Lord Jones of Cheltenham

It is of the utmost importance that we explore every possible avenue to ensure British taxpayers’ money isn’t funding Putin’s war machine.

Cabinet Office has issued Procurement Policy Note 01/22 which sets out how contracting authorities can further cut ties with companies backed by the states of Russia and Belarus. The guidance applies to all central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Other public sector contracting authorities should consider applying the approach set out in this guidance.

As has been the case under successive administrations, it is not Government policy to comment on security procedures in Government buildings. However, Cabinet Office plays a supporting role through the Government Security Group, which sets the standards to which Departments are expected to adhere.

As part of the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, it was announced that the Single Intelligence Account (SIA) would have a £0.7 billion cash increase over the Parliament to £3.7 billion in 2024-25, net of transfers. This provides a real-terms growth rate of 4.0% per year on average over the same period. This supports the delivery of the priorities set out in the Integrated Review and will ensure that the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) can continue to retain their world-leading capabilities to counter national security threats to the UK.

Government departments are responsible for managing their own security risk when procuring goods and services, including risks associated with foreign ownership, control or influence. National security risks are specific to the goods or services being procured, and the parties involved in the transaction. Risks are considered on a case-by-case basis.

We are unable to comment on specific assessments owing to national security sensitivities.

The Government made a full assessment of the epidemiological and other relevant data ahead of taking the decision to move to step 4 of the roadmap on 19 July and assessed that the four tests had been met. The success of the vaccination rollout has paved the way for the safe and gradual lifting of restrictions. However, the Government has been clear that the pandemic is not over and that the public should continue to practice cautious behaviours.

The risks of hospitalisation and intensive care admission in children due to infection is very low (approximately 8 per 100,000 population under 18 are admitted to hospital). Therefore, from step 4, the Government changed the controls that apply in early years, schools, colleges and higher education institutions to maintain a baseline of protective measures while maximising attendance and minimising disruption to children and young people’s education.

The Government made a full assessment of the epidemiological and other relevant data ahead of taking the decision to move to Step 4 of the roadmap on 19 July. The Government is clear that the pandemic is not over and that the public should continue to behave cautiously.

The Government does not have plans to change the Act’s coverage as it relates to Parliamentarians. The constitutional position is affirmed by Parliament in Schedule 3 of the Act.

The conduct of Parliamentarians is a matter for each House. Codes of conduct set out the standards of behaviour expected of Members of Parliament in all aspects of their public life. Both Houses are advised by the Commissioners for Standards in each House.

Where MPs and peers recruit or employ staff, these aspects are covered by the Equality Act 2010, including the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

On Monday 12 July, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government’s four tests for easing COVID-19 restrictions had been met and England proceeded to Step 4 of the roadmap on Monday 19 July. A range of data was considered, including from Public Health England, the NHS, and the ONS, as well as modelling from SAGE, to inform this decision. In June, the move to Step 4 was delayed by four weeks so more adults could be vaccinated, and more than 7 million vaccines were administered during this period.

The Government will continue to monitor the data on a regular basis to ensure there is no danger of the NHS facing unsustainable pressure. The Government will maintain contingency plans for reimposing economic and social restrictions at a local, regional or national level if evidence suggests they are necessary to suppress or manage a dangerous variant. Such measures would only be re-introduced as a last resort to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Ministers are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the Code and for justifying their actions and conduct to Parliament and the public.

The Prime Minister is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviour expected of a Minister and the appropriate consequences of a breach of those standards.

As the Prime Minister noted in his letter to the Committee on Standards in Public Life on 28 April 2021, he agreed with the Committee's suggestion that the appropriate sanction should depend on the circumstances of the case, and that the expectation that has arisen over time - that any breach should lead automatically to resignation - is disproportionate.

I refer the Noble Lord to my answer of 29 June 2021. Any use which is made of CCTV is for the protection of the government estate and individuals working there.

Each Department is accountable for the way in which security is maintained within Departments, which includes the provision of closed circuit television cameras.

Statutorily independent Returning Officers are responsible for running Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Legislation provides for costs that are necessary for the efficient and effective running of a poll to be reimbursed to Returning Officers; the statutory mechanism is for these to be reimbursed from the Consolidated Fund on submission of a claim for such expenditure. There is no statutory mechanism for these costs to be recovered from elsewhere by the Government.

The UK has left the EU Single Market and Customs Union with a deal that means the UK can now regulate in a way that suits the UK economy and UK businesses – doing things in a more innovative and effective way, without being bound by EU rules.

The Northern Ireland Protocol protects the territorial integrity of the UK by safeguarding Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s customs territory and internal market, ensuring unfettered access to Great Britain for Northern Ireland businesses, while also facilitating the free flow of goods between Northern Ireland and the EU.

The questions of the advantages of relationships with the EU single market and customs union have been extensively debated over the last four years. I note that the Liberal Democrats campaigned to reverse Brexit in the last General Election, but the people of the United Kingdom voted to Get Brexit Done, endorsing the Conservative commitment to leave the Single Market and Customs Union.

On 24 December 2020, the Government secured an agreement with the EU that takes back control of our laws, borders, money, and fisheries.

This is the first free trade agreement the EU has ever reached based on zero tariffs and zero quota. Businesses will be able to continue to trade on that basis, selling to their customers in the EU, and people will be able to continue to buy goods from Europe tariff-free, protecting consumer prices.

This is good news for families and businesses in every part of the UK, as it means the whole of the UK can make the most of the freedoms that have come with the end of the transition period.

In addition, the UK is now free to strike its own trade deals worldwide to the general benefit of all.

In negotiations with the EU, the Government sought a mutually beneficial agreement that would have allowed artists and musicians to continue performing across the continent without the need for work permits. The EU turned down this proposal. The draft legal text published by the EU on their website on 18 March contained proposals regarding visa-free travel. These only covered ad-hoc performances, which were non-binding, and did not address technical staff or the issue of work-permits. These proposals would not have addressed the sector's concerns.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK’s world-leading cultural and creative industries. We recently demonstrated that commitment by providing an unprecedented £1.57 billion package of support to help them through the covid-19 pandemic. During the negotiations with the EU, we pushed for ambitious arrangements allowing performers and artists to work across Europe.

The Government also recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

14 January 2021

Dear Lord Jones,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking why analysis of the number of (1) school workers, and (2) other key workers who had COVID-19, has not been included in Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection surveys since 6 November 2020; and what plans there are to publish such analysis for the period since 6 November 2020 (HL11748).

The ONS is committed to providing statistics for the public good and produce analysis which covers as many of our users’ needs as possible.

Understanding occupational risk across all sectors is vitally important. As such we are conducting analysis across all occupations to gain a deeper understanding of all professions. This will include occupations within the education sector which we have previously published analysis on. We will publish this analysis in our monthly articles.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Under the Withdrawal Agreement the European Commission can bring infringement proceedings against the UK within the transition period, where it considers that the UK has not met its obligations under the Agreement. The infringement procedure is a frequently used and common mechanism.

The Commission has sent a preliminary letter under this procedure concerning the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill. We are considering the letter.

We are committed to working through the Joint Committee process under the Agreement to find a satisfactory outcome for both sides.

Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRAGA) provides the statutory basis for the Civil Service Code, and states that the Code must require civil servants to carry out their duties with impartiality. As set out in section 7(5), this requirement does not extend to Special Advisers. The Government has no plans to amend this.

Her Majesty’s Government is not aware of the existence of an Operation Black Swan.

The Government was clear from the start of withdrawal negotiations that EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU should have their voting and candidacy rights protected.This is part of the wider question of UK citizens' rights in the EU and EU citizens' rights in the UK. We are disappointed that the EU is unwilling to protect these rights in the Withdrawal Agreement.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply and I will place a copy of their letter in the Library of the House.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to the Noble Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 5 November 2015 to HL3046,HL3047,HL3048, which I attach for ease of reference.

The Ministerial Code is normally updated and reissued after a General Election. The updated Code makes clear that Ministers must abide by the law. The obligations of Ministers under the law including international law remain unchanged.

Information relating to internal discussions and advice is not disclosed.

On 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. The Government has introduced greater flexibility for businesses and migrants, while supporting the economic need of the country. A Skilled Worker visa route is open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. A range of skilled occupations in construction are included in the list of eligible occupations.

The Government is supporting the construction sector in its drive to increase investment in skills development, and to equip workers with the skills that they will need for the future. On 1 June 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Industry Recovery Plan. Employment and skills in the construction sector are identified as a priority, and a focus of the ‘Restart’ phase of the Plan is to maximise employment opportunities.

The Government has welcomed the Plan and is collaborating with the CLC and industry to ensure that the proposals are implemented.

The Government has been making strong progress against the ambition to build at least 1 million new homes in England by the end of this Parliament. Last year alone, around 244,000 homes were delivered – the highest number of new homes for over 30 years, and the seventh consecutive year that net supply has increased.

We have not assessed the specific issues set out in these questions.

On 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. The Government has introduced greater flexibility for businesses and migrants, while supporting the economic need of the country. A Skilled Worker visa route is open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. A range of skilled occupations in construction are included in the list of eligible occupations.

The Government is supporting the construction sector in its drive to increase investment in skills development, and to equip workers with the skills that they will need for the future. On 1 June 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Industry Recovery Plan. Employment and skills in the construction sector are identified as a priority, and a focus of the ‘Restart’ phase of the Plan is to maximise employment opportunities.

The Government has welcomed the Plan and is collaborating with the CLC and industry to ensure that the proposals are implemented.

The Government has been making strong progress against the ambition to build at least 1 million new homes in England by the end of this Parliament. Last year alone, around 244,000 homes were delivered – the highest number of new homes for over 30 years, and the seventh consecutive year that net supply has increased.

We have not assessed the specific issues set out in these questions.

We have a strong manufacturing base in the UK with the rubber & plastics industry employing over 160,000 people. The UK Government continues to support UK businesses whilst tackling our priority to reduce plastic waste in line with our net zero ambitions.

The Government's 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. In 2018 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published our Resources and Waste Strategy, which sets out how to achieve this, move towards a circular economy and keep resources in the system for longer. Resource efficiency measures introduced by Defra have included the single-use carrier bag charge, which recently increased to 10p and extended to all retailers; and the ban of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

The Environment Bill will enable us to significantly change the way that we manage our waste and will include powers to create Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes such as a scheme for packaging meaning that producers will pay the full costs of dealing with the waste packaging that they produce; introduce Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) such as a scheme for single use drinks containers which will include those made from glass, plastic and metal; and give us the power to set new charges for other single-use plastic items.

The Government has put together a package of £100 million for research and innovation to tackle the issues that arise from plastic waste. £38 million has been set aside through the Plastics Research and Innovation Fund and the Resource Action Fund including £10 million specifically to pioneer innovative approaches to boosting recycling and reducing litter. The Government has also announced £60 million of funding through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, alongside a £149 million investment from industry, to drive research and innovation to develop more smart, sustainable plastic packaging.

The Deep Sea Mining Act 1981 (as amended by the Deep Sea Mining Act 2014) sets out the Government’s powers in relation to issuing deep sea mining licences, including the relationship with contracts granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The 1981 Act (as amended) extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but may be extended by Order in Council to the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or any British overseas territory. To date, no such Order in Council or Statutory Instrument has been taken forward, and there are no current plans to do so.

Through the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage (which applies to those age 23 and above) the Government protects the lowest paid within our society. The Government sets the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates annually and has a target for the National Living Wage to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, providing economic conditions allow. The Low Pay Commission, which is an independent and expert body, makes annual recommendations to the Government on the appropriate rates.

The Living Wage Foundation regularly publishes a rate called the ‘Living Wage’. This rate differs from the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates because the Low Pay Commission considers the wider impacts on businesses and the economy before making their recommendations to the Government. We commend employers who pay more when they can afford to do so. The Living Wage Foundation is clear their measure is voluntary.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce a mandated four-day working week in the UK.

The UK has one of the most flexible labour markets in Europe and this flexibility enables workers to participate in the labour market in a way that suits their circumstances. Working hours are ultimately a contractual matter to be agreed between a worker and their employer, and our existing legal framework provides a statutory right for all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service to request flexible working, where employees can request a change to their hours, working patterns or working from home.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce a mandated four-day working week in the UK.

The UK has one of the most flexible labour markets in Europe and this flexibility enables workers to participate in the labour market in a way that suits their circumstances. Working hours are ultimately a contractual matter to be agreed between a worker and their employer, and our existing legal framework provides a statutory right for all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service to request flexible working, where employees can request a change to their hours, working patterns or working from home.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce a mandated four-day working week in the UK.

The UK has one of the most flexible labour markets in Europe and this flexibility enables workers to participate in the labour market in a way that suits their circumstances. Working hours are ultimately a contractual matter to be agreed between a worker and their employer, and our existing legal framework provides a statutory right for all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service to request flexible working, where employees can request a change to their hours, working patterns or working from home.

On 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. The Government has introduced greater flexibility for business and migrants, while supporting the economic need of the country. A Skilled Worker visa route is open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. A range of skilled occupations in construction are included in the list of eligible occupations.

The Government is supporting the construction sector in its drive to increase investment in skills development, and to equip workers with the skills that they will need for the future. This will be achieved through a joint commitment to implement reforms to the Construction Industry Training Board to make it more strategic and industry-led, and to enable the sector to make best use of funding from the Apprenticeship Levy.

On 1 June 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Industry Recovery Plan. Employment and skills in the construction sector are identified as a priority, and a focus of the ‘Restart’ phase of the Plan is to maximise employment opportunities.

The Government has welcomed the Plan and is collaborating with the CLC and industry to ensure that the proposals are implemented.

On 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. The Government has introduced greater flexibility for business and migrants, while supporting the economic need of the country. A Skilled Worker visa route is open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. A range of skilled occupations in construction are included in the list of eligible occupations.

The Government is supporting the construction sector in its drive to increase investment in skills development, and to equip workers with the skills that they will need for the future. This will be achieved through a joint commitment to implement reforms to the Construction Industry Training Board to make it more strategic and industry-led, and to enable the sector to make best use of funding from the Apprenticeship Levy.

On 1 June 2020, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Industry Recovery Plan. Employment and skills in the construction sector are identified as a priority, and a focus of the ‘Restart’ phase of the Plan is to maximise employment opportunities.

The Government has welcomed the Plan and is collaborating with the CLC and industry to ensure that the proposals are implemented.