First elected: 12th December 2019
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
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).
Include abortion rights in the Bill of Rights
Gov Responded - 20 Sep 2022 Debated on - 28 Nov 2022 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsAs Parliament considers the Bill of Rights, the Government must reconsider including abortion rights in this Bill. Rights to abortion must be specifically protected in this legislation, especially as the Government has refused to rule out leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
Call an immediate general election to end the chaos of the current government
Gov Responded - 20 Sep 2022 Debated on - 17 Oct 2022 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsCall an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK.
Do not implement proposed new offences for vehicle "tampering"
Gov Responded - 21 Dec 2021 Debated on - 25 Apr 2022 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsThe Government’s modernising vehicle standards proposal suggested new offences for tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on a road. This could have a hugely detrimental impact on the UK motorsport and custom aftermarket industry.
Make self-employed people eligible for statutory adoption pay
Gov Responded - 2 Feb 2022 Debated on - 21 Mar 2022 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsEnsuring statutory adoption pay is available to a self-employed parent in the same way that maternity allowance is available for self-employed new mums would promote an equal and fair society inclusive of all routes to parenthood.
Make verified ID a requirement for opening a social media account.
Gov Responded - 5 May 2021 Debated on - 28 Feb 2022 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsMake it a legal requirement when opening a new social media account, to provide a verified form of ID. Where the account belongs to a person under the age of 18 verify the account with the ID of a parent/guardian, to prevent anonymised harmful activity, providing traceability if an offence occurs.
#Reggieslaw - Regulate online animal sales
Gov Responded - 1 Jul 2021 Debated on - 13 Dec 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsGiven how many animals are sold online, we want Government to introduce regulation of all websites where animals are sold. Websites should be required to verify the identity of all sellers, and for young animals for sale pictures with their parents be posted with all listings.
Limit the Sale and Use of Fireworks to Organisers of Licensed Displays Only
Gov Responded - 13 Aug 2020 Debated on - 8 Nov 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsCurrent legislation allows for public use of fireworks 16 hours a day, every day, making it impossible for vulnerable groups to take precautions against the distress they can cause. Better enforcement of existing law is insufficient; limiting their sale & use to licensed displays only is necessary.
Increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS.
Gov Responded - 24 Aug 2020 Debated on - 1 Nov 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsEndometriosis and PCOS are two gynaecological conditions which both affect 10% of women worldwide, but both are, in terms of research and funding, incredibly under prioritised. This petition is calling for more funding, to enable for new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues.
Commission an independent review of childcare funding and affordability
Gov Responded - 23 Jun 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsWe have the second most expensive childcare system in the world. A full time place costs, on average, £14,000 per year, making it completely unaffordable for many families. Parents are forced to leave their jobs or work fewer hours, which has a negative impact on the economy and on child poverty.
FIONA'S LAW - Women should be allowed a yearly Cervical screening
Cervical screening needs to be every year.
This is because women are dying, mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters and sisters are dying.
Enforce the “50+1” Rule for professional football club ownership in the UK
Gov Responded - 24 May 2021 Debated on - 14 Jun 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsBring in a law which enforces professional football clubs to have at least 51% fan ownership similar to how the Bundesliga operates this rule.
Introduce an Independent Regulator for Football in England by December 2021
Gov Responded - 7 Jun 2021 Debated on - 14 Jun 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsThe Government should use the recently established fan led review of football to introduce an Independent Football Regulator in England to put fans back at the heart of our national game. This should happen by December 2021.
The UK should ban the importation of Shark Fins.
Gov Responded - 3 Nov 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsNow that we have left the EU, the UK has the ability to finally stop the importation of Shark Fins. They had previously stated that 'Whilst in the EU, it is not possible to unilaterally ban the import of shark fins into the UK.'
Ban the exploitative import of young puppies for sale in the UK.
Gov Responded - 8 Sep 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsPlenty of dogs from UK breeders & rescues need homes. Transporting young pups long distances is often stressful, before being sold for ridiculous prices to unsuspecting dog-lovers. Government must adjust current laws, ban this unethical activity on welfare grounds & protect these poor animals ASAP.
Stop the rising number of ear-cropped dogs in the UK
Gov Responded - 9 Mar 2021 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsLeading veterinary and welfare bodies are concerned by the alarming rise in ear-cropped dogs in the UK. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK and an unnecessary, painful mutilation with no welfare benefit. The practice involves cutting off part of the ear flap, often without anaesthesia or pain relief.
Ban fireworks for general sale to the public.
Gov Responded - 5 Nov 2019 Debated on - 2 Nov 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsEvery year more and more people, animals and wildlife get hurt by fireworks. It’s time something was fine to stop this. There are enough organised firework groups around for us to still enjoy fireworks safely so please help me stop the needless sale of them to the public!
Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work
Gov Responded - 4 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsI would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.
Reduce or scrap the immigration health surcharge for overseas NHS Staff.
Gov Responded - 29 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsTo revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.
We would like the government to consider social care as equally important to NHS
Gov Responded - 20 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsWe would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.
Give non-British citizens who are NHS workers automatic citizenship
Gov Responded - 6 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsGive NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.
Recognise animal sentience & require that animal welfare has full regard in law
Gov Responded - 13 Mar 2019 Debated on - 16 Mar 2020 View Alex Davies-Jones's petition debate contributionsEU law recognises animals as sentient beings, aware of their feelings and emotions. Animals are at risk of losing these vital legal protections, post-Brexit. We want a BetterDealForAnimals: a law that creates a duty for all Ministers in the UK to fully regard animal welfare in policy making.
These initiatives were driven by Alex Davies-Jones, 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.
A Bill to require providers of in vitro fertilisation to publish information annually about the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles they carry out and about their provision of certain additional treatments in connection with in vitro fertilisation; to require such providers to publish a report about their provision of NHS-funded IVF treatment in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.
Bereavement Leave and Pay (Stillborn and Miscarried Babies) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Sarah Owen (Lab)
International Development (Women’s Sanitary Products) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Wendy Chamberlain (LD)
The Government consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace focussed on ensuring that laws to protect people from harassment at work are operating effectively.
We have considered the responses received and listened carefully to the experiences shared through this consultation. We will be setting out the Government’s response shortly.
This Government has introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Coordinated multi-agency action and supporting victims are key components of the CPS’s ambitious programme of work published in January, which will help narrow the disparity between reporting and criminal justice outcomes.
The CPS recently hosted a virtual domestic abuse conference with the police and the courts, sharing best practice and innovation.
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) collects data showing the outcome of charging decisions, including cases flagged as rape where a decision not to prosecute was taken for public interest reasons. However, the CPS has no central record of the number of cases or suspects where a confession to the offence of rape (or any other offence) has been admitted. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.
The table below therefore shows the number of rape-flagged suspects where a no prosecution decision for public interest reasons was the outcome. The proportion of decisions where no further action is taken due to public interest reasons is fewer than 2% of all decisions. However, data on cases in which a confession has been admitted is not available.
| No Prosecution - Public Interest |
2010-2011 | 128 |
2011-2012 | 88 |
2012-2013 | 91 |
2013-2014 | 98 |
2014-2015 | 93 |
2015-2016 | 109 |
2016-2017 | 84 |
2017-2018 | 65 |
2018-2019 | 60 |
2019-2020 | 51 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System |
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects finalised prosecutions data showing the sex of defendants for cases flagged as involving domestic abuse. Some, more limited, information is also available showing the identified relationship between defendant and complainant and whether the relationship is between people of the same or different sex.
The table below shows the number of defendants prosecuted for domestic abuse where a relationship was identified as same sex (partner, ex-partner, spouse/civil partner or former spouse/civil partner), during each of the last ten years. It also highlights the number of defendants where the relationship has been recorded. This data is limited, which results in the number of defendants with an identified relationship being under-recorded.
| Female Defendants | Male Defendants | % of Relationships Recorded |
2010-2011 | 28 | 56 | 16.7% |
2011-2012 | 45 | 77 | 30.0% |
2012-2013 | 54 | 84 | 47.7% |
2013-2014 | 80 | 97 | 52.7% |
2014-2015 | 127 | 129 | 55.4% |
2015-2016 | 160 | 186 | 55.6% |
2016-2017 | 136 | 141 | 52.4% |
2017-2018 | 108 | 130 | 48.7% |
2018-2019 | 88 | 137 | 48.9% |
2019-2020 | 84 | 144 | 56.4% |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
While the CPS does not collate prosecutions data by county, data is available showing the number of prosecutions in each of the regional Areas of the CPS. The tables below provide the same information as the table above, broken down for each CPS Area.
Female Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 10 |
East Midlands | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Eastern | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
London North | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
London South | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 11 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
North East | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
North West | 1 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
South East | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
South West | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Thames and Chiltern | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Wessex | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
West Midlands | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
Male Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 1 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 14 |
East Midlands | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
Eastern | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 21 |
London North | 1 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
London South | 8 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
North East | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
North West | 12 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
South East | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 3 |
South West | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
Thames and Chiltern | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
Wessex | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 9 |
West Midlands | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 6 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 16 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects finalised prosecutions data showing the sex of defendants for cases flagged as involving domestic abuse. Some, more limited, information is also available showing the identified relationship between defendant and complainant and whether the relationship is between people of the same or different sex.
The table below shows the number of defendants prosecuted for domestic abuse where a relationship was identified as same sex (partner, ex-partner, spouse/civil partner or former spouse/civil partner), during each of the last ten years. It also highlights the number of defendants where the relationship has been recorded. This data is limited, which results in the number of defendants with an identified relationship being under-recorded.
| Female Defendants | Male Defendants | % of Relationships Recorded |
2010-2011 | 28 | 56 | 16.7% |
2011-2012 | 45 | 77 | 30.0% |
2012-2013 | 54 | 84 | 47.7% |
2013-2014 | 80 | 97 | 52.7% |
2014-2015 | 127 | 129 | 55.4% |
2015-2016 | 160 | 186 | 55.6% |
2016-2017 | 136 | 141 | 52.4% |
2017-2018 | 108 | 130 | 48.7% |
2018-2019 | 88 | 137 | 48.9% |
2019-2020 | 84 | 144 | 56.4% |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
While the CPS does not collate prosecutions data by county, data is available showing the number of prosecutions in each of the regional Areas of the CPS. The tables below provide the same information as the table above, broken down for each CPS Area.
Female Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 10 |
East Midlands | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Eastern | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
London North | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
London South | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 11 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
North East | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
North West | 1 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
South East | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
South West | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Thames and Chiltern | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Wessex | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
West Midlands | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
Male Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 1 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 14 |
East Midlands | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
Eastern | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 21 |
London North | 1 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
London South | 8 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
North East | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
North West | 12 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
South East | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 3 |
South West | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
Thames and Chiltern | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
Wessex | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 9 |
West Midlands | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 6 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 16 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects finalised prosecutions data showing the sex of defendants for cases flagged as involving domestic abuse. Some, more limited, information is also available showing the identified relationship between defendant and complainant and whether the relationship is between people of the same or different sex.
The table below shows the number of defendants prosecuted for domestic abuse where a relationship was identified as same sex (partner, ex-partner, spouse/civil partner or former spouse/civil partner), during each of the last ten years. It also highlights the number of defendants where the relationship has been recorded. This data is limited, which results in the number of defendants with an identified relationship being under-recorded.
| Female Defendants | Male Defendants | % of Relationships Recorded |
2010-2011 | 28 | 56 | 16.7% |
2011-2012 | 45 | 77 | 30.0% |
2012-2013 | 54 | 84 | 47.7% |
2013-2014 | 80 | 97 | 52.7% |
2014-2015 | 127 | 129 | 55.4% |
2015-2016 | 160 | 186 | 55.6% |
2016-2017 | 136 | 141 | 52.4% |
2017-2018 | 108 | 130 | 48.7% |
2018-2019 | 88 | 137 | 48.9% |
2019-2020 | 84 | 144 | 56.4% |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
While the CPS does not collate prosecutions data by county, data is available showing the number of prosecutions in each of the regional Areas of the CPS. The tables below provide the same information as the table above, broken down for each CPS Area.
Female Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 10 |
East Midlands | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Eastern | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
London North | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
London South | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 11 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
North East | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
North West | 1 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
South East | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
South West | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Thames and Chiltern | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Wessex | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
West Midlands | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
Male Defendants | ||||||||||
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 |
Cymru Wales | 1 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 14 |
East Midlands | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
Eastern | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 21 |
London North | 1 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
London South | 8 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
Merseyside & Cheshire | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
North East | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
North West | 12 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
South East | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 3 |
South West | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
Thames and Chiltern | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
Wessex | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 9 |
West Midlands | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 6 |
Yorkshire & Humberside | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 16 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System
There have been no meetings between Cabinet Office ministers and Parler.
Full details of all departments’ ministerial meetings are published quarterly and can be found on GOV.UK.
I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon Friend the member for Northampton North on 14 March 2022 (UIN 122754) and to the Annual Report of the Independent Adviser on Ministers Interests, together with the List of Ministers Interests, which were published on 31 May 2022.
Both the Online Safety Bill led by DCMS and the National Security Bill led by the Home Office include measures that touch on policy areas covered by a range of government departments. As such, Ministers from across government have been involved in their development from initial policy discussions to introduction to Parliament over several years. In line with normal process, both of these Bills come under Cabinet collective agreement.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.
As has been the case under successive administrations, details of meetings with external contractors are not usually disclosed. Details of ministers' meetings with external organisations and individuals are published on gov.uk periodically.
Details of Government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
This Government recognises that outsourcing is an important component in a “mixed economy” of public service provision and that the private sector has played a crucial role in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including in relation to the development and procurement of the Government’s world-leading vaccine programme. Under the terms of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, departments and other public authorities are able to use various applicable procedures. Public authorities across the United Kingdom including the devolved administrations and local authorities have made use of direct awards - this includes Leeds City Council. Similar approaches were adopted by many other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand. It is unrealistic to suggest that the government ought to have run a full public procurement competition for PPE and other critical contracts at the height of the pandemic. The minimum number of days a competitive award could take place under the current rules is 25 days. This would have hugely slowed down the buying of vital PPE supplies.
Further to the Outsourcing Playbook, available on gov.uk, and as has been the case under successive administrations, public sector contracting authorities are responsible for their own commercial decisions, such as the award and monitoring of contracts. Regarding cyber security, details of the Cyber Essentials scheme is available on gov.uk. The requested information on service credits is not held centrally.
I note that the Hon Member has not yet replied to the letter by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster of 20 November 2020. As a courtesy, I will ensure that a further copy of the letter is sent to her office to ensure she has a chance to reply to the points raised.
The letter from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to Michael Russell MSP on 27 October, available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-from-the-chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster-to-jeremy-miles-ms-and-michael-russell-msp includes detail of the extensive joint working with the devolved administrations.
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally disclosed.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.
Details of the work of the Geospatial Commission are available on their blog page, which includes information on the National Underground Asset Register Pilots.
The UK does not have a comprehensive map of underground utilities which increases the likelihood of dangerous utility strikes (especially for emergency works) and results in significant costs to utility companies, their operators and the wider economy. Any decision to proceed with creating a national register would be announced in the usual way, including invitations to tender for relevant work. Interim findings from the pilots will be published in due course.
Details of the work of the Geospatial Commission are available on their blog page, which includes information on the National Underground Asset Register Pilots.
The UK does not have a comprehensive map of underground utilities which increases the likelihood of dangerous utility strikes (especially for emergency works) and results in significant costs to utility companies, their operators and the wider economy. Any decision to proceed with creating a national register would be announced in the usual way, including invitations to tender for relevant work. Interim findings from the pilots will be published in due course.
Details of the work of the Geospatial Commission are available on their blog page, which includes information on the National Underground Asset Register Pilots.
The UK does not have a comprehensive map of underground utilities which increases the likelihood of dangerous utility strikes (especially for emergency works) and results in significant costs to utility companies, their operators and the wider economy. Any decision to proceed with creating a national register would be announced in the usual way, including invitations to tender for relevant work. Interim findings from the pilots will be published in due course.
My Rt Hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset declared his interests to the Permanent Secretary soon after his appointment as Secretary of State, in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code. I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to her today by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Horsham to Question 82488 for further detail on the ministerial conflicts of interest process.
Like many sections of the economy, medical research charities have been hit hard by COVID-19. This funding to support early career researchers will help to protect the pipeline of research superstars who will have a fantastic impact, and improve patient lives, in the future. We will announce further details about the way in which this funding will be distributed by UKRI on behalf of BEIS and DHSC in due course.
Like many sections of the economy, medical research charities have been hit hard by COVID-19. This funding to support early career researchers will help to protect the pipeline of research superstars who will have a fantastic impact, and improve patient lives, in the future. We will announce further details about the way in which this funding will be distributed by UKRI on behalf of BEIS and DHSC in due course.
The Government remains committed to bringing together a broad set of key stakeholders to look at what improvements can be made to address pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace.
We are finalising plans and will be setting up the first meeting shortly.
The Government has procured 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and 100 million doses of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccines.
The UK was the first country in the world to start a vaccination programme using these vaccines. Due to our swift and decisive action there has been a regular and steady supply of vaccine doses arriving into the UK since early December 2020.
As of 27 January 2021, over 7.1 million people across the UK have been vaccinated with the first dose of the vaccine. We continue to work to meet our target of vaccinating all four priority groups by 15 February. The UK COVID-19 Vaccines Delivery Plan sets out how the Government will work with the NHS, devolved administrations, local councils, and the Armed Forces to deliver the largest vaccination programme in British history.
Vaccines are a precious resource in very high demand across the world; therefore, for security reasons it is not possible to provide detail about the size of our supplies and exact detail about deliveries.
The guidance on Test and Trace record collection can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace.
It is important that people across the country have access to a diverse range of cultural opportunities. Arts and cultural bodies receive funding through a wide variety of sources, including through Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Welsh National Opera will receive £4 million of public funding through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme, and was also successful in its application to the Arts Council’s ‘Transform Programme’ through which it will receive an additional one-off payment of £3.25 million. This means the Welsh National Opera will receive over £15 million of public funding between 2023 and 2026.
The decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, is a decision taken wholly by Arts Council England independently of HM Government. This is in accordance with the well established process, which is published on the Arts Council’s website and made clear in the guidance for applicants. How the Welsh National Opera chooses to spend its grant funding with respect to staffing, touring, and community work are matters for the organisation itself.
Cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera are also benefiting from the two-year extension to the higher rates of theatre, orchestra, museums and galleries exhibition tax reliefs announced at the last Budget. This extension will continue to offset ongoing pressures and boost investment in our cultural sectors. They will incentivise investment in productions in the UK, support them to tour, drive economic growth, and allow the sector to maintain its international competitiveness and reputation.
It is important that people across the country have access to a diverse range of cultural opportunities. Arts and cultural bodies receive funding through a wide variety of sources, including through Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Welsh National Opera will receive £4 million of public funding through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme, and was also successful in its application to the Arts Council’s ‘Transform Programme’ through which it will receive an additional one-off payment of £3.25 million. This means the Welsh National Opera will receive over £15 million of public funding between 2023 and 2026.
The decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, is a decision taken wholly by Arts Council England independently of HM Government. This is in accordance with the well established process, which is published on the Arts Council’s website and made clear in the guidance for applicants. How the Welsh National Opera chooses to spend its grant funding with respect to staffing, touring, and community work are matters for the organisation itself.
Cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera are also benefiting from the two-year extension to the higher rates of theatre, orchestra, museums and galleries exhibition tax reliefs announced at the last Budget. This extension will continue to offset ongoing pressures and boost investment in our cultural sectors. They will incentivise investment in productions in the UK, support them to tour, drive economic growth, and allow the sector to maintain its international competitiveness and reputation.
It is important that people across the country have access to a diverse range of cultural opportunities. Arts and cultural bodies receive funding through a wide variety of sources, including through Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Welsh National Opera will receive £4 million of public funding through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme, and was also successful in its application to the Arts Council’s ‘Transform Programme’ through which it will receive an additional one-off payment of £3.25 million. This means the Welsh National Opera will receive over £15 million of public funding between 2023 and 2026.
The decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, is a decision taken wholly by Arts Council England independently of HM Government. This is in accordance with the well established process, which is published on the Arts Council’s website and made clear in the guidance for applicants. How the Welsh National Opera chooses to spend its grant funding with respect to staffing, touring, and community work are matters for the organisation itself.
Cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera are also benefiting from the two-year extension to the higher rates of theatre, orchestra, museums and galleries exhibition tax reliefs announced at the last Budget. This extension will continue to offset ongoing pressures and boost investment in our cultural sectors. They will incentivise investment in productions in the UK, support them to tour, drive economic growth, and allow the sector to maintain its international competitiveness and reputation.
It is important that people across the country have access to a diverse range of cultural opportunities. Arts and cultural bodies receive funding through a wide variety of sources, including through Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Welsh National Opera will receive £4 million of public funding through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme, and was also successful in its application to the Arts Council’s ‘Transform Programme’ through which it will receive an additional one-off payment of £3.25 million. This means the Welsh National Opera will receive over £15 million of public funding between 2023 and 2026.
The decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, is a decision taken wholly by Arts Council England independently of HM Government. This is in accordance with the well established process, which is published on the Arts Council’s website and made clear in the guidance for applicants. How the Welsh National Opera chooses to spend its grant funding with respect to staffing, touring, and community work are matters for the organisation itself.
Cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera are also benefiting from the two-year extension to the higher rates of theatre, orchestra, museums and galleries exhibition tax reliefs announced at the last Budget. This extension will continue to offset ongoing pressures and boost investment in our cultural sectors. They will incentivise investment in productions in the UK, support them to tour, drive economic growth, and allow the sector to maintain its international competitiveness and reputation.
It is important that people across the country have access to a diverse range of cultural opportunities. Arts and cultural bodies receive funding through a wide variety of sources, including through Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Welsh National Opera will receive £4 million of public funding through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme, and was also successful in its application to the Arts Council’s ‘Transform Programme’ through which it will receive an additional one-off payment of £3.25 million. This means the Welsh National Opera will receive over £15 million of public funding between 2023 and 2026.
The decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, is a decision taken wholly by Arts Council England independently of HM Government. This is in accordance with the well established process, which is published on the Arts Council’s website and made clear in the guidance for applicants. How the Welsh National Opera chooses to spend its grant funding with respect to staffing, touring, and community work are matters for the organisation itself.
Cultural organisations such as the Welsh National Opera are also benefiting from the two-year extension to the higher rates of theatre, orchestra, museums and galleries exhibition tax reliefs announced at the last Budget. This extension will continue to offset ongoing pressures and boost investment in our cultural sectors. They will incentivise investment in productions in the UK, support them to tour, drive economic growth, and allow the sector to maintain its international competitiveness and reputation.
The society lottery annual sales limit was last increased as part of a wider package of reforms in 2020. These were reviewed 12 months after they were implemented, and the results of the review were published in March 2022. It concluded that it was too soon to reach any firm view on the impact of the changes, especially during a time when the effect of the Covid pandemic made any evaluation more difficult, and that more data on annual growth of the sector was required before considering any further changes. My officials will continue working with the Gambling Commission, as part of its regulatory role, to keep the sector under review.
The Government takes the issue of disinformation very seriously. The Counter Disinformation Unit team, based in DCMS, works to understand the scope, scale and reach of disinformation and works with a range of partners, including social media platforms, to tackle it.
The primary purpose of the team is not to spot every instance of disinformation across all social media platforms, but rather to understand overall trends and coordinated attempts to artificially manipulate the information environment. When the Unit does identify particular pieces of harmful content which may violate platforms’ terms of service these are referred to the relevant platform for consideration, who in turn decide what action to take.
As an operational matter it is not appropriate for the government to publicly provide details of content reported to platforms as doing so would give malign actors insight into our capabilities.
The Government takes the issue of disinformation very seriously. The Counter Disinformation Unit team, based in DCMS, works to understand the scope, scale and reach of disinformation and works with a range of partners, including social media platforms, to tackle it.
The primary purpose of the team is not to spot every instance of disinformation across all social media platforms, but rather to understand overall trends and coordinated attempts to artificially manipulate the information environment. When the Unit does identify particular pieces of harmful content which may violate platforms’ terms of service these are referred to the relevant platform for consideration, who in turn decide what action to take.
As an operational matter it is not appropriate for the government to publicly provide details of content reported to platforms as doing so would give malign actors insight into our capabilities.
The annual sales limit for society lotteries was increased from £10 million to £50 million in July 2020.
We published a review of the impact of these and other changes to society lottery sales and prize limits in March 2022 (link). Early indicators are positive, for example the increase in the annual sales limit has allowed some multiple licensed operators who previously had annual sales in excess of £10 million, to take advantage of the new limit to restructure and become single licence holders, and use the cost savings in doing so to increase good cause returns. The review concluded that it is too soon to reach any firm view on the impact of the changes, especially during a time that the effect of the Covid pandemic made any evaluation more difficult, given changes in consumer behaviour over this period which may have had a distorting effect. We want to see more data on annual growth of the sector to fully measure their impact. Since the review, the Gambling Commission has published further data which shows that the large society lottery sector is continuing to grow.
The Gambling Commission does not collect data on the location of beneficiaries of grant funding. Society lotteries are a helpful way of permitting non-commercial societies to fundraise for good causes. Funds raised by society lotteries are distributed within the stated purposes of that society, and it is for each operator to determine where the money raised is distributed. Larger lotteries may support local, national or international charities, but many others exist solely to support their own work, such as hospice lotteries.
Legislation regarding society lotteries in Northern Ireland is determined by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The annual sales limit for society lotteries was increased from £10 million to £50 million in July 2020.
We published a review of the impact of these and other changes to society lottery sales and prize limits in March 2022 (link). Early indicators are positive, for example the increase in the annual sales limit has allowed some multiple licensed operators who previously had annual sales in excess of £10 million, to take advantage of the new limit to restructure and become single licence holders, and use the cost savings in doing so to increase good cause returns. The review concluded that it is too soon to reach any firm view on the impact of the changes, especially during a time that the effect of the Covid pandemic made any evaluation more difficult, given changes in consumer behaviour over this period which may have had a distorting effect. We want to see more data on annual growth of the sector to fully measure their impact. Since the review, the Gambling Commission has published further data which shows that the large society lottery sector is continuing to grow.
The Gambling Commission does not collect data on the location of beneficiaries of grant funding. Society lotteries are a helpful way of permitting non-commercial societies to fundraise for good causes. Funds raised by society lotteries are distributed within the stated purposes of that society, and it is for each operator to determine where the money raised is distributed. Larger lotteries may support local, national or international charities, but many others exist solely to support their own work, such as hospice lotteries.
Legislation regarding society lotteries in Northern Ireland is determined by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The competition to award the licence to operate the 4th National Lottery licence (4NL) is run by the Gambling Commission. The National Lottery Act 1993 stipulates that the Commission can only grant a licence to operate the National Lottery if it is satisfied that the proposed licensee is a fit and proper person. In this context, the Commission carried out appropriate vetting checks on all the applicants to the 4NL competition and is now carrying out further vetting checks on Allwyn as the Commission’s preferred applicant to operate 4NL. The Commission does not have any plans at present to list the names of those individuals subject to vetting checks.
The Gambling Commission has taken steps to assure itself that no applicant to the 4NL competition is or is likely to be impacted by the sanctioning of entities and individuals listed in the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK.
The competition to award the licence to operate the 4th National Lottery licence (4NL) is run by the Gambling Commission. The National Lottery Act 1993 stipulates that the Commission can only grant a licence to operate the National Lottery if it is satisfied that the proposed licensee is a fit and proper person. In this context, the Commission carried out appropriate vetting checks on all the applicants to the 4NL competition and is now carrying out further vetting checks on Allwyn as the Commission’s preferred applicant to operate 4NL. The Commission does not have any plans at present to list the names of those individuals subject to vetting checks.
The Gambling Commission has taken steps to assure itself that no applicant to the 4NL competition is or is likely to be impacted by the sanctioning of entities and individuals listed in the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK.
The UK Government has invested £1.3m to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities across Wales this year. The 17 funded projects include grass and artificial grass pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other infrastructure to make a real difference to communities across Wales. The Government has committed another £205m to multi-use grassroots facilities UK-wide between 2022 and 2025. Further investment into Welsh grassroots sport will be set out later in 2022, so that even more clubs and communities can benefit from access to high-quality pitches and facilities.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) distributed this year’s investment on behalf of DCMS, inviting and assessing over 300 expressions of interest before awarding funding to the 17 successful projects. Projects were selected using a range of criteria - including their ability to deliver improved access for women and girls, disabled players and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as part of the government’s ambition to level up access to facilities across the UK. At least 30% of the projects will benefit a sport other than football and at least 50% of the investment is being delivered in the most deprived areas of Wales, based on their Indices of Multiple Deprivation Ranking. Projects were also assessed on their deliverability and capacity to start work as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government and Sport Wales were represented on the advisory panel, which the FAW assembled to support their decision making. I have also met with my Ministerial counterpart in the Welsh Government to discuss the programme.
Projects across ten local authority areas in Wales have received a share of this year’ funding. Details of all projects are available on GOV.UK.
The UK Government has invested £1.3m to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities across Wales this year. The 17 funded projects include grass and artificial grass pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other infrastructure to make a real difference to communities across Wales. The Government has committed another £205m to multi-use grassroots facilities UK-wide between 2022 and 2025. Further investment into Welsh grassroots sport will be set out later in 2022, so that even more clubs and communities can benefit from access to high-quality pitches and facilities.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) distributed this year’s investment on behalf of DCMS, inviting and assessing over 300 expressions of interest before awarding funding to the 17 successful projects. Projects were selected using a range of criteria - including their ability to deliver improved access for women and girls, disabled players and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as part of the government’s ambition to level up access to facilities across the UK. At least 30% of the projects will benefit a sport other than football and at least 50% of the investment is being delivered in the most deprived areas of Wales, based on their Indices of Multiple Deprivation Ranking. Projects were also assessed on their deliverability and capacity to start work as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government and Sport Wales were represented on the advisory panel, which the FAW assembled to support their decision making. I have also met with my Ministerial counterpart in the Welsh Government to discuss the programme.
Projects across ten local authority areas in Wales have received a share of this year’ funding. Details of all projects are available on GOV.UK.
The UK Government has invested £1.3m to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities across Wales this year. The 17 funded projects include grass and artificial grass pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other infrastructure to make a real difference to communities across Wales. The Government has committed another £205m to multi-use grassroots facilities UK-wide between 2022 and 2025. Further investment into Welsh grassroots sport will be set out later in 2022, so that even more clubs and communities can benefit from access to high-quality pitches and facilities.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) distributed this year’s investment on behalf of DCMS, inviting and assessing over 300 expressions of interest before awarding funding to the 17 successful projects. Projects were selected using a range of criteria - including their ability to deliver improved access for women and girls, disabled players and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as part of the government’s ambition to level up access to facilities across the UK. At least 30% of the projects will benefit a sport other than football and at least 50% of the investment is being delivered in the most deprived areas of Wales, based on their Indices of Multiple Deprivation Ranking. Projects were also assessed on their deliverability and capacity to start work as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government and Sport Wales were represented on the advisory panel, which the FAW assembled to support their decision making. I have also met with my Ministerial counterpart in the Welsh Government to discuss the programme.
Projects across ten local authority areas in Wales have received a share of this year’ funding. Details of all projects are available on GOV.UK.
The UK Government has invested £1.3m to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities across Wales this year. The 17 funded projects include grass and artificial grass pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other infrastructure to make a real difference to communities across Wales. The Government has committed another £205m to multi-use grassroots facilities UK-wide between 2022 and 2025. Further investment into Welsh grassroots sport will be set out later in 2022, so that even more clubs and communities can benefit from access to high-quality pitches and facilities.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) distributed this year’s investment on behalf of DCMS, inviting and assessing over 300 expressions of interest before awarding funding to the 17 successful projects. Projects were selected using a range of criteria - including their ability to deliver improved access for women and girls, disabled players and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as part of the government’s ambition to level up access to facilities across the UK. At least 30% of the projects will benefit a sport other than football and at least 50% of the investment is being delivered in the most deprived areas of Wales, based on their Indices of Multiple Deprivation Ranking. Projects were also assessed on their deliverability and capacity to start work as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government and Sport Wales were represented on the advisory panel, which the FAW assembled to support their decision making. I have also met with my Ministerial counterpart in the Welsh Government to discuss the programme.
Projects across ten local authority areas in Wales have received a share of this year’ funding. Details of all projects are available on GOV.UK.
DCMS offered official-level meetings to all final-stage applicants to the 4th National Lottery licence competition to give an overview of the government's vision for the Gambling and National Lottery sectors. On 23 November 2020, DCMS's Director for Sport, Gambling and Ceremonials and Deputy Director for Gambling and Lotteries met representatives of Sazka (now Allwyn Entertainment Ltd). Ministers did not meet with Allwyn in respect of the competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence.
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
The Gambling Commission provides DCMS and the Lottery Distributing Bodies with good cause forecasts updated on a six-monthly basis to assist them with their grant planning. The forecast is presented as a range, with low, high and central scenarios. The modelling approach is regularly refined to ensure the forecasts remain as accurate as possible. We do not publish this information given commercial sensitivities.
Actual good cause returns are published in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Annual Report and Accounts and can be found on the GOV.UK website.
The age to play the National Lottery changed from 16 to 18 years on 22 April 2021.
Digital players are subject to online Experian age-verification checks when registering for an account. Therefore, anyone under-18 will be prevented from opening an account with the National Lottery. Existing 16 and 17 year olds accounts were closed at the appropriate point and no under 18s were able to continue playing online.
In retail, in the months leading up to the change and continuing since, there was a range of communications from the National Lottery operator to retailers to ensure the new age limits are adhered to, consisting of retail visits, phone calls, training videos and other written information. The operator continues to be required to undertake test purchase activity, to establish whether sales have been or are being made or are likely to be made by retailers to purchasers under the age of 18, with a pass rate above 90% being achieved in the first few months of tests relating to the new age limits. This is a similar level of compliance to that achieved when the age limit was 16.