Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article 'News & campaigns' in the Incorporated Society of Musicians July/August 2022 music journal; and what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed in that article that the Schools White Paper "suggests a possible narrowing of focus away from creative subjects such as music".
Answered by Baroness Barran
The department is grateful to the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) for providing us with a copy of this issue of the Music Journal, which we understand is normally made available solely to its members.
Whilst the department acknowledges that there are challenges to delivering high quality music education in every school, schools the length and breadth of the country are doing just that. The White Paper is clear that ‘as part of a richer school week, all children should be entitled to take part in sport, music and cultural opportunities and that these opportunities are an essential part of a broad and ambitious curriculum’, a point that the ISM itself acknowledged in its response to the White Paper.
The department was pleased to note that the ISM has welcomed the refreshed National Plan for Music Education, which we published in June 2022 and in particular its restatement of the importance of music as an essential part of a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education broke the Ministerial Code by raising her middle finger to a crowd outside Downing Street on 7 July.
Answered by Baroness Barran
The government recognises how important professional conduct, ethical standards and appropriate behaviour are in setting a good example for our children and young people. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, is similarly clear that MPs and those in government should be held to the highest standards.
My hon. Friend, the Minister for Skills, Further and Higher Education has acknowledged that she should have shown more composure and regrets that her behaviour fell short of expected standards on this occasion.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the change in the level of collaborative scientific funding for UK organisations if the UK does not participate in the Horizon Europe programme, and (2) reports that the UK is losing out on £100 million as a result of not participating; and what assessment they have made of the reasons for any reduction in funding.
Answered by Lord Callanan
The UK stands ready to formalise our association to EU programmes at the earliest opportunity but the EU are not honouring commitments made when the TCA was agreed.
Spending Review 21 confirmed that if we are unable to associate to Horizon Europe, the funding allocated will go to other UK Government-funded R&D programmes, including those to support international partnerships.
The Government is providing the fastest ever sustained uplift in R&D funding, reaching £20 billion per annum by the end of the SR period – £5 billion more than 2021/2022 with HM Treasury committed to £22 billion in 2026/2027 as part of our commitment to the target of UK economy-wide R&D investment reaching 2.4% of GDP by 2027.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional funding they are providing to local authorities to enable them to prevent roads melting in the extreme heat.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
As per section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, it is up to the respective local highway authority to decide how best they maintain their highway network, including during heatwaves, based on local needs and priorities. The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA), who work closely with the Department for Transport and are members of the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG), advised highway authorities and road operators that applying granite grit dust on the road surface during high temperatures can help keep the highway network from melting excessively.
The Government has committed £915 million per year for local highways maintenance for local highway authorities outside London and Mayoral Combined Authorities, for the three years starting 2022-23. This represents a highways maintenance funding level consistent with 2021/22. The three-year settlement will enable local highway authorities to plan more effectively for managing their highways assets, preventing potholes and other road defects across their local highway networks.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to local authorities on preventing roads melting in the extreme heat.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
As per section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, it is up to the respective local highway authority to decide how best they maintain their highway network, including during heatwaves, based on local needs and priorities. The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA), who work closely with the Department for Transport and are members of the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG), advised highway authorities and road operators that applying granite grit dust on the road surface during high temperatures can help keep the highway network from melting excessively.
The Government has committed £915 million per year for local highways maintenance for local highway authorities outside London and Mayoral Combined Authorities, for the three years starting 2022-23. This represents a highways maintenance funding level consistent with 2021/22. The three-year settlement will enable local highway authorities to plan more effectively for managing their highways assets, preventing potholes and other road defects across their local highway networks.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article 'News & campaigns' in the Incorporated Society of Musicians July/August 2022 music journal; and what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed in that article that proposals to reform Higher Education courses "will cause particular harm to arts courses, as well as damaging the government's own levelling-up agenda".
Answered by Baroness Barran
The higher education (HE) reforms, to which the Incorporated Society of Musicians article refers, were subject to consultation earlier this year. The consultation outlined proposals for controls to prevent the growth of low-quality courses with poor outcomes and sought views on what was a fair and appropriate level at which to potentially set a minimum eligibility requirement for access to student finance for degree-level study. The consultation period has now concluded and we are considering the views submitted. The government will respond in due course.
The article concentrates on the government’s proposal to prevent the growth of low-quality courses. If implemented, all areas of HE would be considered, including creative arts, humanities, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, to inform an assessment of which provision offers the best outcomes. Our focus would be on courses which are of the lowest quality. Supporting students onto high-quality HE courses, that will offer them good outcomes, ensures that students, of all backgrounds, are not misdirected or encouraged towards courses that are unlikely to provide high-quality outcomes and good value for money. This will support levelling up.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the governments of (1) the United States of America, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) China, and (4) Malawi, regarding abolishing the death penalty in those countries.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The United Kingdom strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We work through multilateral organisations, such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to raise concerns about the use of the death penalty, as well as through direct conversations with states that continue to retain the death penalty, including with the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Malawi.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what payments will be made to each of the ministers who recently resigned from the Government; and whether they have plans to introduce legislation to make employers liable for similar payments to those who voluntarily resign from the (1) public, and (2) private, sector.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
Under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, a former minister only becomes entitled to a severance payment in the event that they are not appointed to another relevant office within three weeks of stepping down.
The provision of severance payments is set out in legislation, passed by Parliament, that has been applied by successive administrations over a significant period. Severance pay reflects the unpredictable nature of ministerial office.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in negotiations with the EU regarding a carnet waiver for creative artists.
Answered by Baroness Penn
ATA Carnets are not a requirement for anyone temporarily importing goods between the UK and EU. They are an optional facilitation which allow goods to be imported temporarily without the normal customs formalities (i.e. customs declarations) and import duty being paid. They allow a single document to be used for multiple countries’ customs controls.
The use of an ATA Carnet is subject to an issuing fee and a requirement to provide a security. It is therefore a commercial decision for businesses and individuals whether a Carnet is the most suitable option for temporarily moving their goods. The Government is not currently having any discussions with the EU to negotiate a waiver of ATA Carnets for creative artists.
An alternative option to an ATA Carnet is the Temporary Admission (TA) procedure. The UK and EU both operate a similar TA procedure which allows goods to be imported temporarily with relief from customs duty and import VAT, subject to certain conditions being met. If TA is used in conjunction with the UK or EU Returned Goods Relief scheme (for returning goods), goods can be moved temporarily between the UK and EU without having to pay import duties.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases; and what plans they have (1) to re-introduce free testing, and (2) to update their advice on the wearing of face masks.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The COVID-19 vaccination and booster programme and the availability of antiviral treatments has ensured a reduced risk of severe illness or hospitalisation. We have transitioned the response towards guidance and encouraging responsible behaviours, while targeting protection towards those individuals most at risk from the virus. Testing remains available for eligible groups, including for certain high-risk individuals and settings.
It is currently recommended that face coverings should be worn when COVID-19 rates are high, in crowded and enclosed spaces and when coming into close contact with individuals at high risk. While there are currently no plans to update the guidance on wearing face coverings, the Government continues to assess the situation and will take further action if required to ensure the response remains effective and proportionate.