Cheryl Gillan

The Department for Transport (DfT) leads on HS2 policy and delivery. Within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), various officials at different grades have an interest in HS2 from the point of view of the Growth opportunities that arise from the investment.

BIS interests include the potential for rail engineering supply chain development, innovation and technology transfer and growth opportunities arising from the investment along the HS2 route. This will also be a shop window for new technologies that can then drive export growth. HS2 and the National High Speed Rail College will also drive the uptake of apprenticeships and raise engineering skills levels, so Officials in those areas have an interest in HS2. All of these matters also feature in the work of the Rail Supply Group, the rail engineering industry council, which is jointly supported by DfT and BIS officials.

The commercials are being shown on a wide variety of channels to reach the broadest spread of British businesses, including ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and satellite channels. Individual advertising spots are confirmed with broadcasters a few days prior to broadcast. The average cost of producing a commercial is £48,000 and to date 18 have been produced.

Ofgem, who administer the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, do not specifically use the E-class fuel classification to determine fuel or installation eligibility under the RHI. Requirements regarding fuels are described in Ofgem’s RHI Guidance Volumes One and Two.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/guidance-volume-one-two-and-fuel-measurement-and-sampling-guidance.

Ofgem, who administer the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, do not specifically use the E-class fuel classification to determine fuel or installation eligibility under the RHI. Requirements regarding fuels are described in Ofgem’s RHI Guidance Volumes One and Two.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/guidance-volume-one-two-and-fuel-measurement-and-sampling-guidance.

Ofgem, who administer the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, do not specifically use the E-class fuel classification to determine fuel or installation eligibility under the RHI. Requirements regarding fuels are described in Ofgem’s RHI Guidance Volumes One and Two.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/guidance-volume-one-two-and-fuel-measurement-and-sampling-guidance.

There is no duty on the defence to disclose any material or information that may undermine their case in the criminal justice system, including in relation to any application they may make. This is consistent with the fundamental principle that it is for the prosecution to prove its case and not for a defendant to prove their innocence.

All solicitors and barristers are however bound by professional codes of conduct, which include the duty to act with integrity at all times and to uphold the proper administration of justice. The Criminal Procedure Rules and judicial case management are also in place to ensure that any application for a stay of proceedings is fair, both to the prosecution and the defence.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

The Point of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers, who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. It was set up in partnership with US Points of Light with the personal support of original founder, President George HW Bush and current US President Barack Obama. Since the UK launch in April 2014, the Prime Minister has recognised over 570 people from all over the United Kingdom for their remarkable service. Award winners receive a personal letter from the Prime Minister, a certificate, a tweet from the official PM account and where possible some local media coverage including the local MP, regardless of political party.

Points of Light are also connected with each other to share best practice and increasingly work together to have even greater impact in our communities. The costs of the award are minimal but not held centrally.

The Government Major Projects Portfolio Data, September 2014, was published alongside the latest Major Projects Authority Annual Report and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/major-projects-authority-annual-report-2015

Apologies. The correct link for the government’s Transparency Policy is: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/major-projects-transparency-policy-and-exemptions-guidance

The policy states that MPA will publish a delivery confidence assessment rating of projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio in its Annual Report, six months in arrears.

The government’s Transparency Policy, published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/majorprojects-transparency-policy-and-exemptions-guidance, states that MPA will publish a delivery confidence assessment rating of projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio in its Annual Report, six months in arrears.

The Annual Report is published in Quarter 1 of the financial year. The 2013 and 2014 Annual Reports are available online.

Over the course of the pandemic, the Government has provided an unprecedented package of support to businesses, including those in the wedding sector, which it keeps under regular review.

I have met regularly with representatives of the wedding sector to understand the impact of COVID-19 on wedding businesses.

As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said, we intend to publish our plan for taking the country out of lockdown in the last week of February. That plan will depend on the continued success of our vaccination programme.

Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies with fifteen guests attending are allowed in Tiers 1, 2 and 3. Wedding receptions with fifteen guests can take place in Tiers 1 and 2 in COVID-19 Secure venues. Wedding receptions are not permitted in Tier 3.

The Government has announced a package of support for businesses to help with their ongoing business costs in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19. This package of support includes the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF).

Under the SBGF, all businesses in England in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief as of 11 March 2020 will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.

Under the RHLGF, businesses in England that would have been in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) on 11 March 2020, with a rateable value of less than £51,000, will be eligible for cash grants of up to £25,000 per property:

• Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to?and including?£15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.

• Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.

On?1 May,?the Government announced that up to £617 million has been made available to local authorities?in England to allow them to provide discretionary grants. The?Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs that are not liable for business rates or rates reliefs.

Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, these schemes should be directed to the relevant local authority.

Guidance to support local authorities to administer the Fund was published on 13 May at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding.

The government intends to introduce world-leading Online Harms legislation to make the UK the safest place to be online. We intend to establish in law a new duty of care on companies towards their users which will be overseen by an independent regulator. The Government published its Initial Consultation Response to the Online Harms White Paper in February 2020, and this set out our direction of travel on a number of key areas. We are aiming to publish a full government response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation later this year, and this will include more detailed proposals on online harms regulation.

In addition to this new legislation, it is important to make sure that the criminal law is fit for purpose to deal with online harms. DCMS and the Ministry of Justice have engaged the Law Commission on a second phase of their review of abusive and offensive online communications. This will include considering whether co-ordinated harassment by groups of people online could be more effectively dealt with by the criminal law, whether it is targeted at individuals with epilepsy or others. The Law Commission will review existing communications offences and make specific recommendations about options for reform, to ensure that criminal law provides consistent and effective protection against such behaviour.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health. The Government is in discussions with representatives from the sport and physical activity sector about the steps required to restart grassroots sport and will update the public when it is deemed safe to reopening indoor sports venues and facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, including ice rinks.

In order to ensure appropriate support and guidance is given to the cultural sector, DCMS has established the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Entertainment and Events working group which include extensive membership from artists and performers. I have also held a roundtable with representatives from the choral sector to enable choral groups to feed in views to the development of guidance.

The Taskforce and Working Groups will be focusing on ensuring that COVID-19 secure guidelines are developed in line with the phasing ambitions and public health directions, building on the existing guidance and providing intelligence and sector-specific expert input. Full details of the Taskforce can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-cultural-renewal-taskforce and the Entertainment and Events Working Group can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/cultural-renewal-taskforce-and-supporting-working-groups#entertainment-and-events-members.

This is a difficult and uncertain time for students, but we are working with the higher education (HE) sector to make sure that all reasonable efforts are being made to enable students to continue their studies. We have seen some fantastic and innovative examples of high-quality online learning being delivered across the sector and are aware of a number of universities that have increased their online teaching in response to local COVID-19 outbreaks. This is in line with government guidance, which sets out 4 tiers of restrictions for education settings, and SAGE advice.

However, the majority of universities are now open for the autumn term, using a blended learning approach which combines online teaching and in-person tuition in ways that they consider appropriate to minimise risk.

Whether or not an individual student is entitled to a refund of tuition fees will depend on the specific contractual arrangements between the HE provider and student.

If students have concerns, they should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at HE providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint.

Universities are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees within the fee caps set by the government. In deciding to keep charging full fees, universities will of course want to ensure that they can continue to deliver courses that are fit for purpose and that help students progress their qualifications.

The government has been clear that it expects universities to continue delivering a high-quality academic experience and help students to achieve qualifications that they and employers value.

English higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions, which means that they have the freedom to determine the way their courses are taught, supervised, and assessed. However, providers that are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) must ensure that all students, from admission through to completion, have the support that they need to succeed in and benefit from HE. The OfS has the powers to act if there are concerns.

As I set out in a letter to MPs on 9 October, the government’s expectation is that quality and academic standards must be maintained. The OfS has made it clear that all HE providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards, which set out requirements to ensure that courses are high quality, that students are supported and achieve good outcomes and that standards are protected. The OfS have also set out that providers must continue to provide sufficient and appropriate facilities, learning resources and student support services to deliver a high-quality academic experience. Providers must continue to comply with their legal obligations under the Equality Act (2010), ensuring that education and learning is accessible to all students. When making changes to the delivery of their courses, providers need to consider how they support all students, particularly the most vulnerable, to achieve successful academic and professional outcomes. We recognise that the move to increased online provision may result in the support needs of some students with disabilities changing, in which case suitable alternative arrangements should be made for them.

The OfS has published information and guidance for providers and students. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has also published a series of guides to support providers to secure academic standards and to support student achievement during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance is available here: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/news-events/support-and-guidance-covid-19.

The OfS are taking very seriously the potential impacts on teaching and learning, ensuring they have a clear picture of what students are receiving. They published a statement on 9 October about how they are monitoring the quality of online provision.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has also commissioned Sir Michael Barber, the Chair of the OfS, to lead a review to consider how to enhance the quality of digital teaching and learning and the opportunities that digital education presents for universities in the medium and long term. The review is expected to report in spring 2021 and will also explore how HE providers can ensure that all students have access to a high-quality digital teaching and learning experience.

The department works with and uses information provided from a wide range of stakeholder organisations, including those that represent the views of parents, to inform its COVID-19 response. These include organisations such as Parentkind, National Network of Parent Carer Forums, Mumsnet, Barnardos, NSPCC, and the Disabled Children’s Partnership (which includes Autistica, National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism).

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on attainment and progress is a key research priority for the government.

We have commissioned an independent research and assessment agency to provide a baseline assessment of catch-up needs for pupils in schools in England, and monitor progress over the course of the year, to help us target support across the system.

This research will make use of assessments that schools are already choosing to use over the course of the next academic year. This will add no additional burden on schools, and pupils will not have to sit any additional assessments for this research, at this crucial time for the education sector.

This research will be based on a large sample of pupils from years 1 to 11, and will allow the department to understand how best to support the sector and which particular groups of pupils have been affected by time out of school.

There is growing evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak and associated interventions, such as social distancing and stay at home guidance, including school closures, have likely had an adverse effect on the mental health and well-being of children and young people. For some, the COVID-19 outbreak will have disrupted or removed protective factors for their mental health, such as social support, physical activity and routine, and this may be compounded by additional risk factors. There is also increasing evidence that many children and young people are coping well overall and some have reported benefits for their mental health.

While many children and young people have retained some access to mental health support during this period, we know that some children and young people will have struggled to access mental health support in the same way as before the COVID-19 outbreak, which has been associated with worse mental health and wellbeing for some children and young people with existing needs.

Supporting schools and colleges to stay open and provide catch-up support to their pupils, including time devoted to supporting wellbeing, will play a fundamental part in supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. To support the return to a full high-quality education programme, we have put in place a range of measures, including guidance for settings and a new £8 million training initiative for educational staff and local authority services, to support children and young people’s wellbeing.

Health education was introduced into the curriculum in September, including a range of specific teaching requirements on mental health and wellbeing. Training materials and support are available to schools.

Arrangements for selecting pupils by ability are for selective schools admission authorities to decide. We are aware admission authorities are considering what changes they will need to make to their arrangements in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department has discussed this issue with the sector and guidance will be published in due course.