Clive Efford

The Government People Group which sits within the Cabinet Office developed guidance for all Cross-Government Diversity networks seeking speakers, prior to inviting them to participate in Civil Service events. This is to adhere to the Civil Service Code and maintain impartiality.

Updated guidance for all Cross-Government Diversity networks was published in the Houses of Parliament Library on 17th May 2023. There is no Civil Service wide guidance on checks for external speakers.

I refer the Hon Members to the answers given in Cabinet Office orals on 11 February. Guidance and published information are available on gov.uk.

The UK’s approach is both precautionary and conditional. As a responsible international actor and Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UK is fully engaged in the negotiations underway at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and will work closely with partners who are committed to ensuring the highest environmental standards are embedded in the Regulatory framework of the ISA.

We would engage in public consultation ahead of making a decision to issue any UK-sponsored deep sea mining exploitation licence.

We continue to act responsibly in line with the position set out in the communiqué, including through taking a precautionary approach. We commissioned an independent evidence review into the potential risks and benefits of deep sea mining, which was published in October 2022:

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/deep-sea-mining-evidence-review-published/

Through the UK’s sponsorship of academic research and existing exploration licences, over 70 peer-reviewed publications supporting a greater understanding of environmental issues associated with deep-sea mining have already been produced, with more to come. The Government is also part-funding the SMARTEX project on seabed mining and resilience to experimental impact, which aims to build a better understanding of the ecosystem in the Pacific abyss.

We judge that engaging fully with international negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is the most effective way for the UK to work with others so that no deep-sea mining takes place in the absence of strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards.

The UK’s approach is both precautionary and conditional. As a responsible international actor and Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UK is fully engaged in the negotiations underway at the ISA and will work closely with partners who are committed to ensuring the highest environmental standards are embedded in the Regulatory framework of the ISA.

The Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) leads HMG’s operational and policy response to understand and counter disinformation and attempts to manipulate the information environment, with the potential for harm to domestic audiences. It helps the Government understand disinformation narratives and trends and does not monitor or provide information on individuals.

The 2022 guidelines on external speakers were developed for all Cross-Government Diversity networks and Cabinet Office Events, and as such do not relate to the work of the CDU

The Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) leads HMG’s operational and policy response to understand and counter disinformation and attempts to manipulate the information environment, with the potential for harm to domestic audiences. It helps the Government understand disinformation narratives and trends and does not monitor or provide information on individuals.

The 2022 guidelines on external speakers were developed for all Cross-Government Diversity networks and Cabinet Office Events, and as such do not relate to the work of the CDU

Ministers and officials have met with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the scope and structure of the football governance review, including the Football Supporters’ Association on multiple occasions. The Secretary of State and Prime Minister met with the Football Supporters’ Association last week to discuss the fan-led review of football governance.

A full list of Ministerial meetings can be found on gov.uk.

The Government has been vocal in its opposition to the European Super League, which would have been to the detriment of the whole football pyramid including the English Football League and the National League System.

Before the announcements on 19th April, the department had not had any discussions on these proposals. Once announced, the Government met with multiple football stakeholders, including the Football Association, to discuss the issue and what action was needed.

The Government was pleased to see the withdrawal of all English teams from the project - the right result for football fans, clubs and communities across the country.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced an independent fan-led review of football governance on 19 April. This will be chaired by the Honourable Member for Chatham and Aylesford.

The Government has been vocal in its opposition to the European Super League, which would have been to the detriment of the whole football pyramid including the English Football League and the National League System.

Before the announcements on 19th April, the department had not had any discussions on these proposals. Once announced, the Government met with multiple football stakeholders, including the Football Association, to discuss the issue and what action was needed.

The Government was pleased to see the withdrawal of all English teams from the project - the right result for football fans, clubs and communities across the country.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced an independent fan-led review of football governance on 19 April. This will be chaired by the Honourable Member for Chatham and Aylesford.

From 17 May, the Department no longer recommended face coverings for pupils in classrooms or communal areas in schools, or for staff in classrooms. In Step 4 of the roadmap, face coverings were no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas.

The Department worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) and the Cabinet Office to consider a range of evidence, balancing both health and educational considerations. This included the latest available education data, latest data analysis on case rates in secondary school age children and the broader COVID-19 epidemiological position, as well as stakeholder intelligence from schools and further education colleges on their experiences of wearing face coverings in classrooms and any perceived effect on teaching, education, and communication.

As COVID-19 becomes a virus that we learn to live with, there is now an imperative to reduce the disruption to children and young people’s education, particularly given that the direct clinical risks they face are extremely low and the wider success of the vaccine programme.

The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, or staff, may be advised for a temporary period in response to particular localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission.

The Department’s policy on face coverings and other control measures is kept under review and is informed by the latest scientific and medical advice from PHE.

Data on variants of concern is held by the Department of Health and Social Care, where Public Health England (PHE) leads on surveillance and outbreak management. Data on variants, including the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), was considered by the Government as part of meeting the four tests, in making the decision to proceed with Step 3 of the roadmap announced on 10 May.

PHE has published a technical briefing on COVID-19 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England, which is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991343/Variants_of_Concern_VOC_Technical_Briefing_14.pdf. This sets out (page 36-45) data on the number of clusters or outbreaks associated with a range of settings, including education settings, covering the latest available data and the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.

PHE also publishes the total number of cases of each variant in the UK as part of information on variants of COVID-19, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-sars-cov-2-variant. This includes total confirmed Delta variant cases and prevalence split by region, as part of PHE weekly technical briefings, covering the latest available data and previously the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.

The Government’s decision that face coverings no longer need to be worn in classrooms by staff, pupils or students, or in corridors or communal areas by pupils and students, was made in line with Step 3 of the roadmap. When the policy on face coverings in classrooms was introduced, this was an appropriate precautionary temporary measure while rates of infection were high in the community. As the four tests for easing restrictions in Step 3 of the roadmap were met, it was an appropriate time to remove the recommendation. In all schools we continue to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible.

While this moves children towards a greater sense of normality, measures within the PHE-supported system of controls remain very important to reduce transmission in schools, for example, social distancing and regular hand washing. Regular rapid testing will also continue to help find and isolate asymptomatic cases when they do occur, and we continue to encourage everyone to play their part and test themselves twice each week.

The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (bronze/silver/gold) should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains for local directors of public health to advise on.

Data on variants of concern is held by the Department of Health and Social Care, where Public Health England (PHE) leads on surveillance and outbreak management. Data on variants, including the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), was considered by the Government as part of meeting the four tests, in making the decision to proceed with Step 3 of the roadmap announced on 10 May.

PHE has published a technical briefing on COVID-19 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England, which is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991343/Variants_of_Concern_VOC_Technical_Briefing_14.pdf. This sets out (page 36-45) data on the number of clusters or outbreaks associated with a range of settings, including education settings, covering the latest available data and the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.

PHE also publishes the total number of cases of each variant in the UK as part of information on variants of COVID-19, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-sars-cov-2-variant. This includes total confirmed Delta variant cases and prevalence split by region, as part of PHE weekly technical briefings, covering the latest available data and previously the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.

The Government’s decision that face coverings no longer need to be worn in classrooms by staff, pupils or students, or in corridors or communal areas by pupils and students, was made in line with Step 3 of the roadmap. When the policy on face coverings in classrooms was introduced, this was an appropriate precautionary temporary measure while rates of infection were high in the community. As the four tests for easing restrictions in Step 3 of the roadmap were met, it was an appropriate time to remove the recommendation. In all schools we continue to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible.

While this moves children towards a greater sense of normality, measures within the PHE-supported system of controls remain very important to reduce transmission in schools, for example, social distancing and regular hand washing. Regular rapid testing will also continue to help find and isolate asymptomatic cases when they do occur, and we continue to encourage everyone to play their part and test themselves twice each week.

The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (bronze/silver/gold) should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains for local directors of public health to advise on.

The Department worked closely with the Harris Federation and the London Borough of Greenwich to develop proposals for Harris Academy, Avery Hill. The Department submitted a planning application in June and is in consultation with the local community. The outcome of the planning application is expected in November.

The Department publishes capital costs for all free schools on GOV.UK once all works are completed and costs are finalised. These include acquisition and construction costs.

In late 2022, Southeastern went to the market for expressions of interest to replace its ageing Networker fleet at the end of its lease. This could be through refurbishing or cascading existing rolling stock, new build, or a combination of both. An invitation to pre-qualify will be issued to interested suppliers shortly.

Any replacement rolling stock will be subject to a successful business case required to support the investment decision and ensure value for money.

The Department received a draft copy of the Southeastern's Equality Impact Assessment on the 23 November 2022.

Southeastern undertook an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) ahead of the changes it made to its timetable on 11 December 2022 including those affecting services on the Bexleyheath and Sidcup lines. The Department granted Southeastern a derogation against the requirement to consult on the timetable changes on 5 August 2022.

Currently on a typical weekday between 07:00 and 09:30 Eltham has nine direct services to London Charing Cross, six direct services to London Cannon Street and five direct services to London Victoria.

From the 11 December on a typical weekday between 07:00 and 09:30 Eltham will have five direct services to London Charing Cross, seven direct services to London Cannon Street and five direct services to London Victoria. All train times have been uploaded to National Rail Journey Planner and can be found here: https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

First Class is not available on services calling at Eltham or New Eltham. First Class is being removed from Southeastern’s mainline services to create a modern, inclusive railway with more seats available to mainline customers. Removing First Class will provide access to an average of 60 more seats on a 12-car train.

Currently on a typical weekday between 07:00 and 09:30 Eltham has nine direct services to London Charing Cross, six direct services to London Cannon Street and five direct services to London Victoria.

From the 11 December on a typical weekday between 07:00 and 09:30 Eltham will have five direct services to London Charing Cross, seven direct services to London Cannon Street and five direct services to London Victoria. All train times have been uploaded to National Rail Journey Planner and can be found here: https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

First Class is not available on services calling at Eltham or New Eltham. First Class is being removed from Southeastern’s mainline services to create a modern, inclusive railway with more seats available to mainline customers. Removing First Class will provide access to an average of 60 more seats on a 12-car train.

The Chancellor announced (on 3^rd of February) a £200 rebate for households delivered via their energy bill this autumn, paid back automatically over the next 5 years, spreading the increased costs of global prices over time in a way that is more manageable for households.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19^th January to question number 104377.

No specific assessment has been made. However, we are working with NHS England to ensure that provision and support remains for previous users of the Fund. Veterans can be referred to National Health Service audiologists to access any clinically required equipment.

The National Health Service in England has a statutory responsibility to provide care and treatment for veterans’ mobility requirements. A range of equipment is available, following an assessment of clinical need. Bespoke NHS support for veterans is also available, such as personal wheelchair budgets. In addition, the Health Innovation Fund was launched in July 2022 to support organisations to research and trial technology which could assist veterans with complex healthcare needs.

We are working with NHS England, Health Education England and the profession to increase the general practice workforce in England, including in Eltham. This includes measures to improve recruitment, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encourage them to return to practice.

The updated GP Contract Framework announced a number of new schemes, alongside continued support for existing recruitment and retention schemes for the general practice workforce. This includes the GP Retention Scheme, the GP Retention Fund, the National GP Induction and Refresher, the Locum Support Scheme, the New to Partnership Payment and the Supporting Mentors Scheme. We made £520 million available to improve access and expand general practice capacity during the pandemic. This is in addition to at least £1.5 billion to create an additional 50 million general practice appointments by 2024 by increasing and diversifying the workforce.

We made £520 million available to expand general practice capacity during the pandemic. This was in addition to at least £1.5 billion announced in 2020 by 2024 which includes supporting increased workloads in general practitioner (GP) surgeries, including in Eltham. In September 2022, ‘Our plan for patients’ announced measures to support GP practices increase access and manage workloads, such as the provision of 31,000 phone lines and funding to expand the staff roles working in general practice, including in Eltham.

The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention, including in south east London.