Rachel Reeves

Further to the statement of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July, Government has launched a campaign to communicate the actions businesses and individuals need to take to prepare for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. We have established a core set of metrics for measuring the impact of the campaign drawing on our experience of the previous campaign.

The Government has also announced an unprecedented £705 million package of investment for border infrastructure, staff and technology to ensure our border systems are fully operational after the end of the transition period. As set out on 13 July, the Government will provide a breakdown of spend on ports by region and by port in due course. The funding will however include making available up to £470 million to build port and inland infrastructure needed to strengthen the UK’s border facilities and a £235 million investment in staffing and IT systems.

Further to the statement of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July, Government has launched a campaign to communicate the actions businesses and individuals need to take to prepare for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. We have established a core set of metrics for measuring the impact of the campaign drawing on our experience of the previous campaign.

The Government has also announced an unprecedented £705 million package of investment for border infrastructure, staff and technology to ensure our border systems are fully operational after the end of the transition period. As set out on 13 July, the Government will provide a breakdown of spend on ports by region and by port in due course. The funding will however include making available up to £470 million to build port and inland infrastructure needed to strengthen the UK’s border facilities and a £235 million investment in staffing and IT systems.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK spends some £290 billion on public procurement every year. This huge amount of government spending must be leveraged to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, opening up public contracts to more small businesses and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery, and meeting our net-zero carbon target by 2050. The Government has already reviewed the Green Book to ensure it supports “levelling up” and is taking other steps for example through the National Infrastructure Strategy to ensure vibrant and resilient supply chains. Our ambitious plans for reform, set out in our recently published Green Paper on transforming procurement, aim to create a simpler regime that reduces costs for business and the public sector alike whilst complying with our international obligations.

The Government is committed to working to improve action to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, and has published commercial policy and guidance which advocates a systematic approach to identifying and tackling modern slavery and labour abuses in government supply chains, focussing on areas of the highest risk. We are keeping this matter under close review.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK spends some £290 billion on public procurement every year. This huge amount of government spending must be leveraged to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, opening up public contracts to more small businesses and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery, and meeting our net-zero carbon target by 2050. The Government has already reviewed the Green Book to ensure it supports “levelling up” and is taking other steps for example through the National Infrastructure Strategy to ensure vibrant and resilient supply chains. Our ambitious plans for reform, set out in our recently published Green Paper on transforming procurement, aim to create a simpler regime that reduces costs for business and the public sector alike whilst complying with our international obligations.

The Government is committed to working to improve action to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, and has published commercial policy and guidance which advocates a systematic approach to identifying and tackling modern slavery and labour abuses in government supply chains, focussing on areas of the highest risk. We are keeping this matter under close review.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK spends some £290 billion on public procurement every year. This huge amount of government spending must be leveraged to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, opening up public contracts to more small businesses and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery, and meeting our net-zero carbon target by 2050. The Government has already reviewed the Green Book to ensure it supports “levelling up” and is taking other steps for example through the National Infrastructure Strategy to ensure vibrant and resilient supply chains. Our ambitious plans for reform, set out in our recently published Green Paper on transforming procurement, aim to create a simpler regime that reduces costs for business and the public sector alike whilst complying with our international obligations.

The Government is committed to working to improve action to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, and has published commercial policy and guidance which advocates a systematic approach to identifying and tackling modern slavery and labour abuses in government supply chains, focussing on areas of the highest risk. We are keeping this matter under close review.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK spends some £290 billion on public procurement every year. This huge amount of government spending must be leveraged to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, opening up public contracts to more small businesses and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery, and meeting our net-zero carbon target by 2050. The Government has already reviewed the Green Book to ensure it supports “levelling up” and is taking other steps for example through the National Infrastructure Strategy to ensure vibrant and resilient supply chains. Our ambitious plans for reform, set out in our recently published Green Paper on transforming procurement, aim to create a simpler regime that reduces costs for business and the public sector alike whilst complying with our international obligations.

The Government is committed to working to improve action to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, and has published commercial policy and guidance which advocates a systematic approach to identifying and tackling modern slavery and labour abuses in government supply chains, focussing on areas of the highest risk. We are keeping this matter under close review.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK spends some £290 billion on public procurement every year. This huge amount of government spending must be leveraged to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, opening up public contracts to more small businesses and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery, and meeting our net-zero carbon target by 2050. The Government has already reviewed the Green Book to ensure it supports “levelling up” and is taking other steps for example through the National Infrastructure Strategy to ensure vibrant and resilient supply chains. Our ambitious plans for reform, set out in our recently published Green Paper on transforming procurement, aim to create a simpler regime that reduces costs for business and the public sector alike whilst complying with our international obligations.

The Government is committed to working to improve action to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, and has published commercial policy and guidance which advocates a systematic approach to identifying and tackling modern slavery and labour abuses in government supply chains, focussing on areas of the highest risk. We are keeping this matter under close review.

The Government is committed to relocating 22,000 civil service roles from central London to the regions and nations of the UK by the end of the decade. A number of announcements have been made on Places for Growth locations. This includes the Cabinet Office establishing a second headquarters in Glasgow, a joint headquarters for FCDO in East Kilbride, DfT building on its presence in Leeds and Birmingham, and a new economic campus in Darlington. Further announcements for other departments will be made in due course.

Former Prime Ministers are entitled to claim the Public Duty Cost Allowance, which is the reimbursement of incurred expenses for necessary office and secretarial costs arising from the fulfilment of public duties. Amounts claimed each year are set out in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.

Ministers of the Crown are eligible to receive a severance payment of three months of their Ministerial salary, as outlined in the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 (as amended).

This information is not held centrally.

The dates of the first meetings of the committees established under the UK - EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement have not yet been agreed with the EU. We are carefully considering the establishment of these committees, including the UK chairs and delegations, so that they can begin their formal business after ratification has been completed.

The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two Ministerial residences. As has been the case under successive administrations, refurbishments and maintenance are made periodically.

Works to the Downing Street estate are overseen by the Cabinet Office. It is not the practice of successive administrations to comment on which officials have been consulted or advised on matters.

Ministers across government have been speaking directly to hundreds of businesses across the country, including through the Business Brexit Task Force, to develop a shared vision and plan for the future. Such engagement has been integral to support businesses in adapting to our new trading relationship with the EU and to continue to successfully compete on the global stage.

The Cabinet Office is consistently tracking and reviewing spend on the UK Transition campaign to ensure our communications to businesses and citizens are efficient. The Cabinet Office is committed to scrutiny and transparency. Details of spend of over £500, including on public information campaigns, are published on a rolling basis on gov.uk - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cabinet-office-spend-data.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 33512.

The cross-government Transition communication campaign is guiding and supporting businesses and citizens to adapt to new arrangements since the end of the Transition Period. The campaign has used national advertising including TV, SMS, Radio, Press, Print, Digital and outdoor advertising across owned, earned and paid for channels.

The Cabinet Office is consistently tracking and reviewing spend on the Transition campaign to ensure our communications are efficient. Campaign spend is proportionate to ensure UK businesses and consumers know what they need to do to make sure they adapt and thrive under the new rules.

Details of spend over £500, including on public information campaigns, is published on a monthly basis on gov.uk - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cabinet-office-spend-data.

The Government has a longstanding commitment to the principle of transparency in procurement.

We have recently launched our Green Paper on transforming the UK’s public procurement regulations. The proposals outline specific measures to strengthen transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle and make sure we can have a choice of direct award and more competitive tendering during crises.

The Crown Commercial Service aims to create a framework which will provide an efficient and compliant route to market for public sector bodies for a broad range of voucher schemes. A Prior Information Notice was issued to the market on 29th January 2021 and stakeholder engagement is ongoing, prior to the issuance of a formal contract notice. The maximum potential value of call offs by the public sector is anticipated to be £3.3bn over the lifecycle of this framework agreement.

The framework agreement will not deliver voucher based reward and recognition schemes to employees but will cover a wide range of voucher types, such as to reward and incentivise the general public (i.e. in response to completing surveys) and to provide support to those in times of need or distress.

The Government has a longstanding commitment to the principle of transparency in procurement.

We have recently launched our Green Paper on transforming the UK’s public procurement regulations. The proposals outline specific measures to strengthen transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle and make sure we can have a choice of direct award and more competitive tendering during crises.

The Crown Commercial Service aims to create a framework which will provide an efficient and compliant route to market for public sector bodies for a broad range of voucher schemes. A Prior Information Notice was issued to the market on 29th January 2021 and stakeholder engagement is ongoing, prior to the issuance of a formal contract notice. The maximum potential value of call offs by the public sector is anticipated to be £3.3bn over the lifecycle of this framework agreement.

The framework agreement will not deliver voucher based reward and recognition schemes to employees but will cover a wide range of voucher types, such as to reward and incentivise the general public (i.e. in response to completing surveys) and to provide support to those in times of need or distress.

Further to my answer to PQ 77727 on 6 October 2020, public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework which encourages fair and open competition and value for money, in line with internationally and nationally agreed obligations and regulations. Public sector procurers are required to assess value for money using criteria linked to the subject matter of the contract, including compliance with the published specification.

Cabinet Office, like all departments, is responsible for the monitoring of its contracts. This research has helped us to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies during the pandemic.

Further to my answer to PQ 77727 on 6 October 2020, public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework which encourages fair and open competition and value for money, in line with internationally and nationally agreed obligations and regulations. Public sector procurers are required to assess value for money using criteria linked to the subject matter of the contract, including compliance with the published specification.

Cabinet Office, like all departments, is responsible for the monitoring of its contracts. This research has helped us to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies during the pandemic.

The UK is a founding member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and is committed to upholding the organisation’s values of transparency, accountability and public participation. Work on the forthcoming National Action Plan will take place throughout 2021, with a model of engagement designed to encourage greater public participation, collaboration, and expert involvement.

I refer the Honourable Member to the letter sent to Vice-President Sefcovic on 2 February.

The letter can be found here.

I refer the Hon. Member both to the letter by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 11 February, a copy of which I have asked to be placed in the House of Commons Library and to the response, published on gov.uk, to erroneous claims made by the Road Haulage Association available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/response-to-points-raised-in-road-haulage-association-letter-to-the-chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster

I also refer the Hon. Member to the answers given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to questions on 11 February.

I refer the Hon. Member both to the letter by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 11 February, a copy of which I have asked to be placed in the House of Commons Library and to the response, published on gov.uk, to erroneous claims made by the Road Haulage Association available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/response-to-points-raised-in-road-haulage-association-letter-to-the-chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster

I also refer the Hon. Member to the answers given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to questions on 11 February.

I refer the Hon. Member both to the letter by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 11 February, a copy of which I have asked to be placed in the House of Commons Library and to the response, published on gov.uk, to erroneous claims made by the Road Haulage Association available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/response-to-points-raised-in-road-haulage-association-letter-to-the-chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster

I also refer the Hon. Member to the answers given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to questions on 11 February.

I refer the Honourable Member to the letter my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster sent to Vice-President Maros Sefcovic on 2 February 2021.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. New commercial policy relating to the evaluation and delivery of social value outcomes through central government procurement did not come into force until 1 January 2021. It is therefore unlikely that a formal assessment of social value was made in relation to direct award contracts relating to the covid-19 response. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. New commercial policy relating to the evaluation and delivery of social value outcomes through central government procurement did not come into force until 1 January 2021. It is therefore unlikely that a formal assessment of social value was made in relation to direct award contracts relating to the covid-19 response. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. New commercial policy relating to the evaluation and delivery of social value outcomes through central government procurement did not come into force until 1 January 2021. It is therefore unlikely that a formal assessment of social value was made in relation to direct award contracts relating to the covid-19 response. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

I refer the Honourable Member to the letter my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster sent to Vice-President Maros Sefcovic on 2 February 2021.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.

Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.

I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.

The Government is monitoring freight flow across UK ports through the Border Operations Centre in the Cabinet Office. November 2020 is not a baseline for 'normal' flow levels but freight levels have been increasing over recent weeks.

The Government has announced a wide range of support for businesses, traders and hauliers - full details are available on gov.uk. Future announcements will be made in the usual way.

The Government is monitoring freight flow across UK ports through the Border Operations Centre in the Cabinet Office. November 2020 is not a baseline for 'normal' flow levels but freight levels have been increasing over recent weeks.

The Government has announced a wide range of support for businesses, traders and hauliers - full details are available on gov.uk. Future announcements will be made in the usual way.

This information is not held centrally.

The UK announced that it would introduce new border controls on imports coming into Great Britain from the EU in three stages up until 1 July 2021, as set out by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancester by Written Ministerial Statement on 15 June 2020. Government is supporting the infrastructure needed for these changes through £470m of investment, including £200 million for the Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) and a further £270m allocated to the provision of inland facilities. We are keeping progress on infrastructure and wider preparedness continually under review.

Goods are moving effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and there are no significant queues at Northern Ireland ports.

Border Force has put in place additional resource in Northern Ireland to manage any operational requirements following the end of the Transition Period, including under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of the requirements of the Protocol.

Goods also continue to move effectively between Great Britain and the European Union. Compliance with new border requirements continues to improve. The numbers of HGV freight turned back at the Short Straits, either for lack of border readiness or inability to present a negative COVID test has been low and decreasing over time, with an average of less than 5% over the period from 20-26 January. The Government is working with industry to ensure traders understand the new border requirements.

Goods are moving effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and there are no significant queues at Northern Ireland ports.

Border Force has put in place additional resource in Northern Ireland to manage any operational requirements following the end of the Transition Period, including under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of the requirements of the Protocol.

Goods also continue to move effectively between Great Britain and the European Union. Compliance with new border requirements continues to improve. The numbers of HGV freight turned back at the Short Straits, either for lack of border readiness or inability to present a negative COVID test has been low and decreasing over time, with an average of less than 5% over the period from 20-26 January. The Government is working with industry to ensure traders understand the new border requirements.

Goods are moving effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and there are no significant queues at Northern Ireland ports.

Border Force has put in place additional resource in Northern Ireland to manage any operational requirements following the end of the Transition Period, including under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of the requirements of the Protocol.

Goods also continue to move effectively between Great Britain and the European Union. Compliance with new border requirements continues to improve. The numbers of HGV freight turned back at the Short Straits, either for lack of border readiness or inability to present a negative COVID test has been low and decreasing over time, with an average of less than 5% over the period from 20-26 January. The Government is working with industry to ensure traders understand the new border requirements.

Goods are moving effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and there are no significant queues at Northern Ireland ports.

Border Force has put in place additional resource in Northern Ireland to manage any operational requirements following the end of the Transition Period, including under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of the requirements of the Protocol.

Goods also continue to move effectively between Great Britain and the European Union. Compliance with new border requirements continues to improve. The numbers of HGV freight turned back at the Short Straits, either for lack of border readiness or inability to present a negative COVID test has been low and decreasing over time, with an average of less than 5% over the period from 20-26 January. The Government is working with industry to ensure traders understand the new border requirements.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport leads on the relationship with the UK's creative industries. Where appropriate, officials from Cabinet Office and other departments, participate in discussions. Details of ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ105615 on 22 October.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ105615 on 22 October.

Departmental contracts are not managed centrally. Therefore, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. It is Cabinet Office policy that all contract managers have appropriate skills to ensure contracts are managed correctly. Any potential unfulfilled orders would be dealt with in accordance with the contract’s terms and conditions.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of security clearance are not normally disclosed.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of security clearance are not normally disclosed.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of security clearance are not normally disclosed.

Details of expenditure are published on GOV.UK.

Details of expenditure are published on GOV.UK.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to PQ72996 on 21 July 2020.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Amanda Milling MP on 16 July 2020.

Information about the Crown Commercial Service Dynamic Purchasing System is available online. https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/help-and-support/frameworks/dynamic-purchasing-system/

Regarding feedback, I refer the hon. Member to the guidance on ‘Bid Evaluation’ available on GOV.UK as part of the Outsourcing Playbook.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Amanda Milling MP on 16 July 2020.

Information about the Crown Commercial Service Dynamic Purchasing System is available online. https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/help-and-support/frameworks/dynamic-purchasing-system/

Regarding feedback, I refer the hon. Member to the guidance on ‘Bid Evaluation’ available on GOV.UK as part of the Outsourcing Playbook.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Amanda Milling MP on 16 July 2020.

Information about the Crown Commercial Service Dynamic Purchasing System is available online. https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/help-and-support/frameworks/dynamic-purchasing-system/

Regarding feedback, I refer the hon. Member to the guidance on ‘Bid Evaluation’ available on GOV.UK as part of the Outsourcing Playbook.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. Friend Amanda Milling MP on 16 July 2020.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to PQ 95015 on 2 October 2020.

Further to the answers given to PQ 40655 on 11 May 2020 and to PQ 46692 on 29 May 2020, no spend on advertising has been withdrawn.

Working with the private sector has been a vital part of the government’s response to tackling the coronavirus crisis, with private sector workers standing alongside those from the public sector on the front line. Collaborative working between the public and private sectors has enabled us to respond to the challenges of Covid, including rapidly manufacturing over 15,000 mechanical ventilators for use by the NHS, sourcing over 32 billion items of PPE and building the capacity to carry out more than 500,000 tests per day. When making decisions on how to deliver public services, departments should consider various possible delivery methods including in-house, joint ventures or via the private sector.

Further to the statement by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September, details of external ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk

Regarding the 'Check an HGV is ready to cross the border' service (formerly known as 'Smart Freight'), I refer to the answer given to PQ 92707.

It is vital businesses, including those who rely on seasonal work, and workers prepare for the end of the Transition Period. That is why the Government has launched a public information campaign to ensure those affected are ready for the changes this will bring.The campaign uses a range of communication channels and events to help employers understand and prepare. Guidance for businesses is available on gov.uk/transition.

Further to the statement by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September, details of external ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk

Regarding the 'Check an HGV is ready to cross the border' service (formerly known as 'Smart Freight'), I refer to the answer given to PQ 92707.

It is vital businesses, including those who rely on seasonal work, and workers prepare for the end of the Transition Period. That is why the Government has launched a public information campaign to ensure those affected are ready for the changes this will bring.The campaign uses a range of communication channels and events to help employers understand and prepare. Guidance for businesses is available on gov.uk/transition.

Further to the statement by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September, details of external ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk

Regarding the 'Check an HGV is ready to cross the border' service (formerly known as 'Smart Freight'), I refer to the answer given to PQ 92707.

It is vital businesses, including those who rely on seasonal work, and workers prepare for the end of the Transition Period. That is why the Government has launched a public information campaign to ensure those affected are ready for the changes this will bring.The campaign uses a range of communication channels and events to help employers understand and prepare. Guidance for businesses is available on gov.uk/transition.

Further to the statement by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September, details of external ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk

Regarding the 'Check an HGV is ready to cross the border' service (formerly known as 'Smart Freight'), I refer to the answer given to PQ 92707.

It is vital businesses, including those who rely on seasonal work, and workers prepare for the end of the Transition Period. That is why the Government has launched a public information campaign to ensure those affected are ready for the changes this will bring.The campaign uses a range of communication channels and events to help employers understand and prepare. Guidance for businesses is available on gov.uk/transition.

The UK transition period will end on 31 December 2020. The Government's new public information campaign, The UK’s new start: Let’s get going, sets out the actions required by businesses (including traders) and individuals to prepare for the end of the UK transition, including processes related to moving goods through Border Control Posts. Further details are available at gov.uk/transition.

Further to the statement by my RHF the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020, the Government will make further announcements in the usual way.

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General on 16 July 2020, Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging including focus groups for COVID-19 research. This work has helped to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies, and has enabled us to deliver a strong, national, cross-government communications campaign to support the UK’s response and recovery from the pandemic.

In the discharge of this activity it was necessary for Public First to meet with civil servants to report on the findings of the focus groups. Public First also provided on-site resource to support Number 10 communications. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. Any Government announcements will be made in the usual way.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on research, on a rolling monthly basis, and details of its contracts on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements. GOV COMMS EU EXIT PROG and EU EXIT COMMS were existing cost codes used to pay invoices relating to COVID-19 research within a reasonable period of time. These payments were subsequently journaled over to the COVID-19 cost centre once that was created.

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General on 16 July 2020, Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging including focus groups for COVID-19 research. This work has helped to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies, and has enabled us to deliver a strong, national, cross-government communications campaign to support the UK’s response and recovery from the pandemic.

In the discharge of this activity it was necessary for Public First to meet with civil servants to report on the findings of the focus groups. Public First also provided on-site resource to support Number 10 communications. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. Any Government announcements will be made in the usual way.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on research, on a rolling monthly basis, and details of its contracts on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements. GOV COMMS EU EXIT PROG and EU EXIT COMMS were existing cost codes used to pay invoices relating to COVID-19 research within a reasonable period of time. These payments were subsequently journaled over to the COVID-19 cost centre once that was created.

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General on 16 July 2020, Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging including focus groups for COVID-19 research. This work has helped to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies, and has enabled us to deliver a strong, national, cross-government communications campaign to support the UK’s response and recovery from the pandemic.

In the discharge of this activity it was necessary for Public First to meet with civil servants to report on the findings of the focus groups. Public First also provided on-site resource to support Number 10 communications. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. Any Government announcements will be made in the usual way.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on research, on a rolling monthly basis, and details of its contracts on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements. GOV COMMS EU EXIT PROG and EU EXIT COMMS were existing cost codes used to pay invoices relating to COVID-19 research within a reasonable period of time. These payments were subsequently journaled over to the COVID-19 cost centre once that was created.

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General on 16 July 2020, Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging including focus groups for COVID-19 research. This work has helped to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies, and has enabled us to deliver a strong, national, cross-government communications campaign to support the UK’s response and recovery from the pandemic.

In the discharge of this activity it was necessary for Public First to meet with civil servants to report on the findings of the focus groups. Public First also provided on-site resource to support Number 10 communications. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. Any Government announcements will be made in the usual way.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on research, on a rolling monthly basis, and details of its contracts on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements. GOV COMMS EU EXIT PROG and EU EXIT COMMS were existing cost codes used to pay invoices relating to COVID-19 research within a reasonable period of time. These payments were subsequently journaled over to the COVID-19 cost centre once that was created.

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General on 16 July 2020, Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging including focus groups for COVID-19 research. This work has helped to understand public attitudes and behaviours to inform our vitally important public health messages and policies, and has enabled us to deliver a strong, national, cross-government communications campaign to support the UK’s response and recovery from the pandemic.

In the discharge of this activity it was necessary for Public First to meet with civil servants to report on the findings of the focus groups. Public First also provided on-site resource to support Number 10 communications. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. Any Government announcements will be made in the usual way.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on research, on a rolling monthly basis, and details of its contracts on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements. GOV COMMS EU EXIT PROG and EU EXIT COMMS were existing cost codes used to pay invoices relating to COVID-19 research within a reasonable period of time. These payments were subsequently journaled over to the COVID-19 cost centre once that was created.

Further to the answers given to PQs 64368 and 64369 on 6 July 2020, the Government is clear that being able to procure at speed is critical during the covid-19 response. I have taken note of the Hon. member's letter to the Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, sent 18 March 2020, in which she referenced the "desperate need for more to be done and faster".

The Hon Member also sent the Cabinet Office a list of companies which the Hon Member asked the Government to contact in relation to the procurement of PPE. I can confirm that the Government conducts diligence before contracting with parties, including when it makes use of exemptions under the Public Contracts Regulations. I note that other administrations, including the Welsh Government, have made use of "specific flexibilities of the procurement rules at this time".

I refer to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020. Details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

I refer to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020. Details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

I refer to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020. Details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

I refer to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020. Details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

I refer to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 2020. Details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

The Ventilator Challenge has been a significant success and has been rapidly producing devices.

Further to the speech by the Prime Minister today, which is available on GOV.UK, there are now well over 9,500 new ventilators. More information will be published in due course.

The answer to PQ 60837 did not mention a peer review into Zuhlke Engineering. GDS peer reviews are not conducted on organisations or companies.

The Ventilator Challenge has been a resounding success, with four designs in production and over 8,500 devices delivered to the NHS. At this stage, there are no plans to award further manufacturing or design contracts through the Ventilator Challenge.

The Government has recently published guidance on staying safe outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home.

The guidance recommends that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet.

Guidance on wearing and making a face covering is also available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering#wearing-a-face-covering

The Government has recently published guidance on staying safe outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home.

The guidance recommends that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet.

Guidance on wearing and making a face covering is also available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering#wearing-a-face-covering

The Government has recently published guidance on staying safe outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home.

The guidance recommends that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet.

Guidance on wearing and making a face covering is also available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering#wearing-a-face-covering

As of July 2019, the Department’s 40 Partner Organisations employed approximately 30,950 full time staff, of which 84% were based outside London.

The tables below show the gender and ethnicity splits of new employees at my Department over the last 12 months (Feb 19 – Jan 20). As per departmental policy, numbers below 5 have been redacted.

As of 31^st January 2020, 8% of policy roles in the Department were based outside London.

The current distribution of our workforce reflects legacy decisions about office locations and role placements. We are committed to working with the Places for Growth Programme, Beyond Whitehall, and other related initiatives, as part of the Government Estates Strategy.

The Department is working with the Beyond Whitehall programme and wider Government initiatives to create and relocate policy roles outside of London in a managed, sustainable way.

We are reviewing our presence across the UK, as well as increasing inclusivity in policy making, so policy is inclusive of the citizens it represents.

In consultation with the Cabinet Office and trade unions, we will shortly agree a strategy for delivering more job opportunities outside London.

As of 31^st January 2020, the Department employs 4,429 people, of which 4,048 are in London and 381 outside London, excluding contractors and temporary staff.

The current distribution of our workforce reflects legacy decisions about office locations and role placements. The Department is committed to working with the Places for Growth Programme, Beyond Whitehall, and other initiatives as part of the Government Estates Strategy.

This Government is determined to make Britain the best place in the world to work. As announced in the Queens’ Speech, we will be bringing forward an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years. This will include measures to allow parents of children who have been in neonatal care for a prolonged stay to take additional paid leave (subject to qualifying criteria).

This will take forward the proposals which the Government consulted on from July to October last year. The consultation outlined our estimates of the cost of this policy to business and to the Exchequer. This covered a range of options for how many weeks leave and pay the entitlement would cover, as well as the impact of a qualifying ‘minimum stay’ in neonatal care. The consultation document is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-proposals-to-support-families with provisional costings on p44. The Government will publish a full impact assessment when the Bill is introduced in Parliament.

We look forward to setting out our plans soon with the publication of the Government Response.

This Government is determined to make Britain the best place in the world to work. As announced in the Queens’ Speech, we will be bringing forward an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years. This will include measures to allow parents of children who have been in neonatal care for a prolonged stay to take additional paid leave (subject to qualifying criteria).

This will take forward the proposals which the Government consulted on from July to October last year. The consultation outlined our estimates of the cost of this policy to business and to the Exchequer. This covered a range of options for how many weeks leave and pay the entitlement would cover, as well as the impact of a qualifying ‘minimum stay’ in neonatal care. The consultation document is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-proposals-to-support-families with provisional costings on p44. The Government will publish a full impact assessment when the Bill is introduced in Parliament.

We look forward to setting out our plans soon with the publication of the Government Response.

This Government is determined to make Britain the best place in the world to work. As announced in the Queens’ Speech, we will be bringing forward an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years. This will include measures to allow parents of children who have been in neonatal care for a prolonged stay to take additional paid leave (subject to qualifying criteria).

This will take forward the proposals which the Government consulted on from July to October last year. The consultation outlined our estimates of the cost of this policy to business and to the Exchequer. This covered a range of options for how many weeks leave and pay the entitlement would cover, as well as the impact of a qualifying ‘minimum stay’ in neonatal care. The consultation document is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-proposals-to-support-families with provisional costings on p44. The Government will publish a full impact assessment when the Bill is introduced in Parliament.

We look forward to setting out our plans soon with the publication of the Government Response.

This Government is determined to make Britain the best place in the world to work. As announced in the Queens’ Speech, we will be bringing forward an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years. This will include measures to allow parents of children who have been in neonatal care for a prolonged stay to take additional paid leave (subject to qualifying criteria).

This will take forward the proposals which the Government consulted on from July to October last year. The consultation outlined our estimates of the cost of this policy to business and to the Exchequer. This covered a range of options for how many weeks leave and pay the entitlement would cover, as well as the impact of a qualifying ‘minimum stay’ in neonatal care. The consultation document is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/good-work-plan-proposals-to-support-families with provisional costings on p44. The Government will publish a full impact assessment when the Bill is introduced in Parliament.

We look forward to setting out our plans soon with the publication of the Government Response.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not currently offer additional parental leave specifically to employees who become parents of premature babies. All employees can apply for paid special leave or unpaid parental leave, both of which are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Department does offer employees maternity leave, adoption leave, paternity leave, and shared parental leave.

The Government is committed to enhancing workers’ rights and to supporting people to balance their work and caring responsibilities. We have already laid regulations in Parliament that will give grieving parents a right to paid time off work. We will also introduce a new entitlement to carers’ leave as well as entitlement to paid leave for parents of children who spend time in neonatal care.

We are committed to making the UK the best place to work and grow a business. As announced in the Queen’s Speech, we will bring forward an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK’s cultural industries, and that is why we pushed for ambitious arrangements to make it easier for performers and artists to perform across Europe as part of the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.

During the negotiations with the EU, the UK proposed measures, developed in consultation with the creative industries, that would have allowed creative professionals to travel and perform in the UK and the EU more easily, without needing work-permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors. Regrettably, these proposals were rejected by the EU.

There is scope to return to this issue in the future should the EU change its mind. The Government is looking at whether we can work with our partners in EU Member States to find ways to make life easier for those working in the creative industries in our respective countries.

We are also undertaking an extensive programme of engagement with the industry to assess impacts and support these sectors in understanding new requirements. DCMS Secretary of State had a very productive discussion with representatives from across the creative and cultural sectors on the issue on 20 January, and has committed to establish a DCMS-led working group on this issue.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK’s cultural industries, and that is why we pushed for ambitious arrangements to make it easier for performers and artists to perform across Europe as part of the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.

During the negotiations with the EU, the UK proposed measures, developed in consultation with the creative industries, that would have allowed creative professionals to travel and perform in the UK and the EU more easily, without needing work-permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors. Regrettably, these proposals were rejected by the EU.

There is scope to return to this issue in the future should the EU change its mind. The Government is looking at whether we can work with our partners in EU Member States to find ways to make life easier for those working in the creative industries in our respective countries.

We are also undertaking an extensive programme of engagement with the industry to assess impacts and support these sectors in understanding new requirements. DCMS Secretary of State had a very productive discussion with representatives from across the creative and cultural sectors on the issue on 20 January, and has committed to establish a DCMS-led working group on this issue.

During the transition period (until 31 December) there is no change to the current data protection regime, and the GDPR will continue to apply.

At the end of the transition period, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA) will retain the GDPR in UK domestic law, while the legislation implementing the Law Enforcement Directive (LED) (Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018) will also be preserved.

We have made Regulations under the EUWA to make necessary and appropriate changes to the retained legislation so that the UK’s data protection law continues to function effectively after the transition period. In order for the free flow of data from the EEA to the UK to continue at the end of the transition period, we are seeking adequacy decisions from the EU under both the GDPR and the LED.

As with all policy areas, the UK will control our own data protection laws and regulations in line with our interests, after the end of the transition period. We want our data protection law to remain fit for purpose and to support the future objectives of the UK. The UK intends to operate a high-quality regime that promotes growth and innovation, and underpins the trustworthy use of data as the global economy becomes increasingly digitised and data-enabled.

We are working to publish official statistics on the stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) as soon as the figures are fully validated.

PPE must be fit for purpose, meeting the necessary essential health and safety requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2018. We have a robust process in place which ensures that orders are high quality and meet strict safety standards as per the published technical specification for PPE. When faults with PPE are found, immediate action is taken to verify the issue, notify the users and, if necessary, quarantine the stock of the products. Emergency replacements can be ordered or are distributed through the National Supply Disruption Response unit while investigations are undertaken.

The information is not available in the format requested. The operational process to build stockpiles is supported by a range of detailed operational and management information. We are currently working to fully validate this data.

The National Health Service is currently consulting on the proposal for a new provider selection regime. The central requirement of the proposed new regime is that arrangements for the delivery of healthcare services must be made in a transparent way, in the best interests of patients, taxpayers and the population. All other procurement will continue to be subject to Cabinet Office procurement processes.

The Managed Quarantine Service consists of contracts with Corporate Travel Management, G4S, Mitie and Corps Security.

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

In line with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 the Department has published Contract Award Notices including those which were cancelled. In the period April to June 2020 fifteen contracts were either fully or partly cancelled and information on these can be found in the following links on Contracts Finder:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e691a0b2-234a-4f8c-ae5b-e6fa0a8317bc

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e467b115-7731-4769-a666-a762cb8aa461

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/39c2094c-54b1-434c-a513-c3add39b6bf6?origin=SearchResults&p=1

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e8c51efb-a070-4965-8cd0-61a58f324287

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0a9a85aa-d5e6-4885-b904-69bed464d6bc

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a9f380c5-878f-4652-8a61-128fe44be2e2

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4bd4c3ee-fde6-4a0a-a749-becae79615ac

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7a53e9bc-c9d2-4b15-a741-580d05797d08

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/844bd97f-8a73-4160-8799-a7fcedfe0e1b

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/382d720b-fe06-4718-8ff0-e8678bb11792

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/934c6776-454e-497f-9b3f-bbdf38ac45f8

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7d45e537-9eac-4c1d-8d4c-9d846d8909f7

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7d45e537-9eac-4c1d-8d4c-9d846d8909f7

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f909783a-e57b-441a-85b2-6ee50e746354

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/346fa88c-62f6-42e1-87da-e82b523a03e9

Information on the reason individual contracts have been cancelled or part cancelled is not published as it is regarded as commercial in confidence.

It is incorrect to say that personal protective equipment (PPE) has been lost. In any industry, it is common practice to undertake a stocktake to update records to reflect the amount and value of stock being held.

This stocktake exercise is being undertaken with support from consultants, to ensure that our accounting records are accurate and updated prior to the end of the financial year.

We have contracted with (Corporate Travel Management) to provide hotels and transport. The security providers are G4S, Mitie and Corps Security.

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.

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 total value of contracts awarded to Randox in 2020 was £479.5 million.

A range of Government officials conducted the negotiations for the contracts awarded to Randox.

The Department has two contracts with Serco in response to COVID-19. The first is for the provision of facilities management services to support the operation of testing sites around the United Kingdom. The contract was let in March 2020 for an initial term of six months to September for the sum of £57 million. This has now been extended to 30 April 2021 with an allocated budget of £208 million for an expanded service.

The second contract is for call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. The total contract has a maximum value of £410 million to cover the initial period and any and all extension periods undertaken up to a period of 12 months. The contract has recently been extended for its full term to the end of May 2021.

Officials working on the Test and Trace programme from several Government departments negotiated these contracts.

The Department has two contracts with Serco in response to COVID-19. The first is for the provision of facilities management services to support the operation of testing sites around the United Kingdom. The contract was let in March 2020 for an initial term of six months to September for the sum of £57 million. This has now been extended to 30 April 2021 with an allocated budget of £208 million for an expanded service.

The second contract is for call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. The total contract has a maximum value of £410 million to cover the initial period and any and all extension periods undertaken up to a period of 12 months. The contract has recently been extended for its full term to the end of May 2021.

Officials working on the Test and Trace programme from several Government departments negotiated these contracts.

Two contracts have been awarded to PPE MedPro by the Department with a total value of £202 million.

NHS Test and Trace’s primary suppliers and their sub-contractors providing contact tracing services are legally obliged to adhere to the standard data handling conditions of all preferred Government suppliers, alongside terms specified by the Department. Contracts awarded by the Department include break clauses and clauses on managing product and service quality and delivery. These provisions allow us to review contracts and/or reclaim money where a company is deemed to have supplied faulty products, services or failed to deliver key outputs. Activity which could prompt the use of such mechanisms includes failure to meet legal obligations on data handling.

No funding award has been made to the Medical Detection Dogs (MDD). Funding for the COVID-19 Detection Dog studies was provided as a grant in line with Test and Trace grant processes to the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine (LSTHM). The LSTHM is leading a research project including the MDD charity and Durham University to determine whether trained dogs can discriminate pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 from uninfected individuals.

A letter of application was sent from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to the Department.

A letter of application was sent from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to the Department.

The announcement of Government funding the trials can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-detection-dogs-trial-launches

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSTHM) published information relating to the funding award on their website, which specifies the amount awarded to LSTHM to conduct the research, which can be found at the following link: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2020/uk-government-supports-covid-19-detection-dogs-trial

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s (LSTHM) letter of application states the intended purposes of the research grant. Annex 2 of the Grant Agreement with LSTHM details the activities that funding be directed towards. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Phase 1 trial report will outline how these funds have been used to determine whether trained dogs can discriminate pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic and mild cases of SARS-CoV-2 from uninfected individuals by their smell, using breath and odour samples.

SureScreen, Global Access Diagnostics and Omega were selected via targeted engagement with the wider United Kingdom testing industry. This engagement was coordinated via the Rapid Antigen Consortium – an open forum bringing together UK companies with applicable experience and expertise. Due diligence and relevant commercial processes were applied prior to the contract award.

Between 9 June and 7 September 2020, the Isolation Assurance Service (IAS) made 149,579 total calls and texts resulting in 66,773 successful contacts to eligible arrivals. The IAS activity includes up to three calls and a text per eligible United Kingdom arrival sampled. This is the most recent data published in the format requested.

Service credits have not been applied to SITEL’s contract to run call centres under NHS Test and Trace.

Service credits have not been applied to Serco’s contract to run call centres under NHS Test and Trace.

In March 2020 the Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in over 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support. The cross-government PPE team considered that leads referred by Government officials, Ministers’ offices, Parliamentarians, senior National Health Service staff and other health professionals were likely to be the more credible and needed to be initially reviewed with more urgency. This was commonly referred to as a ‘high priority’ or ‘VIP’ channel.

At the point of being prioritised these offers went into exactly the same due diligence, technical assurance, closing or contract negotiation and contract award process as all the other offers. About one in ten suppliers processed through this channel - 47 out of 493 - obtained contracts.

We do not intend to publish the list of these suppliers as there may be associated commercial implications. The Department has to consider the position of suppliers in terms of the recognition that disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position and could have a potentially detrimental impact on their revenue and/or their ability to obtain future contracts. Contract Award Notices and the contracts themselves have now been published for all the PPE contracts awarded by the Department which contain the details of the supplier, the value of the contract and the items ordered under the contract.

In March 2020 the Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in over 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support. The cross-government PPE team considered that leads referred by Government officials, Ministers’ offices, Parliamentarians, senior National Health Service staff and other health professionals were likely to be the more credible and needed to be initially reviewed with more urgency. This was commonly referred to as a ‘high priority’ or ‘VIP’ channel.

At the point of being prioritised these offers went into exactly the same due diligence, technical assurance, closing or contract negotiation and contract award process as all the other offers. About one in ten suppliers processed through this channel - 47 out of 493 - obtained contracts.

We do not intend to publish the list of these suppliers as there may be associated commercial implications. The Department has to consider the position of suppliers in terms of the recognition that disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position and could have a potentially detrimental impact on their revenue and/or their ability to obtain future contracts. Contract Award Notices and the contracts themselves have now been published for all the PPE contracts awarded by the Department which contain the details of the supplier, the value of the contract and the items ordered under the contract.

In March 2020 the Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in over 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support. The cross-government PPE team considered that leads referred by Government officials, Ministers’ offices, Parliamentarians, senior National Health Service staff and other health professionals were likely to be the more credible and needed to be initially reviewed with more urgency. This was commonly referred to as a ‘high priority’ or ‘VIP’ channel.

At the point of being prioritised these offers went into exactly the same due diligence, technical assurance, closing or contract negotiation and contract award process as all the other offers. About one in ten suppliers processed through this channel - 47 out of 493 - obtained contracts.

We do not intend to publish the list of these suppliers as there may be associated commercial implications. The Department has to consider the position of suppliers in terms of the recognition that disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position and could have a potentially detrimental impact on their revenue and/or their ability to obtain future contracts. Contract Award Notices and the contracts themselves have now been published for all the PPE contracts awarded by the Department which contain the details of the supplier, the value of the contract and the items ordered under the contract.

In March 2020 the Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in over 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support. The cross-government PPE team considered that leads referred by Government officials, Ministers’ offices, Parliamentarians, senior National Health Service staff and other health professionals were likely to be the more credible and needed to be initially reviewed with more urgency. This was commonly referred to as a ‘high priority’ or ‘VIP’ channel.

At the point of being prioritised these offers went into exactly the same due diligence, technical assurance, closing or contract negotiation and contract award process as all the other offers. About one in ten suppliers processed through this channel - 47 out of 493 - obtained contracts.

We do not intend to publish the list of these suppliers as there may be associated commercial implications. The Department has to consider the position of suppliers in terms of the recognition that disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position and could have a potentially detrimental impact on their revenue and/or their ability to obtain future contracts. Contract Award Notices and the contracts themselves have now been published for all the PPE contracts awarded by the Department which contain the details of the supplier, the value of the contract and the items ordered under the contract.

There have been no service level credits awarded by Public Health England to the contractor working on the Isolation Assurance Service (IAS) and no refunds have been sought. The IAS contractor has met all obligations under the contract to present.

There have been no service level credits awarded by Public Health England to the contractor working on the Isolation Assurance Service (IAS) and no refunds have been sought. The IAS contractor has met all obligations under the contract to present.

Over 32 billion items of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been ordered overall from United Kingdom-based manufacturers and international partners of which over 20 billion is already in the UK. We have a robust process which ensures that orders are of high quality standard, meet commercial due diligence and are checked for risk and fraud. All contracts are monitored for the delivery and safe receipt of the PPE and any compliance issues are followed up, the timings of which will vary according to when the contract was let.

All contracts have clauses in them that allow the Department to seek redress if the company supplies faulty products or misses delivery dates.

Sitel and Serco recruited and trained 18,000 full time equivalent (FTE) staff at the peak of delivery to provide the non-National Health Service call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. There is a standard replacement of staff who leave.

We are unable to provide this information as it is commercially confidential.

Sitel and Serco recruited and trained 18,000 full time equivalent (FTE) staff at the peak of delivery to provide the non-National Health Service call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. There is a standard replacement of staff who leave.

Sitel and Serco recruited and trained 18,000 full time equivalent (FTE) staff at the peak of delivery to provide the non-National Health Service call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. There is a standard replacement of staff who leave.

Sitel and Serco recruited and trained 18,000 full time equivalent (FTE) staff at the peak of delivery to provide the non-National Health Service call handling services to support the test and trace initiative. There is a standard replacement of staff who leave.

Test sites have clear guidance for treating suspected COVID-19 cases to ensure individuals are self-isolating whenever it is necessary to do so. Our commercial partners have their own measures in place to support staff members who are ill or otherwise unable to work. In addition, eligible test site workers who have to self-isolate can apply for the NHS Test and Trace support payment.

Changing facilities have been provided at each regional test site and local test site. Staff members are also provided with a uniform. Service providers have been instructed to advise staff to change into their uniform on arrival and before leaving the test site.

All regional test sites have at least one first aider on site at all times. For regional test sites that operate assisted testing, these tests are conducted by a member of staff who is clinically trained to carry out this procedure. There is not a requirement for other staff to be medically trained, but all staff must complete health and safety training before starting to work on site.

A COVID-19 test is not an aerosol generating procedure, nor is processing of lateral flow devices. We have a number of measures in place to maintain health and safety at sites. These include strict social distancing, sites are cleaned multiple times a day to ensure very high standards of hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment in line with the latest guidance.

We expect our providers to have rigorous recruitment practices to ensure that the staff they recruit to work on test sites are appropriate for the role. Children must be accompanied by their parent or guardian at a test site. Test site staff are not permitted to test children aged under 12 years old. In all test settings other than a National Health Service setting such as in hospital or a general practitioner surgery, children aged under 12 years old must only be tested by their parent or guardian.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to provide the details of people who are their recent close contacts, including all other members of their household. The information they are asked to provide about their close contacts includes: their name, phone number, email address, whether they are under 18 years of age or an adult, and how and where the individual came into contact with them. If this was through work, school, college or university, or another activity outside their home, such as a hospital or care home visit, a sports or leisure activity, or a visit to an event or a place of worship, the individual is asked to provide the location name and postcode.

When an individual is required by National Health Service Test and Trace to self-isolate, financial support is available, subject to certain eligibility criteria, through the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme. This scheme is administered through local authorities, enabling tailoring of messaging and communication to best support and engage local communities. The NHS Test and Trace service also helps signpost people who need support while self-isolating to local authority helplines and to the NHS Volunteers service.

At both the testing and contact tracing stages, there are also services in place to provide real time translation in a range of languages.

Where someone develops symptoms of COVID-19, both they and other household members should self-isolate immediately and should continue to self-isolate if they receive a positive test result. The NHS Test and Trace service asks people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to provide contact details for other members of their household so that they can be formally notified to self-isolate and, if eligible, can claim the Test and Trace Support Payment.

National Health Service Test and Trace has recently introduced changes to its processes so that, where a person who has tested positive confirms they have informed – or will inform – other family members of the requirement to self-isolate, the formal notifications to those other family members are issued by text or email rather than separate telephone calls.

Ministers frequently make appointments to a wide variety of roles governed by a huge variety of arrangements and have done over successive administrations.

There is no set process for these appointments but in making these appointments – which are often of a type referred to as ‘direct appointments’ – general public law principles apply.

Appointees are expected to adhere to the Nolan Principles.

Baroness Harding adheres to the Nolan Principles, the basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders, in her role as Head of NHS Test and Trace.

The Senior Responsible Officer for NHS Test and Trace is Jonathan Marron, Director General for Prevention, Community and Social Care.

We are currently developing the transition process to support full and formal establishment of the National Institute for Health Protection. The administrative classification of the new body will be determined as part of this process over the coming months.

Lord Deighton is leading the Government effort to unleash the potential of British industry to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health and social care sectors. This will maximise opportunities for United Kingdom-based companies to fulfil orders of PPE.

Almost 28 billion items of PPE have been ordered overall from UK-based manufacturers and international partners to provide a continuous supply in the coming months. More than 30 deals have been struck with companies through the Make initiative to manufacture and deliver PPE in the UK. We are also working with over 175 new suppliers to deliver at the scale and pace the UK requires. Around 20% of all PPE will be manufactured in the UK by the end of the year.

The Department has a small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Action Plan to achieve its SME target of 23% of procurement spend going to SMEs by March 2022. The calculation and validation process for the proportion of spend on SMEs across different procurement categories for each closed financial year is usually undertaken and reported on in August of the following financial year, so information on this spend is not yet available for 2019/20.

The breakdown of how the £10 billion allocation for 2020-21 has been spent will be published as part of the 2020-21 Annual Report.

We can confirm that our internal audit function has not undertaken an audit into reported problems with data collection for testing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The United Kingdom Government’s Concept of Operations describes how the Government response to civil emergencies will be organised, and the relationship between central, regional and local tiers in England. Following Exercise Cygnus, a cross-Government work programme was established to improve plans for the use of information in a flu pandemic. This work builds upon the current UK Government Concept of Operations, specifically for pandemic influenza.

The lessons learned from Exercise Cygnus continue to be considered by Government, and have been shared with a range of stakeholders, to ensure that the UK remains well-prepared for infectious disease outbreaks.

The management of the pandemic influenza preparedness stockpile was transferred from the Department to Public Health England (PHE) when it was formed on 1 April 2013.

The value of the personal protective equipment stockpile held with PHE in preparedness for an influenza pandemic has been approximately £80 million in each financial year since April 2013.

Exercise Cygnus was a national-level pandemic influenza exercise, which took place from 18 to 20 October 2016. Due to the size and complexity of the exercise, a number of groups were established to assist with its planning.

The Exercise Cygnus Steering Group was accountable for the overall strategic direction of the exercise and included representation from Cabinet Office, the Department of Health, the Department of Communities and Local Government, as well as Public Health England and NHS England.

The National Planning Team had responsibility for managing the development and delivery of the exercise and consisted of representation from some of those who took part in the exercise, including from the Department of Health and 12 other Government departments; the devolved administrations; NHS England, Public Health England, and eight Local Resilience Forums.

Exercise Cygnus was a national-level pandemic influenza exercise, which took place from 18 to 20 October 2016. Due to the size and complexity of the exercise, a number of groups were established to assist with its planning.

The Exercise Cygnus Steering Group was accountable for the overall strategic direction of the exercise and included representation from Cabinet Office, the Department of Health, the Department of Communities and Local Government, as well as Public Health England and NHS England.

The National Planning Team had responsibility for managing the development and delivery of the exercise and consisted of representation from some of those who took part in the exercise, including from the Department of Health and 12 other Government departments; the devolved administrations; NHS England, Public Health England, and eight Local Resilience Forums.

Procurement Regulations require the publication of Contract Award Notices which contain the finalised agreed value of the contract. The Department publishes certain information on Contracts Finder in line with these regulations.

Contracts in the form of licences to occupy have been entered into for the Nightingale hospital sites. However, disclosure of these contracts is likely to harm the legitimate commercial interests of the site owners. Information contained in the contracts has been provided in confidence and in circumstances where disclosure would amount to an actionable breach of confidence. These contracts will not be published.

Each Nightingale hospital has a host trust to provide healthcare services. Host trusts put in place contracts for necessary works/facilities and management matters, and contract award notices should be published in accordance with applicable requirements.

Contracts in the form of licences to occupy have been entered into for the Nightingale hospital sites. However, disclosure of these contracts is likely to harm the legitimate commercial interests of the site owners. Information contained in the contracts has been provided in confidence and in circumstances where disclosure would amount to an actionable breach of confidence. These contracts will not be published.

Each Nightingale hospital has a host trust to provide healthcare services. Host trusts put in place contracts for necessary works/facilities and management matters, and contract award notices should be published in accordance with applicable requirements.

As of 18 June, there were 20,356 mechanical ventilators available to patients across the United Kingdom. This compares to around 9,000 at the start of the pandemic in March. Of the additional stock, 7,778 have been bought from new suppliers via the Prime Minister’s ventilator challenge, 2,283 were bought from established suppliers and 1,156 comprises stock in the private sector which is available in future should it be needed.

As of 18 June, there were 20,356 mechanical ventilators available to patients across the United Kingdom. This compares to around 9,000 at the start of the pandemic in March. Of the additional stock, 7,778 have been bought from new suppliers via the Prime Minister’s ventilator challenge, 2,283 were bought from established suppliers and 1,156 comprises stock in the private sector which is available in future should it be needed.

As of 18 June, of the 10,061 mechanical ventilators bought and delivered since March, 1,286 have been distributed to hospitals across the UK and 8,775 remain in storage ready to be distributed if needed.

We are confident in the stocks and sources of supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the needs of health and social care over the next seven and 90 days.

The global PPE market remains challenging and we are continuing to sign further deals to make our position more secure.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in England we held around 50,000 pallets of medicines and consumables, including personal protective equipment (PPE), to enable us to respond to a United Kingdom pandemic, with the devolved administrations holding their own stockpiles. About 25,000 of those pallets held PPE and hygiene products.

Between 25 February and 26 April, we delivered over 997 million items of PPE across the health and social care system in England, with tens of millions more being distributed by the devolved administrations. This figure includes the following: 143 million masks; 163 million aprons; 1.8 million gowns; and 547 million gloves.

Unprecedented efforts are being undertaken to replenish and distribute PPE evenly across the UK, to ensure demand is met and the right equipment reaches our frontline.

As of 15 May, over 13,000 businesses have contacted the Government with offers of help on supplying personal protective equipment (PPE). Many are related to the manufacture of PPE for the National Health Service and care sectors, a vast majority of which we are taking forward, predominantly from United Kingdom based companies but also including multinational companies. Some offers were not progressed due to financial and capability considerations.

The Department engages directly with potential manufacturers to qualify and prioritise the opportunity, based on availability of/access to raw supplies, lead-times to manufacture, and other commercial considerations. Product prototypes are submitted to a Technical Product Review process, to ensure they meet essential health, safety and quality standards for PPE. Financial due diligence and fraud prevention measures are also undertaken, after which the Department can contract with the manufacturer.

Lord Deighton is leading the Government’s efforts to secure sufficient PPE and ensure this gets to where it is needed. He is also driving forward coordination of the end-to-end process design and manufacture of new domestic PPE supplies. As at 15 May, the Department has entered into contract and placed orders with 8 manufacturers to provide millions of items of PPE products to the National Health Service and carers. The volumes will increase in the coming weeks. Details of this work can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-more-items-of-ppe-for-frontline-staff-from-new-business-partnerships

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/70-million-face-masks-for-nhs-and-care-workers-through-new-industry-deal

We are working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider National Health Service the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak.

We have made over 68 million items of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to designated wholesalers for onward sale to social care providers and delivered a further 94 million items to local resilience forums (LRFs) between 6 April and 12 May to help them respond to urgent local spikes in need across the adult social care system and some other front-line services, where providers are unable to access PPE through their usual, or dedicated wholesaler routes.

The full weight of the Government is behind this effort and we are working closely with industry, social care providers, the NHS, and the army to ensure the right equipment continues to be delivered.

Information on how much personal protective equipment (PPE) stock was available for social care workers is not available centrally.

Since 25 February 2020 the Department has distributed over 2.7 billion personal protective equipment (PPE) items for use by health and social care services in England.

These deliveries have included masks (types II, IIR, FFP2, FFP3), eye protectors, gloves, gowns, coveralls and aprons.

Though the global market remains challenging, we have procured over 31 billion items of PPE from United Kingdom manufacturers and overseas suppliers.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on United Kingdom imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.

There is aggregated trade data available for personal protective equipment (PPE) goods and for the periods requested on HMRC’s website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data. This is available at the following link:

uktradeinfo.com

HMRC also maintains a list of COVID-19 products, including PPE goods, and their commodity codes on GOV.UK. Unfortunately, the trade data collected does not allow HMRC to distinguish PPE goods classified under a particular commodity code from any non-PPE goods classified under that same commodity code.

The Government has issued guidance to providers of supported living, and homeless provision, which includes advice on safety, cleaning and isolation, which is available at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-services-for-people-experiencing-rough-sleeping/covid-19-guidance-for-hostel-or-day-centre-providers-of-services-for-people-experiencing-rough-sleeping

The Government is in discussion with refuge providers who are engaged in their own contingency planning to keep specialist domestic abuse safe accommodation and associated support services available to victims in line with Public Health England’s advice.

The information requested is not collected at a national level or held centrally by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The information requested is not collected at a national level or held centrally by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The information requested is not collected at a national level or held centrally by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have no current plans to review the process by which patients are given a no evidence of active disease verdict. We would expect clinicians to use their clinical and professional judgement, accompanied by any relevant guidance and supporting evidence, when making such decisions and informing patients of a clinical decision.

We have provided the count of birth episodes with a gestational duration of less than 37 weeks (premature), and a postnatal stay of equal to or greater than 14 days, from 2014-15 to 2018-19.

It should be noted that this data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on one or more occasion.

The Government has legislated to ensure that interchange fees remain capped for UK domestic card transactions, where both the card issuer and acquirer are located in the UK, through secondary legislation made under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Any changes in cross-border interchange fees between the UK and EU, as between the UK and other third countries, are a result of commercial decisions by card schemes.

UK businesses exporting goods into the EU will be subject to EU rules relating to import VAT. Many businesses will already be registered in Member States that they export into as a result of existing distance selling rules. The Government is committed to supporting business to understand and carry out the requirements necessary to continue trading.

The Government has provided extensive guidance for the VAT treatment of cross-border goods following the end of the transition period and is committed to supporting businesses to enable them to continue to trade.

As with all tax measures, where new changes have been introduced, the Government includes its assessment of the impacts of the changes in Tax Information and Impact Notes. Notes for measures recently legislated for in the Taxation (Post-transition Period) Act were published alongside that legislation.

Where goods are subject to both import VAT and customs charges, these are due at the border and will be collected from the UK recipient. Guidance on this can be found at GOV.UK.

The Government recognises the importance of transparent prices for goods purchased from abroad. That is why, from 1 January, the Government introduced new rules for most goods in consignments not exceeding £135. Overseas businesses involved in these sales are now required to show a price which includes VAT at the point of purchase.

HMRC are currently dual running both CHIEF and the Customs Declaration Service. HMRC will continue to work with key delivery partners and declarants on their readiness for CDS and any change to a single customs platform will be considered as part of HMRC’s continued joint working.

HMRC’s focus has been on capacity to make declarations, rather than the number of staff employed. This is because the sector is varied and made up of a number of different business models including specific customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators. All of these require varied numbers of staff to complete declarations and to provide their services.

Many in the sector have innovated and brought in IT solutions to reduce the numbers of staff they require. The Government has helped them to do this by making over £80 million of support available, including flexible grants that can be used for IT and training, as well as recruitment; depending on the needs of their business.

The findings from recently published Ipsos MORI research set out that the sector expects to be able to complete 76-119 million additional declarations by the end of the transition period. This aligns with HMRC’s estimate that intermediaries will need to facilitate c.94m EU declarations per year at that point.

The UK has a well-established customs intermediaries sector which serves British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and consists of a number of different business models, including specific customs agents, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators; all of which will require differing numbers of staff.

The sector is responding to the increased demand from traders. Government support of up to £84m has been designed to meet the needs of the sector to build capacity flexibly by covering training and IT, as well as recruitment.

The Government continues to monitor progress carefully and keeps support under review.

In total, the Government has now made £84 million available to support the customs intermediary sector to deal with EU trade after 2020.

The initial £34 million has been fully allocated with over 4,000 grant offers for the recruitment and training of agents, improved software and hardware capability for businesses and supporting the establishment of the customs academy. The Government opened an additional £50 million of funding on 29 July and since then it has received over 1,300 applications totalling £18.4m.

Businesses are applying enthusiastically, and funding is still available. The Government encourages industry to take advantage of this support to expand.

The UK has a well-established customs intermediaries sector which serves British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and consists of a number of different business models, including specific customs agents, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators; all of which will require differing numbers of staff.

The sector is responding to the increased demand from traders. Government support of up to £84m has been designed to meet the needs of the sector to build capacity flexibly by covering training and IT, as well as recruitment.

The Government continues to monitor progress carefully and keeps support under review.

Total grants claimed across the customs grant scheme and any similar schemes must be under €200,000 (the maximum amount of state aid available).

The Government continues to consider how the grant scheme can be improved, including how it best operates within subsidy rules.

HMRC are co-developing delivery plans with carriers and operators. A virtualised test service has been in place since 31 August allowing carriers and operators to test their software against the HMRC specification. Service guides are available on the Developer Hub on GOV.UK, allowing hauliers, carriers and operators to access the specifications and understand the technical requirement ahead of physical testing. Technical discussions with carriers and operators to supplement this testing have started and will continue to 31 December.

There are currently 19,296 business and intermediaries that hold a customs handling of import and export freight (CHIEF) systems badge. The number of CHIEF badges that have been issued increased by 151 across July and August 2020.

The vast majority of the UK’s rest-of-world traders use an agent or intermediary to comply with customs formalities and manage their logistics and transport needs. Based on this, the Government expects that intermediaries will play an essential role as the majority of UK businesses trading with the EU will want to use their services to facilitate the import/export process.

There are a number of different types of customs declarations depending on how goods are moved and under which procedure. It is estimated that traders will need to make c.156-172m additional declarations. HMRC expect most businesses to use an intermediary to do this (eg. a freight forwarder, fast-parcel operator or a customs agent) as over 90 per cent of rest-of-world traders currently use one.

There are a number of different types of customs declarations depending on how goods are moved and under which procedure.

The latest published estimates are in the third edition impact assessment from December 2018, which are based on historic data. The estimates of the range are between £20-£56 for import declarations, and £15-£46 for export declarations.

The final costs of completing customs declarations will vary significantly from business to business depending on how often they trade, and how they choose to fulfil customers’ requirements; some will use an intermediary while others will do it themselves.

The latest published estimates are in the third edition impact assessment from December 2018, which are based on historic data.

The estimates of the range are between £20-£56 for import declarations, and £15-£46 for export declarations, but the final costs of completing customs declarations will vary significantly from business to business depending on how often they trade, and how they choose to fulfil customers’ requirements; some will use an intermediary while others will do it themselves. Costs are likely to fall over time as businesses become more proficient in filling in customs declarations.

The vast majority of the UK’s rest of world traders use an agent or intermediary to comply with customs formalities and manage their logistics and transport needs. Based on this, the Government expects that intermediaries will play an essential role as the majority of UK businesses trading with the EU will want to use their services to facilitate the import/export process.

HMRC do not employ customs agents/customs intermediaries directly. The UK has a well-established industry of customs intermediaries which serve British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and made up of a number of different business models including specific customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators, all of which will require varied numbers of staff. HMG has recently announced an additional £50m of grant scheme support for the sector to increase capacity, in addition to the £34m of support currently available.

The vast majority of the UK’s rest of world traders use an agent or intermediary to comply with customs formalities and manage their logistics and transport needs. Based on this, the Government expects that intermediaries will play an essential role as the majority of UK businesses trading with the EU will want to use their services to facilitate the import/export process.

HMRC do not employ customs agents/customs intermediaries directly. The UK has a well-established industry of customs intermediaries which serve British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and made up of a number of different business models including specific customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators, all of which will require varied numbers of staff. HMG has recently announced an additional £50m of grant scheme support for the sector to increase capacity, in addition to the £34m of support currently available.

To date HMRC have signed leases to secure four sites that were developed as temporary customs facilities ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU on 31 January 2020. Where necessary, contracts will be reviewed to extend them beyond 1 January 2021. Contracts are also in place for the development and running of these sites.

It is intended to conduct physical inspections at most of these locations after the end of the Transition Period.

Environmental matters have been taken into account when considering the development of any potential inland customs facilities. Such matters will continue to be considered carefully as proposals are developed and taken forward for planning approval.

Ministerial Directions are published on GOV.UK. As set out in paragraph 3.4.5. of Managing Public Money, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money) it is the responsibility of the relevant Accounting Officer to arrange for the existence of the direction to be published, no later than in the next report and accounts, unless the matter must be kept confidential.

The government has announced an unprecedented package of financial support that will also support charities. Many charities are already eligible for 80% charitable rate relief, and charities will also benefit from the new enhanced retail rate relief at 100%. Charities will also benefit from the new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Further detail of government support is available at: www.businesssupport.gov.uk