Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Require schools to make Friday a part of the school weekend
Gov Responded - 21 Apr 2022 Debated on - 27 Jun 2022 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsRequire schools to make Friday a day off school, meaning there will be 3 days that children will get to stay off every week.
Stop Forestry England granting licenses for Fox & Hare hunts
Gov Responded - 7 Dec 2020 Debated on - 25 Apr 2022 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsFor the most recent hunting season, Forestry England gave hunting licences for 34 fox & hare “trail hunts”. Despite hunting wild mammals with dogs being illegal, two of the licensed/previously licensed trail hunts have been associated with convictions under the Hunting and Animal Welfare Acts.
Mini’s law - Protect the public and animals from hunting activities
Gov Responded - 24 May 2021 Debated on - 25 Apr 2022 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsIn March 2021 Mini the cat was chased and killed by hunting hounds in a quiet residential area.
The Government should back Mini’s Law (Public and Animal Safety Bill 2021) to ensure safety to the public and animals from hunting activity, such as trail hunts and exercise of hunting hounds.
Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees.
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 6 Apr 2022 Debated on - 14 Mar 2022 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsJoin other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.
Make verified ID a requirement for opening a social media account.
Gov Responded - 5 May 2021 Debated on - 28 Feb 2022 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsMake it a legal requirement when opening a new social media account, to provide a verified form of ID. Where the account belongs to a person under the age of 18 verify the account with the ID of a parent/guardian, to prevent anonymised harmful activity, providing traceability if an offence occurs.
Introduce charges on carbon emissions to tackle climate crisis and air pollution
Gov Responded - 30 Mar 2021 Debated on - 1 Nov 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsAir pollution kills 64,000 people in the UK every year, yet the Government provides annual fossil fuel subsidies of £10.5 billion, according to the European Commission. To meet UK climate targets, the Government must end this practice and introduce charges on producers of greenhouse gas emissions.
Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsWe ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.
Commission an independent review of childcare funding and affordability
Gov Responded - 23 Jun 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsWe have the second most expensive childcare system in the world. A full time place costs, on average, £14,000 per year, making it completely unaffordable for many families. Parents are forced to leave their jobs or work fewer hours, which has a negative impact on the economy and on child poverty.
Increase curriculum content about water safety as part of swimming lessons
Gov Responded - 3 Jun 2021 Debated on - 12 Jul 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsAs a country we see many water-related fatalities every year. We see many more call outs to water related incidents. Throughout lockdown year our coastguards were tasked to almost double the call outs than in the previous year. Our children NEED to learn about Cold water shock & rip currents.
UK Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine
Gov Responded - 8 Jun 2021 Debated on - 14 Jun 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsRecognise the state of Palestine to help stop the conflict from Israel. Not recognising the Palestinian state allows Israel to continue their persecution of the Palestinians.
Introduce sanctions against Israel
Gov Responded - 8 Jun 2021 Debated on - 14 Jun 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsThe Government should introduce sanctions against Israel, including blocking all trade, and in particular arms.
End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry
Gov Responded - 11 Nov 2020 Debated on - 24 May 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsGovernment should support vulnerable children & #endchildfoodpoverty by implementing 3 recommendations from the National Food Strategy to expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals & activities during holidays to stop holiday hunger & increase the value of and expand the Healthy Start scheme
Improve Maternal Mortality Rates and Health Care for Black Women in the U.K.
Gov Responded - 25 Jun 2020 Debated on - 19 Apr 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsBlack Women in the U.K. are 5 times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth compared to White Women (MBRRACE, 2019). We need more research done into why this is happening and recommendations to improve health care for Black Women as urgent action is needed to address this disparity.
Give further financial support to the Events and Hospitality industry
Gov Responded - 15 Oct 2020 Debated on - 11 Jan 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsBeing the first to close and still no clue as to when we can open, this seasonal industry is losing its summer profits that allows them to get through the first quarter of next year.
Even if we are allowed to open in December, 1 months profit won't be enough to keep us open in 2021. We need help
Create a Minister for Hospitality in the UK Government
Gov Responded - 3 Nov 2020 Debated on - 11 Jan 2021 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsThe UK hospitality industry. Responsible for around 3m jobs, generating £130bn in activity, resulting in £38bn in taxation. Yet, unlike the Arts or Sports, we do not have a dedicated Minister.
We are asking that a Minister for Hospitality be created for the current, and successive governments.
Prevent gyms closing due to a spike in Covid 19 cases
Gov Responded - 28 Oct 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsIn the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.
Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19
Gov Responded - 23 Nov 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsIsolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.
Increase Number of Guests Permitted at Weddings, according to Venue Capacity
Gov Responded - 11 Sep 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsWeddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.
Let Us Dance - Support nightclubs, dance music events and festivals
Gov Responded - 14 Oct 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsExtend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance
Extend maternity leave by 3 months with pay in light of COVID-19
Gov Responded - 14 May 2020 Debated on - 5 Oct 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsIn light of the recent outbreak and lock down, those on maternity leave should be given 3 extra months paid leave, at least. This time is for bonding and social engaging with other parents and babies through baby groups which are vital for development and now everything has been cancelled.
Give UK nurseries emergency funding if they have to close down amid COVID-19
Gov Responded - 14 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsIf nurseries are shut down in view of Covid-19, the Government should set up an emergency fund to ensure their survival and ensure that parents are not charged the full fee by the nurseries to keep children's places.
Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work
Gov Responded - 4 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsI would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.
We would like the government to consider social care as equally important to NHS
Gov Responded - 20 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsWe would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.
Provide financial support to performers and creators during the COVID-19 crisis
Gov Responded - 22 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsThe prospect of widespread cancellations of concerts, theatre productions and exhibitions due to COVID-19 threatens to cause huge financial hardship for Britain's creative community. We ask Parliament to provide a package of emergency financial and practical support during this unpredictable time.
Reduce or scrap the immigration health surcharge for overseas NHS Staff.
Gov Responded - 29 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsTo revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.
Extend grants immediately to small businesses outside of SBRR
Gov Responded - 29 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsThe cash grants proposed by Government are only for businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Relief, or for particular sectors. Many small businesses fall outside these reliefs desperately need cash grants and support now.
Government to offer economic assistance to the events industry during COVID-19
Gov Responded - 27 Mar 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsFor the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.
Make nurseries exempt from business rates to support the childcare sector
Gov Responded - 2 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsAfter owning nurseries for 29 years I have never experienced such damaging times for the sector with rising costs not being met by the funding rates available. Business Rates are a large drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.
Offer more support to the arts (particularly Theatres and Music) amidst COVID-19
Gov Responded - 20 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsAs we pass the COVID-19 Peak, the Government should: State where the Theatres and Arts fit in the Coronavrius recovery Roadmap, Create a tailor made financial support mechanism for the Arts sector & Clarify how Social Distancing will affect arts spaces like Theatres and Concert Venues.
Support the British aviation industry during the COVID-19 outbreak
Gov Responded - 7 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsAs a result of the COVID-19 outbreak there are travel bans imposed by many countries, there is a disastrous potential impact on our Aviation Industry. Without the Government’s help there could be an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of jobs under threat.
Give non-British citizens who are NHS workers automatic citizenship
Gov Responded - 6 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsGive NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.
Business Rate Relief to be extended to all small businesses in healthcare.
Gov Responded - 5 Jun 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsTo extend the business rate relief to all dental practices and medical and aesthetics clinics and any small business that’s in healthcare
Provide financial help to zoos, aquariums, & rescue centres during the pandemic.
Gov Responded - 28 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Catherine McKinnell's petition debate contributionsZoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.
These initiatives were driven by Catherine McKinnell, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Catherine McKinnell has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Catherine McKinnell has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require certain public procurement contracts let by public authorities to include a commitment by the contractor to provide apprenticeships and skills training; and for connected purposes.
Catherine McKinnell has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The government is committed to understanding and addressing the ethnic disparities in maternal mortality rates. Maternal deaths are fortunately rare and overall women’s experiences of maternity care are positive, but it remains important we encourage every expectant mother to engage with NHS maternity services so they get the support they are entitled to.
I have been supporting the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in this area since last summer. This includes co-hosting a roundtable discussion on maternal mortality rates for ethnic minority women in September 2020, which identified the need for more intelligent use of data to target action.
Following this, officials in the Race Disparity Unit have been working with DHSC colleagues to understand how data can be disaggregated and flow more easily among NHS agencies, and research bodies. They have also been supporting DHSC officials on initiatives such as the new £7.6m Health and Wellbeing Fund that will support 19 projects to reduce health inequalities among new mothers and babies.
Nobody should miss out on their education because of their period. Our Period Product scheme makes free products available for primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England. Our supplier is actively contacting organisations who have not yet ordered products. Period products should be available, if learners need them, even during lockdown. I encourage all schools and colleges to make use of this fantastic scheme.
In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening different sectors in England, guided by science and the data. It is important that we take a cautious approach in easing restrictions, so that we can see the impact of the steps we are taking before moving to the next step.
For that reason, we will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review, in line with the changing situation. Guidance on weddings at Step 3 will be updated at least a week in advance, taking into account developments in the pandemic.
At Step 3, no earlier than 17 May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-19 Secure venues. Receptions can also proceed with up to 30 people in a COVID-19 Secure indoor venue, or outdoors, which includes private gardens.
For further information, please refer to the guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships
For further information, please refer to the guidance for for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations:
Domestic production of coal, alongside the amounts of coal imported in the UK, have been steadily declining in the last five years. This is evidenced by the figures published by the Department here: DUKES table 2.4.
In order to tackle climate change and deliver a net zero economy by 2050, we need to further reduce our use of coal. We are among the first countries in the world to commit to closing all unabated coal power plants. We intend to do this by 2024.
Domestic production of coal, alongside the amounts of coal imported in the UK, have been steadily declining in the last five years. This is evidenced by the figures published by the Department here: DUKES table 2.4.
In order to tackle climate change and deliver a net zero economy by 2050, we need to further reduce our use of coal. We are among the first countries in the world to commit to closing all unabated coal power plants. We intend to do this by 2024.
The Online Safety Bill will require social media platforms to tackle illegal content, including illegal abuse. The largest, high risk platforms will also need to set clear terms of service for such content and ensure they are properly enforced. Ofcom will set out steps that companies can take to fulfil their duties in codes of practice, and these could include measures such as preventing banned users from creating new accounts.
OFCOM will be able to sanction companies where they fail to adequately fulfil their new duties under the Bill. OFCOM will have a range of enforcement powers available to it, including: powers to issue substantial fines, require operators to take steps to remedy breaches and/or come into compliance with their duties, and to apply to the court for business disruption measures (including blocking) where appropriate.
The Online Safety Bill contains robust protections for women, girls and disabled people online, who face disproportionate volumes of abuse.
All services in scope will need to put in place proportionate systems and processes to minimise the risk of priority illegal content appearing on their service and to swiftly remove it when it does appear. This will protect all online users, including from content which could constitute hate speech under the Public Order Act 1986. This includes behaviours that are threatening and abusive and result in harassment, alarm or distress. The list of priority offences includes a number of offences which disproportionately afffect women and girls, such as revenge pornography and cyberstalking, which companies must tackle.
Beyond the priority offences, all services will need to ensure that they have quickly taken down other illegal content directed at women and girls and disabled people once it has been reported or they become aware of its presence. Women, girls and disabled users will also be able to report abuse, and should expect to receive an appropriate response from the platform. Ofcom will also have a duty to consider the vulnerability of users whose circumstances appear to put them in need of special protection when performing its duties.
If major platforms don’t fulfil their own standards to keep people safe, they could face an investigation and enforcement action.
The voluntary, non-statutory guidance entitled ‘Online Safety Guidance if you own or manage an online platform’ published by the Government is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and at start-up organisations, specifically those that are likely to be in scope of future Online Safety legislation. The guidance was developed in consultation with relevant SMEs and start-ups to understand their needs and to frame the guidance in the most user-friendly and effective way. This included multiple rounds of user research and feedback on how information should be presented.
We are unable to publicly name individual companies that took part in user testing, due to the approach agreed with these organisations when they took part in the research. DCMS also worked with relevant industry bodies who represent hundreds of SME and start-up organisations to draw up the content for the guidance. This includes Tech Nation, the Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec), the Federation of Small Businesses, the Independent Game Developers' Association (Tiga) and the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE), as well as subject matter experts in government and civil society.
The BBFC offers unparalleled expertise in content classification. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the BBFC, on the video sharing platform regime and the upcoming Online Safety Bill.
The video sharing platform regime, for which Ofcom is the regulator, came into force on 1 November 2020. UK-established video sharing platforms must now take appropriate measures to protect the public, including minors, from illegal and harmful material. Video sharing platforms are not currently mandated to adopt BBFC ratings, nor is it expected that they will be mandated to do so under Ofcom’s regulatory regime for video sharing platforms.
The Government recognises age ratings as an important tool for audience protection, however they are most effective when used in conjunction with other protection tools, such as age assurance and parental controls. Video sharing platforms encompass a broad range of services so it is important that there is flexibility in the regime to be able to adopt tailored approaches. Platforms should consider what measures are most appropriate and proportionate when introducing them on their services.
The BBFC is engaging with both Ofcom and online platforms to share their expertise on emerging technologies and the applicability of content ratings. The Government will also continue to engage with the BBFC, Ofcom and industry to encourage platforms to adopt appropriate content labelling and other age assurance measures in relation to the upcoming Online Safety Bill.
Ministers and officials will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders on the development of the Online Safety Bill, including the BBFC. The BBFC offers unparalleled expertise in content classification, including pornographic content.
The video sharing platform regime, for which Ofcom is the regulator, came into force on 1 November 2020. UK-established video sharing platforms must now take appropriate measures to protect the public, including minors, from illegal and harmful material. Ofcom, and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) have a strong collaborative relationship when working on audience protection issues. The BBFC is engaging actively with both Ofcom and video sharing platforms to share their expertise on emerging technologies and the applicability of content ratings.
Over the past year the government has also been working with the BBFC and industry to drive the voluntary adoption of the BBFC’s age rating symbols by video on demand platforms. We will continue to engage with industry to encourage platforms to use BBFC age ratings, and will keep the evidence for legislation in this area under review.
We know that businesses in arts, culture, entertainment and hospitality have been hit hard by this pandemic. That's why we secured an unprecedented £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund of which over £1 billion has so far been allocated so far to over 3000 organisations.
This is along a world class package of broader economy measures worth hundreds of billions, including the furloughing scheme and the Self Employed Income Support Scheme
Ministers and officials have had regular meetings and discussions with industry, Ofcom and other stakeholders on a range of issues over the last three months, including online safety. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Gov.uk website.
The government is committed to delivering nationwide coverage of gigabit-capable broadband as soon as possible by encouraging network build by Openreach and a range of alternative competing networks. Gigabit broadband will provide customers in urban areas with access to faster and more resilient broadband.
To support this objective, we are taking action to remove barriers to the commercial roll out of faster broadband. For example, we have introduced legislation into Parliament to make it easier to connect tenanted properties where there are unresponsive landlords. In addition, we have plans to mandate connectivity in new builds, and are working with the Department for Transport to reform the streetworks regime to make it quicker and easier to deploy new networks.
Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2019 found that 2% of all urban properties (approximately 322,000 premises) in the UK could receive a fixed broadband connection that was above the threshold for the Universal Service Obligation but below 30Mbps, the typical minimum speed delivered by Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) technology. These statistics consider only fixed network provision.
The Department does not hold the information about how many or what proportion of properties are specifically connected using Fibre to the Cabinet technology. Many urban properties can also access 30 Mbps speeds or more using cable networks, as well as 4G and 5G mobile services capable of delivering broadband speeds above the Universal Service Obligation thresholds.
The Ofcom Connected Nations Report 2019 found that 1% of all urban properties (approximately 161,000 premises) in the UK were unable to access a fixed broadband connection that met the minimum speed thresholds under the Universal Service Obligation (USO). However, the vast majority of these premises are likely to be able to access a 4G or 5G mobile service that provides USO level download and upload speeds or higher and will not therefore be eligible for an upgraded connection under the Universal Service Obligation.
The speed and technical requirements of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) were set on the basis of advice from Ofcom that they would meet broadband requirements of a typical household, including both voice and video calls, and the government’s consultation on the USO. The USO acts as a digital safety net for households unable to access a broadband service that meets these requirements at present. The government is committed to keeping the USO specification under review in light of consumer’s evolving needs and connectivity usage trends.
Since the announcement on 2 April 2022, the Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care officials have been engaging with nominated officers from the 75 eligible local authorities. Departmental officials held a series of webinars and focus groups to provide an overview of the programme, and to respond to questions. The discussions were also used to seek information and views from the local authority officers on various elements of the detailed programme design, to ensure that the funding is used effectively.
Local authorities have been provided with a dedicated email address where they can contact departmental officials working on the programme. Local authorities will receive further detailed information once this process concludes.
The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.
As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.
The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.
As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.
The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.
As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.
The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
The department will be extending free school meal (FSM) eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). More information on this can be found in written statement HCWS714, available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-03-24/hcws714.
Information on the number of children who received a free meal, and attracted pupil premium funding under the temporary extension of FSM eligibility to some NRPF households in the 2021/22 financial year can be found in the third document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2021-to-2022.
Under benefits-related criteria, the department provide a free healthy meal to around 1.7 million children, ensuring they are well nourished, and can concentrate, learn, and achieve in the classroom.
Under this government, eligibility for free school meals has been extended several times, including through the introduction of universal infant free school meals, and further education free school meals.
The department are permanently extending free school meal eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, we want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.
To support this, the department provides an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals. We continue to explore ways that the verification process can be improved.
As announced in the Spring Statement, the government is continuing to provide targeted cost of living support for households most in need. From April 2022, the government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1 billion.
Under benefits-related criteria, the department provide a free healthy meal to around 1.7 million children, ensuring they are well nourished, and can concentrate, learn, and achieve in the classroom.
Under this government, eligibility for free school meals has been extended several times, including through the introduction of universal infant free school meals, and further education free school meals.
The department are permanently extending free school meal eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, we want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.
To support this, the department provides an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals. We continue to explore ways that the verification process can be improved.
As announced in the Spring Statement, the government is continuing to provide targeted cost of living support for households most in need. From April 2022, the government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1 billion.
Under benefits-related criteria, the department provide a free healthy meal to around 1.7 million children, ensuring they are well nourished, and can concentrate, learn, and achieve in the classroom.
Under this government, eligibility for free school meals has been extended several times, including through the introduction of universal infant free school meals, and further education free school meals.
The department are permanently extending free school meal eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.
Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, we want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.
To support this, the department provides an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals. We continue to explore ways that the verification process can be improved.
As announced in the Spring Statement, the government is continuing to provide targeted cost of living support for households most in need. From April 2022, the government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1 billion.
As noted in the previous response, we do not routinely collect information on the proportion of pupils that would be entitled to a free school meal (FSM) but do not make a claim.
There are now 1.7 million pupils eligible and claiming FSM. This information is published annually in the Statistical First Release: Schools, pupils and their characteristics. The latest available data was published in June 2021, based on the January 2021 census. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2021.
Under this government, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century.
We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming FSM, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility. We have taken a number of steps to support this, as set out in the previous response.
The department wants as many eligible pupils as possible to claim their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.
Since December 2016, when the referenced question was asked, the department has continued to develop and provide an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. We have continued to provide a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals.
The department has also provided guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals.
Pupil premium allocations for the 2021/22 financial year have been published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2021-to-2022.
The Department has also published the impact of moving to using the October census for the pupil premium for mainstream and special schools. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-effective-use-and-accountability.
The calculation of pupil premium allocations is resource intensive. There are no plans to calculate hypothetical allocations showing what each school would have received if the pupil premium had been allocated on a different basis.
On 16 December, we wrote to all local authorities to inform them of their individual indicative allocation of funding for the Holiday Activities and Food programme 2021. We are working closely with colleagues from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to finalise grant determination documentation, which will be published on the GOV.UK website in due course.
There are no plans to publish a comprehensive dataset from the October 2020 (Autumn) school census.
Data collected in the autumn census on exclusions relates to the 2019/20 academic year and is expected to be published in July 2021. No data was collected on pupil absence in the autumn census 2020.
The Department release annual National Statistics in the Schools, pupils and their characteristics publication, based on the Spring Census, collected in January. This includes data on pupil numbers by characteristics including gender, age, free school meals eligibility, language, and ethnicity, alongside data on class sizes and school numbers. The latest release is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics.
Further information on Special Educational Needs is also produced from the Spring Census and released in the ‘Special educational needs in England’ publication, available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england.
Palliative care can help children with life limiting or life ending conditions to have a good quality of life where they get treatment, care and support. Regular palliative care can enable parents to work and also can prevent escalation of needs later on.
While the government has not done any recent assessment of the economic benefits of short breaks for respite for children who need palliative care, local authorities have a statutory duty to assess the social care needs of disabled children and young people, and to provide respite care where necessary. Where it is appropriate, local authorities can fund respite care provided by hospices, either as a short-term stay or as a service provided to the child or young person in the family home by the hospice team. Local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups regularly liaise to plan and commission the most appropriate package of respite care for the children and young people with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition in their area.
The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) has been set up as part of the Government’s £1 billion response to support disadvantaged pupils to catch up from disruption to their education. The tuition partners pillar, delivered by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), has 32 approved tuition partners, selected against a robust set of criteria, to provide high-quality subsidised tuition to schools.
The NTP tuition partners will support schools in all regions of England through a good blend of national and regional providers. Additional places have been allocated to regions with the largest numbers of disadvantaged pupils and in regions where access to tutoring has historically been lower. Regional allocations were determined by taking as a baseline the proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium within a region and then adjusting to recognise the disparities in current levels of tutoring provision. This also reflected the allocations made to Opportunity Areas and the North East of England. The programme opened to schools on 2 November and, working with EEF, we will continue to monitor tuition take-up throughout the course of this academic year to ensure that the NTP is taken up by schools with pupils who need the most support.
Further information on how schools can access tuition partner support can be found here: https://nationaltutoring.org.uk/faqs.
The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) has been set up as part of the Government’s £1 billion response to support disadvantaged pupils to catch up from disruption to their education. The tuition partners pillar, delivered by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), has 32 approved tuition partners, selected against a robust set of criteria, to provide high-quality subsidised tuition to schools.
The NTP tuition partners will support schools in all regions of England through a good blend of national and regional providers. Additional places have been allocated to regions with the largest numbers of disadvantaged pupils and in regions where access to tutoring has historically been lower. Regional allocations were determined by taking as a baseline the proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium within a region and then adjusting to recognise the disparities in current levels of tutoring provision. This also reflected the allocations made to Opportunity Areas and the North East of England. The programme opened to schools on 2 November and, working with EEF, we will continue to monitor tuition take-up throughout the course of this academic year to ensure that the NTP is taken up by schools with pupils who need the most support.
Further information on how schools can access tuition partner support can be found here: https://nationaltutoring.org.uk/faqs.
The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) has been set up as part of the Government’s £1 billion response to support disadvantaged pupils to catch up from disruption to their education. The tuition partners pillar, delivered by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), has 32 approved tuition partners, selected against a robust set of criteria, to provide high-quality subsidised tuition to schools.
The NTP tuition partners will support schools in all regions of England through a good blend of national and regional providers. Additional places have been allocated to regions with the largest numbers of disadvantaged pupils and in regions where access to tutoring has historically been lower. Regional allocations were determined by taking as a baseline the proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium within a region and then adjusting to recognise the disparities in current levels of tutoring provision. This also reflected the allocations made to Opportunity Areas and the North East of England. The programme opened to schools on 2 November and, working with EEF, we will continue to monitor tuition take-up throughout the course of this academic year to ensure that the NTP is taken up by schools with pupils who need the most support.
Further information on how schools can access tuition partner support can be found here: https://nationaltutoring.org.uk/faqs.
The Department wants to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe, and equip them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why we have made Relationships Education compulsory for primary school age pupils, Relationships and Sex Education compulsory for secondary school age pupils and Health Education compulsory for pupils in all state funded schools.
The statutory duty to implement the new subjects has now come into force. However, considering the circumstances faced by our schools, the Department is reassuring schools that they have flexibility over when they discharge their duty within the first year of compulsory teaching.
The statutory guidance sets out that as part of Relationships Education, all primary aged pupils will be taught the importance of respecting others, even when they are very different from them, or make different choices or have different preferences or beliefs. Pupils will also be taught what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes can be unfair, negative or destructive.
Schools can also teach about racism and religion in personal, social, health and economic education and citizenship education where pupils can develop their understanding of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and the need for mutual respect and understanding. All state funded schools are required by legislation or by their funding agreements to teach religious education to all registered pupils aged 5 to 18 years. Teaching religious education is also part of schools’ activity to meet their legal duty to promote young people’s spiritual, moral and cultural development.
Schools are required to actively promote fundamental British values, including democracy as well as the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faith and beliefs.
The information requested is set out in the attached table.
The information requested is set out in the attached table.
The figures requested are provided in the attached table.
The numbers of looked-after children as at 31 March in a foster placement with a relative or friend, under all legal statuses, are published annually in table A2 of the statistical release: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019.
As set out in my response of PQ 18831 (https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-02-21/18831/) on 23 February 2020, under section 34 of the Children Act 1989, children who are subject to a care order can apply to the court to make an order for contact with any named person, including their siblings. The child’s social worker or the Independent Reviewing Officer can assist the child in obtaining legal advice or in establishing whether an appropriate adult is able and willing to provide such assistance or bring the proceedings on his/her behalf.
Contact can be very important in helping children and young people develop their sense of identity and understand their lives and their sense of self. The government believes that contact between a looked after child and their siblings is very important and should be encouraged.
Ultimately, contact arrangements should be focused on, and shaped around, the child’s needs. The child’s welfare is the paramount consideration at all times and each child’s wishes and needs for contact should be individually considered and regularly assessed.
The number of children previously looked after counted for Pupil Premium Plus in each local authority in 2020-21 are shown in the attached table, including the number of those on (a) special guardianship order, (b) child arrangements order, (c) residence order and (d) adoption order.
This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The Department is discussing arrangement for the autumn GCSE and A level examination series with Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator. Ofqual will set out further proposals for consultation as soon as possible.
This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced to the House on 18 March, the Government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all examinations due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer, as part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form courses, an apprenticeship or a job. For students at Key Stage 4 taking GCSEs and technical awards, we will ensure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. Our intention is that a grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available evidence, including any non-examination assessment that students have completed. This will apply to home-schooled pupils and to other private candidates where the head of the examination centre is confident that they and their staff have seen sufficient evidence of students’ achievements to make objective judgements. If they wish to do so, home-schooled students and others will have the option to sit an examination as soon as is reasonably possible after the beginning of the academic year.
Ofqual is urgently exploring whether there are alternative options for those students who do not have an existing relationship with an examination centre and who need results this summer for progression purposes. Ofqual published a consultation on the treatment of private candidates and other issues on 15 April.
Our school and college leaders are central to the country’s response to this current crisis.
School and college staff who are pregnant should follow the central guidance from Public Health England (PHE). The guidance states that anyone who is pregnant should be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. The Government would expect all employers to support any staff who are pregnant and at risk. The guidance from PHE is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people.
Social distancing guidance for educational settings has been published, and states that staff at an increased risk of serious illness as a result of COVID-19, such as those that are pregnant, should work from home where possible, and education and childcare settings should endeavour to support this. This additional guidance is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings.
From Friday 20 March, schools, colleges and early years settings are closed to everyone except children of critical workers and vulnerable children, as part of the country’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
Guidance has been issued to schools setting out how they should record attendance at this time.
The Government has also introduced emergency legislation to allow a suspension of the requirement on parents to secure regular school attendance for their child of compulsory school age.
The Government has asked local authorities to suspend any penalty notice action or prosecutions for COVID-19 related absence with immediate effect. Local authorities should update their Code of Conduct for issuing penalty notices to make this clear. New cases should not be taken forward and any cases from 16 March should be withdrawn. This approach should also be applied to prosecutions for non-attendance.
On 19 March, the government published guidance for schools, giving them the flexibility to provide meals or shop vouchers to the 1.3 million children entitled to free school meals if they are no longer attending school, either due to closures or as a result of self-isolating at home.
The guidance can be viewed at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance.
COVID-19 is clearly an unprecedented situation and the department’s highest priority.
We are working closely with colleagues across government to ensure that appropriate arrangements and support are in place for all the department’s sectors – from early years and childcare to schools and children’s social care, and for vulnerable groups including children with complex health and care needs.
The government has published guidance for implementing isolation in atypical settings, such as special settings, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings.
We have also published questions and answers about the provisions being made for vulnerable children and young people: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people.
On 16 March, the Government announced that all exams due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer would be cancelled as part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form courses or apprenticeships in the autumn. For GCSE, A and AS level students, we will make sure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. Our intention is that a grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available evidence, including any non-exam assessment that students have already completed. The qualifications regulator Ofqual is working urgently with the exam boards to set out proposals for how this process will work and more information will be provided as soon as possible. Given that exams will not be taking place, the normal special consideration arrangements will not apply to the awarding of grades this summer.
We recognise that some students may nevertheless feel disappointed that they haven’t been able to sit their exams. If they do not believe the correct process has been followed in their case, they will be able to appeal on that basis. In addition, if they do not feel their calculated grade reflects their performance, they will have the opportunity to sit an exam, once schools and colleges are open again. The existing special consideration arrangements will apply to any students who experience exceptional circumstances when sitting those exams: as we expect that many fewer students will be sitting the exams than in a normal exam series we are confident that the exam boards’ existing systems will be able to cope with the likely volume of such requests.
It remains our intention to undertake a review of the regulations, as committed to during the passage of the Children and Social Work Bill, as soon as resources permit. In the meantime, we are clear that allowing reasonable contact between looked after children and their siblings is absolutely right where this is in the best interests of the children involved and the Children Act 1989 already provides for this.
Information on children looked after as at 31 March 2019 by placement is published in Table A2 of the annual statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2018 to 2019’, which is available at the following link:
The information requested on family context is not held centrally.
Data relating to the year ended 31 March 2020 will be released in Autumn 2020, in line with our publication schedule.
The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The latest figures on children taken into care by age and placement type are published for England at 31 March 2019 in Table A1 and A2 of the statistical release ‘Children Looked after in England including adoptions: 2018:2019’ which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019.
Figures on children by age and placement type have also been published separately, at local authority and regional level, in the underlying data table ‘CLA2019’. These are available at the same link.
Information on children looked after as at 31 March 2019 by placement is published in Table A2 of the annual statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2018 to 2019’, which is available at the following link:
The information requested on family context is not held centrally.
Data relating to the year ended 31 March 2020 will be released in Autumn 2020, in line with our publication schedule.
Information on the number of children who started to be looked after by individual age group and within a week of birth is shown in the attached table.
Table C2 of the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England (including adoption): 2018 to 2019’ is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019 and includes information for the same population of children by placement type.
Information on the number of children who started to be looked after by individual age group and within a week of birth is shown in the attached table.
Table C2 of the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England (including adoption): 2018 to 2019’ is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019 and includes information for the same population of children by placement type.
The forthcoming Government Food Strategy will set out the Government’s ambition and priorities for the food system, considering the evidence set out in Henry Dimbleby’s independent review and building on additional topics.
We are actively collaborating across Government to cover the entire food system and consider the unforeseen challenges that the agri-food sector has faced this last year since the independent review was published.
We expect to publish the Government Food Strategy shortly.
My officials met with retailers, and other interested parties, at a roundtable on 24 August 2020 to consider the use of peat in the horticultural sector. The roundtable was part of a series of roundtables to discuss the England Peat Strategy. The Government continues to be committed to phasing out the use of peat in horticulture in England, and we will set out plans to speed this up in the England Peat Strategy. We plan on publishing the strategy later this year.
Data on the quantity of peat sold in the UK is only available for 2018 and 2019. The total volume of peat sold in 2018 was 2.11 million m3, and 2.06 million m3 in 2019.
My officials met with retailers, and other interested parties, at a roundtable on 24 August 2020 to consider the use of peat in the horticultural sector. The roundtable was part of a series of roundtables to discuss the England Peat Strategy. The Government continues to be committed to phasing out the use of peat in horticulture in England, and we will set out plans to speed this up in the England Peat Strategy. We plan on publishing the strategy later this year.
Data on the quantity of peat sold in the UK is only available for 2018 and 2019. The total volume of peat sold in 2018 was 2.11 million m3, and 2.06 million m3 in 2019.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement is the first free trade agreement the EU has reached based on zero tariffs and quotas and is fantastic news for the North East. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes Rules of Origin that frequently exceed what the EU has previously agreed. For example, innovative rules to support trade in electric vehicles will benefit our world-leading car manufacturers including in the North East.
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is currently determining eligibility criteria for the new Direct Lending Facility for clean growth solutions which was announced at the Budget in March. UKEF will publish guidance on its website shortly.
The facility will provide fixed-rate loans directly to overseas borrowers to help them finance the purchase of capital goods and/or services from UK exporters and suppliers to support clean growth project internationally up to a value of £200 million per loan.
UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) new Direct Lending Facility for clean growth which was announced at the Budget in March will support overseas borrowers to help them finance the purchase of capital goods and/or services from UK exporters and suppliers to support clean growth projects internationally. The eligibility criteria for this new facility are currently being developed but the facility will contribute to supporting overseas countries in transitioning to cleaner energy sources, through renewable, low carbon and green growth solutions. It will complement UKEF’s competitive product range to help ensure no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, while operating at no net-cost to the taxpayer.
In line with all its export credit support, and UK’s international commitments, UKEF will where applicable, conduct environmental, social and human rights due diligence of projects it is asked to support. This applies equally to its existing and new Direct Lending facilities.
There is no set decision timeline for the Mozambique LNG project. UK Export Finance (UKEF), along with other finance parties, will assess timings at each relevant stage of the development of a transaction.
UKEF is committed to high standards of environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) risk management. It rigorously follows the requirements of the OECD Common Approaches and Equator Principles, which set the framework for managing such risks for export credit agencies and international financial institutions. It has a specialist ESHR team that reviews relevant projects prior to UKEF taking a decision. Supported projects are then monitored by the ESHR team throughout the lifetime of UKEF’s support to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The Government has published a Category A notice which includes a summary providing an overview of an Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment of the Mozambique LNG project.
UK Export Finance is in the process of undertaking its due diligence of the project including environmental, social and human rights matters.
Individual overseas governments who are signatories to the Paris Agreement make their own decisions as to how they will reduce their national greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Government is committed to working with countries across the world to support their transition towards cleaner energy sources.
The Government is actively considering how we can modernise our fares and ticketing offer, to develop more convenient and better value options for everyone.
However, these are unprecedented times and our immediate focus must be on ensuring that we keep the railway available and safe for those who need to rely upon it.
The Government is committed to transforming our railways and building on the detailed, evidence based priorities Keith Williams set out. Covid-19 has had a clear impact across the sector and we are considering how best to deliver reform including fares reform in light of the unique challenges posed by Covid-19.
The Government recognises that Covid-19 has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects on commuter behavior.
In order to support a green recovery and new working patterns, the Department is working with industry to explore options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.
The Government is committed to transforming our railways and building on the detailed, evidence based priorities Keith Williams set out. Covid-19 has had a clear impact across the sector and we are considering how best to deliver reform including fares reform in light of the unique challenges posed by Covid-19.
The Government recognises that Covid-19 has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects on commuter behaviour. In order to support a green recovery and new working patterns, the Department is working with industry to explore options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.
The Government is committed to transforming our railways and building on the detailed, evidence based priorities Keith Williams set out. We want to create a railway that puts passengers first, where passengers know who is in charge, that delivers a fairer ticketing system and which delivers value for money.
Covid-19 has had a clear impact across the sector and we are considering how best to deliver reform including fares reform in light of the unique challenges posed by Covid-19.
The Department for Transport is actively monitoring the impact on jobs in the aviation sector from Covid-19 at the national and regional level, with support from other government Departments. The unprecedented reduction in demand as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak means the aviation sector’s labour market has suffered a significant impact. The aviation sector and associated supply chain has seen a high uptake of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and tens of thousands of proposed redundancies, with impacts likely across the regions of the United Kingdom.
The Government recognises the importance of supporting the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. We seek to balance recovery of debt against not causing hardship for claimants and their families.
Since April 2021, we have reduced the normal maximum rate of deductions in Universal Credit from 40% to 25% of a claimant’s Standard Allowance. These positive measures were put in place to support claimants to manage financial difficulties.
The requested information is provided in the attached spreadsheet.
Local welfare assistance is an umbrella term used to describe local authority provision for people who are in need of urgent help. The ability of local authorities to act in this area are provided under various powers, for example, section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 enables local authorities to provide financial assistance to any individual.
Provision of local welfare assistance is entirely the responsibility of local authorities. Councils have flexibility to use the funding they receive from the annual Local Government Finance Settlement for local welfare assistance. Next year, depending on local decisions, Core Spending Power in England may rise from £49 billion in 2020-21 to up to £51.3 billion in 2021-22, a 4.6% increase in cash terms. If councils do decide to take up the entirety of the increase on offer, they will see an increase in line with last years. This recognises the resources councils need to meet their pressures and maintain current service levels.
Going forward, we will continue working with individual local authorities to support the most vulnerable people affected during the pandemic.
Local welfare assistance is an umbrella term used to describe local authority provision for people who are in need of urgent help. The ability of local authorities to act in this area are provided under various powers, for example, section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 enables local authorities to provide financial assistance to any individual.
Provision of local welfare assistance is entirely the responsibility of local authorities. Councils have flexibility to use the funding they receive from the annual Local Government Finance Settlement for local welfare assistance. Next year, depending on local decisions, Core Spending Power in England may rise from £49 billion in 2020-21 to up to £51.3 billion in 2021-22, a 4.6% increase in cash terms. If councils do decide to take up the entirety of the increase on offer, they will see an increase in line with last years. This recognises the resources councils need to meet their pressures and maintain current service levels.
Going forward, we will continue working with individual local authorities to support the most vulnerable people affected during the pandemic.
i) Entitlement to Working Tax Credit provides an exemption to the application of the benefit cap. Therefore, no benefit cap implications apply to Working Tax Credit claimants. There are a range of exemptions for when the cap should not be applied, including exemptions for the most vulnerable claimants who are entitled to disability benefits and carer benefits. Information relating to Universal Credit claimants affected by the benefit cap as a result of the temporary increase made to Universal Credit in response to the covid-19 outbreak is not readily available, and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.
ii) No estimate has been made of the number of kinship carers or children raised in kinship care households that have been affected by the benefit cap as a result of the temporary increase made to welfare benefits. The Government acknowledges the immense value of care given by family and friend carers who look after children whose parents are unable to provide the necessary care themselves. The Special Guardian’s Allowance which may be awarded to a kinship carer to support the long term placement for children is disregarded when calculating the benefit cap.
Claimants can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from their Local Authority if they need additional help with rental costs. Kinship carers are listed in Local Authority Guidance as one of the priority groups for Discretionary Housing Payments.
i) Entitlement to Working Tax Credit provides an exemption to the application of the benefit cap. Therefore, no benefit cap implications apply to Working Tax Credit claimants. There are a range of exemptions for when the cap should not be applied, including exemptions for the most vulnerable claimants who are entitled to disability benefits and carer benefits. Information relating to Universal Credit claimants affected by the benefit cap as a result of the temporary increase made to Universal Credit in response to the covid-19 outbreak is not readily available, and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.
ii) No estimate has been made of the number of kinship carers or children raised in kinship care households that have been affected by the benefit cap as a result of the temporary increase made to welfare benefits. The Government acknowledges the immense value of care given by family and friend carers who look after children whose parents are unable to provide the necessary care themselves. The Special Guardian’s Allowance which may be awarded to a kinship carer to support the long term placement for children is disregarded when calculating the benefit cap.
Claimants can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from their Local Authority if they need additional help with rental costs. Kinship carers are listed in Local Authority Guidance as one of the priority groups for Discretionary Housing Payments.
In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, we are financially supporting an unprecedented number of new and existing benefit claimants and have made a number changes to the benefits system. At the start we switched off conditionality for all claimants, supporting people during very uncertain times. After 1st July, we began to reintroduce Claimant Commitments. Any work related activity which may be agreed by disabled people as part of this Commitment, continues to be tailored in light of their health condition to ensure it is reasonable.
We ensure that our more vulnerable claimants are further protected by exempting those with more serious medical conditions and disabilities from any form of conditionality and sanctions. Our guidance continues to be tailored in light of the ongoing public health situation, the national working environment and of their health condition to ensure it is reasonable.
Those who receive a notification that they need to shield will remain eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from their employer, and New Style Employment and Support Allowance, subject to the wider eligibility criteria. Where an individual’s income is reduced while off work sick and they require further financial support, for example where they are not eligible for SSP, they may be able to claim Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.
The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. We suspended all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits in March. This temporary suspension, brought in to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic is being kept under review in line with the latest public health guidance.
Where possible and in line with usual processes, paper-based assessments will be undertaken, and we continue to do telephone-based assessments where we can. Any re-introduction of face-to-face assessments would involve additional safety measures to comply with public health guidance.
We remain fully committed to making continuous improvements to the support we provide to people with health conditions and disabilities, and are evaluating the changes to our assessment approach which were temporarily introduced. This will inform the approach taken to conducting assessments in the future. We are using a range of information to inform these decisions, including research with PIP and ESA/UC claimants about their experiences of telephone assessments.
No specific assessment has been made. The attached table shows data on the uptake of Healthy Start in each local authority area in the North East in each month in 2021/22. Data for April 2022 is not yet available.
No specific assessment has been made. The attached table shows data on the uptake of Healthy Start in each local authority area in the North East in each month in 2021/22. Data for April 2022 is not yet available.
The Maternity Inequalities Oversight Forum has not made any specific recommendations to the Department to date.
The research has been submitted to a journal for peer review. The publication timeline is determined by the journal.
We are unable to provide the membership and minutes of the Maternity Inequalities Oversight Forum as it relates to the formulation of Government policy.
Physiotherapists are established as a core part of the multi-disciplinary team treating patients with COVID-19. Through its communication to general practitioner practices and commissioners on 31 July 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement set out the requirement that general practice, community and optometry services should restore activity to usual levels where clinically appropriate, and reach out proactively to clinically vulnerable patients and those whose care may have been delayed. The communication also stated community health services should continue to support patients who have recovered from the acute phase of COVID-19 but need ongoing rehabilitation and other community health services. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s letter is available at the following link:
Public Health England provides guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 which is available at the following link:
This guidance provides advice on the management of staff and patients or residents in health and social care settings according to exposures, symptoms and test results. It includes staff with symptoms of COVID-19, staff return to work criteria, patient exposures in hospital and resident exposures in care settings. This guidance is applicable to both physiotherapists and other medical staff.
The development of the Lighthouse Labs was a United Kingdom-based response to the COVID-19 pandemic and involved direct contract awards allowed within the procurement regulations. Contracts were placed on due diligence requirements of value for money and meeting service and performance quality standards. We know from the successful entrants that the majority are UK based organisations.
The Department expects trusts to use the ‘Framework to assist NHS trusts to reintroduce access for partners, visitors and other supporters of pregnant women in English maternity services’ and consider as a priority how access for partners, visitors and supporters of pregnant women can be reintroduced as soon as possible whilst maintaining the safety of all service users, staff and visitors.
NHS England and NHS Improvement are assured that 100% of trusts report that they are actively using the framework as they make local decisions on visiting restrictions, based on a risk assessment.
The Chief Midwifery Officer, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (England), and the National Clinical Director for Maternity and Women's Health wrote to all National Health Service Directors of Nursing and Heads of Midwifery in England on 19 September to inform those that are still working through the guidance that this must happen now so that partners are able to attend maternity units for appointments.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published ‘Vitamin D for COVID-19: Evidence Review’ which is available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/evidence/evidence-review-pdf-8777674477
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition also published ‘Rapid review: Vitamin D and acute respiratory tract infections’ which is available at the following link:
https://app.box.com/s/g0ldpth1upfd7fw763ew3aqa3c0pyvky
These rapid evidence reviews, published in June 2020, concluded that there is currently no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19. My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was referring to these publications when he responded to the hon. Member for Ealing Central and Acton (Rupa Huq MP).
Public Health England will keep this topic under review and will consider updating this assessment if emerging high-quality evidence suggests a change to existing conclusions, and advise the Government accordingly.
All upper tier local authorities have access to record level (including sex, age, occupation and postcode) test and case data.
We also publish public dashboards at a national, regional and local authority level and the Middle Layer Super Output Area (MSOA) map, which allows individuals to type in a postcode to find their MSOA and see how many cases there are in small areas of around 7,000 people
Data on the 7 day average for the number of people with COVID-19 identified through an NHS lab (Pillar 1) or from commercial swab testing (Pillar 2) back to March 2020 is available as part of the NHS Digital Progression Dashboard to upper tier local authority level and is available at the following link:
The announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 April 2020, included funding of up to £200 million for hospices, as part of a wider package of £750 million for the wider voluntary and charity sector. This funding is supporting hospices to increase capacity of NHS services and provide stability as the Government manages its response to COVID-19.
Of the £200 million, some of this funding has already gone to non-hospice voluntary sector children’s palliative and supportive care organisations that have the capacity (within their inpatient services or community care provision) to take pressure off the NHS in line with the funding agreement.
In addition, a further £370 million will support charities working with vulnerable people. In England, this support will be provided through the National Lottery Community Fund. We will allocate £60 million of this funding through the Barnett formula so the devolved administrations are funded to provide similar support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This will provide support for thousands of charities on the frontline of helping vulnerable people affected by COVID-19.
Working with key stakeholders, NHS England and NHS improvement have developed a standard operating procedure (SOP), for palliative care for children and young people in community and hospice settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is due to published shortly.
The SOP is aimed at supporting staff who are providing care or supporting children and young people, and their families, who have palliative and/or end of life care needs in the community, including home and hospice care. Palliative care will include some children and young people who have life-limiting long-term conditions and complex health needs. It encourages all providers of children’s palliative care (statutory and voluntary sector) to work collaboratively and flexibly across health settings to support this group of children and young people and keep them safe during the pandemic.
Our Travel Advice for Japan covers Japanese family law and we have also published guidance specifically on child abduction to Japan on GOV.UK. These were revised in February of this year to clarify the differences in Japan's family law and consular support the FCDO is able to provide towards child abduction cases to Japan. I raised the issue of Japan's custody laws with the then Japanese Ambassador to the UK in December 2020 and we will continue to engage Japan on these issues at appropriate opportunities.
Our Travel Advice for Japan covers Japanese family law and we have also published guidance specifically on child abduction to Japan on GOV.UK. These were revised in February of this year to clarify the differences in Japan's family law and consular support the FCDO is able to provide towards child abduction cases to Japan. I raised the issue of Japan's custody laws with the then Japanese Ambassador to the UK in December 2020 and we will continue to engage Japan on these issues at appropriate opportunities.
The government recognises that every region is feeling the impact of this crisis, and has taken unprecedented steps to support people and businesses across the country.
For example, the government has helped over a million employers furlough 9.6 million employments, including 350,700 in the North East, and supported over 60 billion pounds of loans, including £1.4bn for over 40,000 businesses in the North East. Regional breakdowns are published regularly on gov.uk.
The temporary zero rate of VAT on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was an extraordinary measure to help affected sectors (such as hospitals and care homes) during the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and when the global supply of PPE did not meet demand. The zero rate applies to PPE that meets the standard set out in the guidance from Public Health England (PHE).
This measure will come to an end on 31 October (as legislated), as new measures introduced by the Government will ensure supply of COVID-19 related PPE to affected sectors from 1 November. Face coverings that do not meet the standard set by PHE should not be affected by the temporary zero rate coming to an end.
The temporary zero rate of VAT on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was an extraordinary measure to help affected sectors (such as hospitals and care homes) during the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and when the global supply of PPE did not meet demand. The zero rate applies to PPE that meets the standard set out in the guidance from Public Health England (PHE).
This measure will come to an end on 31 October (as legislated), as new measures introduced by the Government will ensure supply of COVID-19 related PPE to affected sectors from 1 November. Face coverings that do not meet the standard set by PHE should not be affected by the temporary zero rate coming to an end.
Business rates policy is devolved. Decisions on rates in Wales are for the Welsh government. The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure.
A range of other measures to support all business, including airports, has also been made available, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms keep people in employment, and deferring Value Added Tax (VAT) payments. On 8 July the Chancellor set out a package of measures to support jobs across the UK, including a Job Retention Bonus to help firms keep furloughed workers and a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people.
The Government is working at pace to respond to the Law Commission’s review of hate crime laws and develop a new Hate Crime Strategy, and intends to publish the new Strategy shortly.
The Government is working at pace to respond to the Law Commission’s review of hate crime laws and develop a new Hate Crime Strategy, and intends to publish the new Strategy shortly.
We are recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers by March 2023, the biggest recruitment drive in decades. As at 31 March 2022, 13,576 additional officers have been recruited as part of the Police Uplift Programme in England and Wales, 68% of the 20,000 officer target.
On the 2nd February 2022, the Government published a total police funding settlement of up to £16.9 billion in 2022/23, an increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to 2021/22. This includes funding for national priorities, such as tackling serious violence and county lines.
This significant investment shows the Government is committed to supporting the entire policing sector.
It is for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), and Mayors with PCC functions to make operational decisions including how to allocate resource based on their local knowledge and experience.
If an offence is committed law enforcement can request data relating to the use of anonymous social media accounts through the communications data powers available to them under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
The Home Office will be reviewing and publishing a report on the operation of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 which provides the statutory basis for the use of investigatory powers.
Across Government, we regularly engage with civil society representatives to understand the online threat communities face and to help inform our efforts to tackle online harms. We are clear that what is unacceptable offline should be unacceptable online.
Within the Home Office, we work closely with our international partners and engage with industry colleagues to discuss how platforms can best safeguard their users from terrorism, while also encouraging tech companies work together as one coordinated body through the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), to reduce the availability of terrorist content online. We are also working with civil society partners and social media platforms to encourage victim reporting of online hate crime, including hateful online abuse related to Covid-19.
Home Office officials also meet a range of stakeholders regularly to discuss the online child sexual exploitation and abuse threat and what can and is being done to tackle it. This includes technology companies, non-governmental organisations and other government partners. We have recently been engaging with relevant organisations on the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and the government’s online harms agenda.
The Government does not routinely comment on Ministerial meetings which are held as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The Department has noted the letter from Professor Ekins relating to coal and climate change.
The National Planning Policy Framework approach to coal extraction proposals is that planning permission should not be granted unless it is environmentally acceptable, or its likely effects are clearly outweighed by national, local or community benefits (taking all relevant matters into account, including any residual environmental effects).
We are currently consulting on a reform of the planning system which recognises that the planning system has a role to play in the efforts to combat climate change. There is an opportunity for Professor Ekins to engage in that consultation process and I would welcome his views on how our proposed planning system should address the concerns he raises.
This Government remains committed to stamping out anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of hate crime. It is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practising their religion and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to Islamophobia.
We have continued to work closely with Muslim communities, to tackle hate against them, including underlying issues and trends, and continue supporting the work of the cross-Government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group which provides valuable advice to Government on challenges faced by Britain’s Muslim communities and how to address those challenges. We have also supported Tell MAMA?(Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks)?with?just over £2.8 million between 2016 and 2020 to monitor and combat anti-Muslim hatred.
Local authorities seek to place families into settled accommodation at the soonest possible opportunity. However, where this is not possible, temporary accommodation plays an important role in ensuring that no child is ever without a roof over their head, and this is particularly important when we are dealing with the impacts of Covid-19.
Reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation has been a priority for this Government and, a result, the numbers of households in temporary accommodation, 87,410 (as of?September 2019), remains below the September 2004 peak, when they hit 101,300. The number of children living in?temporary accommodation?is down from its peak in June 2006 at?134,470, with?127,890?in?September 2019.
The Chancellor recently announced that for 2020/21, we will increase the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30th percentile of local rents. This will mean that many people renting in the Private Rented Sector see an increase in their housing support from April 2020, providing extra security during these uncertain times. The average claimant will gain an additional £600 per year in increased housing support.
The Homelessness Reduction Act, the most ambitious reform to homelessness legislation in decades, came into force on 3 April 2018. The Act requires local authorities and other public bodies to work together to actively prevent homelessness for people at risk. This is backed by the £63 million Homelessness Reduction Grant in 2020/21 which provides an uplift on previous years’ new burdens funding to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act and will enable local authorities to do more to prevent and relieve homelessness in their areas.
The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is working hard in partnership with the judiciary to keep our justice system functioning during this unprecedented public health emergency. Our priorities are to maintain access to justice and to protect the safety of all who work in the courts and tribunals.
We are continuously reviewing our approach in light of Public Health England advice and to understand impacts on our users. We do not collect information centrally on numbers of victims affected by delays in court proceedings during the outbreak. However, we are committed to ensuring victims continue to receive the support they need during this challenging time, and have robust and flexible plans in place to ensure that we can continue to deliver key services across the justice system, including the support of victims. We have been working across government and with justice partner agencies to ensure that there will be comprehensive support for victims and witnesses across England and Wales.
During the outbreak, magistrates’ courts have been covering urgent work and trials are now re-starting. Crown Courts have also been continuing to deal with a range of work, including sentencing hearings. The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor are currently in close discussion regarding the safe re-start of limited Jury trials, which we hope can be resumed before the end of May. The decision to re-start jury trials is dependent on the system as a whole being ready. This will include HMCTS, the professions, those supporting victims and witnesses, and jurors who should have confidence that trials are able to operate effectively within social distancing guidelines.
The unique circumstances in Northern Ireland mean delivery for veterans is approached in a different way from the rest of the UK. I can assure the hon. Member that I and my officials work closely with colleagues across Government, including the MOD and Office of Veterans Affairs, to ensure veterans can access gold standard care irrespective of where they live.