Royston Smith Portrait

Royston Smith

Conservative - Southampton, Itchen

First elected: 7th May 2015


2 APPG memberships (as of 24 Jan 2024)
Abraham Accords, Taiwan
3 Former APPG memberships
Child and Youth Crime, Lebanon, Pakistan
Foreign Affairs Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee)
10th Oct 2017 - 3rd Jul 2018
Committees on Arms Export Controls
10th Oct 2017 - 3rd Jul 2018
Work and Pensions Committee
19th Dec 2016 - 3rd May 2017


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Royston Smith has voted in 789 divisions, and 6 times against the majority of their Party.

22 Mar 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 253
20 Jan 2021 - National Security and Investment Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative Aye votes vs 350 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 269 Noes - 351
26 Apr 2021 - Financial Services Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 355 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 271
27 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 256
28 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 321 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 256
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Royston Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
View All Royston Smith Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Stuart Andrew (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
(4 debate interactions)
Ben Wallace (Conservative)
(4 debate interactions)
Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
(4 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(7 debate contributions)
Home Office
(6 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(3 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Fire Safety Bill 2019-21
(1,734 words contributed)
Building Safety Act 2022
(1,586 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Royston Smith's debates

Southampton, Itchen Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Royston Smith has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Royston Smith

Royston Smith has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Royston Smith, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Royston Smith has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Royston Smith has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Royston Smith has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
24th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether wedding ceremonies can take place at private wedding venues with up to 30 guests, under Step 3 of the roadmap out of covid-19 restrictions.

In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening different sectors in England, guided by science and the data.

We understand the unique significance that marriages and civil partnerships hold in people’s lives, but we have to take necessary steps to limit transmission of COVID-19. This includes restrictions on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, as well as other forms of social contact. By their very nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.

Alternative wedding ceremonies are permitted in line with the regular wedding or civil partnership rules, in the same locations, at each step.

From 29 March, wedding and civil partnership ceremonies have been able to take place indoors or outdoors in COVID-Secure venues that are not expressly closed by the Regulations, or where a broader exemption applies. From 12 April, 15 people are permitted to attend. This approach allows couples to marry in legally binding licensed venues for wedding ceremonies (where outdoor options are limited) while remaining in line with the reopening of sectors and venues as set out in the roadmap. Wedding ceremonies should follow government guidance to reduce the risk of transmission.

Receptions (of up to 15 people) can resume from 12 April. The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors. That is why receptions are only permitted outdoors at this Step and should be in a COVID-Secure venue.

From Step 3, no earlier than 17 May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-Secure venues that are not required to close, or where a broader exemption applies. Receptions can also proceed with up to 30 people in a COVID-Secure indoor venue, or outdoors, which includes private gardens.

Guidance for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-wedding-and-civil-partnership-receptions-and-celebrations

At each step, the limits on the number of attendees includes children of all ages, but not workers.

For further information, please refer to the guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
12th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil service jobs there have been in Southampton in each of the last 10 years.

Civil Service Statistics presents detailed information on the UK Civil Service workforce as at 31 March 2020, including on pay, diversity and location and is available here.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on implementing the Places for Growth programme.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out in his Ditchley Speech, the Government is determined to ensure the Civil Service is better distributed across the country. The Places for Growth Programme is working with departments and public bodies to firm up relocation plans and further details will be announced in due course. The Places for Growth programme is exploring opportunities across the whole of the UK.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Places for Growth Programme in assessing the potential for relocating government offices to Southampton.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out in his Ditchley Speech, the Government is determined to ensure the Civil Service is better distributed across the country. The Places for Growth Programme is working with departments and public bodies to firm up relocation plans and further details will be announced in due course. The Places for Growth programme is exploring opportunities across the whole of the UK.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
24th Mar 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the amount of GDP that came from the sale of illegal drugs in 2018-19.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

8th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance her Department issues to (a) private companies and (b) UK-based investors on (i) engaging and (ii) investing in Ukraine.

Providing guidance to supporting businesses to play a key role in supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery is a high Government priority.

This year we launched a Guide to Doing Business with Ukraine, to support UK business and investors working in Ukraine and encourage greater trade flows.

We support businesses to engage in Ukraine via multiple fora including the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce.

We are supporting investors through addressing a lack of available insurance, contributing £20m to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and on 31 October signing a Statement of Intent on a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development war-risk insurance scheme for Ukraine.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2023 to Question 198502 on Geothermal Power: Southampton, what funding is available for a more detailed study to understand the full potential of heating available from the Wessex Basin Aquifer.

The Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU) provides grant funding to local authorities and select public and private sector organisations in England and Wales for heat network development. This support is available via bidding rounds. Up to 67% of the total eligible costs of a development stage is available, with the exception of project management costs, which may be fully funded by HNDU for public sector applicants and registered social landlords. Grant funding is provided to successful local authorities under Section 31 of the Local Government Act and other applicants under Section 98 of the National Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Currently, Round 13 is open for applicants, closing on 31 December 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made an assessment of the suitability of Southampton as a location for geothermal energy production.

The Department has funded feasibility studies to examine potential for heat network development in Southampton. Deep Geothermal has been identified as a potential heat source for heat networks which would supply consumers within the city. A more detailed study is required to understand the full potential of heating available from the Wessex Basin Aquifer, building on lessons learnt from the UK's first geothermal power scheme which supplied the Southampton District Energy Scheme. Funding is available to the public sector to explore this opportunity further.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the British Geological Society paper entitled the case for deep geothermal energy – unlocking investment at scale in the UK, published 17 July 2023.

The Government commends the British Geological Society's work on this paper and welcomes its findings. The department is working on securing evidence to inform potential funding mechanisms and consider ways in which data can be better captured and shared across the industry. The Government engages with industry stakeholders so that any interventions unlock the potential role of deep geothermal energy in decarbonising heat, at an acceptable cost to consumers and the taxpayer.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support hydrogen storage technology.

The intended delivery of the Hydrogen Storage Business Model (HSBM) by 2025 will support the growth of the hydrogen economy.

The HSBM intends to provide investors with long-term revenue certainty to establish and scale up deployment of hydrogen storage infrastructure. The HSBM will help overcome key investment barriers such as high capital costs, lengthy development lead times and uncertain financial returns in a nascent market.

Following consultation, the Government published a position on the HSBM in August 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including (a) hydrogen and (b) natural gas storage technologies in salt caverns through the Energy Bill.

Great Britain has eight natural gas storage facilities including five salt caverns. The Government will issue an update by the autumn on the role gas storage and other forms of flexibility play in security of supply.

The Government is exploring longer-term options and locations to store hydrogen. The UK has strong geological potential to store hydrogen in salt caverns and the Government is engaging with industry to understand the viability of proposed hydrogen storage projects.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the (a) efficiency and (b) reliability of ground source heat pumps in residential properties.

As part of the Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project, the Department funded the installation of 38 ground source heat pumps in residential properties across the UK, with monitoring equipment to assess the performance of the systems in situ. The Government expects the final performance data from this project, including data on the ground source heat pumps installed, to be published after the project concludes, in summer 2024.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of geothermal energy in district heating network schemes.

The Government has not undertaken a general assessment of the effectiveness of geothermal energy for district heating in the UK due to the small number of operational geothermal district heating schemes. Case studies have been developed for several geothermal schemes across Europe, which demonstrate that geothermal heat can be an effective low carbon heat source for heat networks.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has taken recent steps to facilitate research on geothermal district heating.

The Department has contributed £31m in funding to UK Geoenergy Observatories, which will conduct geothermal energy-related research. This is in addition to supporting deep geothermal feasibility projects at the Eden Project in Cornwall and in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Department has also awarded £9.7m in capital funding to two district heating projects in Gateshead and County Durham via the Heat Networks Investment Project, which will use geothermal heat from mine-water to heat local communities.

The Government has commissioned a report, led by the British Geological Survey, into the potential contribution of deep geothermal energy in the UK. The report is expected to be published this year.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number and proportion of domestic households that use (a) air source and (b) ground source heat pumps for their heating in Southampton Itchen constituency.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database shows that, as of 31st March 2023, 33 air source heat pump (representing 0.1% of domestic households) and no ground source heat pump installations were registered in the Southampton Itchen constituency.

The database does not include all heat pump installations. Those installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings, are not typically recorded in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has taken recent steps to help increase investment in geothermal technologies.

In the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government committed to “explore all possible renewable opportunities afforded by our geography and geology, including tidal and geothermal.”

Geothermal power has been an eligible electricity generating technology for the Contracts for Difference scheme since its introduction. The Government anticipates that geothermal power projects may bid into the scheme's emerging technologies pot of the fifth allocation round this year. The Government keeps the scheme under review and will consider the role of geothermal power in light of the results.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of deep geothermal energy on the rate of decarbonisation in the energy sector.

In the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government committed to “explore all possible renewable opportunities afforded by our geography and geology, including tidal and geothermal.”

The British Geological Survey has an active programme of research on the UK potential for geothermal power. The Government will consider the role of geothermal power in light of the results.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2022 to Question 88033 on Energy Bills Rebate: Meters, how many and what proportion of people on pre-payment meters have taken up support through the Energy Bill Support Scheme as of 28 November 2022.

Figures were published on GOV.UK on 18 November 2023. As at 1 November, 2,053,580 vouchers were provided to traditional pre-payment customers. Of those, 1,205,337 (59%) had been redeemed.

Energy Bill Support Scheme credit is applied automatically to smart prepayment meters. Customers who use a traditional prepayment meter are encouraged to make sure they have received their voucher from their supplier and should redeem them promptly, so they get the energy bill support to which they are entitled.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to support households on pre-payment meters who have not received their Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers.

Suppliers must ensure that vouchers for traditional pre-payment meter customers reach recipients by the 11th working day of the month. Suppliers are working with the Post Office and PayPoint, who are the two voucher providers, to minimise any disruption of the postal strikes and bringing from voucher production where possible.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed postal strikes on the delivery of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers for households with pre-payment meters.

Suppliers must ensure that vouchers for traditional pre-payment meter customers reach recipients by the 11th working day of the month. Suppliers are working with the Post Office and PayPoint, who are the two voucher providers, to minimise any disruption of the postal strikes and bringing from voucher production where possible.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the press release entitled Ofgem requires improvements from energy suppliers on customer direct debits published on 13 July 2022, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the steps it is taking to secure improvements from the twelve energy suppliers found to have weaknesses in their direct debit and charging processes.

BEIS Ministers regularly have discussions with Ofgem on a range of issues relating to the energy market.

Having completed a review on whether energy suppliers are setting customers’ direct debit payments appropriately, Ofgem is working with seven suppliers found to have minor weaknesses in their processes. The five suppliers found to have moderate to severe weaknesses are required to implement rapid and robust improvements to their processes and reassess customer direct debits where necessary. Failure to act fast enough may result in Ofgem taking enforcement action. Ofgem intends to strengthen direct debit rules in the supply licence. Details available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/statutory-consultation-strengthening-fixed-direct-debit-rules.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the press release entitled Ofgem requires improvements from energy suppliers on customer direct debits published on 13 July 2022, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the steps it is taking to monitor energy suppliers that it found to have weaknesses in their direct debit and charging processes.

BEIS Ministers regularly have discussions with Ofgem on a range of issues relating to the energy market.

Having completed a review on whether energy suppliers are setting customers’ direct debit payments appropriately, Ofgem is working with seven suppliers found to have minor weaknesses in their processes. The five suppliers found to have moderate to severe weaknesses are required to implement rapid and robust improvements to their processes and reassess customer direct debits where necessary. Failure to act fast enough may result in Ofgem taking enforcement action. Ofgem intends to strengthen direct debit rules in the supply licence. Details available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/statutory-consultation-strengthening-fixed-direct-debit-rules.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what mechanisms are available to help support individuals whose direct debit for energy bills has been increased by their energy provider (a) at short notice and (b) by more than the corresponding increase in the energy price cap.

Ofgem requires energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ direct debit payments are based on the best available information. For existing customers, the direct debit payments should be based on energy used over the previous year plus any price changes. Customers should receive notice of a payment increase at least 10 days in advance of the change taking place. If a customer does not receive prior notice, they can make a complaint to the energy supplier.

The energy price cap and the new energy price guarantee apply to the amount customers are charged per unit of gas or electricity, so customers’ exact bill amounts will continue to be influenced by how much energy is used.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support individuals whose direct debit for energy bills has been significantly increased by their energy providers (a) at short notice and (b) by more than the corresponding increase to the energy price cap.

Ofgem requires energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ direct debit payments are based on the best available information. For existing customers, the direct debit payments should be based on energy used over the previous year plus any price changes. Customers should receive notice of a payment increase at least 10 days in advance of the change taking place. If a customer does not receive prior notice, they can make a complaint to the energy supplier.

The energy price cap and the new energy price guarantee apply to the amount customers are charged per unit of gas or electricity, so customers’ exact bill amounts will continue to be influenced by how much energy is used.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Dec 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps she will take to ensure the UK meets its target of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Government is committed to delivering our target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and end the UK’s contribution to climate change.

We are a world leader in cutting emissions, having reduced emissions by 42% since 1990 while growing the economy by 72%.

We recognise the need to go further and, since legislating for net zero in June, the Government has continued to bring forward ambitious plans to support clean growth across a range of sectors. This includes a £250 million Clean Steel Fund, £400 million of investment in new charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, and up to £1 billion additional funding to develop and embed the next generation of cutting-edge electric vehicle technologies.

Under the leadership of the newly created Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, chaired by the Prime Minister, we will be setting out ambitious plans throughout 2020 to strengthen our global leadership and seize the economic opportunities of clean growth for the whole country. The Committee will also oversee the UK’s preparations to host the crucial UN climate change summit, COP26, in November 2020.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure local TV services can continue to secure (a) carriage and (b) discoverability on TV sets during the transition to internet protocol television delivery.

The government remains committed to securing the most effective framework for local TV operators going forward. This includes continuing to engage with the sector over the next decade to ensure local TV has the tools to deliver its statutory objectives in a changing broadcasting ecology.

To support this, the government will continue providing the regulatory benefits that local TV services have received since 2013. These benefits include, but are not limited to, continued access to digital terrestrial television (DTT) and prominence on DTT and other linear TV platforms, including internet protocol television.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce administrative (a) time and (b) cost for local TV operators renewing local TV licences.

On 7 June 2023, the government launched a public consultation on the renewal of local TV licences. Through the consultation, the government put forward various options for renewal of the multiplex licence, and for the renewal or relicensing of the 34 individual local TV services. The consultation document considered, among other things, which options would minimise the administrative burden on local TV operators.

The consultation was open for 12 weeks, and closed on 13 September. A summary of in-scope responses submitted to the consultation and the government’s response will be published in due course.

15th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implication for its polices of the announcement by Meta that it plans to discontinue its funding for the Community News Project on local journalism.

The government is disappointed to see that Meta is closing its Community News Project. We are working to support journalism and local newsrooms to ensure the sustainability of this vital industry, and our new digital markets regime will help rebalance the relationship between the most powerful platforms and those who rely on them – including press publishers.

Additionally, our support for the sector has included the delivery of the £2 million Future News Fund; the zero rating of VAT on e-newspapers; the extension of a 2017 business rates relief on local newspaper office space until 2025; the publication of the Online Media Literacy Strategy; and the BBC also supports the sector directly, through the £8m it spends each year on the Local News Partnership, including the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.

13th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made level of risk of covid-19 transmission of the reopening of (a) indoor children soft play centres and (b) mobile play bus businesses; and what the timeframe is for the reopening of those businesses.

On 13 August, the Government announced that indoor play and indoor soft play venues can open from 15 August. We have also been working with BALPPA, the trade body that represents the industry to develop guidance that lays out detailed measures that should be taken by indoor play and indoor soft play operators to make venues COVID-secure. These include closing ball pits and sensory areas, reducing capacity of venues and soft play frames, regular deep cleaning, pre-bookable timed sessions, increased sanitation, and a rigorous process to support track and trace. Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so. Since 4 July other indoor facilities, including some indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues have reopened.


As with all aspects of the Government’s response to COVID-19, we continue to be guided by public health considerations to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of Twitter on moderating hate speech towards people with Down’s Syndrome.

Ministers and officials have regular meetings and discussions with Twitter on a range of issues, including hate speech. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the GOV.UK website.

19th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2022 to Question 304 on Refugees: Ukraine, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of whether people who were granted leave under the (a) Ukraine Sponsorship scheme, (b) Ukraine Family scheme and (c) Ukraine Extension scheme are likely to repay their student loans.

Student Finance England have paid 617 persons granted leave under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme student support for the 2022/23 academic year up to 18 June 2023. It is not possible to separately identify those on the Ukraine Extension Scheme in the data. The net amount paid out as of 18 June 2023 was £9,155,573, accounting for interest and any repayments received.

The granting of home fee status is a matter for universities. It is therefore not possible to provide full information on how many people who have been issued Ukraine scheme leave have received home fee status, although all those who have been granted student finance will be eligible for home fee status. There were no Ukraine Family Scheme applicants identified who have received payments.

The department has not made a separate assessment of the likelihood of people who were granted leave under (a) the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, (b) the Ukraine Family Scheme and (c) the Ukraine Extension Scheme repaying their student loans. Borrowers in receipt of student funding under the Ukraine schemes are subject to the same repayment terms and conditions as all other borrowers.

19th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2022 to Question 304 on Refugees: Ukraine, how many people who were granted leave under the (a) Ukraine Sponsorship scheme, (b) Ukraine Family scheme and (c) Ukraine Extension scheme have received (i) a student loan and (ii) home fee status; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

Student Finance England have paid 617 persons granted leave under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme student support for the 2022/23 academic year up to 18 June 2023. It is not possible to separately identify those on the Ukraine Extension Scheme in the data. The net amount paid out as of 18 June 2023 was £9,155,573, accounting for interest and any repayments received.

The granting of home fee status is a matter for universities. It is therefore not possible to provide full information on how many people who have been issued Ukraine scheme leave have received home fee status, although all those who have been granted student finance will be eligible for home fee status. There were no Ukraine Family Scheme applicants identified who have received payments.

The department has not made a separate assessment of the likelihood of people who were granted leave under (a) the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, (b) the Ukraine Family Scheme and (c) the Ukraine Extension Scheme repaying their student loans. Borrowers in receipt of student funding under the Ukraine schemes are subject to the same repayment terms and conditions as all other borrowers.

26th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to reduce the potential disruption to children’s learning progress caused by possible future disease pandemics.

Most infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can be managed in schools by following the advice set out in the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) ‘Health protection in children and young people settings, including education’ guidance. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities. The Department maintains close links to UKHSA.

The Department has appointed a dedicated Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Russell Viner, who ensures that the Department is fully linked up with the science network across Government.

In addition, schools can consult the Department’s ‘Emergency planning and response for education, childcare, and children’s social care settings’ guidance to ensure their emergency plans cover the possibility of any future significant public health incidents. This guidance is due to be updated in May 2023. The current guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings.

The Department is committed to learning lessons and continuous improvement from COVID-19. Almost £5 billion for education recovery was made available in response to COVID-19. The Department will continue to maintain focus on the implementation and impact of these recovery interventions, evaluating and learning from delivery, alongside the Department’s wider efforts to drive up attainment outcomes, specifically those of disadvantaged pupils.

15th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure more children from disadvantaged and care backgrounds have access to private school scholarships to support their charitable status.

In May 2018, the Department for Education and the Independent Schools Council (ISC) agreed a joint understanding designed to expand the participation of independent schools in various initiatives across the system. In particular, it encourages independent schools to offer a greater number of full bursary places, targeted at children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We continue to work constructively with the ISC on this.

The Department is working to increase the involvement of independent schools alongside boarding schools to open up more educational opportunities for children in need. We recently appointed the Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation to deliver a project that will establish hubs in which independent schools, local authorities, social workers and Virtual School Heads, will work in partnership to promote school placements for children in need.

The Department continues to encourage and support new partnerships between independent and state funded schools. This programme aims to harness the resources and expertise found across sectors through the development of partnership activities, many of which are specifically tailored for pupils from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. In line with the Department’s joint understanding with the ISC, we want to see more schools forming impactful and mutually beneficial collaborations across the areas of curriculum development, teaching quality, governance and leadership, and other targeted forms of school improvement to maximise the social benefits that can be generated for their communities.

30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of mandating online school teaching for one week before Christmas holidays to minimise the need for school students and teaching staff to self-isolate over Christmas.

It continues to be the Department’s aim that all pupils, in all year groups, remain in school full-time. Returning to school full time has been vital for children’s education and for their wellbeing. Time out of school is detrimental for children’s cognitive and academic development, particularly for disadvantaged children. This impact can affect both current levels of education and children’s future ability to learn.

As set out in the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan, nurseries, schools and colleges should not change their Christmas holidays or close early this term: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan. Parents should continue to send their children to school during term time. The leaders and staff of education settings have been doing an extraordinary job to remain open, keep settings safe, and provide education.

Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to minimise risk of COVID-19 transmission. The risk to children themselves of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 is low and there are negative health impacts of being out of school. Senior clinicians, including the Chief Medical Officers of all four nations, still advise that school is the very best place for children to be.

If parents have concerns about their child attending school because they consider they or members of their household may have particular risk factors, they should discuss these with their school.

30th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to schools running after-school clubs on the reopening of schools during the covid-19 outbreak in September.

The Department has published guidance on the full opening of schools from September. It advises that schools should consider resuming any breakfast and after-school provision, where possible, from the start of the autumn term. Such provision will help ensure pupils have opportunities to re-engage with their peers and with the school, ensure vulnerable children have a healthy breakfast and are ready to focus on their lessons, provide enrichment activities, and also support working parents. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

We recognise that this will be logistically challenging for schools. Schools should carefully consider how they can make such provision work alongside the wider protective measures the guidance supports them to put in place, including keeping children within the year groups or smaller bubbles they are in during the school day, where possible. If it is not possible to maintain bubbles being used during the school day then schools should use small, consistent groups in their breakfast and after-school activities.

Schools can consult the guidance produced for summer holiday childcare, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak, as much of this will be useful in planning extra-curricular provision. This includes schools advising parents to limit the number of different wraparound providers they access, as far as possible.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to provide support for (a) GCSE and (b) A-Level students that are required to self-isolate as a result of having covid-19 symptoms.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced to the House on 18 March, the Government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all examinations due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer, as part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form, a job or an apprenticeship in the autumn. For GCSE, AS and A-level students, we will ensure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. A calculated grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available evidence, including any non-examination assessment that students have already completed. The qualifications regulator, Ofqual, is working urgently with examination boards to set out proposals for how this process will work and more information will be provided as soon as possible.

We recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home and are grateful for this.

The Department is working with the BBC and other partners to provide advice and support directly to parents, including online resources they can access for their children at home.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has plans to provide support for disadvantaged students that may find it difficult to study at home during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department is ensuring that the most vulnerable children, including those who have a social worker or an Education, Health and Care Plan, are able to continue attending school during the COVID-19 outbreak, as school is a well-recognised protective factor.

We recognise that many schools have already started sharing resources for students who are at home and are grateful for this. We are working with the BBC and other partners to provide advice and support directly to schools, parents and carers including online resources parents can access for their children at home.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has plans to provide mental health support to (a) students and (b) teachers that are suffering from stress as a result of exams and the covid-19 outbreak.

On Wednesday 18 March, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education announced that schools, colleges and early years settings will be closed to everyone except children of key workers and vulnerable children, in order to contain the spread of coronavirus.

They also confirmed that assessments and exams will no longer go ahead this academic year. We are working urgently with Ofqual and the awarding organisations to ensure that students still get the qualifications that they have been working towards.

The department is working with NHS England and Public Health England who are providing guidance on seeking mental health support, including guidance for parents and carers of children and young people on addressing mental health and wellbeing concerns during the COVID-19 outbreak. Where in place, Mental Health Support Teams are also actively considering how they continue to deliver a service to support children and young people.

We are continually engaging with education unions to ensure the school workforce get the support they need in these challenging times.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has published for schools on ensuring that disadvantaged pupils receive additional tuition after the school closures resulting from covid-19 outbreak.

We recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home and are grateful for this.

We want to support parents and schools to ensure young people’s education can continue. Support available includes:

We are committed to doing everything we can to reduce the impact of school closures on pupils.

18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made on the effect of noise distraction at home on the effectiveness of online classes for (a) primary and (b) secondary school students during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department has not conducted any assessment of the effect of noise disruption on the effectiveness of online classes.

28th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to educate young people on the Holocaust.

The Department is fully committed to Holocaust education. Every young person should learn about the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us today, which is why it is unique in being the only subject named as a compulsory part of the history curriculum.

The Department further supports pupils’ and teachers’ understanding of the Holocaust by providing funding for the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz project - £2,126,437 in 2019-20 and £2,193,675 in 2020-21 and to the UCL Institute of Education’s Centre for Holocaust Education - £500,000 in both 2019-20 and 2020-21, match funded by the Pears Foundation. Additionally, £1.7 million for the 2019-20 financial year is being provided for the Bergen-Belsen Commemoration Programme to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2023 to Question 187133 on Fishing Vessels: Monitoring, what information his Department holds on what the numerous and significant issues were with the Maritime Systems I-VMS device.

The Marine Management Organisation type-approved four devices in 2021 after suppliers provided evidence of their specification. It then commissioned independent assurance testing in November 2022 on all four devices to provide further assurance. Two of the devices failed the assurance process, including the Maritime Systems Ltd MS44 device. Prior to their suspension, Maritime Systems Ltd had installed approximately 70% of all devices purchased by fishers.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of inshore vessel monitoring systems purchased by fishers were installed by each of the four approved suppliers before the removal of type approval for the systems provided by Maritime Systems Ltd and Starlink.

The Marine Management Organisation type-approved four devices in 2021 after suppliers provided evidence of their specification. It then commissioned independent assurance testing in November 2022 on all four devices to provide further assurance. Two of the devices failed the assurance process, including the Maritime Systems Ltd MS44 device. Prior to their suspension, Maritime Systems Ltd had installed approximately 70% of all devices purchased by fishers.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve water quality in the River Itchen.

Protecting our rivers and water bodies is a top priority for HM Government. We are taking action to address pollution from a variety of sources to improve water quality.

To tackle pollution to waterbodies from agriculture we have almost doubled the funding available for our Catchment Sensitive Farming programme over the next three years. Our new £30 million budget will expand the programme to cover 100% of farmland. We have also made extra budget available this year to the Environment Agency (EA) for 50 extra inspectors to be recruited in this financial year to visit farms posing a risk of water pollution and ensure action is taken.

The EA is working specifically across Hampshire catchments with farmers and landowners to ensure they are compliant with Environmental Regulations. This includes work via the Agriculture Regulatory Taskforce (ART), funded by Defra, to tackle diffuse pollution. On farm visits, EA officers issue actions for farmers to reduce pollution risk and improve the environment.

Chalk streams are both incredibly rare and a hugely important part of our environmental heritage. To protect the iconic chalk streams of the Test & Itchen, the EA is working with regional water resource planning groups to make sure these habitats are rightly prioritised, while delivering a resilient water supply to this growing area.

To tackle water pollution from sewage discharges, we have recently published our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan. Our Plan sets new strict targets on water companies to reduce sewage spills and will secure the largest infrastructure programme in water company history - £56 billion capital investment over 25 years.  Water companies are also required under the Environment Act to monitor the water quality impact up and downstream of all their assets. This monitoring data will be used by the EA to assess compliance with permits.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve water quality near Southampton.

Protecting our rivers and water bodies is a top priority for HM Government. We are taking action to address pollution from a variety of sources to improve water quality.

To tackle pollution to waterbodies from agriculture we have almost doubled the funding available for our Catchment Sensitive Farming programme over the next three years. Our new £30 million budget will expand the programme to cover 100% of farmland. We have also made extra budget available this year to the Environment Agency (EA) for 50 extra inspectors to be recruited in this financial year to visit farms posing a risk of water pollution and ensure action is taken.

The EA is working specifically across Hampshire catchments with farmers and landowners to ensure they are compliant with Environmental Regulations. This includes work via the Agriculture Regulatory Taskforce (ART), funded by Defra, to tackle diffuse pollution. On farm visits, EA officers issue actions for farmers to reduce pollution risk and improve the environment.

Chalk streams are both incredibly rare and a hugely important part of our environmental heritage. To protect the iconic chalk streams of the Test & Itchen, the EA is working with regional water resource planning groups to make sure these habitats are rightly prioritised, while delivering a resilient water supply to this growing area.

To tackle water pollution from sewage discharges, we have recently published our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan. Our Plan sets new strict targets on water companies to reduce sewage spills and will secure the largest infrastructure programme in water company history - £56 billion capital investment over 25 years.  Water companies are also required under the Environment Act to monitor the water quality impact up and downstream of all their assets. This monitoring data will be used by the EA to assess compliance with permits.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)