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These initiatives were driven by Calum Kerr, 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.
Calum Kerr has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Calum Kerr has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Calum Kerr has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Children of Armed Services Personnel (Schools Admission) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Anne-Marie Trevelyan (CON)
The terms of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) review are set out in section 15 of the GCA Act 2013. This states that the review must:
(a) consider how much the Adjudicator's powers have been exercised; and
(b) assess how effective the Adjudicator has been in enforcing the Groceries Code
Under the Act the GCA’s role is to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice which regulates the relationship between the ten largest supermarkets and their direct suppliers. There are no powers in the Act 2013 that would allow Ministers to extend the GCA’s jurisdiction. Changes to the GCA’s remit would require either a decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to conduct a further investigation into the sector or primary legislation to amend the 2013 Act.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has not made such an assessment. The UK remains a member of the EU and will continue to play an active role in the development of the Digital Single Market until the formal and legal process of leaving the European Union has been finalised.
The Government will continue taking forward the important legislation that was set before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech, including the Higher Education and Research Bill. This includes the formation of the new body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Now, more than ever, we need a strong and unified voice to represent the interests of UK research and innovation across Europe and around the world which UKRI will provide.
The Government will continue taking forward the important legislation that was set before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech, including the Higher Education and Research Bill. This includes the formation of the new body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Now, more than ever, we need a strong and unified voice to represent the interests of UK research and innovation across Europe and around the world which UKRI will provide.
The UK’s decision to leave the EU has no immediate effect on the right of researchers to apply or to participate in Horizon 2020 as the UK is still an EU member state. UK participants can continue to apply to the programme in the usual way. The Commission has made a public statement on its website to this effect. The future of UK access to European research and innovation funding will be determined as part of wider discussions with the EU.
The UK has a long established system that supports, and therefore attracts, the brightest minds, at all stages of their careers. We fund excellent research wherever it is found, and ensure there is the freedom to tackle important scientific questions. The Government is committed to maintaining and enhancing the strength of our research base, which is why at the Spending Review we committed to protect the science budget in real terms from its 2015/16 level of £4.7 billion per annum.
The Government has said that there will be no immediate changes in circumstances for EU citizens working or studying in the UK - this includes scientists and engineers.
Rateable values are set independently by the Valuation Office Agency. All telecom networks are assessed for business rates in the normal way to the common standard of rateable value.
The department is in consultation with all stakeholders its to understand how leaving the EU will impact them, including the UK telecoms industry. We want our new partnership with the EU to minimise the regulatory and market access barriers for both goods and services.
The Government is currently assessing the EU Electronic Communications Code. No such proposal for divergence has been made.
My Department has regular discussions with other Government Departments on a range of issues impacting on the regulation of the telecoms sector and regularly receives proposals which contribute to policy development, which are considered on their merits as part of this process.
My Department has regular discussions with other Government Departments on a range of issues impacting on the regulation of the telecoms sector and regularly receives proposals which contribute to policy development, which are considered on their merits as part of this process.
My Department published the Call for Evidence on local fibre proposals announced at Autumn Statement on 28th December.
So far BDUK led projects have passed 4,168,739 premises to the end of Sept 2016. To reach this figure we have paid £924,334,422 in cash terms comprising £497,656,699 BDUK contribution and £426,677,723 local body/devolved contribution.
The independent telecoms regulator Ofcom has been commissioned to provide detailed analysis on the key factors that will help inform the design of the broadband Univer sal Service Obligation (USO) and to publish their findings by the end of this year. Their report will identify the number of premises likely to be within the USO footprint on a UK-wide basis. They are also expected to provide a breakdown for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The government is aiming for superfast broadband coverage to reach 95% of UK premises by the end of 2017. This will include delivery from the government's Superfast Broadband Programme and further commercially funded delivery. The precise locations of this delivery are not known.
We hope to publish a consultation paper on commercial radio deregulation in due course.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with all of our sectors to make sure they have a voice as we prepare for negotiations to exit the European Union. We will continue to have regular engagement with organisations from across the digital sector to make sure their views and concerns are represented fully in our preparations for exit negotiations.
We are sponsoring the Future Communications Challenge Group (FCCG) of senior academics, industry experts and funders, chaired by the President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, which is considering how we should drive forward our commitment to ensure that UK has a leading role in 5G development.
In parallel the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is conducting a study, launched in Budget 2016, into how UK can achieve early deployment of 5G networks.
Both of these will report by the end of the year and the results will feed into a comprehensive 5G strategy for the UK, to be published in 2017.
We are sponsoring the Future Communications Challenge Group (FCCG) of senior academics, industry experts and funders, chaired by the President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, which is considering how we should drive forward our commitment to ensure that UK has a leading role in 5G development.
In parallel the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is conducting a study, launched in Budget 2016, into how UK can achieve early deployment of 5G networks.
Both of these will report by the end of the year and the results will feed into a comprehensive 5G strategy for the UK, to be published in 2017.
A 2013 report from Deloitte for the British Horseracing Authority estimated that British racing has a Great Britain wide economic impact of £3.45 billion. Lastyear a public consultation on the potential structure and operation of the Horserace Betting Right was held, inviting views from across Great Britain. To inform our work to replace the current levy system and require offshore operators to make a fair financial contribution to racing alongside those based in Great Britain, I have commissioned an independent economic analysis of the costs and funding of racing. This will draw on information provided by betting and racing.
A 2013 report from Deloitte for the British Horseracing Authority estimated that British racing has a Great Britain wide economic impact of £3.45 billion. Lastyear a public consultation on the potential structure and operation of the Horserace Betting Right was held, inviting views from across Great Britain. To inform our work to replace the current levy system and require offshore operators to make a fair financial contribution to racing alongside those based in Great Britain, I have commissioned an independent economic analysis of the costs and funding of racing. This will draw on information provided by betting and racing.
The UK will automatically assume control of its Exclusive Economic Zone and become an independent Coastal State on the day that it leaves the European Union.
Defra is working closely with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy at ministerial and official level, to ensure the industrial strategy supports the agri-food sector.
The agri-food sector contributes £110 billion per year to our economy and is a big employer in every region of the UK, so is well placed to support growth across the whole country. We will be working with the agri-food sector to develop an industrial strategy that delivers a world-leading food, farming and fishing nation that grows more, sells more and exports more food around the world.
We are looking very carefully at the London Fisheries Convention. As the Prime Minister told the House on 29 March, we hope to be able to say something about this soon.
Ministers and officials have had meetings with a number of organisations to discuss a range of issues associated with EU exit including the 1964 London Fisheries Convention. As the Prime Minister told Parliament on 29 March, we hope to be able to say something about this soon.
In accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, following EU exit, the UK will be responsible for managing living resources, including fisheries, within its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
Marine Scotland is already responsible for controlling the activities of all fishing vessels operating within the Scottish zone, as defined by the Fishery Limits Act 1976 and the Scotland Act 1998.
We will continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations as well as stakeholders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – seeking to benefit from shared learning in order to achieve our vision of building a world leading food and farming nation.
The views of the devolved nations will play an important part in helping shape our preparations for exit and achieving arrangements that work for all parts of the UK.
The Joint Ministerial Committee (EU negotiations) was set up to bring together constituent parts of the United Kingdom to develop a UK-wide approach to our negotiations and to discuss issues stemming from the negotiation process that may impact upon or have consequences for the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government or the Northern Ireland Executive. In addition, Defra has set up a twin track approach of regular meetings at ministerial and senior official level with Devolved Administration (DA) counterparts, supplemented with bilateral meetings on specific issues as they arise. The next DA Ministerial and senior officials meetings are currently being arranged and will take place in April.
We will seek to agree a UK approach to the negotiations and ensure we get the best possible deal for the whole of the UK. We have committed to carefully considering any proposals the devolved administrations put forward. The Secretary of State visited Edinburgh in February to meet with Ministers from all the Devolved Administrations to give them every opportunity to have their say as we form our negotiating strategy.
Defra is amongst those Government departments whose work is most closely linked to and impacted by EU activity, legal frameworks and funding. In terms of work arising from the UK’s vote to leave the EU, some 80% of Defra’s work is framed by EU legislation and a quarter of EU laws apply to Defra’s sectors. Many roles across the Defra group are now supporting EU exit-related work, either directly or indirectly.
As with all departments, Defra’s work programmes and recruitment plans are continually kept under review to ensure we are appropriately staffed to deal with the task at hand. The resourcing of EU Exit work is a key priority of the Department and will be subject to on-going assessment. Staffing resources will be deployed flexibly across the entire Defra agenda, including work on our farming and fisheries policy.
All Government Departments are currently reviewing the EU laws that apply in their policy areas and how our withdrawal from the EU will affect the operation of those laws. The Government will set out the content of the Great Repeal Bill and its implications in due course.
We are currently analysing all EU fisheries legislation. No decision has yet been made on the extent to which the EU legislation governing the Common Fisheries Policy will be incorporated into domestic law.
We are currently running a consultation on our proposals to ban microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. The consultation ends on 28th Feb 2017. The consultation also seeks to gather evidence on the extent of the environmental impacts of microbeads found in other products. This evidence will be used to inform future UK actions to protect the marine environment.
Defra is aware of the proposed US ban on microbeads and has considered those proposals in developing the UK approach. In addition our proposals have been informed by information from the cosmetics industry, environmental groups, researchers in marine microplastic pollution and counterparts in neighbouring countries. We are currently running a consultation on our proposals. The consultation ends on 28th February 2017.
We will begin the process by consulting on our emerging vision and the strategic priorities for the future of the industries, through the form of a food, farming and fishing green paper which will be published in due course.
We will seek to agree a UK approach to the negotiations and ensure we get the best possible deal for the whole of the UK. We have committed to carefully considering any proposals the devolved administrations put forward. Defra Ministers have visited each of the devolved administrations to meet with Ministers and stakeholders.
The current workstreams within Defra’s EU Exit Programme are: EU Negotiations; Trade; Devolution; Repeal Bill, Future Agriculture and Land Use, Fisheries; Environment, and Animal and Plant Health. As the EU Exit Programme progresses, the workstreams may change as they are dynamic and under regular review. The workstreams in our EU Exit Programme are carrying out detailed analysis of the implications and opportunities presented by EU Exit.
Across the eight work streams, the Department’s EU Exit Programme is carrying out detailed analysis of the implications and opportunities presented by EU Exit. This work will support the Prime Minister’s 12 negotiating objectives and the achievement of our vision to unlock the potential of farming and fisheries as well as ensuring that we leave the environment in a better state than we found it.
It is our intention to shortly publish our 25 Year Food, Farming and Fishing, and Environment Green Papers, initiating a debate with all of Defra’s sectors and stakeholders, along with the wider public, to shape plans that will deliver genuine and lasting change for food, farming, fishing and the environment once we are outside the EU.
Retaining market access between the UK and the EU will be a significant benefit to the food and farming sectors in both the UK and Europe. In 2015, the UK exported £11 billion of agri-food and drink products to the EU, and imported £28 billion. We aim to secure a mutually beneficial deal that delivers market access for the benefit of food and drink producers both in the UK and the EU.
We will consider all forms of support for those affected by the recent floods.
However, the EU Solidarity Fund would not compensate for private losses. It would take several months to receive the majority of the funds, and only provides for a fraction of the total costs of assessed damage. The Government’s priority has been to act quickly and deal with the urgent needs of those affected.
This is why the Government is providing nearly £200 million of additional aid to support those affected by the floods in England.
Seafish does not use levies raised on fish caught by the UK catching sector to promote the fishing industries of other countries. Levy is raised at the first point of sale in the UK, including on imported fish, and is used to support the UK seafood industry.
Seafish does not spend its levy, directly or through other bodies, on promoting the fishing industries of other North Sea or Norwegian Sea countries. At the request of the four Fisheries Ministers, Seafish introduced a transparent process in 2012 to agree priorities for spending. Seafish consults UK Industry Panels to ensure that all parts of the UK seafood sector benefit proportionately from the levy raised. These activities are set out in the Seafish Corporate Plan, which can be found on the Seafish website.
CAP payments are the responsibility of each Devolved Administration. In England there were 87,102 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Applications submitted by the 15 June 2015 deadline. In addition there were 1,103 Applications submitted between the 15 June and 10 July (penalty period), and 158 submitted after the 10 July deadline.
I met representatives from the main high street banks in June this year to discuss the support they are providing to farmers. Officials from Defra have also had regular contact with representatives from the banks.
I intend to meet the banking sector again later this year to discuss, in particular, the support they are providing to those dairy farmers who are experiencing financial difficulties.
The total programme costs (audited outturn) for 2013-14 and 2014-15 is £98.4 million.
Simplification of the farm controls regime under the Basic Payment Scheme is a top priority for the Department. The Secretary of State and I have had regular discussions and exchanges with Commissioner Hogan on how this could be applied practically. The Secretary of State raised this with the Commission most recently on 7 September 2015 at the Extraordinary Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Officials also continue to press the Commission at working-group level.
The table below details the disallowance incurred by Defra on a financial year basis and reflects the dates at which disallowance was accrued by the Department following the conclusion of EU audits. The disallowed figures relate to a number of different Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Schemes over a number of historical scheme years. Audits and Scheme years do not necessarily coincide.
Disallowance (*) £m | ||||
10/11 | 11/12 | 12/13 | 13/14 | 14/15 |
181 | 42 | 2 | 30 | 81 |
(*) Reflects the sums the European Commission (EC) have ruled cannot be reimbursed (i.e. the amounts they have “disallowed”) and which are therefore a cost to the Exchequer.
The Government challenges proposed disallowance through mediation in the EU and since 2010 reduced the amount of disallowance levied by €285m.
CAP payments are the responsibility of each Devolved Administration. In England 92,186 businesses and agents have registered to use the Rural Payment System and 88,363 businesses have submitted a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Application for 2015.
The Rural Payments Agency will be making full payments to eligible farmers as early as possible in the payment window, which runs from 1st December 2015 to 28th June 2016. We expect to make the majority of payments in December and the vast majority by the end of January.
The dairy industry code of best practice on contractual arrangements was created in Great Britain in 2012. About 85% of British milk is bound by the principles of the code. The code's introduction has led to some important improvements for milk producers. The last annual review of the code’s operation conducted by Alex Fergusson, MSP was broadly positive about its impact and recommended that it should retain its voluntary nature.
Following the Environment Secretary’s meeting with the farming unions last month to discuss the current dairy troubles, an industry working group was asked to look urgently at best practice models on labelling, merchandising and sourcing for dairy. This group, independently facilitated by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will submit proposals in the coming weeks based on industry views on changes that could be made at retail and in the supply chain.
Defra works closely with representatives from across the food sector industries and Devolved Administrations on supply chain resilience issues. We have been in regular contact with regard to the ongoing situation in Calais to ensure that concerns are reflected in response planning.
Defra works closely with representatives from across the food sector industries and Devolved Administrations on supply chain resilience issues. We have been in regular contact with regard to the ongoing situation in Calais to ensure that concerns are reflected in response planning.
The Government has committed to undertaking a review in 2016/17 of intra-UK CAP budget allocations. This review will include a comparison of land types across the UK.
The Government has committed to undertaking a review in 2016/17 of intra-UK CAP budget allocations. This review will include a comparison of land types across the UK.
While the UK remains a member of the EU it will continue to play an active role in the development of the Digital Single Market.
The UK has played a leading role in the development of Education Cannot Wait – a fund for Education in Emergencies, which will be launched at the World Humanitarian Summit on 23rd May at a special event co-hosted by the UK. Education in emergencies and crises is a priority for the UK and the International Development Secretary will be speaking at the World Humanitarian Summit on the UK’s role on this critical issue.
The UK has played a leading role in the development of Education Cannot Wait – a fund for education in emergencies. A key focus for Education Cannot Wait will be on ensuring that marginalised children and young people are able to access a quality education. This includes refugees and internally displaced children, as well as children facing barriers to their education because of their gender, disability or other factors. This focus is reflected in the Fund’s indicative headline results, which commits to providing “Inclusive education [that] reaches the most marginalised children and young people in crises” with a target of “100% of supported education opportunities demonstrate an increase in education for girls, disabled and those in remote locations”. The UK will continue to engage closely during Education Cannot Wait’s inception phase, to ensure that this commitment is fully reflected in its final design and results frameworks.
The Borders Railway is a matter for the Scottish Government in line with the Scottish Parliament’s legislative competence for the promotion and construction of railways that start, end and remain in Scotland. We look to the relevant local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the Transport for the North partnership, in developing a comprehensive transport strategy for the North of England, to decide whether to engage with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders on the commissioning of such assessments. The UK Government has established a £12bn Local Growth Fund (LGF) to support LEPs in delivering their priorities for supporting local economic growth.
Decisions on access to the railway are a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). When considering applications for new or additional access to the network by a railway operator the ORR will consult interested parties, including other users of the network and funders, such as the Secretary of State, and take into account their views. In reaching a decision ORR must exercise its functions in a way that it considers best achieves its statutory duties.
Departments are currently working to understand the impacts that withdrawal from the European Union will have across a number of areas, including understanding any cost implications for the regulatory framework. Options for the future post-exit regulatory framework are being developed that will not compromise the consumer protection or increase burdens on businesses.
The Government has not yet had any discussions with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on its future remit in the United Kingdom. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standard Agency and other Government Departments/bodies currently work with the EFSA on a range of issues including public health, food safety, plant and animal health and welfare. Government departments are working together to ensure that we will continue to have a collaborative relationship with the EFSA post-exit and that UK risk management decisions will continue to be based on robust scientific evidence.
Departments are currently working together to understand the impact that withdrawal from the European Union will have across a number of sectors and cross-cutting areas, including the European Food Safety Authority. Options for the future of risk assessment in the United Kingdom are being developed but it is not possible at this time to give an indication of when these options can be shared.
The Government shares the concern of the international community regarding the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in Venezuela. We have urged all sides to work constructively together in the best interests of the country and the people of Venezuela. We support the planned dialogue between the Venezuelan Government and Opposition, facilitated by the Union of South American Nations regional body. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Department for International Development and the EU to discuss what future assistance might be offered, if requested by the Venezuelan Government.
The Government shares the concern of the international community regarding the deteriorating political situation in Venezuela. The then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), conveyed his concerns at the detention of prominent political opposition figures, and human rights more generally, directly to the Venezuelan Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister at bilateral meetings held in London during 2015. He has also discussed Venezuela extensively with counterparts from across the region.
Since 2012, we have funded 22 human rights and democracy projects in Venezuela, with both Government and Non-Government Organisations. These projects have varied from protecting the rights of indigenous people to supporting political dialogue and reconciliation and the promotion of electoral reform.
Venezuela was designated a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Priority Country for 2016/2017 in April. This status will allow us to further expand our work on human rights and democracy in the country, including project work with local communities.
The Government shares the concern of the international community regarding the deteriorating political, economic and social situation in Venezuela.
We have urged all sides to work constructively in the best interests of the country and the people of Venezuela. We support the planned dialogue between the Venezuelan Government and Opposition, facilitated by the Union of South American Nations regional body.
We are aware of the acute shortages of basic foods and medicines. On 10 July, parts of Venezuela’s border with Colombia were opened temporarily for the first time since August 2015. This allowed thousands of Venezuelans to cross into Colombia to purchase basic food and medicines. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Department for International Development and the EU to discuss what future assistance might be offered, if asked by the Venezuelan Government
To tackle the problems associated with families overestimating falls in income, since 2007, when claimants report a fall in income during the year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) adjusts their tax credit payments for the rest of the year to reflect their new income level, but will not include a one-off payment for the earlier part of the year. At the end of the year, their award is finalised when their actual income is known. If they have been underpaid, a further payment will then be made. However, provisions are in place to make arrears payments to claimants suffering financial hardship.
The purpose of withholding the payment is to reduce the number and size of any overpayments and prevent customers incurring debt.
HMRC has provisions in place to support those customers who are suffering financial hardship and in those circumstances any withheld payments can be released and paid to the customer without having to wait for the claim to be finalised. There are no plans to alter the current practice.
The UK Government does not usually respond to reports from the Committees of other Parliaments and does not intend to respond to this report. The UK government and regulators are committed to ensuring that UK financial institutions are fully compliant with global standards and rules. In our dialogue with the US in 2012, the previous Chancellor requested early warning before any enforcement action is taken against UK banks to manage the financial stability risks. No company is immune from prosecution and the UK government supports the consistent and proportionate enforcement of global rules.
The interest rates banks charge on their products is a commercial decision for them. The Government is aware that RBS and NatWest have written to businesses stating that a negative base rate may lead them to introduce negative interest rates, but they have not actually done so as yet. The base rate is set by the Bank of England’s independent Monetary Policy Committee, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer welcomed the decision of the Committee to use monetary policy to support the economy through this period of adjustment. As recent figures on jobs and growth have shown, we enter this period of adjustment from a position of economic strength.
In delivering the Emergency Services Network (ESN), the mobile network operator EE will deliver up to 291 new mast sites. Government will deliver approximately 230 further sites (known as the “Extended Area Services” (EAS) sites) in the most remote and rural areas of Great Britain.
Under the terms of the State Aid decision for ESN, any ESN site where EE offers a commercial service must be made available to the other UK mobile operators and interested parties to provide their own a service on an equal and non-discriminatory basis.
There are 18 potential EAS sites being considered in the constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. There are currently up to 5 proposed new EE sites in the constituency. Delivery of these sites is subject to planning permission and the acquisition of land.
In delivering the Emergency Services Network (ESN), the mobile network operator EE will deliver up to 291 new mast sites. Government will deliver approximately 230 further sites (known as the “Extended Area Services” (EAS) sites) in the most remote and rural areas of Great Britain. Under the terms of the State Aid decision for ESN, any ESN site where EE offers a commercial service must be made available to the other UK mobile operators and interested parties to provide their own a service on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. The purpose of EAS is to deliver a ‘blue-light’ communications service. The service it will provide is based on road coverage and it has been this requirement which has driven the selection of sites across the country. Site selection criteria for commercial services is done on a different basis; and consequently, there is a variation in the basic requirement of EAS and those of commercial operators.
The Home Office led Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP), does recognise the need to exploit the sites being built in the EAS for wider commercial use. ESMCP has been in discussion with the governments of Wales and Scotland, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and has agreed to build these sites, wherever possible, to a design specification that can be readily enhanced to allow site-sharing with commercial operators.
For the Westminster Constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, there are currently up to 5 proposed new EE sites in the constituency and the EAS project intend to build twelve new EAS radio sites. In addition, three existing Airwave masts are under consideration, subject to a feasibility investigation. Delivery of these sites is subject to planning permission and the acquisition of land.
In delivering the Emergency Services Network (ESN), the mobile network operator EE will deliver up to 291 new mast sites. Government will deliver approximately 230 further sites (known as the “Extended Area Services” (EAS) sites) in the most remote and rural areas of Great Britain.
Under the terms of the State Aid decision for ESN, any ESN site where EE offers a commercial service must be made available to the other UK mobile operators and interested parties to provide their own a service on an equal and non-discriminatory basis.
There are 18 potential EAS sites being considered in the constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. There are currently up to 5 proposed new EE sites in the constituency. Delivery of these sites is subject to planning permission and the acquisition of land.
The Emergency Services Network (ESN) is being put in place to provide a new generation of communications for the emergency services and its focus must be to provide the critical national infrastructure to do so. Aligned with the Mobile Network Operators, Government has ambitions to improve mobile coverage in the UK. Clearly, where practicable, it makes sense to ensure that ESN helps to meet both objectives. Government is in communication with the operators to confirm how we will do that in practice.
As the Prime Minister said to Parliament in December, we are looking again at the issue of bringing Syrian children to the UK. In any consideration we must ensure that our proposals are in the best interests of those children affected and do not inadvertently put children at additional risk.
Our Syrian resettlement programme has already resettled vulnerable children as part of family groups, with over 1000 refugees resettled by Christmas.
Scottish Government statistics have revealed that trade with the rest of the UK is worth over four times more to Scotland than its trade with the rest of the EU. The UK Government has sought to inform people about the important trading relationship that Scotland and the rest of the UK enjoy, and the relative scale of Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK as compared to its trade with the rest of the EU. The term ‘exports’ to describe this intra-UK trade is used in the Scottish Government’s own publication, “Export Statistics Scotland 2015”, which is based on the results of the Global Connections Survey.
Recent data released by the Scottish Government shows that Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK is worth 4 times that of trade with the rest of the EU.
This is a fact-based, information-led campaign, to inform people about the important trading relationship that Scotland and the rest of the UK enjoy, and the relative scale of Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK as compared to its trade with the rest of the EU.
Digital activity, including social media campaigns, are funded through the Scotland Office programme budget. This is published in the annual report and accounts, a link to which can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-and-accounts-2015-16--2
As we prepare to leave the European Union, we want to send a message to the world that the UK and Scotland remain open for business, and free to shape our own ambitious trade and investment opportunities across the globe.
Earlier this month, I took that message to Burma and Singapore, promoting Scotland’s business interests and exports, including with the energy, financial services and whisky sectors. The Scotland Office will continue to work with the Department of International Trade and other UK Government departments to promote the UK and Scotland to the world.