Hannah Bardell Portrait

Hannah Bardell

Scottish National Party - Livingston

First elected: 7th May 2015

Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs Team Member)

(since January 2020)

Shadow SNP Spokesperson (International Development Team Member)

(since January 2020)

Select Committees
Panel of Chairs (since March 2020)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
17th May 2018 - 7th Jan 2020
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
12th Dec 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Trade and Investment)
20th Jun 2017 - 17th May 2018
Shadow SNP Westminster Group Leader (Business, Innovation and Skills)
19th Oct 2015 - 20th Jun 2017
Shadow SNP Westminster Group Leader (Fair Work and Employment)
20th May 2015 - 19th Oct 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Hannah Bardell has voted in 528 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Hannah Bardell Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Maria Caulfield (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
(13 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(12 debate interactions)
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
(10 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(48 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(38 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(36 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Hannah Bardell's debates

Livingston Petitions

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).

Petition Debates Contributed

People with a lifelong illness should not be subject to regular reviews for eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). People suffering lifelong conditions should not have to prove they are still ill every couple of years.

The Government should remove the requirement for people claiming disability benefits, such as the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), to have to go through an assessment process. Claims should be based solely on evidence from medical professionals, such as a letter from a GP or consultant.

We want the Government to conduct a full review of the PIP process. This should look at DWP policy and the performance of ATOS and Capita, which conduct the health assessments for applicants. We believe the current process is inherently unethical and biased, and needs a complete overhaul.

The HMRC mileage rate for reimbursing the use of private cars (e.g. for employees but also volunteers) has been fixed at 45p/mile (up to 10,000 miles) since 2011. The lack of any increase since then is a serious disincentive to volunteer drivers particularly as fuel has gone up again recently.

The Government must exercise its power under s.23 of the Gender Recognition Act to modify the operation of the Equality Act 2010 by specifying the terms sex, male, female, man & woman, in the operation of that law, mean biological sex and not "sex as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate"

It has been reported that the Government may amend the Equality Act to "make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender." The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people, an already marginalised group, but this change would do so.

Millions of UK citizens have a disability or serious medical condition that means they use more energy. Many people need to use a ventilator 24/7. People use electric pumps to feed through a tubes. People need to charge their mobility equipment, such as electric wheelchairs, stair lifts, bath seats.

Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the Cost of Living support package. We have larger utilities bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive.

Make it illegal for retailers and services to decline cash payments.

All businesses (excepting internet-based ones) and public services in which monetary transactions take place should be required by law to accept cash as a method of payment

Endometriosis and PCOS are two gynaecological conditions which both affect 10% of women worldwide, but both are, in terms of research and funding, incredibly under prioritised. This petition is calling for more funding, to enable for new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues.

I would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy


Latest EDMs signed by Hannah Bardell

26th March 2024
Hannah Bardell signed this EDM on Tuesday 26th March 2024

Referral of matters of 21 February 2024 to the Committee of Privileges

Tabled by: William Wragg (Conservative - Hazel Grove)
That this House notes the Speaker’s decision on selection and calling of amendments on 21 February 2024 was not in accordance with the established precedent for Opposition days; and accordingly considers that, notwithstanding the Resolution of this House of 6 February 1978, the matter of whether undue pressure was placed …
58 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 42
Conservative: 14
Plaid Cymru: 1
Independent: 1
24th January 2024
Hannah Bardell signed this EDM on Thursday 14th March 2024

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome awareness

Tabled by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Fleetwood)
That this House notes that Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is an autonomic nervous system abnormality where sitting, standing and exercise can cause symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, brain fog, dizziness, pain, fainting, vomiting and fatigue; recognises that many people suffer a combination of symptoms, which can be chronic …
31 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 9
Scottish National Party: 6
Liberal Democrat: 6
Independent: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Conservative: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Alliance: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All Hannah Bardell's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Hannah Bardell, 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.


Hannah Bardell has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Hannah Bardell

Tuesday 12th December 2023

Hannah Bardell has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 49 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
30th Mar 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to support women in the workplace.

To support women in the workplace, we will: extend redundancy protections for women after they return from maternity leave; introduce neonatal leave and pay; and introduce one week of unpaid carer’s leave. We have also recently consulted on measures to increase the availability of flexible working – and look forward to publishing our response to that in due course.

15th Oct 2020
What plans he has to publish the UK–Norway Fisheries Framework Agreement.

In line with UK protocol, the Agreement will be published when it is laid before Parliament. This is planned for Monday 19 October.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
11th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of customer service provided by the child maintenance service.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to delivering our DWP Customer Charter promises and has created a customer-focused continuous improvement culture to support and achieve this. The customer charter emphasises the need to try to understand the customers circumstances and to treat fairly and with respect. Empathy is defined and expectations for its use, are made clear.

CMS Customer Experience Strategy involves bringing together all enabling colleagues and regularly reviewing lived customer experience using a dashboard of insight measures including the DWP customer experience survey and then turning this into actionable lessons learnt and improvement plans. Activity includes a programme of work to strengthen our performance management, quality assurance and 121 coaching.

We are also improving our communication with customers by expanding the facilities offered through our online self-service and web chat, allowing parents to access their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a time that works for them and simplifying the content of letters.

By improving our online services we’ll be able to use the most appropriate channel routing to get customers to the fastest course of action, increasing online usage and reducing the time spent on telephone calls.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether child maintenance caseworkers receive training on identifying when standard procedures may cause undue harm or upset for the paying and receiving parent and their children.

During the Child Maintenance caseworker learning journey, there are several points where the material places emphasis on the importance of recognising the impact our processes have on our customers. These are highlighted in the Building a Confident and Capable Service modules below:

Telephony

Ensuring processes are explained well and that customers have the time to provide information regarding their circumstances.

Income

Emphasises the importance of recognising that changes in income can have a big impact on both parents. For the paying parent, the impact may be an income change is relatively large but does not breach tolerance. For the receiving parent, a 25% income change will make a significant difference to their maintenance payments. Learners are expected to be sensitive to these changes, support, listen and guide all customers through the process, signposting where required. The My Child Maintenance Case website is promoted to ensure all customers are aware of the ease of using our online service to report income changes.

Debt Negotiation

Recognising the emotions that the receiving parent goes through when payments are late or where the paying parent is unable or unwilling to pay. Learners are expected to engage with customers and make it as positive an experience as possible, manage expectations and signpost where required.

The six-step negotiation model is used to understand paying parent barriers, listen to their issues, signpost as required and set up reasonable, sustainable and affordable agreements for repayment of arrears. The issues with income which has not breached tolerance is again emphasised and examples given to demonstrate the impact on paying parents. Learners are aware of the Stop, Think, Act Strategy when setting up agreements to ensure they meet the criteria of reasonable sustainable and affordable.

Domestic Abuse

Module focuses on recognising domestic abuse and signposting the customer. Learners are aware that a family-based arrangement may not be appropriate in this situation. The customer may have concerns about sharing personal details, having to be in contact with the other parent or being traced. Learners are made aware of the provision of non-geographical bank accounts and the provision of collect and pay. They also understand when an application fee is not required. The module emphasises that our processes may cause distress and that learners must be sensitive to this.

Welfare of the Child

A dedicated topic which explains to learners the importance of considering how any of our discretionary decisions will have an impact on any child affected by our actions. The Welfare of the Child decision is revisited in every appropriate module throughout the learning to emphasise the importance of making correct decisions in the interest of children.

The customer charter emphasises the need to try to understand the customers circumstances and to treat fairly and with respect. Empathy is defined and expectations for its use, are made clear.

We are currently delivering a programme of work to embed improved 1-2-1 coaching and team level performance management and quality assurance activity across all delivery and enabling teams.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he (a) is taking and (b) plans to take steps to reduce the waiting times for responses from the Child Maintenance Service.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to delivering our DWP Customer Charter promises and has created a customer-focused continuous improvement culture to support and achieve this.

CMS has made changes to the way they communicate with customers. This includes expanding the facilities offered through the online self-service and web chat, allowing parents to access their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a time that works for them. In addition, changes are being made to customer communication content, so they are clearer especially within letters.

CMS regularly review our resourcing strategy against business demands to ensure we best meet customer demand and priorities.

When DWP receive correspondence relating to a complaint, they aim to fully resolve or agree a resolution within 15 working days of receipt. Complex issues may take longer to resolve.

DWP triage complaints giving priority to vulnerable claimants who may be at risk, and those with benefit payment issues. We continue to investigate all complaints as quickly as we can and, as part of the triage process, we write or call those customers and honourable members where there may be a delay in answering their complaint. Case conferences are in place to find swift resolution to aging complaint cases. Complaints are used to provide customer insight to shape future services and drive improvements.

Since 2021, Child Maintenance Service complaints team has seen their response times to complainants steadily improve and are now responding to almost all complaints within the timescale.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether staff in his Department are provided training on trauma (a) awareness and (b) prevention procedures.

The DWP is committed to becoming a more Trauma Informed organisation. We have a dedicated programme which will integrate the six key pillars of the approach as defined by the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (December, 2022) which are safety, trustworthiness, choice, empowerment, collaboration and cultural consideration. Our programme looks at these six pillars within the contexts of application to our colleagues, our customers, our culture, and the context of our interaction- whether that is a physical, telephony, digital or postal interaction. There is significant emphasis within the design of the programme regarding what more can be done to prevent trauma and re-traumatisation for both our customers and our colleagues. We are learning from best practice demonstrated by organisations such as NHS Education Scotland, Work Services Australia and the Wales ACES Hub to shape the future prioritisation of this work


With response to the query around training, we have begun the roll out of an introductory module into the Trauma Informed Approach for all colleagues which is the first in a suite of products and a long-term commitment to upskilling around the topic of trauma. This learning will be complimented by products and initiatives that will enable the skills learned to be embedded into the business-as-usual operations of the whole department.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to answer Question 125316 tabled on 14 February 2022 by the hon. Member for Livingston.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 125316.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme claims relating to covid-19 vaccinations have been passed to an independent medical advisor for assessment as of 18 February 2022.

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) COVID-19 related claims are now being processed and medical records are being requested from claimant’s general practitioners or medical providers. Once these records have been gathered over an average period of six months, they will be passed for independent medical assessment. Since its administration of the VDPS began in November 2021, the NHS Business Services Authority has contacted all claimants to update them on the progress of their cases. As of 18 February 2022, no VDPS claims relating to COVID-19 vaccines had been passed to an independent medical advisor for assessment.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme for covid-19 vaccinations will prioritise the processing of claims where the claimant’s diagnosed condition has an association acknowledged by inclusion in the Product Information warnings provided by MHRA.

All claims submitted to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme are clinically assessed on a case-by-case basis once all the claimant’s medical records are gathered. The NHS Business Services Authority, who administer the scheme, have established a team of caseworkers to ensure all claims are processed as quickly as possible.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
19th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many claims have been made to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme relating to covid-19 vaccinations as of 19 January 2022.

As of 19 January 2022, there have been 733 claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme relating to COVID-19.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
14th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any payments have been made under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme relating to covid-19 vaccinations.

There have not been any Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) payments relating to COVID-19 vaccinations to date.

Claims relating to COVID-19 are taking longer to investigate and process as the related vaccines are new and establishing a relationship between them and their purported side effects takes time. Since taking over the administration of the scheme in November 2021, the NHS Business Services Authority have started processing COVID-19 vaccinations claims and will update claimants on progress. Other VDPS claims continue to be processed as usual.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
23rd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Third Session Report 2019-21, Flying Home: the FCO’s consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic, whether the unused funds from the repatriation efforts during the covid-19 outbreak can be put towards assisting the families of British nationals who are (a) murdered or (b) die in suspicious circumstances overseas.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

The £75 million mentioned in the Foreign Affairs Committee's report was an upper spending limit agreed specifically to support repatriation operations in response to COVID-19. It was not a funding allocation and is not therefore available to other areas of consular assistance.

The FCDO provides tailored assistance to those who need our help. In addition the FCDO contributes funding, via the Ministry of Justice, to the Victim Support Homicide Service to provide support to eligible families bereaved abroad.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 11 of the Foreign Affairs Committee report, Flying Home: The FCO's consular response to the covid-19 pandemic, published on 28 July 2020, for what reasons British citizens stranded abroad during the covid-19 pandemic have been advised to crowdfund for support for their repatriation and have not all received support from the Government's £75 million allocated to fly people back to the UK.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work. Advice on financial assistance for British Nationals abroad is longstanding and sets out all possible options British nationals may explore given the FCDO is not funded to provide financial assistance. We have recently reinforced to consular staff that while individuals may choose to crowdfund this is not an option we require them to explore before they seek an emergency loan to return home. The £75 million referred to was a maximum limit, not a target. We do not accept the Foreign Affairs Committee's suggestion that unspent funds meant those in need did not receive the repatriation support that they needed. The FCDO spent against the funding limit where needed to keep HMG charter flights affordable, in particular where there were fewer British travellers and where there was a need for connecting flights or significant ground transport. Our policy meant that we subsidised flights where it was necessary.

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22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what basis the decision was made to publish advice on his Department's website that British citizens stranded abroad during the covid-19 pandemic should crowdfund if they could not afford to travel back to the UK.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

Advice on financial assistance for British Nationals abroad is longstanding and sets out all possible options British nationals may explore given the FCDO is not funded to provide financial assistance. We have recently reinforced to consular staff that while individuals may choose to crowdfund this is not an option we require them to explore before they seek an emergency loan to return home.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what method his Department uses to assess the vulnerability of citizens requesting consular assistance; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using a matrix approach as used by the Australian Government for that purpose.

I was pleased to meet with the Hon Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work. Our consular staff provide tailored assistance and advice to British nationals according to the individual circumstances of each person based on the needs they have, based on who they are, where they are, and their situation. Our staff will make an assessment of the vulnerability of a British national, aiming to assess their needs promptly, making every effort to contact vulnerable British nationals within 24 hours of being notified of their situation.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of the cost of a passport contributes to his Department's budget for consular services.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

The FCDO receives a consular premium of £15.50 which represents 21% of the cost of a standard adult passport (£75.50) to fund its non-fee bearing consular services.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the funding allocated to the Lucie Blackman Trust is to help it support families bereaved abroad in addition to cases of missing persons.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

The funding allocated to the Lucie Blackman Trust is to support missing British nationals abroad and their families; the Lucie Blackman Trust has not received funding from the FCDO to support families bereaved abroad.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is developing contingency plans to improve its (a) consular and (b) repatriation support for British nationals overseas in the event of another pandemic.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

As part of our overall approach to crisis preparedness in the FCDO, we continuously review our plans and processes to ensure that they reflect lessons learned from recent crisis responses. Our learning from the COVID-19 pandemic response has led to us increasing our capacity to plan for pandemics of this scale in the future, including the provision of consular services and the repatriation of British nationals overseas. We have set up a Repatriation Taskforce which is continuing to monitor future repatriation risk, build future FCDO capability and is able to run more charters if needed. Going forward, planning for large scale repatriations will be incorporated into the FCDO's core crisis response capability.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of treating dual nationals as it does people with non-dual nationality status for the purposes of consular support.

We are able to provide full consular support to dual British nationals in a third country (a country of which they are not a national). We would not normally provide consular support to dual British nationals in the country of their other nationality, or get involved in dealings between the individual and the authorities of that state. We may make an exception to this rule if, depending on the circumstances of the case, we consider that the individual is vulnerable and we have humanitarian concerns, for example cases involving a murder or manslaughter, children, forced marriage or an offence which carries the death penalty. However, the help we can provide will depend on the circumstances and the state of the British national's other nationality agreeing to our help.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal guidance issued to staff when assessing whether people need consular assistance.

I was pleased to meet with the Hon Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) commitment to transparency, details of FCDO's consular assistance are available online on http://www.gov.uk in our publication entitled "Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide". We consider that there is a strong public interest in protecting the space our staff have to consider and discuss options when making decisions on individual cases, particularly when offering assistance in difficult and distressing circumstances. We consider that their ability to do this, and our overall ability to ensure that we provide a tailored service to those most in need of our help, is likely to be negatively impacted by placing our internal guidance in the Library, which would not be in the public interest.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what process his Department undertakes to assess the vulnerability of families when assessing their need for consular assistance.

As I discussed with the Honourable Lady on 19th October, consular staff assess the vulnerability of a British national on a case-by-case basis, to provide a tailored level of assistance to the individual. This assessment will also take into account any family members, including children, with whom the British national may be travelling.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department's mystery shopper exercises to test its staff during the covid-19 pandemic is in line with international best practice on how to train consular staff.

The FCDO provides consular staff with extensive training to ensure they respond to British people in an empathetic and knowledgeable manner. We use feedback gathered by our dedicated Insight Team, shadowing, skills practice, and 'mystery shopping' to inform and continually develop the skills and knowledge of our staff. While there is no definitive international best practice on how to train consular staff, the UK is an active member of international consular forums and learns from, and shares experiences and practice with, a range of other countries including on the learning and development of consular staff.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria his Department applies to assess the needs of people who require consular assistance.

As I discussed with the Honourable Lady on 19th October, the level and type of assistance and advice we offer is tailored to the individual circumstances of each person. Our staff will make an assessment of the vulnerability of a British national and the needs they have, based on who they are, where they are, and their situation. We aim to assess their needs promptly and provide effective assistance based on their individual circumstances and local conditions, making every effort to contact vulnerable British nationals within 24 hours of being notified of their situation.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the codification of the provision of consular services.

I was pleased to meet with the Honourable Lady on 19th October to discuss the FCDO's consular work.

There are no plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make consular assistance a legal right. Even if a right to assistance were to be enshrined in UK law, our ability to assist British nationals abroad would continue to remain dependent on co-operation from host countries and local laws. While there is no duty in international or domestic law to provide consular assistance, we strive to provide the right tailored assistance to those who need our help, doing more for those who most need our help.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to ensure joint working between his Department and the Ministry of Justice on complex consular cases involving suspicious deaths, homicide and incarceration overseas similar to the Forced Marriage Unit collaboration between his Department and the Home Office.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with other departments, including the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to provide consular assistance to British nationals overseas. The FCDO and MoJ work collaboratively in supporting victims bereaved by suspicious death and homicides abroad through our funded partner Victim Support Homicide Service. To support British nationals detained overseas and their families, the FCDO works closely with the NGOs Prisoners Abroad, the Death Penalty Project and Reprieve.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether as part of the integrated review of foreign policy, defence, security and development he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the findings of the 2019 All-party Parliamentary Group on Deaths Abroad report entitled Why UK families deserve better and what can be done.

As discussed during the meeting I held with the Honourable Lady on 19th October, we have carefully considered the feedback in the APPG's report and will be pleased to issue a response in the coming weeks. Consular assistance continues to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the world, by phone, online and via social media. We will continue our focus on those British nationals overseas who are the most vulnerable, training expert frontline staff to provide assistance in country and offering a wider choice of digital services where these can be provided more effectively online.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who was interviewed at his Department as part of the RAND Corporation report, Consular services to citizens abroad: Insights from an international comparative study, published November 2019.

The FCDO can confirm that consular officials fully responded to the RAND survey in writing in the interests of transparency.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the UK last compared the effectiveness of its consular assistance with that provided by other countries.

The FCDO is an active member of international consular forums and learns from, and shares experiences and practice with, a range of other countries.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department's decision to refer to people seeking consular support as customers is in line with international best practice.

The United Kingdom's consular relations are generally regulated by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, multilateral agreements, and bilateral consular conventions which does not specify language that should be used.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason his Department decided to refer on its website and in documentation to people seeking consular assistance as customers.

The 'Customer Charter' in in the publication 'Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide' (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/914039/FCO_BritsAbroad_A4web_020920.pdf) reflects the FCDO's commitment to provide a high quality service to those who need our support. As well as supporting British individuals who have experienced crime or trauma we also issue travel documents and provide notarial services and our publication seeks to set out the full range of help available. I was happy to meet the Honourable Lady on the 19th of October to discuss this aspect of the APPG report "Deaths Abroad, Consular Services and Assistance: Why Families Deserve Better and What Can Be Done".

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the RAND Corporation report, Consular services to citizens abroad: Insights from an international comparative study, published November 2019, whether other countries participating in that study referred to people seeking consular assistance as customers.

The FCDO cannot comment on other states' choice of terminology in relation to consular matters.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department allocates to the Victim Support Homicide Service/Lucie Blackman Trust to support families bereaved abroad.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works with a number of partner organisations where they can provide expertise, specialist support or services that the FCDO cannot. The FCDO contributes grant funding, via the Ministry of Justice, to the Victim Support Homicide Service to provide support to eligible families bereaved abroad. The grant funding provided to the Lucie Blackman Trust is to support missing British nationals and their families.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his former Department's report of January 2015, Review of consular assistance following murder and manslaughter cases overseas, whether his Department plans to publish its internal guidance on how it decides (a) who is entitled to consular assistance, (b) what criteria are considered, (c) how vulnerability is assessed and (d) what forms consular assistance can take in cases where support is provided to bereaved families and friends after a murder or manslaughter abroad.

"Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide" sets what we can and cannot provide in terms of consular assistance. In addition we have published guidance on gov.uk outlining consular support available to those bereaved through murder of manslaughter abroad called "Consular support for those bereaved through murder or manslaughter abroad". Vulnerability is assessed individually, according to each person or family's need.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his former Department's report of January 2015, Review of consular assistance following murder and manslaughter cases overseas, whether his Department plans to publish the outcome of the review of the Access to Justice Unit on support provided to bereaved families and friends after a murder or manslaughter abroad.

The FCO noted in its January 2015 review of consular assistance following murder and manslaughter cases overseas, that a new Access to Justice Unit would be operational by January 2015, and that we would report on progress by June 2015. An update was included in a published report called "Consular Strategy 2013-16: progress during year two" published in May 2015.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Government plans to respond to the Third Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Flying Home: The FCO’s consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic, published on 21 July 2020.

The Government sent its response to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 25 September.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to publish an official response to the APPG on Deaths Abroad, Consular Services and Assistance 2019 Report entitled Why families in the UK deserve better and what can be done.

We welcome the report of the APPG's Death Abroad, Consular Services and Assistance 2019. On 28 August I, (Minister Adams) replied to APPG chair, Hannah Bardell's letter of 28 July. In that letter I confirmed that I and my predecessors have repeatedly offered to meet the APPG to discuss their concerns and recommendations. This offer has not been taken up. We have carefully considered the issues raised in the report.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the FCO Murder Manslaughter Team will become party to the Victims' Code.

FCDO officials are in discussion with the Ministry of Justice about the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims' Code) following recommendations made by the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales in 2019. The Ministry of Justice recently ran a public consultation exercise on changes to the Victims' Code and their officials continue to analyse the responses received.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much the merger of his Department with the Department for International Development cost; and how many roles will be (a) lost and (b) created (i) in the UK and (ii) overseas as a result of that merger.

The creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has unified our international efforts so we can maximise the UK's influence around the world.

As the Foreign Secretary has said, we will implement the merger in the most cost-effective way possible. The ultimate shape of the FCDO will depend on the outcomes of the Integrated Review and Spending Review which will define the Government's ambition for the UK's role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security, defence, development and foreign policy. As such, it is not possible to determine yet the anticipated final costs of the merger or the size of the department needed to deliver against those ambitions. We anticipate there may be cost savings in the long term as a result of using our resources more effectively and efficiently, though this is not the primary goal of the merger.

The Foreign Secretary has said there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the merger, but that some roles and responsibilities may change. We will continue to engage with staff throughout this process.

11th Mar 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what safeguards are in place to protect consumers from payday lenders that have gone into administration.

The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, including payday lending, by transferring responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2014. This more robust regulatory system is helping to deliver the Government’s vision for a well-functioning and sustainable consumer credit market which is able to meet the needs of all consumers.

Where the FCA has found issues with firms’ practices through its supervision process, it has acted. However, many complaints regarding payday lenders originate before the FCA was responsible for the regulation in this market.

When a firm enters administration, assets are pooled and used to cover customer redress claims and administration costs with these claims being addressed in order of the creditor hierarchy. The payment of redress claims is a matter for the administrators.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the compensation scheme of last resort for customers of UK authorised financial services firms and is funded by a levy on industry. The FSCS is an independent non-governmental body and carries out its compensation function within rules set by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the FCA. The FCA has the power to decide which activities are given FSCS protection. In 2016, the FCA decided not to extend FSCS protection to most consumer credit activities because it believed other regulatory requirements were sufficient. The full reasoning behind the FCA’s decision is set out in a letter from its Chief Executive to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee on 15 February 2019.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Financial Conduct Authority has for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme to cover payday lenders that mis-sell or go into administration.

The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, including payday lending, by transferring responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2014. This more robust regulatory system is helping to deliver the Government’s vision for a well-functioning and sustainable consumer credit market which is able to meet the needs of all consumers.

Where the FCA has found issues with firms’ practices through its supervision process, it has acted. However, many complaints regarding payday lenders originate before the FCA was responsible for the regulation in this market.

When a firm enters administration, assets are pooled and used to cover customer redress claims and administration costs with these claims being addressed in order of the creditor hierarchy. The payment of redress claims is a matter for the administrators.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the compensation scheme of last resort for customers of UK authorised financial services firms and is funded by a levy on industry. The FSCS is an independent non-governmental body and carries out its compensation function within rules set by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the FCA. The FCA has the power to decide which activities are given FSCS protection. In 2016, the FCA decided not to extend FSCS protection to most consumer credit activities because it believed other regulatory requirements were sufficient. The full reasoning behind the FCA’s decision is set out in a letter from its Chief Executive to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee on 15 February 2019.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
21st Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to answer Question 11631 tabled on 3 February 2020 by the Hon Member for Livingstone.

The response for UIN 11631 was given on 26 February 2020.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
3rd Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department spent on legal fees in each year since 2010.

Data for professional fees expenditure is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts but is not disclosed separately for legal fees.

Home Office Annual Accounts 2018-19 - page 135

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807126/6.5571_HO_Annual_Report_201920_WEB.PDF

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
28th Apr 2020
What plans he has to provide (a) support and (b) accommodation for overseas nationals experiencing homelessness with no recourse to public funds during the covid-19 outbreak.

We have provided over £3.2 billion of new funding to help local authorities to reduce risks to public health and to support individuals on the basis of need. This includes those sleeping rough.

The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times and expects local authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.

Luke Hall
Minister of State (Education)
16th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department plans to respond to the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme Review 2020.

I am grateful to all who took the time to contribute views to our consultation aimed at making the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme simpler and more accessible.

We are carefully reviewing responses and will aim to publish the Government’s response in due course.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
24th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to comply with the Victims Directive after the UK leaves EU.

The Victim Directive (2012/29/EU) and the Victim Compensation Directive (2004/80/EC) will cease to apply to the UK after the end of the transition period, subject to the winding down provisions contained in the Withdrawal Agreement. The common minimum standards set out in the Victim Directive have been implemented in domestic law; for example, in England and Wales primarily through the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code) issued under section 32 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. These measures are unaffected by the UK’s exit from the EU. Victims of crime injured in Britain may be eligible for the Britain-wide Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme ('the Scheme'), which provides publicly funded compensation to victims who suffer a serious physical or mental injury as the direct result of a violent crime. Awards under the Scheme are a recognition of public sympathy for the pain and suffering caused by violent crime. Where the crime was committed in an EU Member State, victims may be eligible to apply to the compensation scheme in that State, under the European Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department allocates to the Victim Support Homicide Service/Lucie Blackman Trust to support families bereaved abroad.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring effective practical and emotional support for those bereaved by homicide and has taken steps to improve the funding available for these victims.

The current Homicide Service commenced in April 2019 and provides bereaved families with access to the fullest range of practical, emotional, specialist and peer support to families bereaved both in England and Wales as well as by homicide abroad.

We have provided Victim Support up to £3.4m per annum in funding for the delivery of the Homicide Service. In 2020/21 we are providing up to £500k in additional funding to the Homicide Service.

The funding available includes a contribution of up to £160k per annum from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to provide support to eligible families bereaved abroad. In addition, the FCDO has contributed funding of £40,000 this financial year to the Lucie Blackman Trust to support missing British nationals and their families.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
11th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) women and (b) men were (i) charged, (ii) convicted and (iii) received custodial sentences in relation to television licence fraud in the last 12 months for which such information is available.

The Ministry of Justice holds and publishes data on prosecutions, convictions and sentencing outcomes, but not on charges. We have interpreted your questions to be related to non-payment of television licence fees rather than fraud. Figures for prosecutions, convictions and sentencing outcomes for the non-payment of TV licence fees up to 2018 are available in the Outcomes by Offence data tool:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802314/outcomes-by-offence-tool-2018.xlsx

Filter by offence ‘191A Television licence evasion’. Then drag the ‘Sex’ filter into the rows field. The number of a) females, b) males convicted of this offence are shown in rows 35 and 34, respectively.

The number of a) females and b) males sentenced to immediate custody can be found in rows 90 and 89, respectively. However, custody is not a sentencing option for TV licence evasion, therefore these rows appear as nil.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)