Asked by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to review the existing laws on supply and distribution of fireworks.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously. That is why there is a comprehensive regulatory framework already in place for fireworks that controls the sale, availability and use.
We have no current plans to place further restrictions on the sale of fireworks to the public but we continue to monitor the situation. We are committed to promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks through our programme of action, including through education and awareness raising.
Asked by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Janssen covid-19 vaccine will be administered in the UK.
Answered by Paul Scully
The UK Government announced on 30 October that it will donate all 20 million Janssen doses it has ordered to COVAX. Eighty percent of the adult population in the UK is now double vaccinated and a winter boost campaign is well underway. Given the maturity of our vaccination programme and strength of existing supplies to meet domestic requirements, we have been able to identify these as doses we are able to reallocate to COVAX to distribute to those most in need.
Janssen aim to prioritise deliveries to countries based on need, so COVAX will receive the much-needed vaccines as soon as they come off the production line.
Asked by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has made to ensure that (a) banqueting halls and (b) wedding venues can reopen to serve food and entertainment whilst adhering to covid-19 guidelines; and whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating additional funding from the public purse to businesses in those sectors where adherence to those guidelines is not possible.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support to help businesses across the country during the COVID-19 outbreak, including those in the weddings industry.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that from 1 August celebratory meals or receptions of up to 30 people for weddings and civil partnerships will be allowed to take place. Over time, we will assess whether gatherings of this type for other purposes can be made possible and when larger wedding receptions can take place.
We continue to advise against live entertainment performances at weddings, due to the risks of people singing or shouting over loud music, which create risks of transmission.
Asked by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he categorises aesthetics and wellbeing businesses in the beauty industry; what businesses it categorises in the beauty industry; and what his timetable is for those businesses reopening.
Answered by Paul Scully
Government has published a list of business types that fall under the close contact services guidance. All businesses that provide cosmetic procedures or treatments for aesthetic and beauty purposes fall into the definition of a beauty salon.
We have now provided close contact services in England, except Leicester, with the certainty they need to reopen from Monday 13 July, subject to them following the COVID-secure guidelines.
Asked by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the reopening of soft tissue therapist businesses.
Answered by Paul Scully
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy discusses a wide range of topics and policy issues with ministers across Government, including the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
We have now provided other close contact services like massage therapists, reflexologists and other therapeutic services in England except Leicester with the certainty they need to reopen from Monday 13 July, subject to them following the COVID-secure guidelines.