Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on publishing a roadmap out of the covid-19 lockdown for people who have been separated from families and partners who live outside of the UK.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK is working with other countries who have programmes to allow vaccinated people to travel more freely, to lead global efforts to adopt a clear international framework with standards that provide consistency for passengers and industry alike. The Government is working closely with the World Health Organisation and other multilateral organisations like ICAO to help shape an internationally interoperable certification system. Additionally, we have been working with like-minded partners, to ensure people can prove their health status when travelling abroad, once international travel resumes from 17 May at the earliest.
On 9 April, a framework to chart the safe return of international travel was set out by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The report, produced by the Global Travel Taskforce shows how international travel could resume from 17 May 2021 at the earliest, and commits to working with industry to do so in a safe, accessible and affordable way. This report shows how the UK will once again allow people with families and partners outside the UK to see their loved ones again.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions his Department has had with other Departments on supporting small businesses to bid for Government contracts to assist with their post-covid recovery.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Further to my answer to questions on 11 February, this Government is doing more than ever to support small businesses to bid for Government contracts and all departments are actively supporting this agenda. Each department has a dedicated SME Champion who works with Commercial teams to promote SME engagement and departments have published SME plans which show how they plan to work with SMEs.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government has taken to help ensure (a) businesses and (b) people are prepared for the end of the transition period.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
To help businesses get ready, we have launched a major communications campaign in the UK and EU urging businesses to visit gov.uk/transition to take action now, get their personalised list of actions and subscribe to updates to find out when things change. The Department for International Trade is also running a campaign ensuring that businesses in the EU are ready for 1 January 2021.
The Government has produced an easy-to-use checker tool which can be accessed via gov.uk/transition for businesses and citizens to find out exactly what they need to do to prepare.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring businesses and citizens are prepared for the end of the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown in England.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Cabinet Office has been in discussion with other Departments regarding COVID-19 guidance for England after 2 December. The Government is publishing new guidance or updating existing guidance ahead of 2 December.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will publish guidance to businesses on any new regulations that may be imposed following the end of the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown in advance of the end of that lockdown period.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Cabinet Office has been in discussion with other Departments regarding COVID-19 guidance for England after 2 December. The Government is publishing new guidance or updating existing guidance ahead of 2 December.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that a future trade agreement with the European Union will benefit small businesses.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK wants to start a new chapter in the history of our country, in which we move forward, unleashing the enormous potential of the British people. Leaving the EU will allow us to shape the UK’s economy in our best interests, including those of small businesses, and open up market access around the world with an independent trade policy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of our economy and we are committed to helping them to seize the opportunities that will become available when we strike new deals with our trading partners, including the EU.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) tariff and quota free trade with the European Union and (b) non-tariff barriers are kept to a minimum.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Political Declaration sets out the aim for a zero tariff and zero quota Free Trade Agreement. We would like to achieve that. Reducing the costs and processes associated with trade is in the interests of people and businesses across the UK and the EU.