Select Committees
Foreign Affairs Committee (since March 2020)Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (since May 2020)
Committee Chair - Committee on Standards (since May 2020)
Liaison Committee (Commons) (since May 2020)
Joint Committee on the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (since November 2020)
Cultural Objects (Protection From Seizure) Bill (since November 2021)
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill (since November 2021)
Welsh Grand Committee (since January 2022)
8 APPG memberships (as of 15 Jun 2022)
Carbon Monoxide, Chile, Dalits, Magnitsky Sanctions, Museums, Russia, South Africa, Spain8 Former APPG memberships
Acquired Brain Injury, Argentina, British Museum, Cultural Heritage, Global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) Rights, Netball, Universal Credit, Working at Height09:30
How many artists have received royalties through the artist's resale right.
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14:00
Subject: UK-Libya relations
12 Jul 2022, 2 p.m.
At 2.30pm: Oral evidence
Fathi Bashagha - Former Minister of Interior at Ministry of Internal Affairs of Libya
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11:30
Oral questions - Main Chamber
6 Sep 2022, 11:30 a.m.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (including Topical Questions)
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Note: This event involves a Department with which this person is linked, and does not guarantee their actual attendance.
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 150 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 209 Noes - 282
I simply do not believe the statistics the Government keep on giving, and I think the Secretary of State should …
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many new prisoners have been screened for acquired …
A Bill to make provision about meeting the needs of adults and children with an acquired brain injury; and for …
Payments from Reach Shared Services Limited, 3rd Floor, 5 St Paul's Square, Liverpool L3 9SJ:
That this House unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and decision of President Putin to start a brutal war …
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report annually on restrictions on access by UK nationals to Tibet …
Division Voting information
Chris Bryant voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Labour No votes vs 158 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 213 Noes - 297
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
Minister of State (Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency)
(139 debate interactions)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(61 debate interactions)
(56 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(164 debate contributions)
(163 debate contributions)
(112 debate contributions)
(76 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(4,693 words contributed)
(2,911 words contributed)
(2,383 words contributed)
(2,040 words contributed)
Rhondda 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).
of 128,537 signatures (0.21%)
of 106,361 signatures (0.10%)
of 153,690 signatures (0.09%)
of 217,213 signatures (0.08%)
of 128,537 signatures (0.21%)
of 217,213 signatures (0.08%)
of 153,690 signatures (0.09%)
of 106,361 signatures (0.10%)
of 147,240 signatures (0.06%)
Latest EDMs signed by Chris Bryant
Russia and the Intelligence and Security Committee's report
Tabled by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)That this House unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and decision of President Putin to start a brutal war in Europe; notes that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report, entitled Russia, published 21 July 2020, HC 632, is of critical importance to UK national security and particularly …
(Most recent: 19 Apr 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 17
Scottish National Party: 8
Liberal Democrat: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Independent: 1
Alba Party: 1
Communication of changes to the state pension age for 1950s-born women
Tabled by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)That this House notes the recent findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report entitled Women's State Pension Age: our findings on the Department for Work and Pensions' communication of changes; urges the Government to recognise the negative effects of successive DWP maladministration; calls for compensation for 1950s-born women; …
(Most recent: 24 Jan 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 45
Scottish National Party: 28
Democratic Unionist Party: 6
Liberal Democrat: 5
Independent: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Conservative: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Chris Bryant, 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.
2 Adjournment Debates led by Chris Bryant
3 Bills introduced by Chris Bryant
To make provision about offences when perpetrated against emergency workers, and persons assisting such workers; to make certain offences aggravated when perpetrated against such workers in the exercise of their duty; to require persons suspected of certain assaults against such workers which may pose a health risk to provide intimate samples and to make it an offence, without reasonable excuse, to refuse to provide such samples; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 13th September 2018 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about meeting the needs of adults and children with an acquired brain injury; and for connected purposes.
Friday 3rd December 2021
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require schools to provide sex and relationships education to registered pupils; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 8th September 2010
3 Bills co-sponsored by Chris Bryant
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (CON)
European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Hilary Benn (LAB)
National Living Wage (Extension to Young People) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (LAB)
66 Written Questions in the current parliament
(View all written questions)1 Other Department Questions
The Government is taking action against the billions of pounds worth UK property accumulated by the Russian state-linked individuals and companies. We have already frozen the assets of those individuals on the sanctions list. The new legislation in the Economic Crime Act will mean the Government can move more quickly to impose sanctions against oligarchs already designated by our allies, as well as intensifying our sanctions enforcement. These measures form part of a wider package of legislative proposals to tackle illicit finance which will be introduced in Parliament in the coming months. We will set out details in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
All special advisers make a declaration of interests to their employing department. Steps are then taken to ensure no conflict of interest or mitigate any potential conflict to the satisfaction of the relevant Permanent Secretary, and relevant interests are published on GOV.UK. This process has been followed and overseen by the Cabinet Office.
Baroness Finn's relevant interests were duly and transparently declared in this register, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cabinet-office-publication-of-special-adviser-interests
As noted in this register: “Baroness Finn has undertaken not to have any involvement in, or association with, the activities of Francis Maude Associates LLP or FMAP Ltd”.
Francis Maude Associates LLP is dormant and does not trade. There has been no activity other than filing (limited) accounts for the dormant company as required by company law.
This is separate from the advisory company (FMAP Ltd) that still trades. Baroness Finn resigned as a Director in February 2021 - this was made clear in Baroness Finn's Lords register of interests, and on the Companies House record.
This approach was agreed with the Cabinet Office. It is in line with the Special Adviser Code, the House of Lords Code of Conduct, and the Principles on Standards in Public Life.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Attends Cabinet)
Since the first List of Ministers’ Interests was published in 2009, the timing of publication has varied. The next list of Ministers’ interests will be published in due course, following the appointment of a new Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I can assure the Hon Member that all colleagues across government recognise the importance of coordinating support for people with acquired brain injury, as I highlighted to him in our meeting of 1 July. The Hon Member is a powerful champion of this significant cause on which government is determined to make progress.
In line with the practice of successive governments, I am not able to disclose details of internal discussions, but I will update the Hon Member on the government’s work on this issue in due course.
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
6 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions
(View all Chris Bryant's BEIS questions)When an energy supplier fails the customers are transferred by Ofgem to a new supplier under the Supplier of Last Resort process. This includes the personal data necessary to set up an account with the new supplier and ensure the customer’s credit balance with the failed supplier is honoured.
Insolvency practitioners are appointed to administer the failed company and must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act in relation to any personal data that remains within the failed company. Customers rights regarding data protection and access to personal data remain unaffected.
Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
The Department has no record of such correspondence regarding the Green Deal. The Hon. Member is invited to re-send the correspondence to the Department or direct to the Green Deal team at: gdconsumers@beis.gov.uk.
Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
There are 2144 coal tips in Wales, with continued refinement of information ongoing.
There is no central assessment of the number of Tips in England but the Coal Authority own 7 tips in England and these are kept under regular monitoring.
Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
The Welsh Government has asked the Law Commission to evaluate current legislation relating to coal tip safety with a view to identifying gaps, inconsistencies and approaches which are unhelpful or have become outdated. It will identify options for alternative regulatory models appropriate for adoption in Wales, and consider the features needed to ensure that any proposed system is effective. The project is expected to take between 13 and 15 months.
The majority of Tips in England are lower risk as the topography is flatter in England and more have been economically restored/developed as they are more suitable for that and there has been more economic drivers. Following the Tylorstown slip in Wales local authorities in England were asked to check any tips they owned and report any concerns. No concerns were reported.
Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
£9m from UK funding has been allocated for coal tip safety in Wales in 2020/21. The UK and Welsh Governments are discussing longer term funding.
The Coal Authority budget an average of £10k per tip per annum for ongoing maintenance and inspection for the tips they own across the UK (26 in Wales, 7 in England). There can be additional costs on individual tips if more extensive work is identified.
Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
1 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Questions
(View all Chris Bryant's DCMS questions)The government published the roadmap on 22 February, which sets out a step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England cautiously.
The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown.
Under the roadmap, we seek to reopen outdoor elements of museums and galleries and aquariums in Step 2 (no earlier than 12th April), with indoor elements at these attractions opening at Step 3 (no earlier than 17th May).
Commercial art galleries can reopen in Step 2, when restrictions on non-essential retail are lifted.
It is important that children with medical conditions, such as acquired brain injury, are supported to receive a full education.
A pupil’s acquired brain injury could manifest in different ways. Support should be tailored to their own learning barriers, irrespective of their diagnosis. The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice asks schools and colleges to address pupils’ individual educational needs, regardless of their condition.
Under Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014, governing boards are required to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions and to have regard to statutory guidance. The guidance covers a range of areas and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.
To be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must meet the Teachers’ Standards, which include a requirement that they adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all pupils. The performance of all existing teachers in maintained schools must be assessed every year against the Teachers' Standards. It is the responsibility of school leaders to determine the training needs of their staff, within their approach to school improvement, professional development and performance management.
In line with the approach that we expect school-based staff to identify and intervene to support any pupil who presents with difficulties in learning, we expect that training should relate to the specific learning needs an individual child has. For example, we have a contract with NASEN (the Whole School SEND consortium) to support schools, this includes training for school staff on how to tailor provision for different types of learning needs.
The SEND system is designed to get the right support in place for all children and young people with additional needs, so they are able to fulfil their potential, just like other children.
The reforms to the SEND system are key to this. The government has strengthened systems for joining up education, health and care support for those with complex needs, and placed families at the heart of the decision-making about their children. The Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process is crucial in meeting the needs of those with complex needs. The arrangements are intended to support:
- Joint working between health, social care and education
- Multi-professional assessment of a child or young person’s needs involving relevant experts
- The development of an individual EHC plan to meet those needs
This should provide a basis for the sharing of information and of expertise to ensure the needs of children and young people with acquired brain injury are supported in school.
We welcome the introduction of the Acquired Brain Injury Card and feel that offering young people this personal Card is a helpful in supporting their independence and to help others to better understand the potential impact of their injury. It is up to individual schools to choose what to promote in their schools.
It is important that children with medical conditions, such as acquired brain injury, are supported to receive a full education.
A pupil’s acquired brain injury could manifest in different ways. Support should be tailored to their own learning barriers, irrespective of their diagnosis. The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice asks schools and colleges to address pupils’ individual educational needs, regardless of their condition.
Under Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014, governing boards are required to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions and to have regard to statutory guidance. The guidance covers a range of areas and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.
To be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must meet the Teachers’ Standards, which include a requirement that they adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all pupils. The performance of all existing teachers in maintained schools must be assessed every year against the Teachers' Standards. It is the responsibility of school leaders to determine the training needs of their staff, within their approach to school improvement, professional development and performance management.
In line with the approach that we expect school-based staff to identify and intervene to support any pupil who presents with difficulties in learning, we expect that training should relate to the specific learning needs an individual child has. For example, we have a contract with NASEN (the Whole School SEND consortium) to support schools, this includes training for school staff on how to tailor provision for different types of learning needs.
The SEND system is designed to get the right support in place for all children and young people with additional needs, so they are able to fulfil their potential, just like other children.
The reforms to the SEND system are key to this. The government has strengthened systems for joining up education, health and care support for those with complex needs, and placed families at the heart of the decision-making about their children. The Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process is crucial in meeting the needs of those with complex needs. The arrangements are intended to support:
- Joint working between health, social care and education
- Multi-professional assessment of a child or young person’s needs involving relevant experts
- The development of an individual EHC plan to meet those needs
This should provide a basis for the sharing of information and of expertise to ensure the needs of children and young people with acquired brain injury are supported in school.
It is important that children with medical conditions, such as acquired brain injury, are supported to receive a full education.
A pupil’s acquired brain injury could manifest in different ways. Support should be tailored to their own learning barriers, irrespective of their diagnosis. The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice asks schools and colleges to address pupils’ individual educational needs, regardless of their condition.
Under Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014, governing boards are required to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions and to have regard to statutory guidance. The guidance covers a range of areas and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.
To be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must meet the Teachers’ Standards, which include a requirement that they adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all pupils. The performance of all existing teachers in maintained schools must be assessed every year against the Teachers' Standards. It is the responsibility of school leaders to determine the training needs of their staff, within their approach to school improvement, professional development and performance management.
In line with the approach that we expect school-based staff to identify and intervene to support any pupil who presents with difficulties in learning, we expect that training should relate to the specific learning needs an individual child has. For example, we have a contract with NASEN (the Whole School SEND consortium) to support schools, this includes training for school staff on how to tailor provision for different types of learning needs.
The SEND system is designed to get the right support in place for all children and young people with additional needs, so they are able to fulfil their potential, just like other children.
The reforms to the SEND system are key to this. The government has strengthened systems for joining up education, health and care support for those with complex needs, and placed families at the heart of the decision-making about their children. The Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process is crucial in meeting the needs of those with complex needs. The arrangements are intended to support:
- Joint working between health, social care and education
- Multi-professional assessment of a child or young person’s needs involving relevant experts
- The development of an individual EHC plan to meet those needs
This should provide a basis for the sharing of information and of expertise to ensure the needs of children and young people with acquired brain injury are supported in school.
It is important that children with medical conditions, such as acquired brain injury, are supported to receive a full education.
A pupil’s acquired brain injury could manifest in different ways. Support should be tailored to their own learning barriers, irrespective of their diagnosis. The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice asks schools and colleges to address pupils’ individual educational needs, regardless of their condition.
Under Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014, governing boards are required to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions and to have regard to statutory guidance. The guidance covers a range of areas and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.
To be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must meet the Teachers’ Standards, which include a requirement that they adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all pupils. The performance of all existing teachers in maintained schools must be assessed every year against the Teachers' Standards. It is the responsibility of school leaders to determine the training needs of their staff, within their approach to school improvement, professional development and performance management.
In line with the approach that we expect school-based staff to identify and intervene to support any pupil who presents with difficulties in learning, we expect that training should relate to the specific learning needs an individual child has. For example, we have a contract with NASEN (the Whole School SEND consortium) to support schools, this includes training for school staff on how to tailor provision for different types of learning needs.
The SEND system is designed to get the right support in place for all children and young people with additional needs, so they are able to fulfil their potential, just like other children.
The reforms to the SEND system are key to this. The government has strengthened systems for joining up education, health and care support for those with complex needs, and placed families at the heart of the decision-making about their children. The Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process is crucial in meeting the needs of those with complex needs. The arrangements are intended to support:
- Joint working between health, social care and education
- Multi-professional assessment of a child or young person’s needs involving relevant experts
- The development of an individual EHC plan to meet those needs
This should provide a basis for the sharing of information and of expertise to ensure the needs of children and young people with acquired brain injury are supported in school.
3 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Chris Bryant's Defra questions)Our pesticides regulations set strict controls on the amounts of pesticide residues that are permitted in food. We have an ongoing monitoring programme to provide assurance that food – including food imported from overseas – complies with the statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs) allowed. The results of this monitoring are published on the GOV.uk website.
In the most recent data (2020 and the first half of 2021), a total of 2,747 samples of food were collected and analysed for the presence of propiconazole. Of these, 38 samples were found to contain residues of this chemical, none of which were above the permitted MRLs set by law. These results indicate that propiconazole is not widely detected in food available to UK shoppers, and when it is detected, has been within the permitted limits.
HSE have proposed to lower the MRL for propiconazole to the default minimum level and details are expected to be announced shortly. This would mean food containing residues of this pesticide would no longer be able to be placed on the market in Great Britain.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built on access to a range of sources, including robust supply chains domestically, and from other countries, including supplementing our excellent domestic production of fresh vegetables and fruit with imports of produce that cannot be grown here for all or part of the year. In the latest statistical release of Agriculture in the UK (July 2021), vegetables and fruit were the largest value imported commodity group in 2020.
Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement with food retailers in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains, including those for fresh produce.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is fully committed to agreeing a trade deal with the EU from 1 January 2021. As any responsible government would, we are also preparing for the possibility of ‘no deal’, which is why we have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for the food and farming sectors as much as possible.
Through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, Defra and the Devolved Administrations continue to monitor the market situation across various agricultural commodities. Officials have also been reviewing and updating the analysis we undertook as part of our no deal preparations in 2019. No decisions have been taken on any sector specific interventions, including lamb, after the end of the Transition Period.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The list of Advisers to the Board of Trade is available on GOV.UK. The President of the Board of Trade is my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade.
The advisers are:
Deputy President, Marcus Fysh MP
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Minister for Trade Policy
Minister for Investment
Minister for Exports
Minister for International Trade
The Hon Tony Abbott AC
Karen Betts
Anne Boden MBE
Daniel Hannan
Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt
Emma Howard Boyd
Michael Liebreich
Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell
Dr Linda Yueh
Permanent members of the UK Board of Trade have to be members of the Privy Council. The President of the Board of Trade is my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade.
Advisers to the UK Board of Trade are appointed through the Direct Ministerial Appointment process, following Cabinet Office Propriety & Ethics guidelines. This means that individuals are appointed at the discretion of the Secretary of State. The roles are taken on a voluntary basis and are not remunerated.
There are no plans to reinstate the temporary increase to Universal Credit.
The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and these are global challenges, but the government has taken action to support and help families with a package worth over £22 billion in 2022-23.These steps help ensure that on average a person in work is £6000 better off in work than on benefits. And we stand ready to do more as the situation evolves.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government has strengthened the safety net to provide financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is committed to providing financial support for people at every stage of their life, including when they near or reach retirement. The welfare system will continue to provide support to men and women who are unable to work or those who are on a low income but who are not eligible to pensioner benefits because of their age.
We have invested in a significant new programme, the Plan for Jobs, to help people of all ages who may be made redundant find work and acquire the skills they need to return to work. Our Fuller Working Lives strategy and the Business Champion for Older Workers and Employers will continue to encourage businesses to recognise the value and skills of employing older workers. Jobcentre Plus Older Claimant Champions provide additional tailored support to help people return to work. We have never spent more as a country on welfare support than we do now.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The latest available information on the number of people on Universal Credit broken down by gender and by age is published and can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
The Government has strengthened the safety net to provide financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is committed to providing financial support for people at every stage of their life, including when they near or reach retirement. The welfare system will continue to provide support to men and women who are unable to work or those who are on a low income but who are not eligible to pensioner benefits because of their age.
We have invested in a significant new programme, the Plan for Jobs, to help people of all ages who may be made redundant find work and acquire the skills they need to return to work. Our Fuller Working Lives strategy and the Business Champion for Older Workers and Employers will continue to encourage businesses to recognise the value and skills of employing older workers. Jobcentre Plus Older Claimant Champions provide additional tailored support to help people return to work. We have never spent more as a country on welfare support than we do now.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Across the range of income-related benefits, there are provisions to disregard payments received for the express purpose of effecting essential repairs to a home damaged by flooding, to make it habitable again, and intended to be used for that purpose. Monies raised though crowd funding have no impact on contributory benefits.
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We replied to the hon. Member on 1 July 2021.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) is now linked to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal programme.
In the case of nivolumab for adjuvant treatment of completely resected melanoma with lymph node involvement or metastatic disease, this drug has been available to eligible National Health Service patients through the CDF in accordance with NICE’s recommendation in January 2019.
NICE is now reviewing this decision and published its draft recommendation in November 2020. NICE was unable to recommend nivolumab for routine funding in its draft guidance. However, this is not final guidance and a consultation on the draft recommendations closed on 25 November. NICE will has now considered the responses to the draft recommendation at the committee meeting on 5 January 2021 and expects to publish its final guidance in March 2021.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for producing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on whether medicines represent a clinical and cost-effective use of resources. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended through a NICE appraisal.
Overall 82% of the recommendations in the technology appraisal guidance are positive - recommended, optimised, or recommended in the Cancer Drugs Fund - the percentage positive recommendations in melanoma treatments is higher at more than 92%.
We have made no such assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and it would not be appropriate for the Department to interfere in the development of NICE’s recommendations
While NICE was unable to recommend Nivolumab for routine funding in its draft recommendation of November 2020 (ID1681), this is not final guidance and a consultation on the draft recommendations closed on 25 November. NICE will now consider the responses to the draft recommendation and expects to publish its final guidance in March 2021.
The FCDO does not have a record of receiving this correspondence. We have asked the Honourable Member's office to resend the letter.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In close coordination with our allies, we are introducing the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, including asset freezes on 16 major banks, a prohibition on clearing for Sberbank, and the removal of selected banks from SWIFT. The banks currently sanctioned represent the majority of the Russian banking sector. The UK Sanctions List, published by the FCDO on GOV.UK, is the comprehensive list of persons or ships designated. Additionally, there are entities listed in Schedule 2 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which are covered by sectoral financial measures.
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
UK Government ministers have signed legislation banning all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, chartered, registered or flagged from entering British ports since 1 March 2022. These measures also include powers to detain Russian vessels already in port and to direct them out of British ports, as well as ensuring that anyone sanctioned by the UK can no longer register a vessel - and will have any existing registrations terminated - in the UK.
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The FCDO was not involved in the evacuation from Kabul by private charter flight of Nowzad's animals. After the end of Operation Pitting, FCDO officials provided some support to the departure of Nowzad staff from Afghanistan for the UK via Pakistan.
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
As the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa stated in the House on 15 September, it remains difficult to put a precise number on the number of UK nationals remaining in Afghanistan. We have evacuated over 8000 British nationals to date and we believe that the vast majority of UK nationals who wanted to leave and had valid documentation were evacuated. Since then, more UK nationals have sought assistance and more than 4,200 individuals as of today have signed up to the FCDO's "Register your Presence in Afghanistan". We are working to verify how many of these are British nationals and are continuing to look at all possible avenues to ensure that any British Nationals are able to leave safely if they wish to.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We worked round the clock to airlift over 15000 people out of Afghanistan. We are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans who are eligible to come to the UK can secure for safe passage. Minister for Human Rights Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon addressed the UN Human Rights Council on 24 August to underscore the UK's commitment to protecting the human rights of all Afghan people.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister without Portfolio)
The UK is deeply concerned about reports of Russian Wagner Group personnel and other external actors operating in Libya. We take seriously violations of International Humanitarian Law and breaches of sanctions, including the UN arms embargo. We continue to stress to all states the necessity of complying with and enforcing international law. The UK carefully considers all reports of sanctions breaches, including the reports of the UN Panel of Experts, and regularly reviews sanctions measures.
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
We continue to discuss with NATO allies how we must continue to work together on Libya to encourage all parties to de-escalate, support the UN ceasefire talks and respect the UN arms embargo. We share the concerns of the US and other allies about Russia's reported deployment of fighter aircraft from Syria and Wagner Group personnel to Libya in breach of the embargo.
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Gratuitous payments to people, made from a pot of funds raised by crowdfunding, will not be taxable income. To be gratuitous, there must be no agreement or expectation that the recipient will provide something in return.
Ahead of unrestricted international travel returning, HM Passport Office prepared extensively to serve an unprecedented number of customers, with 9.5 million British passport applications forecasted throughout 2022.
These preparations have ensured that passport applications can be processed in higher numbers than ever before. This was demonstrated in March and April 2022 when HM Passport Office achieved a record monthly high by completing the processing of approximately two million applications.
Ministers continue to meet regularly with officials to monitor performance, and to explore further options that will help to ensure that people receive their passports in good time.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
HM Passport Office staff have been deployed to support MP Account Management staff, and answer passport-related enquiries to the Home Office’s dedicated MP’s hotline. For the most urgent cases, HM Passport Office staff are also available to conduct in-person passport surgeries at Portcullis House.
We have seen a significant increase in call volumes to the MP enquiry line in recent weeks linked to passport applications situation and the Ukraine situation.
As a result of this we have worked to increase staffing across the MP enquiry line, but more specifically on the HMPO and Ukraine options. We now have up to 25 dedicated HMPO staff available to take calls currently. Additionally we have up to 20 dedicated Ukraine call handlers who will be ready to take calls in the coming days. This will mean from next week there will 4 times more staff operating the enquiry line compared to the beginning of May.
MPs also can contact the Home Office via the MPs Urgent Enquiries inbox or in person at the Portcullis House walk-in hub.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We have seen significant increase in call volumes to the MP enquiry line in recent weeks linked to the situation in Ukraine and to passport applications.
As a result of this we have worked to increase staffing across the MP enquiry line, but more specifically on the HMPO and Ukraine options. We expect to have up to 25 dedicated HMPO and up to 20 dedicated Ukraine call handlers available to take calls.
MP’s can also contact the Home Office via the MP’s Urgent Enquiries inbox or in person at the Portcullis House walk-in hub.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Due to COVID-19, over 5 million people delayed applying for a British passport in 2020 and 2021.
In March 2022 HM Passport Office decided over one million passport applications, the highest recorded in any month to date.
Since April 2021 British passport applicants have been advised to allow up to ten weeks to get their passport. However, HM Passport Office seeks to ensure its customers receive their passport as quickly as possible and is working alongside its suppliers to develop further ways to maximise its ability to cope with an unprecedented level of demand.
HM Passport Office has already deployed a range of tried and tested contingency arrangements, which includes the increasing of resources through recruitment and enabling the flexing of resources from across the Home Office and other government departments.
In addition, technical solutions, such as its latest digital application system, mean more passport applications are securely processed with fewer manual interventions, enabling them to be processed more quickly.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The evacuation from Afghanistan under Operation Pitting from 14 August to 29 August was organised and controlled by the Ministry of Defence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Home Secretary is working with the Chair of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel to agree a date for publication. The Home Secretary has not yet received the report from the DMIP. The Home Secretary has a responsibility to review the report to ensure publication complies with human rights obligations and that it doesn’t cause any risk to national security should either arise. As soon as the Home Secretary receives the report and has discharged her responsibilities, she will agree a date for publication of the report.
The Home Secretary has confirmed she hasn’t had any substantive engagement or discussions with the MP for Maidenhead regarding the report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel.
The Home Secretary’s review is purely for the purpose of ensuring that the publication of the report does not breach her human rights and national security responsibilities in relation to publication. The Home Secretary is fully aware of her responsibilities and is committed to complying with them.
The Home Secretary has been advised by Home Office lawyers and has received advice from external Counsel.
The Home Secretary is working with the Chair of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel to agree a date for publication. The Home Secretary has not yet received the report from the DMIP. The Home Secretary has a responsibility to review the report to ensure publication complies with human rights obligations and that it doesn’t cause any risk to national security should either arise. As soon as the Home Secretary receives the report and has discharged her responsibilities, she will agree a date for publication of the report.
The Home Secretary has confirmed she hasn’t had any substantive engagement or discussions with the MP for Maidenhead regarding the report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel.
The Home Secretary’s review is purely for the purpose of ensuring that the publication of the report does not breach her human rights and national security responsibilities in relation to publication. The Home Secretary is fully aware of her responsibilities and is committed to complying with them.
The Home Secretary has been advised by Home Office lawyers and has received advice from external Counsel.
The Home Secretary is working with the Chair of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel to agree a date for publication. The Home Secretary has not yet received the report from the DMIP. The Home Secretary has a responsibility to review the report to ensure publication complies with human rights obligations and that it doesn’t cause any risk to national security should either arise. As soon as the Home Secretary receives the report and has discharged her responsibilities, she will agree a date for publication of the report.
The Home Secretary has confirmed she hasn’t had any substantive engagement or discussions with the MP for Maidenhead regarding the report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel.
The Home Secretary’s review is purely for the purpose of ensuring that the publication of the report does not breach her human rights and national security responsibilities in relation to publication. The Home Secretary is fully aware of her responsibilities and is committed to complying with them.
The Home Secretary has been advised by Home Office lawyers and has received advice from external Counsel.
The Secretary of State for Defence was clear that the Ministry of Defence did not evacuate Nowzad. No costs were incurred in the limited support provided to Nowzad to secure the required permissions for the charter aircraft to land, and enable safe passage through the airport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
1 Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Questions
(View all Chris Bryant's DLUHC questions)In England, the Government generally allocates funding to local authorities in line with their relative need. For example, since the start of the pandemic, we have allocated an additional £3.7 billion un-ringfenced funding to local authorities in England, and have taken into account population, deprivation and how service delivery costs vary across the country in distributing this money.
Local authority allocations in Wales are a fully devolved matter.
I set out the position during her statement on 13th September. Given the very difficult circumstances in Afghanistan, we cannot pursue cases concerning Afghan people in country in the usual ways. The Home Office is logging the cases we have received, and we are considering how this data will be used in the future. Accordingly, please signpost individuals to gov.uk to check for the latest information about Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) (Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) rather than seek to pursue cases on their behalf.
There will be no fees charged to those brought to the UK through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
On 13 September further details on the Scheme were published in a policy statement, including in relation to eligibility and referral. This statement can be found at: Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
There are no plans to automatically consider Afghan nationals who have not been successful in applying to come to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy for resettlement through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).
Further information on the eligibility, prioritisation and referral of people for the ACRS is set out in the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September, available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement.
The Government announced on 8 March its intention to bring forward legislation to change the mandatory retirement age for all judicial office holders, including magistrates, to 75 – a step which I know has been welcomed by many magistrates
We will also be legislating to allow retired magistrates to apply to return to the bench where there is a business need.
On 1 April 2020, there were 13,177 magistrates. We are currently updating our modelling to assess the impact of a change to the retirement age on our recruitment requirements in each region for 2021/22 and beyond.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The government has no current plans to increase magistrates’ custodial sentencing powers, but keeps this under review.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The average waiting time for an application for deputyship to be heard by the Court of Protection is 39 days based on March 2020.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Government is putting in place a range of measures to ensure the UK is prepared to manage the impacts of a Covid-19 outbreak. Part of this planning is ensuring we are prepared for higher numbers of people dying over the period of the pandemic.
Ensuring the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst minimising the risks to public health is at the forefront of Government planning. Measures underway will increase capacity at a local level to manage additional demand.
The Government’s Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan) sets out planning principles that underpin the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. As part of this response, provisions have been included in the Coronavirus Bill which will ensure the sector can manage the impact of the pandemic.
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Government is putting in place a range of measures to ensure the UK is prepared to manage the impacts of a Covid-19 outbreak. Part of this planning is ensuring we are prepared for higher numbers of people dying over the period of the pandemic.
Ensuring the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst minimising the risks to public health is at the forefront of Government planning. Measures underway will increase capacity at a local level to manage additional demand.
The Government’s Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan) sets out planning principles that underpin the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. As part of this response, provisions have been included in the Coronavirus Bill which will ensure the sector can manage the impact of the pandemic.
.
Government is putting in place a range of measures to ensure the UK is prepared to manage the impacts of a Covid-19 outbreak. Part of this planning is ensuring we are prepared for higher numbers of people dying over the period of the pandemic.
Ensuring the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst minimising the risks to public health is at the forefront of Government planning. Measures underway will increase capacity at a local level to manage additional demand.
The Government’s Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan) sets out planning principles that underpin the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. As part of this response, provisions have been included in the Coronavirus Bill which will ensure the sector can manage the impact of the pandemic.
.
Government is putting in place a range of measures to ensure the UK is prepared to manage the impacts of a Covid-19 outbreak. Part of this planning is ensuring we are prepared for higher numbers of people dying over the period of the pandemic.
Ensuring the deceased are treated with dignity and respect whilst minimising the risks to public health is at the forefront of Government planning. Measures underway will increase capacity at a local level to manage additional demand.
The Government’s Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan) sets out planning principles that underpin the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. As part of this response, provisions have been included in the Coronavirus Bill which will ensure the sector can manage the impact of the pandemic.
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My Department and others are determined to ensure that all of those affected by flooding are supported in the best way possible. Flood response in Wales is a devolved matter. The UK Government will look seriously at any request from the Welsh Government for additional support and assistance for flood relief, including additional finances.
Secretary of State for Wales
Following the unprecedented flooding brought by recent storms, urgent work is being carried out across the UK to assess any risk posed to people or property and to confirm that everyone with a legal responsibility around the tips is fulfilling their safety obligations. Authorities and agencies involved are working together and good progress is being made on this vital work.
I spoke with the Coal Authority on 23 February 2020 and was further reassured following a meeting on 24 February 2020 with the First Minister of Wales, Natural Resources Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and the Coal Authority that we have a plan of action to allow us to make the necessary assessment of coal tips across South Wales.
I welcome the commitment from all partners to ensuring that this work is delivered at pace, enabling us to be able to provide the general public in the locality of coal tips with appropriate reassurance. The Welsh and UK Governments will continue to co-ordinate this vital work.
Secretary of State for Wales