3 APPG memberships (as of 8 Apr 2024)
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Fusion Energy, River Thames13 Former APPG memberships
Accounting for Growth, AEA Technology Pensions, Antibiotics, Australia and New Zealand, Dentistry and Oral Health, Electric Aviation, Health, Hydrogen, Nuclear Fusion, Pacific Islands, Policing, Policing and Security, SkinDivision Voting information
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
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
(6 debate interactions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
(4 debate interactions)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(3 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(19 debate contributions)
(12 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,727 words contributed)
(1,513 words contributed)
(414 words contributed)
Mole Valley 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).
of 21,728 signatures (0.90%)
of 200,758 signatures (0.22%)
of 103,505 signatures (0.22%)
of 71,545 signatures (0.16%)
of 200,758 signatures (0.22%)
of 103,505 signatures (0.22%)
of 21,728 signatures (0.90%)
of 71,545 signatures (0.16%)
of 10,666 signatures (0.88%)
Latest EDMs signed by Paul Beresford
Local Government
Tabled by: Paul Beresford (Conservative - Mole Valley)That the draft Mole Valley (Electoral Changes) Order 2023, which was laid before the House on 18 November 2022, be not made.
(Most recent: 30 Nov 2022)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Paul Beresford, 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.
Paul Beresford has not been granted any Urgent Questions
5 Adjournment Debates led by Paul Beresford
9 Bills introduced by Paul Beresford
A Bill to make provision about the grounds on which a person is disqualified from being elected to, or holding, certain positions in local government in England.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to consolidate and amend provisions about the House of Commons Members’ Fund; and to make provision about the House of Commons resources estimates.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 12th May 2016 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about interference with wireless telegraphy in prisons and similar institutions.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 19th December 2012 and was enacted into law.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 8th March 2012 and was enacted into law.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to apply additionally to the possession of prohibited written material about children; to make consequential amendments to the Act; and for connected purposes
Friday 19th October 2012
A Bill to create an offence of child criminal exploitation; and for connected purposes.
Friday 19th April 2024
A Bill to amend section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 15th October 2014
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 so as to apply additionally to the possession of pornographic written material about children; to make consequential amendments to the Act; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 9th October 2013
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to provide for tax relief on medical insurance premiums for people above a certain age; and for connected purposes
Wednesday 2nd March 2011
7 Bills co-sponsored by Paul Beresford
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Pension Transfers (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Investigation) Bill Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - David Johnston (Con)
New Homes (New Development Standards) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Con)
Apologies Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - John Howell (Con)
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Pension Transfers (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Investigation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Con)
Voter Registration Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christopher Chope (Con)
Service Animals (Offences) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Oliver Heald (Con)
Service Animals (Offences) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Oliver Heald (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)2 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions
(View all Paul Beresford's BEIS questions)There is no single register of all households eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding, and it therefore requires a separate approach from the main Energy Bills Support Scheme, which was delivered through suppliers. The Government is developing the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme to support these households, including park homes, and will announce further details on eligibility, delivery mechanisms and timing soon.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 29 July, the EBSS Alternative Funding will be available to provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills for the households who will not be reached through the EBSS. This includes those who do not have a domestic electricity meter or a direct relationship with an energy supplier, such as park home residents.
The Government is working to make the support available to applicants as soon as possible and is working with a range of organisations, such as local authorities, Devolved Administrations and across the UK Government, to finalise the details of the Alternative Funding and have the process up and running for applications this winter.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has been clear that all pupils, in all year groups, should return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term and on 2 July we published guidance to help schools prepare for this. The guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.
The guidance sets out a system of controls which provide a framework for school leaders to put in place proportionate protective measures to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission, including cleaning hands thoroughly more often than usual.
COVID-19 is an easy virus to kill when it is on skin. This can be done with soap and running water or hand sanitiser. Schools must ensure that pupils clean their hands regularly, including when they arrive at school, when they return from breaks, when they change rooms and before and after eating.
Schools have been advised to consider whether they have enough hand washing or hand sanitiser ‘stations’ available so that all pupils and staff can clean their hands regularly. Schools have also been asked to supervise hand sanitiser use given risks around ingestion. Small children and pupils with complex needs should be helped to clean their hands properly. Skin friendly cleaning wipes can also be used as an alternative where required.
The Government is open to discussing ideas for reform of the existing licensing regime for powered light vehicles known as L category vehicles where they do not compromise safety standards. The Government intends to engage with the Motorcycle Industry Association in the coming weeks to discuss and consider how they align with existing work and planning linked to licencing reform.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Minister for Roads and Local Transport intends to engage with the Motorcycle Industry Association on its proposals, in the near future, to consider how they align with existing work and plans on Compulsory Basic Training and licence reform.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This is a complex issue, which spans the responsibility of several departments. My officials are in discussion with their counterparts at the Cabinet Office.
As part of the government’s response to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of 2023-24 on Defined Benefit pension schemes (HC144) we will carefully consider this issue, involving other relevant departments as appropriate and respond in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
No, the company has not made an application for a biocidal product authorisation and so the product Vespex is not under consideration for use in the UK.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK has reciprocal social security agreements, covering pensions and some other benefits, with the following Commonwealth countries: Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, Malta, Cyprus, Canada and New Zealand. All the agreements except for Canada and New Zealand provide for state pension up-rating.
The Department plans to respond to the request from Canada in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The UK has reciprocal social security agreements, covering pensions and some other benefits, with the following Commonwealth countries: Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, Malta, Cyprus, Canada and New Zealand. All the agreements except for Canada and New Zealand provide for state pension up-rating.
The Department plans to respond to the request from Canada in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The EU Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012 (BPR) has applied since 2013. In line with the EU Exit Withdrawal Agreement, the BPR is being retained with changes to reflect the position at the end of the Transition Period. This process does not allow the UK to make policy changes. Thus, there are no current plans to review the procedures within the UK biocides legislation. HSE has no evidence that the current regulatory approach is ineffective.
BPR requires that all the active substances used in hand sanitiser products are reviewed for their safety, both to people and the wider environment. Only products containing active substances that are undergoing that review process are allowed to be marketed.
Once the review of an active substance has been completed and the active is approved as being suitable to continue being used, each product containing that substance is then assessed, both for safety and for efficacy. While the review of an active substance is ongoing, products containing that substance can continue to be marketed subject to the requirements of general legislation relating to product safety and the supply of chemicals.
The BPR does not regulate the price of hand sanitiser products.
There are no current plans to review the regulation of sales of hand sanitiser products.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provides the Government with advice on all immunisation programmes, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The JCVI is actively reviewing evidence around available products and the potential for an expanded or universal RSV programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their review of evidence and any advice is made, the Department will work with manufacturers, alongside the UK Heath Security Agency and NHS England, to support the implementation of advice as soon as is practicable.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are actively considering the potential for an expanded or universal respiratory syncytial virus programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their robust review of evidence, the Department will support the implementation of any advice with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency as soon as is practicable, including, if necessary, engaging with HM Treasury to seek budgetary support for a potential programme.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that the current respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, should be replaced by nirsevimab for the existing, targeted cohort. The Department, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England are engaging with the manufacturer to support this change in time for the 2023/24 winter season.
The JCVI is actively reviewing evidence about a potential expanded RSV programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their review of evidence and any advice is made, the Department will support the implementation of any changes advised by the JCVI as soon as is practicable, including working closely with NHS England and UKHSA.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
While the Department has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of teledermatology or the impact of teledermatology on waiting list backlogs caused by COVID-19 in England, the Department continues to support the National Health Service in working to ensure the recovery and transformation of all elective services, including for patients with skin conditions. This includes providing record levels of funding and setting direction through the elective recovery delivery plan published last year. NHS England’s outpatient recovery and transformation programme published a teledermatology roadmap in 2021.
The outpatient recovery and transformation programme has also introduced a number of initiatives such as using advice and guidance and the virtual teledermatology two-week wait pathway, as well as patient initiated follow-up and remote consultations, all of which provide opportunities to reduce the number of patients attending face-to-face appointments. This means capacity can be released for patients that need to be seen face-to-face, such as those with extensive inflammatory skin disease.
Through these approaches, NHS providers are tackling the backlogs caused by the pandemic and transforming service provision for all patients.
While the Department has not made any formal assessment of the adequacy of referral services, the Department continues to support the National Health Service to recover all elective services, including for patients with skin conditions. This includes providing funding and setting direction through the elective recovery delivery plan published last year.
Most adult and paediatric dermatology services are commissioned locally through integrated care boards. However, to support patients with more complex or severe conditions, NHS England directly commissions some specialised services for example specialised adult and child dermatology clinics.
A recent NHS guide on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions outlines how systems can implement specialist advice and guidance. The approach enables local systems to embed personalised care, strengthen the primary and secondary care interface, and streamline collaboration between generalists and specialists so that more patients can be treated closer to home.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is supporting the National Health Service to improve outpatient services, including referral optimisation.
NHS England’s Outpatient Recovery and Transformation Programme runs a series of Action on Outpatients webinars to raise awareness of outpatient improvement initiatives. In December 2022, the series focused on outpatient referral optimisation, drawing on principles from NHS England guidance on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions, published September 2022.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Outpatient Recovery and Transformation (OPRT) programme has delivered a series of webinars and processes to raise awareness of various outpatient improvement initiatives to support Integrated Care Systems, with signposting to online resources and contacts for support in implementation.
The OPRT in collaboration with the National Cancer team and other stakeholders have published the Implementing a timed skin cancer diagnostic pathway guidance for local health and care systems (in October 2022), including for teledermatology pathways to support two week wait skin cancer delivery.
NHS England provide support, funding and guidance to help cancer alliances improve outcomes and reduce variation. This includes programme management to support delivery and implementing guidance for achieving best practice. Estimates of costs of establishing teledermatology services are the remit of commissioner and provider organisations.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Outpatient Recovery and Transformation (OPRT) programme has delivered a series of webinars and processes to raise awareness of various outpatient improvement initiatives to support Integrated Care Systems, with signposting to online resources and contacts for support in implementation.
The OPRT in collaboration with the National Cancer team and other stakeholders have published the Implementing a timed skin cancer diagnostic pathway guidance for local health and care systems (in October 2022), including for teledermatology pathways to support two week wait skin cancer delivery.
NHS England provide support, funding and guidance to help cancer alliances improve outcomes and reduce variation. This includes programme management to support delivery and implementing guidance for achieving best practice. Estimates of costs of establishing teledermatology services are the remit of commissioner and provider organisations.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Starting from August 2022, Health Education England has increased the number of training posts in dermatology which will help support the dermatology workforce. In November 2022 there were 1,233 full-time equivalent doctors in the dermatology specialism working in hospital and community health settings, representing an increase of 65 since the previous year.
Alongside this expansion, in September 2022 NHS England produced guidance on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions to ensure that patients with inflammatory skin conditions can access timely specialist care. This can be found at the following link:
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The delivery of the MenACWY vaccine was interrupted by the closure of schools from 23 March 2020. Vaccine delivery was resumed as soon as possible and NHS England and NHS Improvement continue to ensure any students affected by this disruption have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Vaccines against meningococcal B, given to children at one year old, were not paused during the pandemic. General practices continued to offer routine vaccination services, using social distancing and personal protective equipment. However, any child who did not receive their routine vaccinations during the pandemic remains eligible and general practitioners are able to provide the service to any child who has missed a vaccination.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent, expert body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service. NICE has received a referral from NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop a guideline on atopic dermatitis or eczema in those aged over 12 years old, which will be commissioned for development in due course. There are no plans for NICE to develop a quality standard on atopic dermatitis in those aged over 12 years old.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
No formal assessment has been made.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There has been no central formal impact assessment. Local systems delivering dermatology services carry out their own assessments.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There is no plan for this duty to entail undertaking an audit in relation to clinical nurse specialists working in prostate cancer, nor any other health professions or medical conditions.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.
We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.
We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.
We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Travel status decisions are taken by Ministers informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s analysis as well as other relevant information about the risk of the spread of variant. The advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions relates to on-going development of Government policy and therefore cannot be published at this time.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.
As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.
As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.
As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The following table shows how much Government funding was allocated to biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) for financial years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Financial Year | £ |
2017-18 | 226,470 |
2018-19 | 396,467 |
2019-20 | 443,719 |
In addition to the funding set out above, the National Institute for Health Research, funded through the Department, and the Medical Research Council have recently announced a £3.2 million award to fund research into potential genetic connections to ME/CFS. The project will analyse samples from 20,000 people with ME/CFS to search for genetic differences that may indicate underlying causes or increase the risk of developing the condition.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The eastern-based General Haftar-led Libyan National Army has strong links to Russian Wagner Group which maintains a presence in Libya and uses Libya's open southern border as a route into the Sahel. The UK is working alongside our regional and international partners to foster long-term stability and address the drivers of conflict in Libya and the Sahel. We consistently call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries, including Wagner, without delay through the UN Security Council and with regional partners.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The eastern-based General Haftar-led Libyan National Army has strong links to Russian Wagner Group which maintains a presence in Libya and uses Libya's open southern border as a route into the Sahel. The UK is working alongside our regional and international partners to foster long-term stability and address the drivers of conflict in Libya and the Sahel. We consistently call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries, including Wagner, without delay through the UN Security Council and with regional partners.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
More than year since failed elections in Libya, the political impasse continues without a clear route to elections, increasing the risk of violence and insecurity. The UK therefore supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to reinvigorate the UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned political process, including parliamentary and presidential elections. We call on all Libyan actors and key stakeholders to work with SRSG Bathily and the UN, to fulfil their responsibilities to the Libyan people on the political, security, economic and human rights tracks, in order to deliver long-term stability, security and prosperity.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
More than year since failed elections in Libya, the political impasse continues without a clear route to elections, increasing the risk of violence and insecurity. The UK therefore supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to reinvigorate the UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned political process, including parliamentary and presidential elections. We call on all Libyan actors and key stakeholders to work with SRSG Bathily and the UN, to fulfil their responsibilities to the Libyan people on the political, security, economic and human rights tracks, in order to deliver long-term stability, security and prosperity.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO remains fully committed to working closely with the Department for Transport and key industry leaders following the publication of the second Global Travel Taskforce report. International cruises will restart alongside the wider restart of international travel in line with the "traffic light" system. This will be subject to continued satisfactory evidence from the domestic restart and cruising in other countries. Travel advice will continue to be informed by the latest public health risk assessments.
For now, national restrictions on international travel remain in place, including only permitting travel abroad for a limited number of reasons set out in law. Holiday travel is not included.
The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published in July 2019 sets out that HMRC estimate that 170,000 individuals working through their own company, who would be employed if engaged directly, would be subject to the off-payroll working rules. Individuals may have multiple engagements through their own company, with some engagements subject to the off-payroll working rules and some not. Those who are complying with the existing rules should experience little impact. The TIIN can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rules-for-off-payroll-working-from-april-2020/rules-for-off-payroll-working-from-april-2020.
The impact of the delay to the changes of the off-payroll working rules will be published at the next fiscal event and will be subject to the scrutiny of the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The Government has announced a package of support for individuals to deal with lost income and the costs of absence due to COVID-19. For those within the off-payroll working rules working in the public sector, the Government expects many public sector organisations to continue to pay staff and not to furlough them.
Owner-managers paying themselves a salary through PAYE can benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). For companies with a sole director, directors can continue to undertake their statutory duties while furloughed and still be eligible for the CJRS, as long as they do not work beyond these duties. They can use the CJRS portal to claim for 80% of usual monthly wage costs up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions for that wage.
Individuals who are employed by a Personal Service Company (PSC) are entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) on the same terms as any other employee. PSCs which are eligible and make payments under SSP as a result of COVID-19 will be entitled to a rebate where they meet the criteria of that scheme. Those not eligible for SSP (e.g. the self-employed and very low earners) will be able to receive support through the benefits system.
SMEs may also have access to support through the temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). CBILS supports SMEs with loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million, for up to six years. In addition, the Government has created the Bounce-Back Loans Scheme, which is designed to ensure that the smallest businesses can access loans of up to £50,000 in a matter of just days. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/.
Individuals who have paid sufficient National Insurance Contributions, including through multiple jobs, will be entitled to new style Employment and Support Allowance. If they have not made sufficient contributions, they can apply for Universal Credit. These individuals will benefit from the Budget announcements to remove the seven day wait in new style Employment and Support Allowance and, if they are self-employed, the Minimum Income Floor in Universal Credit.
The off-payroll working rules are designed to ensure that someone working like an employee, but through a company, pays similar levels of tax to other employees. It is fair that individuals who work in a similar way should pay broadly the same amount of tax. The rules do not apply to the self-employed or stop anyone working through their own company.
The Government has not seen any evidence that indicates an overall change in demand for the services and skills that contractors offer. Independent research on the impacts of the reform in the public sector showed that it did not reduce market flexibility or impact use of contingent labour. This research will be updated and shared with parliament before the reform applies in April 2021. Furthermore, at Budget 2018 the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) did not judge the upcoming reform to have any specific macroeconomic impacts.
The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published in July 2019 sets out HMRC’s assessment that the reform is expected to impact 170,000 individuals working through their own company, who would be employed if engaged directly. Those who are complying with the existing rules should feel little impact. The TIIN can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rules-for-off-payroll-working-from-april-2020/rules-for-off-payroll-working-from-april-2020.