Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Quin, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Quin has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Quin has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
In line with his responsibilities in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Prime Minister carefully considered and approved the report, and is content that its publication would not prejudice the functions of those bodies that safeguard our national security.
We acknowledge the public’s interest in the publication of the report; however the report itself is the property of the independent ISC. As such it is not for the Government to publish it; it is for the ISC to lay it before Parliament. Once a new Committee has been established, it will be up to them to choose when they wish to publish it. The process to establish a new Committee has already begun.
In Great Britain, working hours are governed by the Working Time Regulations, which set the maximum working hours and minimum rest breaks workers are entitled to. All workers are entitled to a minimum of 20 minutes’ rest break if they work at least six hours, which may be paid or unpaid depending on the employment contract. Some workers such as shift workers may be entitled to ‘compensatory rest’ if they don’t have the right to specific rest breaks.
Payment for rest breaks is a matter for individual contracts.
Companies House does not hold any information on how many companies have set up (1) companies and (2) distribution hubs, in the EU since 1 January, and the number of jobs that have been created in the EU as a result.
The deadline for implementing the EU Copyright Directive is 7 June 2021. The United Kingdom left the European Union on the 31 January and the transition period will end on 31 December 2020. Therefore, the United Kingdom will not be required to implement the Directive, and the Government has no plans to do so.
The government has made the decision not to seek participation in Creative Europe in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Prior to this decision, Ministers and officials engaged with relevant parts of industry and government-funded screen bodies including the British Film Institute.
Implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) is required as part of the United Kingdom’s Withdrawal Agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, the UK will implement EU law adopted while it was a Member State where the implementation date falls within the transition period. After the transition period, the transposed measures in the Directive will become retained EU law and continue to apply to citizens and companies in the UK. Furthermore, the government has made a statutory instrument, the Broadcasting (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, to correct deficiencies in broadcasting legislation as a result of leaving the EU and ensure that Ofcom continues to have effective oversight of broadcasting in the UK.
DCMS does not track this information.
Beyond the transition period, the UK has set out its proposals to the EU in a range of areas, making clear that we want a Canada-style relationship, based on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement supplemented by other international agreements.
Ministers and officials meet with their international counterparts, including the French and German governments, on a range of issues, including work to tackle online harms.
Many of the UK’s international partners are developing new regulatory approaches to tackle online harms. As set out in the Online Harms White Paper, the Government will continue to share experiences and work with partners internationally as we develop our own approach.
I can confirm that a response to the correspondence dated 24 July 2023 from the Noble Lady was sent on 21 August 2023.
Financial support for the permissive access options within agri-environment schemes was withdrawn by Defra Ministers as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2010. Existing agreements under the original Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS) were allowed to run their course to expiry, with final agreements ending by 2021.
Since 2010, agreements providing about 31,000 kilometres of CSS and 27,500 kilometres of HLS permissive linear access paths (footpath, bridleway/cycle routes, reduced mobility access and upgrades to existing paths) have expired along with 5500 ha (CSS) and 4000 ha (HLS) of permissive open access. These 58,500 km of paths and 9,500 ha of open access were present on about 3600 sites. Agreement holders with permissive access options were initially encouraged to continue offering access, if practicable, without payment, but we do not have any record of the extent to which this occurred. During 2021/22 Natural England, on behalf of Defra, will be conducting research to determine what happened to access provision after the end of Stewardship agreements to help inform future public access provision within schemes.
Neither the Environment Agency nor Defra holds any information regarding the number of people on low incomes who rely on non-mains sewerage systems.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment was carried out at the time that the 2015 rules were introduced. While no financial help is available for upgrading or replacing small sewage discharges regulated under General Binding Rules, the Environment Agency will agree a reasonable timescale with the owner where it identifies that improvements are required.
With specific regard to any discharge facilities situated within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, additional regulatory requirements only arise as a direct consequence of that if the discharge in question was first made on or after 1 January 2015.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment was carried out at the time that the 2015 rules were introduced. While no financial help is available for upgrading or replacing small sewage discharges regulated under General Binding Rules, the Environment Agency will agree a reasonable timescale with the owner where it identifies that improvements are required.
The non-commercial movement of cats, dogs and ferrets is covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme which has three categorisations of third country: unlisted, Part 1 listed and Part 2 listed. Third countries can apply to the European Commission to be listed under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.
The UK submitted its application to allow the UK to become a Part 1 listed third country under Annex II of the EU Pet Travel Regulations to the European Commission in January 2019. Should the UK become a Part 1 listed country, there would be little change to the current arrangements, with only minor changes needed for documentation and, in most cases, no change for owners from what they currently need to do in terms of their animal’s health preparation. It is now for the Commission to consider our application for listed status.
The Department engages with the FTA and RHA regularly on issues related to the UK’s departure from the EU, preparations for the end of the Transition Period and the progress of the ongoing negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
Currently, HS2 services to Newcastle and Edinburgh will start between 2036 and 2040. However, as recommended by the Oakervee review, government will work with the National Infrastructure Commission to develop an integrated plan for rail investment in the North and Midlands. This will look at HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and our multi-billion-pound rail investment programme – to assess whether can deliver these projects faster, cheaper, and with greater benefits and fewer impacts for the North and Midlands.
As currently planned, HS2 trains will run directly to Newcastle via a connection to the East Coast Mainline. HS2 Services are currently planned to run directly to Edinburgh via a connection to the West Coast Mainline, which is dependent on the completion of Phase 2b. Proposed services will offer reduced journey times with London.
In August 2019, the Prime Minister asked Douglas Oakervee to chair an independent review of HS2 to provide advice on how and whether to proceed. The Government will set out the next steps for High Speed 2 in due course.
The General Dental Council (GDC), which is responsible for the regulation and registration of dentists, has advised that it is keen to support refugees with their registration applications wherever possible. Dedicated information for refugees can be found on the GDC’s website, in an online only format.
The Department regularly discusses health matters with the Welsh Government and other devolved administrations.
The Department continues to work with NHS England on the consideration and implementation of musculoskeletal policy, including Fracture Liaison Services.
In 2022 the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) adopted an expanded remit which included establishing a Research and Methodology group (RMG). This group has published guidance on the UK NSC’s GOV.UK webpage around how screening researchers can ask the UK NSC’s RMG for advice and is the best port of call to engage with the UK NSC about research.
Reporting on COVID-19 is broken down by NHS England’s seven regional teams. The North East and Yorkshire is one of the seven regional teams and so the statistics are merged for the North East and Yorkshire and Humber regions.
We are currently considering a range of options for addressing future phases of the COVID-19, including the implementation of tailoring containment measures to the regional and local level. As recently announced, each local authority will be given funding to develop local outbreak control plans, working with the local National Health Service, Public Health England and other stakeholders.
Any decisions on how to approach the mid- to long-term strategy to address the pandemic will be led by the science, build on the Government’s test and trace strategy, and be supported by the new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
The agreement we have reached with the European Union is that until 31 December 2020 there will be no changes to reciprocal healthcare access for pensioners, workers, students, tourists and other visitors, the European Health Insurance Card scheme, or planned treatment.
People who have settled in the EU or United Kingdom before 31 December 2020, will continue to have life-long reciprocal healthcare rights provided they remain covered under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. This means existing healthcare arrangements will not change for those UK nationals who are resident in the EU and EU citizens in the UK before 31 December 2020, for as long as they are living in that country and covered by the agreement.
We want to continue discussing the future of reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the EU as part of the future relationship discussions.
The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns about dual national detentions with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on 6 January. The Prime Minister raised his concerns with Iranian President Rouhani on 9 January. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa called for their release in his call with Deputy Foreign Minister Araghchi on 12 January. We remain extremely concerned about the welfare of all British-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. We have made clear to Iran that we expect them to ensure she is treated humanely and in line with international standards. We continue to request immediate consular access.
The government does not intend to review the impacts of Brexit on the London Stock Exchange.
The UK is Europe’s leading hub for investment, and London continues to be the only European hub in the top ten of the Global Financial Centres Index. The government is committed to building on these strong foundations to make the UK the global capital for capital.
Leaving the EU provides the freedom for the UK to tailor financial services regulation to UK markets, including through the government’s Smarter Regulatory Framework programme. Under the programme, assimilated law is being replaced by a regulatory framework tailored to the UK that will benefit businesses and consumers alike.
The government is taking forward an ambitious programme of reform to improve the competitiveness of UK markets. This includes overhauling the UK’s Prospectus Regime to create a simpler and more effective regime than its EU predecessor, delivering on a key recommendation of Lord Hill’s Listing Review. Legislation to deliver this reform was laid on 27 November 2023.
The Government has announced we will extend the visas for a range of healthcare professionals working for the NHS and independent health and care providers, where their current visa expires between 31 March and 1 October. This offer also applies to their families. The 12-month extension is automatic and free of charge and those benefitting will not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
This is part of a wider Government approach to supporting the health and care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to keep all of our policies under review.
I refer the noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN 198649 on 19 September 2023.
The National Planning Policy Framework expects local planning authorities to plan for the development and infrastructure required in their area, including infrastructure for wastewater and utilities. They should work with other providers, such as sewage companies, to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure and its ability to meet forecast demands
The Government has made a commitment, as part of its reform package under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, to consult on whether or not we should make water companies statutory consultees on certain planning applications, and if so, how best to do this. It will be important that water companies engage local planning authorities on the right applications at the right time so they can input effectively and not slow down the application process.