Written Statements

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

Wednesday 8 November 2023

Post Office Ltd: Horizon

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kevin Hollinrake)]

Post Office Ltd is compensating postmasters for the suffering they have experienced due to the Horizon IT scandal, which arose following the installation of the Horizon software in the late 1990s.

In parallel with this, Post Office Ltd has continued to review its operational processes and policies to ensure that, where any further issues are identified, it takes steps to investigate and address these. Through this work, Post Office has found previous operational issues such as processes and/or policies regarding certain services that impacted postmasters financially. As a result, Post Office is establishing a compensation scheme to provide redress to postmasters affected by these issues. This is separate to its work compensating postmasters for Horizon shortfalls and for those with overturned convictions.

The Government are supportive of Post Office’s programme of reform, putting right the wrongs of the past, and its aim to help rebuild trust with its postmasters. The Government therefore intend to support Post Office’s process review scheme with funding to cover the cost of compensation to postmasters affected by the issues identified.

The compensation will be exempt from income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax and corporation tax.

Post Office will communicate with current and former postmasters and publish details on its website in due course, to outline the scope of the review. The Department for Business and Trade will provide oversight to ensure that this compensation is delivered quickly and effectively to affected postmasters.

This funding is subject to compliance with subsidy control requirements, including referral to the Subsidy Advice Unit (part of the Competition and Markets Authority) under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

[HCWS8]

Employment Rights Regulations

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kevin Hollinrake)]

I am pleased to update the House that the Government laid the Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 on 7 November.

Under this Government we have seen employment reach near record highs. The number of payroll employees for September 2023 was 30.1 million, 370,000 higher than this time last year and 1.1 million higher than before the pandemic. The UK’s flexible labour market is at the heart of this success. It enables businesses to start up, grow and create jobs and opportunity for people across this country.

To build further on this success the Government have been conducting a comprehensive review of all retained EU law, to ensure that our regulations are tailored to the needs of the UK economy—seizing the benefits of Brexit.

During the passage of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, Ministers made it clear that the Government have no intention of abandoning our strong record on workers’ rights, having raised domestic standards over recent years to make them some of the highest in the world. And of course, this SI keeps to that pledge.

We identified and consulted on several areas of retained EU employment law where we saw opportunities for improvements following our exit from the EU. The Government’s response to the REUL employment law consultation, published on 7 November, sets out three areas we believe will benefit from reform to ensure that they are fit for purpose for employers and employees alike:

Record keeping requirements under the Working Time Regulations;

Simplifying annual leave and holiday pay calculations in the Working Time Regulations;

Consultation requirements under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)—or TUPE—Regulations.

These reforms will support businesses as the economy continues its recovery from the impact of the covid-19 pandemic and the impacts of war in Ukraine. For example, reducing time-consuming and disproportionate reporting requirements for businesses on specific elements of the Working Time Regulations could save employers around £1 billion a year.

These changes are made under powers provided by the Retained EU law (Revocation and Reform) 2023 Act—the REUL Act—and are designed to minimise unnecessary bureaucracy for businesses without reducing levels of worker protections.

A core objective of the REUL Act is to remove interpretive effects and thus allow our courts to interpret retained EU law the same way as other domestic law. The Act also provides “restatement” powers to maintain any existing policy effects which we want to keep. The SI therefore restates the following principles to retain existing rights, including:

The right to carry over annual leave where an employee has been unable to take it due to being on maternity or other family related leave or sick leave;

The right to carry over annual leave where the employer has failed to inform the worker of their right to paid annual leave or enable them to take it; and

The rate of pay for annual leave accrued under regulation 13 of the Working Time Regulations.

The SI revokes the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 and the Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 as these regulations are no longer necessary.

The scope of the SI is limited to Great Britain, other than the revocation of the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006, which extends to Northern Ireland. Employment law in Northern Ireland is a transferred matter. My officials will continue to engage with the territorial offices and the devolved Administrations on the implementation of these reforms.

By ensuring that employment regulations are fit for purpose, entrepreneurial businesses will have more opportunity to innovate, experiment, and capitalise on the UK’s global leadership in areas like clean energy technologies, life sciences and digital services, and important workers’ rights will be protected. This will cement our position as a world-class place both to work and to start and grow a business.

[HCWS2]

UK-Turkey Free Trade Agreement

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for International Trade (Nigel Huddleston)]

On Thursday 2 November, the Department for Business and Trade has launched a public call for input on an upgraded free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Turkey. The call for input can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/trade-with-turkey-call-for-input

The UK is committed to enhancing our existing trade relationship with Turkey, a dynamic and rapidly modernising economy that is expected to be the 12th largest in the world by 2050 and the fourth largest in Europe. The UK and Turkey are the two major powerhouse trading economies at each edge of the European continent and our current trade is valued at £23.5 billion.

Our current FTA, signed in 2020, replicates the effects of various outdated agreements between the EU and Turkey from the 1990s. It only covers goods and is not tailored to the strengths and demands of our modern economies. We want to establish a modern, 21st-century agreement tailored to the evolving economies of both nations to cover crucial sectors, including digital trade and services.

Over 7,500 UK companies already export to Turkey, including well-known brands such as Vodafone, HSBC and Dyson. Turkey’s thriving tech, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure sectors have generated a surge in demand for international expertise in areas such as digital technology. This is an opportunity to negotiate an upgraded FTA that is aligned more closely with the interests and priorities of British businesses than our existing provisions and positions them advantageously for future opportunities.

The call for input, which will run for nine weeks, will offer businesses, individuals, and other interested stakeholders the opportunity to provide valuable feedback and highlight their priorities for our future trading relationship with Turkey.

The input gathered from stakeholders will play a pivotal role in defining our mandate, guiding comprehensive negotiation preparations, and shaping our policy positions. The Department for Business and Trade is dedicated to ensuring that our final approach benefits the best interests of the British economy.

In all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards. Protecting the NHS is a fundamental principle of our trade policy: the NHS, the price it pays for medicines and its services are not on the table.

Next steps

Prior to launching negotiations, the UK Government will publish their approach to negotiations. This will include a response to the call for input and our strategic objectives, as well as an economic scoping assessment. The Government are committed to transparency and will ensure that Parliament, the devolved Administrations, UK citizens and businesses are kept regularly updated on negotiations.

[HCWS3]

Broadcasting

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer)]

Today, the Government are introducing the Media Bill into Parliament. The Bill will support our broadcasters and radio stations to further thrive by delivering on the key commitments set out in “Up Next”, our broadcasting White Paper published in April 2022.



As part of that overall package, the Bill will deliver reforms to support the long-term sustainability of the Channel 4 Television Corporation, which is a vital part of our globally-renowned public service broadcasting system. This statement updates the House on those measures in particular.



For over 40 years, Channel 4 has commissioned innovative and distinctive content that challenges the status quo and represents unheard voices in society, alongside supporting independent producers who are the bedrock of our hugely successful and dynamic television production sector.



However, like all our public service broadcasters, Channel 4 faces structural changes in the broadcasting landscape: changing consumption habits making audiences more fragmented and harder to reach than ever before, as well as unprecedented competition for viewers, programmes and talent, in particular from global streaming platforms.



That is why in January this year the Government set out a package of reforms to support Channel 4’s long-term sustainability while remaining in public ownership. This will include a new statutory duty on the Channel 4 board, introduced by the Media Bill, to consider the corporation’s long-term sustainability alongside the delivery of Channel 4’s public service remit. Alongside this new duty, we have also worked with Channel 4 to agree updated governance structures to support financial management and other assurance processes, including an updated memorandum of understanding between my Department and Channel 4 which has been published today.



The Media Bill will also remove Channel 4’s publisher-broadcaster restriction to enable Channel 4 to make its own content, should it choose to do so, and as other public service broadcasters are able to do. This will open up new options for Channel 4 to diversify its revenues away from linear television advertising, the market for which is in long-term, structural decline. A stronger and more resilient Channel 4 will be best placed to continue playing its integral role within our broadcasting ecosystem for many more years to come.



When announcing the Government’s plans to remove Channel 4’s publisher-broadcaster restriction, we were clear that we would work closely with the independent production sector and others to consider necessary steps to ensure that Channel 4’s important role in driving investment into the sector is safeguarded, in the event it does decide to develop its own production capability. Today we are therefore announcing a package of mitigations that we believe should achieve those aims.



First, the level of Channel 4’s independent production quota will be increased from 25% to 35% of qualifying programmes. This will ensure that Channel 4 continues to commission a significant amount of content from qualifying independent producers while still leaving sufficient room for non-qualifying independent producers, and potentially in the future Channel 4 in-house producers, to compete.

Alongside this, Channel 4 has committed to a range of measures that will ensure fair and open access to its commissions, in the event it does commence production. This includes commitments to: set up any new C4C production business as a separate company with its own board and governance arrangements; a new commissioning framework—outlining, for example, robust information sharing protocols and conflict of interest policies; a new, independent dispute resolution process for producers; and transparent reporting in Channel 4’s annual report. These arrangements will be underpinned by a new statutory role for Ofcom, which will have powers to intervene if the regulator decides this is required. These measures will help ensure that the high levels of competition and plurality that characterise our production sector, and that have made it so successful, will be maintained.



Channel 4’s support for producers across the whole of the UK remains a priority for this Government. I therefore welcome Channel 4’s commitment to continue to spend at least 50% of its budget for main channel commissions outside of London—against the 35% requirement in its licence—and that this will not be affected by the removal of its publisher-broadcaster restriction. The level of Channel 4’s regional programme making quotas is set by Ofcom. Ofcom will consider whether any changes are required to these quotas as part of its consultation on the terms of the next Channel 4 licence. We expect that consultation will begin later this year.



The Government appreciate that this is a significant change for the production sector. As a responsible Government, we want to make sure the right processes are in place to monitor the impact of this change and consider whether any further measures to support the sector are required in the future. That is why the Media Bill will also introduce a requirement on Ofcom to review the impact of Channel 4 commencing production, should it choose to do so, on the fulfilment of the public service remit for television. That remit, which will be updated by the Media Bill, includes requirements about the range and amount of programmes made outside of London as well as, for the first time, requirements about the range and amount of independent productions.



Taken together, the Government are confident that this package of reforms will deliver on our joint aims of helping to support Channel 4’s long-term financial sustainability, while ensuring that our world-leading television production sector continues to thrive.

[HCWS14]

Safety of Journalists

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer)]

I am pleased to inform the House that HM Government have published an update to the UK’s national action plan for the safety of journalists. The original plan was published in 2021 with the intention of ensuring that journalists operating in the UK can do so free from abuse, violence and threats of harm. The Government are committed to a free and open media. In order to guarantee this, journalists must be able to carry out their vital roles free from threats and violence. Threats to journalists’ safety are not just threats to individuals—they lead to journalists leaving the profession, and to self-censorship of those that remain. The Government continue to act in this area to ensure robust challenge to those in power and to maintain a strong democracy.



Significant progress has been made since the action plan’s publication with successful delivery across all areas. Key outcomes include the appointment of a lead on crimes against journalists by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the launch of an online safety toolkit for journalists, and the introduction of a free e-learning course on journalism safety and resilience by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.



The plan was always intended to be a dynamic document that was updated to reflect the evolving nature of journalists’ safety issues. The journalist safety study, published alongside the updated plan, demonstrates the ongoing prevalence of abuse faced by journalists as well as new challenges. As our understanding of the scale of the problem increases, as well as how to effectively keep journalists safe, now is the time to build on progress made to date. This is why I am introducing new commitments designed to tackle behaviour that risks journalists.



The new commitments focus on the same five key areas which underpin the original plan: increasing our understanding of the problem; enhancing the criminal justice system response in tackling crimes against journalists; supporting journalists and their employers to build the resources they need to protect personal safety; and helping online platforms to tackle the wider issue of online abuse; and, improving public recognition of the value of journalists. Government, law enforcement agencies, and industry have made commitments, building on existing momentum while reflecting the new evidence base. These include a commitment to explore a new online tool to enable data gathering on safety issues; the provision of support for journalists from employers and online platforms (Meta and X); and action from police to tackle crimes against journalists.



One of the new threats the refreshed plan sets out to tackle is abuse of the legal system known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). SLAPPs pose a significant risk to the free press by ultimately seeking to silence journalists and curtail reporting on issues of public interest. The refreshed plan recognises the creation of the new SLAPPs taskforce, which launched in September this year.

The National Committee for the Safety of Journalists will continue to track progress on delivery of these commitments and overall objectives of the plan. It will review them regularly and update the plan in future if and when appropriate.



A copy of the refreshed plan will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS16]

Reserve Forces: External Scrutiny Team Report 2022-23

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families (Dr Andrew Murrison)]

Led by Maj Gen (Retd) Simon Lalor, the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations External Scrutiny Team provides an independent assessment on the health of the reserve forces on behalf of the Department. I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the 2022 and 2023 reports, along with a copy of the response to these reports. I am most grateful to the team for their work.



The 2023 report rightly mentions the occurrence of a reserve development “pause” as a result of the pace of geopolitical change and the subsequent Government decision to refresh the integrated review (March 2023) and the Defence Command Paper (July 2023). The integrated review was accompanied by an additional £5 billion of spending for Defence over the next two years and a commitment to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP in the long term. While the integrated review rightly addressed the pace of geopolitical change, the Defence Command Paper made a profound statement of intent on how Defence plans to meet present day challenges while modernising for the future; evidenced by a dedicated opening chapter on people. The message is clear,

“our People come first. They are our asset which underpins our strategic advantage”.

The Department’s commitment to prioritising our people is evidenced by the decision to take forward all 67 recommendations from the Haythornthwaite review (June 2023). These will improve armed forces terms and conditions and incentivisation. The work will include improving the inclusion of reserves in strategic workforce plans; working to streamline how service personnel transition between different terms of service throughout their career to better balance the service need with individual priorities for personal and family life; overhauling people management processes through the removal of unnecessary bureaucracy; developing a dedicated career path with a more flexible approach to training as part of a total reward approach and spectrum of service. This will amount to a new, more agile, digitally driven people system that genuinely puts individuals first; the reserves will continue to be fully integrated at every stage of this process.



The 2022 report stated that there was

“a real risk of a decline in the health of the Reserve”.

We are confident that the work being delivered by the Department is evidence of our commitment to arrest any such potential decline by initiating the start of generationally significant transformation programmes for the benefit of the whole force. Critically, reserves have been, and will continue to be, embedded throughout.



The refreshed integrated review, Defence Command Paper, Haythornthwaite review, and the reserve estate optimisation programme will enable a period of substantial transformation for our reserve forces. I am immensely proud of and thankful to our reserve forces and remain committed to removing barriers to service and improving the reserve experience.

[HCWS18]

Contingent Liability Notification

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Jeremy Hunt)]

The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England (“the Bank”) decided at its meeting ending on 3 February 2022 to reduce the stocks of UK Government bonds and sterling non-financial investment-grade corporate bonds held in the Asset Purchase Facility (APF) by ceasing to reinvest maturing securities. The Bank ceased reinvestment of assets in this portfolio in February 2022 and has since commenced sales of gilts acquired for monetary policy purposes on 1 November 2022. The Bank commenced the sale of corporate bonds on 28 September 2022 and has since sold the majority of its holdings, with a small number remaining due to mature by April 2024.



The Chancellor at the time agreed a joint approach with the Governor of the Bank of England in an exchange of letters on 3 February 2022 to reduce the maximum authorised size of the APF for asset purchases every six months, as the size of APF holdings reduces.



Since 28 April 2023 when I last reduced the maximum authorised size of the APF, the total stock of assets held by the APF for monetary policy purposes has fallen further from £821.3 billion to £750.9 billion. In line with the approach agreed with the Governor, the authorised maximum total size of the APF has therefore been reduced to £750.9 billion.



The risk control framework previously agreed with the Bank will remain in place, and HM Treasury will continue to monitor risks to public funds from the APF through regular risk oversight meetings and enhanced information sharing with the Bank.



There will continue to be an opportunity for HM Treasury to provide views to the MPC on the design of the schemes within the APF, as they affect the Government’s broader economic objectives and may pose risks to the Exchequer.



The Government will continue to indemnify the Bank, the APF and its directors from any losses arising out of, or in connection with, the facility. Provision for any payment due under the liability will continue to be sought through the normal supply procedure.



A full departmental minute has been laid in the House of Commons providing more detail on this contingent liability.

[HCWS17]

Post Office Compensation Schemes: Tax Exemptions

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Victoria Atkins)]

Post Office Ltd is compensating postmasters for the suffering they have experienced due to the Horizon IT scandal, which arose following the installation of the Horizon software in the late 1990s.

In parallel with this, Post Office has continued to review its operational processes and policies to ensure that, where any further issues are identified, it takes steps to investigate and address these. Through this work, Post Office has found previous operational issues such as processes and/or policies regarding certain services that impacted postmasters financially. As a result, Post Office is establishing a compensation scheme—the Post Office process review scheme—to provide redress to postmasters affected by these issues. This is separate from its work compensating postmasters for Horizon shortfalls and for those with overturned convictions.

The Government are determined to ensure that any postmasters suspended without pay, or who may have been financially impacted due to Post Office Ltd operational issues, are fairly compensated for their losses.

The Government have announced today that they intend to provide funding support for the Post Office process review scheme. In addition, the Government are announcing that payments to be made under the suspension remuneration review and the process review scheme will be exempt from income tax, national insurance contributions and, where applicable, capital gains tax and corporation tax. The Government will legislate to exempt these payments in due course where necessary. HM Revenue and Customs will not collect any tax on any further payments made until that legislation takes effect.

Approximately 150 payments have already been made under the suspension remuneration review subject to tax. The Government are also announcing that they will support Post Office with funding to make additional top-up payments to these postmasters, exempt from income tax, national insurance contributions and, where applicable, capital gains tax and corporation tax, to ensure that their compensation offer was not unduly reduced by tax.

Additionally, approximately 150 postmasters who either have already or will have to complete a self-assessment tax return will be able to access funding for tax advice of up to £300—inclusive of VAT—to assist them in amending or completing their tax returns.

[HCWS10]

International Financing Facility for Education

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)]

I have today laid a departmental minute which describes a new liability the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is undertaking to support education in lower middle-income countries (LMICs).

The departmental minute sets out details of a new liability undertaken by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The liability is a new guarantee of up to $102 million to the International Financing Facility for Education (IFFEd). The length of this liability is 23 years. In addition to the contingent guarantee, FCDO will also provide a paid-in capital guarantee of $18 million and grant finance up to £80 million over four years. This total FCDO contribution of up to £180 million will contribute to unlocking around $1 billion in new, additional and affordable education loans to address the learning crisis in lower middle-income countries (LMIC), with a focus on girls and the most marginalised.

It is normal practice, when a Government Department proposes to undertake a contingent liability in excess of £300,000 for which there is no specific statutory authority, for the Minister concerned to present a departmental minute to Parliament giving particulars of the liability created and explaining the circumstances; and to refrain from incurring the liability until 14 parliamentary sitting days after the issue of the statement, except in cases of special urgency.

I am making a written ministerial statement (WMS) to the House for information and have separately notified the Chairs of the Public Accounts Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and International Development Committee of the UK’s intention to undertake this liability.

IFFEd is a new, innovative multi-donor instrument that will use a combination of donor guarantees and grants to unlock significant affordable finance for education in LMICs. LMICs are home to the largest number of children not in school. Some 77% of children in LMICs are unable to read a simple sentence by the age of 10. LMICs are unable to access suitable education financing at the required scale. Working through the multilateral development banks (MDBs), IFFEd will address this gap in the education aid architecture. The initial MDBs to participate in IFFEd are the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). More MDBs will be able and encouraged to join in the future.

IFFEd uses donor guarantees to provide portfolio support to MDBs. This allows MDBs to expand their total lending capacity for education by insuring their entire portfolio against the risk of late payment. In combination with the guarantee, IFFEd also provides grants which makes the additional education finance affordable for LMICs.

IFFEd unlocks seven times donors’ cash investments in additional affordable education finance. This represents an efficient use of official development assistance (ODA) finance, maximising donor resources for education in an unprecedented way.

FCDO will support IFFEd together with Sweden and another donor who is due to approve financing soon. FCDO will only sign its guarantee agreement with IFFEd when that third donor has approved its guarantee. The initial total guarantee amount is expected to be $245 million. This will unlock $1 billion of new, additional, and affordable finance for LMICs. The aim is for more donors to join during the first IFFEd replenishment period of five years, to increase the size of the IFFEd guarantee and unlock up to $10 billion of new, additional, and affordable finance.

IFFEd will contribute to the delivery of the Government’s commitment to “stand up for the right of every girl around the world to 12 years of quality education”. It will contribute to the International Development Strategy (2022) and to the FCDO’s International Women and Girls Strategy (2023) where girls’ education is one of the top priorities.

IFFEd will contribute to increasing the proportion of children and young people who achieve minimum proficiency in literacy, numeracy and transferable skills, with a focus on reaching the most marginalised children and youth.

The $102 million IFFEd contingent liability will be recorded by way of disclosure in FCDO’s annual report and accounts (ARA) and annual estimates in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. The guarantee has been reviewed by the Government’s contingent liabilities central capability (CLCC) and by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). The IFFEd guarantee is low risk. The maximum amount which could be demanded from the UK in a single year is $6 million. The impact of the guarantee on FCDO’s risk exposure has been scrutinized and approved by FCDO’s Accounting Officer. In the unlikely event that the guarantee is called the FCDO will have sufficient time to make the necessary budgetary arrangement to fulfil the requirements of the guarantee. Authority for any expenditure required will be sought through the normal supply procedure. HM Treasury has approved this guarantee with the FCDO. A copy of the departmental minute to Parliament has been placed in the Library of the House.

If any Member has questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

[HCWS11]

Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (James Cleverly)]

On 7 November, Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). The CFE is a cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture that sets limits on the amount of major military equipment, and aims to make a surprise attack on the European continent less likely.

The UK unequivocally condemns this step, which is the latest in a succession of Russian efforts to undermine strategic stability and the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. Russia’s decision further demonstrates its continued disregard for those arms control arrangements, based on key principles of reciprocity, transparency, compliance and verification, that have helped keep us safe since the end of the cold war.

Russia’s unilateral withdrawal undermines reciprocity, which lies at the heart of the CFE Treaty. To continue to implement the treaty would suggest that, despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and withdrawal from CFE, we think that the treaty continues to operate as intended. This is plainly not the case.

In response, the UK has decided to suspend its participation in the treaty and instead to work with likeminded nations to develop and implement voluntary stabilising measures.

Suspending participation while remaining a signatory is the best available option to preserve both the spirit and the content of the CFE treaty, while allowing us to resume implementation should future conditions allow.

The legal basis for suspension of the treaty is fundamental change of circumstances, as reflected in Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). This is a well-established basis for suspension of a treaty in both customary international law and the VCLT.

We have reached this decision after a long period of consultation with our Allies and other signatories to the treaty. We do so in the confidence that many Allies and likeminded nations have reached the same conclusion that Russia’s latest assault on the international rules-based order cannot go unanswered.

We remain united with our Allies in our commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security. The UK is committed to reducing military risk, preventing miscalculation, building trust and confidence, promoting transparency and verification, and thereby contributing to peace and security.

To this end, we have already begun discussions on voluntary stabilising measures to replicate as many elements of the CFE Treaty as possible, to be implemented when conditions allow.

[HCWS4]

Long-term Segregation in Hospital: Baroness Hollins’ Report

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Maria Caulfield)]

Today we have published our response to Baroness Hollins’ final report as chair of the Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Review (IC(E)TR) Oversight Panel. This follows the completion of the second phase of the IC(E)TR programme, which Baroness Hollins has overseen, in order to reduce the use of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people. Baroness Hollins’ final report includes recommendations for Government. A copy of both the report and our response will be deposited in in the Libraries of both Houses.

We warmly welcome Baroness Hollins’ report and the work of the oversight panel. The report and the examples of poor care reported are sobering. I continue to be deeply concerned by the examples of unacceptable treatment of people with a learning disability and autistic people in long-term segregation in hospital. The use of long-term segregation must be significantly and urgently reduced. Where it is used, it should only ever be in a way that respects human rights, and all treatment plans should aim to end long-term segregation.

The recommendations made in the report are critical in informing our work to reduce the use of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people. They are also aligned with our wider work to reduce the numbers of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals, with more people living ordinary lives in the community.

In our response, we highlight some of the work being undertaken now to reduce the use of long-term segregation in people with a learning disability and autistic people. In particular, I am pleased to be able to confirm that in the very near term IC(E)TRs will continue, now led by CQC, to preserve regulatory oversight and understanding of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people and crucially to support people to less restrictive settings and discharge to the community. We will also seek changes to the CQC regulations (subject to parliamentary approval) to improve reporting and notifications by providers to CQC on use of restrictive practices. Once in place, this will provide a better flow of information, supporting CQC to convene an IC(E)TR as soon as possible where someone is moved into LTS to scrutinise the care provided and protect rights.

We will also use Baroness Hollins’ recommendations to inform our longer term work. For example, using the report and accompanying framework code of practice to inform updates to the “Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice” when it is next reviewed. Work is ongoing on a number of recommendations as outlined in the report.

I am extremely grateful to Baroness Hollins and the oversight panel for their expertise and commitment to this work over a number of years. Their report will play a critical role in tackling the unacceptably high levels of long-term segregation and in supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to receive high quality care that is right for them. It is essential that Baroness Hollins’ report and recommendations drive that change.

[HCWS12]

Ambulance Services: Minimum Service Levels

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for Health and Secondary Care (Will Quince)]

The Government are focused on making the hard but necessary long-term decisions that are in the best interests of the country, to put the UK on the right path for the future. The Government’s priority is to ensure that when strike action takes place in the NHS, the safety of patients is protected as far as possible.



Minimum service levels are in place in a range of countries in Europe and beyond, as a way of balancing the ability of employees to strike with the needs of the public. The International Labour Organisation (an agency of the United Nations) recognises that this is justifiable for services where their interruption would endanger citizens’ life, personal safety or health. Disruption to ambulance services puts lives at immediate risk.



On 6 November 2023, the Government published the response to the consultation on “Minimum service levels in event of strike action: ambulance services in England, Scotland and Wales”. In it we confirmed that, subject to parliamentary approval, we will introduce regulations which set minimum service levels and cover the 10 NHS ambulance trusts in England, as well as the ambulance services provided by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust. While the UK Government think that people across the UK should be able to be confident about what types of situations the ambulance service will respond to on strike day, they recognise that responsibility for the operation of these services in Scotland and Wales lies with the devolved Administrations. We therefore intend for the regulations to apply to England only at this time, rather than also including Scotland and Wales.



The services included in the minimum service levels will be the 999 and healthcare professional (HCP) call handling and emergency ambulance response to those calls, inter-facility transfers (IFT) and non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS). The overarching principle is that those cases that are life-threatening, and those for which there is no reasonable clinical alternative to an ambulance response, should receive a response as they would on a non-strike day. In the case of NEPTS, patients for whom there is no reasonable clinical alternative to the patient receiving health services on the strike day should have their transportation provided as they would on a non-strike day.



Our response to the consultation reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that patients can access ambulance services when they need them during a strike. We have laid regulations which will address the inconsistency and uncertainty of relying on the unions to agree arrangements on a case-by-case basis, by giving employers the power to issue work notices should they need to. This will increase public confidence in the service and better protect patient safety during periods of industrial action.



The Government will shortly lay a statutory code of practice in Parliament for approval on the reasonable steps trade unions should take in order to meet the legal requirements under the Act. This follows a commitment made during the passage of the Act through Parliament to bring forward such a code of practice and the recent conclusion of a public consultation on the draft code. Separate non-statutory guidance will also be published shortly on the issuing of work notices by employers, where the regulations apply, to secure minimum levels of service on strike days. The consultation response has been published on gov.uk. The Government wish to thank everybody who took the time to provide feedback as part of the consultation process.

[HCWS20]

Border Security: Minimum Service Levels

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for Immigration (Robert Jenrick)]

On 6 November, the Government published their response to a recent public consultation on establishing minimum service levels on strike days in the border security sector. The Government are focused on making these hard but necessary long-term decisions to deliver the change that the country needs to put the UK on the right path for the future. That is why the Government have now also laid regulations before Parliament, setting out the border security services which must be provided on a strike day, together with the level of service to be provided.



Under the regulations, the following border security services will be provided: the examination of persons arriving in or leaving the UK; the examination of goods imported to or exported from the UK; the examination of goods entered for exportation or brought to any place in the UK for exportation; the patrol of ports, the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to the UK; the collection and dissemination of intelligence in respect of those services; the direction and control of those engaged in providing these services; and such passport services as may be necessary for national security reasons. These services must be provided at a level that means that they are no less effective than if a strike were not taking place.



The ability for staff to take strike action is an integral part of industrial relations. However, the security of our borders is something we cannot compromise. We must also consider the disruption caused to—and the costs incurred by—passengers and businesses, who expect essential services they pay for to be there when they need them.



We also have to consider the impact on those called in to cover for staff who are going on strike, including the impact on members of our armed forces, who have commendably stepped up to fill vital roles during recent industrial action. It would be irresponsible to rely on such short-term solutions to protect our national security.



Minimum service levels exist in a range of countries within Europe, and globally, as a legitimate mechanism to balance the ability to strike with the needs of the public. Outright bans on striking are usually in place where border security is provided by the police or by members of the armed forces. The exact picture is complex and differs from country to country. Minimum service levels are generally negotiated between employers and unions and can also cover issues like the notice period that has to be given before industrial action takes place.



These new border security minimum service levels will ensure a fair balance between delivering the best possible service to the travelling public, maintaining a secure border and the ability of workers to strike. Unions will be required to work with the Government to make sure minimum border security services are met on strike days, to keep our country safe.



A copy of the consultation response and an updated economic impact assessment will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.



We are publishing further information on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/border-security-minimum-service-levels-during-strike-action/border-security-minimum-service-levels-during-strike-action

[HCWS15]

Government’s Legislative Programme 2023-24

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Penny Mordaunt)]

Following the State Opening of Parliament, it is normal practice for the Leader of the House of Commons to list the formal titles of Bills to be introduced for the convenience of the House.

Other measures will be laid before the House in the usual way. The programme will also include Finance Bills to implement budget policy decisions, the Arbitration Bill which has been prepared by the Law Commission and estimates for public services. The list does not include draft bills.

Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill

Automated Vehicles Bill

Criminal Justice Bill

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

Football Governance Bill

High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill

Holocaust Memorial Bill

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

Leasehold and Freehold Bill

Media Bill

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

Pedicabs (London) Bill

Renters (Reform) Bill

Sentencing Bill

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill

Victims and Prisoners Bill

Detailed information about each of these Bills can be accessed from the gov.uk website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-kings-speech-2023

[HCWS6]

Government’s Legislative Programme 2023-24: Northern Ireland

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

The legislative programme for the fourth Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday 7 November 2023. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Northern Ireland. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills or Finance Bills.

The UK Government have held significant events this year to celebrate Northern Ireland’s success and progress. We have marked the historic 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, which continues to be the bedrock for progress in Northern Ireland, as well as securing and protecting Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, in partnership with Invest NI, the UK Government showcased Northern Ireland’s innovation and technological strengths to around 200 global investors at the Northern Ireland investment summit in Belfast in September 2023. This was the largest ever gathering of its kind, reminding us just how much Northern Ireland has to offer and how much it benefits from its central place in the United Kingdom.

The UK Government are determined to build on Northern Ireland’s progress over the last 25 years by investing in its future. As a result of the 2021 spending review, the Northern Ireland Executive will receive a record block grant of, on average, £15 billion per year in each year of this spending review period. We are committed to ensuring Northern Ireland’s future is not only peaceful, but stronger and more prosperous for all its citizens.

Additionally, the UK Government will invest more than £730 million into the new €1.1 billion PEACE PLUS programme to support economic stability, peace and reconciliation. This is a concrete example of our commitment to helping Northern Ireland reach its full potential as a prosperous and stable part of the United Kingdom, as well as a huge investment towards peace and prosperity in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement’s 25th anniversary year.

In the third Session, legislation was passed to address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past by providing better outcomes for victims, survivors and their families; to deliver a carefully balanced package of identity and language measures, negotiated as part of New Decade, New Approach deal; and to maintain the delivery of public services and protect public finances in the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive. Legislation also allowed an opt-out organ donation system to be implemented in Northern Ireland.

In the fourth Session, the following Bills will extend and apply to Northern Ireland, either in full or in part:

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill

Criminal Justice Bill

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

Media Bill

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

In the absence of a functioning Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly, it is not currently possible to seek and obtain their legislative consent. The people of Northern Ireland deserve a functioning Assembly and Executive, where locally elected representatives can address issues that matter most to those who elect them. The UK Government’s focus remains on restoring fully functioning power-sharing institutions as soon as possible.

[HCWS7]

Government’s Legislative Programme 2023-24: Scotland

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

The UK Government’s legislative programme for the fourth Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday 7 November. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills, or Finance Bills.

The UK Government will continue to deliver for people and businesses across Scotland, as part of a strong United Kingdom. The UK Government’s legislative programme for this Session will help us to deliver on the issues that matter most to people, including growing our economy, keeping people safe, and promoting our national interests.

Our United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic Union the world has ever seen—the foundation on which all our businesses and citizens are able to thrive. The UK Government are committed to protecting and promoting its combined strengths, building on hundreds of years of partnership and shared history.

When we work collaboratively as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger, more prosperous, and better able to tackle our shared challenges. That is why the UK Government are investing in infrastructure and communities right across the UK, including more than £2.5 billion of direct investment into Scottish villages, towns and cities. That includes more than £1.5 billion for 12 city region and growth deals covering the whole of Scotland, supporting the delivery of projects such as the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University and the cyberQuarter at Abertay University. The UK Government delivered £343 million from the first and second round of the levelling-up fund for 18 projects across Scotland, including a new ferry for Fair Isle, a green transport hub in Dundee, and regeneration of cultural assets in Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Peterhead and Macduff. More than £18 million has been provided to 56 projects via the community renewal fund, supporting community regeneration, employability, and business growth and innovation. To save community assets at risk of being lost, more than £6 million has been provided for the community ownership fund so far, funding 24 local community-led projects.

To grow Scotland’s economy, a new £150 million British Business Bank fund—the investment fund for Scotland—will support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Earlier this year, the Chancellor also announced more than £8.6 million of support to be provided to the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to help boost Scotland’s status as a destination for the creative industries.

We are creating two new green freeports in the Inverness and Cromarty Firth region and the Firth of Forth region, working jointly with the Scottish Government. These will play a key role in supporting the regeneration of communities, bringing jobs and prosperity. Following the success of this programme, we have also announced that Scotland will host two investment zones, in the Glasgow city region and the north-east of Scotland.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are receiving a record block grant of £46 billion a year.

This legislative Session, we will be delivering on protecting our energy security, securing the benefits of Brexit, and ensuring we have the right framework for tech firms to compete and grow in the UK. We will be protecting the health of young people, supporting those who rent, and eradicating antisemitism everywhere. We are backing our armed forces, supporting Ukraine, and leading the way on the challenges of the future: climate change and AI.

The following bills will extend and apply to Scotland—either in full or in part:

Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill

Automated Vehicles Bill

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill

Criminal Justice Bill

Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

Media Bill

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

The UK Government will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure legislative consent from the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

[HCWS13]

Passenger Rail: Minimum Service Levels

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Huw Merriman)]

I am pleased to inform the House of the laying of The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 before Parliament, following publication of the Department’s response to its consultation on implementing minimum service levels for passenger rail. This represents an important step towards meeting the Government’s manifesto commitment.



The Government are focused on making the hard but necessary long-term decisions that are in the best interests of the country, to put the UK on the right path for the future. The railways enable millions every day to travel to work, access vital services like education and healthcare, and visit family. They also provide choice about where to live and work. Passengers, however, are unable to go about their daily lives when unions take strike action. Rail workers deserve a fair deal, but it is not fair to let the trade unions undermine the livelihoods of others. Minimum service levels already operate in other countries, such as Italy, Spain, and others. There are a number of different approaches to deploying minimum service levels for transport and we have developed a specific approach that will work for passenger rail in the UK.



The Government are firmly committed to striking a fair balance between delivering benefits to passengers, supporting them to make important journeys, and the ability of rail workers to take strike action. The public need reliable and consistent services, and any strike action should not disproportionately impact this, or the wider economy.



The consultation response sets out the evidence received from the public consultation and further engagement, as well as the approach to specifying the relevant passenger rail services and designing the minimum service levels that can be applied to strikes affecting those services.



The regulations will apply in England, Scotland, and Wales and specify three categories of services that will be in scope: train operation services; infrastructure services; and light rail services. Each category has a separate MSL. We have designed the regulations in this manner to address the particular nature of strike action in passenger rail, while ensuring that minimum service levels are proportionate and operationally viable for in-scope employers, given the complex nature of the rail industry.



Relevant rail industry employers are able to make use of minimum service levels as soon as these regulations come into force, which is anticipated to be early December, subject to parliamentary approval.

[HCWS19]

Roads

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Huw Merriman)]

I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), to make this written statement. This statement confirms that it has been necessary to extend the deadline for the decision on the application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008 for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make his decision within three months of receipt of the Examining Authority’s report unless exercising the power under section 107(3) to extend the deadline and make a statement to the House of Parliament announcing the new deadline.

The Secretary of State received the Examining Authority’s report on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order application on 7 August 2023. The current deadline for a decision is therefore 7 November 2023.

The deadline for the decision is to be extended to 7 March 2024—an extension of four months.

The reason for the extension is to allow for further consideration of matters including those not resolved at the time the Examining Authority’s report was received by the Secretary of State. This will include the consideration of information submitted by the applicant regarding impacts on the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation, to ensure compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give development consent for the above application.

[HCWS5]

Government’s Legislative Programme 2023-24: Wales

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Wales (David T. C. Davies)]

The legislative programme for the fourth Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on 7 November. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Wales. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills or finance Bills.

The UK Government govern for the whole of the United Kingdom, working for people in every part of the country. The legislative programme furthers our commitment to grow the economy, strengthen society, keep people safe and promote our national interests.

We are delivering on the issues that matter most to people—driving down inflation, growing our economy, and maintaining the UK’s energy security by making Britain more energy independent. For example, our unprecedented support for households right across the UK to help with higher energy bills is worth £94 billion, or £3,300 per household, on average, across 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The UK Government are committed to growing the Welsh economy and supporting people, communities and businesses across Wales. We are working with the Welsh Government and local leaders and are investing almost £2 billion to level up in Wales and grow the Welsh economy. This includes £52 million to support two new freeports, £790 million across the four Welsh city and regional growth deals and £330 million towards 21 levelling-up fund projects in Wales. In addition, our £1 billion investment for the electrification of the north Wales main line will support economic growth and strengthen our Union by better connecting parts of north Wales with the north-west of England.

Furthermore, we are providing a record £18 billion a year to the Welsh Government through the block grant—ensuring that Wales receives £120 of Barnett-based funding for every £100 per person of equivalent UK Government spending in England.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Wales, either in full or in part:

Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill

Automated Vehicles Bill

Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill

Criminal Justice Bill

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

Football Governance Bill

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

Leasehold and Freehold Bill

Media Bill

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

Sentencing Bill

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

Victims and Prisoners Bill

The Government will continue to work constructively with the Welsh Government to secure the legislative consent of the Senedd where appropriate.

[HCWS9]

Decommissioning Temporary Jobcentres

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)]

I previously provided updates on decommissioning temporary jobcentres: “Expanding Our Services” on 23 March 2021, and “Expanding Our Services Update” on 21 October 2021. These statements reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to reducing its jobcentre estate back to pre-pandemic levels by decommissioning these temporary jobcentres—or the additional space in established jobcentres—in a phased approach, where the increased capacity is no longer needed. The full list of temporary jobcentres and their current status can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/temporary-jobcentres-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

As part of this ongoing, phased approach to decommissioning the temporary jobcentres, the Department is today announcing the fifth and latest phase, which consists of decommissioning a further 25 temporary sites— or additional space in existing jobcentres. This latest phase brings the total number of temporary sites announced to date to 139. Subsequent phases of decommissioning will follow in 2024 and Parliament will be kept updated. Details of the sites being decommissioned are listed below.

The decommissioning of temporary jobcentres will not reduce the levels of service, or access to face-to-face appointments. Customers will return to being served by an established jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of work coaches supporting customers as a result of the decommissioning.

The Department continues to support and update colleagues in a timely and sensitive manner. We also remain committed to ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, organisations and Parliament are engaged and regularly updated on our work. Letters are being sent to each right hon. and hon. Member with changes in their constituency, to explain what this means for their local jobcentre, its staff and their constituents.

Finally, in conjunction with this carefully planned decommissioning programme, we are looking to improve and upgrade jobcentres over time. It is important that all those who come to jobcentres are given the highest level of attention and service in the best possible environment.

The 25 temporary jobcentres or additional space in existing sites to be formally decommissioned are: