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).
Create an emergency fund for ASD (autism) & ADHD assessments
Gov Responded - 14 Dec 2021 Debated on - 6 Feb 2023 View Flick Drummond's petition debate contributionsThe Government should create an emergency fund to deal with the massive waiting lists for autism & ADHD assessments for children AND adults. This would provide resources for local health services deal with current waiting lists and new patients.
Review management of ADHD assessments and increase funding
Gov Responded - 21 Apr 2022 Debated on - 6 Feb 2023 View Flick Drummond's petition debate contributionsThe Government should commission a review of how Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments are managed by the NHS, including through Shared Care Agreements, and increase funding to reduce waiting times.
Protect student choice: do not withdraw funding for BTEC qualifications
Gov Responded - 17 Aug 2021 Debated on - 18 Jul 2022 View Flick Drummond's petition debate contributionsReverse the plan to withdraw funding for most applied general qualifications such as BTECs and guarantee they will continue to play a major role in the qualifications landscape. Students should not be forced to choose between studying A levels or T levels from the age of 16.
These initiatives were driven by Flick Drummond, 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.
Flick Drummond has not been granted any Urgent Questions
A Bill to make provision about the maintenance of registers by local authorities of children in their area who are not full-time pupils at any school; to make provision about support by local authorities to promote the education of such children; to make provision about school attendance orders; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on local authorities to maintain a register of children who are not in school; and for connected purposes.
Planning (Quarries) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paul Holmes (Con)
Lithium-ion Battery Storage (Fire Safety and Environmental Permits) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Maria Miller (Con)
Disposable Barbecues Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Selaine Saxby (Con)
Non-Disclosure Agreements (No. 2) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Maria Miller (Con)
Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Andrew Griffith (Con)
Pregnancy and Maternity (Redundancy Protection) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Maria Miller (Con)
Children of Armed Services Personnel (Schools Admission) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Con)
Companies Documentation (Transgender Persons) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Baroness Morgan of Cotes (Con)
Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Alison Thewliss (SNP)
Harbour, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (Amendment) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Craig Mackinlay (Con)
The department does not hold any information about the annual cost of commissioning unregistered alternative provision places. These commissioning arrangements are managed directly by schools and local authorities who require the provision, and they do not report their expenditure at that level of detail.
Information on the number of children who missed 50% or more of possible sessions in the 2022/23 autumn term will be published in May 2023. The data will be published at the following link, which currently includes data for previous autumn terms: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england-autumn-term.
To help ensure those with special educational needs get the right support we have, for example:
Upon detection of bluetongue disease in Kent in November and Norfolk in December during our routine surveillance, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officials took immediate and robust action. Affected animals have been humanely culled and Temporary Control Zones have been put in place to prevent potential spread of disease by restricting movements of ruminant and camelid animals. Surveillance of susceptible animals and epidemiological assessments within these zones continue and we will review the need for the Zones when this is complete.
Keepers of ruminants and camelids in the Zones can apply for licences to move for most purposes, including for welfare, movements into and within the zones and direct to slaughter. We continue to work closely with industry representatives to ensure that keepers are kept up to date with developments and that issues and concerns are addressed promptly.
Defra is currently reforming and implementing retained European Union wine legislation to boost the wine industry, allowing continued innovation and growth to the economy. Our first Statutory Instrument (SI) entered into force on 1 January 2024, and included labelling reforms to benefit importers and exporters, and removal of wine certification arrangements to reduce burdens. Our second SI was approved in Parliament on 17 January 2024, and will come into force in July 2024. This protected the specialist product “ice wine” and updated winemaking practices to enable wine producers to use the latest technological advancements. There are plans for further reforms in 2024, which will cover a wide range of topics including low and no wine and in-market transformation, which will free up industry through increased choice.
The Avian Population Estimates Panel (made-up of representatives from the main bird conservation organisations and Government conservation agencies) estimates that the breeding populations for the three species are as follows:
Species | Population estimate (Number of breeding territories) |
GB | |
(a) Nightingale | 5,550 |
(b) Turtle dove | 3,600 |
(c) Corn bunting | 11,000 |
Agri-environmental schemes, such as the current Countryside Stewardship scheme, are the principal mechanism for supporting farm land birds, including these three species. The schemes deliver significant areas of habitat in England by providing suitable nesting and foraging conditions.
In addition, nightingales are an interest feature of a number of woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England, most notably the Chattenden Woods and Lodge Hill SSSI which supports a nationally significant breeding population.
The turtle dove is the focus of a joint Natural England-RSPB Species Recovery Programme project for over ten years which has involved developing novel land management solutions for the species.
The Government has implemented an £8 million national programme to provide opportunities to try electric cycles through short term loans. Active Travel England is also funding local authority-led cycle loan and share schemes.
The Department considered a range of options to increase e-cycling uptake in 2020-21. This concluded that these initiatives were more cost-effective, and better value for taxpayers’ money, than a purchase subsidy.
In addition, the Government already supports affordable access to cycles, including e-cycles, through the Cycle to Work scheme.
The Government has implemented an £8 million national programme to provide opportunities to try electric cycles through short term loans. Active Travel England is also funding local authority-led cycle loan and share schemes.
The Department considered a range of options to increase e-cycling uptake in 2020-21. This concluded that these initiatives were more cost-effective, and better value for taxpayers’ money, than a purchase subsidy.
In addition, the Government already supports affordable access to cycles, including e-cycles, through the Cycle to Work scheme.
The acoustic camera trial is complete and preliminary indications are that the device can identify individual vehicles in certain circumstances and assign noise levels to them, but further development is needed to improve accuracy.
The technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles; however, there are still difficulties in measuring noise in an uncontrolled environment to be overcome.
Face coverings have been required in healthcare settings throughout the pandemic, as set out in the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance. The United Kingdom IPC Cell monitor and review emerging evidence and continue to recommend universal masking in healthcare settings in IPC measures.
To accompany the updated IPC guidance with new COVID-19 pathogen-specific advice for health and care professionals, on 1 June 2022, the National Health Service advised that universal masking should be considered in settings where patients are at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression, such as oncology or haematology. This should be guided by local risk assessment. Face coverings should be worn by all care workers and encouraged for visitors in care settings and when providing care in people’s homes.
NHS England and NHS Improvement will set out allocations to local systems through annual planning guidance in due course.
NHS England publishes data on the number of COVID-19 vaccinations in total since vaccinations began and to the current eligible population on a weekly basis. Published data shows 80% of care home staff have received their first dose of the vaccine and the latest weekly data published 22 April 2021 shows over 65% of National Health Service trust health care workers in the NHS Electronic Staff Record have received the second dose of their vaccine or 945,776 out of 1,378,502. The data available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
The NHS, with local and regional delivery partners, is encouraging people in all communities to come forward and accept the offer of vaccination. On 13 February we published the UK COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Plan. A priority for the uptake strategy is to increase the rate of vaccination amongst health and social care staff. We know that the reasons health and social care workers feel hesitant include a lack of knowledge about the vaccine, misinformation and mistrust of Government and perceptions of equality and discrimination in health and public services. We are working at a local and national level to give health and social care workers information about the vaccine in a format that connects with them, to share information from trusted, local leaders who understand people’s specific circumstances and to ensure there is appropriate outreach from clinicians and their vaccine services.
COVID-19 vaccines are not currently mandated for any groups, but the Government strongly encourages health and social care workers to be vaccinated in order to protect those that they care for. On 14 April, Government launched a five-week consultation to inform decision making about whether to make vaccination a condition of employment for staff working in older adult care home providers. The consultation was launched as, despite efforts to address concerns among the adult social care workforce, vaccine uptake amongst care home workers remains lower than the recommended level to minimise COVID-19 outbreaks. All care home workers, including those aged 16 and 17 years old, who would like to be vaccinated can contact their general practitioner.
NHS England publishes data on the number of COVID-19 vaccinations in total since vaccinations began and to the current eligible population on a weekly basis. Published data shows 80% of care home staff have received their first dose of the vaccine and the latest weekly data published 22 April 2021 shows over 65% of National Health Service trust health care workers in the NHS Electronic Staff Record have received the second dose of their vaccine or 945,776 out of 1,378,502. The data available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
The NHS, with local and regional delivery partners, is encouraging people in all communities to come forward and accept the offer of vaccination. On 13 February we published the UK COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Plan. A priority for the uptake strategy is to increase the rate of vaccination amongst health and social care staff. We know that the reasons health and social care workers feel hesitant include a lack of knowledge about the vaccine, misinformation and mistrust of Government and perceptions of equality and discrimination in health and public services. We are working at a local and national level to give health and social care workers information about the vaccine in a format that connects with them, to share information from trusted, local leaders who understand people’s specific circumstances and to ensure there is appropriate outreach from clinicians and their vaccine services.
COVID-19 vaccines are not currently mandated for any groups, but the Government strongly encourages health and social care workers to be vaccinated in order to protect those that they care for. On 14 April, Government launched a five-week consultation to inform decision making about whether to make vaccination a condition of employment for staff working in older adult care home providers. The consultation was launched as, despite efforts to address concerns among the adult social care workforce, vaccine uptake amongst care home workers remains lower than the recommended level to minimise COVID-19 outbreaks. All care home workers, including those aged 16 and 17 years old, who would like to be vaccinated can contact their general practitioner.
Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their populations. Under the Care Act 2014 they are required to shape their local markets, and ensure that people have a range of high-quality, sustainable and person-centred care and support options available to them, so that they can access the services that best meet their needs. We have made £4.6 billion available to local authorities so they can address pressures on local services.
The Care Act 2014 also provides for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to monitor the financial health of the largest and most difficult-to-replace adult social care providers. This allows the CQC to warn local authorities if a provider is likely to fail for financial reasons and gives local authorities time to stand up their contingency plans.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the CQC has adapted its way of working in order to continue to deliver its core regulatory role of keeping people safe during challenging circumstances. This has included developing a range of tools to identify providers that needed extra support and undertaking additional Infection Prevention and Control inspections in care homes.
We recognise that the adult social care sector is facing significant pressures in light of the pandemic and we are working closely across Government and with care providers to better understand the impact of cost increases across the sector. We have already made £4.6 billion of support available to local authorities so they can address pressures on local services caused by the pandemic, including in adult social care. In addition, we have made £1.1 billion available to social care, the majority for care homes, to support them with additional infection prevention and control costs related to Covid-19, and a further £149 million to help with additional costs of testing
As part of the 2020 Spending Review, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Government will provide councils with access to an additional £1 billion for social care next year and we also expect to provide them with estimated funding of around £3 billion to help manage the impact of COVID-19 across their services, including in adult social care and to compensate for income losses.
The financial allowances including the personal expense allowance and minimum income guarantee rates are reviewed annually.
Future funding for social care will be set out at the next spending review.
Israel’s constitutional arrangements are a matter for Israelis. In meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Cohen in March and September, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary urged Israel to build consensus and avoid societal division, ensuring that the independence of Israel’s judiciary is preserved. Our focus is working with global partners to sustain the prospect of regional peace and stability.
The UK abstained on UN Human Rights Council resolution 31/36 in 2016 as part of a common EU position. However, we have long opposed the creation of a public database of companies which we consider unhelpful, and which only risks further hardening positions on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is why we voted against the resolution at HRC53 requesting the implementation and funding for resolution 31/36. The UK's longstanding position on the Middle East peace process is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 lines.
The Government discussed arrangements with the EU for British Citizens travelling to the Schengen Area. Regrettably, the EU consistently maintained that British Citizens will be treated as Third Country Nationals under the Schengen Borders Code from 1 January 2021. This means that British Citizens will be able to travel visa-free for short stays for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. This is the standard length of stay that the EU offers to nationals of eligible third countries that offer visa-free travel for EU citizens, in line with existing EU legislation. British Citizens planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require applying for a visa and/or permit.
The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU confirms that both the UK and EU currently provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws. The detail of those arrangements is set by domestic law. The Government does not typically enter into bilateral agreements on visa-free travel. However, the UK keeps its visa system under regular review, and the new points-based immigration system has been developed in the national interest. The Government also keeps arrangements and advice for British Citizens travelling abroad under regular review.
This Government has provided around £400 billion of direct support to the economy during the pandemic, and as part of that it has provided £16 billion of business rates relief to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England.
At Autumn Budget 21, the Government announced a new temporary relief worth almost £1.7 billion for these sectors to support local high streets as they adapt and recover.
At Spring Budget 21, the Government extended the 5% temporary reduced rate of VAT for the tourism and hospitality sectors until the end of September. On 1 October 2021, a new reduced rate of VAT at 12.5% was introduced to help ease businesses back to the standard rate. This rate will end on 31 March 2022. There are no plans to extend the length of this relief again.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not had any discussions with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) on this topic. In November 2020, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury responded to a letter from the RYA explaining the Government’s position on the availability of relief from customs duty and import VAT under the Returned Goods Relief for goods and possessions (including yachts) located in the EU on 31 December 2020. HMRC officials met the RYA in September 2020 and February 2021 to discuss this issue.
The Government remains committed to helping people and businesses through the present very difficult time that has been brought about by COVID-19.
Financial services firms have announced a range of measures to support vulnerable customers and we are working with the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure there is continued support for these people. For example, many firms have methods for trusted third-parties to access cash. Anyone with questions should contact their banking service provider.
The Government recognises that widespread access to cash is extremely important to the daily lives of millions of people across the UK. That is why, at the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. This will ensure that those who continue to rely on cash can continue to do so in the long-term.
The requested information is provided in the attached document.