Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 5 January (HL1361), which businesses have been selected to take part in live testing; how those businesses were selected; and whether the businesses include a mix of large and small operators.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
In the Draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), published in April 2023 the UK Government asked industry to provide information on their readiness for the proposed regime. The questions included:
What challenges exist for the private sector in meeting the proposed timeline for introducing the new model and how can specific business models for importing be further supported to prepare?
What further detail is needed in order for businesses to prepare for and implement the new Border Target Operating Model?
A summary of responses from stakeholders can be found in the Final BTOM, published in August 2023. In response to stakeholder feedback on the Draft BTOM, we made a change to the timeline for the introduction of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls to give more businesses time to prepare. The Government is delivering a programme of engagement with stakeholders across all sectors in all parts of the country and with key European Union trading partners to ensure readiness. There are no current plans for further publications on industry readiness as such, although discussions with stakeholders continue.
However, we expect to publish the Government Response to the charging arrangements at government-run border control posts consultation in the coming weeks. Arrangements for physical checks for goods from the island of Ireland will be announced in due course - the UK Government is continuing to work with the Scottish and Welsh Government as well as the newly restored Northern Ireland Executive on this issue. We aim shortly to publish revised rules for importing animal products, plants and plant products into Great Britain for personal use, including those sent as post and parcels. All other supplementary guidance outlined in Annex H of the Final BTOM that was due to be published by end February 2024 has been released, and technical information surrounding the BTOM was issued in mid-February here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-target-operating-model-information-leaflets-for-businesses.
With regards to live testing, traders, carriers and hauliers have been selected to take part in operational testing in conjunction with Defra and local Port Health Authorities and include a mix of large and smaller traders where possible. The tests vary according to route route, mode and commodity. Onboarding of traders into the testing regime, including some smaller businesses, is ongoing at this time with operational testing continuing in March and April.
Estimates for the Common User Charge were included in the modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model. The government used a wide array of data to input into the peer-reviewed model, including commercially sensitive data sources. To publish only a partial picture would not be in keeping with statistical propriety.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 5 January (HL1358), why they do not plan to publish the readiness assessment for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
In the Draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), published in April 2023 the UK Government asked industry to provide information on their readiness for the proposed regime. The questions included:
What challenges exist for the private sector in meeting the proposed timeline for introducing the new model and how can specific business models for importing be further supported to prepare?
What further detail is needed in order for businesses to prepare for and implement the new Border Target Operating Model?
A summary of responses from stakeholders can be found in the Final BTOM, published in August 2023. In response to stakeholder feedback on the Draft BTOM, we made a change to the timeline for the introduction of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls to give more businesses time to prepare. The Government is delivering a programme of engagement with stakeholders across all sectors in all parts of the country and with key European Union trading partners to ensure readiness. There are no current plans for further publications on industry readiness as such, although discussions with stakeholders continue.
However, we expect to publish the Government Response to the charging arrangements at government-run border control posts consultation in the coming weeks. Arrangements for physical checks for goods from the island of Ireland will be announced in due course - the UK Government is continuing to work with the Scottish and Welsh Government as well as the newly restored Northern Ireland Executive on this issue. We aim shortly to publish revised rules for importing animal products, plants and plant products into Great Britain for personal use, including those sent as post and parcels. All other supplementary guidance outlined in Annex H of the Final BTOM that was due to be published by end February 2024 has been released, and technical information surrounding the BTOM was issued in mid-February here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-target-operating-model-information-leaflets-for-businesses.
With regards to live testing, traders, carriers and hauliers have been selected to take part in operational testing in conjunction with Defra and local Port Health Authorities and include a mix of large and smaller traders where possible. The tests vary according to route route, mode and commodity. Onboarding of traders into the testing regime, including some smaller businesses, is ongoing at this time with operational testing continuing in March and April.
Estimates for the Common User Charge were included in the modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model. The government used a wide array of data to input into the peer-reviewed model, including commercially sensitive data sources. To publish only a partial picture would not be in keeping with statistical propriety.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 27 December 2023 (HL1077), what level of Common User Charge was included in the modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
In the Draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), published in April 2023 the UK Government asked industry to provide information on their readiness for the proposed regime. The questions included:
What challenges exist for the private sector in meeting the proposed timeline for introducing the new model and how can specific business models for importing be further supported to prepare?
What further detail is needed in order for businesses to prepare for and implement the new Border Target Operating Model?
A summary of responses from stakeholders can be found in the Final BTOM, published in August 2023. In response to stakeholder feedback on the Draft BTOM, we made a change to the timeline for the introduction of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls to give more businesses time to prepare. The Government is delivering a programme of engagement with stakeholders across all sectors in all parts of the country and with key European Union trading partners to ensure readiness. There are no current plans for further publications on industry readiness as such, although discussions with stakeholders continue.
However, we expect to publish the Government Response to the charging arrangements at government-run border control posts consultation in the coming weeks. Arrangements for physical checks for goods from the island of Ireland will be announced in due course - the UK Government is continuing to work with the Scottish and Welsh Government as well as the newly restored Northern Ireland Executive on this issue. We aim shortly to publish revised rules for importing animal products, plants and plant products into Great Britain for personal use, including those sent as post and parcels. All other supplementary guidance outlined in Annex H of the Final BTOM that was due to be published by end February 2024 has been released, and technical information surrounding the BTOM was issued in mid-February here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-target-operating-model-information-leaflets-for-businesses.
With regards to live testing, traders, carriers and hauliers have been selected to take part in operational testing in conjunction with Defra and local Port Health Authorities and include a mix of large and smaller traders where possible. The tests vary according to route route, mode and commodity. Onboarding of traders into the testing regime, including some smaller businesses, is ongoing at this time with operational testing continuing in March and April.
Estimates for the Common User Charge were included in the modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model. The government used a wide array of data to input into the peer-reviewed model, including commercially sensitive data sources. To publish only a partial picture would not be in keeping with statistical propriety.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 5 January (HL1357), what information and guidance that the final Border Target Operating Model committed to publish remains outstanding.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
In the Draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), published in April 2023 the UK Government asked industry to provide information on their readiness for the proposed regime. The questions included:
What challenges exist for the private sector in meeting the proposed timeline for introducing the new model and how can specific business models for importing be further supported to prepare?
What further detail is needed in order for businesses to prepare for and implement the new Border Target Operating Model?
A summary of responses from stakeholders can be found in the Final BTOM, published in August 2023. In response to stakeholder feedback on the Draft BTOM, we made a change to the timeline for the introduction of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls to give more businesses time to prepare. The Government is delivering a programme of engagement with stakeholders across all sectors in all parts of the country and with key European Union trading partners to ensure readiness. There are no current plans for further publications on industry readiness as such, although discussions with stakeholders continue.
However, we expect to publish the Government Response to the charging arrangements at government-run border control posts consultation in the coming weeks. Arrangements for physical checks for goods from the island of Ireland will be announced in due course - the UK Government is continuing to work with the Scottish and Welsh Government as well as the newly restored Northern Ireland Executive on this issue. We aim shortly to publish revised rules for importing animal products, plants and plant products into Great Britain for personal use, including those sent as post and parcels. All other supplementary guidance outlined in Annex H of the Final BTOM that was due to be published by end February 2024 has been released, and technical information surrounding the BTOM was issued in mid-February here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-target-operating-model-information-leaflets-for-businesses.
With regards to live testing, traders, carriers and hauliers have been selected to take part in operational testing in conjunction with Defra and local Port Health Authorities and include a mix of large and smaller traders where possible. The tests vary according to route route, mode and commodity. Onboarding of traders into the testing regime, including some smaller businesses, is ongoing at this time with operational testing continuing in March and April.
Estimates for the Common User Charge were included in the modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model. The government used a wide array of data to input into the peer-reviewed model, including commercially sensitive data sources. To publish only a partial picture would not be in keeping with statistical propriety.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional £165 million of annual funding provided by NHS England to improve maternity and neonatal care, which will rise to £186 million a year this year, and how this will directly improve babies’ health and development outcomes.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The investment within maternity and neonatal services supports the delivery of NHS England's three-year delivery plan, which will make maternity and neonatal care safer, more personalised, and more equitable for women and babies.
The plan outlines the investment we are making in listening to women and families, growing, retaining, and supporting our workforce, developing, and sustaining a culture of safety, and underpinning more personalised and equitable care. The plan sets out success measures for trusts, integrated care systems, and NHS England, to monitor the impacts and improvements at every level.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tackle problems of recruitment and retention of midwives in England to enable every expectant parent and baby to receive the continuity of care model.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Since 2021 we have invested an additional £165 million a year to improve maternity and neonatal care, rising to an additional £186 million from April 2024. This is improving the quality of care for mothers and babies, and increasing the number of midwifery posts available.
As of December 2023, there are 23,361 full time equivalent midwives working in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England, an increase of 3,707, or 18.9%, compared to 2010. The Long Term Workforce Plan sets an ambitious increase in midwifery training places, to 58,000 by 2031/32. We will work towards achieving this by increasing places to over 44,000 by 2028/29.
NHS England have introduced measures focused on recruitment and retention, in-line with their three-year maternity delivery plan. This includes establishing a nursing and midwifery retention programme, supporting organisations in assessing themselves against the NHS People Promise, and developing a local retention plan. NHS England is also implementing enhanced continuity of carer for midwifery to ensure safe, consistent, and personalised care in the areas of highest need.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 27 December 2023 (HL1079), what assessment they have carried out to inform the conclusion that no differential impact on traffic flows, congestion and emissions has been identified by different levels of user charges.
Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Charges to recover BCP operating costs for Government-run facilities are due to be published shortly through the Government Response to the “Charging Arrangements at government-run border control posts” consultation. Commercial ports will independently set their own fees which are still being finalised, therefore the impact of different charges at different BCPs on traffic volumes, queues and emissions cannot currently be quantified.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for their review into operator protection devices on quad bikes.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulator for health and safety in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is the equivalent regulator in Northern Ireland.
Sit astride all-terrain vehicles (commonly referred to as quad bikes) supplied into the UK market must meet the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and relevant Standards. Quad bikes are used in a range of workplace and leisure settings.
Both UK regulators continue to monitor available technology and the regulatory approaches employed in other countries, including where operator protection devices (OPDs) have been made mandatory. HSE is reviewing available evidence against typical UK workplace settings to see if additional measures can provide improvements in safety. This work is ongoing and HSE will provide this information to the working group that will assess if changes should be made to the specific Designated Standard.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to make interim payments to bereaved parents and children as part of the Infected Blood Interim Compensation Payment Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
First, and most importantly, the suffering of the victims must be recognised. The Government understands that no measures can fully compensate for the losses and hardships that they have suffered. The priority here must be to ensure that victims get the justice they deserve. We are actively looking at the recommendations of the Inquiry, including the recommendation for more interim payments. The Government will respond to the recommendations of the final report following its publication on 20 May.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many children have required NHS care as a result of (1) tooth decay, (2) Type 2 diabetes, and (3) musculoskeletal conditions, in the past 12 months for which data is available.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Whilst data on musculoskeletal conditions is not held in the form requested, the below table shows published data for 2022/23 where the main reason the patient was admitted to hospital was for dental caries or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Primary diagnosis | Age 0 | Age 1-4 | Age 5-9 | Age 10-14 | Age 15 | Age 16 | Age 17 |
Dental caries | 2 | 4,669 | 19,560 | 7,802 | 782 | 671 | 503 |
Type 2 diabetes mellitus | 0 | 0 | 18 | 88 | 38 | 39 | 24 |
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics Inpatient Data (Diagnosis Annex) from 2022-23
Notes