Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations her Department has received on the potential exemption of maritime key workers from covid-19 quarantine restrictions, in line with previous exemptions granted.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Maritime workers regularly enter the country in the course of their work which is critical to the continued supply of goods into the UK. Restrictions on the movement of seafarers are likely to undermine effective UK freight supply, the attractiveness to trade, and with it both post-EU UK economic objectives and pandemic response.
Seamen and masters (as defined in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995) and inspectors and surveyors of ships (as defined in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995) in the United Kingdom (including the Devolved Administrations) have exemptions from 10 day self isolation when entering the UK.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of length of notice given ahead of the covid-19 lockdown announced on 4 January 2021 for wholesale distributors to make effective business plans.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Throughout this crisis, the government has sought to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods while also supporting businesses and public services across the UK. We are aware of the challenges faced by the wholesale sector, and the foodservice wholesale sector in particular. Officials have been working closely with the wholesale sector to understand the scale of the challenge. The Government has made a range of support available to wholesalers, and continues to consider the needs of the sector.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many outdoor advertising assets are held by the public sector in the UK; and what the value is of those assets.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
National and local channels, including TV, radio, digital and social media, and out of home advertising, are essential for the Government’s communication with the public. We book large-scale outdoor advertising assets on a temporary basis from media owners, in line with campaign objectives and to maximise reach. These costs are regularly published as part of routine government transparency.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to re-establish the Economic Affairs (Airports) sub-Committee.
Answered by Ben Gummer
A full updated list of the Cabinet Committees will be published in the coming weeks. In line with the previous arrangements, there will be a Cabinet sub-Committee to consider airport capacity in the South East of England.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to support charities during this Parliament.
Answered by Rob Wilson
In the last five years the number of registered charities has increased by over 2,000, and the sector’s annual income has grown by over £10bn.
Looking ahead, the Government’s priority is supporting a strong, independent, transparent and accountable voluntary sector. Plans will include a focus on outcomes based commissioning, restoring public trust in fundraising and strengthening the Charity Commission to protect charities from abuse through the Charities Bill.