Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria will be used for assessing bids to the Levelling Up Fund; and what part the indices of multiple deprivation will play in those assessments.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. The Government launched the prospectus for the Fund at Budget, opening bids UK-wide for the first round of funding starting in 21-22. The prospectus provides guidance to local areas on the process for submitting bids, the types of projects eligible for funding, and how bids will be assessed.
Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the prospectus for the Levelling Up Fund announced in the Spending Review 2020, published on 15 December 2020.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. The Government launched the prospectus for the Fund at Budget, opening bids UK-wide for the first round of funding starting in 21-22. The prospectus provides guidance to local areas on the process for submitting bids, the types of projects eligible for funding, and how bids will be assessed.
Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure that families and co-habitees can exercise outside together unhindered; and in particular, what discussions, if any, they have had with the Lawn Tennis Association about opening tennis courts for such purposes.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
I am aware of the strain that many charities are under during this time of financial uncertainty and increased demand on their services. On 8 April, the government announced a £750 million funding package for charities delivering frontline services. Unfortunately not all charities will be able to benefit from this, so they should also consider whether they are eligible for other existing government schemes, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and deferring VAT payments.
Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice has been given to food retailers operating supermarkets in the UK about those who wish to make bulk purchases for local foodbanks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. Our retailers already have highly resilient supply chains and they are working around the clock to ensure people have the food and products they need.
We welcome the efforts of industry to support food banks and front-line charities through donations of food and funds. Additionally, the Government has announced a £3 million fund for food redistribution organisations to prevent good food going to waste.
We are working closely with food banks and food aid charities to understand the impacts the outbreak is having on their operations, to ensure that those who are financially vulnerable have access to essential supplies.
The Government has begun to deliver food parcels to those identified by the NHS as being extremely clinically vulnerable.
We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. This could include those who are elderly, disabled or who have health conditions that make it difficult for them to get the food they need.
As stock on shelves begin to replenish many supermarkets have now begun to lift buying restrictions on products to help people shop for others.