Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to require the Conservative Party to reimburse the full costs of re-running the election of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Wiltshire.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
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.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord True on 2 February (HL12298), whether they will now (1) answer the question put, namely whether they have made any assessment of the possible competitive disadvantages to (a) England, (b) Wales, and (c) Scotland, of not being in the EU Single Market; and if so, what was the result of any such assessment, and (2) over whom Northern Ireland has a "competitive advantage" by being in the EU Single Market for goods.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
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.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 6 January that Northern Ireland has “a competitive advantage” because it is in the EU Single Market for goods, whether they have made any assessment of the possible competitive disadvantages to (1) England, (2) Wales, and (3) Scotland, of not being within the EU Single Market; and if so, what was the result of any such assessment.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
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.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish in full the details of the reported offer made by the EU that would have allowed the UK's creative artists freedom of movement throughout the EU for up to 90 days; and their reasons for rejecting the EU's offer.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
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.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why analysis of the number of (1) school workers, and (2) other key workers who had COVID-19, has not been included in ONS infection surveys since 6 November 2020; and what plans they have to publish such analysis for the period since 6 November 2020.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
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
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 30 September (HL8064), what penalty they expect to incur if the UK Internal Market Bill is enacted unamended.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
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.