Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether children visiting farms are protected by the statutory duties on employers and others to protect the health and safety of non-employees, including members of the public, as set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
Children visiting farms, and those that live on the farm, are protected by the general duties of Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA). The HSWA requires employers and the self-employed to conduct their undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
In addition to the general duties of HSWA, the Prevention of Accidents to Children in Agriculture Regulations 1998 place specific duties on any person in respect of protecting the health and safety of children on farms from the risks of riding on or driving certain farm vehicles.
Guidance for employers and the self-employed can be found in the leaflet ‘Preventing accidents to children on farms’. A copy is attached.
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, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 26 June (HL16573), what sources of data on the number of households who disconnect their energy supplies due to cost they use to inform their policy-making.
Answered by Lord Henley
The energy regulator Ofgem, monitors and publishes data on households who disconnect their energy supplies due to cost, which includes data from their annual Consumer Engagement Survey and from the Citizens Advice self disconnection consumer survey.
Following a call for evidence, Ofgem is undertaking a review of households who disconnect their energy supplies due to cost and has requested that energy companies provide additional information and data to help their analysis. They will publish their response this summer.
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, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 26 June (HL16573), why they do not hold data on the number of households who disconnect their energy supply due to the cost; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the lack of such data on their fuel poverty policy.
Answered by Lord Henley
Government has given Ofgem, the independent GB energy regulator, a statutory duty to protect the interests of vulnerable consumers, with the regulator enforcing rules to protect consumers at risk of debt and disconnection.
Following a call for evidence, Ofgem is undertaking a review of households who disconnect their energy supplies due to cost and has requested that energy companies provide additional information and data to help their analysis. They will publish their response this summer. Government will consider the findings of this review and the potential impact more detailed information about self disconnection could have on how we target fuel poverty policies, such as the Warm Home Discount and ECO Local Authority Flexible Eligibility.
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 recent estimate they have made of the number of households who disconnect their energy supply due to the cost; and what assessment they have made of this figure.
Answered by Lord Henley
The Government does not hold the data requested.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will commit to supporting the International Finance Facility for Immunisation in the next funding period.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The International Financing Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) was launched in 2006. IFFIm’s frontloading capability for vaccine funding has allowed more than 80 million children to be immunised ahead of time, without having to wait until Gavi has received pledged donor grants.
Subject to continued strong performance, the UK will fund IFFIm until 2029. More broadly, the UK recognises the important role of innovative financing mechanisms for vaccine delivery. In our role as hosts of the 2020 Gavi Replenishment, we will encourage discussions with other donors and other stakeholders on ways to expand innovative financing to vaccinate children in poor countries.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Advanced Market Commitment for pneumococcal vaccines; and whether it should be continued.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for Pneumococcal Vaccines (PCV) incentivises vaccine manufacturers and generates competition by encouraging additional manufacturers to the market. So far, 114 million children have been vaccinated with AMC-supported pneumococcal vaccines, saving 762,000 lives.
The UK assess AMC to be an effective and efficient mechanism to improve vaccine coverage at a lower cost. It scored an A+ in its last annual review. In March 2019, Pfizer reduced the price of PCV for 73 developing countries from US$3.30 in 2017 to US$2.90 per dose. This further reduction is estimated to save Gavi and developing country governments up to US$ 4.1 million.
An independent 2015 evaluation identified AMC’s supply arrangements as a critical factor in encouraging vaccine manufacturers to expand their capacity to produce safe, effective vaccines. As part of the planning process for the next phase for Gavi, the UK and other stakeholders are exploring all innovative financing options which can improve global immunisation in poor countries.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial commitment they intend to make to the Advanced Market Commitment pilot for pneumococcal vaccine beyond 2020; and what estimate they have made of the expected total funding.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for Pneumococcal Vaccines is a dynamic financing instrument of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Its objective is to reduce deaths from severe pneumonia by reducing the cost of the pneumococcal vaccine. The AMC does this by incentivising vaccine manufacturers and generating greater competition by encouraging additional manufacturers to the market. So far, 114 million children have been vaccinated with AMC-supported pneumococcal vaccines, saving 762,000 lives.
The expected total funding for DFID’s contribution to AMC is $485 million from 2010 until the programme completes in 2020. To date, the UK have made no new financial commitments for AMC beyond completion of the programme in 2020. As part of the planning process for the next phase for Gavi, the UK and other stakeholders are exploring all innovative financing options which can improve global immunisation in poor countries.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend their engagement with the Advanced Market Commitment beyond the pilot for pneumococcal vaccine, run via Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for Pneumococcal Vaccines is a dynamic financing instrument of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Its objective is to reduce deaths from severe pneumonia by reducing the cost of the pneumococcal vaccine. The AMC does this by incentivising vaccine manufacturers and generating greater competition by encouraging additional manufacturers to the market. So far, 114 million children have been vaccinated with AMC-supported pneumococcal vaccines, saving 762,000 lives.
DFID has committed $485 million to AMC from 2010 until 2020. The AMC has consistently delivered and performs very strongly. It scored an A+ in its last Annual Review. The current end date is scheduled for December 2020. DFID are currently reviewing vaccine demand projections and in discussions with other stakeholders whether an extension is required in order to attract new manufacturers and generate wider benefits. This review is in line with our approach to maximise effectiveness and ensure good value for money.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the statutory basis for the decision to transfer Bourne End Academy from Wycombe High School Academy Trust to E-ACT; and what guarantees have been given to parents whose children currently attend Bourne End Academy about its long-term future.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Bourne End Academy (BEA) was transferred to E-ACT, following a joint decision by the department and Wycombe High School Academies Trust. It was agreed that the next phase for BEA would be for the school to move into a larger multi academy trust with the resources and capacity to continue to build on the improvements already achieved. BEA was subsequently transferred to E-ACT on 1 September 2018. A consultation is now open to consider the closure of E-ACT Burnham Park Academy, with pupils currently attending the school expected to complete their studies at BEA.
The department is committed to securing the best possible educational outcomes for pupils at BEA, working with all relevant parties to secure this. Ofsted will retain its responsibility for monitoring the school and for conducting any future inspections.
Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States and the EU, in response to the 2014 occupation and annexation of Crimea, on relations between Russia and the UK.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Sanctions imposed alongside our international partners, including the US, in 2014 have had a coordinated impact on Russia by increasing economic pressure to change its Ukraine policy and sending a clear, united message that Russian aggression in Ukraine will not be tolerated. This impact has been strengthened by the continuation and maintenance of 2014 sanctions since their implementation. The current bilateral relationship is not the one the UK wants and we remain open to a different relationship with Russia - one where Russia desists from attacks that undermine international security and actions that undermine the territorial integrity of its neighbours.