Joanna Cherry

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement delivers what the British public voted for in the referendum and at the last General Election. It is the first free trade agreement the EU has ever reached based on zero tariffs and zero quotas.

This Agreement will help unlock investment and protect high value jobs right across the UK. We will now take full advantage of the opportunities created by this deal – helping to boost productivity, unlock investment and safeguard high value jobs in the UK.

We have taken back control of our borders meaning we control who comes into the country, as demonstrated by our new Points Based System which has now gone live. This fairer, firmer and skills-led system will enable companies to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

Our Net Zero Strategy supports well-paid jobs, leverages up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030 across the UK and outlines support for projects in Scotland, including the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

British goods exports to the EU were up 4.1% in 2021 on the previous year, whilst British goods imports from the EU were down 4.5% in the same period.

Although customs processes must still be followed, humanitarian goods are subject to customs duty relief. Businesses and charities can contact the Export Support Service for help relating to the Ukraine crisis.

The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, last updated in a Written Ministerial Statement on 25^th March 2014, sets out the policy framework for assessing all export licence applications.

HM Government publishes Official Statistics on export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK, on a quarterly and annual basis. These reports contain detailed information including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences.

This information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data. The most recent publication was on 13^th October 2020, covering the period 1^st April – 30^th June 2020.

Internal records held indicate, in each quarter between Q1 2018 and Q2 2020, the longest an application has taken to process a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) by HM Government, is as follows:

HM Government publishes Official Statistics on export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK, on a quarterly and annual basis.

These reports contain detailed information including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This information is available at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data

However, the information requested by the Hon. Lady can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

HM Government publishes Official Statistics on export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK, on a quarterly and annual basis.

These reports contain detailed information including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data

The most recent publication was on 13^th October 2020, covering the period 1^st April to 30^th June 2020. For Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications, the data is reproduced below.

The Secretary of State and my ministerial colleagues have frequent conversations with the Chancellor and Treasury ministers on the vital role of transport in re-igniting the economy, and levelling up across the UK. We've already made important announcements, including £2bn of funding to encourage people to walk and cycle, and announced £100m of funding to improve local roads. I will continue to work closely with the Chancellor, including on Project Speed, to make sure we are building and delivering transport that will help drive the UK's recovery from Covid-19.

All offers received a rigorous financial, commercial, legal and policy assessment, led by officials in various Government departments. The final decision on whether to enter a contract was made by the appropriate Accounting Officer in the Department. Due diligence checks on offers of personal protective equipment were performed by the PPE Cell, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence which confirmed United Kingdom supplier financial accounts information; company health checks such as profitability, financial ratios and supplier information; international supplier accounts; and serious organised crime footprints.

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

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

The National Adviser for LGBT Health engages with a wide range of stakeholder groups including Government departments, National Health Service organisations, Royal Colleges, regulators and voluntary and community sector organisations. In the last six months the National Adviser for LGBT Health has engaged with the following organisations:

- The Department of Health and Social Care;

- The Government Equalities Office;

- The Care Quality Commission;

- The General Medical Council;

- The Nursing and Midwifery Council;

- The General Pharmaceutical Council;

- The Royal College of General Practitioners;

- The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology;

- The Royal College of Midwives;

- The Royal College of Nurses;

- The Equality and Human Rights Commission;

- NHS Digital;

- NHSX;

- The UK Health Security Agency;

- The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities;

- Healthwatch;

- Albert Kennedy Trust;

- Opening Doors London;

- National LGB&T Partnership;

- LGBT Consortium;

- LGBT Foundation;

- Metro Charity;

- Stonewall Housing;

- The Proud Trust;

- Stonewall;

- Alike;

- Mermaids;

- Live Through This;

- LGBT Hero;

- Yorkshire Mesmac

- cliniQ;

- Terrence Higgins Trust;

- Gendered Intelligence;

- Leicester LGBT Centre;

- Birmingham LGBT;

- Galop;

- Switchboard;

- London Friend;

- LGBTIQ Outside Project;

- Lancashire LGBT;

- Intersex Equality Rights UK;

- Spectra;

- Intercom Trust;

- LGBT Dorset;

- MindOut;

- ELOP (East London Out Project);

- Parapride;

- Intersex Equality Rights UK;

- National Maternity Voices;

- Beyond Bea;

- Aching Arms;

- LGBT Mummies Tribe;

- Local Maternity Voice Partnership Chairs;

- Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals;

- NHS Youth Forum;

- Womens’ Budget Group;

- Women’s Resource Centre;

- Fair Play for Women;

- Faith Action;

- The Race Equality Foundation; and

- The HOPE Network.

The National Adviser is focused on reducing the heath inequalities faced by LGBT people, advising on ways to improve the care LGBT people receive when accessing the National Health Service and public health services and is a visible advocate for LGBT equality within the NHS, providing a voice for LGBT service users within the health and social care system. The National Adviser works to improve healthcare professionals’ awareness of LGBT issues, facilitating better patient care, working with relevant statutory organisations and professional associations to embed LGBT issues into physical and mental health services. The National Adviser’s four priorities are:

- Improving data collection and monitoring of sexual orientation, gender identity and rans status across the NHS;

- Improving education and training of the NHS workforce to support them to better address LGBT+ health inequalities;

- Supporting the NHS to deliver more LGBT+ inclusive services; and

- Supporting the NHS to be a more inclusive workplace and to improve the experience of the LGBT+ workforce.

The UK is calling for immediate unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza so that essential aid can reach civilian populations including food, water, fuel and medical supplies. The UK is also calling on all parties to protect border crossings to support safe humanitarian access and mitigate harm to civilians. The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, civil society organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and on 23 October a further £20 million, in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have emphasised the importance of taking all possible measures to protect innocent civilians and underlined the importance of safe humanitarian access to Gaza in their discussions with their Israeli counterparts. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar and pushed for agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of British hostages and foreign nationals, and securing safe passage for British Nationals to leave Gaza. The UK will remain committed to mitigating the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calling for international humanitarian law to be respected, while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas.

So far in 2022 we have received over 49,000 ATAS applications, of which only 824 remain beyond their target processing time. In order to process these numbers, staffing has been increased and a significant IT upgrade is underway. ATAS continues to be an essential tool to prevent sensitive UK technology from reaching military programmes of concern.

So far in 2022 we have received over 45,000 applications. We currently have 3382 applications under consideration, including those within the target processing time; the oldest outstanding application is 324 days. FCDO staff have regular meetings with the Higher Education Sector to discuss a variety of topics relating to the protection of sensitive research and that includes ATAS. In addition, FCDO works closely with other government departments to ensure that ATAS policy is fully understood and communicated in their conversations with the sector. It is not possible to make a calculation of the impact of delays to course start dates as a result of ATAS assessments because not all ATAS applications lead to a visa application and courses start throughout the year.

So far in 2022 we have received over 45,000 applications. We currently have 3382 applications under consideration, including those within the target processing time; the oldest outstanding application is 324 days. FCDO staff have regular meetings with the Higher Education Sector to discuss a variety of topics relating to the protection of sensitive research and that includes ATAS. In addition, FCDO works closely with other government departments to ensure that ATAS policy is fully understood and communicated in their conversations with the sector. It is not possible to make a calculation of the impact of delays to course start dates as a result of ATAS assessments because not all ATAS applications lead to a visa application and courses start throughout the year.

So far in 2022 we have received over 45,000 applications. We currently have 3382 applications under consideration, including those within the target processing time; the oldest outstanding application is 324 days. FCDO staff have regular meetings with the Higher Education Sector to discuss a variety of topics relating to the protection of sensitive research and that includes ATAS. In addition, FCDO works closely with other government departments to ensure that ATAS policy is fully understood and communicated in their conversations with the sector. It is not possible to make a calculation of the impact of delays to course start dates as a result of ATAS assessments because not all ATAS applications lead to a visa application and courses start throughout the year.

I refer the honourable member to the answer that I gave on 24 March 2022 to UIN 143714.

The government will monitor if steps are needed to support financial services provision for Ukrainian refugees in the UK’s marketplace.

Participants in industry have highlighted measures they have taken to support refugees and their access to essential financial services.

The Government recognises that access to a current account is key to enabling people to manage their money on a day-to-day basis effectively, securely, and confidently.

The nine largest personal current account providers in the UK are legally required to offer basic bank accounts to customers in the UK who do not have a bank account or who are not eligible for a bank’s standard current account. Customers must be lawfully resident in the UK to be eligible, and this includes Ukrainian nationals who have entered the UK under the Ukrainian Scheme and Ukrainian Family Scheme.

HMRC understands that people in the UK want to help those affected by the invasion of Ukraine. The Government advises that the best way to help the Ukrainian people is to donate money through the Disasters Emergency Committee or other trusted charities. The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal can be found here: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal.

Most goods crossing borders require customs declarations and may be subject to checks. Duty and other border taxes may be payable on entry into other customs territories, such as the EU. This includes goods donated to charities and in kind assistance, such as food, blankets, and clothing.

Charities will need to follow UK export guidance and comply with any import rules and pay any taxes or duty owed in the EU or other country that the goods are being sent to, including Ukraine.

However, we appreciate that people and businesses may still wish to donate aid directly to the region and we are exploring further ways to support this. UK charities requiring advice about transporting humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees can contact the free-to-use Export Support Service (ESS). The ESS helpline number is 0300 303 8955 and is currently operational 7 days a week, from 08:00-2200hours. Support can also be accessed online: https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team.

Whilst we do not have any plans to review the process by which refugees may apply for settlement protection, we have taken action to accelerate decision-making and rapidly speed up processing times to eliminate the backlog of people waiting for initial asylum decisions by the end of 2023. This will ensure asylum seekers are not left months or even years waiting for a decision.

We have done this by streamlining and modernising the end-to-end process, with improved guidance and more focussed interviews; and continued enhancement of digital technology.

Discussions with Cabinet peers are held in confidence. However, the Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public and businesses from this devastating crime.

The 2020 Economic Crime Survey showed that around 1 in 5 businesses in surveyed sectors had been a victim of fraud over a three-year period. The mean annual cost per business of all fraud incidents was around £16,000, and the median cost was £1,000. 37% of businesses that experienced fraud also reported other impacts, including on the wellbeing of their staff.

The Fraud Strategy, published earlier this year, sets out the Government’s three pillar approach to tackling this crime. We will work with industry, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and with all partners to ensure that people and businesses have the advice and support they need.

The UK’s refugee resettlement schemes operate outside of the EU and we don't envisage any impact on them from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Following the temporarily pause to the resettlement of refugees, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, arrivals recommenced in December 2020. The final arrivals under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme will take place during early 2021, delivering on our commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria to rebuild their lives safely in the UK.

We will continue to honour our commitment to those who have been invited to the UK and we will roll out a new global resettlement scheme in the future, along with a new firm and fair asylum system which will welcome people through safe and legal routes.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to PQ 133894 on 15 January 2021.

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes a deal on law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation which delivers a comprehensive package of capabilities that will ensure we can work with counterparts across Europe to tackle serious crime and terrorism. Hence the UK Parliament’s support for the agreement was a vital part of ensuring we can use these capabilities to protect the public and bring criminals to justice across our Union.

We also have excellent bilateral cooperation with Member States across the EU on a wide range of law enforcement and criminal justice issues. We will continue to consider ways we can strengthen this.

That article raises questions about domestic and international terrorism laws. Ministry of Defence officials have reviewed it and strongly disagree with its analysis. I can assure the House the UK’s nuclear deterrent is fully compliant and compatible with both our domestic and international legal obligations.

The Government considers that offences created by the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Terrorism Act 2006 are not engaged by the UK’s nuclear deterrence policy and rejects the assertion in the article that “most, perhaps all, military action is an offence” under terrorism legislation.

As stated in the UK Integrated Review 2021, the UK would consider using its nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances of self-defence, including the defence of its NATO Allies. The legality of any such use would depend upon the circumstances and the application of the general rules of international law, including those regulating the use of force and the conduct of hostilities.

It is important we improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces which is why we are investing in policies such as flexible service, wrap-around childcare and better working practices. It is also important that we provide support in cases of unacceptable behaviour. That is why the Wigston Report and reforms to the Service Justice and Service Complaints Systems will change Defence’s culture and make it easier to tackle unacceptable behaviours.

As set out in the manifesto, the Government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government, this includes updating the Human Rights Act. Further details will be announced in due course. This does not change the fact that the UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights, and will continue to champion human rights at home and abroad.

As set out in the manifesto, the Government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government, this includes updating the Human Rights Act. Further details will be announced in due course. This does not change the fact that the UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights, and will continue to champion human rights at home and abroad.

As set out in the manifesto, the Government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government, this includes updating the Human Rights Act. Further details will be announced in due course. This does not change the fact that the UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights, and will continue to champion human rights at home and abroad.

As set out in the manifesto, the Government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government, this includes updating the Human Rights Act. Further details will be announced in due course. This does not change the fact that the UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights, and will continue to champion human rights at home and abroad.

As set out in the manifesto, the Government will look at the broader aspects of our constitution including the balance between the rights of individuals and effective government, this includes updating the Human Rights Act. Further details will be announced in due course. This does not change the fact that the UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights, and will continue to champion human rights at home and abroad.