Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 22 June (HL Deb, col 132) on human rights at sea, when they will write with further details on their vaccination programme for seafarers.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The Department for Transport has advised that Baroness Vere of Norbiton wrote to the noble Lady on 9 July regarding the vaccination programme for seafarers. A copy of this letter is attached. All seafarers are able to access COVID-19 vaccinations, regardless of nationality, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the Department for Transport to provide clarity on the eligibility of seafarers in the United Kingdom for COVID-19 vaccination.
We are also working with the devolved administrations to ensure that operational challenges in vaccinating these groups are mitigated. The United Kingdom does not restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine for seafarers who are not resident in the UK. Several local partnerships have been established between port authorities, seafarer welfare services and local National Health Service trusts which have successfully vaccinated several thousand seafarers. This has created protocols such as the provision of permanent or mobile vaccination hubs in or close to major ports.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a strategy to enhance bilateral relationships with governments of European countries; and if so, whether that strategy includes the development of shared cultural events.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Leaving the EU is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK's position on the world stage. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working to ensure that our European bilateral relationships have the proportionate levels of investment to deliver our international priorities, harnessing appropriate opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation. The UK already engages in a number of bilateral civil society events with other European governments. For example, the annual UK-Italy Ministerial Pontignano Conference took place in October 2020, providing an opportunity for dialogue, debate and relationship building with participants from a variety of sectors including cultural leaders. We will continue to ensure that such events continue to deliver for the UK and seek further opportunities for cultural exchange.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the scope of the Orchestra Tax Relief to include digital-only performances.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
In 2019-2020 the Government provided £18 million of support to 565 orchestral productions through the Orchestra Tax Relief. While all tax reliefs are kept under review, the Government is not planning changes to the Orchestra Tax Relief at this time.
The Government has provided support to the cultural sector during the pandemic through the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. To date, £409 million in grant funding has been awarded to over 2,000 cultural organisations in England, including orchestras, music venues, galleries, theatres, museums and festivals.
The Government has also extended the temporary reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism to 31 March 2021. This will continue to apply to admission to attractions across the UK, including concerts, theatres, exhibitions and similar events.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to temporarily increase the percentage claimable under Orchestra Tax Relief for the 2021/22 tax year.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
In 2019-2020 the Government provided £18 million of support to 565 orchestral productions through the Orchestra Tax Relief. While all tax reliefs are kept under review, the Government is not planning changes to the Orchestra Tax Relief at this time.
The Government has provided support to the cultural sector during the pandemic through the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. To date, £409 million in grant funding has been awarded to over 2,000 cultural organisations in England, including orchestras, music venues, galleries, theatres, museums and festivals.
The Government has also extended the temporary reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism to 31 March 2021. This will continue to apply to admission to attractions across the UK, including concerts, theatres, exhibitions and similar events.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to NHS England's Delivering the Forward View: NHS Planning Guidance 2016-17 to 2020-21, whether additional funding will be made available to the Birmingham and Solihull Sustainability and Transformation Plan from April 2017.
Answered by David Mowat
On 27 February the chief executives of NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) leaders. They stated the upcoming NHS Delivery Plan will outline the steps NHS England and NHS Improvement will take to help ensure all areas have developed credible implementation plans.
The additional £325 million announced in the Spring Budget will help the STPs with the strongest projects make real progress in improving care for local communities.
This additional resource is solely for use by capital bid projects subject to the usual assurance processes by NHS England and HM Treasury. No decisions have been made regarding the allocation of funds.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Midlands Connect on ensuring its strategy promotes the importance of Birmingham Airport.
Answered by John Hayes
I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Rt honourable Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne), on 6 February 2017, UIN 62056
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to support the growth of Birmingham Airport in his Department's planned aviation strategy.
Answered by John Hayes
I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Rt Honourable Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne), on 3 February 2017, UIN 61822
The new aviation strategy will be for the long term and will cover the whole sector, including airports. We will be carrying out full and constructive engagement with the industry and other partners in the sector around the country.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has any further funds from Libor fines to allocate in the March 2017 Budget.
Answered by David Gauke
There is currently no intention to conduct a public application process for LIBOR funds, for allocation in the March 2017 Budget.
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will place in the Library a list of public consultations, White Papers and other documents her Department plans to publish to assist the UK in making effective the Government's plans for the UK to leave the EU within the two year timetable from the triggering of Article 50.
Answered by Matt Hancock
The Government has published a White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union). It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-new-positive-and-constructive-partnership-with-the-european-union
Asked by: Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library a list of public consultations, White Papers and other documents his Department plans to publish to assist the UK in making effective the Government's plans for the UK to leave the EU within the two year timetable from the triggering of Article 50.
Answered by David Gauke
The Treasury does not currently have plans to publish additional documents for this purpose. The Treasury will notify Parliament of any documents it does bring forward in the normal ways. We continue to make progress in preparing for the UK’s exit from the EU and ensuring we get the best deal for the UK.