Ben Bradley Portrait

Ben Bradley

Conservative - Mansfield

First elected: 8th June 2017


Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
12th Oct 2022 - 20th Oct 2022
Skills and Post-16 Education [HL] Bill
24th Nov 2021 - 7th Dec 2021
Women and Equalities Committee
1st Mar 2021 - 8th Jun 2021
Regulatory Reform
5th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Education Committee
22nd Oct 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Vice-Chair, Conservative Party
8th Jan 2018 - 10th Jul 2018


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Ben Bradley has voted in 759 divisions, and 9 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Jun 2020 - Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 45 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 238
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
4 Dec 2023 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Conservative No votes vs 217 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 381 Noes - 37
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 525
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 529
17 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Bradley voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 59 Conservative Aye votes vs 266 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 536
View All Ben Bradley Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(22 debate interactions)
Gavin Williamson (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
Andrew Gwynne (Labour)
Shadow Minister (Social Care)
(10 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(77 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(34 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(18 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
(4,239 words contributed)
Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022
(1,965 words contributed)
Illegal Migration Act 2023
(1,481 words contributed)
Finance Act 2021
(787 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Ben Bradley's debates

Mansfield Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

Make it illegal for any employer to mandate vaccination for its employees. This should apply to all public sector (including the NHS, armed forces, care workers), third sector and all private sector.

We want the Government to commit to not rolling out any e-vaccination status/immunity passport to the British public. Such passports could be used to restrict the rights of people who have refused a Covid-19 vaccine, which would be unacceptable.

The government should allow BTEC students to achieve teacher predicted grades rather than being forced into a system that is unethically downgrading thousands of students grades.

Schools can be a breeding ground for the spread of coronavirus. Children are mingling at schools and returning to families who are potentially vulnerable, keeping rates high.

It's only been since schools opened that infection rates have been high in Kent, and keeping them open may keep it high.

Cancel all standardise testing for year 11 and year 12 students in 2021. By replacing tests with smaller amounts of course work and teacher assessment, students would have a fair chance at achieving their target grades and it would relieve stress for teachers and students.

Please don’t send students back until we know we have had the priority groups vaccinated such as the elderly, the extremely clinically vulnerable, and those with underlying health conditions.


Latest EDMs signed by Ben Bradley

19th December 2019
Ben Bradley signed this EDM on Friday 20th December 2019

Big Ben chiming on the day of Brexit

Tabled by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
That this House notes the ongoing refurbishment works on the Elizabeth Tower and the fact that during this period Big Ben currently only chimes for Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve; further notes that the United Kingdom will now leave the European Union at 11.00pm GMT on 31 January 2020; …
53 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Jan 2020)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 43
Democratic Unionist Party: 5
Independent: 3
Labour: 1
Reform UK: 1
11th April 2019
Ben Bradley signed this EDM on Tuesday 23rd April 2019

Exiting the European Union

Tabled by: William Cash (Conservative - Stone)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Exit Day) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 859), dated 11 April 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 April 2019, be annulled.
82 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Apr 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 70
Democratic Unionist Party: 7
Independent: 4
Non-affiliated: 1
View All Ben Bradley's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Ben Bradley, 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.


Ben Bradley has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Ben Bradley

Tuesday 21st February 2023
Monday 21st February 2022
Wednesday 14th July 2021

1 Bill introduced by Ben Bradley


A Bill to make provision about the protection of pollinators; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 8th May 2018
(Read Debate)

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the Government will make its decision on the renewal of local television licensing.

The Government recognises the important contribution and impact that local TV services make to our broadcasting ecosystem and for those across the UK, particularly in their role disseminating relevant news and engaging with local communities.

In the Broadcasting White Paper (April 2022), we announced our intention to make changes to the local TV licensing regime to enable the renewal of the local TV multiplex licence until 2034 and subject to the same conditions (including revocation power) that apply to the national multiplexes.

The Government also committed to consulting on the detailed arrangements for the renewal of the multiplex licence and conditions for renewal. The Government will publish that consultation in due course. We will consult on options for the renewal or relicensing of individual local TV services at the same time.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Dec 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how the Government's proposals for a legislative ban on conversion therapy will safeguard the right to offer legitimate support, therapy or challenge to those who might be questioning their gender, and particularly for under-18s, in order to ensure that they have fully considered and explored their options.

All people need to be able to have open and explorative conversations that allow them to come to the right decision for themselves. The Government’s view is that an act of talking conversion therapy has the intent of changing a person to being something they are not. A supportive conversation is one that does not pressure that person into any particular outcome. Parents, clinicians and teachers will of course continue to be able to have conversations with young people or others about their sexual orientation or whether they are transgender or not.

Under our proposals, people who are transgender or are exploring their transgender status, including under-18s, will also remain able to access the support they need from qualified health professionals without change. Our proposals will complement the existing clinical regulatory framework and not override the independence of clinicians to offer support in line with professional obligations.

We are engaging with a wide range of relevant stakeholders on this issue and will work with the relevant authorities to ensure that our legislative interventions operate effectively.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
6th Dec 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what information her Department holds on the number of incidents of LGBT conversion therapy in each of the last three years; and if she will publish a summary of examples of incidents of that therapy.

To better understand the nature and impact of conversion therapy practices in the UK, the Government commissioned research on conversion therapy, including around the prevalence and nature of such practices in the UK. This was published on 29 October, alongside our public consultation on how to ban conversion therapy, and is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/conversion-therapy-an-evidence-assessment-and-qualitative-study/conversion-therapy-an-evidence-assessment-and-qualitative-study.

This report summarises the review undertaken of research published from January 2000 to June 2020 as well as the findings from qualitative interviews with 30 people who have had experience of conversion therapy in the UK since 2000.

The report also draws on the findings from the National LGBT Survey of over 108,000 people in 2017, including that 5% of respondents had been offered so called ‘conversion’ or ‘reparative’ therapy and a further 2% had undergone it. The survey also found that transgender respondents were more likely to have reported having undergone or been offered conversion therapy (13%) than non-transgender respondents (7%). The full results of the survey were published in 2018 and are available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-lgbt-survey-summary-report

In addition, we actively engage with a wide range of civil society stakeholders on the subject of LGBT conversion therapy and monitor the international approaches being taken.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
15th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Office for National Statistics’ Adults Smoking Habits in the UK bulletin will be published.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 15 November is attached.

14th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics' bulletin entitled Adult Smoking Habits in the UK will be published this July.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Question of 14 June is attached.

11th Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the upcoming National Census will collect information on biological sex.

The census has asked a question on sex since 1801. The sex question for Census 2021 is set out in the Census (England and Wales) Order 2020 and the Census (England) Regulations 2020. The Office for National Statistics has recently published its final guidance for this question on its website at the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/genderidentity/census2021finalguidanceforthequestionwhatisyoursex

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to support the Commonwealth Veterans 8 faced with unaffordable bills for healthcare due to their residential status.

The NHS provides a range of outstanding physical and mental health care support for the Armed Forces community. There are some Armed Forces veterans whose residency status does not currently entitle them to free healthcare for conditions not related to their Armed Forces service; discussions are underway to address this anomaly. All non-UK personnel who serve in the Armed Forces for a minimum of four years, and those medically discharged before then as a result of an attributable injury or illness, have the option to settle in the UK at the conclusion of their service through bespoke Armed Forces immigration arrangements which include the full use of the NHS.

There is also provision in existing immigration rules for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces to re-apply to have their immigration status reviewed under certain circumstances or to apply where the normal timeframes for an application have expired. There should be no doubt the Government is committed to making it easier for service personnel and their families to settle in the UK once they have completed their service and is exploring ways to achieve this

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
4th May 2020
What discussions his Department has had with Local Resilience Forums on the level of local authority engagement in the response to the covid-19 outbreak.

This Government is in frequent contact with all 38 Local Resilience Forums in England, with officials present at all strategic level meetings. Each Forum has an assigned Government Liaison Officer who serves as a direct line between the Forum and central government. Weekly calls take place between officials and Local Resilience Forum Chairs.

Of course, we recognise that local authorities' functions vary across the UK and that the devolved administrations are responsible for supporting their respective resilience partnerships. The Government has been in regular contact with the devolved administrations in order to coordinate a UK-wide response to the pandemic.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support deregulation on food manufacturing businesses specialising in products high in fat, salt and sugar, to encourage investment from those businesses in the UK.

This is not a matter for BEIS, it is for individual departments to assess the merits of deregulation in their own sectors.

25th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the evolving security situation between the Ukraine and Russia, what steps he has taken to ensure the security of the UK's domestic (a) oil and (b) gas supply.

The UK has strong oil and gas security of supply.

The UK participates in a global market for crude oil and petroleum products and is a significant producer of both. UK demand is met by a combination of domestic production and imports from a diverse range of reliable suppliers led by North America and Norway.

The UK’s gas system has delivered securely to date and is expected to continue to function well. We meet around half of our supply from the UK Continental Shelf and the vast majority of our imports come from reliable suppliers such as Norway. Less than 3% of our gas supply in 2020 was sourced from Russia via Liquified Natural Gas. There is no direct pipeline between the UK and Russia.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle the disparity in the proportion of the weekly budget a household in the East Midlands spends on heating their home compared to London and (b) support affordable domestic production of oil and gas.

The Government is seeking to reduce the energy bills of low income and vulnerable households across England through energy efficiency measures. Schemes such as the Sustainable Warmth Competition and the Energy Company Obligation are delivering such measures through engagement with local authorities to ensure targeted delivery.

The upstream oil and gas production sector is well placed to deliver as much domestic production as possible during the winter period. There has been strong resilience in production and most of the maintenance delayed due to COVID-19 has now been completed.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2021 to Question 11649 and with reference to the advice given to the Government by the SAGE Environmental and Modelling Group of 4 November 2020, what steps his Department has taken to develop impartial guidance for consumers to allow them to identify appropriate air cleaning devices and technologies to combat SARS-CoV-2.

All products, including air cleaning devices, placed on the market must be safe and must not make untrue or misleading statements about their properties and performance. Consumer law requires traders to provide consumers with information on the main characteristics of goods and it must be accurate and not misleading. Consumers may also request information from the retailer when making a purchase and the retailer would be required to provide this accurately under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Consumers can seek free information and advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/).

The Government publishes a wide range of information for businesses about product regulation and complying with product safety legislation on its GOV.UK website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-safety-for-businesses-a-to-z-of-industry-guidance). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued guidance on keeping workplaces safe and disinfecting premises (https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/disinfecting-premises-during-coronavirus-outbreak.htm).

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has previously published consumer survey data outlining attitudes and behaviours to products related to COVID-19, including air cleaning technologies:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opss-covid-19-consumer-survey.

After the SAGE paper publication (4 November 2020), the OPSS collaborated with the SAGE Environmental and Modelling Group to review evidence gaps associated with consumer knowledge. The OPSS has since commissioned further consumer surveys and the findings will be published in due course.

Public Health England is responsible for providing advice on public health matters to the general public.

5th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2021 to Question 11648 and with reference to the advice given to the Government by the SAGE Environmental and Modelling Group of 4 November 2020, what research is being undertaken to evaluate likely consumer response to the use of air cleaning technologies and understand their level of knowledge and potential behavioural actions.

All products, including air cleaning devices, placed on the market must be safe and must not make untrue or misleading statements about their properties and performance. Consumer law requires traders to provide consumers with information on the main characteristics of goods and it must be accurate and not misleading. Consumers may also request information from the retailer when making a purchase and the retailer would be required to provide this accurately under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Consumers can seek free information and advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/).

The Government publishes a wide range of information for businesses about product regulation and complying with product safety legislation on its GOV.UK website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-safety-for-businesses-a-to-z-of-industry-guidance). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued guidance on keeping workplaces safe and disinfecting premises (https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/disinfecting-premises-during-coronavirus-outbreak.htm).

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has previously published consumer survey data outlining attitudes and behaviours to products related to COVID-19, including air cleaning technologies:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opss-covid-19-consumer-survey.

After the SAGE paper publication (4 November 2020), the OPSS collaborated with the SAGE Environmental and Modelling Group to review evidence gaps associated with consumer knowledge. The OPSS has since commissioned further consumer surveys and the findings will be published in due course.

Public Health England is responsible for providing advice on public health matters to the general public.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide support to local press organisations affected by proposed reductions in BBC funding for local news and radio.

The Government is committed to supporting local and regional news outlets as vital pillars of communities and local democracy. They play an essential role in holding power to account, keeping the public informed of local issues and providing reliable, high-quality information.

To date the Government’s support for the sector has included:

  • Introducing legislation for a new, pro-competition regime for digital markets, which among many other things will help to rebalance the relationship between news publishers and dominant online platforms;

  • The delivery of a £2 million pilot innovation fund - the Future News Fund;

  • The zero rating of VAT on e-newspapers;

  • The extension of a 2017 business rates relief on local newspaper office space until 2025;

  • The publication of the Online Media Literacy Strategy.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent of the Government, and decisions about how it delivers its services are ultimately a matter for the Corporation. However, the Government has been clear that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The Government expects Ofcom as the BBC’s independent regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties.

23rd Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that the White Paper on football reform (a) supports English Football League clubs and (b) protects the Premier League.

The Government will publish a White Paper on Football Governance reforms imminently. The White Paper will set out how football should be reformed to improve the financial stability and governance of football clubs. This will balance allowing the game to thrive and remain a global success story, while effectively tackling harms where they exist.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
29th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of withdrawing listed status from buildings that have been left derelict for long periods, in order to facilitate regeneration or development.

The Secretary of State has a duty under Section1 of the Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 to list buildings of special architectural and historic interest. Buildings that have been left derelict for long periods of time may still meet the statutory criteria for listing. Delisting just in circumstances where a building has been left to disrepair would not be appropriate.

Local Authorities have powers to take action where a designated heritage asset has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk. This includes undertaking urgent works and recovering those costs, as well as compulsory acquisition, including provisions for minimum compensation where an owner has deliberately allowed a building to fall into disrepair in order to justify its demolition and secure permission for redevelopment of the site. Listed buildings represent some of our most significant heritage assets and should not be neglected by owners.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring defibrillators at sports venues.

Events at UEFA EURO 2020 this summer demonstrated the immense value of access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid training for anyone involved in sport. Sports have a responsibility to make the safety and welfare of players their top priority, including through access to life-saving first aid equipment and relevant training and education.

AEDs are already recommended best practice at all sports stadia, as set out in guidance from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. Local authorities are able to mandate AED provision (at grounds designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds 1975 Act or sports grounds with regulated stands under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 Act) through medical plans included in General Safety Certificates.

At the grassroots level, all capital funding awards for sports venues made by Sport England, the Government’s arm’s length body for community sport, must include AED provision if it is not already available. For football facilities, support over recent years has been provided by The Football Association (The FA) and the British Heart Foundation to help ensure AEDs are available. In June 2021 I welcomed the Premier League’s announcement of their new Defibrillator Fund, which will fund AEDs at thousands of football clubs and facilities across the country. Each grant recipient will be required to have at least one person successfully complete The FA Education Sudden Cardiac Arrest free online course. Sport England is working with the Football Foundation in support of the Premier League initiative to put £3 million into providing AED equipment for grassroots football clubs.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to review of the Gambling Act 2005, what powers are currently available to the Gambling Commission to investigate and prosecute offences under section 28 of the Gambling Act 2005.

Section 28 of the Gambling Act 2005 states that the Gambling Commission may investigate whether an offence has been committed under the Act and may institute criminal proceedings for an offence in England and Wales. In Scotland, the power to institute criminal proceedings rests solely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). These provisions are tied to specific powers outlined in other subsections of the Act and may be exercised whether in response to information received by the Commission or otherwise.

As a general rule, the Commission will not normally pursue a criminal investigation into a licensed operator, as in most cases the matter under investigation is likely to be dealt with by the exercise of the Commission’s regulatory powers. However, there might be circumstances where the commencement of a criminal investigation is merited. Where the Commission’s investigations uncover evidence that a serious criminal offence may have been committed, which falls outside the Commission’s jurisdiction, the Commission may pass the information it possesses to the police, or another body, for consideration by them.

6th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on its proposals to widen the definition of hate speech to include political opinions.

Ofcom, as the UK’s independent television and radio regulator, is responsible for broadcasting regulation. Decisions on updates to Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code are a matter for Ofcom. On 31 December 2020, following consultation, Ofcom implemented changes to the Broadcasting Code to update its definition of hate speech to reflect requirements in the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

Ofcom remains bound by the Human Rights Act 1998 in carrying out its regulatory functions, including giving effect to freedom of expression (which includes political speech). Ofcom has said that the amended definition does not affect the weight Ofcom places on the importance of freedom of expression when considering cases, including issues concerning political opinions or in the public interest.

7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to support the fairs and showmen industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

My Department has taken a number of steps to support the funfairs industry through Covid-19.

The industry has been able to access support such as the Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, the Bounce Back Loans scheme. We have also cut the rate of VAT applied on most tourism and hospitality-related activities, including admission to circuses and fairs, from 20% to 5% until March 2021. Travelling fairgrounds can also apply to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

We recognise that Covid-19 has significantly impacted the culture sector and that these are extremely difficult times for organisations such as travelling funfairs. We have met with representatives of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain to assess how we can most effectively support the sector through this period.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional support for (a) fairgrounds and other outdoor events and (b) the wider events sector during the covid-19 outbreak.

My Department has taken a number of steps to support fairgrounds, other outdoor events, as well as the broader events sector through Covid-19.

The events sector has been able to access support such as the Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans scheme. We have also cut the rate of VAT applied on most tourism and hospitality-related activities, including admission to circuses and fairs, from 20% to 5% until March 2021.

On 22 October, the Chancellor increased the reach of the Government’s winter support schemes to further help businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19, including those in the events sector. Measures include doubling the size of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme Extension Grant so that it covers 40% of previous earnings.

We continue to meet with stakeholders, including through the Visitor Economy Working Group and the Events and Entertainment Working Group, to monitor the ongoing impacts on the sector.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure costs incurred by local authorities as a result of the covid-19 outbreak do not lead to reductions in the provision of (a) youth work, (b) youth services and (c) other non-statutory services.

This government has provided local authorities with an unprecedented package of support, including over £4.8bn in funding for?spending?pressures. On Monday 12 October, the Prime Minister confirmed around £1bn of new funding will be made available to councils across England to support them during this unprecedented time.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure youth services to young people under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and the government expects them to fulfil that duty.

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the financial effect on grassroots sports clubs of the covid-19 outbreak; and what estimate he has made of the level of financial support those clubs require.

Sports and physical activity providers and facilities are at the heart of our communities, and play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund has provided £210 million directly to support community sport clubs and exercise centres through this pandemic. We are continuing to work with organisations to understand what they need and how we may be able to support them.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help enable youth clubs to re-open to support vulnerable young people as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

This department recognises the unprecedented impacts the pandemic has had on young people, and on the vital support that youth services provide particularly for those most vulnerable.

Youth centres are being permitted to re-open on 4th July, to ensure our young people have access to not only the support they need, but opportunities to engage in safe activities over the summer period. We know that youth workers are already supporting young people through detached youth work, and we have supported the National Youth Agency to produce guidance for youth organisations on operating safely during Covid19.

DCMS is engaging regularly with young people and key youth organisations to understand how best to support the re-opening of youth centres over the coming weeks and months.

15th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had on extending financial support to self-employed workers in the sport and recreation sector during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

It is vital that the sport and physical activity sector is supported to come through this difficult period and it has a crucial role in supporting the nation back into activity once the pandemic has abated.

The Government has announced a comprehensive package of measures to support businesses and the self-employed. This includes the Self-employment Income Support Scheme which allows those that are self-employed to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

The Government is having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sport and physical activity and to discuss what additional support might be needed.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many youth services have closed as a result of covid-19; and if he will make a statement.

Government does not hold data on the number of youth services that have closed as a result of covid-19.

This department recognises the unprecedented impacts the pandemic has had on the youth sector, and on the vital services it provides for young people. DCMS is engaging regularly with key youth organisations and other government departments to understand options for addressing this and the path for reopening services as lockdown measures are eased and when the science allows.

11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the provision of youth services as covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

This department recognises the unprecedented impacts the pandemic has had on the youth sector, and on the vital services it provides for young people.

DCMS is in ongoing discussions at both Ministerial and official level with colleagues from other government departments including the Home Office, MHCLG, and the Department for Education, as well a variety of youth organisations at local and national level.

7th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government plans to take to support children reliant on youth services as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted.

This department recognises the unprecedented impacts the pandemic has had on the youth sector, and on the vital services it provides for young people. DCMS is engaging regularly with key youth organisations and other government departments to understand options for addressing this and the path for reopening services as lockdown measures are eased and when the science allows.

Organisations working with young people are also eligible for a number of Government and Arm Length Bodies funds, in addition to the wider HM Treasury support packages.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the closure of the BBC Red Button Teletext service on people's access to information on sport.

Responsibility for assessing the potential effect of the closure of the BBC Red Button service on people’s access to information on sport is for the BBC, which is editorially and operationally independent of the Government. The Government welcomes the BBC's decision to pause the closure of the Red Button service, ahead of its review of the impact of the closure on the most vulnerable including the elderly, and deaf and blind licence fee payers.

16th Jan 2020
BBC
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to review the (a) TV licence fee and (b) BBC Charter; and if she will make a statement.

The Government has no plans to review the BBC Charter ahead of the next Charter Review, which is due to take place ahead of 2027.

The government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the BBC until 2027 for the duration of this 11 year Charter period.

The Prime Minister has indicated that the Government will consider the licence fee funding model in the long term.

20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to improve learning outcomes for boys.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for all pupils no matter their gender, and raising attainment is a priority. The Government has successfully driven up standards over the past decade. In 2010, only 68% of schools were rated good or outstanding compared to 87% today.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation, Star Assessments and Renaissance Learning shows attainment for all pupils, including boys, has fallen compared to pre-pandemic levels. In response to this, the Department is taking action to support schools, increasing core schools funding in the Autumn Statement 2022. The additional funding will mean that the core schools’ budget is a net £2 billion higher than published at the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 in each of 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The Department continues to deliver the proposals set out in the Schools White Paper, which aim to improve outcomes for all pupils, including boys. This includes providing an excellent teacher for every pupil, securing high standards in curriculum, behaviour and attendance, and providing targeted support for every pupil who needs it.

For teachers, the Department remains committed to delivering £30,000 starting salaries to attract and retain the very best teachers. In addition, the Department will deliver 500,000 teacher training and development opportunities by the end of 2024 and has recently announced a £181 million incentive package for Initial Teacher Training. This package of support will secure more high quality teaching, which is the single most important in school factor on attainment.

The Department continues to promote the use of phonics and supports schools to offer a high quality, knowledge rich curriculum, both of which are critical to ensuring boys are able to achieve well in later life. In addition, the Government has established the Oak National Academy, setting aside up to £43 million over the next three years to support it to provide high quality resources to schools.

The Department continues to support schools through the Pupil Premium, National Tutoring Programme and Recovery Premium. More than £1 billion is available to support tutoring up to 2023/24, with a further £1 billion of Recovery Premium funding in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years.

The Government remains committed to raising overall attainment, and reducing the number of pupils in underperforming schools, by creating a stronger and fairer school system. The Department will continue to support schools, trusts and authorities to deliver excellent outcomes for every pupil.

20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken to improve learning outcomes for boys.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for all pupils no matter their gender, and raising attainment is a priority. The Government has successfully driven up standards over the past decade. In 2010, only 68% of schools were rated good or outstanding compared to 87% today.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation, Star Assessments and Renaissance Learning shows attainment for all pupils, including boys, has fallen compared to pre-pandemic levels. In response to this, the Department is taking action to support schools, increasing core schools funding in the Autumn Statement 2022. The additional funding will mean that the core schools’ budget is a net £2 billion higher than published at the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 in each of 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The Department continues to deliver the proposals set out in the Schools White Paper, which aim to improve outcomes for all pupils, including boys. This includes providing an excellent teacher for every pupil, securing high standards in curriculum, behaviour and attendance, and providing targeted support for every pupil who needs it.

For teachers, the Department remains committed to delivering £30,000 starting salaries to attract and retain the very best teachers. In addition, the Department will deliver 500,000 teacher training and development opportunities by the end of 2024 and has recently announced a £181 million incentive package for Initial Teacher Training. This package of support will secure more high quality teaching, which is the single most important in school factor on attainment.

The Department continues to promote the use of phonics and supports schools to offer a high quality, knowledge rich curriculum, both of which are critical to ensuring boys are able to achieve well in later life. In addition, the Government has established the Oak National Academy, setting aside up to £43 million over the next three years to support it to provide high quality resources to schools.

The Department continues to support schools through the Pupil Premium, National Tutoring Programme and Recovery Premium. More than £1 billion is available to support tutoring up to 2023/24, with a further £1 billion of Recovery Premium funding in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years.

The Government remains committed to raising overall attainment, and reducing the number of pupils in underperforming schools, by creating a stronger and fairer school system. The Department will continue to support schools, trusts and authorities to deliver excellent outcomes for every pupil.

14th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to ukactive’s press released entitled Up to £57 million investment received for schools to open their sports facilities to support communities to be more active, published on 8 March, what steps (a) her Department is taking to deliver and (b) schools have to take to apply for that funding.

On 8 March 2023, the Department announced that up to £57 million has been allocated up to March 2025 for Phase 3 of the Opening School Facilities programme to allow selected schools around England to open their sports facilities in the evenings, at weekends and during the holidays.

The Department has awarded a contract to a consortium led by Active Partnerships, who are identifying schools across England where the funding will have a positive effect on getting the least active pupils and wider community users to participate in more sport.

Active Partnerships will support schools to create new partnerships with sport national governing bodies and local sport providers to broaden the extracurricular opportunities being delivered in the selected schools’ sports facilities.

The Department can confirm that in year one, Active Nottinghamshire have already identified 19 schools in Nottinghamshire to benefit from the programme.

10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department will take steps to increase the levels of recruitment of male primary school teachers.

The Department wants to attract and retain diverse, talented teachers from all backgrounds, and this includes recruiting male teachers.

The recruitment of primary school teachers remains strong. In 2021/22, 136% of the Postgraduate Initial Teacher Training target was achieved in primary. This target has been exceeded in four of the last five years.

In 2021, the Department’s new application service for initial teacher training (ITT) in England, ‘Apply for teacher training’, was rolled out nationally. It has been designed to be as user-friendly as possible and has been extensively tested with a diverse range of potential applicants to ensure it helps remove barriers to great teachers applying for ITT courses.

The Department’s recruitment campaigns are targeted at audiences of students, recent graduates, and potential career changers, regardless of their identity or background. We take every effort to ensure that our advertising is fully reflective of this across the full range of marketing materials used.

Since September 2020, all courses offered by ITT providers have been aligned to a mandatory core content framework, published in November 2019. The framework sets out a minimum entitlement for all trainee teachers.

In September 2021, the early career framework was implemented, entitling early career teachers to a further 2 years of development support and training.

Moreover, the reforms outlined in the Government’s response to the ITT market review will help us meet the commitment made in the teacher recruitment and retention strategy to create a world-class teacher development system by transforming the training and support teachers receive at every stage of their career.

To ensure that all children and young people get the very best education, it is essential that the Department has a workforce of well-trained and well-supported teachers, with the expertise needed to deliver great teaching every day.

15th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including information on endometriosis in the RSE curriculum.

From September 2020, relationships education became compulsory for all primary school-aged pupils, relationships and sex education compulsory for all secondary school-aged pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools in England.

Statutory guidance on the new curriculum has been published and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education. This guidance states that pupils should be taught key facts about the menstrual cycle, including what is an average period, the range of menstrual products and implications for emotional and physical health.

To support schools further the department developed teacher training modules which are freely available to download from GOV.UK. We worked closely with Endometriosis UK when drawing up the ‘changing adolescent body’ module which references endometriosis.

13th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of men in primary teaching.

The Government aims to attract and retain highly skilled and talented individuals, including men, through effective pay structures, financial incentives, and by ensuring that teaching remains a sustainable and rewarding career.

The teacher pay increases in recent years are making a substantial difference to the competitiveness of the early career pay offer. This academic year, starting salaries have already increased by 5.5%, with the majority of other teachers receiving 2.75%. The Department is also committed to increasing starting salaries nationally to £30,000.

Alongside this, the Department is introducing a new application service for teacher training, which has been designed and extensively tested with a diverse range of potential applicants, to ensure it helps remove barriers to potentially great teachers, including men, applying for initial teacher training (ITT) courses.

The Department’s ‘Every Lesson Shapes A Life’ recruitment campaign is targeted at audiences of students, recent graduates, and potential career changers inclusive of all genders, and we take every effort to ensure that our advertising is fully reflective of this across the full range of marketing materials we use.

As well as recruiting new teachers, it is important the Department retains male teachers in primary schools. To do this, we are working to make sure that all new entrants to teacher training have the best possible start to the early stage of their career.

This is why, from September 2020 onwards, new trainee teachers will be entitled to at least three years of evidence-based professional development and support, starting with ITT, based on the new ITT Core Content Framework (2019). The new ITT Core Content Framework sets out a core minimum entitlement for all trainees describing the fundamental knowledge and skills that all new entrants to the profession need to effectively teach and support all children.

Following on from their training, from this September all new teachers will be entitled to two years of funded high-quality professional development including the support of a dedicated mentor, through the Early Career Framework reforms. Schools will receive additional funding so new teachers can spend time away from the classroom for this extra training and mentoring. Together, these reforms will ensure that all new teachers will develop the skills, expertise and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date all university students will be able to return to campus and resume in-person teaching during the covid-19 outbreak.

Following the review into when the remaining higher education students can return to in-person teaching and learning, the government has announced that the remaining students should return to in-person teaching no earlier than 17 May 2021, alongside Step 3 of the roadmap. Students and institutions will be given at least a week’s notice of any further return in accordance with the timing of Step 3 of the roadmap.

The government roadmap is designed to maintain a cautious approach to the easing of restrictions to reduce public health risks and ensure that we can maintain progress towards full reopening. However, the government recognises the difficulties and disruption that this may cause for many students and their families and that is why the government is making a further £15 million of additional student hardship funding available for this academic year 2020/21. In total we have made an additional £85 million of funding available for student hardship.

We are supporting universities to provide regular twice weekly asymptomatic testing for all students and staff on-site and, from May, at home. This will help break chains of transmission of the virus.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on school engagement with (a) race equality and (b) other charities.

External agencies, including charities, can provide speakers, tools, and resources to enhance and supplement a school’s curriculum and wider activities. It is important when using external agencies that schools take particular care that the agency and any materials used are appropriate and in line with their legal duties.

Schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure the balanced treatment of political issues. Schools should also ensure that speakers, tools and resources do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

10th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding allocated to the pupil premium to cover a potential increase in the number of pupils becoming eligible for free school meals in 2021.

On 17 December, the Government announced that the pupil premium will continue in 2021-22 with the same per pupil funding rates as in 2020-21. The rates are £1,345 per eligible primary pupil, and £955 in secondary.

We will use the October 2020 census to calculate individual school-level allocations. This will ensure that children who have become eligible for free school meals as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will attract pupil premium funding from April 2021. As a result, pupil premium funding is expected to increase to over £2.5 billion in 2021-22.

We are committed to levelling up opportunities to make sure everyone has a fair chance to realise their potential and no-one is left behind. The pupil premium furthers this objective by helping schools improve the academic attainment and wider outcomes of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

8th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many laptops have been (a) requested and (b) sent to Nottinghamshire schools to enable the completion of work during the covid-19 outbreak; and whether those laptops are sent directly to schools or to the local authority first.

The Government has committed over £100 million to support children in England to access remote education and online social care services, including by providing vulnerable and disadvantaged children with laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers. We are providing laptops and tablets to vulnerable and disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in year 10, receiving support from a social worker or are a care leaver. Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and children in year 10 do not have internet connections, we are providing 4G wireless routers for internet access.

The Department has allocated devices to local authorities and academy trusts based on its estimates of the number of eligible children that do not have access to a device. Local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to prioritise children and young people who need devices.

As of 30 June, over 200,000 laptops and tablets and over 47,000 4G wireless routers had been delivered or dispatched to local authorities and academy trusts. This information can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/laptops-tablets-and-4g-wireless-routers-progress-data. This includes 1,860 devices delivered to Nottinghamshire County Council, which is broken down as: 1,824 devices for children with social workers and care leavers, and 36 devices for disadvantaged year 10 pupils in local authority maintained schools. Academy trusts who have schools in Nottinghamshire have also received devices directly.

24th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to issue guidance on the provision of sport and exercise in the covid-19 catch-up plan.

The Department is working to ensure that schools are fully supported as they welcome more children back to school and schools are able to give pupils opportunities to take part in physical education and be physically active during the school day. Schools are free to organise and deliver a PE curriculum that suits the needs of all their pupils whilst following COVID-19 government guidelines. The Department has now published guidance on plans for all children and young people to return to full-time education from September, which covers the provision of PE and school sport: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

The Department has made £650 million available to state-funded schools to support pupils to catch-up following extended school closure. The Education Endowment Foundation has published guidance to encourage schools to use this funding on evidence-led interventions, one of which might be summer catch-up activity. It is a matter for schools to decide how to spend the funding, based on their individual circumstances and brokering local partnerships with Voluntary and Community Sector organisation and other organisations to help them deliver. Precise details of how the catch up premium will be delivered will be confirmed shortly and we will confirm the timetable for publishing institution-level allocations in due course.

21st Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the School sport and activity action plan, when the pilot areas for schools to work with sport providers and local organisations to put in place a coordinated offer of sport, competition and activity in and outside school will be selected.

In the school sport and activity action plan, published in July 2019, the Government announced its intention to set up regional pilots to trial new and innovative approaches to drive up activity levels, and particularly focus on engaging the least active pupils.

The Department is working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Sport England to design the pilots, drawing on information from schools and sport and physical activity providers. The Department will confirm the nature and process for the pilots later in the year, taking into account how they can fit with other initiatives that aim to increase access to activities for pupils.

21st Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support working class boys to close the attainment gap.

Educational achievement is at the heart of this Government’s commitment to ensure no young person is left behind because of the place or circumstances of their birth. Due to our reforms, 86% of pupils attend a Good or Outstanding school compared with 66% in 2010.

‘Working class’ is not a description recognised or measured by the Department. We measure the outcomes of those pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the benefit-related definition for ‘disadvantaged’. We recognise that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds – including those currently or formerly claiming free school meals and currently or formerly looked after - may face extra challenges in achieving their potential at school. We introduced the pupil premium in 2011 and have invested over £15 billion – and another £2.4 billion this year – so that schools have the resources to provide extra support for disadvantaged pupils of all abilities. White disadvantaged boys and girls constitute the largest group of eligible pupils and so benefit significantly from this extra support.

Against a background of rising standards, disadvantaged pupils are catching up with their peers. The attainment gap index shows that since 2011, the gap at the end of primary school has narrowed by 13% and the gap at the end of secondary school has narrowed by 9%. This indicates better prospects for a secure adult life for disadvantaged pupils. Our reforms, and the focus provided by the pupil premium, have supported this improvement.

The Department recognises there is more to do for disadvantaged pupils. Our ambition is to halve the number of children who finish Reception without the communication and reading skills they need to thrive. Our £72 million Opportunity Areas programme will focus resource on areas with low social mobility. We have also dedicated £24 million to Opportunity North East to address the specific challenges in that region.

The Department’s establishment of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) with a £137 million grant has ensured that schools have access to high quality, evidence-based, effective practice drawn from hundreds of trials across England. We recommend that schools consult the EEF’s resources, particularly its recent ‘Pupil Premium Guide’, when they are considering how best to support their pupils and close the attainment gap.

26th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government’s response to the National Food Strategy will consider the significant pressures that the food and logistics sectors are under and deliver strategies to tackle those pressures.

The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. There are well-established ways of industry and government working together to respond to risks that arise, including the recent challenges to our supply chains brought on by global pressures. The forthcoming UK Food Resilience Report will set out the detailed evidence around the resilience of our food supply chains.

The Government Food Strategy will build on the UK Food Resilience Report, and identify new opportunities to drive long-term change to make the food system healthier, more sustainable, more resilient, and more accessible for those across the UK. This will include consideration of the immediate pressures facing the sector.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
25th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government plans to publish its response to the National Food Strategy.

The forthcoming Government Food Strategy is a once in a generation opportunity to create a food system that feeds our nation today and protects it for tomorrow. It will build on existing work across Government and identify new opportunities to make the food system healthier, more sustainable, more resilient, and more accessible for those across the UK. We will also look to drive growth and innovation across the agri-food chain and set a direction for key players within the food system.

The Government will consider the evidence of Henry Dimbleby’s independent review throughout the development of the Food Strategy.

The Food Strategy will be published in early 2022.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
27th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that people in coalfield communities are not disproportionately economically affected by the proposed ban on coal.

As stated when we consulted on our proposals, we want to ensure that our measures achieve environmental and health benefits but do not have an adverse impact on vulnerable groups. Our response to the consultation on the cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood, published on 21 February, reflects this approach.

We know that the burning of coal for domestic purposes is harmful to human health and the environment. That is why we will be working to help households that currently burn the most polluting solid fuels to shift to the most suitable, cleaner alternative for them. We will use the phased transition period to work alongside coal merchants to advise and educate their direct delivery customers on the benefits of alternative fuels. Analysis has been carried out that shows cleaner alternative fuels, such as Manufactured Solid Fuels (MSFs), are more energy efficient than coal, making them cheaper to burn. MSFs are available to be purchased in all areas of England.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has plans to remove the 25 per cent import tariff on US whiskey.

According to HMRC data, UK imports of targeted US whiskies have fallen from £121m in 2017 to £82m in 2019 and, in the context of continued tariffs and the pandemic, to £64m in 2020 and £63m in 2021


Our rebalancing measures are necessary only as long as the US’ additional tariffs on UK steel, aluminium and derivatives products remain in place


It is a key priority of the government to reach an agreement to remove these tariffs. We are in negotiations with the US and look forward to coming to an expeditious resolution to this issue.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons