Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the selection process was for the NHS England National Adviser for LGBT Health; how long the post holder has been appointed for; what the terms of employment of that post holder are; and what the lines of accountability are for that post holder within (a) the NHS and (b) Government.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The National Adviser for LGBT Health, employed by NHS England, was appointed in 2019 following an open, competitive application and interview process. From 2019 to 2021 the role, function and responsibilities of the National Adviser for LGBT Health was set out in a Memorandum of Understanding, agreed between the Government Equalities Office, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.
The National Adviser for LGBT Health has a contract with NHS England which defines the terms of employment. The position is based within the Patient Equalities Team at NHS England and is accountable to the Director for Experience, Participation and Equalities and the Chief Nurse for England. The National Adviser for LGBT Health advises the Government where needed but there are no additional lines of accountability beyond those which exist between NHS England and the Department.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the National Advisor for LGBT Health for NHS England's priorities are; and how those priorities contribute to the work of his Department.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The National Adviser is focused on reducing the heath inequalities faced by LGBT people, advising on ways to improve the care LGBT people receive when accessing the National Health Service and public health services and is a visible advocate for LGBT equality within the NHS, providing a voice for LGBT service users within the health and social care system. The National Adviser works to improve healthcare professionals’ awareness of LGBT issues, facilitating better patient care, working with relevant statutory organisations and professional associations to embed LGBT issues into physical and mental health services. The National Adviser’s four priorities are:
- Improving data collection and monitoring of sexual orientation, gender identity and rans status across the NHS;
- Improving education and training of the NHS workforce to support them to better address LGBT+ health inequalities;
- Supporting the NHS to deliver more LGBT+ inclusive services; and
- Supporting the NHS to be a more inclusive workplace and to improve the experience of the LGBT+ workforce.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
What new support he plans to provide to energy transition projects in Scotland.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Our Net Zero Strategy supports well-paid jobs, leverages up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030 across the UK and outlines support for projects in Scotland, including the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many local roles were advertised and/or recruited by the British Embassy in Afghanistan in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.
Answered by Nigel Adams
In 2019, 7 vacancies were advertised; in 2020, 6 vacancies were advertised; and finally in 2021 - 1 vacancy was advertised by the British Embassy in Afghanistan.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What steps his Department is taking to support women in the armed forces.
Answered by Ben Wallace
It is important we improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces which is why we are investing in policies such as flexible service, wrap-around childcare and better working practices. It is also important that we provide support in cases of unacceptable behaviour. That is why the Wigston Report and reforms to the Service Justice and Service Complaints Systems will change Defence’s culture and make it easier to tackle unacceptable behaviours.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect on workforce numbers in key occupations of the UK EU Trade and cooperation agreement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement delivers what the British public voted for in the referendum and at the last General Election. It is the first free trade agreement the EU has ever reached based on zero tariffs and zero quotas.
This Agreement will help unlock investment and protect high value jobs right across the UK. We will now take full advantage of the opportunities created by this deal – helping to boost productivity, unlock investment and safeguard high value jobs in the UK.
We have taken back control of our borders meaning we control who comes into the country, as demonstrated by our new Points Based System which has now gone live. This fairer, firmer and skills-led system will enable companies to attract the best and brightest from around the world.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many additional UK border force staff are planned to be recruited in 2021 following the UK-EU Trade and cooperation agreement.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Border Force has recruited over 1000 permanent staff for 1 Jan. In addition to the 900 FTE recruited in 19/20 we will have brought in a further 1,100 by July 2021, in advance of full customs controls.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to agree bilateral treaties with EU Member States for cross border policing.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes a deal on law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation which delivers a comprehensive package of capabilities that will ensure we can work with counterparts across Europe to tackle serious crime and terrorism. Hence the UK Parliament’s support for the agreement was a vital part of ensuring we can use these capabilities to protect the public and bring criminals to justice across our Union.
We also have excellent bilateral cooperation with Member States across the EU on a wide range of law enforcement and criminal justice issues. We will continue to consider ways we can strengthen this.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of transitioning to the replacement systems for (a) Europol, (b) Eurojust and (c) Schengen Information System II.
Answered by Kevin Foster
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to PQ 133894 on 15 January 2021.
Asked by: Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the UK-EU Trade and cooperation agreement on refugee resettlement programs and when those programs will be restarted in full.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK’s refugee resettlement schemes operate outside of the EU and we don't envisage any impact on them from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Following the temporarily pause to the resettlement of refugees, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, arrivals recommenced in December 2020. The final arrivals under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme will take place during early 2021, delivering on our commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria to rebuild their lives safely in the UK.
We will continue to honour our commitment to those who have been invited to the UK and we will roll out a new global resettlement scheme in the future, along with a new firm and fair asylum system which will welcome people through safe and legal routes.