Indeed, the argument advanced at the core of this crammed into one. The way we shop, work, pay for Finance Bill—that corporation tax rates should rise things, educate children, deliver healthcare and much and businesses should be compensated by an increase in else has been changed, probably forever. Technology investment allowances—is the exact mirror image of and change apply to everyday life as never before. How the argument used by the previous Chancellor to justify do we make the most of these trends? How do we the cuts he made to corporation tax. At that time, we ensure that people are equipped for the economy that were told that all those reliefs and allowances were too comes out of this pandemic and that these changes do complex and that they could be cut to help fund a cut in not simply exacerbate existing inequalities? Those are corporate tax rates; now, the opposite argument is being the urgent questions facing politics today. advanced. Osbornomics are officially buried by Rishnomics Expectations have been changed about what in this Finance Bill. Governments can do, not only here but in the United That is all, of course, at the level of policy and States, as we have seen in recent weeks, and across the ideology. What about the practical level—the practical world. This will change the shape of the political argument effect? The freezing of personal allowances will bring in the future—not a return to the same old argument an extra 1.3 million taxpayers into the system over the about tax and spend, but an argument instead about next few years. I thought it might be helpful to illustrate who can best equip the country for the future, who can the effect of some of the proposals on a particular rebuild the best and who can deliver the transition to constituency, so I picked one at random: Hartlepool. greener jobs, heal the inequalities that have been exposed The proposals mean that 34,000 basic rate taxpayers in by the pandemic and help children to recover from the Hartlepool will face a tax increase before corporations education that has been lost. 263 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 264

The Finance Bill is silent on those challenges, as was Member for Central Devon (Mel Stride), so that we the Budget. That is why it is a job only half done. It puts have the fiscal flexibility to respond to new crises. As the tax increases in place for the next few years that hit Chancellor said at the Budget, family finances before corporations, and it does so with “our approach to fixing the public finances will be fair”, no plan for the recovery that the country needs or one asking those who can afford to contribute to play their to rebuild the public realm—the public square—to make part, while it more resilient in the future. That is why we have tabled the reasoned amendment on the Order Paper. The second “protecting those who cannot.”—[Official Report, 3 March 2021; Vol. 690, c. 256.] half of that job—what the country has to do—is still to come, and that will be where the argument over the best That is why the Bill maintains the income tax personal economic future for the country and how we truly allowance and the higher rate threshold at their current recover from the events of the past year is played out. levels from next year, and why it maintains the pensions lifetime allowance, the threshold for capital gains tax 8.17 pm and the threshold for inheritance tax at 2020-21 levels. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Kemi As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to Badenoch): On behalf of my constituents, I join Members the Treasury said, businesses have received over £100 billion across the House in expressing my deepest sympathies of support through this crisis; it is only right that we ask to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family on the the firms with the broadest shoulders to support our death of His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, the recovery. Therefore the rate of corporation tax will Duke of Edinburgh. I would also like to briefly take the increase to 25%, but only from 2023. I was very pleased opportunity to pay tribute to my colleague, Dame Cheryl to hear the faintest of praise for that measure from the Gillan, who passed away over the recess. We worked hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy). Those closely together on the 1922 committee between 2017 Members who have reservations about the impact on and 2019. She was an unflappable lady and always good small businesses should know that small businesses humoured. I cannot quite believe that she has left us, with profits of £50,000 or less, which make up 70% of and it goes to show that we often do not know how actively trading companies, will be protected from that much people mean to us until they are gone. rise. Let me also remind the House that a 25% corporation I turn to the matter of today’s debate, which it is a tax rate is still the lowest in the G7. privilege to close on behalf of the Government. I thank My right hon. Friend the Member for Central Devon all Members for their contributions. We have heard asked why the diverted profits tax is maintained, not some excellent speeches, and in particular, I thank widened. This tax is charged at a higher rate than Members such as my right hon. Friend the Member for corporation tax to discourage the diversion of profits Wokingham (John Redwood) and my hon. Friend the that should be taxed in the UK to another country. The Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) for six-point differential between the main rate and the the many deeply considered reflections they have shared DPT rate has proven an effective deterrent, and that is based on the significant knowledge and experience they why the diverted profits tax is being increased from have gained outside the House. I will address as many 25% to 31% from April 2023 to maintain the current points as I can, and I am sure we will consider in differential. Committee those that I do not get to. My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk The Bill’s first purpose is to protect jobs and livelihoods (George Freeman), the hon. Member for Richmond Park threatened by covid-19 by providing tax support to (Sarah Olney) and my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford businesses and individuals. It boosts some of the hardest and Stortford (Julie Marson) all raised the important hit industries through extending the VAT reduction for issue of investment and productivity, and I thank my the hospitality and tourism sectors. It provides extra hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin and Harpenden security for workers in the housing sector by maintaining (Bim Afolami) for praising our Help to Grow scheme. the temporary cut in stamp duty until the end of June. My hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen The measures in the Bill support the Government’s Hammond) raised the issue of businesses that are ineligible goal of an investment-led recovery from coronavirus. for support, such as English language schools in his Our super deduction will allow companies to claim constituency. The Finance Bill supports struggling 130% capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery businesses by allowing them to carry back up to £2 million investment from this month until 2023. That is the of losses and receive refunds for tax paid in additional biggest two-year business tax cut in modern history, previous years further to the one year provided at and it will support firms to make a transformative present. investment in the UK’s future growth and prosperity. In addition, the Bill contains a number of other HMRC assessed the potential for fraud and tax measures that will provide a helping hand to businesses avoidance—something which some Members raised. and individuals at this most difficult of times. I thank There are a number of safeguards in the legislation to the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury), prevent such abuse, such as the exclusions of connected my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Duncan party transactions and second-hand assets. The legislation Baker), the hon. Members for Brentford and Isleworth introduces a new anti-avoidance provision that applies (Ruth Cadbury), for Belfast South (Claire Hanna), for to counteract arrangements that are contrived, abnormal Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara Ali) and for Gordon or lacking a genuine commercial purpose. (Richard Thomson), and all other Members who raised In addition, the Bill enables the Government to designate points on their constituents’ behalf on this issue. tax sites in freeports in Great Britain, as referenced by The Bill has a second important purpose: to support the hon. Members for Glenrothes (Peter Grant) and for the Government’s efforts to rebuild the nation’s finances, Bootle (Peter Dowd) and my hon. Friends the Members as eloquently expressed by my right hon. Friend the for Redcar (Jacob Young) and for North West Durham 265 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 266

[] The House divided: Ayes 268, Noes 358. Division No. 247] [8.26 pm (Mr Holden), where, once approved, eligible businesses will be able to benefit from a number of tax reliefs, AYES including capital allowances and relief from stamp duty. Abbott, rh Ms Diane Debbonaire, Thangam I am particularly grateful to my hon. Friend the Member Abrahams, Debbie Dhesi, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh for North West Durham for his rebuttal to the hon. Ali, Rushanara Docherty-Hughes, Martin Member for Ealing North (James Murray), who sought Ali, Tahir Dodds, Anneliese to link, incredibly, freeports to organised crime. I reassure Allin-Khan, Dr Rosena Donaldson, rh Sir Jeffrey M. my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Peter Aldous) Amesbury, Mike Doogan, Dave that we do expect freeports to enhance the incentives in Anderson, Fleur Dorans, Allan place in areas like his that already have enterprise zones. Antoniazzi, Tonia Doughty, Stephen I acknowledge the issues raised by the right hon. Ashworth, rh Jonathan Dowd, Peter Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson), including Bardell, Hannah Dromey, Jack about steel imports into Northern Ireland under the Barker, Paula Duffield, Rosie Northern Ireland protocol, and I welcome his remarks Beckett, rh Margaret Eagle, Maria on clause 97. He is right to point out what the effect of Begum, Apsana Eastwood, Colum Benn, rh Hilary Edwards, Jonathan 25% tariffs would be on engineering firms in Northern Betts, Mr Clive Ireland. The Government have been working closely with Efford, Clive Black, Mhairi Elliott, Julie the steel sector to address that issue, and clause 97 is an Blackford, rh Ian example which shows that we are very much committed Elmore, Chris Blackman, Kirsty Eshalomi, Florence to ensuring that the protocol works for the people of Blake, Olivia Esterson, Bill Northern Ireland. Blomfield, Paul Evans, Chris Bonnar, Steven Let me remind the House that the Finance Bill also has Farron, Tim Brabin, Tracy a number of purposes beyond this crisis. As the Financial Farry, Stephen Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Secretary outlined earlier, it continues the Government’s Fellows, Marion Brennan, Kevin work of building a fairer and sustainable tax system. The Ferrier, Margaret hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) raised air Brock, Deidre Brown, Alan Flynn, Stephen passenger duty. The Bill seeks to set air passenger duty Brown, Ms Lyn Fovargue, Yvonne rates for April 2022, and so will not take immediate effect. Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Foxcroft, Vicky It will only increase long-haul APD rates in nominal Bryant, Chris Foy, Mary Kelly terms, while short-haul rates will remain frozen at current Buck, Ms Karen Gardiner, Barry rates, which will benefit over 75% of passengers. Long-haul Burgon, Richard Gibson, Patricia economy rates, for example, will increase by only £2. Butler, Dawn Gill, Preet Kaur The Bill improves tax transparency by paving the way Byrne, Ian Girvan, Paul for the UK to implement the OECD’s international Byrne, rh Liam Glindon, Mary reporting rules for digital platforms, stops tax cheats by Cadbury, Ruth Grady, Patrick strengthening our existing anti-avoidance regimes and Callaghan, Amy Grant, Peter tightening the rules designed to tackle promoters and Cameron, Dr Lisa Green, Kate enablers of tax avoidance schemes, and provides even more Campbell, rh Sir Alan Greenwood, Lilian certainty to taxpayers by setting out a more consistent, Campbell, Mr Gregory Greenwood, Margaret fairer penalty regime across VAT and income tax self- Carden, Dan Griffith, Nia assessment. In addition, it will help to deliver a low-carbon Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Gwynne, Andrew future, as highlighted by my hon. Friends the Members Chamberlain, Wendy Haigh, Louise for Arundel and South Downs (Andrew Griffith) and Champion, Sarah Hamilton, Fabian for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Jo Gideon) and the hon. Chapman, Douglas Hanna, Claire Member for Ceredigion (Ben Lake), with the introduction Charalambous, Bambos Hardy, Emma of a plastic packaging tax and by removing most sectors’ Cherry, Joanna Harman, rh Ms Harriet entitlement to use red diesel from April next year. I Clark, Feryal Harris, Carolyn know that my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell Cooper, Daisy Hayes, Helen and Newquay (Steve Double) raised concerns about the Cooper, Rosie Healey, rh John policy. I will ensure that officials continue to engage Cooper, rh Yvette Hendrick, Sir Mark with the sector, and he should receive a letter from me Corbyn, rh Jeremy Hendry, Drew shortly. We recognise that it will be a big change for Cowan, Ronnie Hillier, Meg Coyle, Neil Hobhouse, Wera some businesses. They have another year before changes Crawley, Angela Hodge, rh Dame Margaret take effect, and we are doubling the funding provided Creasy, Stella Hodgson, Mrs Sharon for energy innovation through the new £1 billion net zero Cruddas, Jon Hollern, Kate innovation portfolio, which will support the development Cryer, John Hopkins, Rachel of alternatives that businesses can switch to. Cummins, Judith Hosie, rh Stewart As every Member of the House will be all too aware, Cunningham, Alex Howarth, rh Sir George the past year has been a time of deep economic challenge. Daby, Janet Huq, Dr Rupa The Bill plays a major part in allowing us to meet those Davey, rh Ed Hussain, Imran challenges today while readying the country for a better David, Wayne Jardine, Christine tomorrow.For that reason, I cannot support the reasoned Davies, Geraint Jarvis, Dan amendment, and I commend the Bill as it stands to the Davies-Jones, Alex Johnson, rh Dame Diana House. Day, Martyn Johnson, Kim Question put, That the amendment be made. De Cordova, Marsha Jones, Darren 267 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 268

Jones, Gerald Phillips, Jess NOES Jones, rh Mr Kevan Phillipson, Bridget Adams, Nigel Collins, Damian Jones, Ruth Pollard, Luke Afolami, Bim Costa, Alberto Jones, Sarah Powell, Lucy Afriyie, Adam Courts, Robert Kane, Mike Qureshi, Yasmin Ahmad Khan, Imran Coutinho, Claire Keeley, Barbara Rayner, rh Angela Aiken, Nickie Cox, rh Sir Geoffrey Kendall, Liz Reed, Steve Aldous, Peter Crabb, rh Stephen Khan, Afzal Rees, Christina Allan, Lucy Crosbie, Virginia Kinnock, Stephen Reeves, Ellie Amess, Sir David Crouch, Tracey Kyle, Peter Reeves, Rachel Anderson, Lee Daly, James Lake, Ben Reynolds, Jonathan Anderson, Stuart Davies, David T. C. Lammy, rh Mr David Ribeiro-Addy, Bell Andrew, rh Stuart Davies, Gareth Lavery, Ian Rimmer, Ms Marie Ansell, Caroline Davies, Dr James Law, Chris Robinson, Gavin Argar, Edward Davies, Mims Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Rodda, Matt Atherton, Sarah Davies, Philip Lewis, Clive Russell-Moyle, Lloyd Atkins, Victoria Davis, rh Mr David Linden, David Saville Roberts, rh Liz Bacon, Gareth Davison, Dehenna Lloyd, Tony Shah, Naz Bacon, Mr Richard Dinenage, Caroline Lockhart, Carla Shannon, Jim Badenoch, Kemi Dines, Miss Sarah Long Bailey, Rebecca Sharma, Mr Virendra Bailey, Shaun Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Lynch, Holly Sheerman, Mr Barry Baillie, Siobhan Donelan, Michelle MacNeil, Angus Brendan Sheppard, Tommy Baker, Duncan Dorries, Ms Nadine Madders, Justin Siddiq, Tulip Baker, Mr Steve Double, Steve Mahmood, Mr Khalid Slaughter, Andy Baldwin, Harriett Dowden, rh Oliver Mahmood, Shabana Smith, Alyn Barclay, rh Steve Doyle-Price, Jackie Malhotra, Seema Smith, Cat Baron, Mr John Drax, Richard Maskell, Rachael Smith, Jeff Baynes, Simon Drummond, Mrs Flick Matheson, Christian Smith, Nick Bell, Aaron Duddridge, James Mc Nally, John Smyth, Karin Benton, Scott Duguid, David McCabe, Steve Sobel, Alex Beresford, Sir Paul Duncan Smith, rh Sir Iain McCarthy, Kerry Spellar, rh John Berry, rh Jake Dunne, rh Philip McDonagh, Siobhain Starmer, rh Keir Bhatti, Saqib Eastwood, Mark McDonald, Andy Stephens, Chris Blackman, Bob Edwards, Ruth McDonald, Stewart Stevens, Jo Blunt, Crispin Ellis, rh Michael Malcolm Stone, Jamie Bone, Mr Peter Ellwood, rh Mr Tobias McDonald, Stuart C. Streeting, Wes Bottomley, Sir Peter Elphicke, Mrs Natalie McDonnell, rh John Stringer, Graham Bowie, Andrew Eustice, rh George McFadden, rh Mr Pat Sultana, Zarah Bradley, Ben Evans, Dr Luke McGinn, Conor Tami, rh Mark Bradley, rh Karen Evennett, rh Sir David McGovern, Alison Tarry, Sam Brady, Sir Graham Everitt, Ben McKinnell, Catherine Thewliss, Alison Braverman, rh Suella Fabricant, Michael McLaughlin, Anne Thomas, Gareth Brereton, Jack Farris, Laura McMahon, Jim Thomas-Symonds, Bridgen, Andrew Fell, Simon McMorrin, Anna rh Nick Brine, Steve Fletcher, Katherine Mearns, Ian Thompson, Owen Bristow, Paul Fletcher, Mark Miliband, rh Edward Thomson, Richard Britcliffe, Sara Fletcher, Nick Mishra, Navendu Thornberry, rh Emily Brokenshire, rh James Ford, Vicky Monaghan, Carol Timms, rh Stephen Browne, Anthony Foster, Kevin Moran, Layla Bruce, Fiona Fox, rh Dr Liam Morden, Jessica Trickett, Jon Buchan, Felicity Francois, rh Mr Mark Morgan, Stephen Turner, Karl Buckland, rh Robert Frazer, rh Lucy Morris, Grahame Twigg, Derek Burghart, Alex Freeman, George Murray, Ian Twist, Liz Burns, rh Conor Freer, Mike Murray, James Vaz, rh Valerie Butler, Rob Fuller, Richard Nandy, Lisa Webbe, Claudia Cairns, rh Alun Fysh, Mr Marcus Newlands, Gavin West, Catherine Carter, Andy Gale, rh Sir Roger Nichols, Charlotte Western, Matt Cartlidge, James Garnier, Mark Nicolson, John Whitehead, Dr Alan Cash, Sir William Ghani, Ms Nusrat Norris, Alex Whitford, Dr Philippa Cates, Miriam Gibb, rh Nick O’Hara, Brendan Whitley, Mick Caulfield, Maria Gibson, Peter Olney, Sarah Whittome, Nadia Chalk, Alex Gideon, Jo Onwurah, Chi Williams, Hywel Chishti, Rehman Glen, John Oppong-Asare, Abena Wilson, Munira Churchill, Jo Goodwill, rh Mr Robert Osamor, Kate Wilson, rh Sammy Clark, rh Greg Gove, rh Michael Osborne, Kate Winter, Beth Clarke, Mr Simon Graham, Richard Oswald, Kirsten Wishart, Pete Clarke, Theo Grant, Mrs Helen Owatemi, Taiwo Yasin, Mohammad Clarke-Smith, Brendan Gray, James Owen, Sarah Zeichner, Daniel Clarkson, , rh Chris Paisley, Ian Cleverly, rh James Green, Chris Peacock, Stephanie Tellers for the Ayes: Clifton-Brown, Sir Geoffrey Green, rh Damian Pennycook, Matthew Colleen Fletcher and Coffey, rh Dr Thérèse Griffith, Andrew Perkins, Mr Toby Gill Furniss Colburn, Elliot Griffiths, Kate 269 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 270

Grundy, James Lord, Mr Jonathan Rosindell, Andrew Tolhurst, Kelly Gullis, Jonathan Loughton, Tim Ross, Douglas Tomlinson, Justin Halfon, rh Robert Mackinlay, Craig Rowley, Lee Tomlinson, Michael Hall, Luke Mackrory, Cherilyn Russell, Dean Tracey, Craig Hammond, Stephen Maclean, Rachel Rutley, David Trevelyan, rh Anne-Marie Hancock, rh Matt Mak, Alan Sambrook, Gary Trott, Laura Hands, rh Greg Malthouse, Kit Saxby, Selaine Truss, rh Elizabeth Harper, rh Mr Mark Mangnall, Anthony Scully, Paul Tugendhat, Tom Harris, Rebecca Mann, Scott Seely, Bob Vara, Mr Shailesh Harrison, Trudy Marson, Julie Selous, Andrew Vickers, Martin Hart, Sally-Ann May, rh Mrs Theresa Shapps, rh Grant Vickers, Matt Hart, rh Simon Mayhew, Jerome Sharma, rh Alok Villiers, rh Theresa Hayes, rh Sir John Maynard, Paul Shelbrooke, rh Alec Wakeford, Christian Heald, rh Sir Oliver McCartney, Jason Simmonds, David Walker, Sir Charles Heappey, James McCartney, Karl Skidmore, rh Chris Walker, Mr Robin Heaton-Harris, Chris McPartland, Stephen Smith, Chloe Wallace, rh Mr Ben Henderson, Gordon McVey, rh Esther Smith, Greg Wallis, Dr Jamie Henry, Darren Menzies, Mark Smith, Henry Warburton, David Higginbotham, Antony Mercer, Johnny Smith, rh Julian Warman, Matt Hinds, rh Damian Merriman, Huw Smith, Royston Watling, Giles Hoare, Simon Metcalfe, Stephen Solloway, Amanda Webb, Suzanne Holden, Mr Richard Millar, Robin Spencer, Dr Ben Whately, Helen Hollinrake, Kevin Miller, rh Mrs Maria Spencer, rh Mark Wheeler, Mrs Heather Hollobone, Mr Philip Milling, rh Amanda Stafford, Alexander Whittaker, Craig Holloway, Adam Mills, Nigel Stephenson, Andrew Whittingdale, rh Mr John Holmes, Paul Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stevenson, Jane Wiggin, Bill Howell, John Mohindra, Mr Gagan Stevenson, John Wild, James Howell, Paul Moore, Damien Stewart, rh Bob Williams, Craig Huddleston, Nigel Moore, Robbie Stewart, Iain Williamson, rh Gavin Hudson, Dr Neil Mordaunt, rh Penny Streeter, Sir Gary Wood, Mike Hughes, Eddie Morris, Anne Marie Stride, rh Mel Wragg, Mr William Hunt, Jane Morris, David Sturdy, Julian Wright, rh Jeremy Hunt, rh Jeremy Morris, James Sunak, rh Rishi Young, Jacob Hunt, Tom Morrissey, Joy Sunderland, James Zahawi, Nadhim Jack, rh Mr Alister Morton, Wendy Swayne, rh Sir Desmond Javid, rh Sajid Mullan, Dr Kieran Syms, Sir Robert Tellers for the Noes: Jayawardena, Mr Ranil Mumby-Croft, Holly Thomas, Derek and Jenkin, Sir Bernard Mundell, rh David Timpson, Edward Jenkinson, Mark Murray, Mrs Sheryll Jenkyns, Andrea Murrison, rh Dr Andrew Question accordingly negatived. Jenrick, rh Robert Neill, Sir Robert Johnson, rh Boris Nici, Lia The list of Members currently certified as eligible for a Johnson, Dr , rh Caroline proxy vote, and of the Members nominated as their Johnson, Gareth Norman, rh Jesse proxy, is published at the end of today’s debates. Johnston, David O’Brien, Neil Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 62(2)), Jones, Andrew Offord, Dr Matthew That the Bill be now read a Second time. Jones, rh Mr David Opperman, Guy Jones, Fay Parish, Neil The House divided: Ayes 358, Noes 262. Jones, Mr Marcus Patel, rh Priti Division No. 248] [8.36 pm Jupp, Simon Paterson, rh Mr Owen Kawczynski, Daniel Pawsey, Mark AYES Kearns, Alicia Penning, rh Sir Mike Keegan, Gillian Penrose, John Adams, Nigel Baker, Duncan Knight, rh Sir Greg Percy, Andrew Afolami, Bim Baker, Mr Steve Knight, Julian Philp, Chris Afriyie, Adam Baldwin, Harriett Kruger, Danny Pincher, rh Christopher Ahmad Khan, Imran Barclay, rh Steve Kwarteng, rh Kwasi Poulter, Dr Dan Aiken, Nickie Baron, Mr John Lamont, John Pow, Rebecca Aldous, Peter Baynes, Simon Largan, Robert Prentis, Victoria Allan, Lucy Bell, Aaron Latham, Mrs Pauline Pritchard, rh Mark Amess, Sir David Benton, Scott Leadsom, rh Andrea Pursglove, Tom Anderson, Lee Beresford, Sir Paul Leigh, rh Sir Edward Quin, Jeremy Anderson, Stuart Berry, rh Jake Levy, Ian Quince, Will Andrew, rh Stuart Bhatti, Saqib Lewer, Andrew Raab, rh Dominic Ansell, Caroline Blackman, Bob Lewis, rh Brandon Randall, Tom Argar, Edward Blunt, Crispin Lewis, rh Dr Julian Redwood, rh John Atherton, Sarah Bone, Mr Peter Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Rees-Mogg, rh Mr Jacob Atkins, Victoria Bottomley, Sir Peter Loder, Chris Richards, Nicola Bacon, Gareth Bowie, Andrew Logan, Mark Richardson, Angela Bacon, Mr Richard Bradley, Ben Longhi, Marco Roberts, Rob Badenoch, Kemi Bradley, rh Karen Lopez, Julia Robertson, Mr Laurence Bailey, Shaun Brady, Sir Graham Lopresti, Jack Robinson, Mary Baillie, Siobhan Braverman, rh Suella 271 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 272

Brereton, Jack Fell, Simon Johnson, Dr Caroline Nokes, rh Caroline Bridgen, Andrew Fletcher, Katherine Johnson, Gareth Norman, rh Jesse Brine, Steve Fletcher, Mark Johnston, David O’Brien, Neil Bristow, Paul Fletcher, Nick Jones, Andrew Offord, Dr Matthew Britcliffe, Sara Ford, Vicky Jones, rh Mr David Opperman, Guy Brokenshire, rh James Foster, Kevin Jones, Fay Parish, Neil Browne, Anthony Fox, rh Dr Liam Jones, Mr Marcus Patel, rh Priti Bruce, Fiona Francois, rh Mr Mark Jupp, Simon Paterson, rh Mr Owen Buchan, Felicity Frazer, rh Lucy Kawczynski, Daniel Pawsey, Mark Buckland, rh Robert Freeman, George Kearns, Alicia Penning, rh Sir Mike Burghart, Alex Freer, Mike Keegan, Gillian Penrose, John Burns, rh Conor Fuller, Richard Knight, rh Sir Greg Percy, Andrew Butler, Rob Fysh, Mr Marcus Knight, Julian Philp, Chris Cairns, rh Alun Gale, rh Sir Roger Kruger, Danny Pincher, rh Christopher Carter, Andy Garnier, Mark Kwarteng, rh Kwasi Poulter, Dr Dan Cartlidge, James Ghani, Ms Nusrat Lamont, John Pow, Rebecca Cash, Sir William Gibb, rh Nick Largan, Robert Prentis, Victoria Cates, Miriam Gibson, Peter Latham, Mrs Pauline Pritchard, rh Mark Caulfield, Maria Gideon, Jo Leadsom, rh Andrea Pursglove, Tom Chalk, Alex Glen, John Leigh, rh Sir Edward Quin, Jeremy Chishti, Rehman Goodwill, rh Mr Robert Levy, Ian Quince, Will Churchill, Jo Gove, rh Michael Lewer, Andrew Raab, rh Dominic Clark, rh Greg Graham, Richard Lewis, rh Brandon Randall, Tom Clarke, Mr Simon Grant, Mrs Helen Lewis, rh Dr Julian Redwood, rh John Clarke, Theo Gray, James Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Rees-Mogg, rh Mr Jacob Clarke-Smith, Brendan Grayling, rh Chris Loder, Chris Richards, Nicola Clarkson, , Chris Logan, Mark Richardson, Angela Cleverly, rh James Green, rh Damian Longhi, Marco Roberts, Rob Clifton-Brown, Sir Geoffrey Griffith, Andrew Lopez, Julia Robertson, Mr Laurence Coffey, rh Dr Thérèse Griffiths, Kate Lopresti, Jack Robinson, Mary Colburn, Elliot Grundy, James Lord, Mr Jonathan Rosindell, Andrew Collins, Damian Gullis, Jonathan Loughton, Tim Ross, Douglas Costa, Alberto Halfon, rh Robert Mackinlay, Craig Rowley, Lee Courts, Robert Hall, Luke Mackrory, Cherilyn Russell, Dean Coutinho, Claire Hammond, Stephen Maclean, Rachel Rutley, David Cox, rh Sir Geoffrey Hancock, rh Matt Mak, Alan Sambrook, Gary Crabb, rh Stephen Hands, rh Greg Malthouse, Kit Saxby, Selaine Crosbie, Virginia Harper, rh Mr Mark Mangnall, Anthony Scully, Paul Crouch, Tracey Harris, Rebecca Mann, Scott Seely, Bob Daly, James Harrison, Trudy Marson, Julie Selous, Andrew Davies, David T. C. Hart, Sally-Ann May, rh Mrs Theresa Shapps, rh Grant Davies, Gareth Hart, rh Simon Mayhew, Jerome Sharma, rh Alok Davies, Dr James Hayes, rh Sir John Maynard, Paul Shelbrooke, rh Alec Davies, Mims Heald, rh Sir Oliver McCartney, Jason Simmonds, David Davies, Philip Heappey, James McCartney, Karl Skidmore, rh Chris Davis, rh Mr David Heaton-Harris, Chris McPartland, Stephen Smith, Chloe Davison, Dehenna Henderson, Gordon McVey, rh Esther Smith, Greg Dinenage, Caroline Henry, Darren Menzies, Mark Smith, Henry Dines, Miss Sarah Higginbotham, Antony Mercer, Johnny Smith, rh Julian Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hinds, rh Damian Merriman, Huw Smith, Royston Donelan, Michelle Hoare, Simon Metcalfe, Stephen Solloway, Amanda Dorries, Ms Nadine Holden, Mr Richard Millar, Robin Spencer, Dr Ben Double, Steve Hollinrake, Kevin Miller, rh Mrs Maria Spencer, rh Mark Dowden, rh Oliver Hollobone, Mr Philip Milling, rh Amanda Stafford, Alexander Doyle-Price, Jackie Holloway, Adam Mills, Nigel Stephenson, Andrew Drax, Richard Holmes, Paul Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stevenson, Jane Drummond, Mrs Flick Howell, John Mohindra, Mr Gagan Stevenson, John Duddridge, James Howell, Paul Moore, Damien Stewart, rh Bob Duguid, David Huddleston, Nigel Moore, Robbie Stewart, Iain Duncan Smith, rh Sir Iain Hudson, Dr Neil Mordaunt, rh Penny Stride, rh Mel Dunne, rh Philip Hughes, Eddie Morris, Anne Marie Stuart, Graham Eastwood, Mark Hunt, Jane Morris, David Sturdy, Julian Edwards, Ruth Hunt, rh Jeremy Morris, James Sunak, rh Rishi Ellis, rh Michael Hunt, Tom Morrissey, Joy Sunderland, James Ellwood, rh Mr Tobias Jack, rh Mr Alister Morton, Wendy Swayne, rh Sir Desmond Elphicke, Mrs Natalie Javid, rh Sajid Mullan, Dr Kieran Syms, Sir Robert Eustice, rh George Jayawardena, Mr Ranil Mumby-Croft, Holly Thomas, Derek Evans, Dr Luke Jenkin, Sir Bernard Mundell, rh David Timpson, Edward Evennett, rh Sir David Jenkinson, Mark Murray, Mrs Sheryll Tolhurst, Kelly Everitt, Ben Jenkyns, Andrea Murrison, rh Dr Andrew Tomlinson, Justin Fabricant, Michael Jenrick, rh Robert Neill, Sir Robert Tomlinson, Michael Farris, Laura Johnson, rh Boris Nici, Lia Tracey, Craig 273 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 274

Trevelyan, rh Anne-Marie Whately, Helen Hamilton, Fabian Morden, Jessica Trott, Laura Wheeler, Mrs Heather Hanna, Claire Morgan, Stephen Truss, rh Elizabeth Whittaker, Craig Hardy, Emma Morris, Grahame Tugendhat, Tom Whittingdale, rh Mr John Harman, rh Ms Harriet Murray, Ian Vara, Mr Shailesh Wiggin, Bill Harris, Carolyn Murray, James Vickers, Martin Wild, James Hayes, Helen Nandy, Lisa Vickers, Matt Williams, Craig Healey, rh John Newlands, Gavin Villiers, rh Theresa Williamson, rh Gavin Hendrick, Sir Mark Nichols, Charlotte Wakeford, Christian Wood, Mike Hendry, Drew Nicolson, John Walker, Sir Charles Wragg, Mr William Hillier, Meg Norris, Alex Walker, Mr Robin Wright, rh Jeremy Hobhouse, Wera O’Hara, Brendan Wallace, rh Mr Ben Hodge, rh Dame Margaret Olney, Sarah Young, Jacob Wallis, Dr Jamie Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Onwurah, Chi Zahawi, Nadhim Warburton, David Hollern, Kate Oppong-Asare, Abena Warman, Matt Tellers for the Ayes: Hopkins, Rachel Osamor, Kate Watling, Giles Leo Docherty and Hosie, rh Stewart Osborne, Kate Webb, Suzanne Maggie Throup Howarth, rh Sir George Oswald, Kirsten Huq, Dr Rupa Owatemi, Taiwo NOES Hussain, Imran Owen, Sarah Jardine, Christine Peacock, Stephanie Abbott, rh Ms Diane Crawley, Angela Jarvis, Dan Pennycook, Matthew Abrahams, Debbie Creasy, Stella Johnson, rh Dame Diana Perkins, Mr Toby Ali, Rushanara Cruddas, Jon Johnson, Kim Phillips, Jess Ali, Tahir Cryer, John Jones, Darren Phillipson, Bridget Allin-Khan, Dr Rosena Cummins, Judith Jones, Gerald Pollard, Luke Amesbury, Mike Cunningham, Alex Jones, rh Mr Kevan Powell, Lucy Anderson, Fleur Daby, Janet Jones, Ruth Qureshi, Yasmin Antoniazzi, Tonia Davey, rh Ed Jones, Sarah Rayner, rh Angela Ashworth, rh Jonathan David, Wayne Kane, Mike Reed, Steve Bardell, Hannah Davies, Geraint Keeley, Barbara Rees, Christina Barker, Paula Davies-Jones, Alex Kendall, Liz Reeves, Ellie Beckett, rh Margaret Day, Martyn Khan, Afzal Reeves, Rachel Begum, Apsana De Cordova, Marsha Kinnock, Stephen Reynolds, Jonathan Benn, rh Hilary Debbonaire, Thangam Kyle, Peter Ribeiro-Addy, Bell Betts, Mr Clive Dhesi, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Lake, Ben Rimmer, Ms Marie Black, Mhairi Docherty-Hughes, Martin Lammy, rh Mr David Rodda, Matt Blackford, rh Ian Dodds, Anneliese Lavery, Ian Russell-Moyle, Lloyd Blackman, Kirsty Doogan, Dave Law, Chris Saville Roberts, rh Liz Blake, Olivia Dorans, Allan Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Shah, Naz Blomfield, Paul Doughty, Stephen Lewis, Clive Sharma, Mr Virendra Bonnar, Steven Dowd, Peter Linden, David Sheerman, Mr Barry Brabin, Tracy Dromey, Jack Lloyd, Tony Sheppard, Tommy Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Duffield, Rosie Long Bailey, Rebecca Siddiq, Tulip Brennan, Kevin Eagle, Maria Lucas, Caroline Slaughter, Andy Brock, Deidre Eastwood, Colum Lynch, Holly Smith, Alyn Brown, Alan Edwards, Jonathan MacNeil, Angus Brendan Smith, Cat Brown, Ms Lyn Efford, Clive Madders, Justin Smith, Jeff Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Elliott, Julie Mahmood, Mr Khalid Smith, Nick Bryant, Chris Elmore, Chris Mahmood, Shabana Smyth, Karin Buck, Ms Karen Eshalomi, Florence Malhotra, Seema Sobel, Alex Burgon, Richard Esterson, Bill Maskell, Rachael Starmer, rh Keir Butler, Dawn Evans, Chris Matheson, Christian Stephens, Chris Byrne, Ian Farron, Tim Mc Nally, John Stevens, Jo Byrne, rh Liam Farry, Stephen McCabe, Steve Stone, Jamie Cadbury, Ruth Fellows, Marion McCarthy, Kerry Streeting, Wes Callaghan, Amy Ferrier, Margaret McDonagh, Siobhain Stringer, Graham Cameron, Dr Lisa Flynn, Stephen McDonald, Andy Sultana, Zarah Campbell, rh Sir Alan Fovargue, Yvonne McDonald, Stewart Malcolm Tami, rh Mark Carden, Dan Foxcroft, Vicky McDonald, Stuart C. Tarry, Sam Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Foy, Mary Kelly McDonnell, rh John Thewliss, Alison Chamberlain, Wendy Gardiner, Barry McFadden, rh Mr Pat Thomas, Gareth Champion, Sarah Gibson, Patricia McGinn, Conor Thomas-Symonds, rh Nick Chapman, Douglas Gill, Preet Kaur McGovern, Alison Thompson, Owen Charalambous, Bambos Glindon, Mary McKinnell, Catherine Thomson, Richard Cherry, Joanna Grady, Patrick McLaughlin, Anne Thornberry, rh Emily Clark, Feryal Grant, Peter McMahon, Jim Timms, rh Stephen Cooper, Daisy Green, Kate McMorrin, Anna Trickett, Jon Cooper, Rosie Greenwood, Lilian Mearns, Ian Turner, Karl Cooper, rh Yvette Greenwood, Margaret Miliband, rh Edward Twigg, Derek Corbyn, rh Jeremy Griffith, Nia Mishra, Navendu Twist, Liz Cowan, Ronnie Gwynne, Andrew Monaghan, Carol Vaz, rh Valerie Coyle, Neil Haigh, Louise Moran, Layla Webbe, Claudia 275 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 Finance (No. 2) Bill 276

West, Catherine Winter, Beth Proceedings in Committee of the whole House Western, Matt Wishart, Pete (3) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be Whitehead, Dr Alan Yasin, Mohammad completed in two days. Whitford, Dr Philippa Zeichner, Daniel Whitley, Mick (4) The proceedings— Whittome, Nadia Tellers for the Noes: (a) shall be taken on each of those days in the order shown Williams, Hywel Colleen Fletcher and in the first column of the following Table, and Wilson, Munira Gill Furniss (b) shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table. Question accordingly agreed to. Bill read a Second time. Proceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings

The list of Members currently certified as eligible for a First day proxy vote, and of the Members nominated as their proxy, is published at the end of today’s debates. Clauses 1 to 5, 24 to 26, 28, 31 2 hours from commencement to 33, 40 and 86; any new Clauses of proceedings on the Bill on or new Schedules relating to the the first day FINANCE (NO. 2) BILL (PROGRAMME) impact of any provision on the financial resources of families Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing or to the subject matter of those Order No. 83A(7)), Clauses That the following provisions shall apply to the Finance (No. 2) Clauses 6 to 14 and Schedule 1; 4 hours from commencement Bill: any new Clauses or new Schedules of proceedings on the Bill on relating to the subject matter of the first day those Clauses and Schedule Committal Clauses 109 to 111 and 6 hours from commencement (1) The following shall be committed to a Committee of the Schedules 21 and 22; and new of proceedings on the Bill on whole House— Clauses or new Schedules relating the first day (a) Clauses 1 to 5 (income tax charge, rates etc); to the impact of any provision (b) Clauses 6 to 14 and Schedule 1 (corporation tax charge onregionaleconomicdevelopment and rates, rate of diverted profits tax and capital Second day allowances: super-deductions etc); Clause 30 and Schedule 6; 2 hours from commencement (c) Clauses 24 to 26 (employment income: provisions Clause 36 and Schedule 7; Clause of proceedings on the Bill on relating to coronavirus); 41; Clause 115 and Schedule 27; the second day (d) Clause 28 (pensions: freezing the standard lifetime Clauses 117 to 121 and Schedules allowance); 29 to 32; any new Clauses or (e) Clause 30 and Schedule 6 (construction industry new Schedules relating to tax scheme); avoidance or evasion. (f) Clauses 31 to 33 (coronavirus support payments etc); Clauses 87 to 89 and Schedules 4 hours from commencement 16 and 17; Clauses 90 and 91; of proceedings on the Bill on (g) Clause 36 and Schedule 7 (corporation tax: hybrid and any new Clauses or new Schedules the second day other mismatches); relating to the subject matter of (h) Clause 40 (capital gains tax: annual exempt amount); those Clauses and Schedules (i) Clause 41 (capital gains tax: hold-over relief for foreign Clauses 92 to 96 and Schedule 18; 6 hours from commencement controlled companies); Clause 97 and Schedule 19; of proceedings on the Bill on (j) Clause 86 (inheritance tax: rate bands for tax years Clauses 128 to 130; any new the second day 2021-22 to 2025-26); Clauses or new Schedules relating (k) Clauses 87 to 89 and Schedules 16 and 17 (stamp duty to the subject matter of those land tax); Clauses and Schedules (l) Clauses 90 and 91 (annual tax on enveloped dwellings); (m) Clauses 92 to 96 and Schedule 18 (value added tax); (n) Clause 97 and Schedule 19 (customs duty); Proceedings in Public Bill Committee etc (o) Clauses 109 to 111 and Schedules 21 and 22 (freeports); (5) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on (p) Clause 115 and Schedule 27 (follower notice penalties); Thursday 6 May 2021. (q) Clauses 117 to 121 and Schedules 29 to 32 (avoidance and conditionality); (6) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets. (r) Clauses 128 to 130 (banking); (7) When the provisions of the Bill considered, respectively, by (s) any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to— the Committee of the whole House and by the Public Bill (i) the impact of any provision on the financial resources Committee have been reported to the House, the Bill shall be of families or to the subject matter of Clauses 1 proceeded with as if it had been reported as a whole to the House to 5, 24 to 26, 28, 31 to 33, 40 and 86; from the Public Bill Committee. (ii) the subject matter of Clauses 6 to 14 and Schedule 1; (iii) the impact of any provision on regional economic development; Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading (iv) tax avoidance or evasion; (8) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously (v) the subject matter of Clauses 87 to 89 and Schedules 16 concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the and 17 and Clauses 90 and 91; moment of interruption on the day on which proceedings on (vi) the subject matter of Clauses 92 to 96 and Schedule 18, Consideration are commenced. Clause 97 and Schedule 19 and Clauses 128 to 130. (9) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not (2) The remainder of the Bill shall be committed to a Public previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment Bill Committee. of interruption on that day. 277 Finance (No. 2) Bill 13 APRIL 2021 278

Programming committee Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in (10) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall the Pandemic not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House or to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading.—(David T. C. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Davies.) do now adjourn.—(David T.C. Davies.) Question agreed to. 8.45 pm Danny Kruger (Devizes) (Con): I rise to speak about DEFERRED DIVISIONS the use of “Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing notices during the pandemic. Last year, the health Order No. 41A(3)), service was hit by the worst crisis in its history. The That at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No.41A (Deferred whole country was told to stay at home for one simple divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of the reason: to save the NHS. That meant not overwhelming Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to Finance (No. 2) Bill: the system with too much demand—too many people Carry-over.—(David T. C. Davies.) needing care. We faced a real nightmare scenario of the Question agreed to. NHS not being able to treat people who were sick and dying. The horrific idea emerged of doctors or local health managers or the NHS itself having to play God FINANCE BILL (NO. 2) BILL (CARRY-OVER) to decide who should live and who should die by Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing deciding who should get treatment and who should not. Order No. 80B(1)(a)), Thankfully, the NHS was not overwhelmed. This, of That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings course, was mostly due to the heroic work of frontline on the Finance (No. 2) Bill have not been completed, they shall be staff. It is also because every measure possible was put resumed in the next Session.—(David T. C. Davies.) in place to reduce pressure on hospitals. That included Question agreed to. people staying at home, building new hospitals at record speed and getting people out of hospital as fast as possible, including to care homes. This is where the occasion for the DNACPR notices came about. Care homes found themselves under enormous pressure, too. Stories emerged last spring of blanket DNACPR policies being put in place in care settings. They were for people with certain characteristics—people with learning disabilities, people with certain complex needs, and people with life-limiting illnesses. This was done, the report said, without consultation with patients themselves or with families. All this was quite wrong and against all the guidance. Indeed, in April last year, the Care Quality Commission issued a joint statement with the British Medical Association, the Care Provider Alliance and the Royal College of GPs, reminding all providers that it is unacceptable for advanced care plans with or without DNAR notices to be applied to groups of people of any description. I am pleased that they did it. I am particularly pleased that the Department of Health and Social Care— I understand that the Minister herself was responsible— asked the CQC to investigate these reports and to review how DNAR orders were used during the pandemic. I will come to its findings in a moment. I want to make it clear that DNACPR orders are an appropriate part of our health and care system and can be a right and proper part of an individual’s care plan. We need to distinguish between what might be called beneficial and futile uses of CPR. An obvious example of beneficial CPR is for young people with neuro- degenerative conditions. Respiratory arrest is common for these patients, but with CPR they have an almost 100% survival rate. For them, it is essential and necessary. If a patient’s other vital organs are shutting down—if they are dying—CPR can do little. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The hon. Gentleman and I share a very common cause, and I appreciate him bringing this debate forward. Does he not agree that for families such as mine who, last year, lost a loved one—my mother-in-law—we would like to believe that any and every measure was taken to save life. The stories that we have heard and that he has referred to are certainly heartbreaking. I very much share his concern. 279 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 13 APRIL 2021 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 280 the Pandemic the Pandemic Danny Kruger: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his disabilities and their families was more positive intervention and I extend my condolences to him and about best interests considerations in their DNACPR his family for the loss that they have suffered. I absolutely decisions. agree with him. The value of this debate is perhaps to I do not believe that providers have been applying help communicate the expectation that all patients receive blanket policies, but what I am concerned about is the the care that they need right up until the moment of potential for such a thing. I am concerned that not all death. health and care providers are properly applying best CPR can greatly distress the patient and their family interests considerations in the advance care planning in the last moments. CPR involves a team rushing to the they do with patients. bedside, shoving aside any family members who are As the CQC said, we need to take a number of gathered around and using what is basically a violent essential steps to prevent the possibility of abuse. There procedure, sometimes involving the breaking of ribs to are three main practical recommendations, and I hope try to restart the heart. As one doctor interviewed about the Minister can confirm that her Department is working CPR described it, it can be chaotic, traumatic and to implement all of them. The first is that we need a brutal. That is not what any of us would wish when our more consistent national approach to the use of these death is imminent, even if it extends life for a few notices. That emphatically does not mean a blanket minutes or hours. I have every sympathy with doctors policy for which patients should receive them, but the and care home staff who want patients who are approaching opposite: a process to ensure that all patients are treated death and their families to consider using DNACPR as individuals. The CQC report particularly highlighted notices, but we have to be really careful about how they the recommended summary plan for emergency care are used. That is not just because of the obvious immorality and treatment—or ReSPECT—process, which helps of a blanket policy that effectively judges some people everyone involved to make informed decisions about an as worth saving and some people as better off dead individual’s future care and treatment. without consideration for their circumstances or their Secondly,we need to enable these conversations through wishes, but because having a DNACPR notice influences proper investment in the training and support of the the care people get more generally. There is anecdotal staff who will have them. Thirdly, and crucially, we need evidence from care homes that patients who have requested proper oversight and assurance that the decisions made they are not resuscitated are not cared for as well as have proper record-keeping. It really is scandalous that others. They might miss out on antibiotics for a chest that was not in place already last year. We need infection, for example, or some other treatment for a comprehensive records of conversations and decisions. reversible condition. Integratedcaresystemsshouldberesponsibleformonitoring The essence of the responsibility of doctors and care the use of DNACPR notices, and the CQC should be staff is that care should persist for all, whatever their responsible for investigating anomalies, such as particularly condition or capacity.That responsibility is well established high or low numbers of orders in particular places. in law and guidance, and I particularly value the principles I conclude with a final and more general observation in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which seeks about what we need, which goes beyond these vital but fundamentally to honour the dignity of the individual, ultimately technical remedies to the potential for abuse. no matter their capacity or condition. The 2005 Act We need a moral framework that honours the dignity of also sets out guidance on best interests, which is the test sick, disabled, elderly or dying people. That is not that should be used to determine medical treatment in something that the CQC or the DHSC or this Parliament the event of the individual being unable to decide for can simply draw up on a piece of paper. Indeed, I am themselves.Crucially,a best interests consideration requires nervous about the idea of over-regulating end-of-life decision makers to take a view as if they were the care and reducing it to a process, because at the end of patient. It is not about what they think is best, but what that road lies the awful scenario we are trying to avoid—a they think the patient would want, and that is vital. blanket rule on who should live and who should die. The CQC review concluded in February, and I am We are never going to be able to write the rules of life greatly relieved by some of its findings and very concerned and death and every attempt to do so is ultimately by others. I am relieved that it did not find evidence of dystopian. That is why the ultimate locus of decision blanket DNACPR policies being applied as official making should be in the conversations between doctors practice by any health or care provider. It also found and patients, and those who know and love them. We evidence of really good care being provided, including cannot regulate for good conversations, but we can with the use of DNACPR orders on an individual certainly do our best to facilitate them, and the CQC case-by-case basis, with proper consultation and recommendations will help that. The only way to ensure consideration of the patient’s best interests. good conversations is to ensure that doctors and families have at heart the best interests of patients. We in this The CQC report also causes me concern that de facto place can encourage good conversations and the right blanket policies may have been in operation largely decisions by stating as clearly as we can that human life because we simply cannot tell everything that has been is infinitely precious, right until the end. going on. The report highlights some very serious failings. Of the 166 care records that the CQC reviewed, 103 should have included a best interests assessment. In only 33 of 8.54 pm these cases is there evidence of an assessment being The Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and carried out. Talking to patients and their families, the Mental Health (Ms Nadine Dorries): I thank my hon. CQC found that 30% of patients with a DNACPR Friend the Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) for decision and 43% of families and carers did not feel that securing this debate on the important issue of the use of the patient’s best interests were fully considered. I am “Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” orders glad to say that the opinion of people with learning and the decisions that were taken during the pandemic. 281 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 13 APRIL 2021 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 282 the Pandemic the Pandemic [Ms Nadine Dorries] beyond to deliver these conversations in a caring and compassionate way, despite the pressures posed by the We remain crystal clear that the blanket application pandemic. However, it also drew a worrying picture of of DNACPR decisions is unacceptable, and that standards the reasons that some of those conversations fell short and quality of care should be maintained even in pressurised of the high-quality and personalised care that people circumstances such as we have had over the past year deserve.As my hon. Friend mentioned, the report identified with the recent pandemic. Reports of inappropriate or three key areas where improvements must be made. blanket application of DNACPR decisions across groups First, the CQC found a greater need for information, of people, particularly our most vulnerable, have been—I training and support for health and care professionals think my hon. Friend used this word himself—shocking, to hold DNACPR conversations. In particular, the and failure to consult people and their families on report raised concerns that a range of equality groups, decisions around CPR causes significant distress. including My hon. Friend mentioned that the review undertaken “older people, people with dementia and people with a learning by the CQC also saw examples of good practice. Much disability,” work has taken place over the past year, and I would were not being supported in the right way. like to take this opportunity to update the House on the action that the Department, the NHS and clinical leaders Secondly,the report found that there lacked a consistent have taken to tackle this issue and to ensure that excellent national approach to advanced care planning. The language patient-centred care is maintained. used in holding DNACPR conversations was often complex, with many different types of advanced care In April and May last year, clinical leaders issued a plans in use. Clearly, this lack of consistency runs the number of joint statements and letters to health and ongoing risk of affecting the quality of care that people care providers and professional bodies, making it clear receive. that there has never been an instruction or a directive issued by the NHS to put in place blanket DNACPR Finally, the report found that the right processes were orders. Those communications also directly addressed not always in place to ensure that people experienced and clarified best practice around the use of DNACPRs personalised, compassionate care in relation to DNACPR for people with learning disabilities, and rightly challenged decisions. Poor record keeping and inconsistency in assumptions about clinical frailty regarding that particular how DNACPR decisions were reviewed, as well as a group of people. lack of system oversight, meant that it was not always possible to understand how effective these conversations Clear messages on the use of DNACPR decisions actually were. were also reinforced in our adult social care winter plan in September last year. We made it crystal clear that any Over the last year, our NHS and adult social care advanced care decision, including DNACPR decisions, sectors have truly been the backbone of our nation, and should be fully discussed with the individual and their staff have worked tirelessly to deliver outstanding care. family, where possible and appropriate, and signed by Nevertheless, we must use these learnings as an opportunity the clinician responsible for their care. to do better in areas where we can do more. Going forward, we must ensure that staff across health and I have personally been through this process recently. social care have the tools required to hold these It is true, as my hon. Friend mentioned, that every conversations appropriately and compassionately. We end-of-life scenario is different. No two cases are ever must also begin the journey towards normalising these the same. In my particular case, it was someone with conversations and giving patients, their families and very late stage 4 cancer, and the discussion was very representatives the knowledge to truly be equal partners simple and very easy and took a matter of moments. It in their care. involved family and clinician, but the person making that decision was very precise about what they wanted. When staff, patients and their families have concerns, That scenario exists frequently, but there are also people we must put in place the best processes to ensure that who may not have the full capacity or may require people feel supported to speak up. That is why we further input and discussions around the decisions that strongly recommend the findings of the review and, as are being taken. the Minister responsible for this, why I am personally committed to driving forward its recommendations. To ensure that we could take early learnings and To that end, I will be heading up a ministerial oversight address directly concerns about inappropriate DNACPR group that will bring together partners from across decisions, because we are aware of the variation, I the health and social care system, as well as the commissioned the CQC to review how DNACPR decisions voluntary and advocacy sector, ultimately to ensure were being made during the pandemic. The CQC worked that everyone experiences the compassionate care that at pace to gather insight from across the health and care they deserve. system. It took in views from experienced staff, and from patients, their families and representatives, to produce Sensitive and well communicated DNACPRs can an in-depth thematic review of such an important yet and should be an important part of patient care. I am complex—and it is complex—issue. I thank the CQC not sure whether my hon. Friend is aware that nhs.uk once again for its work, which was speedily and efficiently has now put up a public facing message to explain the completed, as well as all those who participated in the process of DNACPRs, how those decisions should be review and shared their valuable insight and experience. taken and how those conversations should happen, so that everybody who wants to know what the process is The review shone a light on what good conversations can go to the website and see it for themselves. We around end-of-life care should look like, illustrating deliberately made it a public facing message and wanted examples of clinicians and care staff going above and it to be part of the general conversation around this 283 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 13 APRIL 2021 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in 284 the Pandemic the Pandemic issue. We are committed to taking continued action to 9.3 pm ensure that these decisions are managed and communicated well in all settings. House adjourned. Question put and agreed to. 285 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 286

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The following is the list of Members currently certified Sir (Mole Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew as eligible for a proxy vote, and of the Members nominated (Rossendale and Darwen) Stuart Andrew as their proxy: (Con) Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab) Chris Elmore Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy (Meriden) (Con) Stuart Andrew Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Paisley and Renfrewshire Owen Thompson Stoke Newington) (Lab) South) (SNP) Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Chris Elmore (Ross, Skye and Owen Thompson Saddleworth) (Lab) Lochaber) (SNP) Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con) Stuart Andrew Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) Stuart Andrew Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden) Stuart Andrew (Aberdeen North) Owen Thompson (Con) (SNP) (Windsor) (Con) Stuart Andrew Olivia Blake (Sheffield, Hallam) (Lab) Chris Elmore Imran Ahmad Khan (Wakefield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) Chris Elmore Nickie Aiken (Cities of London and Stuart Andrew (Lab) Westminster) (Con) (Reigate) (Con) Stuart Andrew Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con) Stuart Andrew Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con) Stuart Andrew Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Chris Elmore Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire Stuart Andrew Bow) (Lab) and Kincardine) (Con) Tahir Ali (Birmingham, Hall Green) Chris Elmore Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) (Lab/ Chris Elmore (Lab) Co-op) (Telford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Ben Bradley (Mansfield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Staffordshire Stuart Andrew Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) (Lab) Chris Elmore Moorlands) (Con) Sir (Southend West) Stuart Andrew Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) (Fareham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab) Chris Elmore Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab) Chris Elmore Stuart Anderson (Wolverhampton Stuart Andrew Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) Stuart Andrew South West) (Con) (Con) (Eastbourne) (Con) Stuart Andrew Andrew Bridgen (North West Stuart Andrew Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) (Lab) Chris Elmore Leicestershire) (Con) Edward Argar (Charnwood) (Con) Stuart Andrew () (Con) Stuart Andrew Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) Chris Elmore (Hyndburn) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Edinburgh North and Owen Thompson Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Leith) (SNP) Victoria Atkins (Louth and Stuart Andrew James Brokenshire (Old Bexley and Stuart Andrew Horncastle) (Con) Sidcup) (Con) Gareth Bacon (Orpington) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudon) Owen Thompson Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) Stuart Andrew (SNP) (Con) Ms Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab) Chris Elmore Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden) Stuart Andrew (Con) Anthony Browne (South Stuart Andrew Cambridgeshire) (Con) Shaun Bailey (West Bromwich West) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Congleton) (Con) Stuart Andrew Siobhan Baillie (Stroud) (Con) Stuart Andrew Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab) Chris Elmore Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) (Con) Stuart Andrew Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con) Stuart Andrew (West Worcestershire) Stuart Andrew Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Steve Barclay (North East Stuart Andrew (South Swindon) Stuart Andrew Cambridgeshire) (Con) (Con) (Livingston) (SNP) Owen Thompson (Brentwood and Ongar) Stuart Andrew Paula Barker (Liverpool, Wavertree) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Mr (Basildon and Stuart Andrew Conor Burns (Bournemouth West) Stuart Andrew Billericay) (Con) (Con) Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con) Stuart Andrew Dawn Butler (Brent Central) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Margaret Beckett (Derby South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew Apsana Begum (Poplar and Bell Ribeiro-Addy Ian Byrne (Liverpool, West Derby) Chris Elmore Limehouse) (Lab) (Lab) Aaron Bell (Newcastle-under-Lyme) Stuart Andrew Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab) Chris Elmore Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Chris Elmore Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Con) Stuart Andrew Isleworth) (Lab) 287 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 288

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Emma Hardy (Kingston upon Hull Chris Elmore Mr Alister Jack ( and Stuart Andrew West and Hessle) (Lab) Galloway) (Con) Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Chris Elmore Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) Mr Alistair Peckham) (Lab) (LD) Carmichael Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con) Stuart Andrew Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab) Chris Elmore Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Bromsgrove) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Castle Point) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr (North East Stuart Andrew Trudy Harrison (Copeland) (Con) Stuart Andrew Hampshire) (Con) Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) Stuart Andrew Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and Stuart Andrew (Con) North Essex) (Con) (Carmarthen West and Stuart Andrew (Workington) (Con) Stuart Andrew South Pembrokeshire) (Con) Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Stuart Andrew Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Chris Elmore Outwood) (Con) Norwood) (Lab) (Newark) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir John Hayes (South Holland and Stuart Andrew (Uxbridge and South Stuart Andrew The Deepings) (Con) Ruislip) (Con) Sir (North East Stuart Andrew Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and Stuart Andrew Hertfordshire) (Con) North Hykeham) (Con) John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) Chris Elmore Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Chris Elmore (Lab) Hull North) (Lab) (Wells) (Con) Stuart Andrew Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con) Stuart Andrew Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) Chris Elmore Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Stuart Andrew (Lab) Sheppey) (Con) David Johnston (Wantage) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co- Chris Elmore Darren Jones (Bristol North West) Chris Elmore op) (Lab) (Inverness, Nairn, Owen Thompson Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con) Stuart Andrew Badenoch and Strathspey) (SNP) Fay Jones (Brecon and Radnorshire) Stuart Andrew Darren Henry (Broxtowe) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Chris Elmore Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Chris Elmore Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op) Rhymney) (Lab) (East Hampshire) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) Chris Elmore (Lab) Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con) Stuart Andrew Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD) Mr Alistair Carmichael Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab) Chris Elmore Sarah Jones (Croydon Central) (Lab) Chris Elmore Dame Margaret Hodge (Barking) (Lab) Chris Elmore Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Chris Elmore Sunderland West) (Lab) Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale Chris Elmore East) (Lab) Mr Richard Holden (North West Stuart Andrew Durham) (Con) (Shrewsbury and Stuart Andrew Atcham) (Con) Kate Hollern (Blackburn) (Lab) Chris Elmore Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton) Stuart Andrew Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) () (Con) Stuart Andrew (Gravesham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles Chris Elmore Paul Holmes (Eastleigh) (Con) Stuart Andrew South) (Lab) Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Dundee East) (SNP) Owen Thompson Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) Chris Elmore Sir George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Lab) John Howell (Henley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab) Chris Elmore Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Mid Worcestershire) Stuart Andrew Julian Knight (Solihull) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Danny Kruger (Devizes) (Con) Stuart Andrew Dr (Penrith and The Stuart Andrew (Spelthorne) (Con) Stuart Andrew Border) (Con) Peter Kyle (Hove) (Lab) Chris Elmore Eddie Hughes (Walsall North) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab) Chris Elmore Jane Hunt (Loughborough) (Con) Stuart Andrew John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh Stuart Andrew Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) Stuart Andrew and Selkirk) (Con) (Con) Robert Largan (High Peak) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Ipswich) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) Mr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Imran Hussain (Bradford East) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Dundee West) (SNP) Owen Thompson 293 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 294

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Andrea Leadsom (South Stuart Andrew Rachel Maclean (Redditch) (Con) Stuart Andrew Northamptonshire) (Con) Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Chris Elmore Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) Stuart Andrew Royton) (Lab) (Con) Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab) Chris Elmore Ian Levy (Blyth Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew John Mc Nally (Falkirk) (SNP) Owen Thompson Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Chris Elmore Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na Owen Thompson Shields) (Lab) h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) Stuart Andrew Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con) Stuart Andrew Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) Stuart Andrew Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Chris Elmore (Con) Neston) (Lab) Clive Lewis (Norwich South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Chris Elmore Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) Stuart Andrew Barr) (Lab) (Con) Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Chris Elmore Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater Stuart Andrew Ladywood) (Lab) and West Somerset) (Con) (Havant) (Con) Stuart Andrew David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP) Owen Thompson Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) Chris Elmore Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Lab) Carla Lockhart (Upper Bann) (DUP) Sir Jeffrey M. (North West Stuart Andrew Donaldson Hampshire) (Con) (Bolton North East) Stuart Andrew Julie Marson (Hertford and Stortford) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Bell Ribeiro-Addy Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab) Chris Elmore Eccles) (Lab) Christian Matheson (City of Chester) Chris Elmore Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) Julia Lopez (Hornchurch and Stuart Andrew Mrs (Maidenhead) (Con) Stuart Andrew Upminster) (Con) (Broadland) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stuart Andrew (Blackpool North and Stuart Andrew Stoke) (Con) Cleveleys) (Con) Mr (Woking) (Con) Stuart Andrew Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Stuart Andrew (Fylde) (Con) Stuart Andrew Shoreham) (Con) Johnny Mercer (Plymouth, Moor View) Stuart Andrew Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Con) (Green) (Bexhill and Battle) Stuart Andrew Holly Lynch (Halifax) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Kenny MacAskill (East Lothian) Owen Thompson (Alba) Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and Stuart Andrew East Thurrock) (Con) Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Chris Elmore Oak) (Lab) Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) Chris Elmore (Lab) Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab) Chris Elmore Robin Millar (Aberconwy) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mrs Maria Miller (Basingstoke) (Con) Stuart Andrew Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con) Stuart Andrew Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Chris Elmore (Cannock Chase) Stuart Andrew Morden) (Lab) (Con) Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) Chris Elmore Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab) Chris Elmore Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow Owen Thompson Mr (Sutton Coldfield) Stuart Andrew South) (SNP) (Con) Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Owen Thompson (South West Stuart Andrew Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP) Hertfordshire) (Con) John McDonnell (Hayes and Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Glasgow North Owen Thompson Harlington) (Lab) West) Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton Chris Elmore (Southport) (Con) Stuart Andrew South East) (Lab) Layla Moran (Oxford West and Mr Alistair Conor McGinn (St Helens North) Chris Elmore Abingdon) (LD) Carmichael (Lab) (Portsmouth North) Stuart Andrew Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab) Chris Elmore Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Chris Elmore Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) Chris Elmore Tyne North) (Lab) (Lab) (Truro and Stuart Andrew Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) Stuart Andrew Falmouth) (Con) (Con) Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North Owen Thompson David Morris (Morecambe and Stuart Andrew East) (SNP) Lunesdale) (Con) 295 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 296

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Grahame Morris (Easington) (Lab) Chris Elmore Matthew Pennycook (Greenwich and Chris Elmore (Beaconsfield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Woolwich) (Lab) (Aldridge-Brownhills) Stuart Andrew (Weston-super-Mare) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) Dr (Crewe and Stuart Andrew Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con) Antony Nantwich) (Con) Higginbotham Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) Stuart Andrew Mr Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Jess Phillips (Birmingham, Yardley) Chris Elmore (, Stuart Andrew (Lab) Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con) Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Chris Elmore Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Sunderland South) (Lab) James Murray (Ealing North) (Lab/Co- Chris Elmore Chris Philp (Croydon South) (Con) Stuart Andrew op) (Tamworth) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Stuart Andrew Luke Pollard (Plymouth, Sutton and Chris Elmore Cornwall) (Con) Devonport) (Lab/Co-op) Andrew Murrison (South West Stuart Andrew Dr (Central Suffolk and Stuart Andrew Wiltshire) (Con) North Ipswich) (Con) Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab) Chris Elmore Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir Robert Neill (Bromley and Stuart Andrew Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) Chris Elmore Chislehurst) (Con) (Lab/Co-op) (Paisley and Owen Thompson (Banbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew Renfrewshire North) (SNP) Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con) Stuart Andrew Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) Chris Elmore (Horsham) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Colchester) (Con) Stuart Andrew Lia Nici (Great Grimsby) (Con) Stuart Andrew Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) Chris Elmore (Ochil and South Owen Thompson (Lab) Perthshire) (SNP) (Esher and Walton) Stuart Andrew Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Stuart Andrew (Con) Southampton North) (Con) Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Stuart Andrew Angela Rayner (Ashton-under-Lyne) Chris Elmore Herefordshire) (Con) (Lab) Alex Norris (Nottingham North) (Lab/ Chris Elmore John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Co-op) Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab/Co- Chris Elmore Neil O’Brien (Harborough) (Con) Stuart Andrew op) Brendan O’Hara (Argyll and Bute) Owen Thompson Christina Rees (Neath) (Lab) Chris Elmore (SNP) Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Chris Elmore Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con) Stuart Andrew Penge) (Lab) Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD) Mr Alistair Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab) Chris Elmore Carmichael Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Chris Elmore Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Chris Elmore Hyde) (Lab) Central) (Lab) (West Bromwich East) Stuart Andrew Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Abena Oppong-Asare (Erith and Chris Elmore () (Con) Stuart Andrew Thamesmead) (Lab) Ms Marie Rimmer (St Helens South Chris Elmore Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op) Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Whiston) (Lab) Kate Osborne (Jarrow) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Rob Roberts (Delyn) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) Stuart Andrew (East Renfrewshire) Owen Thompson (Con) (SNP) Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP) Sir Jeffrey M. Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West) Chris Elmore Donaldson (Lab) Mary Robinson (Cheadle) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab) Chris Elmore Matt Rodda (Reading East) (Lab) Chris Elmore Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP) Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) Stuart Andrew Douglas Ross (Moray) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Lee Rowley (North East Derbyshire) Stuart Andrew (Witham) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Mr (North Shropshire) Stuart Andrew (Watford) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton, Chris Elmore (Rugby) (Con) Stuart Andrew Kemptown) (Lab/Co-op) Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) Chris Elmore Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Ben Lake (Lab) Meirionnydd) (PC) Sir (Hemel Hempstead) Stuart Andrew Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Paul Scully (Sutton and Cheam) (Con) Stuart Andrew 297 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 298

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) (Con) Mark Harper Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con) Stuart Andrew Andrew Selous (South West Stuart Andrew Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Bedfordshire) (Con) (Richmond (Yorks)) (Con) Stuart Andrew Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab) Chris Elmore James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Welwyn Hatfield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir (New Forest Mr William Wragg (Reading West) (Con) Stuart Andrew West) (Con) Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) Chris Elmore Sir Robert Syms (Poole) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) Sam Tarry (Ilford South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) Chris Elmore Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) Owen Thompson (Lab/Co-op) (SNP) Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) Stuart Andrew Derek Thomas (St Ives) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/ Chris Elmore (Edinburgh East) Owen Thompson Co-op) (SNP) Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) (Lab) Chris Elmore Tulip Siddiq ( and Kilburn) Chris Elmore Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Chris Elmore (Lab) Finsbury) (Lab) David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood Stuart Andrew Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab) Chris Elmore and Pinner) (Con) (Eddisbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con) Stuart Andrew Kelly Tolhurst (Rochester and Strood) Stuart Andrew () (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP) Owen Thompson Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) Stuart Andrew Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) (North Warwickshire) Stuart Andrew (Norwich North) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Berwick-upon- Stuart Andrew Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Tweed) (Con) Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) Chris Elmore Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Lab) (Sevenoaks) (Con) Stuart Andrew Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) Stuart Andrew Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab) Chris Elmore Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Stuart Andrew (Southampton, Itchen) Stuart Andrew Malling) (Con) (Con) Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) Chris Elmore Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Lab) Alex Sobel (Leeds North West) (Lab) Chris Elmore Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab) Chris Elmore Amanda Solloway (Derby North) Stuart Andrew Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Mr (North West Stuart Andrew Dr (Runnymede and Stuart Andrew Cambridgeshire) (Con) Weybridge) (Con) Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) Stuart Andrew Matt Vickers (Stockton South) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Chipping Barnet) Stuart Andrew Keir Starmer (Holborn and St Pancras) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Mr (Worcester) (Con) Stuart Andrew Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) Owen Thompson Mr (Wyre and Preston Stuart Andrew (SNP) North) (Pendle) (Con) Stuart Andrew Dr Jamie Wallis (Bridgend) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jo Stevens (Cardiff Central) (Lab) Chris Elmore David Warburton (Somerset and Stuart Andrew Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton North Stuart Andrew Frome) (Con) East) (Con) Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness) Stuart Andrew John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Clacton) (Con) Stuart Andrew Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) Stuart Andrew Suzanne Webb (Stourbridge) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Claudia Webbe (Leicester East) (Ind) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Mr Alistair Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Chris Elmore Easter Ross) (LD) Carmichael Green) (Lab) Sir (South West Devon) Stuart Andrew Matt Western (Warwick and Chris Elmore (Con) Leamington) (Lab) Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab) Chris Elmore Helen Whately (Faversham and Mid Stuart Andrew Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con) Stuart Andrew Kent) (Con) Graham Stringer (Blackley and Chris Elmore Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Stuart Andrew Broughton) (Lab) Derbyshire) (Con) Graham Stuart (Beverley and Stuart Andrew Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Chris Elmore Holderness) (Con) Test) (Lab) 299 13 APRIL 2021 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 300

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Dr (Central Owen Thompson (Montgomeryshire) Stuart Andrew Ayrshire) (SNP) (Con) Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab) Chris Elmore Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) Mr Alistair Carmichael Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Beth Winter (Cynon Valley) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Malden) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Perth and North Owen Thompson Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) Chris Elmore Perthshire) (SNP) (Lab) Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con) Stuart Andrew (North Herefordshire) Stuart Andrew (Kenilworth and Stuart Andrew (Con) Southam) (Con) (North West Norfolk) Stuart Andrew Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Con) Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con) Stuart Andrew Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) Stuart Andrew Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab) Chris Elmore Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC) Ben Lake

1WH 13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 2WH

encroachment on wildlife habitats—is helping to spread Westminster Hall diseases from animals to humans more frequently. In the past 20 years alone, there have been no fewer than Tuesday 13 April 2021 six significant threats: SARS, MERS, Ebola, avian influenza, swine flu and covid-19. In the words of Professor Matthew Baylis, [SIR CHRISTOPHER CHOPE in the Chair] “We dodged five bullets but the sixth got us.” As the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness Global Human Security and Response says, we must now learn the lessons of Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Order, covid-19. 25 February). The human security approach is about addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities and taking early action on [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] emerging risks. With the tragedy of covid still in our minds, we must use this opportunity to prepare ourselves 9.25 am better against the biological threats that we face. The Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD): I beg to move, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office should That this House has considered global human security. use the G7 and other international gatherings as an opportunity to transform biological security across the It is a pleasure to serve under you in the Chair, board. After all, we do not know what the next covid-19 Sir Christopher. First, I thank the Backbench Business will look like. Committee for granting me this debate. The extraordinary experience of the pandemic that we have just lived By now, we have had plenty of warnings of the through has shown us, if anything, that we need an climate and ecological emergency, which has the potential honest discussion about the threats that put all our lives to be even more devastating than covid-19. It is nearly at risk. For years, we have thought that security is about 50 years since the UN’s first major conference on the risks to our nation from hostile actors. It is, of international environment issues in 1972, yet successive course, important that we are properly aware of and Governments have failed to take the climate emergency knowledgeable about those risks and equipped to tackle seriously. In just under 30 years we need to cut all our them, but as long as we continue to define security in carbon emissions worldwide to net zero. Although we those narrow terms, we risk neglecting our duty to our have known about the threats for decades we have failed constituents to keep them safe now and for generations to act decisively for far too long. Rises in temperature to come. The world around us is changing, and we must are now accelerating at a faster rate than most scientists scrutinise our core conventional security assumptions. anticipated. It might already be too late to limit the rise Ranging from emerging artificial intelligence, cyberwar in global temperatures to 1.5° C. and organised crime to pandemics and the climate Rising temperatures will lead to widespread natural emergency, threats to our security are becoming more disasters, environmental degradation, food and water complex and more diverse. insecurity, rising sea levels and shrinking amounts of land for humans to farm and live on. They will further The term “human security” was first championed by exacerbate the huge inequality between the global north the United Nations Development Programme in its and south and could lead to large-scale migration and annual report on human development. It is about security become a catalyst for new conflicts that will threaten for people: it covers economic, food, health, environmental, international peace and security at a level as yet unknown personal, community and political security; it puts the and unquantifiable. Here in the UK there will be more experience and wellbeing of the individual at the centre frequent and severe extreme weather. Higher temperatures of security policy. Because the challenges that we face will mean increased flooding, property damage and are increasingly transnational, human security prioritises pressure on public services. Crucially it will be those in international co-operation over competitive national the poorest communities who will suffer the most. strategies and emphasises the shared security of all We are not just in the middle of a climate crisis. humanity. Nature is in crisis too. Our way of life, especially in We cannot continue to seek 20th-century solutions developed nations, is exploiting our global resources in for 21st-century problems. There is no starker reminder a way that is becoming increasingly unsustainable for than the past year of the impact of the growing range of our planet. As nature declines, so does the quality of security threats on people’s lives. It was a virus, not a human life. Pollution and poor air quality alone cost hostile actor, that brought our lives to a standstill millions of lives every year across the globe. We in the overnight. It was a virus, not a hostile actor, that UK are not excluded. Those things all beg the question threatened businesses, jobs and livelihoods. It was a whether the way we currently look at security policy virus, not a hostile actor, that killed more than limits the extent to which Government can keep us safe. 120,000 British civilians in the space of a year. With Threats to human security such as climate change are more than 134 million cases worldwide, the truth is that predictable and are incrementally destructive, but many countries were simply not prepared for the covid consecutive Governments have failed to do anything pandemic. Our Governments, institutions, policy making meaningful about them because the worst impacts of and planning need to focus on how we become a lot climate change stretch well beyond average election better at detecting and responding to pandemic threats. cycles. Short-termism leads to long-run costs for short-run Conflict and crisis prevention are even more important savings. Issues of widespread consequences are neglected than crisis management. Scientists are already warning in the agenda in favour of matters that seem to be more that we face an increased threat from pandemics, in immediate and easier to manage before the next election terms of both their size and their frequency. Many comes along. That is why the UK should lead the way agree that our behaviour—from deforestation to our by looking beyond short-term political cycles and should 3WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 4WH

[Wera Hobhouse] generations, focusing on the security and well-being of the individual worldwide, abandoning strategies based introduce a wellbeing for future generations Bill. That solely on competition between nations and ensuring would reset our approach to the way we plan for long-term long-lasting global co-operation. crises. As the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group 9.36 am for future generations, I am a champion of the Wellbeing Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con): It is a pleasure to of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill introduced by the serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas). I start by congratulating the hon. Member for Bath It has the support of more than 100 organisations. That (Wera Hobhouse) on securing this debate. We could not Bill would enshrine in legislation a long-term approach be further apart politically speaking, but she is right to to security so that we could foresee and plan for growing raise this issue in a Westminster Hall debate, so that we risks, including nuclear proliferation, climate change, can discuss how we can go forward in creating new ways and risks from future technologies such as artificial to tackle this matter and to deliver on behalf of not intelligence and synthetic biology. It would ensure that only our own citizens but citizens around the world. Governments would publish a long-term vision for a better UK and put together a national risk assessment, It is interesting to read United Nations resolution 66/290 looking forward to the next 25 years after each general from 25 October 2012, in which the UN outlines human election. security as something that tackles “survival, livelihood and dignity”, with an interest in restoring communities. Many countries have already started to address damaging I want to talk about dignity because, free from poverty short-termism. Examples are the Finnish Committee and despair, having a people-centred approach and for the Future and the Singapore Centre for Strategic ensuring that we can provide peace, prosperity and Futures. Closer to home is the Future Generations development around the world is an important issue Commissioner for Wales. However, there is no such and one that I think the United Kingdom has been a body in Westminster. Adopting a Bill designed specifically global leader on. to mitigate the worst effects of climate change would set Of course, that is somewhat in contention at the the UK up as a trailblazer at COP26—the first UN moment, because of some of the other issues that have country with such legislation. An Act dedicated to been raised over the course of this pandemic, most safeguarding the wellbeing of future generations would specifically that of gender-based violence. I apologise to set a gold standard for having preventive safeguards in the Minister, because I think that every time we have place before it is too late. come across each other in a Westminster Hall debate, I During the pandemic we have seen the UK’s health have raised this issue. However, what we have seen in the and wellbeing inequalities playing out in real time, and course of the past 13 months is a systematic rise of threatening financial and health insecurities. We Liberal gender-based violence—the persecution of women, of Democrats believe that someone in the Cabinet must be men, of boys and of girls across the world. It is a responsible for the wellbeing of the British people. A pandemic that was here before the current Covid pandemic wellbeing budget, following New Zealand’s example, and it will be here long afterwards. Gender-based violence would help to inform the Government’s decisions on is an issue that is not just dealt with by or due to the what would improve the wellbeing of people across the nation state; it is a crisis that impacts humanity across country. This year’s integrated review has come at the the world and it must be addressed. middle of one of the most disruptive global crises in I make the point that the United Kingdom has shown living memory. It is encouraging that for the first time it global leadership on this issue, because we helped to defines whom our security policy is trying to keep safe. pass the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, However, for all its talk of long-termism, co-operation peace and security. However, in recent years we have and future technology, it is deeply rooted in the old seen the systematic increase of gender-based violence logic of competition. becoming all the more pronounced. In 2017, 87,000 women It is hugely disappointing that the review reneges on were killed, which equates to 137 a day, and the UN has previous decisions to reduce the UK’s nuclear stockpile. suggested that last year alone about 242 million women Instead it increases our stockpile by more than 40% only and girls would be victims of sexual abuse. Of course, at a month before the next non-proliferation treaty review the moment there is no remit to bring perpetrators to conference. This not only undermines our record on justice. We rightly talk about dignity and about the nuclear disarmament but makes it significantly more ability to help those most in need across the world, but difficult for us to make a compelling case in encouraging where is the dignity if we stay silent on this issue? Where other NPT-recognised states to reduce their nuclear is the dignity in our responses and our ambitions if we stockpiles, let alone states outside the NPT. fail to tackle this pervasive and increasing horror, which Today I urge the Minister not to allow this integrated is a gross human rights violation? review to be a missed opportunity for setting a course We have been retreating on these issues, and I have for a sustainable future, and to provide an operational heard time and time again from the Government about plan that assesses the implementation of the integrated the fact that the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict review, based on how it improves global human security. Initiative continues to thrive from place to place, and Such a plan must permit us to monitor and evaluate continues to involve itself in different regions of the who will benefit from the review, and what impact it will world. Yet at present in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, have on their security and wellbeing. where some of the most appalling human rights The scale of global human tragedy is alive in our violations—including sexual violence—are going on, minds. There is no better time than now to put in place the PSVI has not been deployed. The PSVI is no longer long-lasting protections to safeguard current and future being used for the very purpose that it was set up for, so 5WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 6WH

I have to question in this important debate on this recent times. I have on several occasions pressed the important subject why we are not using the tools that Secretary of State for Defence on their deployment in we have at our disposal to help those who are most in terms of testing and the roll-out of the vaccine, and I need. give credit where it is due. I have had straight answers My second point should not be a surprise, given the from him and have seen with my own eyes the good point I have just made. It is the fact that one of the ways work that has been done. in which we can tackle this issue, and one of the ways in Having served, not with any particular honour, as a which we can show global leadership, is by retaining the private soldier in the Territorial Army, I know that the 0.7% target. This is something that I have long seen as a armed forces, once they have been trained and are tool in Britain’s diplomatic arsenal, a tool that allows us ready, spend a lot of time waiting when nothing much to be a global leader in development, and a tool that we happens. From the conversations that I have had, I have been able to use in our diplomatic network. To be know that the armed forces personnel who took part in able to tackle the valid points raised by the hon. Member testing the vaccination actually enjoyed the work. They for Bath, which I am sure others will raise as well, we saw it as something different and felt proud that they must retain that number so that we can show our were playing a role in defeating the deadly virus. commitment to the world and continue to fund programmes As I represent a constituency that is subject to more and show global leadership extreme weather than many other parts of the United Kingdom, I know all about global warming, which has Wera Hobhouse: Does the hon. Gentleman agree already been mentioned. The armed forces also have a that, given the current signals from the Government, we big role to play when we have a landslip. God forbid are setting ourselves up against other nations rather that we do, but, alas, when we do and something goes than wanting to work with them? That is not a good wrong—when a railway line is blocked or a road goes way of seeking co-operation across the board on such over the edge—they too can help out, and indeed they important issues as women and violence. do. Again, as in fighting the deadly virus, they actually enjoy the work, and it gives them experience of using Anthony Mangnall: The hon. Lady makes an incredibly their machinery to see what they can do with it. important point. I think we are stepping back where we should step forward. The UK has form in leadership, For that reason, I am bound to make this one political but we are not doing that. The Minister can shake his point: I deplore the proposed cut in the number of head—I am sorry to be against him on this issue—but military personnel. Yes, we can do things very cleverly when it comes to sexual and gender-based violence and with computers, to which I will turn in a minute, but at aid, we are expected to play a part. Nations do not the end of the day we need the human bodies and the accept that we are doing that at present, so we must take skills out there to fight and defend our human security a step forward. in the widest possible sense, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bath has outlined. I know many Members wish to speak in this debate. We have a duty to the world’s poorest, a duty to those in I turn now to cyber-security. As I have mentioned despair, and a duty to those who are suffering. As before, during the armed forces parliamentary scheme conflicts and crises rage around the world, we are seen the year before last, when I joined the 3rd Battalion to be mute. I hope the Minister can correct me on where Yorkshire Regiment in Estonia, it was made clear to me I am wrong and can tell me that our units are going out by a colour sergeant that it would be extremely dangerous to Ethiopia to help victims of gender-based and sexual for me to turn on my iPhone that close to the Russian violence, but nothing has shown me anything different border. He said, “Quite simply, they will triangulate in from what has been suggested already. We often confuse on you right away and in no time at all hack into your movement for action. Following this debate and many iPhone”. We were told in almost blood-curdling terms, others that we will have in this Chamber, I hope we will “Do not use social media. If you take a picture, don’t be able to address this issue and recognise that it is not send it anywhere at all”. Despite my TA experience a just about the nation state, but about how we respond long time ago, this shook me and showed that the threat to human crises around the world in a way that we can to this country via cyber-attack is very real indeed. rightly be proud of. I want to take this point one step further. It is easy to think of Russia attacking us in this way, but let us 9.42 am remember other enemies are out there—China, North Korea and others have been mentioned several times. Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) Alas, we live in a dangerous world and we have to (LD): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, defend ourselves. Sir Christopher. My heartiest congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) on This is not just about an attack on an institution, securing this debate. As is typical, she has covered most such as the House of Commons and our own defence of the points that I intended to make, including the one systems. It can, sadly, be on an individual. We have seen about the number of nuclear weapons that this country the spread of antisemitism and all sorts of unfortunate proposes to have in future. messages being pushed, possibly from Russian bots, My hon. Friend made the point that human security possibly from other countries, we know not, but it is is not just about armed forces, but about what has done with malevolent intent, make no mistake of that. happened recently.She pointed out that the huge number I close with two small examples of the connected-up of deaths in this country has been due to the virus, and nature of this. It is no accident that RT—Russian that has led, we think, to a 20% drop in our GDP.As my Television—uses its services to try to undermine some party’s defence spokesman, I want to pay real tribute to of the things that we hold most dear in the United our armed forces and the role that they have played in Kingdom. I want to put on record today that I absolutely 7WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 8WH

[Jamie Stone] The opportunities coming up for us to contribute to this are numerous. One is COP26 later this year, at deplore Mr Alex Salmond’srefusal to accept the disgraceful, which we need not just to set an example of our horrific nature of the murder and attack in Salisbury. I activities in this country—where, yes, we are generating do not think this man realises that he is the unwitting more electricity from renewable sources—but to go a lot pawn of Russia’s chess game to undermine the United further. We also have to ensure that we do not export Kingdom. I know that the hon. Member for Totnes pollution by importing goods made from polluting (Anthony Mangnall), has lived in Northern Ireland. As sources. COP26 is a huge opportunity that we must not we see events unroll in Northern Ireland right now, how miss to reach net zero by 2030, if at all possible, and to do we know that the hand of cyber-security is not in ensure that the technology to achieve that is universally some way linked to this? Perhaps I am scaremongering, shared. but I am also realistic as to the threat that this nation The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review and the world face. Conference and the UN proposals on a global ban on I look forward to the Minister’s reply with great nuclear weapons are also coming up. Yet instead of interest. What does he feel about the connected nature fulfilling our obligations under the NPT,we are proposing of cyber-defence, not just in defending our institutions to produce even more nuclear weapons in this country. such as the House of Commons, the banks and defence That will not make us safer, it is illegal within the terms systems, but also at the lower, individual level where of the NPT, and we ought to be leading the way somebody could be taken out via a nasty cyber-attack? towards a nuclear-free world by co-operating with the How can we manage with fewer armed forces personnel? UN proposals, and with other countries. The third area of great insecurity is the number of 9.48 am refugees around the world. There are 70 million refugees Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Ind) [V]: This debate who are products of environmental disaster, of wars, is very valuable and important. It should have been held and of human rights abuses. They demand somewhere before the Government launched their review of this to live; they demand the right to contribute to our country’ssecurity arrangements and before their statements world. Instead of using threats against them, we should about future levels of expenditure on overseas aid and recognise the problems that have led them to seek refuge defence. We put defence expenditure up by £24 billion in the first place. There are major issues around the and cut overseas aid expenditure, which surely gives a world: a war in Yemen, a war in Afghanistan—albeit very bad message to the rest of the world. relatively low level—and the huge number of arms sales Issues of real security need to be addressed in a that we make to Saudi Arabia and other countries, fundamental way. What is security? Security for a human which actually contribute to those conflicts. being is the ability to be able to live peacefully, to eat, to I would hope that we could have a more thoughtful be educated, to have health care for them and their approach to the longer term. I have no truck with children, and to live a full and fulfilling life. That is human rights abuses anywhere in the world, be they in surely something that we all want for ourselves. The UN China, in Russia, in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else. Our recognises it is an important benchmark for human contribution ought always to be arguing for the UN development. Indeed, our Ministry of Defence recognises universal declaration and for human rights-based foreign that as well, because it has a department dealing with policy. That, surely, would help to bring about peace in issues surrounding human security. the future. However, we then have to look at the reality of the However, if the rhetoric from Government is always world as it is at the present time. Broadly speaking, about ratcheting up a cold war with China, ratcheting western countries have a fairly high standard of living, up a cold war with Russia and pouring more arms into albeit with massive inconsistencies and inequalities, but every area of conflict around the world, that will not other countries, mainly in the global south, have less bring us peace, and our armed forces could be put in access to health care, almost no access in some cases to harm’s way. free education and shorter life expectancy. Surely those To follow what the hon. Member for Caithness, factors are major drivers of world insecurity and the Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) said, I have conflicts we presently have. We should be looking at met some of our armed forces who saved lives in the human development in the future and how our overseas Mediterranean by pulling refugees out of the sea off the aid expenditure can help that; how a fairer trading coast of Libya who were in danger of drowning while system could reduce tensions around the world and they were seeking a place of safety, or helped people raise living standards; and how we can deal with the dealing with the Ebola crisis, and they told me it was the food distribution crisis around the world that results in most useful thing they had ever done. Our armed forces so many people living in hunger. have enormous skills to protect us from cyber-security We must also look at the human rights crisis in many attacks, but we also need to ensure that those skills are parts of the world in which women’s rights, children’s used to bring about a more peaceful world. rights and the rights to free speech and assembly are Lastly, there is now a real danger of an even worse denied. Those, too, are drivers of injustice and inequality. conflict developing in Myanmar, where there has been a The other factor in global affairs has to be the coup to take over the Government and where the army overwhelming need for us to take the present issues of is now in charge. Surely we must do everything we can environmental disaster and climate change very seriously. to bring about a political solution for all the people of The rate of global warming is not slowing—it is increasing. Myanmar, including the Rohingya people who have We are not going to reach net zero by 2050 at the been forced into exile in Bangladesh, so that we can current rate of affairs, yet we need to reach net zero make our contribution to bringing about a much more by 2030. peaceful world. Surely the crisis of the environment, of 9WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 10WH human rights and of refugees around the world ought properly vaccinated. It is therefore important that the to be the big signal that, post covid, the world needs to UK builds upon what I acknowledge to be strong work together to conquer disease, poverty and inequality. leadership through COVAX and does more to try to Increasing arms expenditure and arms sales will not ensure that the rest of the world is keeping pace with bring about that more peaceful world. the UK. I want to record my thanks to the hon. Member for Over the last number of decades, we have seen a Bath (Wera Hobhouse) for her thoughtfulness in range of conflicts and war zones around the world, and introducing this debate and for her excellent early-day many of those have involved gross abuses of human motion. She has made a great contribution to the rights right through to ethnic cleansing and genocide. House today. We have to be honest that at times there has been a certain selectivity in terms of how different states around 9.56 am the world have responded. Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance) [V]: It is a I remember growing up in the 1980s and seeing the pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. images from Cambodia on TV screens, and how that I very much welcome today’s debate and pay tribute to conflict was essentially parked by the great powers the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) for tabling because it did not suit anyone’s interests to get involved. this discussion, in which I want to raise a number of key In effect, genocide occurred as we looked on with a points. degree of futility. More recently in the 1990s, we saw the Fundamentally, this is about a reconceptualisation of situation in Rwanda where it was blatantly obvious security, away from essentially—in some respects, almost what was happening and a full-scale genocide took purely—national security towards human security. place within a matter of weeks, but the world looked Historically, international law and security have largely away because it was not viewed as an issue of national been framed through the lens of the nation state. Threats interest or people had been exhausted by interventions have been considered in terms of the effect of aggression, that had taken place elsewhere. or things such as economic warfare, on the autonomy Other conflicts, even the situation in eastern Congo of states. Obviously those are still realities in many through to Yemen today, have not received the same respects, both for the UK and other states around the degree of attention that other war zones have received world. None the less, it is important that we change our from the international community because other interests assessment of threats and do so in a way that reflects have come to pass. Often where we have intervened or our changing values. sought to use our influence, these have not been the Many speakers have referred to the importance of ones where the greatest loss of life has occurred. Of human rights. If we are to conceive human rights as course, where we have taken action has been important genuinely universal, that cannot be just a theory. We and was the correct decision to make, but we have at must try to live that out in practice, and that means times turned a blind eye because we did not have either having a serious conversation about what it means to be the capacity or the will to address certain situations. secure. There are multiple dimensions to that, including When we have intervened, it has been due to overspill someone’spersonal autonomy and dignity,their economic issues or where the UK has had historical interests and prospects and prosperity, the most fundamental of which relationships, or what used to be termed the CNN effect is their food security, and their opportunities, not least where TV cameras have shamed the world into action— in education—educational opportunity for girls is a leaving other situations where TV cameras perhaps theme that many Members have been keen to stress—as have not been present without proper due attention. well as basic freedoms and rights, and also more I am not being naïve in suggesting that we move away recently,with the realities of climate change, environmental entirely from the traditional national security lens. Clearly, security. there are huge threats out there that we would have to But this is not simply a question of altruism. We have be alert to and address, and those are in many respects to recognise our interdependence with what happens in state-based threats from both Russia and China. However, the rest of the world—with our closest neighbours, but the balance needs to change and the integrated review also with those much further afield. There are three should be a pivot in that respect. We need to see a major interlinking themes, which we are all very conscious greater focus on international aid and humanitarian of at present. One is the looming climate change and assistance, as well as on UN peacekeeping. the climate emergency, and what we need to do by 2050 to ensure carbon neutrality. We cannot simply view that It is important that we return to the responsibility to through the lens of the UK alone; we have to ensure protect doctrine that was developed by the United that the world is moving at the same pace. The UK has Nations in the early 2000s. Intervention has become a particular responsibility, as one of the states that somewhat scarred and undermined by a number of industrialised first and that has historically been one of missteps that have occurred in more recent years, but it the greater polluters, to show leadership and bring may be important that we return to that concept and see others with us. We also have issues with migration flows how it can be reapplied. We need to look at how we can and how destabilising they can be, so we must understand ensure the sustainable development goals are properly the reasons why people are often pushed to flee from developed and fully implemented by 2030. their own societies. On a more conceptual basis, we also need to think Then we have the issue of pandemics. We do not through what needs to happen in evolving international know what lies in the future, even whenever we think law, moving away from its roots in national security beyond covid, but that reinforces the importance of and issues around nations. We need to reform the seeing health security in a global sense, because the UK United Nations and reconceptualise the concept of can never be fully safe unless the rest of the world is national interest. 11WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 12WH

10.3 am The good news is that we know what many of the Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I apologise for not most extreme risks are and how the Government can being here on time, Sir Christopher. I am dependent on best prepare for them, both at home and internationally. the flight from Belfast. We had to de-ice and as a result That is why we are here today, and why I and others are we did not get away from Belfast in time. I have let the calling for an international treaty on risks to the future Speaker’s office know and I apologised to the Minister of humanity. I am concerned, as others are, about what in advance as well. those risks will be. Some of the most serious risks, such as climate I am very happy to speak in this debate and I thank change and nuclear weapons, are covered by at least the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) for setting some international law. However, there is no regime of the scene. I am sorry I was not here for it, but I am quite international law in force commensurate with the gravity sure that I would endorse her comments as I am very of extreme risks such as global pandemics—I wonder interested in this subject. whether that is something we might need to look at We do not know what future threats to human security right now; I believe that we cannot ignore it, because we will look like. It might be another pandemic or something have lived through 13 months of it, and are going into completely different. However, the good news is that if the 14th, so we need to look seriously at those issues—or we know what many of the most extreme risks are, then that has the breadth needed to deal with the changing we know how to best prepare for them—I am the landscape of risk, as there are so many other things eternal optimist and believe in the glass half-full. That is happening as well. why I am looking forward to the Minister’s response A new treaty on risks to the future of humanity has and—putting no pressure on him—I am seeking some been recommended by—this is an Italian name; I will assurances, which I understand other speakers have try to get it right, but am sure that in my Ulster Scots asked for as well. accent it will sound totally alien to most people—Guglielmo One thing that I would underline immediately is that Verdirame, a QC and professor of international law at people need each other. We have to realise that and that King’s College London. We need a new global framework is where I come from. Nations need nations. We all for identifying and addressing those risks. That is what depend and can support each other, and with that being he asks, and I ask the same. the premise for where we are, we can start from that. Human progress does not go in straight lines, instead Wera Hobhouse: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there are rare moments in which decades worth of so many of the issues that he describes are linked to our progress can be achieved in a matter of months. The short-termism? Will he therefore consider the Bill on supreme example of that is one we have lived through in wellbeing for future generations, which I am supporting, the last year—the covid vaccine. Our scientists and as something he would support, so that we can ensure those with expertise and knowledge were able to come that Governments look to the long term and get away up with the vaccine to save lives and preserve lives. That from short-termism? has been a marvellous achievement within how we have Jim Shannon: I thank the hon. Lady for her wisdom dealt—and how the Government have dealt—with covid-19. and for her intervention. She makes a valid point, which Technological progress since the industrial revolution I would endorse. Of course, I would need to go over the has ultimately increased the risk of the most extreme Bill, and I serve under a Whip, as the hon. Lady does, events occurring, putting humanity’s future at stake and I must follow that whatever my own inclinations through nuclear war, climate breakdown and other may be. However, I have every sympathy on the matter events. We cannot survive many centuries without that she has mentioned. If it was up to me, then yes, but transforming our resilience. We cannot ignore—I will we have to discuss these matters, as we always do. not, and I hope that neither the Government nor anyone We need the new global framework to identify the else would—the issues of the environment, climate change risks. We know that this is not a challenge that can be and all those things that are real to the people in my left to a specialist institution or a body of experts, and constituency who contact me on a regular basis. international diplomacy and domestic politics must be I am also the human rights spokesperson for the engaged at the highest level. Democratic Unionist Party, and often speak on these I say to the Minister that these are not things to do on issues. Other hon. Members that I have heard so far, our own. We cannot do them on our own; we need to do and those who will speak after me, also talk about them with others. That is why I said earlier that this is human rights. Human rights are critical for me as an about nations working with nations; it is people working individual and for my constituents—it is one of the with people. Those might be people who have very biggest mailbag issues—so I get questions about them diverse politics and diverse cultural and historical views, and there are issues to speak out on. I have spoken out but who are working together to the greater good of on those issues and will continue to do so. everyone. I would like to hear what we are able to do on Covid-19 has given us a sense of the devastating that, and I recognise that the Government, and the impact that extreme risks would have on our health and Minister in particular, have made a commitment to it. our economy. We do not know what the next extreme Global Britain also has a diplomatic ability to make risk will be—we do not yet know whether we are out of this happen. We are held in high esteem across the the present one in its totality, although we are going the world and, with that in mind, our position, our role and right way—but the odds that we face, or that our our influence will be important. Such a treaty would children will face, are uncomfortably high. As a grandfather provide a framework for identifying and addressing of five, I very much want to put in place a system that such risks, and international diplomacy on domestic preserves for them a future that we can all endorse. That policies must be engaged at the highest level to achieve is why we are all here—to meet that issue. that. How do we do it? Perhaps the Minister can tell us. 13WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 14WH

A new treaty should be linked to UN Security Council For too long, security has been seen through the lens resolutions to place this new framework on the strongest of traditional models of defence and military strength. legal footing, so it is not just words, but actions—a legal That led to decades of prioritising a narrow concept of framework that can actually make changes for everyone, security over a whole-of-society approach. Defence is a for their betterment, with penalties for those who choose vital component of our national security, but it forms to remain outside the new legal regime or to flout it, so only one part of this. We must look to re-evaluate what that the legislation has teeth. security means. I commend the Government’s recently published The UK Government’s recent integrated review could integrated review, which announced a much needed new have provided an opportunity to do that, and the approach to preparedness and response to risks. In the forthcoming G7 summit, to be held in Cornwall, and light of that, I urge the Minister to follow the encouraging the UN climate change conference, to be held in Glasgow, promise of global Britain and lead calls at the G7 for a provide the UK with an opportunity to bring the issue new treaty on risks to the future of humanity. There is, I of global human security to the forefront. At this believe, scope for the UK to take up a position of watershed moment, prioritising global human security global leadership on the issue, and start to build an cannot be just something that is proclaimed and paid alliance, moving towards a treaty with like-minded lip service to; it has to be the lived reality. countries with which we could do things. Will the What have the UK Government decided to do instead? Minister tell us whether there have been discussions The complete opposite. Any effort to improve global with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and other great human security has been fundamentally undermined by powers? the UK Government’s decision to cut aid spending We should use the opportunity to forge a new pact from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. The reality between nations, to ensure that none are committed to of that cut is a reduction in the UK’s aid budget of jeopardising the whole of humanity. This is about £4.5 billion, or a 30% reduction relative to 2019. That is accountability. If we all move forward in a spirit of money that has saved lives and supported the poorest co-operation, we can find a solution. We also have a and most vulnerable people living in the most fragile duty as individuals; I say that for myself, for others and places in the world, yet at the time of greatest need in for Government. We have a duty to be good stewards. I the midst of a global pandemic, the UK Government believe that we need to step up and I look to the are pushing through this ideologically driven desire to Minister to underline the next steps. reduce aid and development spending. They are prioritising a windfall for the defence budget and look to use what 10.11 am is left of the aid budget to further trade. Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP) [V]: It is a pleasure Yemen was described by the UN as the world’s worst to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher, and humanitarian disaster. There are 16 million people being I thank the Backbench Business Committee and the put in hunger, 5 million civilians facing starvation and hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) for enabling more than 3 million people being displaced as a result this timely and hugely important debate. of the ongoing conflict, yet the UK Government are As many have noted in the debate, the way in which cutting their aid contribution by 50%. Mark Lowcock, our lives, and the lives of everyone across the world, head of the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of have been turned upside down over the past year has Humanitarian Affairs, was blunt in his assessment of brought the need for global human security into sharp that decision as an act of medium-term and long-term focus. However, it should not have taken a virus that, self-harm. He warned that to balance the books on the worldwide, has resulted in nearly 3 million deaths and backs of the starving people of Yemen has consequences counting, inflicted vast economic damage at home and not just for Yemenis now, but for the world in the long abroad, and exacerbated inequality globally to force us term. to take more seriously the challenges and threats the In Syria—a country ravaged by a 10-year civil war on world faces. terrorism and a contributor to the global refugee crisis—the Furthermore, our renewed attention on health security UK Government have slashed by a third their funding and the necessity for pandemic preparedness, having for the Syrian refugee programme. According to the been caught off guard this time around, cannot mean Secretary-General of the United Nations,António Guterres, that we take our eye off the ball in the other dimensions more than 13 million people need humanitarian assistance of human security. If there is one lesson to learn, it is to survive this year, yet the UK has decided to make that the pandemic illustrates the interconnectedness of devastating cuts. the modern world and the interdependence of health, How can the Minister seriously stand here and talk environmental, economic, food, political, community about global human security when the Government and personal security. condemn millions to hunger, provide the weapons used What began as a health crisis in China has had in Yemen and create fertile ground for extreme poverty, previously unimaginable impact on the livelihoods of increased violent extremism and conflict over control of each of our constituents and on the wider world. Surely scarce resources? No matter the amount of polish that we must now know that we cannot pick and choose is applied, the direction taken by the UK Government is which threats to take seriously, prepare for and attempt not going to shine. to prevent. A holistic approach, based on the UN As a result of covid-19, development trends are being sustainable development goals, a shared blueprint for set back decades, with 2020 witnessing the first rise in peace and prosperity for people on the planet, now and global poverty since 1998. The UK’s integrated review in the future, is the only way forward, building back recognises that. It also adds that it is estimated that better from the pandemic and ensuring that, truly, we absolute poverty will be almost eliminated in Asia by are leaving no one behind. 2030, although Africa will increasingly be left behind, 15WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 16WH

[Chris Law] inability to comprehend the threats in the modern world and the need for global human security, and highlights and by 2045 it is likely that around 85% of the poorest a desperate clinging on to the idea of the UK as an billion people will live in Africa. Despite that, the UK imperial global superpower. Government are intent on pursuing an Indo-Pacific tilt If the past year has shown us anything, it is that we to their international outlook. must consign those outdated models of security to the Furthermore, a leaked Foreign, Commonwealth and past. Indeed, to honour the millions who have lost their Development Office report last month revealed that lives and livelihoods to the pandemic, we must put officials are considering slashing aid programmes to people and our planet first, and take seriously the very Libya by 63%, to Somalia by 60%, to South Sudan by present threats that we face. 59%, and to Nigeria by 58%. That will not increase global human security; it will undermine it. By abandoning 10.20 am their moral duty to assist the world’s most vulnerable, Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab) [V]: It is a the UK Government are increasing the likelihood of pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Christopher, hunger, disease and political stability in the most fragile and I thank the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) places in the world—risking instability not only abroad, for securing this important debate on global human but at home. Therefore, the Scottish National party will security. The world has entered a period of rapidly continue to oppose the aid cut and the devastating accelerating insecurities. From the climate emergency to impact it will have. infectious diseases, and from conflict to the subversion As an independent country, Scotland will act as a of human rights and persisted poverty, catastrophic good global citizen, committed to the internationally crises now occur simultaneously, putting at grave risk agreed 0.7% percent target and following the UN’s the health, wellbeing and security of people around our sustainable development goals to peace and prosperity interconnected world. for people and the planet. Indeed, Scotland is already The hon. Member for Totnes (Anthony Mangnall) proving itself a world leader and contributor to global made an incredibly strong argument focused on dignity. human security through its international work on climate He challenged his own Government on their appalling change. Climate change is the greatest security challenge cuts to the aid budget, and on observing our duty to the we face, and it is an urgent and complex global problem world’s poorest and most vulnerable, rather than turning that no one nation can tackle alone. It increases natural away from the provision of desperately needed leadership. disasters and competition for basic resources. Multiple crises across the world combine at catastrophic The destruction of habitats will lead to famine, disease, human cost. From climate and conflict to covid, those conflict and displacement, which threatens to undo crises all need action. There has never been a more decades of development gains and increased prosperity important time to think strategically about how we throughout the world. The poor and most vulnerable approach them. are the first to be affected by climate change and will The hon. Member for Bath spoke of the Well-being suffer the worst, yet they have done little or nothing to of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. I am proud to cause the problem. The least developed countries and have been instrumental in introducing that ground-breaking the most vulnerable people will be hit first and hardest Act in Wales when I was a special adviser to the Welsh by climate change, and many are already suffering Labour Government. We introduced the Act to focus devastating impacts. We therefore cannot be serious on the social, economic, environmental and cultural about global human security if it to be is undermined wellbeing of Wales. In delivering the Act, I saw at first by the destruction caused by climate change. hand how it can help to bring about the changes we The SNP-led Scottish Government have put biodiversity need. It puts in place seven wellbeing goals, and forces and ecological strength at the very heart of their policy decision makers and organisations to think more about making and in 2012 were the first Government in the the long term; work better with people, communities world to set up a dedicated climate justice fund. Climate and each other; look to prevent problems; and take a justice was put front and centre in the International much more joined-up approach, which is desperately Development Committee’s 2018 climate change report, needed across the UK. The Act helps us to create the as a recommendation to the UK Government, and the country that we all want to live in, now and in the UK Government must focus on that type of global future. human security challenge going forward. They should Unfortunately, the cornerstones of human security— follow Scotland’s lead, rather than pursuing cuts and freedom from fear,want and indignity—are being chipped vanity projects. away, and there appears to be little appetite in this Finally, there is no greater illustration of the UK Government to change course. The gap between the Government’s disjointed approach to global human Government’s rhetoric and their actions is large and security, and of how their priorities differ from those of growing. We do not have to delve far into the catalogue the SNP and an independent Scotland, than their recent of Government errors to find the cut of a third in the decision to increase the number of nuclear warheads by aid budget. Aid is our first responder to crises and our more than 40% while cutting life-saving aid around the last line of defence, so the cut is dangerous and costly. world. Rather than investing in global health and human Instead of the Government’s hasty retreat, we must rights, providing support to fragile and conflict-affected shoulder responsibility and pool resource, knowledge, areas, providing nutrition to those who are starving or expertise and finance if we are successfully to reverse helping the poorest in the world, the UK Government the drivers of those crises and chart a course to a have decided to increase their weapons of mass destruction. sustainable and restorative future that protects the health That not only demonstrates the UK’s complete moral of people and planet, and reduces the inequalities and failure, but perfectly illustrates the UK Government’s insecurities that threaten us all. 17WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 18WH

In recent months, I have spoken to Rose and Eva, Achim Steiner of the UN Development Programme remarkable women from Uganda who shared with me said that the cut to aid “does not enhance” confidence their horrifying experiences of devastating extreme weather, in the UK internationally. with families uprooted from homes and their livelihoods I therefore hope that the Minister can explain what lost. Just last year, I had similar conversations with the Government are doing to ensure that long-term constituents of mine who had been affected by flooding. thinking is taken into account. Will his Government Climate change affects the most vulnerable, wherever consider introducing, as in Wales, a measure similar to they are in the world. the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015? As we have seen with covid, what happens in even the What assessment have his Government made of the most distant communities reverberates back to our short-term impacts of aid cuts on immediate crisis shores; what happens in Kampala is felt in Cardiff. That response and associated threats and of the long-term means confronting the challenges of our time, abandoning impact of that failure to prevent future risks or build outdated assumptions about security and playing a resilience? Crises overlap and combine to drive poverty, responsive role in the world—unlike this Government’s and health and climate insecurity. They cannot be solved approach, exemplified by the “Competitive Age”integrated in isolation, so will the Minister explain how the review. Government concluded that structuring the UK’s Labour is aligned with President Biden, but we cannot development response into seven siloed core priorities afford a strategy focused only on competition. When will tackle overlapping crises? the threats to our world are felt equally, we are either all Finally, Labour would introduce statutory duties to winners or all losers. It is a zero-sum game. As covid has plan, audit and invest in pandemic responses. Will the taught us, only through co-operation in science, research Government confirm whether they will introduce a and development, and data sharing have we been able more human-focused and holistic health security policy to get a grip on this virus, to develop a vaccine and now, to ensure that we address all those challenges? We are we hope, to be on our way to defeating it. Collaboration experiencing an abundance of shattering threats, but a not competition—that highlights the nonsensical, ridiculous shocking scarcity of necessary action from the UK £250-million cut in aid to vital UK and global health Government. We must maintain our commitment to research amid a pandemic. holistic forms of security, which protect people at home When we talk about security, that must include climate, and abroad, and tackle insecurity and injustice at their food and health. As the Secretary-General of NATO root. said recently, we need a “broader, more integrated approach” to security and resilience to keep people safe. Sir Christopher Chope (in the Chair): Order. As this The challenges that we must overcome are existential debate has to finish by 10.55 am, we have plenty of time threats to humanity.Our approach must be more human- for the Minister. centred and holistic. We are all less safe as health and 10.30 am climate challenges aggravate existing forms of insecurity and as new forms of insecurity are created. They require The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa different forms of action that this Government are (James Cleverly): It is a pleasure to serve under your failing to meet and which, with the aid budget, in effect chairmanship this morning, Sir Christopher. I am grateful they are abandoning. to the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) for Climate breakdown, with devastating drought and securing this debate and also for the contributions scarcity, drives conflict and is central to the humanitarian made by Members across the House. I will try and cover crisis in places such as Nigeria and Lake Chad. According a number of the points raised. Even though we have a to research conducted by the International Red Cross, fair amount of time, because the contributions have the planet has witnessed a 35% increase in the number been wide ranging, I am not necessarily going to be able of climate-related disasters since the 1990s. There is also to give all elements the justice that they deserve. health breakdown, where biodiversity loss threatens not As a number of contributors have mentioned, we live only the species with which we share the planet but our in an increasingly competitive, dangerous and, as the own health, forcing parasites to look for alternative hon. Lady said, complex world. The integrated review hosts—75% of emerging infections in human populations of security, defence, development and foreign policy come from animals. Professor Peter Piot from the London highlighted three broad and significant challenges including, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warned of an first, the challenge from autocratic regimes that seek to “era of pandemics”, brought about by humanity’streatment undermine human rights and open societies; secondly, of the natural world. That is what makes this Government’s the challenge of rapidly developing technologies which, cuts to aid, their abandonment of principles and alliances while often bringing huge benefits, also bring new dangers in their willingness to break international law, and their from states, from terrorists, from criminal groups and shocking lack of political will to foster long-term strategic individuals who would do us harm; and thirdly, the thinking in policy making so very dangerous. challenge of existential threats, such as pandemics and Do not take it just from me. Malcolm Chalmers, climate change, both of which have been discussed deputy director of the Royal United Services Institute, significantly this morning. said that the Government’s current approach to security In response to this challenging context, the integrated fails to acknowledge fully the depth of challenges— review sets out the Prime Minister’s vision for a stronger, economic, political and military—that will face the UK more prosperous Union in 2030. It has, at its heart, the in the coming years. Christiana Figueres, the former protection of the interests of the British people, our UN climate chief, who was instrumental in the Paris sovereignty, our security, our health and our prosperity. climate agreement, warned: It sets out a comprehensive and holistic approach to “There are raised eyebrows among world leaders watching our security. We should not forget, however, that the the UK.” threats from terrorism and conflict remain. That is why 19WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 20WH

[James Cleverly] To help us deliver the agenda that we set out in the integrated review,we have brought together our diplomatic a hard-edged security and intelligence capability is a network of 281 posts in 178 countries with our aid recurrent thread in the integrated review, which we have budget and development policy to create the Foreign, underpinned with our increased investment in defence Commonwealth and Development Office. That joined-up to 2.2% of GDP and our cherished security and intelligence approach is helping to build partnerships and secure the agencies, particularly our work with NATO and Five Eyes. opportunities that we need to tackle global challenges A number of Members have mentioned our Official as part of the global community. We are making good Development Assistance commitment. I remind them progress against many of these challenges. The UK has that despite the unique and extreme financial pressures been at the forefront of the international response to imposed on us by coronavirus, the UK remains, in both covid: helping to protect others and, in doing so, helping percentage and absolute terms, one of the world’s most to protect ourselves. UK scientists developed the first generous aid donors. The world is changing and we effective and widely affordable vaccine. Our Prime Minister, need to adapt to it. We must ensure that we have the Ministers and diplomats have consistently pushed for capabilities and systems, not only to respond to today’s equitable global access to vaccines and therapeutics, threats but to anticipate and respond to the threats of and we have pledged £548 million of our aid budget to tomorrow. Our integrated review commits us to work to help to distribute 1 billion doses of coronavirus vaccine solve global challenges, to invest in science and technology, to 92 developing countries. To support the fastest route to act as a force for good, championing free trade, to national and global recovery, we have committed individual freedoms, global prosperity, and to take a £1.3 billion of UK aid to help cushion the health and more robust approach to security and deterrents. economic impacts of the pandemic around the world. We must learn the lessons of covid-19. Last year, the Wera Hobhouse: After all the Minister has heard this Prime Minister outlined his five-point plan for preventing morning—we could only touch on so many of the future pandemics. issues—does he not agree that the balance we have to Jamie Stone: The Minister is absolutely correct that strike about global security has to shift away from just the roll-out of the vaccines is good news and is a success arming ourselves again as a country, as if it were about story. As I said in my contribution, our armed forces the national threat, and looking at how we can work played a role in that. The point I want to make is a together globally and internationally? The signals we money point: the help with testing and vaccination have been setting out in the past year or so about our provided by our armed forces takes the pressure off strength and using international aid for our advantage health professionals. It means that the money spent on as a country are going in the wrong direction. Does he the armed forces actually helps to relieve a budget in not agree? other parts of Government. I intend to explore that argument in the future, with regard to my unhappiness James Cleverly: I will address the points that the hon. about the number of armed forces personnel being cut. Lady has raised in my speech, if she will bear with me. If they are maintained and deployed properly on other On the point about how she frames our use of international things, that can help other budgets. aid for the UK’s advantage, it is completely wrong. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and, in fact, the James Cleverly: I hear and understand the point whole of Government have made it very clear that we made by the hon. Gentleman. While it goes beyond are committed and determined to be a force for good in the remit of this speech, I draw his attention to the the world and to work with partners to address global Defence paper that was published and its focus on challenges. Our foreign policy is on behalf of the British the greater agility, adaptability and deployability of the people, but our development work is to be a force for armed forces that we have. I hope that that goes some good in the world, not for narrow self-interest. way towards addressing the concerns that he has expressed. Jim Shannon: We had a debate in Westminster Hall In March, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister before the recess to do with non-governmental organisations joined leaders from more than 20 countries who, alongside and faith groups. There is a role for Government to the World Health Organisation, called for a treaty on partner with faith groups, Churches and those who pandemic preparedness and response. That would be an want to help, and perhaps fill the gap or shortfalls important step towards increasing global co-operation between the moneys that the United Kingdom gave in and strengthening global health security. We will use the past and what it gives now. Will the Minister indicate, our G7 presidency to work with other Governments, either now or by sending all of us details, how faith with industry and with international organisations to groups can partner Government to help, and how they cut the target for developing and deploying new vaccines can engage and achieve a better result for all of us? to just 100 days, addressing the point made by the hon. Member for Bath about working in co-operation, not in James Cleverly: The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight competition, with other countries. the importance of formal and informal faith groups, I would also like to address the claim that the hon. and the huge role that they play around the world in Lady made about short-termism, which I have to reject. alleviating poverty and addressing difficulties and harm. Climate change is a much longer-established existential The Government absolutely recognise the important threat than the pandemic to which we are currently role that they play. We work through a number of responding. I remind her that in 1990, at the second partners around the world, some faith-based, others world climate conference, said: secular,to try and deliver on that “force for good”agenda. “The danger of global warming is as yet unseen, but real He is absolutely right: faith organisations play a huge enough for us to make changes and sacrifices, so that we do not and important role in delivering humanitarian policy. live at the expense of future generations.” 21WH Global Human Security13 APRIL 2021 Global Human Security 22WH

I remind the hon. Lady that the Conservatives have a greater detail in the new UK resilience strategy to be multi-decade track record of thinking about future developed this year,looking at domestic and international generations. We are using our presidency— challenges. Anthony Mangnall: The Minister talks about the Wera Hobhouse: Will the Minister give way? integrated review providing a blueprint for a long-term strategy to deal with the conflicts and crises of the James Cleverly: I will make more progress. We are world. Will he tell us how he thinks cutting the 0.7% aid using our presidency of the COP26 climate summit in budget fulfils that long-term strategy, or that commitment Glasgow later this year to get countries to commit to to the world’s poorest, or that commitment to some of credible plans that will enable them to meet the the most challenging regions in the world? commitments that they made under the Paris accord. James Cleverly: The integrated review makes a specific We are also using the summit to boost co-operation and commitment to get back to the 0.7% as quickly as climate finance so that countries can adapt and build possible. The Conservative Government are immensely resilience to the evolving climate threat. The UK has proud that we were committed to that 0.7%. I remind pledged £11.6 billion of international climate finance my hon. Friend and others that even 0.5% makes us one over the next five years, and we will spend a significant of the most generous aid donors in the world and is proportion of that on building resilience in vulnerable higher than in almost all years under the previous countries. In January, the Prime Minister launched the Labour Government. The most important way to get adaptation action coalition to galvanise momentum on the UK back to the position where we can be as climate adaptation ahead of COP26 and beyond it. generous as we would naturally wish to be is to ensure We have also worked to secure more international that the UK economy recovers quickly. The faster the attention on the overlap between climate change and economy can recover, the more quickly we can get back security threats. In February, the Prime Minister chaired to 0.7% and, in absolute terms, the larger that 0.7% will be. the UN Security Council open debate, which was the Anthony Mangnall rose— first-ever leader-level discussion on climate change in the Security Council. Weare also addressing the interlinked James Cleverly: Let me conclude by making a pledge climate and security challenges through NATO. on behalf of the UK Government to continue to defend The hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and and promote the interests and wellbeing of the British Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) raised the issue of cyber. people. The integrated review provides a framework to Unlike pandemics and climate change, advanced address the manifold threats that imperil our nation technologies bring with them significant benefit, but and our national security. While the challenges are they also have embedded in them significant risks.Artificial significant, the UK is playing a leading role in finding intelligence, for example, has the potential to help to global solutions. The diversity of our economy, the tackle global challenges but, as AI technologies such as depth and breadth of British expertise, our targeted facial recognition continue to develop in sophistication, investment and the reach of our international networks we need to ensure that such technologies are not used as mean that we are well placed to adapt and respond to a tool of repression. The UK Government believe in the challenges ahead. As the host of G7 and the COP responsible technological innovation that benefits everyone, climate summit later this year, with our international but this is a fast evolving area, with a dearth of international allies on our side and the blueprint provided by the agreement. That is why we are working with industry integrated review in hand, we are well placed to help the and like-minded countries to enhance responsible world to build back better from coronavirus and create development of AI and to ensure that the use of data is a greener, fairer, more prosperous and more secure safe, fair, legal and ethical. The UK Government will future for us all. soon launch a national AI strategy, which will help to 10.48 am make the UK a global centre for the development and adoption of responsible AI. Wera Hobhouse: Many Members have made good and important points today. I am grateful for all the The UK is also at the forefront of demonstrating that points that have been raised. I hope that this debate is there are meaningful consequences for malicious cyber- not the last that we have, but the beginning of a discussion activity. Last year, working with the EU—this is another about how we view national and international security example of the international co-operation that we engage in the round. This is about tackling the climate emergency, in—we imposed cyber sanctions on 12 entities and the threat of global pandemics, upholding international individuals from China, Russia and North Korea through human rights, global inequalities, and how we help the EU cyber sanctions regime. We will continue to poorer countries and do not exploit them. work closely with international partners to impose sanctions As the hon. Member for North Down (Stephen Farry) through our own autonomous cyber sanctions regime. said, this is about a reconceptualisation of how we The National Cyber Security Centre has played a pivotal think about security. The UK could be a global leader role in responding to cyber-incidents and is acknowledged in this, but I fear that the current Government have not as a global centre of excellence. The resilience of our recognised this opportunity.Here in the UK, the Wellbeing allies is also critical, which is why, since 2012, we have of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill would be a good invested up to £39 million in international cyber-security start. I urge the Government to consider bringing forward programmes and projects, working with more than legislation that reflects the ideas that are embedded in 100 countries to build their cyber resilience. it. Will the Government look at a wellbeing budget, as The integrated review is a blueprint for navigating supported by the Liberal Democrats? That would be a this more competitive and dangerous age. It identified good start. Abandoning the plan to increase our nuclear the need to build our resilience, which we will address in weapons arsenal would also be a good start. 23WH Global Human Security 13 APRIL 2021 24WH

[Wera Hobhouse] Bay Local Authority in North Lancashire and South Cumbria I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting this debate. I hope it is only the beginning of a debate on how we rethink global security. 11 am Question put and agreed to. Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab): I beg to Resolved, move, That this House has considered global human security. That this House has considered a proposal for the Bay local authority in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. 10.50 am It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sitting suspended. Sir Christopher. I called for today’s debate because I believe that the current local government reorganisation process is being carried out in the wrong way and conducted at the wrong time. It is a rushed process, which councils are responding to at a time when they are also dealing with the pandemic. The reorganisation decisions that are about to be made will have a lasting impact on the Lancaster part of my constituency and how it is governed for generations to come. After all, it is 47 years since the last major review of local government in our area, which tore up the historic county of Lancashire and, I believe, got it wrong when removing Lancashire over the sands—that is, Barrow-in-Furness—from the rest of Lancashire. It could be another 47 years before we return to this topic, so we must get it right this time, both by creating effective structures and respecting cultural identities. I would be grateful if the Minister could explain in his response to the debate why Cumbria was invited to put forward proposals and Lancashire was not. In September 2020, Lancashire County Council submitted a request to the Government to be in tranche 1. By consulting only on Cumbria and not Lancashire, the Government have limited the opportunity to develop solutions that work across both areas, despite their repeated claims to want to enable locally-led solutions. When the consultation opened in February, it was unclear on the consultation website whether residents in Lancaster were entitled to respond at all, because the consultation only mentioned Cumbria, despite one of the options involving Lancaster. I am grateful that, thanks to the lobbying of Councillor Lizzi Collinge, some of the wording was finally amended a few weeks ago. However, it is still unacceptable that, without those changes, Lancaster may have faced a once-in-a-generation change in governance without its inhabitants being meaningfully consulted. The consultation website is also difficult to browse, loaded with jargon and confusing, particularly for my Lancaster constituents. I am that the Minister will tell me that the consultation meets the minimum standards required by the relevant legislation, but let us be frank: a poorly designed consultation, rushed through in a pandemic, is no way to make a decision of this magnitude, and nor is it the locally-led, bottom-up process that the Government claim it is. In Lancaster,there is a long-held view that cross-county options for local government should be considered. As I have said, the current county boundaries were imposed in 1974 and do not reflect local geography or local identity. I support Lancaster City Council’s wish to work with neighbouring councils in Morecambe Bay to develop a proposal for a new council. I am grateful to our local councillors in Lancaster and south Cumbria 25WH Bay Local Authority in North 13 APRIL 2021 Bay Local Authority in North 26WH Lancashire and South Cumbria Lancashire and South Cumbria and in particular to the leader of Lancaster City Council, prospects and find a home that they can afford, some Councillor Dr Erica Lewis, for her work to encourage young people feel that they need to move away from the people in Lancaster to engage with the consultation and Bay. I want every young person to feel that they can consider the options. have the opportunities and the future that they want in Joint working between Lancaster, Barrow and South Lancaster and across the Bay. Can the Minister reassure Lakeland is very well developed in the Morecambe Bay me that the views of young people will be considered in area, which is already recognised as the functional making a decision on local government reorganisation? economic geography of the area, with a footprint for This should not be about party politics. The Bay public services such as the NHS that makes sense. The proposal is based on the natural affinity of the three Bay councils developed their proposal in record time. councils and the communities they serve. It transcends Despite the time constraints, they have put together a party politics locally and is based on the long-term strong proposal and demonstrated strong local support interests of the people who live, work and invest in the for it. I hope the Government will give the Bay proposal Bay area, not short-term political advantage—a sentiment proper consideration. also reflected in the surveys conducted as part of the However, the approach so far from the Ministry of consultation. Housing, Communities and Local Government does I was disappointed to see the Lancashire County not seem even-handed. The legislation, and the invitation, Council response clearly split on political lines. In weighing for local government reorganisation proposals expressly this as a consultation response, I hope the Government allow for a type C proposal from councils in neighbouring will reflect on the fact that, although Lancashire County county areas, yet Lancaster has not been treated as a Council is divided on these issues, there is strong cross-party full participant in the process. support in Lancaster, Barrow and South Lakeland. Lancashire County Council Conservatives are completely The process that the Government are following is wrong to claim that the Bay does not enjoy local support. flawed. A type C proposal is a legal proposal, yet the The Government will see in the consultation process consultation treats Lancaster City Council, Lancaster’s that there is still very strong local support. This has residents and local organisations differently from their already been evidenced by independent polling. This is equivalents in other areas where proposals are being put not a Labour proposal, or a Lib Dem or Conservative forward. I would like the Minister to give a categorical proposal. It has been supported by parties on all sides assurance that the views of Lancaster residents will be in all three districts, because they recognise that it is the given equal weight in this process. best solution for the communities across Morecambe The Bay offers a positive vision of investment, skills Bay, and it is not hard to understand why. We are a and jobs growth, tackling the climate emergency, and community tied by history, family, work and education. protecting and enhancing natural resources, infrastructure The Bay would allow councils in the remainder of such as roads, flood defences and housing, and services two-tier Lancashire to consider their own future, develop that meet real need across adult and children’s services. new authorities and move to a position where all of The Bay area has 13,000 businesses, with 18,000 jobs in Lancashire has a single-tier local government. The Bay advanced manufacturing, 4,300 in agriculture and 25,000 in also creates an opportunity for a new north Cumbria tourism and hospitality. Some 30 million people visit council. With an affinity with neighbours in the north Lancaster and south Cumbria, contributing £2 billion of England and southern Scotland, there is potential to the economy. It has five major wind farms, oil and for enhanced borderlands working. gas operations, and two major nuclear power stations. It also has two universities, both already effectively The Government have set out three tests for proposals. co-operating across the Bay. I will address each and set out why I believe the Bay meets them. On the first test, the Bay will improve local The Bay has the capacity to tangibly improve people’s government and service delivery, and provide stronger lives and is a place that works in the real economy. leadership and more sustainable structures. There is a Council spending would be on the same footprint as the public service imperative to focus on what public services NHS, providing clarity and focus. The proposal addressed need to do to respond to today’s society and needs. The previously missed opportunities to create a council structure Bay proposal is about reform as much as reorganisation. that reflects the economic, geographic and population Mature joint working between the three councils and realities of the area. This proposal will strengthen rather alignment with health services is a strong basis for than undermine people’sidentity and affinity with the area. creating the new council. Changing administrative borders does not change On the second test, the Bay has strong local support. people’s identity and affinities. The people of Lancaster It is the only proposal on the table that has very clear will always be Lancastrians. Many people in Barrow, local support from the public. It is not clear how the despite being administratively in Cumbria, consider assessment of local support will be made by the themselves to be Lancastrians too—indeed, as I was Department. Can the Minister reassure me that he will born in Barrow, I very much consider myself a not place the self-interested opposition of Conservative Lancastrian—but they are also from the Bay and from councillors from the other end of Lancashire above the the north-west. wishes of local people in the Bay area? What will change is locally focused services, with The third test relates to population. The Bay is within decisions made close to where people live, and a greater, the range proposed by the Government and has a more meaningful role for communities and town and credible geography. There is obviously a lot of work to parish councils if they want it. Throughout this process, do to develop the detailed plans for any new councils the three councils of the Bay have said that they want that are created, whether that is bringing together current young people to be part of shaping what is in their district services or county services. There is also work to community and their future. Tosecure a job with long-term do with the police and fire authorities to develop 27WH Bay Local Authority in North 13 APRIL 2021 Bay Local Authority in North 28WH Lancashire and South Cumbria Lancashire and South Cumbria [Cat Smith] about the future of local government reform. It is hugely important. Of course,all the hon. Lady’sconstituents arrangements. Can the Minister assure me that the can continue to contribute to the consultation, which is Government will not put the district-led proposals, and still open. If they have not had the opportunity to do so specifically a type C proposal, at an immediate I certainly encourage them to join the process. disadvantage? It would make nonsense of the invitation Perhaps it is right for me to begin by setting out the for a type C option if the Government were to rule it Government’s policy.Weconsider that locally led changes out on the alignment of police and fire authorities. to the structure of local government, whether in the There must be a pragmatic approach, and it must be form of unitarisation or district mergers, can be an recognised that there is an opportunity to work out new appropriate means of improving local service delivery, arrangements in the transition to a new authority. Those saving taxpayers money and improving local accountability. could be worked out locally and, indeed, the Government Weare clear that any reform of an area’s local government can intervene if they wish to. is most effectively achieved through locally led proposals Local government reorganisation must be about put forward by those who know the area best. That is more than rearranging the deckchairs. On issues such the essence of localism, to which we are committed. as social care, public health, climate change and youth There is no question of any top-down imposition of services, more of the same will not be good enough. The Government solutions in that area. That brings me to Department commissioned a research report from Cardiff the proposals that we have received from councils in University that concluded that size is not a detriment Cumbria for local government reorganisation. with respect to performance, and the implications for On 9 October last year the Secretary of State invited performance should be evaluated in the context of the all the principal councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire reform proposed for each local area. The Bay is a and Somerset, including the unitary councils, to submit chance to shake things up and to do things differently, locally led proposals for unitary local government. The on a geographic footprint that makes sense for services councils in those three areas had been developing ideas and local people. about restructuring local government for some time, Finally I want to say a word about democracy, which and were well advanced, which is why they were selected. should be at the heart of the discussion. I agree with the We consider it right that Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Government that our current two-tier local government Somerset councils had the opportunity to present their arrangement does not work. Routinely people do not local proposals for unitary reform. Late last year, on know which council provides which services, who they 9 December, we received four proposals from Cumbria should hold accountable for them, or where they should councils: one from the county council proposing a turn for help. I assist thousands of constituents with single unitary council for the area, and three from their issues each year as their MP, and I feel their pain. different groups of district councils, each proposing two A change to unitary local government is welcome and unitary councils. in principle it has broad political support, because it As the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood would simplify services for residents and businesses. It outlined, one of the two unitary proposals is from would vastly improve the accountability of councils and Barrow Borough Council and South Lakeland District councillors, and by doing so it would improve local Council, which they have developed with Lancaster people’s ability to understand and have a say in decisions City Council. Under the current statutory process, only that affect them. However, that sense of connection to councils which have received an invitation can submit a local government will be realised only if the authority proposal. However,that proposal may cover areas outside reflects the local identity and local patterns of living of those councils. That is the case here, where the and working. proposals submitted by Barrow Borough Council and I believe that only the Bay will deliver that for Lancaster, South Lakeland District Council include Lancaster City, South Lakeland and Barrow.Unlike proposals for county an approach that the city council supports. unitaries it operates on a scale that works, and unlike On 22 February this year, we launched a consultation such options as greater Blackpool it represents real for proposals in line with the statute, which requires geography that will centre all the residents in decision that before implementing a proposal a Secretary of making. The feeling is clear, from surveys, opinion State must consult any council that would be affected polling and representations that have been made to me. by, but did not submit, that proposal, as well as such Residents and businesses in Lancaster say that they other persons he considers appropriate. That closes on would feel distant from a one Lancashire or greater 19 April. Blackpool authority. The Bay would give leadership I know that Lancaster City Council has been working that local people would identify with, and enhance local closely with Barrow and South Lakeland on their proposal, democracy rather than weakening it. which includes Lancaster City as an area outside Cumbria that is part of Lancashire in terms of the statute. As the hon. Lady has outlined, this is known as a type C 11.12 am proposal. While Lancaster City supports this proposal The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government and has been playing a part in its development, the (Luke Hall): It is a pleasure to serve under your position under the statute is that Lancaster City is not a chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I congratulate the hon. proposing council. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Cat Smith) on Weare consulting Lancaster City Council and Lancashire securing this hugely important debate.Westrongly welcome County Council on all the proposals put forward by her interest in ensuring that her constituents, the businesses, the Cumbria authorities. We are also consulting the local organisations and voluntary groups, and everyone Lancashire police and crime commissioner and fire who lives and works in the area, can have a real say and rescue authority, along with the PCC and fire and 29WH Bay Local Authority in North 13 APRIL 2021 Bay Local Authority in North 30WH Lancashire and South Cumbria Lancashire and South Cumbria rescue authority for Cumbria. It is also important to members being elected to serve for potentially very stress that residents and organisations in Lancaster can short terms, a maximum of two years, where a shadow comment on the proposal, just like the residents and authority is established. organisations in Barrow and South Lakeland. The order that postpones the elections also extends That is extremely important feature, and the fact that for a year the terms of office of councillors who would hundreds of people in Lancaster City have already otherwise have retired following the May elections this year, commented shows that the process is working; it is and makes consequential provisions to ensure that open, it is available, and it remains open until 19 April. by-elections to vacant seats can still take place. The In fact, we checked this morning, and—as an example—well order postponing the elections has been made without over four fifths of email responses alone are about the prejudice to any subsequent decisions on the unitary Bay proposal, and nearly two thirds of the total emails proposals that are under consideration, and does for Cumbria are from the hon. Lady’s “Back the Bay” not affect the police and crime commissioner elections, campaign. I think it is clear that we are encouraging the town and parish council elections or any other views from anybody who is interested, whether that is scheduled by-elections, which will still occur on the businesses, the voluntary sector, organisations, or local 6 May. residents in Lancaster and elsewhere in Cumbria, Lancashire In practice, that means that elections to Lancashire and beyond. County Council will go ahead in May this year, unlike The hon. Lady asked for confirmation that young elections to Cumbria County Council. That reflects the people’s views will be taken into account, which is fact that, whatever Cumbria proposal may be implemented, absolutely right and vital, and I can certainly give her there is no possibility of Lancashire County Council the reassurance that they are submitting to the consultation. being abolished. In May of this year there are no The Secretary of State has a responsibility to weigh up ordinary elections to the city council. all the representations he receives, including from young Following the consultation, the Secretary of State people, and we have specifically asked proposing councils will carefully consider the proposals and has a duty to to actively increase awareness of and access to the take into account three criteria if the proposal were to consultation. Clearly, that would include young people be implemented: whether it would be likely to improve as well, and they are able to use their resources to do local government and service delivery in the area; whether that. In the case of Barrow and South Lakeland, with it would command a good deal of local support; and the help of Lancaster City Council, that will no doubt whether it would lead to unitary councils covering a include raising awareness in those groups, and among credible geography. The representations that the hon. those who live and work in Lancaster. Lady has made today and throughout the process will The hon. Lady also mentioned access to the consultation be taken into account as part of that. through the website, and she is right to highlight that the consultation website meets the commonly applied The Secretary of State will then decide, having regard web content accessibility guidelines to help it be more to all of the representations he has received on the accessible to a wide range of people. If she thinks there proposals,including those received through the consultation are ways that can be improved further for future exercise, and all other relevant information available to consultation, of course we will be happy to listen to that. him, which proposal, if any, to implement. We envisage those decisions to be taken and announced before the On the wider point of access to the consultation, we summer recess. ask all councils to facilitate the widest possible awareness of the consultation. We believe it is right that the If the Secretary of State decides that a proposal councils that know their communities best and understand should be implemented, he will seek parliamentary the requirements of local people are best placed to approval for the necessary secondary legislation. Clearly generate interest from a wide range of organisations such an order would need to be considered and approved using the connections and information that they have. by each House. If Parliament approves legislation For example, that could include a council making both implementing any proposal, the rescheduled elections the consultation and the proposal available digitally or in May 2022 would be cancelled. It is envisaged that in other accessible formats. It is also important to put they will be replaced in May 2022 by elections to either on record that people can respond in writing or by the new shadow authority or a continuing authority, email to the consultation, and the details of that are which is to be the new unitary authority. available on the consultation website. Councils can, of The expectation is that any new unitary authority course, use that to promote access to the consultation, would take on the full powers of a unitary authority including to the groups that the hon. Lady has highlighted. from 1 April 2023. Those elected to the shadow or I just want to touch on the elections. As the hon. continuing authority in May 2022 would continue as Lady will be aware, this year’s elections to the principal members of the new authority, most likely serving a councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset total five-year term, one year as members of the shadow have been rescheduled to May 2022. There is precedent or continuing authority and four years as members of for such a one-year postponement of elections where the full unitary authority. unitarisation is under consideration. For example, the same I am grateful we have had the chance to have this occurred in the Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire debate and to the hon. Lady for her speech and for unitarisation exercises. putting on record all of the points she has made. I hope Rescheduling those local elections avoided creating a she understands that I cannot comment on the individual situation where the electorate would be asked to vote representations that she has made about the quality of for councils a short time after being consulted on proposals any of the submissions, because the process is ongoing, that, if they are implemented, would result in the abolition and I encourage people to continue to take part in that of those councils. Rescheduling the elections also avoids until the 19th of this month. 31WH Bay Local Authority in North 13 APRIL 2021 32WH Lancashire and South Cumbria [Luke Hall] Vagrancy Act 1824 By submitting their proposals for unitary local government, councils in these areas have an important [SIR CHARLES WALKER in the Chair] opportunity to move forward with reforms, which can open the way to significant benefits for local people and 2.30 pm businesses, delivering service improvements, facilitating economic growth and contributing to the levelling-up Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): I remind hon. of opportunity and prosperity across the country. Members that there have been some changes to normal practice in order to support the new hybrid arrangements. Question put and agreed to. Timings of debates have been amended to allow technical arrangements to be made for the next debate. There will 11.25 am also be suspensions between each debate. I remind Sitting suspended. Members participating physically and virtually that they must arrive for the start of debates in Westminster Hall. Members are expected to remain for the entire debate. I also remind Members participating virtually that they are visible at all times both to each other and to us in the Boothroyd Room. If Members attending virtually have any technical problems, they should email the Westminster Hall Clerks’email address.Members attending physically should clean their spaces before they use them and as they leave the room. I would also like to remind Members that Mr Speaker has stated that masks should be worn in Westminster Hall. One Member has notified me that he has to leave for another very important debate in the main Chamber, and I have made provision for that.

2.31 pm Nickie Aiken (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): I beg to move, That this House has considered repealing and replacing the Vagrancy Act 1824. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Charles. I am delighted to have secured this extremely important debate on repealing and replacing the Vagrancy Act 1824, and I thank hon. Members present for putting in to speak. I know from my mailbag that constituents, businesses and visitors to the Cities of London and Westminster are concerned about rough sleepers and share my desire—and that of the Government—to end rough sleeping for good. As the title suggests, this debate is not just about repealing the Vagrancy Act, but to consider what should replace it to respond to the 21st-century reasons people find themselves on the street. I believe that the Government share my wish to see the Act repealed following the response from my right hon. Friend the Communities Secretary to my recent question in the House, where he confirmed his belief that the Act, “should be consigned to history.” [Official Report, 25 February 2021; Vol. 689, c. 1138.] The Vagrancy Act 1824 is an antiquated piece of legislation originally introduced to deal with soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars. With no public services available, many ended up on the streets begging and sleeping rough. It is now used by police and councils to tackle the small minority of rough sleepers involved in persistent antisocial behaviour. Similarly, powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including public space protection orders and criminal behaviour orders, are increasingly used. Yes, we must challenge anyone involved in antisocial behaviour, but rather than criminalising a rough sleeper, I truly believe that the better outcome for 33WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 34WH both the individual and society is to address the reasons health assessments for rough sleepers. Even when one they are on the street in the first place, and provide the has been secured, often the vital missing piece of the help and support they obviously need. jigsaw is a specialist bed for that person. People on the street with the most complex needs Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I congratulate the often lack the mental health capacity to make decisions hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster for their own wellbeing or accept help from others. At (Nickie Aiken) on bringing this debate to Westminster present, a rough sleeper’s mental state has to become so Hall. Does the hon. Lady agree that, with over 50 acute that he or she is self-harming or at risk of doing housing and homelessness organisations supporting so for the police to take emergency action, and only scrapping the Vagrancy Act 1824, the Minister and the then might they have a mental health assessment. By Government must consider alternatives? They must that stage, it is far too late, which is why we need an acknowledge that many of these charities work with assertive outreach approach. We need outreach workers people experiencing homelessness directly, and that they working in partnership with specialist homelessness see how it presently fails to end rough sleeping, instead mental health teams that can undertake mental health pushing people into worse positions,and their circumstances assessments under the Mental Health Act 1983, as well must be respected and considered. The Government as other types of assessments on the street, with rapid cannot ignore 50 housing and charitable organisations. access to specialist bed spaces. We then need the health services required attached to the bed that the rough Nickie Aiken: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. sleeper is referred to. I would welcome it if the Minister I do not know a charity involved in rough sleeping and can address that point and consider reintroducing street- homelessness that does not agree that the Vagrancy Act based mental health services. should be repealed. Of course, none of that can happen without the If we get this right, it will end the revolving door that backing of long-term sustainable funding. I again ask too many rough sleepers currently experience, whereby the Government to give due consideration to extending they accept outreach help and are placed in accommodation, the time period of funding allocations for such service but too often find themselves back on the street because to at least three years, preferably five, rather than the their underlying mental health issues or addictions have current annual basis. not been tackled. Even on the coldest day of the year As we slowly and carefully begin our journey out of and during adverse weather conditions brought on by the pandemic, much is in flux. However, we now have a the likes of the “beast from the east”, a considerable golden opportunity to build upon Everyone In, to learn number of people chose to ignore the no-questions-asked from that initiative and to reshape our response, so that help of a hot meal and a roof over their head, whether we have the services we need to achieve our shared goal from a local authority, a church, a community centre or of ending rough sleeping. The Government, I believe, a mosque. They are so fearful, mistrusting or mentally are willing and able to end rough sleeping. Repealing unwell that they prefer to remain outside in below-zero and replacing the Vagrancy Act, longer-term funding temperatures, where they feel safest. attached to mental health services and accommodation There are more than 400 beds available on any given and re-establishing street-based mental health services night in Westminster alone for rough sleepers. However, will do just that. I look forward to the contributions of we must not just offer a bed. The accommodation other Members and to the Minister’s response. available rarely comes with the vital health services required to help turn a person’s life around and address Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): Back-Bench colleagues often years—sometimes decades—of abuse, poor mental have around nine minutes each. health and addiction. But there is a clear solution: replace the Vagrancy Act with a new approach that 2.40 pm places the preservation of life at its core through assertive Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab) [V]: Sir Charles, it outreach, alongside social care and specialist medical is a privilege and honour to serve under your chairmanship. support, all attached to the safety of a bed. We need Members will be aware that this is an issue of great addiction counsellors, psychiatric help and medical support interest to me, and I thank the hon. Member for Cities for those who have suffered years of sleeping rough. of London and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) for securing The Government’s Everyone In strategy, in response this important debate. Before the pandemic began, I to the covid-19 pandemic, saw an incredible 90% of volunteered each Sunday at Charles Thompson’s Mission rough sleepers accept accommodation, demonstrating in my constituency to help serve hot breakfasts to over that when central and local government work together, 350 people who were then homeless across Merseyside. we can achieve impressive results, but what about the For me this was not a chore, it was a privilege. other 10%? Throughout the first lockdown, about The causes of homelessness are many and complex. 100 people in Westminster refused all help and remained Everyone I met at the mission had a different story to on the street. I saw many of them myself. They were tell. Some were casualties of the housing crisis and a clearly very ill, with serious addiction and mental health cruel and often incomprehensible welfare system, and problems. some had fled domestic violence. Many struggled with Having witnessed what I have, and having spoken to substance abuse and mental ill health, and all were former rough sleepers, outreach workers and other experts, victims of a decade of brutal spending cuts that has left I know that it is clear that if we are to end rough frontline services struggling to survive. The decade of sleeping for good, a fundamental shake-up of mental austerity led to a staggering 165% increase in the number health services is required. Charities including The Passage, of rough sleepers in England. That is a shameful legacy Crisis and St Mungo’s have highlighted that outreach and its victims deserve support, not punishment. No workers today find it near impossible to secure mental one deserves to be criminalised simply because they 35WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 36WH

[Mick Whitley] The Act makes it an offence to beg. While I would welcome any changes and getting rid of the Act, we have nowhere to call home. Seven out of 10 local must preserve that in one way or another. I have met a authorities continue to use some form of enforcement lot of rough sleepers who freely admit that they are against homeless communities. In Merseyside alone, begging in order to find the cash to buy drugs or nearly 300 proceedings were brought under the Vagrancy alcohol. The fact that they have received this generosity Act 1824 in 2019. from the public keeps people on the streets much longer For those who fall victim to this pernicious piece of than they would be otherwise. I have often cited the legislation, the consequences can be devastating. Fines example of a guy at St Mungo’s—I did not meet him; can sometimes be as high as £1,000—a whopping amount St Mungo’s told me about him—who had been around that will only plunge people further into dire poverty. It Covent Garden for many years and who had ended up makes any chance of escaping the streets impossible. having his leg cut off because of the long-term impact Just the threat of being fined or moved on by the police of sticking needles in his arm. This guy apparently says can drive many homeless people away from places of that if the public had not been so generous, he would visibility. That puts them out of reach of frontline have been off the streets an awful lot earlier. services and third sector organisations that could help A few years ago, when I did my last programme, I them. It increases the likelihood that homeless people, remember sleeping around the back of the “goods in” who are already 17 times more likely to be victims of entrance of the McDonald’s by Westminster Cathedral crime, will be subject to violence, abuse and criminal with all the people who had taken spice. It was awful. exploitation. There was one guy who clearly was not on spice—he The Vagrancy Act traps homeless people in a vicious was a drinker—and I slept next to him. He was called circle of criminalisation and marginalisation. I was Andy; we made friends. The reason Andy is on the therefore heartened to see the Communities Secretary street is because that is the only way he can get money tell the House that he thought the Act should be scrapped, to get beer. Many of the people that my hon. Friend at last adopting the position my party has held for many spoke about are on the street, despite the extraordinary years. Nearly 200 years after the great abolitionist William success of Everyone In, because they need money to Wilberforce first condemned this spiteful Act in the buy drugs. House, we now have the opportunity to right a wrong If someone needs £150 or £200 a day to buy heroin, that has endured for too long. and is ill because they have been heroin addict for a long However, we must go further. In place of the Vagrancy time, it is going to be hard for them to find any other Act, we need a compassionate and holistic approach means of paying for the drugs than by begging. People that tackles the root cause of homelessness, rather than can make a lot of money begging. Some 25 years ago simply giving homeless people a one-way ticket to the there were groups begging in Regent Street—what we criminal justice system. That means restoring funding call walking begging—that were getting £200 in a day. It to frontline public services, which do vital work helping is the same for some people in towns such as Winchester, homeless people battling with mental ill health and particularly at the height of the tourist season. My substance abuse. It means giving local authorities the appeal is that if we do something about the Act, we resources they need to tackle this issue with a public should keep the provisions on begging. health-focused approach. We must write off all the At some point we have to think about what we do for debts incurred over the pandemic and restore funding these people who are addicted to heroin, for whom I after 10 years of austerity. Above all, it means tackling have a huge amount of sympathy. They have got to buy the housing crisis by ending the right to buy and launching the drug somehow or they have to get some sort of a massive council house building scheme that creates treatment. To go slightly against what I am saying, if homes fit for the 21st century and ends the blight of people are not begging for the money, they may be homelessness once and for all. stealing for it. We need to have an honest discussion, at some point, as to whether we should medicalise the 2.43 pm problem for people who are firmly committed to taking drugs. I end there, but I thank my hon. Friend the Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con): I thank my hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster for Friend the Member for Cities of London and Westminster securing the debate. (Nickie Aiken) for calling for this important debate. As the Secretary of State and the Minister often point out, 2.48 pm street homelessness is primarily a health issue. The hon. Lady bangs that drum all the time, and it is extremely Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]: It is a pleasure important that we are to understand this. We constantly to serve under your chairmanship, I believe for the first hear that homelessness is all the fault of the evil Government time in Westminster Hall, Sir Charles. I add my and the bedroom tax or whatever else. I know there are congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for big issues around housing and lots of people who are Cities of London and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) on homeless but not on the streets. That must be addressed, securing the debate. I congratulate her on her question but to conflate those groups does nothing to help the to the Secretary of State that elicited the excellent street homeless. If we are serious, it is time for all those response that he was minded to repeal the Vagrancy organisations that use the street homeless almost like a Act 1824, especially given that there has been considerable showcase group to highlight those other areas, to bang opposition from the Government, over an extended the drum and to hit at the Government, to stop doing period of time, to repealing that legislation. that or we will not get anywhere. Repealing the Act I have lobbied many Ministers responsible for upholding may be an opportunity for a wider effort by both the this Act to sponsor its repeal and to encourage the Government and the Opposition. Government to repeal it. The Minister is new and when 37WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 38WH he replies to the debate I am sure that we can look When being triaged by a local authority, however, they forward to the announcement of the timetable for would frequently be greeted by the same response: introducing the legislation necessary to repeal the Vagrancy “Sorry, we can’t help you. Go and sleep on a park bench Act 1824. I declare my interest as co-chairman of the or sleep in a shop doorway, and hopefully one of the all-party parliamentary group for ending homelessness. housing charities will come along and help you.” People It is in that capacity, and in my role as a member of the sleeping rough for the first time are extremely vulnerable, Select Committee on Housing, Communities and Local and sadly, those sleeping rough die at a very early age. Government, that I have been investigating the causes The average age of men dying on the streets is 46. We of homelessness and trying to put this right over many have to combat that. years in this place. Weshould congratulate the Government on the Everyone We know that every person who is homeless is a In programme and celebrate its success. It is extremely unique case. We cannot put people in pigeonholes or welcome that it has taken more than 30,000 people off say, “It is because of this or because of that.” There are the streets and put them in safe accommodation. It is some frequent reasons why people become homeless in now time, however, to review not just the success of that the first place. The ending of a private sector tenancy is policy but how we go forward. I congratulate the still the most common reason, but another is relationship Government on providing money for move-on breakdown, which very sadly leads to many people accommodation and on ensuring as far as possible that being forced to sleep rough in the first place. Before the those people do not return to the streets, unless it is passing of my Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, single their absolute choice to do so. In addition to discussing people would not receive any help whatsoever from the Vagrancy Act, we should also review all housing local authorities. I am glad we have put that right. legislation and make sure that obstacles are not being Another reason is people becoming unemployed through placed in the way of assisting people into proper and no fault of their own. They may be made redundant or decent accommodation. lose their job because a company goes out of business. I am a great advocate for Housing First, meaning It could be that they have suffered an accident and are that we take people off the streets, provide them with no longer able to work. Additional reasons, as others secure accommodation, and then build a network of have mentioned, include addiction to drugs, alcohol support around them. The main reason for that is that it and gambling, and substance abuse also must be taken is no good just giving someone a property to live in into consideration. It is fair to say, therefore, that there when they have suffered from addictions or other problems. is no one single cause for someone becoming homeless They actually need help and support to rebuild their in the first place. lives, and it is only once they have a secure roof over We also know that during this pandemic private their heads that we can do that. The trials and pilot sector rent arrears have increased dramatically. The schemes have been very successful and we should aim to National Landlords Association estimates that 7% of roll them out so that this becomes a means of prevention, those with a private sector lease are in rent arrears. That rather than cure, which is always the best approach. may not sound like very much, but given that 3.5 million As my hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London people are renting properties, that means that 245,000 and Westminster rightly pointed out, the Vagrancy Act people could be made homeless when the moratorium was introduced in the wake of the Napoleonic wars, on evictions comes to an end. Indeed, they could be during which men in particular had been crippled. prevented from getting another lease if a county court There were no jobs for them, no national health service judgement is made against them. Many of them may and no welfare state. We are now in a much stronger end up being street homeless if we are not too careful. position and should deal with people who are homeless on the basis of their health and enable them to rebuild Clearly, we have come a long way with legislation their lives. over many years. Looking back, we can see that 1977 It is right, however, that we have legislation to deal was the first time that local authorities had a duty to with aggressive begging in particular. My advice to house those in priority need. It is easy to think now that anyone who asks me has always been: “Don’t give of course local authorities should have that duty, but it money to someone who is homeless and unfortunately was not that long ago that there was no such requirement. living on the streets—give them help and support. Direct That reform was welcome. them to a charity where they can get the help and In 2016, I had the opportunity and privilege to promote support they need to rebuild their lives, rather than a private Member’s Bill, which subsequently became the potentially fuel their addictions”. Homelessness Reduction Act. I am very proud of that. Surely now is the time that, above all else, we should It was done on a cross-party basis, with pre-legislative say to the people of this country that people who are scrutiny carried out by the Housing, Communities and homeless should not be arrested but assisted. By assisting Local Government Committee, and supported by all them we can help them rebuild their lives and rebuild parties in the House of Commons. That went on the the dignity of people across the country. We do need to statute book in April 2017, just before the general build more social housing and provide a rental basis election, but it did not come into force until April 2018. that people can afford. That is not a debate for today, Its most important duty is the duty to refer people who but let us hear from the Minister the actions that the are threatened with being homeless to a local authority Government are going to take to repeal this legislation. for assistance, but that did not come into force until Although we will need legislation to deal with aggressive October 2018. More than 30,000 people have been begging, we need to make sure that people who are prevented from becoming homeless as a result. homeless do not feel threatened by the police and those The vast majority of people who become homeless in in authority but realise that they can be assisted to the first place say the same thing: “All we need is help rebuild their lives. Thank you, Sir Charles, for allowing and advice to get ourselves into an alternative property.” me to participate in this excellent debate. 39WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 40WH

2.58 pm the pandemic has pushed vulnerable people on to the same streets that the Everyone In scheme had temporarily Claudia Webbe (Leicester East) (Ind) [V]: It is an vacated. absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Charles. I congratulate the hon. Member for Cities of The pandemic has also led to concerns that the London and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) on securing number of rough sleepers has been dramatically under- this important debate. estimated in official figures, which are predominantly collated by a count-based estimate of the number of The Vagrancy Act, which was introduced in 1824 people seen sleeping rough in a local authority on a after the Napoleonic wars, continues to this day to typical night. The National Audit Office has expressed punish vulnerable people who are begging or sleeping alarm that between the end of March and November on the street. Since 2009, Leicestershire police have 2020, 33,139 people were given accommodation through brought proceedings under the Vagrancy Act against the Everyone In scheme—a number almost eight times 126 of our residents. While that relatively low figure greater than the annual snapshot of rough sleepers. The further underlines the pointlessness of this legislation, it Government must therefore urgently revise how they means that 126 too many Leicester residents who have measure rough sleeping. Even more importantly, they been punished for the crime of being poor. Rough must revoke the discriminatory new immigration rule sleeping is a searing indictment of societal failure. Every and set in place a plan to permanently eradicate rough person we see forced to survive on our streets while sleeping. avoiding dystopian anti-homeless spite demonstrates how basic human needs have been sacrificed on the The Government have pledged to end rough sleeping altar of neoliberalism. Rough sleeping in England increased by 2024, yet to achieve that they must invest much more by 141% between 2010 and 2019, while deaths more than the £750 million earmarked for the next year. To than doubled in the recent five-year period. Sadly, that put the issue in perspective, that is 3.4% of the £22 billion is not surprising but rather the inevitable consequence that the Government have spent on the failed, bloated of cruel Government decisions. Test and Trace system, which has had a negligible impact on covid-19 cases while lining the pockets of Over the past decade, Conservative Governments Tory party donors. have implemented an ideologically driven programme of austerity that has left our public services weakened, With the Vagrancy Act 1824 approaching its 200th vulnerable and underfunded, which has escalated insecurity birthday, there can be no better way to mark the occasion at work and brought about a long and continuing than to finally repeal this appalling, outdated legislation, squeeze on living standards. Rising rough sleeping figures along with the Government’s latest discriminatory are an inevitable consequence of such rampant inequality. immigration rules. We must stop punishing our most On top of this, the Government have introduced a new vulnerable members of society and instead focus on set of immigration rules that make rough sleeping grounds addressing the causes behind their misfortune. for refusal or cancellation of permission to stay in the UK. Seventy specialist organisations working in 3.4 pm homelessness have expressed concern that that is as Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con): It is a pleasure to counterproductive as it is morally abhorrent, as the serve under your chairmanship, Sir Charles. I thank my rules will push people further away from seeking support hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and and leave them far more vulnerable to exploitation. Westminster (Nickie Aiken) for securing this important The new rules do not include protection for asylum debate. We want to talk openly and transparently about seekers and refugees or for people who are illegally many of the issues relating to rough sleeping because, evicted from private properties. That is of particular unfortunately,manyof our constituents face these problems. concern, as a disproportionate number—26%—of people Unless we talk openly and with honesty about these sleeping rough are non-UK nationals. It is especially challenges, we risk not facing up to them. callous for the Government to introduce these changes The circumstances under which many find themselves during a global pandemic. Following pressure, at the rough sleeping can vary enormously. There are many start of the covid-19 outbreak the Government introduced individual factors, such as mental health problems, the Everyone In scheme, which helped temporarily house bereavement or experience of the criminal justice system. thousands of vulnerable people. While the scheme was Individuals can face problems through no fault of their commendable, it should not have taken a global pandemic own, such as family breakdown, issues with friends or for us to decide to take the issue of rough sleeping physical abuse from other members of their household. seriously. It is a matter of great concern that the support There can be a variety of causes, but none is any less has already been scaled back. important than another. That is why I welcome this The Government must recognise that rough sleeping debate. is not a static problem, but rather a constant conveyor In my constituency, like in most of the country, rough belt of misery. Throughout this pandemic, the injustice sleeping is a problem. It is also a problem in neighbouring of the “no recourse to public funds”policy,the inadequacies Bradford and across the wider Bradford district. I therefore of covid-19 support packages and universal credit, spikes welcome the work being done to deal with these problems in domestic abuse and the failure to cut rent and cancel in my community. For example, Homeless Not Hopeless arrears continue to leave more and more people vulnerable is a fantastic local organisation, which I have visited to homelessness. Between April and June 2020, almost in Keighley, that does a lot of work in the Bradford two thirds of the 4,227 people recorded as sleeping district. It recognises that both mental and physical rough in London were doing so for the first time, challenges can exist among those who are homeless. A representing a 77% rise from the previous year. Shockingly, team of compassionate volunteers provide support to that includes an 81% increase in children and young those who most need it. Last Christmas, I was delighted people. This indicates that the economic fallout from to see groups across Keighley and Ilkley showing support 41WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 42WH for their work. The 5th Ilkley Brownies group collected been urging action, and the price of inaction is high. items to donate to Homeless Not Hopeless, and staff at Rough sleepers will continue to be arrested and prosecuted Airedale General Hospital donated over 200 gift-packaged for being homeless. shoe boxes to the charity. I am told by those with lived experience that outside There are also local charities that help those suffering the official figures, there are many more people who from the symptoms of homelessness. For example, the may not be charged but who are threatened with the Act charity Project 6 helps those in Keighley who are suffering to get them to move on. From 2009 to 2019, 131 from drug and alcohol addiction. People who sleep proceedings under the Act were brought by Thames rough often fall foul of the misuse of those substances. Valley police alone. How much longer are we going to The impacts can be life-crippling. Vicki Beere and her wait, and how much longer will the Government let this team at Project 6 provide vital support to people suffering go on? from those problems. Preventing homelessness is vital, I started the campaign to scrap the Vagrancy Act in but help must also come to those who are sleeping 2017, but the credit needs to go to the compassionate rough. That makes the work of local charities like young people of Oxford. The genesis was a petition Project 6 so important. started by Oxford University students’ union and Oxford- I am pleased that the Government are providing based homelessness group On Your Doorstep. It arose support to help vulnerable people get off the street for in answer to the needless criminalisation under the Act good. The £212 million support package provided through of dozens of rough sleepers in Oxford. In February the rough sleeping accommodation programme will 2018, I introduced the Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill and raised help local authorities provide the funds to tackle rough it at Prime Minister’s questions. sleeping. The Next Steps accommodation programme Together with campaign lead charity Crisis and supported will support new tenancies for people who need them by Homeless Link, St Mungo’s, Centrepoint, Cymorth most. Cymru, The Wallich and Shelter Cymru, we officially Of course, more can be done to support those who launched the cross-party “Scrap the Act” campaign at are rough sleeping. The Vagrancy Act is almost 200 an event in Parliament, with a 41-page report detailing years old. Two centuries later, it stands unfit for purpose. the case against it. That included, critically, a lawyer-led The time has come for it to be replaced. That is why I review of the other Acts already in place to prosecute am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of fraud and aggressive begging. MPs and peers from all State for Housing, Communities and Local Government parties heard stories from people who had lived experience has said that it should be repealed. I congratulate my of rough sleeping, and whose lives had been affected by hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and the Act. It was heartbreaking, and we all resolved to do Westminster on her work and on bringing forward this more to get the law repealed for good. debate. In August 2018, when the review was announced, we Of course, this a difficult issue to tackle. Unless we welcomed it as massive progress. Then we waited and speak about it in places such as this, we are not doing all waited. In January 2019 we debated it on the Floor of we can to bring it to the forefront, so I welcome this the House. It was again raised at Prime Minister’s debate. It is also heartening to see all the work being questions with the then Prime Minister that February, done by local charities. The repealing and replacing of and the Bill was introduced again in March 2020. When the Vagrancy Act is a step in the right direction. I I heard the Secretary of State for Communities and support that move but long-term solutions are also Local Government say on the Floor of the House in required, including longer-term funding, street-based February this year—four years on from the introduction mental health services and a targeted approach that of the original Bill—that the Act should be scrapped, addresses the root causes of homelessness in their entirety. the word I said was “Hallelujah!” I look forward to supporting the Minister’s hopeful remarks on the Government’s aspiration to repeal and Here we are in April 2021. The law is archaic and replace this Act. should be consigned to history, and I am delighted that the Secretary of State has said that he agrees. What now? The campaign has come a long way from its 3.9 pm Oxford grassroots origin, and this debate is proof of Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD) [V]: that. I am saddened that the Secretary of State could It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir not commit to a timetable in a letter to me last week. Charles. I congratulate the hon. Member for Cities of Will the Minister do that today? Will he guarantee that London and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) on securing the repeal of the Vagrancy Act will be in the Queen’s this important debate, and I thank colleagues from Speech next month? This is the moment. I also agree across the House for taking part. with hon. Members who call for more, although I hope the Government will not use that as an excuse to delay My goodness, it has been a long time coming, but it the repeal. does look as though the Vagrancy Act might finally be scrapped. My simple question for the Minister is: when? The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 was a step How long do we need to wait for this review finally to be change, and I commend the hon. Member for Harrow published? How long do we need to wait until this East (Bob Blackman) for leading that work. I have been blight of a law is finally repealed? so grateful for his support in this campaign. As many have already said, the Vagrancy Act is an I also congratulate the Government on the Everyone antiquated piece of legislation from 1824 and it has no In programme. I can tell the Minister that it has had a place in modern society. It is 2021 and we are still transformative effect on those who finally, for the first criminalising people for rough sleeping. For years, the time, have a stable abode. I was told by council officers Liberal Democrats and colleagues from all parties have in Oxfordshire that the programme meant that, for the 43WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 44WH

[Layla Moran] “We have reviewed the Vagrancy Act and will be saying more in the weeks ahead. I would be very happy to meet my hon. first time, many people engaged with the wraparound Friend. It is my opinion that the Vagrancy Act should be repealed. services that are available, and because for the first time It is an antiquated piece of legislation whose time has been and gone. We should consider carefully whether better, more modern they had the peace of mind of knowing where they were legislation could be introduced to preserve some aspects of it, but going to sleep night after night, it was possible to the Act itself, I think, should be consigned to history.”—[Official engage with them. That is why I believe that the “housing Report, 25 February 2021; Vol. 689, c. 1138.] first” approach is certainly the way to go. We have had That statement contains a lot of what has been covered months of a pilot, in effect, during this pandemic. As in the debate today. I would be interested to know outlined in the Public Accounts Committee report on whether the Secretary of State met the hon. Lady, but the issue—led by me and the hon. Member for Chichester rather than put her on the spot I will ask the Minister if (Gillian Keegan)—that approach also saves money. It is he has any further update for us all. not just the right thing to do; it is also the smart thing to do. The Labour party’s position is clear. The next Labour Government will repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824, which Above all, repealing the Vagrancy Act would indicate criminalises begging and rough sleeping. That is because a step change in approach by the whole of society. I am we believe our priority should be to support, not criminalise, sure that Members from all parties remember the death those who are sleeping rough or begging, and to end of Gyula Remes in Westminster underground station in rough sleeping for good. This Georgian-era legislation 2018, one of the two deaths that year at the very feet of is unnecessary—I will explain why shortly—for dealing Parliament. How did Parliament react? By erecting a with genuinely antisocial behaviour, because a number new gate, further down the entrance to the tube station, of other civil measures exist in modern legislation, and pushing the homelessness out of our way—out of including civil injunctions and various orders. sight and out of mind. That will not do, but it continues. Just this morning, a member of my staff saw British Crisis, the homelessness charity, says that the Vagrancy Transport police moving on some rough sleepers from Act outside our tube entrance. When the staff member “gives the police in England and Wales the power to issue a asked the police officer what had happened to the formal arrest if someone has been offered shelter and continues homeless people, the officer said, “We told them to get to sleep on the street.” lost, in a nicer sort of way.” The problem is that, as most of us who have spent time We need a step change in our response to homelessness. with people living on the streets know, there are often Our response needs to be more holistic and more very real and genuine reasons why they cannot use any compassionate, and it has to start by repealing this cruel shelter that is available. and needless law, which continues to be used to punish Rough sleeping is a criminal offence under section IV the homeless. It is a disgrace. We have produced the of the Act and is defined, in very quaint, 1824 language, work detailing why the Government can move forward as quickly. The Bill exists, so just pick it up. It sounds as “wandering abroad and lodging in any Barn or Outhouse, or in though the review that the Government commissioned any deserted or unoccupied Building, or in the open Air, or under has come to the same conclusions as we did years ago. I a Tent, or in any Cart or Waggon...and not giving a good ask the Minister to do the right thing. Let us act now Account of himself or herself”. together. Let us scrap the Vagrancy Act, and let us I am sure that is etched on the memories of everyone in make up for the nearly 200 years of hurt that it has this debate, but I am sure too that many people we serve caused. would be surprised to hear such antiquated and mostly completely irrelevant language being used to deal with 3.16 pm the problem in a 19th-century way—in fact, not even Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab): It is a that—when we have 21st-century ways available to us. pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Charles. The Vagrancy Act 1935 amended the 1824 Act to I congratulate the hon. Member for Cities of London introduce the condition that an individual can be charged and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) on securing this absolutely with rough sleeping only if alternative shelter is available. vital debate, and I congratulate the hon. Member for However, as I have said, that fails to account for the Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran) on her lack of knowledge on the part of many or the fears that campaigning work with Crisis and other organisations. some have about the alternatives, such as unsafe, They are both absolutely right—indeed, all the hon. overcrowded hostels. According to the homelessness Members who are here today seem to have made the charities, the offence of being in an enclosed premises same case—that it is time the Vagrancy Act was scrapped. for an unlawful purpose is also used to challenge rough We have covered a lot today, including many of the sleepers. reasons why that matters and many of the alternatives. I Interestingly,the number of prosecutions and convictions am grateful to colleagues for adopting a cross-party under section IV of the 1824 Act has declined, to the approach to address this topic constructively, and I am extent that in 2019 there were 183 prosecutions and looking forward to hearing what the Minister has to say 140 convictions, only four of which were for the offence in response. of sleeping out. Convictions for begging under section III As others have done, I am going to quote the Secretary have also fallen, although they are higher than those of State. When I searched in Hansard for his references under section IV. In 2019, there were 926 prosecutions to the Act, I landed on his response to a question from and 742 convictions. These are criminal offences whose the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster use is clearly declining, but more importantly, are they during the ministerial statement on rough sleeping on solving the problems they were introduced to solve or 25 February. The Secretary of State said: those that cause them? Do convictions under the Act solve 45WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 46WH the underlying problems of destitution, rough sleeping, and Abingdon (Layla Moran). I thank them for their extreme poverty and the other contributory causes of sterling work. Does the Minister also agree with them rough sleeping? that it is time we got rid and scrapped the Act? Let us look at the underlying problems and take, for If we are to prevent homelessness in the first place, instance, the sharp end of poverty, destitution—when even before coronavirus, poverty was rising, and that someone has literally nothing to live off. The Joseph included in-work poverty, with poor pay and insecure Rowntree Foundation report published last year, which work a primary cause, as well as expensive living costs. I am sure the Minister is aware of, presents data from It cannot be right that so many people on low incomes 2019 that shows a worsening picture of 2.4 million are spending more than half their income on rent, people, including more than half a million children, particularly when that is so often in low-quality destitute at some point in the year, an increase of accommodation. A lot of those people are at risk of around a half compared with 2017. Obviously most of eviction under section 21 of the Housing Act 2004, them will not end up on the streets, but we do not want which the Government committed to repealing. We had there to be destitution either, and if we are to tackle the the renters’ reform Bill in the last Queen’s Speech; can root causes of rough sleeping, that must be part of it. the Minister tell us now whether it will be in the next Over the last 10 years, wages have fallen in many one? Will it get parliamentary time so that we can sectors, jobs have become more insecure and the cost of debate constructively how we will reform the rights of housing in the private rented sector has increased, with people living in the insecure private rented sector? very high rents across the country, particularly in parts The hon. Member for Harrow East said that now is of London, as the hon. Member for Cities of London not the time to talk about all the surrounding issues. He and Westminster will know, and the south-east. This is a is right. We cannot go into them in detail, but it is worth toxic combination that needs a totally new approach to mentioning that as we come out of this crisis getting secure work conditions and decent pay. people into good, secure jobs and secure housing will Meanwhile, what of the safety net that we all believe help prevent the sharp end of homelessness that we anyone who falls on hard times should be able to turn want to prevent when we talk about the Vagrancy Act to? I am afraid that, again, in the last 10 years there has and will also do so much good in the housing industry. been bad news for some people who turn to the state for If we invest—if we build the homes that we need, install help. As many have found this year, although the safety the energy efficiency we need for net zero housing, and net has been there for some, it has not covered everybody. retrofit—that will create jobs. If we really want this, we Many people found that it was not there when they should invest in council and housing association homes needed it, and certainly not to the extent of preventing and, yes, homes to buy. Across all tenures, we need a homelessness and the risk of homelessness. People in mass house building programme that deals with the the private rented sector in particular have found themselves root causes and the 4.8 million shortfall in the amount on the brink of disaster, which is often due to the toxic of housing that the Minister knows that there is. Will combination of high rents and insecure wages. the Minister update us on what work he is doing with As the chief executive of Crisis has said: his counterparts in other Departments to do that building back, and to ensure that we are building the future that “We understand that councils and the police have to strike a balance between the concerns of local residents and the needs of we really need in this country? rough sleepers, and where there’s genuine antisocial activity, it’s Finally, the Act is unnecessary. Between us, we have only right that they should intervene.” made that case. The Act criminalises a form of Homelessness charities therefore understand that, but homelessness, and I think that is immoral in this day we know that there are alternatives, such as the range of and age when, as Members across the political spectrum powers that public bodies have under the Anti-social have said, people need assistance, not arresting. The Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which include Act does not tackle the root causes—the lack of affordable civil injunctions to prevent nuisance and annoyance, housing, the shortfall in supply—and does not even criminal behaviour orders, community protection notices, deal with the symptoms. It is in fact a symptom of the dispersal powers and public spaces protection orders. I broken housing system and it does not deal with the am sure that the concerns that the hon. Member for health needs mentioned by the hon. Member for Gravesham Gravesham (Adam Holloway) raised are covered by . that Act. Unfortunately, however, the Government do It is high time that the Government followed through not collate and publish statistics on the use of those on the commitment made by the Secretary of State—I powers, or not that I have been able to find. Will the know that he said it was his opinion, and did not Minister commit to publishing that data, which would commit to it as Government policy, and I hope the be really useful, and any evidence about the impact of Minister will satisfy our curiosity on that. It is high time those powers? That might help to inform our debate that we conducted a mass house building programme to about ending the 1824 Act. create the truly affordable homes we need to buy and to Homeless people, as I think everyone in this debate rent, including council houses and housing association has said, need help, not punishment—as the hon. Member homes as well as those in the private sector. It is time for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) said, assistance not that the Government prioritised the prevention of rough arrest. Rather than criminalising rough sleepers, Labour sleeping. It is time to bring in reforms to the private would support them, with a real emphasis on the housing- rental sector, to those sharp practices that hurt tenants, first approach that many have referred to. We agree with good landlords and the wider economy as people spend Crisis that enforcement measures are not an effective more of their money on poor-quality accommodation, way to engage rough sleepers, and with the other even when they are in good jobs. I know of people who homelessness charities that have been mentioned, which have spent a fortune on poor-quality accommodation in were well listed by the hon. Member for Oxford West this crisis. It is time to focus on a housing-first approach 47WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 48WH

[Thangam Debbonaire] previous year. This is the third year in a row that that number has fallen, which is a fantastic achievement. It with support for substance misuse, mental health and is now incumbent on us to sustain the momentum and employment. It is high time that we got rid of this Act, not just continue to reduce rough sleeping but end it and I look forward to hearing what the Minister has for good. to say. It would be remiss of me not to briefly highlight the brilliant multi-agency work being pioneered by Westminster 3.27 pm City Council and its partners to tackle rough sleeping. I The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, know from conversations with my hon. Friend the Communities and Local Government (Eddie Hughes): It Member for Cities of London and Westminster and is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Councillor Rachael Robathan, and simply from walking Charles, although I hope I will be forgiven for saying a few minutes from this building down Victoria Street, that it is not as much of pleasure as it was to hear your thatWestminsterfacessignificantandcomplexhomelessness pint of milk speech, of which I am a huge fan. issues. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her exceptional dedication, both as the Member for this constituency I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cities and as the previous leader of Westminster City Council, of London and Westminster (Nickie Aiken) on securing to tackling these issues. the debate, and other Members on their contributions. We clearly have broad consensus across the political The dedication of the teams in Westminster means spectrum. The hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mick not only that beds are provided for those my hon. Whitley) talked about his time serving homeless people. Friend described as fearful and mistrusting, but that the Immediately before I came to Parliament, I worked for right support is provided alongside the accommodation. YMCA Birmingham, a charity for young homeless For example,the rough sleeping initiative-funded assessment people, and, like him, I feel that it is a privilege to serve project at Holly House, run by St Mungo’s, which I had them and work with them. Common cause indeed. the honour of addressing a few weeks ago, offers rapid initial contact for rough sleepers and provides a quick As has been made clear during the debate, the causes triage assessment with an offer of accommodation followed of rough sleeping are complex and multifaceted. As my by effective follow-up support, ensuring that needs are hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and identified and met. That is a pioneering approach for Westminster said, it is critical that we not only provide a others to follow. bed for individuals but provide support alongside accommodation for those individuals with complex and We are here to talk particularly about repealing and overlapping needs. Covid-19 has made that reality even replacing the Vagrancy Act. My hon. Friend and others more evident. It means that rough sleeping cannot be across the House have been determined advocates of tackled by one agency alone. Effective multi-agency the need to look closely at that legislation. The Government working has been critical to protect rough sleepers wholeheartedly agree that the time has come to reconsider during the pandemic, and we have seen some truly the Vagrancy Act. As many Members have said, no one creative and innovative solutions. For example, Bedford should be criminalised simply for not having anywhere Borough Council quickly moved hostel residents into a to live. As the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities hotel and provided a covid-safe environment that meant and Local Government said, and as others have quoted, that people were not sharing communal sleeping facilities. the Act is “antiquated”, and its It redeployed its rough sleeping team to work directly at “time has been and gone.”—[Official Report, 25 February 2021; the hotel, and staff were able to offer key services, Vol. 689, c. 1138.] including on substance misuse and health, to provide The Vagrancy Act is quite literally a relic of the the holistic support that many Members have said is 19th century and clearly needs to be replaced to reflect important. That has resulted in high-level engagement the civilised, compassionate society that this Government and has really turned around some rough sleepers’ lives are committed to as we build back better. That is why in the past 12 months. we have committed to review the legislation. The review Weknow that this is not just about the initial intervention has, for understandable reasons, been delayed by the to bring people in. I again stress that it is critical to pandemic. I fully appreciate that, as the hon. Member provide the right support and intervention that will for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran) said, it successfully and sustainably move people away from life was started some time ago, but we have unfortunately on the streets. That is why we have committed £433 million been knocked off course since then, partly by a general over the course of the Parliament to provide 6,000 vital election, a change of Prime Minister and 12 months of homes for rough sleepers through the rough sleeping a global pandemic. Clearly, it has not been smooth accommodation programme—the largest ever investment since then. However, with our world-leading vaccination of its kind in this country. It is crucial to tackle the root programme forging ahead and our road map for cautiously causes of rough sleeping so that we prevent anyone easing lockdown restrictions in place, I am determined from facing the damage and trauma that they have to take that work forward at pace. experienced from falling back into rough sleeping after At its heart, the review has been about the experiences having been given a helping hand. We are therefore also of those on the frontline, including the police, local investing in high-quality support so that the vulnerable authorities and the homelessness sector, and, most people helped through the programme can recover and importantly, those with experience of rough sleeping maintain tenancies. initiatives. It has been crucial to understand the full The data clearly demonstrates that our approach is picture of why the Vagrancy Act is used and what working well. The rough sleeping statistics published impact any changes to it will have. It is vital that the this year showed a 37% fall in the number of people legislation creates the right environment in which to rough sleeping on a single day, compared with the deliver effective services, enables our police to operate 49WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 Vagrancy Act 1824 50WH effectively on our streets and engages constructively My hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Adam with vulnerable people. We are currently finalising the Holloway) said that we need to address begging, so it is conclusions of the review and will announce our position a question not just of repealing the Act, but of considering shortly. what is necessary to replace it. Certainly, as he said, Of course, that is only part of the solution. Many of there are examples of people for whom begging is a way the individuals we have heard about face tremendous of earning money to spend on drugs and alcohol. challenges, and we must ensure that their individual During my time with the YMCA, we found it incredibly needs are front and centre in this national endeavour. frustrating to have people begging outside our establishments. I would go out to them and say, “You’re I will shortly speak about the support we have invested giving us a bad reputation. We’re here to provide the in making sure that the health needs of rough sleepers sort of support that you are conveying that you need. are adequately addressed, but I will first speak briefly to We could find accommodation and support for you.” the points made so compellingly about what happens They would say, “No, I’m quite happy where I am, when an individual refuses critical care and treatment. thank you.” Sometimes, the people we see on the streets Decision making in those situations is covered by the are not necessarily there because there is no opportunity Mental Capacity Act 2005, which exists to protect those for provision and accommodation. with a lack of mental capacity and facilitate the expression Several hon. Members mentioned the Housing First of their rights and freedoms. When a person who is programme. Obviously, I am a very big fan of that sleeping rough refuses care and treatment that others, programme in the west midlands, which Andy Street including medical and outreach professionals, see as championed from the start of his time as Mayor—pilots vital to survival, that is not on its own enough to are ongoing. Although many hon. Members have, I am demonstrate a lack of mental capacity. sure, seen good work come from that, we need to allow We recognise, however, that some people who are the review to continue so that we can get a detailed sleeping rough lack the relevant mental capacity to summary of what has worked best and then determine make decisions about their care and treatment. In those how to move forward based on the commitment that circumstances, the 2005 Act provides for a best-interest the Government made in our manifesto. decision to be made by relevant professionals, including The only point that I would mildly take issue with is those supporting rough sleepers. That is never easy, but the one that the hon. Member for Leicester East (Claudia it is sometimes necessary. That is why we have previously Webbe) made about the new asylum legislation. I disagree written to local authorities to remind them of their with her point simply because that legislation is to powers during a period of severe cold weather, and of tackle those who persistently engage in antisocial behaviour the need to ensure that outreach teams working alongside but refuse to engage with the support offered to them, mental health services can pre-assess those who choose so I do not think the Government are being particularly to remain on the streets and to alert police when mental harsh or using legislation in an inappropriate way. I health may be a factor. think there would be general consensus among the Of course, as my hon. Friend the Member for Cities public that people who behave in that way and refuse to of London and Westminster rightly highlighted, the engage with support should be tackled, and should be most important thing is to ensure that the root causes of subject to the law. the individual’s health needs are sufficiently supported The renters reform Bill is clearly an important piece before it gets to that stage. We know that the health of legislation, but given that we are just coming out of needs of rough sleeping cohorts are significant. A survey the pandemic, the Government will have to decide published by my Department in December found that which things they need to bring forward in legislation to 82% of respondents who had slept rough in the last year get the country back on its feet. Again, that is a decision had a mental health vulnerability, 83% had a physical above my pay grade, but it is something that I personally health need, and 60% had a substance misuse need. will be pursuing in my ministerial role regardless of the People sleeping rough often have complex and legislative programme. multifaceted needs, making the requirement for comprehensive wraparound support all the more crucial. Thangam Debbonaire: I am grateful to the Minister That is why we are tackling this head-on, by delivering for giving way; he is very courteous. He says that it is £52 million in this financial year to provide substance above his pay grade to decide whether that happens, but misuse treatment for people who are sleeping rough. will he be making the case for the renters reform Bill to That will provide the specialist support that so many of be in the Queen’s Speech? That is really what I am those individuals need to rebuild their lives and move asking him to commit to. into long-term housing. In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care is investing £30 million in the Eddie Hughes: My job as a junior Minister in the NHS long-term plan to support specialist mental health Department is to support the Secretary of State in services for people sleeping rough. identifying important legislation that needs to be considered. In his brief contribution, the hon. Member for Strangford It is then the job of the Department and the Prime (Jim Shannon) mentioned that 50 organisations are seeking Minister to prioritise things appropriately, based on the to see the back of the Vagrancy Act. As I think we have collective need of the country. heard this afternoon, there is also cross-party consensus The hon. Member for Bristol West (Thangam on that. My hon. Friend the Member for Cities of Debbonaire) called for a significant house building London and Westminster suggested that three-year funding programme. Personally, I think the £12 billion that the would be appropriate. Unfortunately,that decision is above Government have committed to house building is my pay grade, but I am sure the Chancellor is listening significant, and we are determined not only to hit the to this debate and will have heard her comments. target of 300,000 houses a year, but more importantly 51WH Vagrancy Act 1824 13 APRIL 2021 52WH

[Eddie Hughes] Criminal Cases Review Commission to do that across a mix of tenures. Before becoming a 4.5 pm Minister, I chaired the all-party parliamentary group on shared ownership housing. It is not just a question of Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: allowing people to have places to rent; many people I beg to move, have the aspiration to buy. It is up to us to try to That this House has considered strengthening the Criminal support those people as well. Cases Review Commission. It has been a real privilege to take part in a debate It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to that I feel so passionately about, given my professional speak this afternoon about the Westminster commission background before coming to Parliament, but more on miscarriages of justice. As someone who has been in importantly in which there is such cross-party consensus the House for a very long time, I have to admit to you, across the House. I feel confident that in due course we Sir Charles, and to the Minister that this is my first time will make significant progress with this legislation. doing a Westminster Hall debate in this way. I was delighted yesterday to manage to come physically into 3.42 pm the House of Commons after a year to pay my tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. Please bear with me if I Nickie Aiken: I thank everyone who has taken part in make any mistakes and do correct me if I put a foot this important debate and the Minister for his response. wrong. It is clear from what we have heard from Members As you know, Sir Charles, I have been in the House across the political spectrum that we are all of one for a very long time; and long before you were in the belief: that the Vagrancy Act is no longer fit for purpose House, I was deputy shadow Home Secretary to the to deal with any issues surrounding rough sleeping in shadow Home Secretary, Roy Hattersley. All those years the 21st century. If we are ever to ensure that the ago, at the time of the Guildford Four, the Maguire Government meet their welcome ambition of ending Seven and all those very controversial cases, I was quite rough sleeping for good, one of the first things they intimately involved—well, rather on the periphery, but need to address is the Vagrancy Act, as well as long-term certainly involved at that rather interesting time in funding. Local authorities and charities cannot be expected British politics—with what was happening in terms of to put in place the services required to support more alleged miscarriages of justice, so this has been a long-term rough sleepers off the streets without longer-term funding. interest of mine, an interest over a long period of time. It is just not possible. A very great friend of mine, Glyn Maddocks, who The Minister made some very good points about the very early on was a research assistant of mine in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, but the problem is that we House of Commons, has over the years, as a lawyer—a do not have sufficient capacity in homelessness mental solicitor—made miscarriages of justice one of his central health teams to go out on to our streets. Therefore, we areas of interest; and over those years, I have helped in need more funding, and more long-term funding, so individual cases when they have been brought to me as that local authorities can put that in place. I honestly do worthy of having a look at and perhaps giving my not believe that it is a police officer’s job to have to move support to. We have had some very great successes, but I rough sleepers off the streets. I want police officers to be want to stress that many people, including many of my going after the bad guys, preventing crime before it constituents, would not know very much about how we starts and taking action against those involved in crime, handle miscarriages of justice in our country. It shocks not moving on rough sleepers. Therefore, I ask the many people when they realise. We have a system that is Minister to ensure that the , the Ministry not bad—not bad at all. When miscarriages are discovered of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and resolved, the wrong is put right to some extent. and Local Government work together now. There is a However, not many people realise that someone can brilliant opportunity, a golden opportunity, now, as we serve 15 or 18 years in prison and it can be found that come out of the pandemic, for the three Departments they have been wrongly imprisoned for all that time, to work together, with the cross-party support of hon. but, when they leave prison, they get not one penny Members and charities in the rough sleeping sector, to of compensation. Indeed, we can compare that to the ensure that we can repeal the Vagrancy Act and replace situation of a convicted criminal who has been in prison, it with what is required in the 21st century. perhaps for murder, for a very long sentence—say, 12 or I will end by mirroring what my hon. Friend the 15 years—and who comes out. They get rehabilitation Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) said. We and support to get back into the community, but if have to move away from arresting rough sleepers to someone is found to have been wrongly convicted, they assisting them. They are the most vulnerable, damaged get nothing of that; there is no compensation, so this is people in our society, and they need and deserve better. something that has been a great interest of mine. And the first way to do that is to scrap the Act. Back in 1997 we introduced the Criminal Cases Review Question put and agreed to. Commission—the CCRC—and everyone thought at the Resolved, time of its introduction that we had absolutely sorted the problem. To give you the background, Sir Charles, That this House has considered repealing and replacing the Vagrancy Act 1824. you will know as well as anyone that, even in the best criminal justice system, mistakes are made. If we look 3.45 pm at countries similar to ours with good justice systems, throughout the world a good justice system also has the Sitting suspended. capacity to look at miscarriages that might occur. We all know—we are human beings—mistakes and errors are made in the criminal justice system for complex reasons. 53WH Criminal Cases Review Commission13 APRIL 2021 Criminal Cases Review Commission 54WH

Over the years of the CCRC working, it has done a ever its budget has been slashed too, and we believe it good job, but we increasingly see evidence of a lack of urgently needs more resources to fulfil its role. The cases being referred for review and that has been a figures are not extraordinary; they are very modest with worry. In my short speech today, I want to give some respect to what is needed to put things right. idea of the problem. I am a campaigner and I know that The third issue is investigative powers. The inquiry one of the greatest assets in a campaign is to have a revealed one instance where the CCRC had waited good all-party parliamentary group. Two years ago, the 1,000 days for a public body to comply with a disclosure hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Sir Robert request. What is the point of the CCRC’s having special Neill) and I started an all-party group on miscarriages powers to request public bodies to disclose evidence if it of justice with very good membership in the Lords and cannot enforce its requests? That seems extraordinary. the Commons. After some good seminar discussions The case taking 1,000 days was extreme, but in many and identifying the problems, we resolved that we would cases there are serious worries about lack of co-operation. try to put together a commission to look at the issue, It is good for everyone in the justice system if there is not only to give it some reputation, but to take written transparency. The principle of open justice is at the and oral evidence and to see if we could make good heart of the system; but for that we need accountability recommendations, not to criticise or be negative about and transparency, and the CCRC needs to do better on the Criminal Cases Review Commission, but to assist it both counts, to maintain public confidence in its work. and make it even more effective. That is the background to why we founded the commission. We have done our job very well. The all-party group visited the CCRC. Not many people know this, but it is Very often, all-party groups can be extremely good, based in Birmingham. I am very much in favour of with very good seminars, but there is always one member putting civil service jobs and Government jobs out in who steps outside and we overhear them say, “That was the provinces, as I am sure you are, Sir Charles, but the a really good discussion, but it was just a talking shop”. CCRC in Birmingham is somewhat out on a limb and We did not want this APPG to be a talking shop, so we a visit was important, so that we could see how those founded the Westminster commission on miscarriages good, dedicated teams work. However, the all-party of justice and then we struck lucky, because Lord Garnier group was rather shocked by the fact that the team is and Baroness Stern in the House of Lords—people small, commissioners’ remuneration has declined quite with an enormous reputation in the criminal justice steadily—they are paid on a per diem basis as consultants system—agreed to co-chair the commission and a rather than as full-time employees—and they find it commission of inquiry. hard to recruit some full-time staff because of the What I am putting forward in this debate through general level of pay and conditions. We saw a really this strange online link is the fact that we very carefully good bunch of men and women, working hard—everything and positively, on an all-party basis, tried to look at a that I am saying today is what we say in the report—but problem that emerged and to come up with some good they were restricted by the resources at their command. suggestions for improvement and reform—all in a positive Also, we believe that the move away from more full-time spirit, but with an underlying passion. Miscarriages of people towards having part-time people working on a justice do dreadful things to people who are wrongly per diem basis has not been very good for the organisation’s imprisoned for long terms. They ruin their lives and overall effectiveness. their families’ and friends’ lives, and their communities The last point that I want to make—and strongly—is are deeply damaged when a real miscarriage takes place that we believe the cut in resources has also affected and is not put right. In that spirit, we set course not only communication with applicants. It is important for with the all-party group, but with the commission. those appealing about a miscarriage who are in prison, The commission has now published a report, which and their families, to be kept in the loop about what is Lord Garnier and Baroness Stern gave the title, “In the happening, and the stage that their application for a Interests of Justice—An inquiry into the Criminal Cases review has reached. We took evidence from people who Review Commission”. I want to briefly mention what had been wrongfully imprisoned and then released and we think the problems are. One is known as “the real from their families and friends. While the CCRC has possibility test”. We believe that the predictive nature of made important efforts to make itself more accessible the real possibility test encourages the CCRC to be too to potential applicants, it must communicate better deferential to the Court of Appeal. It seems to act as a during the case reviews. That is most important. It is a brake on the CCRC’s freedom of decision and we stressful time for many people and is made worse by believe that needs reform. We urge the Government to silence or infrequent, hard-to-understand updates from take that recommendation seriously. the CCRC. My second point is something that not many people Sir Charles, this is a unique report, in the sense that it really know of. Those of us who care about our justice is very high quality. I do not think anyone could fail system have been very positive, and we know that to be impressed by Lord Garnier and Baroness Stern’s justice is not a cheap commodity, but the Ministry of commitment and the hard work they put in, or the Justice has experienced the biggest cuts of any Department quality of the report that we have subsequently published. in the past decade. There is no doubt about that, and I am sure the Minister and the Government have seen there have been serious effects in relation to miscarriages the report, but I ask today that they look at it in a of justice. When that overall lack of resource for justice positive spirit. Every inch of the way we have tried to is combined with covid and its dreadful impact in delays say, “This is a very good organisation. It could be much in the courts of justice, we know that the justice system more effective and it would be good for our justice has been going through a tough time, and there has system, and for its reputation as a high-quality justice been an impact with miscarriages of justice in particular. system, if some modifications, along the lines of our At a time when the CCRC has been more needed than recommendations, were made.” 55WH Criminal Cases Review Commission13 APRIL 2021 Criminal Cases Review Commission 56WH

[Mr Barry Sheerman] I join the hon. Member for Huddersfield in commending the authors from the Westminster Commission on We did not find any of the staff involved in the report Miscarriages of Justice, which as he rightly indicates to lack the commitment or desire to do a better job, and was a distinguished panel headed by Lord Garnier and I know the report has been warmly endorsed by those Baroness Stern. We recognise that they have given their delivering and working for the Criminal Cases Review time to shine a light on this matter. They produced an Commission. We have worked hard, on an all-party extremely worthwhile report, and I thank them for it. I basis. We believe we have come up with something that also pick up on the hon. Gentleman’s point about the is useful to the Government. Would it not be nice if we spirit in which they produced the report. I was reading could see that hard work, across the Commons and the the foreword, in which I found the remarks that their Lords, produce something effective to improve the situation conclusions were advanced in our justice system? “in a spirit of constructive criticism, admiration and goodwill.” That reflects the points that the hon. Gentleman made. 4.22 pm We accept those observations in that spirit. Before I The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice move on to some of those recommendations, let me (Alex Chalk): What a pleasure it is to serve under your emphasise that I sincerely thank the members of the chairmanship, Sir Charles.I congratulate the hon. Member commission for their clear analysis and detailed conclusions. for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) on securing this important The report makes more than 30 recommendations, debate on strengthening the Criminal Cases Review covering a broad area. I hope the hon. Gentleman, and Commission. indeed you, Sir Charles, will forgive me if I do not As the hon. Gentleman rightly pointed out in his reflect on each individually, because time does not allow opening remarks, miscarriages of justice have terrible for that. I can say that the MOJ will consider each consequences for all those involved. He highlighted recommendation made for the Department in detail. I defendants, and their families and friends, and he was know that the CCRC will do the same for the right to do so. He might also have added the impact on recommendations that the report makes for it. He will victims, because for a victim to go through a criminal have seen that it has responded already, albeit in a justice process, only to find out that the wrong person summary fashion. No doubt there will be a further has been convicted, is a cruel blow indeed. I pay tribute response in due course. to the hon. Gentleman for fighting this fight, for railing The report highlights areas where there have been against injustice and for shining a light on the risk of criticisms of the CCRC. One is the rate at which it has miscarriages of justice. We are proud, as I think he is, of referred applications to the appeal courts in recent the work of the independent CCRC, which, on its years, a point touched on by the hon. Gentleman. In establishment in 1997, was the world’s first statutory fact, in the past 12 months, the CCRC has referred publicly funded body set up to review alleged miscarriages 70 cases to the appeal courts. That is more cases than in of justice. any previous year. It is important and fair to note that a It is worth pausing to reflect on the international significant proportion of those relate to the Post Office context. Before the debate, I read an excellent paper by Horizon case, but none the less, it is right to emphasise Kent Roach from the University of Toronto faculty of that each case must be considered on its merits, with law. He noted that careful consideration of the evidence that exists in each “most common law jurisdictions have yet to create new institutions specific case. We suggest that this is a significant and procedures to correct miscarriages of justice and still rely on achievement, delivered in the context of the coronavirus the political executive to order new appeals.” pandemic, when staff and commissioners have had to In other words, they petition the Home Secretary or their adapt to new ways of working. equivalent to refer a case to the Court of Appeal. He While there must rightly be a focus on ensuring that adds: those cases with merit are referred to the Court of “Most Australian and American states continue to rely on Appeal or, indeed, other appellate jurisdictions, I agree unfettered executive discretion on applications for mercy or clemency with the CCRC that the referral rate cannot be the only as their exceptional means to correct miscarriages of justice.” measure of its success. There will always be factors Some have referred to that as a sort of conservatism of outside the CCRC’s control that affect the number the legal system, which emphasises the finality of the of applications and, indeed, referrals it makes in a process. In parts of the world where there is an embryonic given year. It is important for public confidence and form of CCRC, often the test for that threshold is much for applicants that cases referred to the CCRC are higher. For example, in North Carolina an establishment reviewed thoroughly and objectively. The CCRC of factual innocence is required before a referral can be continues to closely monitor its referral rate, and it made. I make that point because we should not lose works with practitioners and academics to make sure sight of the fact that the CCRC, although now of some that it is aware of any potential new cases of miscarriages antiquity, remains an international pioneer. of justice. I will return to that point in a moment, if In September 2020, the CCRC referred its 750th case I may. for appeal, meaning that it has referred one case every Specifically on the CCRC’s performance, there have eight working days since it was established. Of those been significant improvements. By way of example, in cases, more than 450 appeals have been allowed by the 2017, it closed just over 70% of cases within 12 months. appeal courts, and each one of those represents a conviction That figure has now risen to 83%. In the same period, or sentence that would have stood if it were not for the the average duration of a review, from allocation to diligent efforts of CCRC commissioners and their staff. decision, has decreased from 40 weeks to 36 weeks Given the commission’s vital role, it is absolutely right currently. The hon. Gentleman referred to question that we should ask whether we are doing all we can to marks over whether the budget somehow inhibits its support the CCRC in its work. having a proactive role. The CCRC takes a proactive 57WH Criminal Cases Review Commission13 APRIL 2021 Criminal Cases Review Commission 58WH role in reaching out to people who may need its services. not currently have plans to review or amend legislation Of course, it can only review cases that come through its on criminal appeals, but we acknowledge the points front door, so to speak, which is why its work to reach that have been made. those who may want to make an application—whether The hon. Gentleman referred to resources. The in prisons or elsewhere—is important. This outreach Westminster commission considers that the CCRCis under- work is taken seriously. It has continued throughout resourced. Decisions about funding are made by the the pandemic, taking place through planned updates Ministry of Justice annually in consultation with the to the website and a marked increase in the use CCRC. Funding figures for the MOJ in 2021-22 have of social media. In normal circumstances, it is done not been voted on by Parliament and will be released in through visits to prisons, a stakeholder forum, working spring. In considering the funding settlement, it is important with other leaders in the sector, whether Barnardo’s or to weigh in the balance the fact that the MOJ has the Howard League, and other forms of targeted outreach. provided the CCRC with substantial capital funding The hon. Gentleman referred to the real possibility over the past two years so that it can upgrade its IT test. For those listening who might not be familiar with systems and improve its casework processes.That investment it, this test must be crossed before a case can be referred. alone totals more than £1.5 million, and it will support The test is whether there is a real possibility that the the CCRC in delivering high-quality casework. appeal will overturn the verdict. That test is unchanged Of course, it is the case that to make fair decisions, from the CCRC’s inception, and as the hon. Gentleman good people are required. I absolutely accept that. No rightly points out, there have been some criticisms of it. amount of technology is going to address that, but it In using it, however, the CCRC is applying the express makes an important contribution to the smooth running will of Parliament. I am aware that the Westminster of the CCRC. Although the hon. Gentleman deprecates commission’s report concludes that the test is problematic. the per diem approach, it can mean that the CCRC can It says, in effect—I hope it will forgive me for the potentially recruit counsel to work as commissioners shorthand—that it creates too much deference to the where they might not necessarily want to be full-time Court of Appeal. In effect, the bar is set too high. Let employees. It allows the CCRC to recruit high-calibre me make a couple of observations. First, changing the people to act as commissioners, and it seems to me that test has wider implications for the work of the CCRC. that is something to consider properly. Indeed, in 2015 the Justice Committee, no less, The report also refers to strengthening the CCRC’s recommended that any change would have to be undertaken leadership and independence. There is no question but in the light of a change to the Court of Appeal’s that the independence of the CCRC is of vital importance grounds for allowing appeals in total. to the public’s confidence in its work. I welcome the It is also worth pointing out that the mere possibility High Court’s finding in July 2020 that the CCRC is that the Court of Appeal will overturn the verdict is both operationally and constitutionally independent of likely to be too low a bar, as I am sure the hon. the MOJ. The judgment found that changes made as a Gentleman would accept. Equally, real possibility is a result of the tailored review undertaken by the Department far lower bar than exists, for example, when the Crown did not represent a diminution of the CCRC’sindependence Prosecution Service has to make a decision about whether or integrity. I am confident that the chair, assisted by to charge someone. There has to be a probability that a commissioners and senior management of the CCRC, tribunal of fact, properly directed, would convict. So it has the strength and leadership to continue to deliver is some way short of probability, but of course above and improve the work of this vital part of our criminal mere possibility. I accept that this is an inexact science, justice system, and crucially to do so without fear or but it is not immediately clear to me how amending the favour and entirely independently. test would make a material difference. As I say, we will The hon. Gentleman mentioned legal aid. Weabsolutely keep the matter under review. recognise the importance of legal aid: it is a critical It is not appropriate for me to comment on how the foundation stone of a fair criminal justice system. Significant CCRC, as an independent body, applies the test, but the sums of money are being put into the criminal legal aid current chief executive officer told the Westminster system, not least through the first stage of the criminal commission that she does not feel that it inhibits the legal aid review, which has injected up to £51 million into ability of the CCRC to make referrals. I am confident the system. There is an independent review of criminal that the CCRC will continue to adopt a professional, legal aid taking place at the moment, tasked with securing impartial and objective approach in deciding whether the sustainability of the criminal legal aid system. the test has been met in each case. The CCRC remains something of a pioneer by Let me turn to appeal mechanisms, although the hon. international standards, despite being founded in 1997. Gentleman did not refer to them in detail. The report It is a highly valued feature of the criminal justice recommends changes to the criminal appeal mechanisms. landscape. We will continue to work constructively to Current legislation already allows the CCRC to refer strengthen and enhance its vital work. Reports like that a case to the Court of Appeal in exceptional circumstances, of the Westminster commission provide an important and it also allows for appeal outside the 28-day limit if challenge and help us to do just that. I will close by the Court considers that there are justifiable reasons for thanking the CCRC and paying tribute to its staff for the delay. In simple terms, if a defendant seeks leave to their efforts to investigate miscarriages of justice. Their appeal to the Court of Appeal outside the 28-day work strengthens justice and the rule of law, and makes period, but he or she has good reasons for that delay, he us a fairer nation. or she can put those before the Court of Appeal, Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)). and the Court of Appeal has shown itself well able to make a fair decision about whether extending time is 4.36 pm appropriate in that individual case. To be clear, we do Sitting suspended. 59WH 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 60WH Seekers’ Mental Health UK Asylum System and Asylum Seekers’ hotel accommodation. The small asylum support of Mental Health £5.66 a day was removed. These individuals have effectively become prisoners, with their freedoms controlled, little 4.50 pm money for essentials and limited access to support services—even the internet. Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP) [V]: I In May 2020, Glasgow MPs and the leader of Glasgow beg to move, City Council raised concerns with the Home Secretary That this House has considered the UK asylum system and in a joint letter, but our concerns were not heeded. The asylum seekers’ mental health. situation took a tragic turn in June with the stabbings at There has been a long-overdue shift in the way in the Park Inn hotel. Prior to that attack, fellow hotel which we approach mental health; we are now rightly residents had expressed concerns about the attacker’s encouraged to be open, to talk and to seek help when mental health. The attacker, of course, was shot dead necessary. However, this Government are less willing by the police. I have since spoken with another resident to talk about the causes of poor mental health, and of Park Inn at that time, who described his days as when we consider our asylum system there is little being filled with utter despair and hopelessness. acknowledgement of the Home Office policies that contribute to a situation where asylum seekers are five times However, in Glasgow we have a new concern with a more likely to have poor mental health than the general mother and baby unit. Mothers and young children population. have been moved from their flats into camps—ill-equipped bedsits—by Mears Group.Testimonies from these mothers The Mental Health Foundation has found that the are alarming. Some were told they were allowed to take increased vulnerability to mental health problems that only two bags and had to forfeit their remaining belongings, refugees and asylum seekers face is linked both to their and any parent with young children will know how pre-migration and post-migration experiences. People difficult it is to go anywhere with less than two bags. who have fled persecution, violence and war hope to Others report cramped conditions, poor ventilation and find safety and security in the UK. Tragically, the indefinite social isolation. Mothers are cooking meals current UK asylum system often exacerbates their suffering, on small stoves beside babies’ cots due to lack of space. with long waits for asylum decisions, poor accommodation and a ban on working all contributing to this situation. These examples point to a more sinister shift from The backlog in decisions has been worsening for community-based accommodation to an institutional years. The most recent immigration statistics showed accommodation regime. The use of dilapidated Army that the number of applicants waiting over six months barracks to house asylum seekers is a very worrying for a decision about their asylum claim was the highest step. Last month, a joint report from Her Majesty’s on record, with many people waiting years for a decision inspectorate of prisons and the Independent Chief Inspector about their status. Among unaccompanied child refugees, of Borders and Immigration stated that Army barrack the situation is critical. Following the deaths of four accommodation demonstrated young Eritreans over a 16-month period, Helen Johnson, “fundamental failures of leadership and planning” the head of children’s services at the Refugee Council, by the Home Office. The same report described living said: conditions as “filthy” and “impoverished”. “For many refugees, the misery and distress resulting from their experiences do not always end upon reaching a safe place. The impact of these appalling conditions on asylum Those who have left their home countries as children and experienced seekers’ mental health is clear. Dr Jill O’Leary of the such a lot in their short lives are particularly vulnerable. Most of Helen Bamber Foundation assessed the same barracks us can only imagine some of the horrors children have witnessed in Folkestone. She said: or experienced themselves.” “We have consistently seen the threat these former military Of course, there are times when society truly sees sites pose to the physical and mental health of residents. We have refugees as human; we all remember the images of poor witnessed a devastating Covid-19 outbreak due to the dormitory-style little Alan Kurdi on a beach in Turkey. However, I accommodation, not to mention mental health crises, self-harm gently point out that when the Home Secretary talks of and suicide attempts as a result of the unsuitability of the a two-tier asylum system and only accepting those who environment.” come through so-called “legal routes”, that is not how However, the Home Secretary shows no change in fleeing trauma works. When we see desperate families ideology, with the news today that asylum seekers have risking a dangerous sea journey in a rubber dinghy, it is been moved back into these barracks. clear that safe routes are not working. Earlier this year, I was due to present a Bill that Here in Glasgow,we have direct and personal experience would give asylum seekers the right to work. This was of working with asylum seekers. Glasgow is the only not possible due to the pandemic, but I wish to raise a dispersal region in Scotland and it is the largest dispersal few points here. Most European countries, and even the local authority area in the United Kingdom. Despite United States, allow asylum seekers to work. Currently, that, the city receives no funding from the UK Government. asylum seekers may apply for permission to work only We take our responsibilities with the asylum seeker after 12 months, and even then they are restricted to community very seriously and Glaswegians are proud roles on the shortage occupation list. There is therefore to offer those fleeing trauma a home. However, current effectively a ban on working for a majority of those Home Office policies mean that those in organisations seeking asylum. This policy makes no sense economically working with this community are effectively operating and is counterproductive to both asylum seekers’prospects with their hands tied behind their back. of community integration and their prospects of living Very early on in the pandemic, Glasgow MPs were new lives with positive mental health and wellbeing. It alerted to the fact that asylum seekers had been moved is, quite simply, an ideological attack aimed at breaking by Mears, an accommodation provider, to emergency and dehumanising those who most need our help. 61WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 62WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health A member of the Glasgow-based Maryhill Integration According to the United Nations High Commissioner Network shared their thoughts on how the right to for Refugees, there were 123,000 asylum seekers and work and mental health are linked: refugees in the UK at the end of 2015. Asylum seekers “The right to work is precious. It improves self-worth and and refugees face unique and complex challenges related esteem and provides social connection, independence and money to their mental health, and they are often at greater to travel and meet new people. Without this, many people’s risk of developing mental health problems. Research mental health deteriorates.” commissioned by NHS Leeds has shown that 61% of Contrary to certain strains of inflammatory and divisive asylum seekers will experience serious mental distress, rhetoric, the vast majority of asylum seekers in this and they are five times more likely than the general country are willing and committed to work. I always population to have mental health needs. They are less find it slightly ironic that the same people who talk likely than the general population, however, to receive about asylum seekers claiming benefits are those who support. The conditions connected to the process of talk about asylum seekers taking jobs. seeking refuge—whether it be a protracted, processed asylum claim or separation from the family, or other There are some points that I hope the Minister will common concerns such as poor housing—lead to higher respond to today and take to the Home Secretary. First, rates of depression, PTSD and other anxiety disorders. the reliance on institutional emergency accommodation such as hotels and barracks should be ended. There The Government could and should take immediate must be investment in more community-based housing steps that would have a significant impact on the positive that is appropriate to people’s needs. wellbeing of asylum seekers in Britain: immediately ending detention in unsafe, overcrowded accommodation People seeking asylum should be given the right to such as Napier barracks, which we all can see is one of work six months after lodging an asylum claim, the clearest expressions of the disdain with which asylum unconstrained by the shortage occupation list. The seekers are treated by them; giving asylum seekers the Home Office must gather the right information from right to work; preventing them from being left in limbo asylum seekers during interview and use it to make while they wait for a decision that could take years; correct decisions the first time around. ending the conditions of no recourse to public funds; I close by acknowledging the outstanding work and increasing benefits support for asylum seekers from of grassroots organisations that support our asylum the current paltry sum of £39.63 a week. The Government seeker communities—organisations such as the Maryhill also need to set out a strategy to clear the backlog of Integration Network and the Scottish Refugee Council, asylum cases, because the delays are adding to the which offer a lifeline to those struggling with the institutional existing trauma. Ultimately, it will be refugees who harm inflicted by the Home Office. That vital work continue to suffer while the Government remain intent should not, however, be shouldered by third sector on stoking anti-migration sentiment as part of their organisations alone. It is essential that the Government wider culture war. take those issues seriously. It is common to see the slogan “Refugees welcome” around Glasgow. That 5.5 pm absolutely remains the case, but we need a fresh approach in Home Office policies to enable us to support those in Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab) [V]: I would our communities more effectively. like to start by thanking all those who work with and help asylum seekers and refugees in Newport. They include The Sanctuary project, the Welsh Refugee Council, Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): Five minutes each the British Red Cross, iNEED, Feed Newport and all for Back Benchers. the other organisations and individuals doing so much good work. 5.1 pm The Government have been keen to cultivate an image of being hard-line on asylum. The Home Office’s decision Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: It is a to house asylum seekers in the cramped, unsafe Penally pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Charles. barracks in west Wales during a global pandemic ignored I congratulate the hon. Member for Glasgow North both the welfare of asylum seekers and the concerns West (Carol Monaghan) on securing this important locally about the conditions and the unsuitability of the debate. The asylum system in this country is failing. In accommodation. The Home Office then abruptly emptied the year ending September 2020, the number of people the camp, resulting in a flurry of people needing waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claim accommodation and support with inadequate measures reached 60,548, a record high, and 76% were waiting six in place. That just highlights the lack of dispersal months or more. That cannot be pinned solely on the accommodation and the need for the Government to covid-19crisis:waitingtimeswerealreadyrisingdramatically properly help public bodies deliver services. I have to prior to March 2020, and the number of asylum say, it stands in contrast to the approach of the Welsh applications actually fell by 80% during that year. I have Government. a constituent, originally from Yemen, who claimed asylum That is important because, as has been said already, in June 2019. He was told by the Home Office that he we know that asylum seekers and refugees are especially would be contacted about a substantive interview within at risk of developing mental health issues. Research six months. He is still waiting almost two years later and from the Welsh Refugee Council shows that refugees has had to forgo a PhD offer, which he is unable to are five times more likely to have mental health needs accept while his application remains pending. That than the UK population as a whole. The factors that perpetual process can only be seen as a deliberate part contribute to this are not hard to identify.Before arriving of the wider hostile environment towards migration in the UK, refugees may have lost loved ones, experienced pursued by the Government. violence or persecution or seen their livelihoods fall 63WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 64WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health [Jessica Morden] provided under international law and the treaties to which we are proud signatories, and talking about them away, and in many cases will have made a perilous as illegal migrants. journey overseas. These traumas are often compounded The move towards detention on arrival in the on arrival in the UK by financial insecurity,the inability—as Government’s new plan is deeply worrying, particularly has been spoken about—to gain stability through work, after the experience of Napier and Penally barracks, issues with accommodation, the constant fear of which others have mentioned. Reception centres where deportation, the sense of isolation that comes with asylum seekers will be sent as they enter the UK look family separation and the all-encompassing stress of dangerously like becoming detention by another name. wrangling with a complex asylum system. We have seen with immigration removal centres how I have seen the last point at first hand through my facilities established for one function quickly develop casework in Newport. I pay a special tribute to my another: long-term detention. long-standing and excellent caseworker Sarah Banwell, Moving towards detaining on arrival would shut who has much expertise in this area and many friends in down community links and create isolation. Those who the communities in Newport. Lengthy Home Office seek asylum, with all the trauma associated with the delays add to the stress by allowing the uncertainty to persecution or conflict from which they are fleeing, linger. Over the last few months, my office has dealt which is often added to by the journey they have had to with constituents who have been waiting up to two make, have that trauma exacerbated by detention. I years for their asylum interview after claiming asylum co-chaired the 2015 cross-party inquiry into immigration in the UK, while others are still waiting for their biometric detention, when detainees told us that it is “worse than residency permits to be issued six months after a positive prison”, because prisoners count down the days to their outcome of their UK Visas and Immigration application. release, while those in detention count them up with no There is a real human cost to this. certainty about their future. Experts told us that those On the delays, I know Home Office staff work really who were detained for over 30 days,as so many were—many hard, and I appreciate that, in a pandemic period, for months, some for years—had significantly higher adjustment will be needed. However, there should have mental health problems. been more decision making, and that is down to leadership There is a solution, and the Government have piloted and oversight at the top. The additional pressure caused alternatives to detention. I have met with previous by the delays is being heaped on individuals, inevitably Ministers who are genuinely committed to those alternatives, resulting in greater strain on already hard-pressed mental recognising that detention is inhumane, inefficient and health services. Liz Andrew, head of adult psychology expensive,but I understand that, instead of being expanded, for the Aneurin Bevan health board, which covers my these programmes are being wound down, with Action constituency, has pointed out: Access already finished in March. As the Government “It is hard to offer help when someone does not know if they have committed to evaluating the programmes, I would are going to be granted leave to remain. They will remain in a be grateful if the Minister told us in winding up when state of threat and worry and this will make it harder to process the reports on those pilots will be published. trauma memories.” This morning I heard from the Snowdrop Project in Nor does it help that support services have struggled Sheffield, a brilliant charity providing long-term support to provide home visits and face-to-face services in the to survivors of human trafficking. It talked about the pandemic, which leads to more isolation, or that accessing delays and indecision in the system, which traumatise remote services is difficult for those who do not speak survivors of trafficking. One victim supported by the English as a first language and also because of digital project was exploited in the UK in domestic servitude exclusion. That has an impact on the ability to communicate until she managed to escape. She claimed asylum and about someone’s case, but also limits their ability to was recognised as a victim of trafficking in the national access things such as English as a second language referral mechanism. She was not granted the discretionary classes. I hope Ministers listen to the concerns today. It leave to remain, to which she was entitled as a recognised is time for them to look again at their approach. victim, despite multiple requests. The Home Office delayed making a decision on her 5.9 pm case for some years,despite legal and political representation highlighting the impact of that delay on her mental Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab) [V]: It is health. After four years,her asylum application was refused, a pleasure to contribute today with you in the Chair, but the case was appealed successfully and finally, after Sir Charles, and to do so as a representative of Sheffield, five years, she was granted protection in the UK. Those the country’s first city of sanctuary. I congratulate the years of uncertainty had a profound impact on her hon. Member for Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) mental health. She suffers from severe anxiety, depression on securing the debate and on the powerful and and PTSD, and receives support for suicidal intentions. comprehensive way in which she opened it. Someone who had been accepted as a victim of human The Home Secretary recently said that our asylum trafficking should have been given leave to remain on system is broken. She is right, although it is perhaps that basis and that experience should have been avoided. worth remembering who has been running it for the last The Snowdrop Project is right that it is not acceptable 11 years. However, it is broken, above all, for those who to keep someone’s life on hold for five years. come to this country seeking refuge, and too often it Like many colleagues, I regularly hear from those breaks them. The Government’s new plan for immigration who are living in limbo, awaiting the outcome of a encapsulates the approach of Ministers, framing asylum Home Office decision. They are all victims of what the seekers as the problem rather than addressing the problems Home Secretary described as a “broken system”. In they face, dehumanising those who seek the refuge conclusion, I hope the Minister will spell out what the 65WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 66WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health Government plan to do to ensure that the Home Office fronts regardless of political colour—can sometimes be ends the limbo inside and outside detention that is so wrong. I do not doubt the good intentions and kindliness damaging to the mental health of asylum seekers. of people who attempt to do their best by refugees. I will conclude with two points. First, I believe that Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): I will give you six the UK has a very proud tradition of accepting refugees. minutes, Jamie Stone, if you require, because two speeches We generally agree that they very much better the were only three and a half minutes. nation. I am myself in part descended from Huguenot refugees who left persecution and found safety here in 5.14 pm Great Britain. Secondly,in my constituency in the highlands Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) of Scotland, there is a long tradition of strangers being (LD): As always, it is a pleasure to serve under your welcomed, taken into the community, and we value the chairmanship, Sir Charles. I am going to do something contribution that they make. I have probably said enough, that I have never done before in this place. I am going to though I have not taken up six minutes. I thank my read a letter—it is such a good letter that it is worth colleagues for their forbearance in listening to me read quoting from. This would be easy but for the fact that I an email rather badly, but I think it is worth considering dropped my reading glasses outside my constituency what Christina Livesey said. office and a passing motorist drove over them. I hope colleagues will bear with me. The letter is from Christina 5.18 pm Livesey who lives in Caithness. She says: Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I congratulate the “While I appreciate that we must, as a nation, have a care for our own security when considering requests from people seeking hon. Member for Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) asylum, this should not mean that Asylum Seekers are ‘Guilty for setting the scene so very well, and I thank my until Proven Innocent’ and then treated far worse than convicted colleagues for all their marvellous contributions. It is criminals in our gaols! also a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Caithness, There have been reports from credible organisations such as Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone). He plays Amnesty International, The Scottish Refugee Council, and Freedom himself down when he says he does things rather badly. From Torture that Asylum Seekers have while in the care of the On the contrary, he does things rather well. I think we British Government: all enjoy his contributions—I certainly do—whether (a) been denied access to proper medical care, both for they be in Westminster Hall or in the Chamber. He physical and mental health. always gives his thoughts very clearly, and I think every (b) have been driven to suicide by their circumstances and the one of us appreciates his comments. lack of care they have experienced. I will begin with this quote from the Henry Jackson (c) have been housed in unsuitable places such as former Society, because I absolutely agree with what it has to Barracks, where they were unable to socially isolate (and where say: “Those that need our help the most are not the Covid-19 was spread). young men with the means to reach Britain, but they (d) have been held in isolated locations where they had no are the poor,the weak, the vulnerable trapped in conflict.” access to legal advice or any other support services, For me, that encapsulates where we are. I am not saying (e) have suffered immense trauma before arriving in the UK, that we are better than anybody else, but my nature is and are often separated from their families, if indeed they have one of wishing to help other people. any family remaining alive. I am my party’s spokesperson on human rights, on This sounds more like the war torn, ravaged ‘Third World’ health and on the Department for Work and Pensions—in countries many of these refugees are fleeing from, rather than the civilised, proudly independent nation we claim to be! a small party there are a whole lot of things to do, but I love the subjects I have been given and they are matters I am aware that the Home Office are launching an online of interest. I am concerned that we could be throwing consultation of their new proposals (most of which have already been tried and which were later abandoned as unworkable) which the baby out with the bath water, in our well-intentioned will run until May 4th. attempt to prevent abuse of the system. I know the Among the measures proposed are to withhold or restrict Minister is a man of compassion and understanding, appeal rights against a refusal of asylum if someone has entered and a person who wants to help other people. I know the UK without prior permission. This is much like what Michael that because I have had a friendship with him for many Howard did in 1999! years, since before he was a Minister. Our friendship is There is a proposal to build new asylum reception centres and the same; it has not changed. withhold financial support from people on the basis of how they We look to the Minister for the answers and to entered the country.David Blunkett’s first Immigration Act included understand what the Government are trying to do. I each of these measures in 2002! understand that they have to control and oversee Britain is surely meant to be carving out NEW measures to immigration, and when I asked the Secretary of State build up the country and its people, not merely re-hashing outworn, unworkable policies from ages past. These are NOT policies we this question, she came back with a good answer. I ask can be proud of. the Minister the same question and I would appreciate a We have an opportunity and an obligation to shape the future response: how can genuine cases involving women and of all our citizens, as well as potential future citizens. Let us strive children be addressed under this legislation? The people for better, not worse, conditions and for inclusive, not divisive, I refer to are the poor, the weak and the vulnerable. policies.” During the pandemic, I highlighted the need to ensure Sir Charles, this is an uncompromising email. She does that asylum seekers had access not just to services, but not mince her words, but she is exceedingly eloquent. I to food and clothing. The hon. Member for Glasgow have spoken to her several times prior to deciding to North West has spoken about this, as have her colleagues. read this letter here in the House of Commons. I often A report from Refugee Action stated that asylum support think that policy on this front—perhaps on all political rates are currently set at £39.60 per week or £5.66 per 67WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 68WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health [Jim Shannon] note that I offer congratulations and thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North West day. My goodness, how on earth could anybody survive (Carol Monaghan) for securing such a crucial debate on that? I mean that honestly. People cannot live on about the mental health of asylum seekers, some of the noodles or the 99p specials in the shops all their lives. most vulnerable people we have responsibility for,whether The money does not go far. What if they have a family? or not they become refugees, and the impact that the The problems are horrendous. The amount that these asylum system has on them. I congratulate my hon. people are forced to subsist on is 73% below the poverty Friend, and all the hon. Members who have taken part, line. Again, I ask the Minister to outline the rationale on their speeches, which amounted to a pitch perfect behind this level of support and if there is an intention critique of where we are at. As we have heard, too often to ensure that anyone that lives in this country is able to people’s experience of the system is grim, and makes the eat and be clothed regardless of the reason they are mental health of already struggling people even worse. here. Those are people who have fled persecution and endured I want to give the Minister and the Government a traumatising journeys, and too often are made even plaudit; it is important that we recognise good things. It more ill by a system that should be helping and supporting is not about asylum seekers, but we did have a scheme them. that brought people from Syria. Half a dozen families, The debate has also reflected the fact that the situation who were persecuted Christians, came to Newtownards works on two levels. First, there are policies that in town and have settled, with the help of Government, principle we would all support, but the problem is that local government and whole lot of individual bodies in in practice they have been starved of resources or Newtownards. Imagine what we could do if we made implemented in a faulty way, to the detriment of asylum the same effort for everyone. seekers’ mental health. Secondly, the Government have The backlog in decision making and the length of made deliberate policy choices that are designed to time that it takes to get a decision from Government is tackle the big flying pig that they always point to—the having a detrimental effect on mental health. The hon. so-called pull factor. In short, they choose to treat Member for Edmonton (Kate Osamor) gave the figures asylum seekers here, often, outrageously cruelly and earlier on about the applicants waiting over six months. inhumanely, to deter other people from coming here to I will not repeat them, but can the Minister outline his claim asylum. As a point of principle that is thoroughly intention to increase staffing and support so that people objectionable. can have peace of mind in a timelier manner? Depressingly, the Government’s so-called new plan Every one of us has experience of how the pandemic for the asylum system will make things a million times has affected us, not just as representatives but through worse, leaving even more people in limbo facing endless our constituents, both physically, through all the things uncertainty and restricted rights. That is a fast track to that have happened, and in terms of the impact on an upsurge in mental ill health among asylum seekers. mental health. I am very fortunate as I live on a farm. That is all on the pretext of a manufactured crisis in Whenever I go home at night, I can go for a walk in the numbers, when in reality in international terms the UK fields with the dogs and get some respite. What about all receives a tiny number of asylum applications here, that the people who are living in flats and houses? I have it should be capable fairly easily of processing swiftly, thought about them many times, and I say to myself, efficiently and fairly. Rather, the crisis that we face is in “How on earth do they stick that?” How much harder is Home Office resourcing and competence. it for asylum seekers, who are living on a small wage, That brings me to the huge list of policies that the have lost their family and are living with the trauma of Government should fix, instead of destroying the asylum all that has happened in the country they have fled system altogether. Each of those could, as I have said, from, to look for support? I recognise that the Government merit a lengthy debate in its own right. First, hon. and the Minister are wishing and willing to help. I am Members have rightly mentioned the issue of decision not saying the men are not important—they are—but making. First and foremost, it is too slow, as several for me the issue is the mothers and the children. We Members have pointed out. That, of course, has been need to have some action for them and some responses exacerbated by the pandemic, but it was already bad, from Government about what we are to do. and getting worse, beforehand. Secondly, too many poor decisions are made. About 40% of appeals against Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): We have a little asylum refusals are successful. We need proper resourcing spare time, so, Stuart McDonald, if you would like six and training to resolve that. minutes, please take six. It is normally five. A further issue is the dispersed asylum accommodation model, which has been thoroughly analysed in several 5.25 pm Home Affairs Committee reports. It is right in principle to house asylum seekers in communities; but that approach Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and is struggling in practice, thanks to the model of outsourcing Kirkintilloch East) (SNP) [V]: That is very kind of you, where asylum seekers are placed in inappropriate Sir Charles. I expect I could speak for about six hours, accommodation and sometimes in altogether poor but I shall do my best to confine myself. conditions. Ministers regularly complain that one of We are at a pivotal moment for our asylum system, the issues is that not enough councils take part. I agree, which is in a fragile state and in danger of breaking, but lots of councils that would want to take part are put because it is in desperate need of investment and of off by the way that that process works. If the Minister policies to improve it. Instead, the Government propose wants me to, I shall happily arrange a meeting between to take a massive hammer to it. They are not fixing it, him and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities—and but crushing it beyond repair. It is on that rather sad I am sure that the Local Government Association would 69WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 70WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health want that too—to discuss the barriers to new local everybody, but I politely remind the Conservative authorities getting involved. They include financing, Government that they have been in power for 11 years and a them having a proper democratic say in how and are, I am afraid to say, the architects of that failure. asylum seekers are treated and where they are placed in A number of really important points were made by asylum dispersal areas. my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Kate Osamor), We have heard mention this afternoon of the level of who raised the backlogs in the Home Office and made the asylum support. The hon. Member for Strangford powerful case for returning the right to work, as others (Jim Shannon) asked how anyone could survive on it. It did. That is a point that we will return to. The Minister is a disgracefully low level. My hon. Friend the Member will remember our exchanges and our support for that for Glasgow North West has championed the right to campaign during the passage of the immigration Bill. work through a Bill and on various other occasions. To My hon. Friend the Member for Newport East use her words, excluding asylum seekers from the labour (Jessica Morden) spoke passionately about the importance market altogether makes no sense at all. Work is hugely of co-ordination and the need for quality dispersal important for self-esteem and self-worth, and the accommodation. We will need to return to the implications for mental ill health of leaving folk out of inadmissibility rule changes, passed in December, which work for months on end are obvious. will only trap more people in the system for longer. The We have heard about the military barracks, and I reference to reception centres in the new plan and have spoken about that absolutely disgraceful episode policy statement only further blur the lines between previously. The hon. Member for Sheffield Central detention and initial accommodation. (Paul Blomfield) was absolutely right to ring the alarm bells about the move to institutional reception centres In the time that I have, I will focus my remarks on that lies ahead. These military barracks seem to be a contingency asylum accommodation, in particular, and prototype of that. That would be a horrendous road to specifically the former MOD sites at Napier barracks go down. and Penally camp, which represent a callousness in decision making that has been nothing short of inhumane. On family reunion, the UK has already been criticised The Government initially claimed that the use of those for its restrictive rules for children who are here and for barracks was due to the unprecedented pressures of the adult children who are abroad. My hon. Friend the pandemic, yet the equality impact assessment that we Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Angus Brendan have seen, conducted by the Home Office in September, MacNeil) sought to fix that with his private Member’s revealed that the use of that particular type of Bill, but now things are set to be worse, with family accommodation was not borne out of necessity but was reunion rights restricted for those who come to claim a political choice. It suggested that providing nothing asylum here. but the absolute bare minimum to those seeking asylum I barely have time to mention the new immigration is in the interest of community relations, but even the rules. Restricting the admissibility of claims is just bare minimum should surely have meant safe. The going to lead to asylum seekers being left in limbo for a Government’s reluctance to provide anything deemed further six months. An attack on the appeals process to be beyond what is necessary has seen people, including seems to be proposed in the Government’snew consultation those with leukaemia, diabetes and tuberculosis, housed document. 28 to a single dorm, sharing limited toilet facilities and Ultimately,what this boils down to is that the Opposition communal areas that were cleaned only once a week want to put in place an asylum system that is designed during the pandemic. to protect people and assumes that they have fled Wewrote to the Minister’s colleagues back in December persecution. We should address abuse with fast decision 2020 calling on the Government to commission a review making so that abusers do not benefit from trying to of covid safety in all establishments being used for game the system. The Government seem to have a asylum accommodation—a request that was ignored. presumption of abuse, and therefore they intend to make the system as painful as possible to deter it. That On 8 March 2021, in a report already referenced by is just a thoroughly inhumane way to go about things. others, the then independent chief inspector of borders and immigration published initial findings from site 5.31 pm visits to Penally camp and Napier barracks in mid-February. They confirmed that, given the cramped communal Holly Lynch (Halifax) (Lab): It is a pleasure, as conditions and unworkable cohorting at Napier, a large- always, to speak with you in the Chair, Sir Charles. scale outbreak of covid was virtually inevitable, which I join others in congratulating the hon. Member for is exactly what happened: there were 197 positive cases Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) on securing of covid at Napier barracks between 1 January and late this important and timely debate. She made a number February. of really important points. Although we are limited in time this afternoon, as others have said, this debate is The Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group’s timely because we have had the Government’s policy infection prevention report undertaken at Napier, which statement and new plan for immigration, and there is we secured through a freedom of information request, no doubt that, during the passage of the sovereign also confirmed that the site does not facilitate effective borders Bill, we will have to return to some of the really social distancing. important points that she made. The ICIBI report raised serious safeguarding concerns On the asylum system and the mental health of those about those who were most vulnerable, stating that seeking asylum, it is hard to know where to start in the there was inadequate support for people who had self- time that we have. As my hon. Friend the Member for harmed and that people at high risk of self-harm were Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) said, we agree with located in a decrepit isolation block that was unfit for the Government that the system is broken and is failing habitation. Even more distressing was a survey conducted 71WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 72WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health [Holly Lynch] fairness to those in need of our support. That includes, as a number of hon. Members have made clear today, a by the inspectors that found that one resident in three at need for much more prompt decision making. Napier barracks had felt suicidal during their time Through our recently announced new plan for there.That clearly demonstrates the damaging psychological immigration, we are committed to increasing the fairness impact that our asylum system is having on vulnerable and the effective operation of our system, so that we individuals who require specialist medical care and can better protect and support those in genuine need of need to be housed in suitable and safe accommodation. our protection, while deterring illegal entry to the United In evidence provided to the Home Affairs Committee Kingdom by those coming from safe and democratic last month, the Government claimed that they had been countries with functioning asylum systems. That is about following guidance in every single way, but the CCG breaking the business model of people-smuggling networks and ICIBI reports make it explicitly clear that at no and protecting the lives of those whom they endanger, time has that been true. The barracks are just one including through dangerous and unnecessary sea crossings. element of this system, which is failing everyone, but We must do all we can to stop the criminal activity, they represent the recklessness of this Government at which is putting lives at risk, while ensuring that we still their worst, putting their desire to be perceived as play our part in the international effort to support those hard-line on immigration above what is right, fair and who are fleeing war and oppression in other parts of the safe. world. I therefore urge all who have an interest in the We know that dispersed accommodation, with local issue to take part in the consultation on the new plan councils and communities working alongside Government and to help to shape the future by creating a fair but to make much better choices, will be the way forward. firm system. We are part of a valley of sanctuary in Halifax where I note the concerns raised about the type of organisations such as St Augustine’s are instrumental in accommodation being offered to asylum seekers. To put supporting those seeking asylum and refugees, and that in context, we have seen an increase in demand for facilitate integration within communities. accommodation during the pandemic of about 30%, Ordinarily, a political choice to use barracks as asylum resulting in more than 60,000 asylum seekers being accommodation would lack humanity and compassion, provided with safe and secure accommodation while but in a pandemic it is unforgivable.There is an opportunity, their claims are considered. The challenges encountered with the upcoming legislative changes, to build a fairer throughout the pandemic have led to the use of contingency and swifter asylum system that does not have a detrimental accommodation, including hotels and Ministry of Defence impact on a person’s health and wellbeing, but instead sites, and to some people being accommodated in such unlocks a person’s potential. However, that will require accommodation for more than a brief period. We are a significant shift away from some of the proposals working closely with local authorities across the United outlined in the policy statement. Kingdom and with our contractors to procure more housing, reduce our reliance on this type of accommodation Sir Charles Walker (in the Chair): Minister, please and minimise the time individuals are housed in it, leave two minutes at the end for the mover of the when it is necessary to retain it. motion. Despite the challenges we have faced, we have consistently met our statutory obligations towards destitute asylum 5.37 pm seekers. That has included, at times and where appropriate, continuing to provide accommodation when support The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the would, in normal times, have ceased. We have also Home Department (Kevin Foster): It is a pleasure to recently increased support payments for people in dispersal serve under your chairmanship, Sir Charles, and I thank the accommodation. Support maintenance payments are hon. Member for Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) calculated using a methodology that the courts have for securing this debate on the UK asylum system and considered sound, and the most recent increase of around asylum seekers’ mental health. It is timely, given our 5% is above general year-on-year inflation of 0.8%. wider debate on the subject. However, as mentioned during oral questions, we It is important to underline at the start the fact that need further commitment in this area in communities our United Kingdom has a proud record of helping not only across Scotland, but across the rest of the those facing persecution, oppression and tyranny. We United Kingdom. Put simply, passing motions, making stand by our moral and legal obligations to help innocent statements of solidarity and sending letters does not civilians fleeing cruelty around the world. As part of provide the Home Office with options to house people that, the UK resettled more people through planned seeking asylum. I was interested to hear the comments resettlement schemes between 2015 and 2019 than any from my SNP shadow,the hon. Member for Cumbernauld, other country in Europe. In addition, the UK Government, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East (Stuart C. McDonald). as has been mentioned by the hon. Member for Strangford In that regard, discussions between the Home Office, (Jim Shannon) in relation to the contribution that his the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the own area made to this work, have delivered on their Scottish Government continue—work that I hope will commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees directly from be strongly supported by Members from Scotland who the relevant region under the vulnerable persons resettlement contributed today. That action forms part of and scheme, despite the obvious challenges presented by the supplements the ongoing work of the Glasgow joint pandemic. partnership board. However, we recognise that significant improvements Across our United Kingdom, some very welcome are needed to protect our asylum system from being progress is being made. I reference in particular the renewed gamed or abused by those who are actually economic commitment to providing dispersal accommodation in migrants, while ensuring that it offers protection and Wales. As I have noted, that is important because it 73WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 74WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health helps to reduce our reliance on temporary, contingency dispersal scheme. As has been mentioned, Glasgow is and initial accommodation, allowing us to exit some the largest local authority dispersal area anywhere in sites we have been using, including Penally barracks. the United Kingdom, and it is playing a key role in All asylum seekers and refugees can access mainstream enabling us to meet our legal obligations. health services wherever they are in our United Kingdom, I thank in particular Glasgow City Council and the in line with the resident population, with these services Scottish Refugee Council for the support they provided being mostly devolved matters, alongside other aspects to those who were affected by the tragic incident at the of health policy, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Park Inn hotel on 26 June last year. A significant Ireland. Within the asylum process, we take all possible amount of work has taken place to ensure that we are steps to identify potential safeguarding risks at the doing all we can to minimise the risk of a similar earliest opportunity, while acknowledging that, because incident taking place again. An internal evaluation was of their journey and history, asylum seekers are not commissioned and undertaken to determine whether always ready or particularly willing to declare mental asylum seekers accommodated in Glasgow were in health issues to Home Office officials. When they first accommodation that met their needs, in line with the encounter the Home Office, asylum seekers are given contract, and whether appropriate wellbeing and mental the opportunity to declare any vulnerabilities that might health support was in place during the covid-19 pandemic. impact on the way we manage their claim. The review looked at whether the accommodation We also fund a charity-run help line, managed by provided to asylum seekers during covid-19 was suited Migrant Help, which is available 24 hours a day, seven to their circumstances. It explored moves from other days a week, for all those in the asylum process to seek contingency accommodation to hotels, including how advice and guidance, including when they are concerned specific needs are identified and addressed. It also looked about their own health or the health of a family member. at training needs, risk, and safeguarding, as well as Migrant Help will also provide an interpreter if required considering whether any systemic issues extend beyond and escalate any issues of concern to the Home Office the arrangements made to accommodate asylum seekers asylum safeguarding hub, which provides a link to the during covid-19. organisations with statutory responsibility for asylum The report makes 20 recommendations and identifies seekers’ care, such as medical professionals and social key areas for improvement. I am pleased to say that services. That helps to ensure that there are clear, significant progress has already been made in relation straightforward means through which concerns can be to the recommendations, including a review of catering raised with the Home Office, and then with relevant arrangements in hotels, cash payments being made to professionals as required, case by case. those in hotels and section 4 and section 95 support, For those destitute asylum seekers who are supported and individuals involved in the incident receiving bespoke by the UK Government in accommodation, our providers support. are contractually obliged to deliver welfare support, Several of the report’s recommendations require including staff appointed as welfare officers. They will collaborative working between the Home Office, Glasgow also engage the emergency services where an immediate City Council, COSLA, and Mears, the accommodation risk exists to the health of the individual or another provider for the region. My officials advise me that person and deliver ongoing support while they are fortnightly meetings take place between those organisations, accommodated. Supported asylum seekers also receive when the key issues discussed in the report are taken a comprehensive induction in a language they understand, forward, such as hotel moves and use, and the safeguarding which details local and national support services available and wellbeing of asylum seekers in Glasgow. I would to them, as well as information to help them to settle expect Glasgow MPs to receive feedback on that work. into the UK. If they do not, I will ensure that they do. Wherever we accommodate asylum seekers, we support This area is complex. As I mentioned, my officials their mental health and wellbeing through close working have already approached the Scottish Government and with local health services and, where practical, the COSLA on a number of occasions about widening provision of on-site activities such as sports and language dispersal and opening up further areas to dispersal, to training. We understand that some asylum seekers need help to ease the pressure on Glasgow and the hotels in more specialist support for their mental health. We that city. We certainly look forward to taking that work therefore established a mental health forum, bringing further over the coming months. together colleagues from across the Department of Health The United Kingdom, particularly the city of Glasgow, and Social Care, Public Health England and NHS has a proud record of giving refuge and sanctuary to England, alongside several non-governmental organisations, some of the world’s most vulnerable and oppressed to discuss improved access to health pathways and people. The UK Government remain committed to alternative opportunities to support wellbeing throughout ensuring that asylum seekers and refugees receive the the asylum journey. We are looking at extending that support and care that they need, even in the challenging group to involve counterparts in the devolved nations. circumstances of a global pandemic. Our focus, as we We are keen to continue supporting vulnerable service take forward our new plan for immigration, will remain users to prevent harm to them or others, and our on supporting the most vulnerable, ensuring their fair ongoing engagement with civil society and broader and humane treatment, and working with all our partners health services provides that opportunity. on matters relating to asylum seeker health, and mental The hon. Member for Glasgow North West under- health in particular. Ultimately, we want to build a standably highlighted the situation in Glasgow. It is system that is firm against those seeking to abuse or right that I put on the record how grateful I am for the game it, but fair in offering the support that this country support that the whole community in Glasgow provides should offer to those who genuinely need to flee war through their continued participation in the asylum and persecution. 75WH UK Asylum System and Asylum 13 APRIL 2021 UK Asylum System and Asylum 76WH Seekers’ Mental Health Seekers’ Mental Health 5.48 pm criminal gangs, we must recognise that there are innocent victims of those gangs, and if there are innocent victims, Carol Monaghan [V]: I thank all Members who have we must put in place support for them, but that is not taken the time to contribute to the debate. Some of the happening just now. very personal testimonies that we have heard are important—people need to hear more of them. A phrase Finally, I again thank all the organisations working that I thought was quite useful came from the hon. throughout the UK to support refugees and asylum Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross seeker communities, particularly here in Glasgow, where (Jamie Stone), who talked about people being considered we have such a lot of asylum seekers. Glasgow is a city guilty until proven innocent. That is something that that is very strong and it will always state that refugees many of us who deal with asylum seekers in our are welcome, but we need the Home Office to support communities would recognise. us on this, so that we can help those who need our help. Question put and agreed to. The Minister spoke of his concerns about the system being gamed or abused. Well, there are many things that Resolved, the Government could do to ensure that the system was That this House has considered the UK asylum system and neither gamed nor abused, but they are not doing them. asylum seekers’ mental health. One thing they could do is allow swifter decision making, using accurate information. The Minister also talked 5.50 pm about criminal people smuggling. If we are tackling Sitting adjourned. 1WS Written Statements 13 APRIL 2021 Written Statements 2WS

with allegations arising from any future overseas operations, Written Statements recognising the unique burden and pressures placed on our personnel. Tuesday 13 April 2021 As part of the debate on this Bill, there has rightly been a focus on the support which MOD provides to TREASURY those personnel who may find themselves subject to investigations and prosecutions. We are grateful to right Bilateral Loan to Ireland hon. and hon Members of both Houses for the interest they have taken in this issue and their commitment to The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen): ensuring service personnel and veterans who are impacted I would like to update Parliament on the loan to by historical allegations are properly supported. Ireland. As a matter of MOD policy, service personnel are In December 2010, the UK agreed to provide a entitled to legal guidance at public expense where they bilateral loan of £3.2 billion as part of a ¤67.5 billion face criminal allegations that relate to actions taken international assistance package for Ireland. The loan during their service, and where they were performing was disbursed in eight tranches, and the final tranche their duties. This principle is at the heart of the MOD’s was drawn down on 26 September 2013. Ireland has approach to supporting our people and is enshrined in made interest payments on the loan every six months the relevant defence instruction notices.It is a responsibility since the first disbursement. that MOD takes extremely seriously, and we keep our On 26 March, in line with the agreed repayment policies under review to ensure that they are appropriate schedule, HM Treasury received a total payment of and tailored. £406,428,318.19fromIreland.Thiscomprisestherepayment Since the early days of Iraq and Afghanistan, the of £403,370,000 in principal and £3,058,318.19 in accrued armed forces have learned lessons on better resourcing interest. and professionalising support to those involved in inquiries HM Treasury has also provided a further report to or investigations arising from operations, and the Parliament in relation to the loan as required under the mechanisms for providing this support have been Loans to Ireland Act 2010. The report relates to the transformed in recent years. The way in which this is period from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. It delivered and by whom will depend on the specific reports fully on the two final principal repayments circumstances of the case, the point which has been received by HM Treasury during this period. The loan reached in the proceedings and, most importantly, the has been repaid in full and on time. needs of the individual concerned. A written ministerial statement on the previous statutory report regarding the loan to Ireland was issued to Any individual who is investigated by the service Parliament on 5 October 2020, Official Report, police is entitled to legal representation as well as the column 18WS. support of an assisting officer who can offer advice on the process and procedure and signpost welfare resources. [HCWS907] The individual’s commanding officer and chain of command have overall responsibility for the person’s Contingencies Fund Advance: Covid-19 welfare and for ensuring access to the requisite support. Individuals who are interviewed as suspects under The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman): caution will be entitled to free and independent legal Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will incur new advice for this stage of the investigation. Subsequently, expenditure in connection with the Government’sresponse legal funding for service personnel and veterans facing to the covid-19 pandemic in 2021-22. criminal allegations can either be provided through the Parliamentary approval for additional resources of Armed Forces Legal Aid Scheme (AFLAS) or through £765,000,000 for this new expenditure will be sought in the chain of command. a main estimate for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at Where the chain of command accepts funding £765,000,000 will be met by repayable cash advances responsibility this is means-test exempt and therefore from the Contingencies Fund. no personal contribution will be required. The Armed Further requests to the Contingencies Fund may be Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA) will made as necessary to fund covid-19 activity delivered by act as a conduit for the provision of publicly funded Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. legal representation on behalf of the chain of command, [HCWS908] including all aspects of financial and case management. However, if available evidence suggests the individual was doing something clearly outside the scope of their DEFENCE duty, then it would not be appropriate for that person to receive this chain of command funding. Overseas Operations Bill: All other serving personnel and veterans facing criminal MOD Support to Service Personnel proceedings prosecuted through the service justice system, and who are not covered by the chain of command The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ben Wallace): funding, may apply for legal aid through AFCLAA and The Overseas Operations Bill was introduced to provide may be required to make a personal contribution, greater legal protections to armed forces personnel and determined by means testing, if funded through the veterans serving on military operations overseas. The Armed Forces Legal Aid Scheme. This is in line with the Bill will provide a better legal framework for dealing civilian legal aid scheme. 3WS Written Statements 13 APRIL 2021 Written Statements 4WS

There is an important exemption from the means-testing upgrade the FE college and designated institutions’ requirement, which has been waived in criminal cases estate in England. It builds on the £200 million further arising from Iraq or Afghanistan operations heard in education capital allocation paid in September 2020 to the Service Court. Separately, legal advice and support support FE college and designated institutions to undertake is also available whenever people are required to give immediate remedial works and provide a boost to the evidence at inquests and inquiries and in litigation and economy and the education system. this is coordinated by MOD. There are two elements to the FE capital transformation Wealso recognise that for service personnel and veterans programme.The first element was announced on 21 January who are involved in these processes, legal guidance by 2021, when we launched the open bidding fund to itself is not enough. This is why we have developed a which all FE colleges and designated institutions can comprehensive package of welfare support to ensure we bid for larger projects to tackle their condition need and deliver on our commitment to offer ongoing support to upgrade their estate. We are now announcing the second veterans. element today: we will be working in partnership with As part of delivering on this commitment, the Army 16 colleges with some of the highest condition need in Operational Legacy Branch (AOLB) was established in the country. High quality buildings and facilities will 2020 in order to co-ordinate the Army’s support to aid colleges in supporting their students to gain the those involved in legacy cases. Fundamental to this is skills they need to progress and help the economy to ensuring that welfare and legal support is provided to grow. The 16 college sites, which are spread across all service personnel and veterans involved in operational England, and with which we are working to develop legacy processes. The AOLB provides a central point of plans are: contact and optimises the welfare network already in Beacon Centre, Blackburn College; place through the Arms and Service Directorates and Lansdowne Site, Bournemouth and Poole College; the network of regimental headquarters and regimental Brooksby Melton College, SMB Group; associations. Veterans UK are also closely engaged in Ashington Campus, Education Partnership North East providing support to veterans and, where required, the (Northumberland College); Veterans Welfare Service will allocate a welfare manager St Austell Campus, Cornwall College; to support individual veterans. Although the AOLB has Houghall Campus, East Durham College; been established to provide an Army focus to legacy issues, Rochdale site, Hopwood Hall College; the support it provides is extended to the other services. Isle of Wight College; This is provided in addition to the range of welfare Great Yarmouth Campus, East Coast College; and mental health support that is routinely offered to Stafford site, Newcastle and Stafford College Group; all our people. The potential impact of operations on a service person’s mental health is well recognised and North Lindsey College, DN College Group; there are policy and procedures in place to help manage Merrist Wood College, Activate Learning; and mitigate these impacts as far as possible. The MOD Strode College; recognises that any operational deployment can result Parsons Walk, Wigan and Leigh College; in the development of a medical or psychiatric condition Yeovil College; and that service personnel may require help before, Stanmore College. during and after deployment. All armed forces personnel The FE capital transformation programme means are supported by dedicated and comprehensive mental that colleges will be able to make strategic investment health resources. Defence mental health services are decisions which will lead to a transformation of the FE configured to provide community-based mental health college estate, providing excellent places to learn. care in line with national best practice. This investment should be seen in the wider context In terms of support for those who have left the forces, of our reforms to further education. The White Paper veterans are able to access all NHS provided mental “Skills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity and health services wherever they live in the country. As Growth” sets out our vision of enabling everyone to get health is devolved and services have been developed the high-quality skills employers need in a way that according to local populations needs, service specification suits them. The reforms set out plans to transform varies. This can mean bespoke veteran pathways or technical education, boost UK productivity, build back ensuring an awareness of veterans’ needs. All veterans better from the coronavirus pandemic, and create a will be seen on clinical need. What is important is that more prosperous country for all. This is an exciting best practice is shared between the home nations and moment for technical education and training and an there are several forums in place to provide this. opportunity for real change. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs works closely with [HCWS906] the MOD and Departments across Government, the devolved Administrations, charities and academia to ensure the needs of veterans are met. High Needs Provision Capital Allocations [HCWS905] The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb): On EDUCATION 9 April, the announced £280 million of capital funding to support local authorities Further Education Capital Transformation Fund to create new places and improve existing provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (SEND) or who require alternative provision (AP). This (Gillian Keegan): The FE capital transformation programme investment will support our manifesto commitment to delivers the Government’s £1.5 billion commitment to deliver more school places for children with complex 5WS Written Statements 13 APRIL 2021 Written Statements 6WS special educational needs and will help ensure that Our advice remains that some students, such as those every child has the opportunity to receive a world-class with inadequate study space and/or mental health and education, whatever their background. wellbeing issues, may need to return to their term-time The funding announced today is for places required address despite their teaching still being online. We have for September 2022 and will allow local authorities to asked providers to consider opening facilities to support invest strategically to ensure they deliver a good quality those who have returned to their term-time accommodation and appropriate place for every child who needs one. It alongside those who have resumed in-person teaching is on top of the £365 million we invested between 2018 and learning; this is to safeguard students’ wellbeing and 2021 to support local authorities to deliver new and to prevent isolation and mental ill health. places for children with education, health and care We are supporting universities to provide regular, plans, and the additional places we are creating through twice-weekly,asymptomatic testing for all students residing our continued investment in new special and AP free in their term-time accommodation, or accessing university schools. facilities, and to all staff. In May 2021, we will be Full details of this announcement, including allocations making home test kits available to universities to supply broken down by local authority and the methodology to their staff and students as appropriate. In addition, used to distribute funding, have been published on the staff and students can make use of the universal testing Department for Education section on the gov.uk website offer by ordering home tests online or visiting a pharmacy. here: Students returning to university should undertake three https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high- supervised tests at an on-site test facility. They should needs-provision-capital-allocations. then test twice a week, either using home test kits or at an on-site facility. This is in line with the expectation in [HCWS909] most other education settings and will help break chains of transmission of the virus. We strongly encourage all Higher Education universities to ensure that all students and staff get tested regularly and report their result when testing at home. The Minister for Universities (Michelle Donelan): The I realise that a delay to a return to university may Government recognise the disruption that covid-19 has cause some students to face additional costs. With this caused for many students and their families because in mind, I have now announced that we will be making they have not yet been able to return to their university. a further £15 million of funding available for student Last academic term we advised that all students on hardship this academic year. This is in addition to the practical and creative courses could return to in-person £70 million of funding already distributed in the previous teaching from 8 March and committed to reviewing financial year. As with the £70 million, international further returns by the end of the Easter holidays. and postgraduate students will be eligible for this funding Today, my Department has announced that remaining along with domestic undergraduates. We will work with students will be advised to return to in-person teaching the Office for Students to allocate these funds and will alongside step 3 of the road map, when restrictions on set out the details of this shortly. social contact will be eased further and the majority of I recognise that these unprecedented circumstances indoor settings can reopen. This will take place no are also affecting student and staff mental health and earlier than 17 May, following a further review of the wellbeing, and I am committed to addressing these data against the four tests. As was announced in February, concerns. The Mental Health in Education Action Group, students and higher education providers will be given a which I convened with the Minister for Children and week’s notice of any further easing of restrictions as it Families, Vicky Ford, will continue to prioritise the affects them in accordance with the timing of step 3. mental health and wellbeing of students and staff, Until then all students should continue to learn remotely alongside the HE Taskforce Mental Health and Wellbeing and remain where they are living, wherever possible. subgroup. We have continued to ask universities to Universities have a strong track record of delivering prioritise mental health support and have worked with excellent remote learning, students in higher education the Office for Students to provide Student Space, which are well equipped to study and meet their learning is a mental health and wellbeing platform designed to outcomes remotely. The Government remain clear that work alongside existing services, to support students the quality and quantity of taught hours must be throughout the pandemic. I have asked the OfS to look maintained and that all learning must be accessible. at extending the platform and I am delighted it has The Government and I recognise just how difficult done so for the 2020-21 academic year. This resource, and disruptive the last year has been for students. which is funded by the OfS, provides dedicated one-to-one However, the road map is designed to maintain a cautious phone, text and webchat facilities as well as a collaborative approach to the easing of restrictions, to ensure that we online platform. In addition to this, the Office for can maintain progress towards full reopening. By step 3, Students has recently published its consultation on the more of the population will be vaccinated, and there is distribution of the £15 million for student mental health also more time to increase testing to reduce risk further. support in the coming academic year, focusing on The movement of students across the country poses a supporting transitions to university. risk for the transmission of the virus—particularly because We are continuing to explore other ways to provide of the higher prevalence and rates of transmission of further support for students and particularly appreciate new variants. Students who have returned to higher how vital it is that we support graduates and new education settings should not move back and forward students as they move into their next stage. We are between their permanent home and student home during working in parallel with Universities UK, the Association term time unless they meet one of the exemptions. of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, the Institute of 7WS Written Statements 13 APRIL 2021 Written Statements 8WS

Student Employers, the Office for Students, and the Throughout the vaccination programme the independent wider sector to understand what we can do to complement regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products their planned support. We know that providers are best Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA), has published data on placed to lead on this and have assured them that we the effects and side effects of the vaccine. It has will work with them to signpost students to useful independently assessed that all three vaccines in use in resources, share good practice, and communicate effectively the UK are safe and effective. The European Medicines with schools, colleges, and employers. Agency and the World Health Organisation have reached More broadly, the Government are doing all they can the same conclusion. Having considered this data, which to help people who are at the start of their career has been published, and in order to make the vaccine journey. The Department for Work and Pensions has programme as safe as it possibly can be, the JCVI successfully recruited over 13,500 new work coaches as advises that it is preferable for adults aged under 30 years of the end of March 2021. This will ensure that high-quality without underlying health conditions that put them at a work search support is available to those who need it. higher risk of severe covid-19 disease, to be offered an We are also investing additional funding in the National alternative vaccine, if available. Careers Service up to March 2022. This investment will The JCVI has weighed the relative balance of benefits support delivery of individual careers advice for those and risks, and advises that the benefits of prompt whose jobs/learning have been affected by the pandemic vaccination with the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine far (by end of FY21-22).We have also added additional outweigh the risk of adverse events for individuals courses to the skills toolkit to develop “work readiness” 30 years of age and over and those who have underlying skills that employers report they value in their new health conditions which put them at higher risk of recruits. severe covid-19 disease. The Government have accepted I want to assure all students, staff and parents that this advice in full, and the rollout will put this advice student welfare continues to be a priority and I will into operation. continue to work closely with the sector to ensure that With the deployment of phase 2, I am now updating our additional hardship funding and our transition the House on the liabilities Her Majesty’s Government support reaches those who need it most. As always, I have taken on in relation to further vaccine supply via want to thank students for their resilience and university this statement and the departmental minute available as staff and student unions for their determination to an online attachment. ensure that students are supported at this challenging It has been and remains the Government’s strategy to time. manage covid-19 until an effective vaccine or vaccines [HCWS912] can be deployed at scale. Putting in place appropriate indemnities for vaccine suppliers has helped to secure access to vaccines much sooner than may have been the case otherwise. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Given the exceptional circumstances we are in, and the terms on which developers are willing to supply a Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment covid-19 vaccine, we along with other nations have taken a broad approach to indemnification proportionate to the situation we are in. The Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment (Nadhim Even though the covid-19 vaccines have been developed Zahawi): I am tabling this statement for the benefit of at pace, at no point and at no stage of development has hon. and right hon. Members to bring to their attention safety been bypassed. The independent MHRA’s approval the contingent liabilities relating to the contracts signed for use of the currently deployed vaccines clearly between Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) and covid-19 demonstrates that these vaccines have satisfied, in full, vaccine suppliers for the phase 2 deployment of vaccines. all the necessary requirements for safety, effectiveness, Today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and and quality.Weare providing indemnities in the unexpected Immunisation (JCVI) has published its final advice event of any adverse reactions that could not have been about the next phase of the covid-19 vaccine deployment. foreseen through the robust checks and procedures that In line with its interim advice, it has recommended an have been put in place. age-based strategy for prioritisation as the best way to I will update the House in a similar manner as and further reduce mortality and hospitalisations. when other covid-19 vaccines are deployed. The JCVI has advised that rapid vaccine deployment Attachments can be viewed online at: http://www. is the most important means to maximise public health parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions- benefits against severe outcomes from covid-19. There answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2021- is good evidence that the risks of hospitalisation and 04-13/HCWS911/ critical care admissions from covid-19 increase with [HCWS911] age, and that in occupations where the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is potentially higher, persons of older age are also those at highest risk of severe outcomes Covid-19 Vaccine: Moderna from covid-19. It is for these reasons that the Committee has recommended that the offer of vaccination be age-based, The Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment (Nadhim starting with the oldest adults first, and proceeding in Zahawi): I am tabling this statement for the benefit of the following order to facilitate rapid deployment: hon. and right hon. Members to bring to their attention All those aged 40 to 49 years the contingent liabilities relating to the contract signed All those aged 30 to 39 years between Her Majesty’sGovernment (HMG) and Moderna All those aged 18 to 29 years for its covid-19 vaccine. 9WS Written Statements 13 APRIL 2021 Written Statements 10WS

On 1 April 2021, the Medicines and Healthcare products On 10 February I announced my five-point plan to Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted a conditional bring an end to unsafe cladding and my officials are market authorisation (CMA) for use of the covid-19 working at pace to develop and deliver the products, vaccine being manufactured by Moderna. With deployment systems and legislation associated with these: of this vaccine beginning on 7 April 2021, I am now 1. The Government will pay for the removal of unsafe updating the House on the liabilities HMG has taken cladding for leaseholders in all residential buildings 18 metres on in relation to this vaccine via this statement and the and over in England departmental minute available as an online attachment. The agreement to provide an indemnity as part of the 2. A generous finance scheme to provide reassurance for leaseholders in buildings between 11 and 18 metres, ensuring contract between HMG and Moderna creates a contingent they never pay more than £50 a month for cladding removal liability on the covid-19 vaccination programme. It has been and remains the Government’s strategy to manage 3. An industry levy and tax to ensure developers play their covid-19 until an effective vaccine/s can be deployed at part scale. Putting in place appropriate indemnities to be 4. A world-class new safety regime to ensure a tragedy like given to vaccine suppliers has helped to secure access to Grenfell never happens again vaccines much sooner than may have been the case otherwise. 5. Providing confidence to this part of the housing market including lenders and surveyors Given the exceptional circumstances we are in, and the terms on which developers are willing to supply a We have now committed an unprecedented £5 billion covid-19 vaccine, we along with other nations have investment in building safety. This will ensure taxpayer taken a broad approach to indemnification proportionate funding is targeted at the highest risk buildings in line to the situation we are in. with longstanding independent expert advice. Even though the covid-19 vaccines have been developed Remediation statistics at pace, at no point and at no stage of development has safety been bypassed. The independent MHRA’s approval We continue to make good progress on the remediation for use of the Moderna vaccine clearly demonstrates of unsafe cladding, with around 95% of all high-rise that this vaccine has satisfied, in full, all the necessary residential buildings with unsafe ACM cladding identified requirements for safety, effectiveness, and quality. We by the beginning of last year now either remediated or are providing indemnities in the unexpected event of started on site. any adverse reactions that could not have been foreseen through the robust checks and procedures that have Our expectation is that unsafe ACM remediation been put in place. should be completed as soon as possible and by the end Given the pace of vaccine development and our of 2021 at the latest. ambition to deploy the vaccine as soon as it has been Full details of our progress with ACM cladding authorised, it has not been possible to provide the remediation can be found in the Department’s monthly normal 14 sitting days to consider this issue of contingent building safety data release, which will next be published liabilities. Therefore, with immediate effect, all vaccination on 15 April on the Government’s website. services are now able to extend their vaccination offer to those aged 45 to 49 years. Previous monthly building safety data releases can be I will update the House in a similar manner as and accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/aluminium- when other covid-19 vaccines are deployed. composite-material-cladding#acm-remediation-data. Attachments can be viewed online at: http://www. As at 31 March 2021, the building safety fund registration parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions- statistics show that 1,075 decisions have been made on answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2021- the basis that sufficient supporting information has 04-13/HCWS910/. now been received. Of these, 668 registered buildings [HCWS910] are proceeding with a full application and 407 have been shown to be ineligible, mostly on grounds of not meeting HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL the published criteria or because they do not have GOVERNMENT unsafe cladding systems in place. The total amount of funding allocated is £319.2 million (including social Building Safety: Monthly Update sector) correct at 31 March 2021. Full details can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remediation- of-non-acm-buildings#building-safety-fund- The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and registration-statistics. Local Government (Robert Jenrick): I have undertaken to provide the House with a monthly building safety [HCWS913] update.

1P Petitions 13 APRIL 2021 Petitions 2P

Observations from the Under-Secretary of State for Petition Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully): Tuesday 13 April 2021 The Government recognise that grief affects all family members and losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. OBSERVATIONS In recognition of the particular challenges associated with the death of a child, we have legislated to give BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL parents who are in this devasting position a statutory STRATEGY right to parental bereavement leave and pay.The entitlement Extension of statutory paid bereavement leave came into effect in April 2020. It gives employees who lose a child under the age of 18 or who suffer a stillbirth The petition of residents of the constituency of North a “day 1” right to take up to two weeks off work in the Ayrshire and Arran, 56 weeks following the death of their child. Parents who Declares that, given the huge toll of the coronavirus have 26 weeks continuous service may also qualify for pandemic, there is an urgent need to extend statutory statutory parental bereavement pay. paid bereavement leave to all employees upon the loss of a close family member or partner; further declares Whilst there is no statutory entitlement to bereavement that the welcome introduction of paid bereavement leave for other family members, the law is clear that the leave for parents on the loss of a child up to the age of entitlement to emergency time off for dependants enables 18 years-old did not go far enough; notes that there is individuals to take reasonable time off for practical recent research which finds that grief experienced by purposes—including registering a death and making employees who have lost a loved one costs the UK funeral arrangements. Employees are also entitled to economy £23 billion per year, and costs the Treasury 5.6 weeks of annual leave per year. nearly £8 billion per year; further declares that many employers are supportive and understanding when an The Government recognise, of course, that these employee suffers a close bereavement, but without any entitlements do not constitute a legal entitlement to statutory rights for employees to paid bereavement leave, statutory time off to grieve. Grief is an extremely personal the time and space to grieve for many people is determined issue which affects people in very different ways and at by the goodwill of their employer; further that the different times. The Government believe that individuals discretionary nature of current arrangements means are best placed to understand their own specific needs, potentially thousands of employees will be unable to and that good employers will respond to requests made take leave without fearing that it could undermine their by their employees in the most appropriate way. We job security; further that it is concerning that bereaved expect employers to be sympathetic to individual people in low paid jobs are far less likely to receive paid circumstances and to respond in a sensitive way. time off or any compassionate leave at all; further that By introducing a day 1 right to two weeks of paid these people are at greater risk of losing their job for leave for parents to grieve, the UK is already going taking time off, and that it is grossly unfair for them to much further than any other country in the world. As struggle with the immediate financial impact of bereavement such, the Government have no plans to extend entitlement while experiencing increasing pressure and financial to bereavement leave and pay at this time. stress; further that bereavement can trigger mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic Whilst the new entitlement to parental bereavement stress disorders, as well as being linked to an increased leave and pay is targeted specifically towards parents likelihood of heart attacks,diabetes and increased mortality; who lose a child, it sends a message to all employers that and further that while bereavement is a fact of life, if a they should act compassionately and supportively when fraction of the costs associated with it could be mitigated dealing with all bereavements in the workplace. with better support at the right time, we could boost our economy and have a healthier society with a greater The Government are committed to giving employers sense of wellbeing at its heart. the tools and support that they need to do this and to The petitioners therefore request that the House of deal with all aspects of their relationships with their Commons urges the UK Government to extend the right employees. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration to statutory paid bereavement leave to all employees who Service (Acas) has published guidance for employers on lose a close family member or partner as a matter of dealing with bereavement at work. Their Managing urgency.—[Presented by Patricia Gibson, Official Report, Bereavement in the Workplace—a good practice guide, 2 February 2021; Vol. 688, c. 924.] developed in conjunction with the charity Cruse Bereavement Care—is available on the Acas website. [P002647]

1MC Ministerial Corrections13 APRIL 2021 Ministerial Corrections 2MC

tower cranes they were erecting. It was intended to Ministerial Correction provide reassurance to the public. There was, however, no demonstrable improvement to tower crane safety, Tuesday 13 April 2021 and the regulations and register were revoked in 2015 as a result, but I do take her point. [Official Report, 22 March 2021, Vol. 691, c. 753.] WORK AND PENSIONS Letter of correction from the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Mid Sussex Health and Safety Regulations: Cranes (Mims Davies). The following is an extract from the debate on Health An error has been identified in my response to the and Safety Regulations: Cranes on 22 March 2021. debate. Apsana Begum: On that point, after the Battersea The correct response should have been: incident, a group of campaigners gave evidence to various Committees of the House, which resulted in a Mims Davies: I thank the hon. Lady for raising the crane register being developed. The register was scrapped existence of the former tower crane register. The tower after 2010. Does the Minister have any views on whether crane register was a short-lived statutory scheme requiring that should be brought back? In my view, it should. duty holders to send the HSE information about any tower cranes they were erecting. It was intended to Mims Davies: I thank the hon. Lady for raising the provide reassurance to the public. There was, however, existence of the former tower crane register. The tower no demonstrable improvement to tower crane safety, crane register was a short-lived statutory scheme requiring and the regulations and register were revoked in 2013 as duty holders to send the HSE information about any a result, but I do take her point. ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE...... 119 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE—continued Brain Tumours: NIHR Research Grants...... 130 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Breast Cancer Diagnosis Data ...... 124 Safety Review...... 129 Cancer Workforce: Nurses ...... 132 Local Health Services: Consultation ...... 123 Covid-19: Bereavement Services...... 124 Long Covid...... 125 Covid-19: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ...... 121 Obesity...... 131 Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out ...... 120 Online Junk Food Advertising ...... 127 Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Scotland ...... 126 Recruitment of NHS Nurses...... 129 Health and Social Care Integration...... 122 Social Care Sector: Pay and Conditions...... 128 Health Service Capital Estate...... 119 Topical Questions ...... 132 Health-Related Manufacturers...... 130 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 1WS HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE—continued Overseas Operations Bill: Covid-19 Vaccine: Moderna...... 8WS MOD Support to Service Personnel...... 1WS HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL EDUCATION...... 3WS GOVERNMENT...... 9WS Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.. 3WS Building Safety: Monthly Update ...... 9WS High Needs Provision Capital Allocations ...... 4WS Higher Education...... 5WS TREASURY ...... 1WS HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE...... 7WS Bilateral Loan to Ireland ...... 1WS Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment...... 7WS Contingencies Fund Advance: Covid-19 ...... 1WS PETITION

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY ...... 1P Extension of statutory paid bereavement leave ...... 1P MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 1MC Health and Safety Regulations: Cranes...... 1MC No proofs can be supplied. Corrections that Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked on a copy of the daily Hansard - not telephoned - and must be received in the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Tuesday 20 April 2021

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

Members may obtain excerpts of their speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), by applying to the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons. Volume 692 Tuesday No. 199 13 April 2021

CONTENTS

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 119] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Speaker’s Statement [Col. 137]

Greensill Capital [Col. 144] Answer to urgent question—(Paul Scully)

Chinese Government Sanctions on UK Citizens [Col. 156] Answer to urgent question—(Nigel Adams)

Northern Ireland [Col. 167] Statement—(Brandon Lewis)

Road User Charging (Outer London) [Col. 186] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Gareth Johnson)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Finance (No. 2) Bill [Col. 278] Motion for Second Reading—(Jesse Norman) Amendment—(James Murray)—on a Division, negatived Motion, on a Division, agreed to Read a Second time Programme motion—(David T. C. Davies)—agreed to

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Pandemic [Col. 278] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Global Human Security [Col. 1WH] Bay Local Authority in North Lancashire and South Cumbria [Col. 24WH] Vagrancy Act 1824 [Col. 32WH] Criminal Cases Review Commission [Col. 52WH] UK Asylum System and Asylum Seekers’ Mental Health [Col. 59WH] General debates

Written Statements [Col. 1WS]

Petition [Col. 1P] Observations

Ministerial Correction [Col. 1MC]

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