Maria Caulfield

Grant applications to provide a central booking service are currently being considered by the Department of Health.

During 2016 over 700 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England for an abortion. We expect this number to rise initially.

The provision of abortion services in England for women from Northern Ireland is a matter for the Government. There is no legal requirement to consult on this specific aspect of the scheme, and no formal consultation took place. Patients in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who meet financial hardship criteria are eligible for support with travel costs for NHS treatments. There is no justification to exclude women from Northern Ireland from this scheme.

This does not change the position in relation to the provision of abortions in Northern Ireland, which is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Our proposals do not include the provision of any services in Northern Ireland.

The provision of abortion services in England for women from Northern Ireland is a matter for the Government. There is no legal requirement to consult on this specific aspect of the scheme, and no formal consultation took place. Patients in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who meet financial hardship criteria are eligible for support with travel costs for NHS treatments. There is no justification to exclude women from Northern Ireland from this scheme.

This does not change the position in relation to the provision of abortions in Northern Ireland, which is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Our proposals do not include the provision of any services in Northern Ireland.

Evidence shows that girls outperform boys on average at the end of primary and secondary school. The attainment of boys has been improving in primary school: in 2015, 77% of boys achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2, compared to 71% in 2012. Nonetheless, more remains to be done to raise levels of achievement amongst boys at all key stages.

While girls have higher attainment, they are still less likely than boys to pursue further study beyond the end of secondary school in subjects such as mathematics and physics – although the number of girls entered for A levels in these particular subjects has risen by 13 percent and 16 percent respectively since 2010.

In addressing these issues, we have placed high expectations at the heart of our school system through our new curriculum and reformed exams – and our new accountability system will reward those schools that encourage every child, boys and girls alike, to achieve their best. We are committed to delivering educational excellence everywhere so that every child, regardless of gender or background, can reach their potential.

Renewable technologies are essential to meet the 2050 net zero emissions commitment. Meeting this will require a diverse and efficient energy system. We keep under review the potential contribution from different renewable generation technologies, including where existing generation assets are reaching the end of their lifetime.

High streets are changing, and the Government is committed to helping communities adapt.

In Budget 2018, we set out Our Plan for the High Street, a £1.6bn package to support the sustainable transformation of our high streets.

This includes a £675m Future High Streets Fund, support for local leadership with a High Streets Task Force, and a one third cut to the business rates bills of eligible small retailers for two years from April this year.

The Pubs Code etc Regulations 2016 and the Pubs Code (Fees, Costs and Financial Penalties) Regulations 2016 were laid in draft before Parliament on 13 June 2016. The Regulations are available from the legislation.gov.uk website.

The Regulations are now subject to Parliamentary scrutiny before they come in effect. This scrutiny begins with consideration by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee followed by a debate in each House.

We are committed to ensuring that apprenticeships are accessible diverse range of people including young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.

We have supported the production of an employer toolkit and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) section of the Education and Training Foundation Excellence Gateway.

To encourage employers to hire apprentices, the Government funds apprenticeship training for all 16-18 year olds. This level of funding is extended for apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) aged 19-24. In addition, providers can access Learning Support funding to help apprentices who have a learning difficulty and/or disability.

A Taskforce, led by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard), has been looking at issues around apprenticeships for people with learning difficulties or disabilities. The Taskforce is currently considering its recommendations.

Apprenticeships are safeguarded by the same equality duties under the Equality Act (2010) as any other employment. We encourage the use of the range of reasonable adjustments available so apprentices with special educational needs and disabilities (who can apply for Access to Work funding) can demonstrate what they know and can do.

The East Sussex project aims to provide superfast broadband coverage to nearly 61,000 homes and businesses in the county. As of 31 March 2015, 31,205 premises had access to superfast broadband as a result of the project. The project is expected to be completed by 2017, with over 96% of premises expected to have access to superfast broadband.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, meets Treasury ministers regularly to discuss matters of shared interest, including funding for schools.

The Department provides additional support aimed at rural schools. For example, the sparsity factor in the National Funding Formula allocates £25 million specifically to schools that are both small and remote.

The national funding formula includes support for schools in rural areas, and the sparsity factor allocates additional funding of £25 million specifically to remote schools. The formula also provides a lump sum of £110,000 for every school as a contribution to the costs that do not vary with pupil numbers. This aims to give schools certainty that they will attract a fixed amount each year in addition to their pupil-led funding.

When the lump sum is coupled with the sparsity factor, this provides significant support for small and remote schools that play an essential role in rural communities. A small, rural primary school eligible for sparsity funding will attract up to £135,000 in total through the lump sum and sparsity factors and a small secondary school will attract up to £175,000.

In addition, the formula has already allocated an increase for every pupil in every school in 2018-19, with increases of up to 3% per pupil for the most underfunded schools, including some in rural areas. In 2019-20, those schools that have been historically underfunded will see further gains of up to 3% per pupil, as the Department continues to make progress in addressing historic unfairness. Alongside this, the Department has been able to ensure that all schools will attract an increase of 1% per pupil by 2019-20, compared to 2017-18.

The Government continues to invest in schools, with an additional £1.3 billion across 2018/19 and 2019/20, over and above the plans set out at the last spending review, meaning that the total core schools and high needs budget will rise from almost £41 billion in 2017/18 to £43.5 billion in 2019/20. The Department will be making a strong case to the Treasury at the next spending review to ensure that we have the resourcing we need for our schools.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State meets Her Majesty's Treasury Ministers regularly to discuss matters of shared interest, including funding for schools.

The Department provides additional support aimed at rural schools. For example, the sparsity factor in the National Funding Formula allocates £25 million specifically to schools that are both small and remote.

We do not hold information on the number of schools that have installed an automated external defibrillator on schools grounds, as the purchasing of a defibrillator is a matter for individual head teachers.

We know however how important swift access to a defibrillator can be in cases of cardiac arrest, which is why the Government is encouraging schools and other eligible settings to purchase a defibrillator as part of their first-aid equipment.

To make it as easy as possible for schools to do so, the Department has negotiated a deal with NHS Supply Chain to offer defibrillators to schools at a reduced cost. Since the scheme was launched in November 2014, 1831 defibrillators have been purchased through this route.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 animal fights, including dog fights, are prohibited. Offences include publicising a fight, providing information about an animal fight and betting on an animal fight. The maximum penalty for such offences is six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. In addition, under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 four types of dog have been prohibited that are have been identified either as being bred for fighting or that share the characteristics of dogs bred for fighting. The maximum penalty for possession of an illegal type dog is six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. Separately the independent Sentencing Council have recently consulted on changes to their guidelines to magistrates’ courts for a range of offences including animal cruelty offences. The Sentencing Council stated in June that in relation to animal cruelty, the Council wants to ensure that the most serious cases lead to prison sentences, and that these sentences are of an appropriate length.

The Government has also worked with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG), a grouping of welfare charities and pet industry interests, who have been lobbying operators of internet sites to adopt minimum standards for the advertising of pet animals.

Leaving the Common External Tariff ensures we can take advantage of the opportunity to negotiate our own preferential trade agreements around the world. We are looking into options for future trading arrangements, recognising the need for a smooth transition which minimises disruption for developing countries.

The Department published a comprehensive three-year evaluation of the effect of 20mph signed-only limits in November 2018.

The report found that while 20mph limits were supported by the majority of residents and drivers, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that that the introduction of 20mph limits in residential areas had led to a significant change in collisions and casualties.

The Department for Transport does not keep information on the details of number of ‘station skipping’ incidents on the Southern network.

Network Rail is currently developing proposals for potential upgrades of the Brighton Main Line, following the conclusions of the Sussex Route Study, and the London South Coast Rail Corridor Study, both of which highlighted significant capacity and performance constraints. Government will fund Network Rail to develop proposals as necessary.

We do not hold information to this level of detail. Govia Thameslink Railways, that operates Southern Trains, might hold this data.

The last Department for Transport forecasts for Gatwick and the other main UK airports were published in January 2013. These showed that air passengers at Gatwick would grow by 11% in the period 2015 to 2025. This is a 1% annual rate of growth.

The independent Airports Commission published their own forecasts for air traffic, including at Gatwick, as part of their Final Report on 1 July 2015. The Government will not be commenting on any of the Airports Commission’s recommendations until it has had time to examine all of the evidence.

Women reaching State Pension age in 2016/17 are estimated to receive more State Pension on average over their lifetime than women ever have before.

By 2030, over 3 million women stand to gain an average of £550 per year through the introduction of the new State Pension.

The Government is committed to enabling all disabled people to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations. Work is an important part of this, and the Government wants all disabled people and people with a long term health condition to go as far as their talents will take them. Every individual should have the opportunity to work and share in the economic and health benefits that work brings.

A new Disability Confident employer scheme went live on 14 July 2016. When employers sign up as Disability Confident they are asked to make specific meaningful offers of opportunities for disabled people such as jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and work experience opportunities.

We will soon publish a Green Paper that will explore a range of options for long-term reform across different sectors, targeting the factors which contribute to the disability employment gap.

We welcome the Sense report, Realising Aspirations for All. We want all disabled people and those with a long term health condition to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations.

Everyone has an important part to play in making the transformative changes required for long-term reform on supporting disabled people into work and contributing to halving the disability employment gap.

We will soon publish a Green Paper that will explore a range of options for long-term reform across different sectors enabling everyone to realise their aspirations, regardless of their health condition or disability. We are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including organisations that represent the needs of deafblind people, through our preparatory work and detailed consultation plans that will follow.

The Government encourages organisations, including schools, to consider purchasing a defibrillator as part of their first-aid equipment, particularly for places where there are high concentrations of people.

Automated external defibrillators are currently available for schools and other education providers in the United Kingdom to purchase through NHS Supply Chain at a reduced cost. These arrangements are available to all UK schools, including academies and independent schools, sixth-form colleges, further education institutions and early years settings (including holiday and out-of-school providers). These arrangements have been in place since November 2014.

The NHS Long Term Plan states fast and effective action will help save the lives of people suffering a cardiac arrest, and key measures include:

- a national network of community first responders and defibrillators will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028, which will be supported by educating the general public, including young people of school age, about how to recognise and respond to out of hospital cardiac arrest;

- NHS England will also work with partners such as the British Heart Foundation to harness new technology and ensure that the public and emergency services are able to rapidly locate defibrillators in an emergency; and

- more effective mapping of data on incidence will help direct community initiatives to areas where they are most needed, and the British Heart Foundation-funded national Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry, based in Warwick, will allow NHS England to track survival rates and target unwarranted variation.

NHS England will continue to work closely with key partners and stakeholders, including the British Heart Foundation, as it supports the National Health Service to deliver the commitments set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) began work in April 2017 to conduct high-level investigations of serious patient safety incidents in the National Health Service in England with a specific focus on system-wide learning and improvement.

In November 2017, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that, from April 2018, HSIB would investigate all cases of early neonatal deaths, term intrapartum stillbirths and cases of severe brain injury in babies, as well as all cases of maternal death in England. HSIB did not conduct investigations in these areas in 2017.

The new investigative approach will begin in a single region from April 2018 and rollout to all areas of England will be completed by the end of March 2019. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 cases of birth-related deaths or serious brain injuries in babies in England every year. The expectation is that the learning from investigations will spur system improvements leading to fewer deaths and injuries in the future.

The Secretary of State has been clear that the HSIB maternity investigations will involve patients and families in investigations. In carrying out the maternity investigations, the HSIB will consult and seek evidence or information from the patient, family members and staff involved in the care. In addition, the HSIB will share draft reports with family members, inviting comment, and provide family members with the final report.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) began work in April 2017 to conduct high-level investigations of serious patient safety incidents in the National Health Service in England with a specific focus on system-wide learning and improvement.

In November 2017, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that, from April 2018, HSIB would investigate all cases of early neonatal deaths, term intrapartum stillbirths and cases of severe brain injury in babies, as well as all cases of maternal death in England. HSIB did not conduct investigations in these areas in 2017.

The new investigative approach will begin in a single region from April 2018 and rollout to all areas of England will be completed by the end of March 2019. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 cases of birth-related deaths or serious brain injuries in babies in England every year. The expectation is that the learning from investigations will spur system improvements leading to fewer deaths and injuries in the future.

The Secretary of State has been clear that the HSIB maternity investigations will involve patients and families in investigations. In carrying out the maternity investigations, the HSIB will consult and seek evidence or information from the patient, family members and staff involved in the care. In addition, the HSIB will share draft reports with family members, inviting comment, and provide family members with the final report.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) began work in April 2017 to conduct high-level investigations of serious patient safety incidents in the National Health Service in England with a specific focus on system-wide learning and improvement.

In November 2017, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that, from April 2018, HSIB would investigate all cases of early neonatal deaths, term intrapartum stillbirths and cases of severe brain injury in babies, as well as all cases of maternal death in England. HSIB did not conduct investigations in these areas in 2017.

The new investigative approach will begin in a single region from April 2018 and rollout to all areas of England will be completed by the end of March 2019. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 cases of birth-related deaths or serious brain injuries in babies in England every year. The expectation is that the learning from investigations will spur system improvements leading to fewer deaths and injuries in the future.

The Secretary of State has been clear that the HSIB maternity investigations will involve patients and families in investigations. In carrying out the maternity investigations, the HSIB will consult and seek evidence or information from the patient, family members and staff involved in the care. In addition, the HSIB will share draft reports with family members, inviting comment, and provide family members with the final report.

Impartial National Health Service or local authority funded information and support for women who are uncertain whether to continue with a pregnancy is available from general practice, sexual and reproductive health services and abortion clinics. All women requesting an abortion should be offered the opportunity to discuss their options and choices with, and receive support from, a trained pregnancy counsellor. Following an abortion all women should be able to access post-abortion support or counselling.