Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment the Government has made of the level of unrest in (a) KwaZulu-Natal and (b) other provinces in South Africa.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK was concerned by the recent outbreak of violence and looting in the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which sadly resulted in loss of life, injuries, and substantial damage to buildings and businesses. We welcome the South African Government's determination to restore calm and strongly support President Ramaphosa's emphasis on the importance of the rule of law. Our High Commission remains in regular contact with the South African authorities. As a long-standing friend of South Africa, the UK will continue to partner closely with the South African Government, business and civil society on a shared agenda of security, health, economic and social issues.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will publish weekly data on the number of people who test positive for covid-19 while required to quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not currently available as it is being centrally validated ahead of publication later in the year. The data will be published in a weekly format.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
What steps the Government is taking to support stroke teams to deliver the objectives set out in the National Stroke Service Model.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The National Stroke Service Model, published by NHS England and NHS Improvement in May 2021 articulates optimal stroke delivery based upon best evidence. There are, as of 1 April, 20 integrated stroke delivery networks, which are delivering joined-up stroke pathways. The model will ensure access to specialist rehabilitation on hospital discharge that is patient-directed, giving a needs-based approach rather than time. We are supporting stroke teams to ensure they have skilled and sustainable workforce.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether provisions in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement allow for (a) a short supplementing agreement or a Joint Declaration and (b) other bilateral agreements.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) imposes reciprocal obligations on the Parties to the Agreement. The TCA also includes some provisions – common in international agreements of this kind – which impose specific obligations on a particular Party.
There is no general non-discrimination provision applicable to all current and future EU Member States in the TCA.
The TCA does not prohibit either the UK or EU from entering into future agreements with each other. Article COMPROV.2 of the TCA includes information on how to treat future UK-EU agreements. The UK and EU Member States are free to make bilateral agreements with each other in principle. However, whether the EU Member States can enter into an agreement with the UK depends on the subject matter and the competence position under EU law.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the provisions agreed in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement are reciprocal and include a binding non-discrimination clause covering all current and future EU member states.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) imposes reciprocal obligations on the Parties to the Agreement. The TCA also includes some provisions – common in international agreements of this kind – which impose specific obligations on a particular Party.
There is no general non-discrimination provision applicable to all current and future EU Member States in the TCA.
The TCA does not prohibit either the UK or EU from entering into future agreements with each other. Article COMPROV.2 of the TCA includes information on how to treat future UK-EU agreements. The UK and EU Member States are free to make bilateral agreements with each other in principle. However, whether the EU Member States can enter into an agreement with the UK depends on the subject matter and the competence position under EU law.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide further immigration guidance on inward mobility including (a) short-term visitor routes, (b) frontier workers, (c) paid permitted engagement and the roles that qualify under this, and (d) longer term engagements.
Answered by Kevin Foster
Extensive guidance is already available on gov.uk for applicants and caseworkers.
There are no plans to publish any further at the current time.
Visitor applicant guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa
Permitted paid engagement applicant guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/permitted-paid-engagement-visa
Visitor caseworker guidance, including for permitted paid engagements, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-guidance
Frontier worker applicant guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/frontier-worker-permit
Frontier worker caseworker guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/frontier-worker-permit-scheme-caseworker-guidance
Longer term engagements are covered by our work routes. Further guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made on the process for allocation of funding under the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The November 2020 Spending Review set out the main strategic elements of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in a Heads of Terms. Further details will be set out in a UK-wide Investment Framework to be published later this year and funding profile for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be set at the next Spending Review. The UK Government is providing an additional £220 million funding through the UK Community Renewal Fund to help local areas prepare for the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the Government has had EU Member States on cultural exemptions for work permits for musicians and other creative professionals seeking paid work in the EU.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
This government recognises the importance of our world leading creative and cultural industries. That is why the UK took an ambitious approach during negotiations that would have ensured that touring musicians, performers and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU. Regrettably, our proposals were rejected by the EU, but our door remains open if the EU wants to reconsider its position.
A bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU would require the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to be renegotiated. The TCA is the basis of our trading relations with the EU, and this is not going to be renegotiated.
The Commission would be likely to argue that any EU-wide visa waiver agreement can only be part of a wider package with a binding non-discrimination clause and a reciprocal visa waiver agreement covering all current and future Member States. This was what the Commission proposed in the negotiations and would be incompatible with our manifesto commitment to retain control of our borders.
It should also be noted that while the EU has visa-waiver deals with some other third countries, this does not bind Member States and many continue to apply visas on paid activity, while some Member States offer the same waiver regime to those with whom they don’t have deals.
However, we will imminently be engaging with Member States to improve their guidance around their entry and work requirements. DCMS is working closely with the FCDO and other government departments on an engagement strategy with EU Member States, and DCMS Ministers will speak to our Heads of Missions in EU countries shortly. Should Member States be willing to change their rules to match the UK’s significantly more generous arrangements for touring professionals, then we will have those discussions and encourage them to do so.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of negotiating a bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU exempting touring musicians, performers, creative teams and crews from needing to obtain a visa when seeking paid work.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
This government recognises the importance of our world leading creative and cultural industries. That is why the UK took an ambitious approach during negotiations that would have ensured that touring musicians, performers and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU. Regrettably, our proposals were rejected by the EU, but our door remains open if the EU wants to reconsider its position.
A bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU would require the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to be renegotiated. The TCA is the basis of our trading relations with the EU, and this is not going to be renegotiated.
The Commission would be likely to argue that any EU-wide visa waiver agreement can only be part of a wider package with a binding non-discrimination clause and a reciprocal visa waiver agreement covering all current and future Member States. This was what the Commission proposed in the negotiations and would be incompatible with our manifesto commitment to retain control of our borders.
It should also be noted that while the EU has visa-waiver deals with some other third countries, this does not bind Member States and many continue to apply visas on paid activity, while some Member States offer the same waiver regime to those with whom they don’t have deals.
However, we will imminently be engaging with Member States to improve their guidance around their entry and work requirements. DCMS is working closely with the FCDO and other government departments on an engagement strategy with EU Member States, and DCMS Ministers will speak to our Heads of Missions in EU countries shortly. Should Member States be willing to change their rules to match the UK’s significantly more generous arrangements for touring professionals, then we will have those discussions and encourage them to do so.
Asked by: Robert Neill (Conservative - Bromley and Chislehurst)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will provide an emergency funding package for the performing arts sector to mitigate the costs associated with touring in Europe and new visa and work permits rules.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Government recognises the world-leading position of the UK performing arts sector and the rich breadth of artistic talent across the UK.
Leaving the EU has always meant that there would be changes to how creative professionals operate in the EU. UK performing artists are still able to tour and perform in the EU. However, we understand the concerns about the new arrangements and we are committed to supporting the sectors as they get to grips with the changes to systems and processes.
We are now working urgently across government and in collaboration with the performing arts and wider creative industries, including through the DCMS-led working group, on plans to support the creative sectors tour in Europe. This includes producing new guidance to help artists understand what's required in different countries, and looking carefully at proposals for a new Export Office that could provide further practical help.