Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System does not delay cross-Channel rail travellers.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
I recognise the importance of smooth passenger flows for international rail services and it is the Government’s priority to support pragmatic solutions to address the potential impact of the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) at juxtaposed controls. My officials have and continue to work closely with Home Office (as the lead Department) and industry partners, including HS1 Ltd, Eurostar and Eurotunnel to prepare for the implementation of EES later this year.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to expand the use of international rail as sustainable transport.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports the growth and development of international rail services given the environmental benefits these provide, as well as the social and economic benefits for UK citizens and businesses.
My officials regularly engage with infrastructure managers, other Government Departments and European partners to discuss new routes and potential market entrants, and continue to welcome engagement with prospective operators where there is a credible commercial proposition to develop new services.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Eurostar on reopening international rail services from Ashford since 1 January 2024.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
I fully recognise the important benefits international rail services provide for the areas and communities they serve, including for the people and businesses in Kent. I last met with Eurostar in December 2023 and emphasised the UK Government’s desire to see the return of international services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford as soon as reasonably possible.
My officials have and will continue to engage regularly with Eurostar on this matter and press for the reinstatement of services at Kent stations once it is commercially viable for them to do so.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of mirroring social care sector pay with the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Most care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay and terms and conditions, independent of the Government.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average award made to veterans consequent on the LGBT Veterans Independent Review is.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Government accepted the recommendations of Lord Etherton’s report, including the financial award scheme in its formal response, published in December 2023. Development of the scheme is at an early stage so the Government cannot yet confirm the details, the expected number of claimants, or the likely size of awards.
The Government is committed to maintaining the momentum of the Review and continues to work at pace on the financial award scheme. Further updates on the development of the financial award will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps page on GOV.UK when available: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many awards to veterans have been made consequent to the LGBT Veterans Independent Review.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Government accepted the recommendations of Lord Etherton’s report, including the financial award scheme in its formal response, published in December 2023. Development of the scheme is at an early stage so the Government cannot yet confirm the details, the expected number of claimants, or the likely size of awards.
The Government is committed to maintaining the momentum of the Review and continues to work at pace on the financial award scheme. Further updates on the development of the financial award will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps page on GOV.UK when available: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in Ashford constituency.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government is fully committed to supporting our high-street businesses and communities. The department has announced over £15 million in targeted funding in Ashford constituency since 2021, including:
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department has taken with local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour in (a) Ashford constituency and (b) England.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
In March 2023, the Government launched the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan to crack down on ASB, restoring people’s confidence that these crimes will be quickly and visibly punished. The Action Plan applies to all local authorities across England and Wales, including Ashford.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) recruit and (b) retain social care workers.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of the adult social care workforce, by ensuring that there are opportunities to develop and progress, and that people feel recognised. In January 2024 we launched the care workforce pathway, which will provide for the first time ever, a national career structure for the workforce. This is alongside our new nationally accredited care qualification, subsidised training places for care staff, and social work and social care nursing apprenticeships. The Government also continues to deliver the Made with Care national recruitment campaign, which promotes social care as a career.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle litter.
Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Our Litter Strategy for England sets out our aim to deliver a substantial reduction in litter and littering within a generation. The strategy contains a number of commitments, many of which have been completed or are nearing completion. Progress reports on delivering the Litter Strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/litter-strategy-for-england-progress-reports.
The Prime Minister’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan set out how we will support council’s to take tougher action against those that litter. For example, last July we significantly raised the upper limit on fixed penalty notices from £150 to £500.
The Chewing Gum Task Force, established by Defra and funded by producers, has provided almost £2.5 million in grants since 2022 to help nearly 100 councils remove gum stains from high streets and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum being dropped in the first place. The Task Force has just launched another grant scheme for councils this year. Further information can be be found at: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/local-authorities/reduce-litter/gum-litter/chewing-gum-task-force.
National Highways has developed a new campaign that aims to educate and change road users’ behaviour towards littering. The campaign will run from 12 February to 10 March and road users will be implored to stop littering as its deadly impact on wildlife is revealed.
In January this year, we announced our plans to ban disposable vapes in the UK. This will help to tackle a huge and growing stream of hard-to-recycle waste and litter, with nearly 5 million thrown away every week.