DOCSLIB.ORG

Daily Report Thursday, 17 December 2020 CONTENTS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Daily Report Thursday, 17 December 2020 CONTENTS Daily Report Thursday, 17 December 2020 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 17 December 2020 and the information is correct at the time of publication (06:57 P.M., 17 December 2020). For the latest information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements, please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/ CONTENTS ANSWERS 6 Government Departments: BUSINESS, ENERGY AND Procurement 12 INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6 National Security Council: Amazon 6 Coronavirus 13 Climate Change Convention: Public Sector: Procurement 13 Children and Young People 6 UK Membership of EU: Energy Supply 7 Referendums 13 Green Homes Grant Scheme 7 DEFENCE 14 Industrial Health and Safety: Afghanistan: Immigration 14 Coronavirus 8 Cobra: Coronavirus 14 Innovate UK 8 Gurkhas 14 Postal Services 8 HMS Prince of Wales: Repairs Sharing Economy: Industrial and Maintenance 14 Health and Safety 9 Ministry of Defence: Solar Power: Planning Declassified UK 15 Permission 9 Navy 15 Work Experience: Minimum Navy: Reserve Forces 16 Wage 10 Overseas Operations (Service CABINET OFFICE 10 Personnel and Veterans) Bill 16 [Subject Heading to be DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND Assigned] 10 SPORT 17 Coronavirus: Disease Control 11 Bowling: Great Yarmouth 17 Debt Collection 12 British Telecom: Redundancy 17 Employment: Coronavirus 12 Bus Services: Coronavirus 18 Government Departments: Digital Technology: Carbon Billing 12 Emissions 18 Food: Advertising 19 Listed Places of Worship Gaza: Intensive Care 34 Grant Scheme 19 Hong Kong: British National Music: Coronavirus 20 (Overseas) 34 Technology 20 Indonesia: Ahmadiyya 35 EDUCATION 21 Iraq: Kurds 35 Children in Care 21 Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Children: Day Care 21 Conflict 35 Coronavirus: Schools 22 Occupied Palestinian Territories: Coronavirus 36 GCE A-level and GCSE: Assessments 23 Private Infrastructure Development Group: Fossil National Curriculum Tests: Fuels 36 Coronavirus 23 Private Infrastructure Religion: Education 24 Development Group: Students: Coronavirus 25 Overseas Aid 37 Teachers: Contact Tracing 26 South China Sea 37 Teachers: Coronavirus 27 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 38 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND Abortion: Drugs 38 RURAL AFFAIRS 28 Adult Social Care Infection Landfill: West Midlands 28 Control Fund 38 Odour Pollution: Monitoring 28 Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Pet Travel Scheme 28 Death 38 Walley's Quarry: Odour Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis 39 Pollution 29 Baby Care Units: Standards 39 Wines: Imports 30 Brain Tumours: Research 39 FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH Care Homes: Visits 40 AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 31 Carers 41 China: Detainees 31 Compulsorily Detained China: Human Rights 31 Psychiatric Patients 41 China: Uighurs 32 Contact Tracing: Computer Climate Change Convention 32 Software 43 Developing Countries: Coronavirus 43 Nutrition 32 Coronavirus: Disease Control 43 Gaza: Coronavirus 33 Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups 44 Gaza: Food Supply 33 Coronavirus: Greater Gaza: Health Services 33 Manchester 45 Coronavirus: Gyms 45 Immigration: Homelessness 59 Coronavirus: Screening 45 Immigration: Stop and Search 60 Exercise Cygnus 47 Islam 60 Food: Labelling 48 Police: South Yorkshire 60 Genetic Engineering 48 Refugees: Public Consultation 61 Health Professions: Training 49 Refugees: Safety 61 Health Services: Private Seasonal Workers: Pilot Sector 49 Schemes 62 Hospital Beds 50 Undocumented Migrants: Hospital Beds: Private Sector 50 English Channel 62 Hospitals: Admissions 50 HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 63 Medical Equipment: Licensing 51 Housing First 63 Medical Records: Data Protection 51 Housing: Construction 63 Medicine: Research 52 Housing: Insulation 64 NHS 111: Coronavirus 52 INTERNATIONAL TRADE 64 NHS Digital: Contracts 52 Arms Trade: Export Controls 64 Pharmacy: Screening 53 Digital Technology: Overseas Trade 66 Public Health: Nitrogen Oxides 54 Fossil Fuels: Export Credit Social Services: Sick Pay 54 Guarantees 67 Statins: Older People 54 JUSTICE 67 Workforce Development Fund 55 Courts: Coronavirus 67 HOME OFFICE 55 Courts: Disability 68 Asylum: Applications 55 Courts: Video Conferencing 69 Asylum: Employment 55 Domestic Abuse 70 British Nationals Abroad: Prisons: Coronavirus 70 Repatriation 56 Probate: Coronavirus 71 European Criminal Records Information System 56 LEADER OF THE HOUSE 71 Europol 57 Members: Coronavirus 71 Home Office: Marketing 57 TRANSPORT 72 Immigrants: Finance 58 Arms Length Bodies 72 Immigration Controls: Blue Badge Scheme: Coronavirus 58 Coronavirus 72 Immigration: Afghanistan 59 Buses: Hydrogen 73 Freight: Felixstowe Port 73 Social Security Benefits: Highways England: Air Medical Examinations 90 Pollution 73 Statutory Sick Pay 90 Jetties: River Thames 74 Unemployment: Coronavirus 91 Motorways: Accidents 74 WRITTEN STATEMENTS 92 Pedestrians: Safety 75 ATTORNEY GENERAL 92 Railway Stations: Staffordshire 75 Update: Publication of the Railways: Standards 76 Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure and the Criminal Railways: Tickets 76 Procedure Investigations Act Roads: Staffordshire 76 1996 Code of Practice 92 Shipping: Carbon Emissions 77 BUSINESS, ENERGY AND Shipping: Pay 77 INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 93 Shipping: River Thames 78 Update on the UK Internal Market (UKIM) Bill 93 Stockport Viaduct: Repairs and Maintenance 78 CABINET OFFICE 94 Transport for London: Finance 79 Meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee 94 TREASURY 79 State of the Estate in 2019-20 95 Bus Services: Coronavirus 79 The 2025 UK Border Strategy 96 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme 80 DEFENCE 96 Off-payroll Working: Future Nuclear Deterrent Coronavirus 80 Annual Update 2020 96 Off-payroll Working: Ethnic EDUCATION 97 Groups 81 Education Updates 97 Self-employed: Coronavirus 81 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 99 WORK AND PENSIONS 82 Covid-19 Update 99 Department for Work and DHSC Contingencies Fund Pensions: Complaints 82 Advance 100 Habitual Residence Test 83 Update on Reciprocal Personal Independence Healthcare Arrangements 101 Payment: Coronavirus 87 HOME OFFICE 102 Social Security Benefits 87 Provisional Police Grant Social Security Benefits: Report (England and Wales) Coronavirus 88 2021/22 102 Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals 89 HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND TREASURY 111 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 106 Bilateral loan to Ireland under Building Safety Update 106 the Loans to Ireland Act 2010 111 Local government update 108 Contingencies Fund advance 111 JUSTICE 109 Economy Update 112 Government response to Financial Services Update 113 independent review of terrorist National Risk Assessment of supervision 109 money laundering and terrorist Judicial Conduct Investigations financing in the UK 115 Office Annual Report 2019– Tax exemptions: Employer- 2020 110 reimbursed coronavirus PRIME MINISTER 110 antigen tests and easement for Machinery of Government employer-provided cycles Change 110 exemption 117 TRANSPORT 110 Treasury Update 118 Contingencies Fund Advance 110 Updating the Special Resolution Regime Code of Practice 118 Notes: Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared. Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an oral question and has since been unstarred. ANSWERS BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY Amazon Patrick Grady: [129046] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the effect of Amazon's commercial practices on (a) workers’ rights, (b) the environment, (c) public finances, (d) digital rights and (e) fair markets; and if he will make a statement. Paul Scully: All employers must comply with employment law. If a worker believes that they have suffered a breach of their employment rights, they can get support and advice from Acas. If they cannot resolve the issue with their employer, they can take a claim to an employment tribunal. The government also spends over £35m a year on enforcement of employment rights to protect vulnerable workers. Regarding the environment, I welcome the steps that Amazon has taken so far in an effort to decarbonise and encourage the company to continue with its Science-Based Targets commitments and move quickly towards Net Zero, including working with companies in its supply chains. Regarding public finances, I cannot comment on individual taxpayers. Regarding digital rights, the UK has strong safeguards and enforcement regimes to ensure that personal data is collected and handled responsibly and securely. We would expect Amazon, like all organisations who process personal data, to comply with the UK’s Data Protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003. Regarding fair markets, the Government is committed to ensuring digital markets remain competitive and deliver positive outcomes for consumers, small businesses, and society. That is why we have announced funding to establish a new Digital Markets Unit within the Competition and Markets Authority from 2021-22. We will consult on proposals for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets in early 2021. Climate Change Convention: Children and Young People Stewart Malcolm McDonald: [129053] To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with (a) schools, (b) university and college students and (c) youth groups on how they can engage with COP26. Kwasi Kwarteng: Officials across Government have been working closely with young people and youth NGOs to ensure COP26
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Autumn 2020 Edition
    WORLD™ GovernmentAutumn 2020 Edition Page 1 WORLD™ Subscribe FOR FREE! GW is dedicated to promoting GovernmentPublished quarterly and representing news and opinions across all tiers of Government Government related issues in an Submit your articles, press releases and announcements to [email protected] and if unbiased manner. To benefit from approved, we will include it on our website and in the magazine for FREE! a subscription to GW contact us The magazine is published online and in hard copy for distribution at Council related conferences and today: events. [email protected] for a FREE email subscription. ADVERTISE IN OUR WINTER EDITION! Follow us on Twitter @GovWorldMag Submit your advert before June 20th 2020 and benefit from the special rates below! Full Page Half Page Quarter Page 148 x 210 mm 105 x 135 mm 105 x 68 mm All display advertising should be in PDF 300 dpi / CMYK digital files and sent to: [email protected] Full Page £98.80 Inside Front Cover £104.00 Half Page £52.00 Inside Back Cover £104.00 Quarter Page £31.20 All rates are exclusive of VAT @ 20% Disclaimer: All artwork will be checked pre-press for technical set-up, however it is the responsibility of each supplying agency to make sure artwork is correct on sending out. Any artwork requiring modification must be charged. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Reservations and cancellations cannot be accepted after the closing date of each issue. Subscribe and never miss a copy! Page 2 Contents ® News & Sports
    [Show full text]
  • Spotlight Briefing Note
    Spotlight briefing Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic Ten questions on the next phase of the UK’s COVID-19 response October 2020 Overview • There are a number of questions which remain as to the next phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. • What values have informed the most recent decisions on COVID-19 restrictions? Public health measures involve a number of challenging trade-offs between different rights and interests. Alongside the scientific evidence, it must be made clear which values are guiding decisions about which, and whose, interests take priority, and why. • Is the government considering the use of “immunity certificates” in the next phase of the response? Any approach which relies on a system of ‘immunity certification’ raises a number of ethical questions concerning individual rights versus the public interest, and social justice. If the Government is considering such a system, there must be a robust and open debate now. • How will development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine affect uptake - and what should be done? Issues around the speed of development, changes in regulation, and communication with the public may all affect public trust and uptake of any vaccine. Consideration about how to address these issues should take place now. • What discussions are taking place on setting priorities for vaccine allocation within the UK? There is a range of different values which can be taken into consideration when setting priorities for access to limited doses of a vaccine. What values and interests will guide decision-making in this area must be clearly set out. • How will the UK ensure a sustained commitment to global solidarity? The global nature of the pandemic shows the importance of working as part of a global effort.
    [Show full text]
  • Whole Day Download the Hansard
    Monday Volume 681 28 September 2020 No. 109 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday 28 September 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE CABINET (FORMED BY THE RT HON. BORIS JOHNSON, MP, DECEMBER 2019) PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY,MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND MINISTER FOR THE UNION— The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN,COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT AFFAIRS AND FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt Hon. Priti Patel, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. Robert Buckland, QC, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. Ben Wallace, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE—The Rt Hon. Matt Hancock, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY—The Rt Hon. Alok Sharma, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt Hon. Dr Thérèse Coffey, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION—The Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson CBE, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter Tony Nikolic Wrote to New South Wales Minister
    4. I am instructed to send this letter to sitting Members of Parliament (State and Federal). 5. The most recent Orders from the NSW State Government on Airport workers at Kingsford Smith Airport (Sydney) has caused a number of airport employees (including pregnant and single wage families/adults) to go on stress leave because they have been given an ultimatum to get the vaccine or potentially lose their positions. The amount of emails and calls from airline industry staff to my office is most concerning and I am instructed to make this representation on their behalf because they believe their elected representatives are not taking notice. 6. We are also mindful that the airport staff, front-line workers, pilots, police, paramedics and medical staff are also seeking the protection of all rights and responsibilities pursuant to Australian and International laws. 7. There are people taking sick leave from airport duties due to the mental health related issues and pressures being placed on them to take a vaccine. We understand that that the Australian Government cannot guarantee the vaccines safety in the short, mid and long term, but yet the NSW Government are issuing Orders for companies to vaccinate all staff, whilst Federal Parliamentarians do not question the validity or acknowledge this growing concern in electorates all over Australia. 8. I am instructed those workers are not allowed on Commonwealth airport property effective as of 6 July 2021 as a result of State Orders. The workers are not only feeling the pressures imposed upon them with speed and stealth at which the Orders were passed, but they are also concerned about being targeted if they speak out.
    [Show full text]
  • BMJ in the News Is a Weekly Digest of Journal Stories, Plus Any Other News
    BMJ in the News is a weekly digest of journal stories, plus any other news about the company that has appeared in the national and a selection of English-speaking international media. A total of 25 journals were picked up in the media last week (21-27 September) - our ​ ​ highlights include: ● Research in The BMJ on excess belly fat and risk of early death was covered widely, ​ ​ including CNN, The Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph. ​ ​ ● The New York Times ran an op-ed by Peter Doshi, Associate Editor at The BMJ on ​ ​ ​ covid-19 vaccine trials. ● Research in Thorax warning that patients with no symptoms carry as much covid-19 ​ ​ virus as those with symptoms generated global headlines, including NBC News, New ​ York Daily News and The Guardian. ​ ​ BMJ PRESS RELEASES The BMJ | BMJ Open ​ ​ ​ Open Heart | Thorax ​ ​ ​ EXTERNAL PRESS RELEASES BMJ Open | BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ​ ​ ​ British Journal of Sports Medicine | Emergency Medicine Journal ​ ​ ​ OTHER COVERAGE The BMJ | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ​ ​ Archives of Disease in Childhood | BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine ​ ​ BMJ Global Health | BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health ​ ​ BMJ Open Respiratory Research | Frontline Gastroenterology ​ ​ Gut | Heart ​ ​ Injury Prevention | Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ​ ​ Journal of Medical Ethics | Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ​ ​ Medical Humanities | Occupational & Environmental Medicine ​ ​ Postgraduate Medical Journal | Practical Neurology ​ ​ Vet Record B MJ New Co-Editors-in-Chief for BMJ Quality
    [Show full text]
  • The Work of the Lord Chancellor, HC 225
    Justice Committee Oral evidence: The work of the Lord Chancellor, HC 225 Tuesday 1 December 2020 Ordered by the House of Commons to be published on 1 December 2020. Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Robert Neill (Chair); Richard Burgon; Paula Barker; Rob Butler; James Daly; Miss Sarah Dines; Maria Eagle; John Howell; Kenny MacAskill; Kieran Mullan; Andy Slaughter. Questions 68 - 129 Witnesses I: Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Jo Farrar, Chief Executive, HM Prison and Probation Service; and Kevin Sadler, Interim CEO, HM Courts and Tribunals Service. Examination of witnesses Witnesses: Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC, Jo Farrar and Kevin Sadler. Q68 Chair: Good afternoon and welcome to this session of the Justice Committee. This is the concluding part of our evidence sessions in relation to our inquiry on the effect of Covid-19 on prisons, probation and the justice system. I welcome our witnesses: the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State—it is very good to see you, Lord Chancellor. Robert Buckland: Thank you, Sir Bob. Chair: It is good to see you, Jo Farrar, chief executive of HMPPS. Joining us remotely is Kevin Sadler, the interim CEO of HM Courts and Tribunals Service. It is good to see you, Mr Sadler. Kevin Sadler: Good afternoon. Chair: Before we kick off with the evidence, those of you who are familiar with the Committee will know that we have to declare our interests. I am a non-practising barrister and a consultant to a law firm. John Howell: I am an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
    [Show full text]
  • WHO Backs Rollout of Astrazeneca Vaccine
    this week TWINS page 423 • VACCINATING CHILDREN page 424 • BRITISH CYCLING page 427 FRANK HOERMANN/DPA/PA/ALAMY FRANK WHO backs rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine Doctors have warned of the risks associated On 16 March WHO’s chief scientist, Soumya The World Health Organization with pausing or delaying vaccination Swaminathan, said, “We do not want has urged people not to panic programmes against covid-19, as the people to panic, and we would, for the time amid reports of blood clotting number of European countries that have being, recommend that countries continue disorders in patients receiving the vaccine halted use of the Oxford University and vaccinating with AstraZeneca . So far, we AstraZeneca vaccine rose to 16. do not fi nd an association between these Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Iceland, events and the vaccine.” France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, The EMA said there had been 30 reports Slovenia, and Cyprus have suspended all of thromboembolic events among nearly use of the vaccine. Five other countries fi ve million people given the AstraZeneca (Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and vaccine in the European Economic Area. Luxembourg) have paused the use of a AstraZeneca has said 37 blood clots have LATEST ONLINE batch of a million doses of the vaccine. been reported among more than 17 million NHS and social The moves came after reports of people vaccinated in the EU and Britain. care need an extra blood clotting disorders. The Norwegian Five of the cases were deep vein thrombosis, £12bn to get back Medicines Agency said last week it was and 22 were pulmonary embolisms.
    [Show full text]
  • Operation Moonshot Proposals Are Scientifically Unsound
    EDITORIALS BMJ: first published as 10.1136/bmj.m3699 on 22 September 2020. Downloaded from 1 University of Birmingham, Operation Moonshot proposals are scientifically unsound Birmingham, UK They could do more harm than good to people, populations, and the economy 2 University of Leicester. Leicester, UK Jonathan J Deeks, 1 Anthony J Brookes, 2 Allyson M Pollock3 3 Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK Correspondence to: J Deeks The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test is balance of costs and harms against the potential [email protected] useful (but not perfect) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 benefits has not been evaluated Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m3699 virus RNA in symptomatic patients.1 However, Testing conundrums http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3699 problems arise using the test for purposes that Published: 22 September 2020 disregard symptoms or time of infection—namely, Now, Operation Moonshot has proposed that mass case finding, mass screening, and disease screening with less accurate point-of-care tests will surveillance. help “reduce the ‘R’ rate, keep the economy open and enable a return to normal life.”10 Could this work? This is because PCR is not a test of infectiousness. Rather, the test detects trace amounts of viral genome The Moonshot proposals are based exclusively on sequence, which may be either live transmissible computer modelling11 not empirical evidence. virus or irrelevant RNA fragments from previous Critically, the model considers repeated use of tests infection.2 When people with symptoms or who have that are positive only in infected people with high been recently exposed receive a positive PCR result viral loads of SARS-CoV-2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Time the Children Didn't Go to School
    THE TIME THE CHILDREN DIDN’T GO TO SCHOOL ANNABELLE HAYES FOREWORD ......................................................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................. 4 APRIL 2020 ............................................................ 5 MAY, 2020 ............................................................ 33 JUNE, 2020 .......................................................... 63 JULY, 2020 ......................................................... 102 AUGUST, 2020 .................................................... 110 SEPTEMBER, 2020 ............................................ 114 OCTOBER, 2020 ............................................... 129 NOVEMBER, 2020 ........................................... 152 DECEMBER, 2020 ............................................ 166 JANUARY, 2021 ................................................. 176 FEBRUARY, 2021 .............................................. 202 MARCH, 2021 .................................................... 223 AFTERWORD ................................................... 230 2 FOREWORD In March 2020, schools, nurseries and colleges in the United Kingdom were shut down in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. By 20 March, all schools in the UK had closed to all children except those of key workers and children considered vulnerable. After a month of numbness at having all the children home, I started these diaries to document the unprecedented time when the children didn’t go to school. When the world stopped, the children didn’t – this records their
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Report Tuesday, 12 January 2021 CONTENTS
    Daily Report Tuesday, 12 January 2021 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 12 January 2021 and the information is correct at the time of publication (07:16 P.M., 12 January 2021). For the latest information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements, please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/ CONTENTS ANSWERS 6 Children: Social Services 16 BUSINESS, ENERGY AND Coronavirus: Students 17 INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6 Educational Institutions: Carbon Emissions 6 Coronavirus 17 Electricity Generation 7 Further Education 18 Green Homes Grant Scheme 8 Higher Education: Fees and Green Homes Grant Scheme: Charges 18 Coronavirus 9 Pre-school Education: Hospitality Industry and Retail Coronavirus 19 Trade: Greater London 9 Remote Education 22 Hydrogen: Environment Schools: Discipline 24 Protection 10 Sikhs: Curriculum 24 Wind Power 10 Teachers: Absenteeism and Wind Power: Seas and Sick Leave 25 Oceans 11 FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH CABINET OFFICE 12 AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 27 Port Infrastructure Fund 12 Developing Countries: UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Coronavirus 27 Agreement: Equality 13 India: Agriculture 27 DEFENCE 14 India: Religious Freedom 28 Armed Forces: Trees 14 Overseas Aid: Malaria 28 Members: Correspondence 15 Soft Power and External DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND Affairs Department: Finance 29 SPORT 15 Sri Lanka: Religious Freedom 29 Culture: Greater London 15 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 30 EDUCATION 15 Abortion 30 Children: Day Care 15 Abortion: Side Effects 31 Aspartame 31 Eating
    [Show full text]
  • Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)
    cells Review Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): The Better Sibling of PCR? Marianna Soroka, Barbara Wasowicz * and Anna Rymaszewska Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 3c Felczaka St., 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; [email protected] (M.S.); [email protected] (A.R.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: In 1998, when the PCR technique was already popular, a Japanese company called Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. designed a method known as the loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA (LAMP). The method can produce up to 109 copies of the amplified DNA within less than an hour. It is also highly specific due to the use of two to three pairs of primers (internal, external, and loop), which recognise up to eight specific locations on the DNA or RNA targets. Furthermore, the Bst DNA polymerase most used in LAMP shows a high strand displacement activity, which eliminates the DNA denaturation stage. One of the most significant advantages of LAMP is that it can be conducted at a stable temperature, for instance, in a dry block heater or an incubator. The products of LAMP can be detected much faster than in standard techniques, sometimes only requiring analysis with the naked eye. The following overview highlights the usefulness of LAMP and its effectiveness in various fields; it also considers the superiority of LAMP over PCR and presents RT-LAMP as a rapid diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2. Keywords: LAMP method; isothermal amplification; SARS-CoV-2 detection Citation: Soroka, M.; Wasowicz, B.; Rymaszewska, A.
    [Show full text]
  • DTA 33) Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Data Transparency and Accountability: Covid 19
    Written evidence from The Health Statistics User Group (DTA 33) Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Data Transparency and Accountability: Covid 19 Introduction The Health Statistics User Group (HSUG) was established to represent all users of health and health services statistics and to bring together users and producers of statistics. Our activities are aimed at maintaining and improving data quality, data access, and the use of health, health services and social care statistics. The group is independent, but, along with other groups representing users of statistics, we are affiliated to the Statistics User Forum. Our membership includes professionals working in a wide range of organisations including NHS organisations, central and local government, universities and non-governmental organisations. This response has been prepared in collaboration with the Faculty of Public Health At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, providers of official data and statistics faced multiple challenges. There was unprecedented demand for rapid and detailed information to monitor the pandemic and inform policy decisions. At the same time, statistics providers also had to continue their usual role of monitoring the economy and society in the face of new barriers to collecting the data needed, and in many cases rapidly provide the infrastructure needed to enable staff to work from home. Our response will focus on data relating to health and to health and social care. Devolution is a key feature of data about health and social care in the UK as England, Wales and Scotland have had separate health administrations since 1919, followed by Northern Ireland when it was established in the 1920s.
    [Show full text]