Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the impact of COVID-19 on live music events, what plans they have to consult with music industry representatives on how that sector can be supported through amendments to the Immigration Rules.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government continues to engage with the creative sector to ensure the future immigration system will enable the UK’s cultural life to continue to thrive.
Currently, visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa.
Artists wishing to come to the UK for longer-term work will need to do so under the future points-based system. There will continue to be special arrangements for creative workers, which in future will encompass both EEA and non-EEA citizens.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as part of their ongoing negotiations with the EU, they have considered arrangements for short-term business visits; and whether musicians and their crews will be included in any such scheme.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
We are open to negotiating reciprocal arrangements to facilitate business visits to deliver services, building on provisions that are standard in trade agreements.
A reciprocal agreement based on best precedent will mean that UK citizens will be able to undertake some business activities in the EU without a work permit, on a short-term basis. The same would apply for EU citizens making business visits to the UK.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likelihood of any restrictions introduced on EU musicians touring in the UK following the completion of the transition period being reciprocated for UK musicians touring in the EU.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
DCMS has engaged extensively with union bodies, artists and cultural organisations to help understand the needs of the creative and cultural sector on their preparations for the ending of the transition period. We understand the diverse circumstances of companies, organisations and individual practitioners and how they may need to adapt as the transition period ends.
On temporary entry for business purposes (mode 4) as part of a free trade agreement, we want a reciprocal agreement that would enable UK citizens will be able to undertake some paid business activities in the EU without a work permit, on a short-term basis. The precise details, including range of activities, documentation needed, and the time limit, is a matter for negotiation
We are confident that such a free trade agreement based on friendly cooperation can be achieved.
However, in all circumstances, we expect UK musicians’ work to continue to be an export that is highly valued in the EU as it is across the world.
We will continue to work with these stakeholders in the coming months and we will continue to keep Parliament informed with analysis at appropriate times in a way that does not impede our ability to strike the best deal for the UK.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the commercial and cultural cases for facilitating continued ease of movement for musicians between the UK and EU; and what steps they are taking to ensure that this is reflected in the Immigration Rules.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government continues to engage with the creative sector to ensure the future immigration system will enable the UK’s cultural life to continue to thrive.
Currently, visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa.
Artists wishing to come to the UK for longer-term work will need to do so under the future points-based system. There will continue to be special arrangements for creative workers, which in future will encompass both EEA and non-EEA citizens.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the aim expressed in OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy (CP 239) to deliver a “cleaner, more sustainable” world economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, what steps they are taking to achieve this aim through trade policy.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
HM Government intends to support Britain’s economy to become stronger, cleaner, and more resilient after this crisis. A clean and resilient economic recovery will boost exports and create employment in the low-carbon industries of the future, while ensuring we address the linked challenges of public health, climate change, and biodiversity. Our ambitious trade policy agenda can support these aims, by promoting trade in low-carbon goods and services through Free Trade Agreements and at the WTO. HM Government will also continue to lead work on the international economic recovery through our upcoming COP26 and G7 Presidencies.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to develop long-term COVID-19 recovery plans for businesses which (1) stimulate demand, and (2) address any increase in unemployment. [T]
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including around £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. As the Prime Minister set out in his statement in Parliament on 11 May, the Government’s economic strategy will be closely coordinated with the public health strategy to ensure a safe return to economic activity. The Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy is set out on gov.uk.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the economic impact to the UK of the unauthorised use by persons or companies based in China of intellectual property developed in the UK.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It is responsible for intellectual policy (IP) policy; educating businesses and consumers about IP rights and responsibilities; supporting IP enforcement; and granting UK patents, trade marks and design rights.
The IPO recognises the significant harm that IP crime causes to the UK economy and is working alongside domestic and international partners to address the problem.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend the legislation relating to the calculation of child maintenance so that such calculations are based on a parent's gross salary, after tax and National Insurance deductions but before the deduction of pensions contributions.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
Our statutory child maintenance scheme calculates payments simply and efficiently, usually based on the paying parent’s gross taxable income. This information is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs for the latest available tax year.
We continue to review the calculation but have no plans to change it at this time.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 have ensured that VAT is no longer applied to debts enforced under a High Court judgment; and if not, what steps they will take to resolve this.
Answered by Earl of Courtown - Captain of the Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Debt collection services carried out by High Court Enforcement Officers are subject to VAT according to the normal rules and any VAT due is payable by the creditor who receives the service. The debtor is not required to pay the VAT.
HM Revenue and Customs are working with the Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) 2014 Regulations, to ensure that VAT rules continue to be applied correctly.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cases involving children at farms have been investigated by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
In each of the last 10 years, the table below shows the number of incidents, or concerns followed up, the Health and Safety Executive has investigated regarding the health and safety of children on farms:
Year | Fatal/non-fatal injuries investigated | Concerns followed up |
2018/2019 | 4 | 17 |
2017/2018 | 2 | 9 |
2016/2017 | 4 | 11 |
2015/2016 | 3 | 12 |
2014/2015 | 2 | 11 |
2013/2014 | 6 | 26 |
2012/2013 | 4 | 22 |
2011/2012 | 1 | 7 |
2010/2011 | 3 | 4 |
2009/2010 | 4 | 1 |