Vince Cable Portrait

Vince Cable

Liberal Democrat - Former Member for Twickenham

First elected: 8th June 2017


Vince Cable is not a member of any APPGs
4 Former APPG memberships
Apprenticeships, Community Transport, Heathrow Expansion, Land Value Capture
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
21st Oct 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)
21st Aug 2019 - 21st Oct 2019
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
20th Jul 2017 - 22nd Jul 2019
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury)
16th Jun 2017 - 20th Jul 2017
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
12th May 2010 - 8th May 2015
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury)
12th Jul 2003 - 6th May 2010
Acting Leader, Liberal Democrats
15th Oct 2007 - 18th Dec 2007
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Trade and Industry)
1st Oct 1999 - 12th Jul 2003
Treasury Committee
31st Jul 1998 - 22nd Nov 1999
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury) (EMU and the City)
1st May 1997 - 1st Oct 1999


Division Voting information

Vince Cable has voted in 1588 divisions, and 16 times against the majority of their Party.

27 Jun 2018 - Healthcare and Associated Professions - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 465 Noes - 2
7 Mar 2018 - Passports - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 258
31 Jan 2018 - Restoration and Renewal (Report of the Joint Committee) - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 4 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 47 Noes - 410
18 Nov 2014 - Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 24 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 284 Noes - 269
12 Mar 2012 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 27 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 186
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 25 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 19 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 196
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 21 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 216
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
28 Mar 2007 - Communications Allowance - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 19 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 26 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 283 Noes - 188
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Vince Cable voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 199
View All Vince Cable Division Votes

All Debates

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
Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat)
(107 debate interactions)
Theresa May (Conservative)
(87 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(66 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(783 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(255 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(110 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(69 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2019
(5,856 words contributed)
Finance Act 2018
(2,822 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Vince Cable's debates

Twickenham 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).

Vince Cable has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Vince Cable

28th October 2019
Vince Cable signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 28th October 2019

People's Vote

Tabled by: Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire)
That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to hold a People’s Vote on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union or should leave the European Union on the final terms agreed between the Government and the European Union.
25 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 19
Labour: 4
Plaid Cymru: 1
Independent: 1
14th October 2019
Vince Cable signed this EDM on Wednesday 16th October 2019

Women Against State Pension Inequality

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House calls on the Government to financially support women worst affected by the accelerated increase in the state pension age introduced through the Pensions Act 2011; notes with concern that significant numbers of women were unaware of pension age equalisation set out in the Pensions Act 1995; acknowledges …
45 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 20
Scottish National Party: 7
Independent: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 4
Conservative: 3
Liberal Democrat: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Green Party: 1
View All Vince Cable's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Vince Cable, 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.


3 Urgent Questions tabled by Vince Cable

Tuesday 20th November 2018
Tuesday 24th April 2018
Monday 4th December 2017

4 Adjournment Debates led by Vince Cable

Wednesday 5th December 2018
Monday 21st May 2018
Wednesday 28th June 2017
Tuesday 25th February 2014

2 Bills introduced by Vince Cable

Introduced: 23rd May 2012

A Bill to make provision about the UK Green Investment Bank; to make provision about employment law; to establish and make provision about the Competition and Markets Authority and to abolish the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading; to amend the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002; to make provision for the reduction of legislative burdens; to make provision about copyright and rights in performances; to make provision about payments to company directors; and for connected purposes

This Bill received Royal Assent on 25th April 2013 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 13th October 2010

Make provision for the restructuring of the Royal Mail group and about the Royal Mail Pension Plan; to make new provision about the regulation of postal services, including provision for a special administration regime; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 13th June 2011 and was enacted into law.


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
29th Jan 2019
To ask the Attorney General, how much of the £3 million allocated to his Department for Brexit preparations in 2019-20 has been allocated to preparing for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

HM Treasury has allocated over £4.2 billion of additional funding to departments and the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as:

£412m of additional funding over the spending review period for the Department for Exiting the European Union, Department for International Trade and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016.

£286m of additional funding for 17/18 (a full breakdown of which can be found in Supplementary Estimates 17/18).

Over £1.5bn of additional funding for 18/19. A full breakdown of the allocations can be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, laid on the 13th March.

Over £2bn of additional funding for 19/20. A full breakdown of the allocations can be found in the Chief Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS1205, laid on the 18th December.

The funding provided is in addition to the Attorney General’s Office’s efforts to reprioritise from business as usual toward preparations for the UK’s departure from the EU. This funding is to support preparation for all scenarios.

26th Jun 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on immigrants who have died by suicide within the first three years of moving to the UK.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

29th Jan 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much of the £108 million allocated to his Department for Brexit preparations in 2018-19 and 2019-20 has been allocated to preparing for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

As per the previous PQ, between April 2018 and December 2018, the Cabinet Office spent £32.5m on activities associated with preparations to leave the European Union. We do not split our spending between deal or no deal preparations.

14th Jun 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to lay before Parliament the reports of the Boundary Commissions for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland before the Conference Recess.

The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (as amended) requires the four Boundary Commissions to submit their final reports in the current boundary review to Government in September this year. Once received, it is our intention to lay the reports before Parliament promptly.

21st May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Government's policy is on the voting rights of non-UK EU citizens with (a) temporary or (b) settled status in the UK after (i) 29 March 2019 and (ii) 31 December 2020.

I refer the Hon. Member to my previous answer 129820 of 28 March 2018.

21st May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend Section 2(1)(c) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in relation to the voting rights of non-UK EU citizens.

I refer the Hon. Member to my previous answer 129820 of 28 March 2018.

19th Jan 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Government contracts were awarded to Carillion (a) individually and (b) as part of a consortium; what the value of those contracts was; to which region and constituent part of the UK those contracts related; which of those contracts were PFI or PF2 contracts; and which such contracts were awarded under joint and several guarantee.

Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:

https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive

Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
19th Jan 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) number (b) type and (c) value of contracts that the Government holds with Carillion that will need to be brought in-house following that company's liquidation.

We are working with the Insolvency Service and the Official Receiver to ensure that public sector services are maintained, robust plans are in place and the Government will continue to deliver all public sector services.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
19th Jan 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how his Department monitors and enforces the Prompt Payment Code and regulation 113(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The Prompt Payment Code is administered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. The Code is monitored and enforced by their Prompt Payment Code Compliance Board.

BEIS have recently introduced a payment reporting system, which requires large businesses to report on their UK payment practices and performance. Businesses must report 6 monthly on their payment performance starting with their first full financial year that starts on or after 6 April 2017.

Government departments publish their own payment performance data on GOV.UK. We encourage suppliers that have not been paid promptly to report the case to our Mystery Shopper Service, who will investigate on their behalf.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
19th Jan 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the position of Crown Representative for Carillion was vacant between August and November 2017.

This Government recognises the importance of managing relationships with Strategic Suppliers and their performance on a cross-Government basis, and has developed a range of strategies to do this, including the use of Crown Representatives.

The role of Crown Representative for Carillion was vacant for three months between August and November 2017 due to normal staff turnover. During this period, the Crown representative responsibilities were covered by the Government’s Chief Commercial officer and the Cabinet Office Director of Markets and Suppliers.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
13th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support increased (a) home and flexible working and (b) provision of co-working spaces.

Government is actively supporting good quality flexible working, of which home working can be part, and the provision of co-working spaces.

We have set up, with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Flexible Working Taskforce to promote wider understanding and implementation of inclusive flexible work and working practices. In January this year the Taskforce published a business case, supporting guidance and its members committed to support and promote the “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” campaign.

We have committed to consult on a new duty on employers to consider when a job can be done flexibly, and make that clear when advertising.

We have also committed to review the statutory right to request flexible working in 2020 and have commissioned some of the surveys to gather data for that work.

Through the Local Enterprise Partnership we promote economic growth and jobs in local areas. In order to deliver this objective, some LEPs have supported the creation of co-working spaces alongside advice and other support for business start-ups. This is being done in a number of ways, including through Growth Hubs and innovation centres.

13th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the contribution to the economy of home and flexible working.

We carried out an impact assessment in 2014 on the extension of the statutory right to request flexible working, estimating a total benefit (net present value) of £474.9 million. This figure incorporates monetised benefits relating to the extension of the right to request to all employees with 26 weeks continuous service and therefore does not take into account the flexible working among parents and carers that was already taking place prior to the extension.

We are currently reviewing the 2014 extension of the right to request Flexible working to all eligible employees. The review will test the economic assumptions underpinning the cost-benefit analysis in the original impact assessment.

13th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what level of evidence on the safety of modified tumble dryers would be required to prompt a full recall of all modified machines.

A recall notice under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 may be issued for a dangerous product where other action that the regulator may require, either of the producer or distributor, is not sufficient to prevent the risks to health and safety. Any enforcement action, including a recall notice should be proportionate to the seriousness of the risk.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is closely monitoring the response of Whirlpool and further steps will be taken if the response is not satisfactory. Consumer safety is a key priority and the Government will hold the company to account.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many instances the Office for Product Safety and Standards found of Whirlpool’s tumble dryer modification being applied incorrectly (a) in the machines it has tested and (b) in the tumble dryers of Whirlpool customers it assessed as part of its inquiry into that company’s modification programme.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the findings of its review of Whirlpool’s tumble dryer modification programme on 4 April.

The review explored whether Whirlpool’s technical modification, designed to further reduce the risk of lint fires arising from its tumble dryers, was effective in both design and installation. The review concluded that there is a low risk of harm or injury from lint fires in modified machines and that the modification reduced the level of risk.

As part of the review OPSS considered the quality assurance used by Whirlpool when undertaking the modifications in consumers’ homes and OPSS purchased 20 used tumble dryers from online sales sites that appeared to have been modified at some point. Examination of these machines revealed variations from Whirlpool’s specifications for the modifications. It was not possible to establish the history of individual machines including whether, when and how the machine had been modified. It was not therefore possible to draw firm conclusions regarding the cause of these variations. OPSS has therefore written to Whirlpool requiring them to set up a more rigorous system of quality assurance, including a programme of examinations of dryers that have been used by consumers, to ensure modifications are correctly installed. OPSS will scrutinise Whirlpool’s actions against these requirements.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many of the modified Whirlpool tumble dryers tested by the Office for Product Safety and Standards as part of its review of Whirlpool’s modification programme displayed, as stated under the terms of that review, discrepancies between Whirlpool’s specifications for the modifications and the condition of the machines as found.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the findings of its review of Whirlpool’s tumble dryer modification programme on 4 April.

The review explored whether Whirlpool’s technical modification, designed to further reduce the risk of lint fires arising from its tumble dryers, was effective in both design and installation. The review concluded that there is a low risk of harm or injury from lint fires in modified machines and that the modification reduced the level of risk.

As part of the review OPSS considered the quality assurance used by Whirlpool when undertaking the modifications in consumers’ homes and OPSS purchased 20 used tumble dryers from online sales sites that appeared to have been modified at some point. Examination of these machines revealed variations from Whirlpool’s specifications for the modifications. It was not possible to establish the history of individual machines including whether, when and how the machine had been modified. It was not therefore possible to draw firm conclusions regarding the cause of these variations. OPSS has therefore written to Whirlpool requiring them to set up a more rigorous system of quality assurance, including a programme of examinations of dryers that have been used by consumers, to ensure modifications are correctly installed. OPSS will scrutinise Whirlpool’s actions against these requirements.

11th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money his Department has allocated for preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal to date; how much of that funding has been made by way of ministerial direction; and for what functions that funding has been allocated.
24th Jul 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the definition of worker in employment law to clarify and strengthen the rights of off-payroll workers, dependent contractors and participants in the gig economy.

The Government is committed to providing clarity for businesses and individuals on employment status. As Matthew Taylor identified in his review, this is a complex issue and is one of the major challenges for public policy.

We therefore need to take time to consider how best to achieve change that works for all. We received over 160 detailed responses to the Employment Status Consultation. We are currently analysing the responses and will respond in due course.

22nd May 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support British manufacturing firms to diversify into new (a) consumer and (b) overseas markets.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy has set out a long-term approach to boost the UK’s productivity growth and ensure that we’re building an economy fit for the future. Our White Paper has set out a range of measures aimed at increasing investment from the private and public sector and includes a commitment to increase total R&D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. The Government will support UK priorities in key areas of innovation through investing in the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, with over £1.7bn committed so far through the first two waves. One example is the £246m Faraday Battery Challenge to position the UK to be at the cutting edge of battery technology. We have also just held an open Expressions of Interest process for potential programmes for a third wave of the Challenge Fund.

As we leave the EU we remain committed to making the UK the best place in Europe to own and grow a business. The Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have dedicated teams who promote the UK as a destination for investment into manufacturing and to boost trade from UK manufacturing companies abroad. In 2016/17, on marine, for example, the DIT High Value Campaign programme secured around £214 million of UK Exports; the Aerospace team supported over £7 billion of aerospace exports; and the DIT rail team recorded overseas export wins to the value of £323million, including manufactured goods.

22nd May 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of potential restrictions on national economic activity that will be needed in order to meet targets set in the Climate Change Act 2008 should the expansion at Heathrow Airport proceed.

As noted in the revised draft Airports National Policy Statement, the Government agrees with the Airports Commission’s assessment that a new runway at Heathrow can be delivered within the UK’s climate change obligations.

We are a world leader in clean growth. Between 1990 and 2016, the UK reduced its emissions by over 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds – the best performance in the G7 on a per person basis. The Government has put clean growth at the heart of its Industrial Strategy, in order to drive economic growth while meeting our emission reduction targets.

13th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information the Government holds on the proportion of UK businesses that (a) own their own premises and (b) rent their premises.

The Department does not hold this information for the entire UK business population.

However, it is available for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 250 employees), which account for over 99% of the total UK business population.

In 2016, the distribution of business premises ownership for UK small and medium-sized enterprises was as follows:

Ownership status of business premises

Proportion

Rented from a private or commercial landlord

43%

Owned by business

40%

Leased

12%

Other

4%

Source: BEIS 2016 Longitudinal Small Business Survey

7th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure a diverse supply of electricity generation in the next decade.

We are investing in new power generation technologies that are diversifying our electricity generation and reducing carbon emissions while ensuring security of supply. The Capacity Market is bringing forward a mix of new generation with large volumes of capacity from interconnectors, demand-side response and new smart technologies such as battery storage clearing in recent auctions alongside more traditional gas plant. We are also seeing ever increasing levels of renewable generation. In 2016 renewables accounted for 25% of UK power half of our generation being low-carbon, a record high.

7th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings his Department has held with the Welsh Government after the Welsh Government offered to allocate funding for a pathfinder tidal lagoon at Swansea Bay.

Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly discuss matters of mutual interest with their counterparts in the devolved administrations.

20th Dec 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Committee on Climate Change on the cost and feasibility of delivering the Clean Growth Strategy.

Officials hold regular discussions with the Committee on Climate Change on the delivery of the Clean Growth Strategy and related policies.

19th Dec 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish a sensitivity analysis setting out emissions reductions in each sector of the economy.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) publishes annual updated energy and emissions projections, which project future energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. These include projections of emissions reductions by sector, and sensitivity to fossil fuel prices and economic growth.

The 2016 energy and emissions projections are the most recent published projections. These are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2016

The 2017 edition of the energy and emissions projections will be published early next year.

5th Sep 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a public interest test for takeovers of major UK companies supporting the UK's science base.

The Government has said it will bring forward reforms to the approach to the ownership and control of critical infrastructure to ensure that the full implications of foreign ownership are scrutinised for the purposes of national security. The Government will publish the outcome of this review in due course.

5th Sep 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the UK economy of the proposed takeover of Aveva by Schneider Electric.

This is a commercial matter for the parties concerned.

13th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with the hospitality sector on supporting working spaces within hotels and cafes.

We work with a wide range of stakeholders across the tourism and hospitality sector across a range of issues, however this has not been raised with us. The provision of working spaces, or co-working spaces, is a business decision which is up to individuals to implement.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he last met with Historic Royal Palaces to discuss the effect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for older UK passenger boats on tourism and visitors at Hampton Court Palace.

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts at Historic Royal Palaces concerning a wide range of issues. There have been no conversations specifically regarding the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals.

11th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received from the racing industry on potential disruption to race meetings as a result of an incompatibility of quarantine rules between the UK, Ireland and France in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

The Government maintains regular contact with the equine industry, including the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the racing industry when the UK leaves the EU.

The rules for importing equines on day one in the event of no deal will remain the same in principle, so we do not anticipate that racing or competition will be significantly adversely affected. However in the event of no deal, the UK will no longer be part of the Tripartite Agreement (TPA), which is a derogation of EU law and allows streamlined movement of some horses between Ireland, France and the UK. The industry is aware of this potential change and has increased their preparations in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The EU is set to introduce ‘Smarter Rules for Safer Food’ in April 2021. This will streamline animal movement rules and may include the replacement of the TPA. The equine industries of France, Ireland and the UK, have proposed to the European Commission that any replacement for the TPA introduced in 2021 be extended to cover equines of a high health status from third countries. The Government is supporting this proposal, as it would allow the UK to retain the benefits of the TPA once we leave the EU. Governments of France and Ireland are also supportive.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much of the £56 million allocated to his Department for Brexit preparations in 2018-19 and 2019-20 has been allocated to preparing for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

DCMS has been allocated £26.2m of funding for the full year 2018/19, which is being paid out in Supplementary Estimates 18/19.

As at the end of December, our actual spend to date is £20.1m. Further spend to the end of March 2019 is expected to arise from staff, accommodation, IT, and legal costs, to meet the 2018-19 allocation.

23rd Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has received from the British creative industries on potential benefits of continued membership of the EU Digital Single Market when the UK leaves the EU.

Since the 2016 referendum, the Government has carried out extensive and diverse engagement with hundreds of businesses of all sizes across the UK on the potential implications of our withdrawal from the EU, alongside extensive wider analysis and engagement.

The Creative Industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories and this Government is determined to ensure their continued growth and success. We have received a range of representations from the creative industries on the impacts and opportunities for the sector following the UK's decision to the leave the EU, including continued membership of the Digital Single Market (DSM).

24th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the increase in funding for special needs provision meets the needs of the visually impaired.

The Children and Families Act (2014) requires local authorities to work with parents, young people, and providers to keep the provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities under review, including its sufficiency.

We do not prescribe in detail how local authorities should allocate their high needs funding. In consultation with schools and other services, local authorities should consider carefully how best to meet the needs of children and young people in their area, including those with vision impairment.

To support local authorities, in December 2018 we announced an additional £250 million high needs funding up to 2020, on top of the funding increases we had already committed. This brings the total allocated for high needs in 2019-2020 to £6.3 billion and will help local authorities to manage the significant pressures on their high needs budgets.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the English Baccalaureate on the take-up of creative arts disciplines.

The Government is clear that the EBaccalaureate (EBacc) should be studied as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. It has been designed to be limited in size in order to allow pupils to continue to study additional subjects that reflect their individual interests and strengths, including arts subjects.

The attached table shows that the proportion of young people taking at least one arts GCSE since 2010 has fluctuated across years, but has remained broadly stable. According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s Taking Part Survey, in 2017/18, 96% of children aged 5-15 had engaged with the arts in the past 12 months[1].

[1] Arts covers music activities, theatre, drama, reading, writing, arts crafts and design, film/video/media/radio activities, dance activities, street arts/circus/carnival/festival activities.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the take-up of creative arts disciplines has been in each year since 2014-15.

The Government is clear that the EBaccalaureate (EBacc) should be studied as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. It has been designed to be limited in size in order to allow pupils to continue to study additional subjects that reflect their individual interests and strengths, including arts subjects.

The attached table shows that the proportion of young people taking at least one arts GCSE since 2010 has fluctuated across years, but has remained broadly stable. According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s Taking Part Survey, in 2017/18, 96% of children aged 5-15 had engaged with the arts in the past 12 months[1].

[1] Arts covers music activities, theatre, drama, reading, writing, arts crafts and design, film/video/media/radio activities, dance activities, street arts/circus/carnival/festival activities.

18th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance is given to schools in the maintained sector to ensure that they teach a broad and balanced curriculum.

All state schools (including academies and free schools) must offer a school curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

Maintained schools in England must follow the statutory National Curriculum and are also free to teach any other subject or topic they deem relevant for their pupils, as part of the school’s curriculum. Guidance on all requirements is set out in the National Curriculum framework for Key Stages 1 to 4:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-framework-for-key-stages-1-to-4.

The National Curriculum was introduced in September 2014 and the guidance specifies that all state schools (including academies) should also make provision for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE).

Ofsted have consulted on their inspection arrangements. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the new framework will be published in May and introduced in September. The proposals retain a strong emphasis on schools providing a broad and balanced curriculum for all their pupils.

7th Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he plans to have with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that the upcoming spending review provides funding is adequately weighted towards special needs provision.

Ministers and officials from the department hold regular discussions with colleagues at Her Majesty's Treasury and other government departments on all aspects of schools funding, including funding for special educational needs (SEN). We will of course be looking to secure the right outcome for children and young people with SEN in the forthcoming Spending Review.

11th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much money his Department has allocated for preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal to date; how much of that funding has been made by way of ministerial direction; and for what functions that funding has been allocated.

Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) has allocated over £4.2 billion of additional funding to departments and the Devolved Administrations for EU exit preparations so far. This breaks down as:

  • £412 million of additional funding over the spending review period for the Department for Exiting the European Union, Department for International Trade and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office at Autumn Statement 2016.

16th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the revenue raised by the Apprenticeship Levy will be allocated to fund apprenticeships with non-levy employers.

Spending by levy-paying employers and non-levy paying employers on apprenticeship training and assessment depends on demand for, and cost of, apprenticeships that employers themselves choose.

In England, employers who pay the levy can use funds in their apprenticeship service accounts to pay for training and assessment. Funds enter employers’ accounts every month based on the amount of Apprenticeship Levy declared, the proportion of their pay to employees living in England and a 10% top-up applied from Government.

For non-levy paying employers, government funding is awarded to training providers under contract. We launched a procurement at the end of July which closed in early September. Through this procurement exercise, the Education and Skills Funding Agency will make available at least £440m of funding over 15 months for new apprenticeship starts from 1 January 2018.

By 2019-20 funding available for apprenticeships in England will be £2.45 billion; double what was spent in 2010-11.

16th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the total money raised by the Apprenticeship Levy will be allocated to levy-paying companies for their own apprenticeship training schemes.

Spending by levy-paying employers and non-levy paying employers on apprenticeship training and assessment depends on demand for, and cost of, apprenticeships that employers themselves choose.

In England, employers who pay the levy can use funds in their apprenticeship service accounts to pay for training and assessment. Funds enter employers’ accounts every month based on the amount of Apprenticeship Levy declared, the proportion of their pay to employees living in England and a 10% top-up applied from Government.

For non-levy paying employers, government funding is awarded to training providers under contract. We launched a procurement at the end of July which closed in early September. Through this procurement exercise, the Education and Skills Funding Agency will make available at least £440m of funding over 15 months for new apprenticeship starts from 1 January 2018.

By 2019-20 funding available for apprenticeships in England will be £2.45 billion; double what was spent in 2010-11.

16th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment she has made of registered training providers in receipt of (a) less, (b) the same, (c) more funding in real terms per apprenticeship start in the period (i) May to December 2017 and (ii) August 2016 to April 2017.

We have not undertaken an assessment of this type. We continue to monitor closely the impact of the apprenticeship funding reforms introduced in May 2017 on employers and providers.

16th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's budget is for apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year olds in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19; and what proportion of that budget is generated by the Apprenticeship Levy.

Our intended funding for apprenticeships was published in the skills funding letter in March 2017 – https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/599089/SFA_Letter_2017-18_final.pdf.

This includes a breakdown of intended funding for 16-18 year olds. Actual spend will depend on the demand and cost of apprenticeships that employers choose.

Since 1 April 2017, apprenticeships are funded entirely from the Apprenticeship Levy.

16th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a list of the funding allocated to each training provider for apprenticeship starts for the periods (a) August 2016 to April 2017 and (b) May to December 2017.

The Education and Skills Fuding Agency publish allocations annually and update them throughout the year. Allocations for the 2016 to 2017 funding year can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-funding-allocations-to-training-providers-2016-to-2017.

Non-levy apprenticeship allocations for May to December 2017 will be published in November 2017.

21st Jun 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to review the relationship between the Education and Skills Funding Agency and local education authorities regarding the provision of sites for new schools; and if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of current arrangements for such provision.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency works constructively with local authorities and often uses sites secured from them to build free schools. This has proved increasingly effective since the inception of the programme.


21st Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on improving air quality around schools.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.

No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.

The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.

The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:

2016/17

  • London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).
  • Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)

2017/18

  • Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).
  • Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).
  • East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).
  • Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).

2018/19

  • Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)
  • Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).
  • Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)
  • Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).
21st Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of schoolchildren exposed to high levels of air pollution in 2019.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.

No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.

The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.

The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:

2016/17

  • London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).
  • Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)

2017/18

  • Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).
  • Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).
  • East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).
  • Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).

2018/19

  • Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)
  • Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).
  • Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)
  • Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).
21st Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of the air quality grant programme has been allocated to improve air quality around schools since 2017.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.

No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.

The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.

The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:

2016/17

  • London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).
  • Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)

2017/18

  • Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).
  • Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).
  • East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).
  • Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).

2018/19

  • Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)
  • Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).
  • Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)
  • Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).