Ben Bradshaw

The new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) does not place any restriction on air services between points in the UK and points in the EU, ensuring that UK-EU trade can continue to travel freely by air. Furthermore, the TCA recognises that, at their discretion, EU Member states may permit UK airlines to operate non-scheduled air services within and beyond the EU. The TCA also allows the UK and individual EU Member States to negotiate and agree a bilateral exchange of additional “5th Freedom” all-cargo rights. My officials are engaging closely with EU Member States and with industry on these matters.

DfT has not produced economic forecasts of recovery and growth in the air transport or travel sectors. DfT maintain a capability to produce a range of passenger demand scenarios, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the potential shape of recovery, for internal use.

The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues.

Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by the aviation sector at this time. The Government is committed to maintaining critical connectivity and through policies like Public Service Obligations the Department for Transport subsidises routes into London.

We have also taken action to support airports through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS). This opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m.

The Government is keen to find ways to work closely with the industry to ease restrictions on international travel gradually and sustainably. The Secretary of State for Transport will lead a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a framework that can facilitate greater travel when the time is right, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants.

Before Covid-19, aviation directly contributed at least £22 billion to GDP to the UK economy and supported around half a million jobs. This included the air transport and aerospace sectors, as well as the wider supply chain. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the aviation sector has been one of the worst affected sectors in the UK. Passenger numbers at UK airports fell by 99% at the height of the pandemic. Overall volumes of flight traffic in the UK is currently around 80% below equivalent 2019 levels. The air transport sector’s contribution to the UK economy dropped by 74% in 2020 compared to 2019 and tens of thousands of redundancy notifications have been made. In addition to the direct impact to the UK air transport sector, the wider supply-chain and economy has also been adversely impacted by the severe reduction in air passenger demand, jobs and air connectivity, with impacts on consumer spending and investment across the rest of the economy.

The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues.

Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England.

Through the Global Travel Taskforce, the Government will work closely with the industry to find ways to safely and gradually ease restrictions on international travel. We will set out more detail on this soon.

The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues.

Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Firms can continue to draw upon the package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and VAT deferrals.

In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Department for Transport has engaged very regularly with the industry, including through both Ministerial meetings and official led sessions.

As announced on 22nd February as part of the roadmap for the phased lifting of restrictions in England, the Secretary of State for Transport will also now lead a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a framework that can facilitate greater international travel when the time is right, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants.

The government is also developing a forward looking strategic framework on the recovery of the sector, which we engage with the industry on and will publish later this year.

The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues.

Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Firms can continue to draw upon the package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and VAT deferrals.

In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m.

Through the Global Travel Taskforce, the Government will work closely with the industry to find ways to safely and gradually ease restrictions on international travel. We will set out more detail on this soon.

Travellers must present proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within the 3 days before their departure to the UK. The Government considered carefully which languages to permit the result notification to be provided in. English, French and Spanish were deemed to be appropriate as the majority of countries’ testing providers could meet this requirement.

The result notification must be understandable to Border Force personnel upon arrival in the UK for enforcement purposes. This is possible with French and Spanish, given the similarity of key wording in the notification to English. Widening the number of languages permitted for the notification would reduce the ability of Border Force to assess adequately the veracity of the result.

There is no requirement for British travellers or residents to register with the FCDO when they travel or live abroad, so the Government does not hold data on the number of British nationals overseas, or those unable to return to the UK for any reason.

Travellers must present proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within the 3 days before their departure to the UK. The Government considered carefully which languages to permit the result notification to be provided in. English, French and Spanish were deemed to be appropriate as the majority of countries’ testing providers could meet this requirement.

The result notification must be understandable to Border Force personnel upon arrival in the UK for enforcement purposes. This is possible with French and Spanish, given the similarity of key wording in the notification to English. Widening the number of languages permitted for the notification would reduce the ability of Border Force to assess adequately the veracity of the result.

There is no requirement for British travellers or residents to register with the FCDO when they travel or live abroad, so the Government does not hold data on the number of British nationals overseas, or those unable to return to the UK for any reason.

Travellers must present proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within the 3 days before their departure to the UK. The Government considered carefully which languages to permit the result notification to be provided in. English, French and Spanish were deemed to be appropriate as the majority of countries’ testing providers could meet this requirement.

The result notification must be understandable to Border Force personnel upon arrival in the UK for enforcement purposes. This is possible with French and Spanish, given the similarity of key wording in the notification to English. Widening the number of languages permitted for the notification would reduce the ability of Border Force to assess adequately the veracity of the result.

There is no requirement for British travellers or residents to register with the FCDO when they travel or live abroad, so the Government does not hold data on the number of British nationals overseas, or those unable to return to the UK for any reason.

Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the aviation and travel industries throughout the pandemic. We remain committed to an open engagement with the sector and continue to work with industry to share information and provide industry the opportunity to contribute as policy develops, with the aim of helping retain jobs and return the sector to growth as soon as possible.

The Government’s plans for regulated rail fares will be communicated in due course.

The Government is carefully considering the concept of ‘international travel corridors’ (also known as air bridges), which have the potential to remove the need for quarantine measures for incoming passengers. It is currently not agreed Government policy.

Ultimately, we will be guided by the science, and the health of the public will always come first.

Other countries are considering similar proposals.

I welcome appropriate changes to roads to give cyclists and pedestrians more space to enable social distancing. The details are for local authorities as they are responsible for managing their roads, but I am pleased to see that some local authorities have already begun to consider such changes.

There is a well-established range of traffic management measures already available to local authorities. Some measures, such as road closures to enable filtering for different traffic types, require Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to make them legal and enforceable, and we are aware that parts of that process are difficult for local authorities to comply with during the current situation. To assist with this, the Department has published temporary guidance, which suggests ways in which authorities can continue to make TROs, whilst still complying with the intention of the legislation.

This guidance has been circulated to local authorities already and will be kept under review. It will be withdrawn when circumstances allow. It is available on the Department’s website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-orders-advertising-during-coranavirus-covid-19

Airlines and airports have implemented additional measures in response to COVID-19 in line with advice from PHE, SAGE and the Chief Medical Officer. Airports are displaying posters and digital signage relaying Government information about COVID-19. Passengers arriving into UK airports are being given a leaflet with information about the measures in place in the UK, and announcements are made on aircraft an hour before landing.

Our approach is being kept under review as the pandemic develops. This may mean that measures and procedures change as we control the spread of, and understand more about, the virus. Any changes to our approach will be led by advice from SAGE and the Chief Medical Officer. Protecting the health of the UK public will always come first.

Airlines and airports have already implemented additional measures in response to COVID-19 in line with advice from PHE, SAGE and the Chief Medical Officer. Airports are displaying posters and digital signage relaying Government information about COVID-19. Passengers arriving into UK airports are being given a leaflet with information about the measures in place in the UK, and announcements are made on aircraft an hour before landing.

Our approach is being kept under review as the pandemic develops. This may mean that measures and procedures change as we control the spread of, and understand more about, the virus. Any changes to our approach will be led by advice from SAGE and the Chief Medical Officer. Protecting the health of the UK public will always come first.

The Department operates a robust quality assurance and independent audit process to ensure assessment decisions are consistent. We recognise that improvements could be made to the assessment process and we plan to publish a Health and Disability White Paper later this year following the views shared in response to the Green Paper published last year.

The Health and Disability Green Paper published last year explores how the benefits system can better meet the needs of disabled people and people with health conditions, including how we could improve assessments to better understand the impact of a person’s condition on their ability to work or live independently. We will follow up on the responses to the Green Paper through a White Paper that we will publish later this year.

The Department’s aim is to make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey. We have made improvements to our decision making processes to ensure that people get the support they are entitled to as quickly as possible, because decision makers can better gather relevant additional evidence earlier in the process.

The Department understands the potential effect of waiting for a tribunal hearing which is why our aim is to make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey. Recent improvements to our decision-making processes mean that Decision Makers can better gather relevant additional evidence. This helps to ensure that people get the support they are entitled to as quickly as possible, without the need for a tribunal appeal.

The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

None of the Department’s ministers have travelled to a ‘red list’ country and therefore no exemptions have been required.

As of 31^st March 2021, over 20,000 employers had signed up to the Disability Confident (DC) scheme covering over 11 million employees. Disability Confident is a learning journey that provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and progress disabled people in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to publically report on disability employment and mental health using the Voluntary Reporting Framework (VRF), but are not required to provide government with this data.

We do not hold information for other Government departments and can only answer in relation to the Department for Work and Pension’s staff.

I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answer given to the Honourable Member for East Renfrewshire to Question 132962 on 11 January 2021. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-12-30/132962

Ministers travelled in official vehicles for this event. Travel expenses for senior Departmental officials supporting Ministers totalled £1,018.44.

It is not possible to separate the United Kingdom delegation’s subsistence costs from the overall event costs. All hotel costs were included in the Department’s booking for exclusive use of the hotel during the G7 event. Hotel costs and costs of official dinners during the event were part of the overall Cabinet office budget for this event. The hotel costs for core delegates, including from G7 partner countries and UK supporting officials was £54,422 excluding VAT. The cost of official dinners was £4,195 excluding VAT.

None of the Department’s ministers have returned from a ‘red list’ country and therefore no exemptions have been required.

Currently, the first and last vaccine doses are shown on the NHS COVID Pass for international travel, with a maximum of two doses in accordance with international standards. We are reviewing the implications of booster vaccines for international travel certification, including how these doses could be incorporated into the NHS COVID Pass for travel, subject to international guidelines.

Multiple vaccinations, or doses in addition to a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, are not required for domestic certification and therefore do not impact the domestic NHS COVID Pass.

The information on exemptions from ‘red list’ countries is not available in a consolidated format as individual departments are responsible for managing exemptions relevant to their responsibilities. Exemptions from managed quarantine are agreed on a case by case basis and are recorded by the relevant Government department.

Exemptions include those that are work related such as jobs that are essential for the effective running of the country, for medical and compassionate reasons or for safeguarding unaccompanied minors. Those seeking an exemption on medical or compassionate grounds would be granted an exemption before travel while in some other categories, prior approval for an exemption is not required. In these cases, relevant documentation would be presented to confirm exemption from managed quarantine. Due to the range of conditions and evidence required to satisfy each exemption, this data is not collected in a central record.

The decision for a participant in a vaccine trial to receive a further vaccination should be made in conjunction with clinicians. This may vary depending on the vaccine. The clinical guidance for administering further vaccinations for trial participants is currently under review.

All Novavax clinical trial participants in England and Wales can access their domestic COVID Pass through the NHS App or online through NHS.UK.

As of 21 September, approximately two thirds of Novavax trial participants in England, can present their vaccination information through the NHS COVID Pass for travel purposes. Work is ongoing to ensure that all clinical trial participants can access an NHS COVID Pass for travel in the near future.

Information on the methodology used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-risk-assessment-methodology-to-inform-international-travel-traffic-light-system/risk-assessment-methodology-to-inform-international-travel-traffic-light-system

All countries, including South Africa, are continually monitored. The Joint Biosecurity Centre’s (JBC) assessments which inform Ministers’ decisions on red, amber and green categorisation are reviewed every three weeks. The JBC uses a range of factors in its assessments, such as variant prevalence, genomic surveillance capability, virus transmission risk and variants of concern and variants under investigation. The methodology for international travel risk assessment is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-risk-assessment-methodology-to-inform-international-travel-traffic-light-system

All countries, including South Africa, are continually monitored as part of the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s assessments which are reviewed every three weeks.

Ms Coladangelo attended the G7 Health Minister’s meeting as a part of the UK delegation.

All travel and subsistence costs were covered as part of the Department’s overall booking. Ms Coladangelo did not claim any additional expenses.

Ms Coladangelo attended the G7 Health Minister’s meeting as a part of the UK delegation.

All travel and subsistence costs were covered as part of the Department’s overall booking. Ms Coladangelo did not claim any additional expenses.

Certain categories of international arrivals who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine or take a day 8 test when travelling from ‘amber list’ countries. This currently includes individuals vaccinated under the United Kingdom vaccine rollout and travellers who have been vaccinated in the United States or European Union with a European Medicines Agency, Swissmedic or United States Food and Drug Administration authorised vaccine.

Travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure test and a test on day two, with any positive results requiring isolation in line with domestic social distancing regulations. This will be sequenced to continue to manage the risk of importing variants.

We are unable to provide the information requested as it relates to the formulation of Government policy. Decisions regarding travel advice are informed by the data within the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s risks assessments alongside wider public health factors, including the percentage of a country’s population that have been vaccinated; the rate of infection; the prevalence of variants of concern; and the country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.

Decisions to place countries on the ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green’ lists are taken by Ministers informed by evidence, including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s risk assessments alongside other wider public health factors. We are unable to provide the advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions as it relates to the on-going development of Government policy. However, further information on the data informing international travel risk assessments is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-informing-international-travel-risk-assessments

Public Health England has published a paper into the Beta variant, ‘Evidence of escape of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351 from natural and vaccine-induced sera’, which is available at the following link:

https://researchportal.phe.gov.uk/en/publications/evidence-of-escape-of-sars-cov-2-variant-b1351-from-natural-and-v

The National Institute for Health Research has funded studies looking at specific aspects of variants of concern, including the Beta variant. The studies are in progress and details will be published in due course.

Public Health England’s (PHE) data published on 11 June shows that transmissibility of the Beta variant is similar to Alpha in the United Kingdom. PHE monitors the epidemiology and growth rate of all variants of concern in England. PHE also monitors the case fatality ratio of all variants of concern in England. The current case fatality ratio in England is similar between Alpha and Beta amongst those individuals who have completed 28 day follow up.

PHE’s risk assessment of 1 April 2021 states that there is evidence of reduced ability of vaccinated individuals to neutralise the virus, across vaccines. Evidence suggests the magnitude of this effect is larger for Beta, compared to Gamma or Alpha. There is clinical trial evidence of decreased effectiveness in humans for preventing mild to moderate infection with Beta variant. This varies by vaccine. PHE reviews and updates the variant risk assessment.

Decisions to designate countries as either ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green’ on the ‘traffic light’ system are taken by the Government to protect public health. They are informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s risks assessments alongside wider public health factors. We are unable to provide the advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions as it relates to the on-going development of Government policy. However, further information on the data informing international travel risk assessments is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-informing-international-travel-traffic-light-risk-assessments

Decisions to designate countries, such as Malta, as either ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green’ on the ‘traffic light’ system are taken by the Government to protect public health. They are informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s risks assessments alongside wider public health factors. We are unable to provide the advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions as it relates to the on-going development of Government policy. However, further information on the data informing international travel risk assessments is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-informing-international-travel-traffic-light-risk-assessments

Decisions to designate countries, such as Portugal, as either ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green’ on the ‘traffic light’ system are taken by the Government to protect public health. They are informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s risks assessments alongside wider public health factors.

We are unable to provide the advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions as it relates to the on-going development of Government policy. However, further information on the data informing international travel risk assessments is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-informing-international-travel-traffic-light-risk-assessments

We support the Learning Disability Mortality Review’s recommendation that the safety of people with epilepsy should be prioritised. It is for the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence to establish their guidelines and for the Care Quality Commission to agree how their inspections are conducted and what is considered.

In light of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths conducted by MBBRACE, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is reviewing all available data and arranging to meet with key patient support organisations and prescribers to explore how information provided to women can be improved. The conclusions of a safety review by the Commission of Human Medicines of the risks of epilepsy medicines in pregnancy have recently been published.

There are no current plans to issue specific guidance.

Data on deaths from epilepsy is published by the Office for National Statistics.

We have engaged extensively with the airline and travel sectors in implementing the managed quarantine scheme and continue to do so. We are looking at the role that technology can play in ensuring travellers are quarantining and supporting them through their quarantine period.

We continue to look at the role that technology can play in ensuring arrivals are quarantining and to provide them with support through their quarantine period.

Due to the increased risk of new variants entering the United Kingdom, introducing managed quarantine facilities for ‘red list’ arrivals and home quarantine with mandatory testing for other arrivals is the right course of action to take now to safeguard public health and the vaccine programme.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

A search of the Department's correspondence database showed that more than 11,600 cases were received relating to COVID-19 vaccines, as of 1 April. However, information relating to the number of cases on this specific issue could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) takes account of a range of scientific information including modelling work and this is cited in their minutes and published statements which are available at the following link:

https://app.box.com/s/iddfb4ppwkmtjusir2tc

The modelling work by Warwick University which informed the JCVI’s phase one advice is available at the following link:

http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/149402/1/WRAP-Modelling-optimal-vaccination-strategy-SARS-CoV-2-2021.pdf

The modelling work which informed their advice for extending the interval between the first and second dose is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prioritising-the-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose-jcvi-statement

The modelling work which informed the JCVI’s phase two interim advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/university-of-warwick-covid-19-vaccine-impact-forecast-13-january-2021

Clinical negligence liabilities for individuals engaged in providing the COVID-19 vaccination programme through general practitioner practices and National Health Service trusts will be managed under the usual state indemnity schemes for clinical negligence - the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice and the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts. In addition, pharmacy led sites will be covered by a state indemnity for clinical negligence to 31 August 2021. Volunteers provided by St John Ambulance are covered for clinical negligence by their own insurance.

The information requested is not currently held centrally. Work is ongoing across the vaccination programme to standardise and increase the information available for management purposes.

All vaccination services have been advised to maintain backup reserve list of eligible people to take up any missed appointments.

The Government’s policy, based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the four United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers, is that second doses should be administered within 12 weeks of the first dose. For the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the second dose may be given between three to 12 weeks following the first dose whilst the second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine may be given between four to 12 weeks following the first dose.

Recent data from Public Health England shows a single dose of either the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduces hospital admissions by 80% in the over 70 year olds. No assessment has been made of the potential effect on vaccine efficacy at a timeframe over 12 weeks.

Commercial confidentiality means that we cannot release any information on modelling that has been used by the Government, as that is contingent on sensitive supply information.

The Government’s priority for the current COVID-19 vaccination programme is the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection of health and social care staff and systems. Our prioritisation strategy for the vaccine roll-out has allowed us to protect the most vulnerable in society as quickly as possible. These aims, coupled with the capacity of NHS England and NHS Improvement to deploy vaccines has allowed initial vaccine targets to be set. By 15 February we had successfully offered a first vaccine dose to everyone in the top four priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and are on track to meet the mid-April target of offering a first vaccine dose to the top nine priority groups.

No vaccines should be wasted. All vaccination centres should have a backup list people in the cohorts currently being vaccinated, who can be called in case doses would be wasted. If no members of the currently vaccinated cohorts are available, it is recommended that members of the priority cohorts next in line be vaccinated.

In the unlikely case the above is not possible, and where the general practice can demonstrate exceptional circumstances showing that it is clinically appropriate and where resources would otherwise have been wasted, then individuals present on site should be vaccinated based on clinical judgement. This is in line with the Enhanced Service Specification for the COVID-19 vaccination programme 2020/21.

The decision to extend the dosing interval to up to twelve weeks was based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the United Kingdom’s four Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and was designed to maximize the impact of the vaccination programme.

After studying all the available data, the JCVI concluded that the first dose of either Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine provided substantial protection from severe COVID-19 disease within two to three weeks of vaccination.  Whilst the second vaccine dose is important to sustain the protection and extend its duration, in the short term the additional impact of the second dose is likely to be modest and most of the initial protection from clinical disease is after the first dose of vaccine.

The four UK CMOs agreed with the JCVI that prioritising the first doses of vaccine for as many people as possible on the priority list would protect the greatest number of at-risk people in the shortest possible time. The evidence underpinning the JCVI’s advice and the statement of the four CMOs can be found at the following links:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/prioritising-the-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose-jcvi-statement/optimising-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-maximum-short-term-impact

www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-on-the-prioritisation-of-first-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines

This policy is compatible with guidance issued by the manufacturer. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) Information for Healthcare Professionals regarding the Pfizer vaccine states that the second dose should be given at least 21 days after the first dose. This advice is based on clinical trial data and other information submitted to the MHRA by the manufacturer.

The interim guidance for use of the Pfizer Vaccine, set out by the World Health Organization on 8 January 2021, was not available to assess when the decision to extend the dose interval in the UK was made on 30 December 2020. Different organisations will come to their own view as to the vaccination approach appropriate to their respective situations, and compatibility with the advice of external organisations or institutions is not a pre-requisite for approaches taken within the Government’s vaccine deployment programme.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 16 July 2020 (HCWS378), the Government is clear that we must address the issues raised in the LeDeR report to ensure the care that each individual deserves is provided. We are considering the report and its recommendations in more detail, and will work with stakeholders to determine the specific action that must be taken.

The NHS England and NHS Improvement Rightcare Epilepsy toolkit, endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and developed in partnership with Epilepsy Action, SUDEP Action and Young Epilepsy, provides support for clinicians to understand the priorities in epilepsy care and key actions to take. The toolkit is available at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/rightcare/products/pathways/epilepsy-toolkit/

Clinicians should take into account best-practice guidance, including the Rightcare Epilepsy toolkit as well as other guidelines produced by NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE, when tackling epilepsy mortality and providing care for people suffering with epilepsy.

The Government is taking a cross-Government approach to address bereavement support and help ensure that families and friends of those deceased get the support they need – particularly during this difficult time. We are engaging with a range of specialist bereavement organisations to assess the need for support.

We will continue to engage with specialist bereavement organisations to assess how we can support them in doing their important work, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there are no specific plans to meet representatives of SUDEP Action at this time, the Government is committed to working with the charity sector to utilise their research into epilepsy, and to ensure that the needs and views of the diverse and often specialist stakeholders and services are captured and valued.

Public Health England has published translations of updated core public health guidance into the 10 most commonly spoken languages (other than English) in the United Kingdom. This information has been translated into the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese: simplified, Chinese: traditional, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu.

Preliminary work on developing the national sexual and reproductive health strategy began in autumn 2019. This work was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we are moving forward with the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, work on the national sexual health and reproductive health strategy will be restarting shortly.

Preliminary work on developing the national sexual and reproductive health strategy began in autumn 2019. This work was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we are moving forward with the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, work on the national sexual health and reproductive health strategy will be restarting shortly.

Households that are not in areas where local lockdown measures are in place can meet in groups of up to two households in any location or in any setting (or a household support bubble if they have one) and this includes staying overnight. This allows for people to provide childcare. They should socially distance where possible and practical but should also provide necessary care to children including where this requires being within two metres. When doing this they should take particular care to maintain excellent hygiene – washing hands and surfaces – when using shared facilities like bathrooms.

Guidance on meeting people from outside of the household has been published and can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household

UK Government ministers and our overseas missions continue to urge countries that criminalise LGBT+ individuals, and same sex conduct to uphold the universality of human rights, to decriminalise same-sex relations and to pass laws to protect their LGBT+ people from violence and discrimination. We remain committed to funding £3 million of LGBT+ rights projects this year, including project work with a focus on tackling discriminatory legislation.

The UK is committed to equitable access to vaccines, across Syria and globally, as demonstrated by our £548 million contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment. UK support will help distribute one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 92 developing countries, including Syria, in 2021. We recognise that the political situation in Syria is complex, and we are lobbying the UN and working with health partners to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are distributed to those in greatest need across the whole of Syria.

This complements the UK's existing support to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Syria, providing water, healthcare, hygiene kits and sanitation support for vulnerable Syrians across the country.

The UK is playing a major role in the global response as we galvanise support for our Four-Point Plan: 1) co-ordinating the global health response; 2) accelerating the search for a vaccine, treatments and testing; 3) securing a sound economic response; and 4) bringing our people home.

The Foreign Secretary and Ministerial team are carrying out extensive bilateral and multilateral engagement, including with G7/G20 counterparts, and working with international companies to tackle the crisis.

We are also working closely with UN Security Council members and the UN Secretary-General to address pandemic and secondary impacts, including instability.

Through our international engagement, we have repeatedly made clear that measures taken by States to tackle CV19 must be necessary, proportionate, time-bound, transparent and regularly reviewed.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the UK’s securities regulator, oversees equity markets and is responsible for maintaining the Official List. The FCA does not normally make public the fact that it is or is not investigating a particular matter, or any of the findings or conclusions of an investigation.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the UK’s securities regulator, oversees equity markets and is responsible for maintaining the Official List. The FCA does not normally make public the fact that it is or is not investigating a particular matter, or any of the findings or conclusions of an investigation.

This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the right honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the right honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

The Government strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights in line with Article 3 of INTERPOL's Constitution which strictly forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

The Home Office continues to work with INTERPOL and the National Crime Agency (NCA), which acts as the UK’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards. We encourage INTERPOL to uphold international human rights obligations and we won’t hesitate to recommend further reforms to INTERPOL as necessary.

During the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in London on 7-9 September we also secured commitments from international partners to strengthen our collective efforts to deter the misuse of INTERPOL systems and support organisational reform and governance at INTERPOL.

Proportionate due diligence is undertaken into individuals seeking election to the role of INTERPOL President. In the run up to the elections at the General Assembly, officials from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the National Crime Agency are in regular contact with international counterparts. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The Government strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights in line with Article 3 of INTERPOL's Constitution which strictly forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

The Home Office continues to work with INTERPOL and the National Crime Agency (NCA), which acts as the UK’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards. We encourage INTERPOL to uphold international human rights obligations and we won’t hesitate to recommend further reforms to INTERPOL as necessary.

During the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in London on 7-9 September we also secured commitments from international partners to strengthen our collective efforts to deter the misuse of INTERPOL systems and support organisational reform and governance at INTERPOL.

Proportionate due diligence is undertaken into individuals seeking election to the role of INTERPOL President. In the run up to the elections at the General Assembly, officials from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the National Crime Agency are in regular contact with international counterparts. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The Government strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights in line with Article 3 of INTERPOL's Constitution which strictly forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

The Home Office continues to work with INTERPOL and the National Crime Agency (NCA), which acts as the UK’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards. We encourage INTERPOL to uphold international human rights obligations and we won’t hesitate to recommend further reforms to INTERPOL as necessary.

During the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in London on 7-9 September we also secured commitments from international partners to strengthen our collective efforts to deter the misuse of INTERPOL systems and support organisational reform and governance at INTERPOL.

Proportionate due diligence is undertaken into individuals seeking election to the role of INTERPOL President. In the run up to the elections at the General Assembly, officials from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the National Crime Agency are in regular contact with international counterparts. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The Government strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights in line with Article 3 of INTERPOL's Constitution which strictly forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

The Home Office continues to work with INTERPOL and the National Crime Agency (NCA), which acts as the UK’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards. We encourage INTERPOL to uphold international human rights obligations and we won’t hesitate to recommend further reforms to INTERPOL as necessary.

During the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in London on 7-9 September we also secured commitments from international partners to strengthen our collective efforts to deter the misuse of INTERPOL systems and support organisational reform and governance at INTERPOL.

Proportionate due diligence is undertaken into individuals seeking election to the role of INTERPOL President. In the run up to the elections at the General Assembly, officials from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the National Crime Agency are in regular contact with international counterparts. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The Government strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights in line with Article 3 of INTERPOL's Constitution which strictly forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.

The Home Office continues to work with INTERPOL and the National Crime Agency (NCA), which acts as the UK’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, to monitor the effectiveness of existing safeguards. We encourage INTERPOL to uphold international human rights obligations and we won’t hesitate to recommend further reforms to INTERPOL as necessary.

During the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in London on 7-9 September we also secured commitments from international partners to strengthen our collective efforts to deter the misuse of INTERPOL systems and support organisational reform and governance at INTERPOL.

Proportionate due diligence is undertaken into individuals seeking election to the role of INTERPOL President. In the run up to the elections at the General Assembly, officials from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the National Crime Agency are in regular contact with international counterparts. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The INTERPOL General Secretariat (IPSG) regularly updates member countries with the list of candidates nominated for the Presidency. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

The INTERPOL General Secretariat (IPSG) regularly updates member countries with the list of candidates nominated for the Presidency. The decision on who to support will be based on a thorough assessment of the merits of each candidate.

Details of Ministers’ overseas travel are published quarterly on GOV.UK, and all travel is arranged in line with official regulations.

Ministers are able to claim an exemption from travel restrictions under the ‘Crown Servants or government contractors exemption’. The full text of this exemption can be found under the Government guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions, available on GOV.UK.

In cases such as this, the expectation is for costs to be met by private insurance. Communication channels for the public were set up through both the County and City Councils, and members of the public impacted by this incident were urged to go through those channels.

The Home Office does not routinely provide briefing when such instances occur. We would expect the local Council to keep residents and businesses updated.

The HO does not consider it is liable for any damage caused.

It is not for the Home Office to intervene in disputes between insurers and their clients, therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment.

In cases such as this, the expectation is for costs to be met by private insurance. Communication channels for the public were set up through both the County and City Councils, and members of the public impacted by this incident were urged to go through those channels.

The Home Office does not routinely provide briefing when such instances occur. We would expect the local Council to keep residents and businesses updated.

The HO does not consider it is liable for any damage caused.

It is not for the Home Office to intervene in disputes between insurers and their clients, therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment.

In cases such as this, the expectation is for costs to be met by private insurance. Communication channels for the public were set up through both the County and City Councils, and members of the public impacted by this incident were urged to go through those channels.

The Home Office does not routinely provide briefing when such instances occur. We would expect the local Council to keep residents and businesses updated.

The HO does not consider it is liable for any damage caused.

It is not for the Home Office to intervene in disputes between insurers and their clients, therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment.

In cases such as this, the expectation is for costs to be met by private insurance. Communication channels for the public were set up through both the County and City Councils, and members of the public impacted by this incident were urged to go through those channels.

The Home Office does not routinely provide briefing when such instances occur. We would expect the local Council to keep residents and businesses updated.

The HO does not consider it is liable for any damage caused.

It is not for the Home Office to intervene in disputes between insurers and their clients, therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment.

We are aware and have answered a number of parliamentary questions on the render safe operation carried out in Exeter in February. Regarding questions articulated in Rt Hon Bradshaw’s letter of the 5 March, we will write a fuller reply shortly.

Whether to seek extradition of an individual is a matter for the UK’s independent prosecution authorities. There is no Ministerial involvement.

As a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK will neither confirm nor deny that an extradition request has been made or received until an arrest has been made in relation to that request.

The Home Office does not confirm or comment on individual operational matters.

The Home Office does not confirm or comment on individual operational matters.

Work associated with the design and implementation of the Government’s proposed 14-day quarantine requirement, is being delivered within existing budget allocations. However, there will be additional costs associated with these new health measures, such as those relating to the development of new passenger locator form.

Work is underway to determine the additional costs; however, the Home Office does not routinely publish breakdowns of operational departmental spending. The information we do publish can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-to-2019.

Work associated with running the Government’s proposed 14-day quarantine requirement, is being delivered within existing budget allocations. However, it is expected there will be additional costs associated with maintaining these new health measures, such as those relating to accommodation.

Work is underway to determine the additional costs; however, the Home Office does not routinely publish breakdowns of operational departmental spending. The information we do publish can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-to-2019.

The scientific advice is that when domestic transmission of Covid-19 is reduced, new health measures at the border are an important part of managing the risk of new cases entering the UK from abroad and contributing to a second peak of the virus.

In order to keep overall levels of infection down, as the Government prepares for social contact to increase, a series of measures and restrictions will be introduced at the UK border. This will contribute to keeping the overall number of transmissions in the UK as low as possible.

The Government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK. Where international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the Government.

Further details, and guidance on measures including screening, will be set out shortly, and the measures and list of exemptions will be kept under regular review.