Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
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).
Mark Allen's Law - we want throwline stations around all bodies of open water
Gov Responded - 1 Jul 2021 Debated on - 24 Jan 2022 View Mr David Jones's petition debate contributionsMark Allen, aged 18, drowned after jumping into a freezing reservoir on a hot day in June 2018.
In May 2019 we watched whilst 3 throwlines were installed where he died.
Mark could have possibly been saved if they were in place beforehand.
These initiatives were driven by David Jones, 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.
David Jones has not been granted any Urgent Questions
David Jones has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
To make provision about elections to and membership of the National Assembly for Wales; to make provision about the Welsh Assembly Government; to make provision about the setting by the Assembly of a rate of income tax to be paid by Welsh taxpayers and about the devolution of taxation powers to the Assembly; to make related amendments to Part 4A of the Scotland Act 1998; to make provision about borrowing by the Welsh Ministers; to make miscellaneous amendments in the law relating to Wales; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Wednesday 17th December 2014 and was enacted into law.
To make provision about elections to and membership of the National Assembly for Wales; to make provision about the Welsh Assembly Government; to make provision about the setting by the Assembly of a rate of income tax to be paid by Welsh taxpayers and about the devolution of taxation powers to the Assembly; to make related amendments to Part 4A of the Scotland Act 1998; to make provision about borrowing by the Welsh Ministers; to make miscellaneous amendments in the law relating to Wales; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Wednesday 17th December 2014 and was enacted into law.
House of Commons (Precedence of Government Business) (European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - William Cash (CON)
Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)
Sponsor - Peter Aldous (CON)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.
The UK Government is regularly publishing and updating information and guidance for the public on the Covid-19 outbreak. Where a matter is devolved, UK Government guidance available on GOV.UK is clear that measures apply in England-only and should be considered alongside local public health requirements, guidance and legislation in Wales.
The UK Government continues to work with the Welsh Government and other devolved administrations on decisions and guidance related to the current measures.
The findings of Delta-EE’s white paper support existing evidence in demonstrating the potential for reductions in the installed cost of heat pumps. As made clear in the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, growing the number of heat pump installations to at least 600,000 a year by 2028 is contingent on the market finding ways to reduce the upfront cost of the systems. The Government has commissioned further research on this issue and will publish its conclusions later this year.
The Government’s Heat and Building’s Strategy sets out its ambition to work with industry to reduce heat pump costs by 25-50% by 2025. These ambitions were endorsed by several major industry bodies.
BEIS modelling on homes’ energy efficiency and electrical connections suggests it would be feasible to install heat pumps in around 80% of off gas grid homes, potentially rising to around 90% with fabric upgrades. The Department’s analysis indicates that most commercial and public buildings that use fossil fuel heating systems off the gas grid are technically suitable for a heat pump. For buildings on the gas-grid the Department estimates that around 90% will also be suitable for a heat pump.
Off-grid properties that cannot reasonably practicably install a heat pump will have a viable choice of high performing, commercially available alternative heating technologies that are consistent with net zero, such as high temperature heat pumps or solid biomass.
BEIS modelling on homes’ energy efficiency and electrical connections suggests it would be feasible to install heat pumps in around 80% of off gas grid homes, potentially rising to around 90% with fabric upgrades. The Department’s analysis indicates that most commercial and public buildings that use fossil fuel heating systems off the gas grid are technically suitable for a heat pump. For buildings on the gas-grid the Department estimates that around 90% will also be suitable for a heat pump.
Off-grid properties that cannot reasonably practicably install a heat pump will have a viable choice of high performing, commercially available alternative heating technologies that are consistent with net zero, such as high temperature heat pumps or solid biomass.
The Government has been acting to support those wishing to install heat pumps, including in homes off the gas grid, through schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive and the forthcoming Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive is scheduled to close in 2022. It will then be replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which will provide upfront capital grants for the installation of low carbon heating systems in homes and small non-domestic buildings. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will provide grants of £5,000 towards the installation and capital costs of air source heat pumps and biomass boilers, and grants of £6,000 for ground source heat pumps in England.
In addition to this, the recent Heat and Buildings Strategy has outlined a comprehensive policy framework that will support heat pump deployment growth towards the Government’s ambition of 600,000 installations a year by 2028.
New nuclear can bring significant economic benefits, including high-skilled employment, to regions across the UK. The construction of Hinkley Point C has to-date seen EDF spend £3.5 billion in the south-west and create well over 10,000 job opportunities. It is for private developers to propose and develop projects at suitable sites, however in recognising the importance of nuclear, the government has set out a new £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund towards the development of nuclear projects. More details of the Fund and how it will operate will be released in due course. Government would expect to see similar levels of economic impacts to those at Hinkley in the regions where future power stations might be built.
New nuclear projects can deliver significant local, regional, and national economic benefits, including high-skilled employment, to the UK. Government would expect to see similar levels of economic impacts to those at Hinkley in the regions where future power stations might be built.
The construction of Hinkley Point C has to-date seen EDF spend £3.5 billion in the south-west, and it is estimated that a large-scale nuclear plant would support around 10,000 jobs at peak of construction.
The Government has set out a new £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund towards the development of nuclear projects. More details of the Fund and how it will operate will be released in due course.
The Government is aware of the strong interest and support in North Wales for the development of this site and continues to discuss new projects with other viable companies and investors wishing to develop sites including Wylfa Newydd.
The Government has also set out a new £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund towards the development of nuclear projects. There remain a number of optimal sites for new nuclear, including the Wylfa Newydd.
The Government takes nuclear security extremely seriously. All civil nuclear operators must comply with the UK’s world-leading nuclear security regulatory regime, overseen by a robust and independent regulator - the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
Furthermore, all investment involving critical infrastructure is subject to thorough scrutiny and needs to satisfy our robust legal, regulatory and national security requirements. The National Security & Investment Act gives the Government powers to scrutinise and intervene in acquisitions that may pose national security risks.
Ministers regularly meet with a range of people on a range of issues.
Officials have engaged closely with S4C, including the acting Chair of the S4C Authority, on a range of relevant matters.
Ministers regularly meet with a range of people on a range of issues.
Officials have engaged closely with S4C, including the acting Chair of the S4C Authority, on a range of relevant matters.
The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying and chasing very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications.
New measures to crack down on livestock worrying in England and Wales are to be brought in through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on 8 June 2021.The new measures will enhance enforcement mechanisms available to the police and expand the scope of livestock species and locations covered by the law. Improved powers will enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively.
The purpose of the livestock worrying legislation is to tackle the anti-social behaviour of those whose dogs worry or attack animals that are commonly found in agricultural settings and whose injury or death may have serious financial consequences for their keepers. Feral wild animals are outside the scope of this legislation. Protections for animals in their wild state are dealt with separately under different legislation.
In December 2021, Defra published research in collaboration with Middlesex University investigating measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. The research considers the effectiveness of current dog control measures, and the report makes several recommendations, including strengthening the accreditation of dog trainers and providing dog awareness courses for those with dog control issues. The report will provide the basis for the consideration of reform in this area and the Government is already working with the police, local authorities, and animal welfare stakeholders to consider the recommendations further.
Guidance is available to educate owners about handling their dogs responsibly in the vicinity of livestock and animals, in order to prevent the occurrence of attacks or chasing. Natural England recently published a refreshed version of the Countryside Code, which highlights that it is best practice to keep dogs on a lead around livestock. The Code also makes specific reference to keeping dogs in sight and under control to make sure they stay away from livestock, wildlife, horses and other people unless invited. Moreover, the Code helpfully sets out certain legal requirements, encouraging visitors to always check local signs as there are locations where you must keep your dog on a lead around livestock for all or part of the year.
In addition, dog owners can prevent incidents of chasing by undertaking appropriate training. It is important that dogs are trained to behave well, ideally from a young age, and introduced gradually and positively to different environments, people and animals. Reward-based training for dogs is widely regarded as the preferred method of training. Owners who have concerns about controlling their dog’s behaviour may take advice from their vet or a suitably qualified dog behaviourist or trainer. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council maintains national registers of appropriately qualified trainers and behaviourists and The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs also details best practice methods of training.
We continue to monitor the situation. The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK remains open for business, while protecting the livelihoods of British workers and investment in the UK. We recognise that overseas investors play a major and positive role in stimulating economic growth in every part of the UK. In most cases, it is right that mergers are treated as a commercial matter for the parties involved.
We have received reassurances from Morrisons of the priorities of the potential new investor, including support of the relationships Morrisons has fostered with small suppliers and farmers and no material changes to existing payment practices are expected.
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill creates an expert committee, the Animal Sentience Committee, which has powers to consider how Ministerial policy decisions have paid all due regard to the welfare of animals as sentient beings. The Bill introduces new powers for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to appoint appropriate committee members. Recruitment activity for the Committee will be in line with standard public appointments rules and will take place as soon as is practicable. This includes the principle that candidates should be drawn from a strong, diverse field, and that their skills, experiences and qualities should meet the needs of the Committee.
We understand the challenges faced by zoos and aquariums during these unprecedented times. We also appreciate the significant opportunities zoos can provide for the public to access well managed and controlled outdoor spaces, and the potential to improve general wellbeing.
However, the Government has taken the decision that zoos and aquariums should not yet reopen, and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 1 June, provide greater clarity and certainty on this. While each individual attraction can be made safer, it is vital that we do not move too quickly in reopening to ensure public health is protected.
We are continuing to work with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums to understand how we can reopen zoos in a safe way as soon as possible with social distancing measures in place.
In line with Cabinet Office guidance, Defra has a target of replying to correspondence within 20 working days where a response is required.
As you will understand, Defra is currently dealing with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. All correspondence received from Members is being reviewed and will be responded to as soon as possible.
The UK has pledged £744 million to support the global humanitarian response to COVID-19. We?have?delivered?additional vital support in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by providing funding to WHO and UNICEF to purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of?medical equipment,?treat critical care patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale up laboratory testing capacity.
The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains relatively low, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an expected increase in COVID-19 cases is poor. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment. We continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with the UN and the international community to ensure a co-ordinated response.
My Rt. Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has engaged with the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, most recently on 12 November, to press for a resolution to the Section 232 tariffs. Our preference is the full removal of 232 tariffs, in which case the UK's tariffs on American whiskeys will not be required.
Ministerial colleagues at the Office of Secretary of State for Wales regularly engage with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board on a wide range of policy areas.
The Department for International Trade has established an extensive stakeholder engagement framework consisting of various mechanisms to allow business and civil society stakeholders the opportunity to feed into its trade policy, ensuring the UK position is well-informed and reflects the interests of the whole of the UK.
We want every relevant organisation, in every part of the UK, to feel engaged with our trade policy and we will continue to engage with a range of businesses, industry, civil society and all willing stakeholders in different ways as we continue to seek out the opportunities free trade provides us.
Any trade deal with the US must work for UK consumers, farmers, and companies. A deal with the US can help create opportunities for agricultural producers by opening up new markets for the UK’s high-quality produce.
As set out in our manifesto, we will not compromise our standards as we negotiate new trade deals. At the end of the transition period, all existing EU food safety, animal welfare, and environmental standards will be retained and form part of our domestic law. This includes all existing import requirements.
The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys are appointed at the discretion and direction of the Prime Minister.
The position of PM’s Trade Envoy to Libya has been vacant since my former colleague Sir Henry Bellingham stepped down as a Member of Parliament. I would take this opportunity to state my appreciation for all of the work he undertook to advocate UK trade in relation to Libya.
The Secretary of State for Transport has had recent discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart. Officials from the Department for Transport have engaged with European counterparts on airspace restrictions. Following the UK’s decision to restrict UK airspace to all Russian aircraft (both scheduled and non-scheduled) on 25 February 2022, the European Union announced it would restrict all EU airspace to Russian aircraft from 27 February 2022.
Of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s total workforce of more than 6,000, just under 35 per cent are working from home. The staff working from home are mainly from support areas, including Human Resources, Commercials, Finance, Policy and Communications. Most operational staff work on site in order to process the 60,000 items of mail the DVLA receives daily which must be dealt with in person.
Information on the amount of correspondence awaiting a substantive response is not available. The DVLA is working hard to process applications and answer correspondence as quickly as possible. The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. Industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union has led to delays in dealing with paper applications. Throughout the pandemic the DVLA has been working with a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements. The current increased demand for the DVLA’s services has also contributed to delays with paper applications.
The DVLA continues to explore opportunities to improve the time taken to deal with paper applications and has been developing additional new online services and recruiting additional staff. The DVLA is looking to secure extra office space to accommodate more staff as surge capacity accommodation and resource to help reduce backlogs while providing future resilience and business continuity.
Of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s total workforce of more than 6,000, just under 35 per cent are working from home. The staff working from home are mainly from support areas, including Human Resources, Commercials, Finance, Policy and Communications. Most operational staff work on site in order to process the 60,000 items of mail the DVLA receives daily which must be dealt with in person.
Information on the amount of correspondence awaiting a substantive response is not available. The DVLA is working hard to process applications and answer correspondence as quickly as possible. The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. Industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union has led to delays in dealing with paper applications. Throughout the pandemic the DVLA has been working with a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements. The current increased demand for the DVLA’s services has also contributed to delays with paper applications.
The DVLA continues to explore opportunities to improve the time taken to deal with paper applications and has been developing additional new online services and recruiting additional staff. The DVLA is looking to secure extra office space to accommodate more staff as surge capacity accommodation and resource to help reduce backlogs while providing future resilience and business continuity.
Of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s total workforce of more than 6,000, just under 35 per cent are working from home. The staff working from home are mainly from support areas, including Human Resources, Commercials, Finance, Policy and Communications. Most operational staff work on site in order to process the 60,000 items of mail the DVLA receives daily which must be dealt with in person.
Information on the amount of correspondence awaiting a substantive response is not available. The DVLA is working hard to process applications and answer correspondence as quickly as possible. The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. Industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union has led to delays in dealing with paper applications. Throughout the pandemic the DVLA has been working with a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements. The current increased demand for the DVLA’s services has also contributed to delays with paper applications.
The DVLA continues to explore opportunities to improve the time taken to deal with paper applications and has been developing additional new online services and recruiting additional staff. The DVLA is looking to secure extra office space to accommodate more staff as surge capacity accommodation and resource to help reduce backlogs while providing future resilience and business continuity.
Our approach to travel corridors has been guided by the science and we have worked closely with health and policy experts from across government to ensure the steps we are taking will minimise the risk of importing COVID-19 cases, while helping to open our travel and tourism sector. The Joint Biosecurity Centre, in close consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Chief Medical Officer, has developed an approach to assessing the public health risk associated with inbound travel from specific countries and territories. The resulting categorisation methodology has been informed by a number of factors including an estimate of the proportion of the population that is currently infectious in each country, trends in virus incidences and deaths, transmission status and international epidemic intelligence. We have also considered issues such as the testing capacity of each country and the quality of the data available.
It would not be appropriate to comment on individual discussions. However, we recognise that this will be very distressing news for BA employees and their families, and we stand ready to support them.
The aviation sector is essential to the UK economy, and firms can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures, including: schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees. If airlines find themselves in trouble because of coronavirus, and have exhausted the measures already available to them, the Government is prepared to enter discussions with individual companies seeking bespoke support as a last resort, having exhausted all other options.??Any intervention would need to represent value for money for taxpayers.
The responsibility for any card account customer cash delivery service poca for customers living in Wales is a matter for Welsh Government.
The alternative method of payment service, including cash by exception, run during the COVID-19 Pandemic has been offered to DWP customers in England who are not paid by the Department’s standard payment methods and have been required to follow the Shielding guidance provided by NHS England.
The information is not available in the format requested.
The volume of correspondence to the Department’s Ministers is currently three times higher than it was prior to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks the Department has also redeployed thousands of staff to manage the significant increase in claims for benefits and to ensure that claimants are paid in a timely manner. The Department ensures that urgent cases raised by hon. Members are prioritised and is taking steps to provide substantive replies in as short a time as possible.
DWP is committed to supporting everyone during this unprecedented time.
Where colleagues can effectively contribute to this effort working from home then they are doing so. Not all colleagues can work from home because they need to access equipment, programmes and support to enable them to do their telephony and processing work. We are requiring these employees to be in the office but in line with the Government’s advice on critical workers, we are taking all practical steps to protect the health and safety of colleagues working in our offices.
The Department has procured significantly more portable computers to expand our home working capacity. Colleagues who require specialist IT equipment for accessibility reasons are able to order this for use at home and those who are in the vulnerable or shielding category can have it delivered to their home address.
The issue of lead and lead shot has been assessed on several occasions by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). COT concluded that lead shot game is unlikely to be a significant source of lead exposure for most consumers, although it may be a significant contributor for frequent consumers.
The FSA advises that high consumers of lead shot game should minimise consumption, especially of small game to reduce exposure to lead. This is particularly important for pregnant women, toddlers, children and women trying for a baby. Lead exposure from food, including from lead shot game, is kept under review by the FSA to ensure that advice and other measures in place remain protective for consumers.
The Department received over 5,000 responses to the public consultation on the post-implementation review (PIR) of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulation 2016. Identifying the specific evidence relating to oral tobacco and/or snus across these submissions would incur disproportionate cost. However, the Department has now published the PIR, which includes a summary of the evidence and is available at the following link:
The Department has not undertaken its own review of oral tobacco as it is banned in the United Kingdom and we have no plans to introduce additional tobacco products to the market. Safer nicotine delivery products are currently available for smokers, including nicotine pouches.
Tobacco-free oral nicotine products are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. We are reviewing the regulatory framework for these products. No assessment of the implications of the British Standards Institution document PAS 8877 has been made.
Tobacco-free oral nicotine products are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. We are reviewing the regulatory framework for these products. No assessment of the implications of the British Standards Institution document PAS 8877 has been made.
The Government provides central funding to local authorities in support of local trading standards activity. It is for local authorities to decide how this funding is allocated across local services, including how to combat the underage sale of e-cigarettes. The Department also commissions the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to publish annual tobacco control surveys on trading standards activities. The Department provides advice for small businesses on compliance with age of sale requirements via the Business Companion website.
We believe that the current enforcement measures are proportionate. However, we will continue to monitor the evidence regarding underage or illegal sales.
In accordance with the Abortion Act 1967 and the Abortion Regulations 1991, all abortions performed in England, including early medical abortions where both pills are taken at home, must be notified to the Chief Medical Officer within 14 days of the procedure. Any complication known to the practitioner terminating the pregnancy, at the time the notification is submitted, should be recorded on the Abortion Notification (HSA4) form. All serious incidents should be reported by the provider to their commissioner, the Care Quality Commission and other relevant organisations in line with the serious incident framework published by NHS England and NHS Improvement.
The Department is undertaking a project to review the system of recording abortion complications data and we anticipate this work will be completed shortly. The review will cover all data on complications arising from abortion including home use of early medical abortion pills. To improve the accuracy of the data collected, the Department is working with a range of statutory bodies, professional organisations and abortion providers to identify additional sources of information that could be used to complement complications data collected via HSA4 abortion notification forms and improve the flow of data on abortion complications between different organisations, such as independent and National Health Service abortion providers and wider NHS health and care services.
We have no plans to do so.
The next Vaping in England report published by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities will include a chapter with a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. The report is due to be published early next year.
Protease inhibitors have an important role in the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, the United Kingdom recently secured 250,000 patient courses of the Pfizer PAXLOVID protease inhibitor, as well as 480,000 patient courses of Merck Sharp Dohme’s polymerase inhibitor Lagevrio. Evidence for ivermectin as a treatment of COVID-19 is inconclusive at this stage. However, the Therapeutic Taskforce continues to monitor any emerging evidence for ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment from clinical trials worldwide. This includes clinical trials considering ivermectin’s potential application as a protease inhibitor.
The Department continues to monitor any new evidence for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. While we are aware that although some clinical trials have shown positive signals for the potential efficacy of ivermectin, there are no supportive randomised control trials and insufficient evidence to support use for COVID-19. Results from the PRINCIPLE clinical trial platform, launched in June, are expected in early 2022 and we will monitor data from worldwide clinical trials on the efficacy of ivermectin.
The Department’s policy position on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and snus at the ninth Conference of the Parties (COP9) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will be in accordance with the current 2017 Tobacco Control Plan for England, the regulations set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and our ambition to be smoke-free by 2030.
The Department continues to support the use of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to smoking and as a tool to help people to quit and we will continue to monitor the evidence. In 2017, the independent Committee on Toxicity recommended that heated tobacco still poses harm to users but may be less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes. However, information on the health impacts is limited and therefore we recommend that people quit tobacco use altogether rather than move to these products. Oral tobacco or ’snus‘, remains banned under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
Departmental officials regularly meet with the devolved administrations to discuss tobacco control matters and share best practice, including progress on the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan.
NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England are working with the profession to increase the general practice workforce in England. This includes measures to boost 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 retention schemes alongside continued support for existing schemes for the general practice workforce. These schemes include the GP Retention Scheme, the International Induction Programme, the Return to Practice Programme, the Fellowship Programme, the New to Partnership Payment and Supporting Mentors Scheme. In 2020, 3,793 doctors commenced training as general practitioners and we are committed to increasing the number of training places available to 4,000 a year.
The Department is currently in the process of drafting the new Tobacco Control Plan working closely with Public Health England and other Government departments. We expect the final Tobacco Control Plan to be published by the end of the year.
There are no current plans to make such an assessment. However, the Department is due to publish its post implementation review on the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 by the end of the year. Following this review, the Department will consider the need for any regulatory changes, including on non-combustible nicotine products and oral tobacco.
The Department is currently undertaking a post-implementation review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. We have analysed research and evidence submitted through a public consultation, including on oral tobacco, known as snus and on the harms of tobacco use more generally. The review will inform our decision on whether such products should be regulated in the future.
No assessment has been made and oral tobacco products are banned under The Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016 (TRPR). The Department is currently undertaking a post implementation review of TRPR which will consider if the regulations have met their objectives, or if any future regulatory changes should be considered. The report of the review will be published by the end of the year.
There are no plans to do so.
The Department and Public Health England previously asked the Committee on Toxicity (CoT) to review the potential toxicological risks from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems. This included information on ENDS e-liquids that contain nicotine, concentrations, and nicotine exposure. The CoT’s statement is available at the following link:
https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-09/COT%20E%28N%29NDS%20statement%202020-04.pdf
Further plans for reviewing the evidence for e-cigarettes and other novel nicotine delivery systems are being considered and will be outlined in the new Tobacco Control Plan for England which will be published later this year.
The Department does not recognise the term ‘Authoritative Assessment’. The next iteration of Vaping in England was commissioned by Public Health England in 2020 and is being conducted by an international panel of tobacco control experts led by King’s College London. This will be the eighth evidence review and it will cover the relative harms of nicotine delivery products.
The report will include a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. It is expected that this will be published in March 2022 by the Office for Health Promotion, following its launch on 1 October 2021.
The Department does not recognise the term ‘Authoritative Assessment’. The next iteration of Vaping in England was commissioned by Public Health England in 2020 and is being conducted by an international panel of tobacco control experts led by King’s College London. This will be the eighth evidence review and it will cover the relative harms of nicotine delivery products.
The report will include a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. It is expected that this will be published in March 2022 by the Office for Health Promotion, following its launch on 1 October 2021.
There are no plans to do so. commission research on these issues. The Government’s public consultation on whether to make permanent the temporary measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women asked questions on the impact of making permanent the temporary measure on people with protected characteristics. The consultation also sought views on the potential for making permanent home use of both pills for early medical abortion to reduce or increase inequality in health outcomes experienced by different socioeconomic groups. The consultation has now closed and we will be considering all evidence submitted and plan to publish our response later this year.
Abortion is not in scope of the Women’s Health Strategy.
A external company has been contracted by the Department to undertake independent analysis of consultation responses. They are able to access data for reporting and analysis purposes at the Department’s request and are supporting the impartial analysis of responses to the consultation on the temporary approval. The strength and robustness of evidence or research submitted as part of this consultation will be assessed and considered alongside any potential conflicts of interest.
A external company has been contracted by the Department to undertake independent analysis of consultation responses. They are able to access data for reporting and analysis purposes at the Department’s request and are supporting the impartial analysis of responses to the consultation on the temporary approval. The strength and robustness of evidence or research submitted as part of this consultation will be assessed and considered alongside any potential conflicts of interest.
The Department is closely monitoring the evidence on the case for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. On 23 June, the PRINCIPLE clinical trial platform announced that ivermectin would be investigated to generate robust data on its effectiveness in treating adults aged 18 years old and over who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. We will closely monitor the data from this trial, as well as emerging evidence from the large number of clinical trials worldwide to expand our evidence-base on the efficacy of ivermectin.
The National Health Service website provides public information on the harms of smoking and advice to help people quit smoking, including information on using e-cigarettes. In addition, central stop smoking campaigns such as Stoptober have supported the use of e-cigarettes as a tool to help smokers quit.
To support our Smokefree 2030 ambition, the upcoming Tobacco Control Plan will set out a range of measures which will help smokers to quit, including through the use of less harmful products such as e-cigarettes.
Non-nicotine vaping products are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) 2005. The GPSR requires all products to be safe in their normal, or reasonably foreseeable, usage. The Department is also undertaking a post implementation review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and we will publish a response later this year.
Individuals who live in Wales can access their COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in England, and vice versa. This is in line with existing reciprocal healthcare arrangements between England and Wales.
Work is ongoing to transfer data between England and the devolved administrations to ensure that vaccinations which occur outside of the patient’s ‘home’ nation are delivered to their patient record.
The Department plans to publish a new Tobacco Control Plan (TCP) later this year. The Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 will also be published by the end of the year. Evidence gathered from this Review will be considered as part of the development of the new TCP.
The Department plans to publish a new Tobacco Control Plan (TCP) later this year. The Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 will also be published by the end of the year. Evidence gathered from this Review will be considered as part of the development of the new TCP.
The Tobacco Control Plan will take into account the conclusions of the Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015. We are also considering whether other regulatory measures are required to support the Smokefree 2030 target.
Public Health England (PHE) published its seventh commissioned report on vaping in February 2021. The conclusions of this report and all previous reports will be considered as part of the scoping for the new Tobacco Control Plan. PHE’s eighth report is expected in March 2022.
Housing-based care options have a vital role in enabling older people to live independently. The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government provide capital funding subsidy to incentivise the supply of housing-with-care. We are committed to working closely together and across Government, to refine our understanding of the evidence around specialist housing, adult social care and health. We are also committed to further improve the diversity of housing options available to older people and continue to engage closely with a range of stakeholders on this issue.
The Government is considering ways to mark the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a rapid evidence summary on vitamin D for COVID-19 in June. This includes vitamin D3. There are no minutes as the process for developing rapid evidence summaries does not include a committee stage. Instead, NICE conducted a robust targeted review with a wide range of external expert advisers, as listed in the evidence review. This is available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/evidence/evidence-review-pdf-8777674477
Supplies of Priadel (lithium carbonate) are currently available.
The Department is aware Priadel tablets are being discontinued in April 2021, but alternative lithium products will remain available and we have worked with national mental health experts to issue guidance for healthcare professionals to support those affected.
We continue to work closely with the supplier and wholesalers to maintain the availability of Priadel and to ensure supply remains available for patients. We are aware that the supplier has quotas in place to reduce the risk of stockpiling but have confirmed that ordering mechanisms are in place to ensure all prescriptions for Priadel can access this treatment.
We have also added lithium carbonate to the parallel export restriction list (8 September 2020) to ensure supplies remain available for the United Kingdom.
The Department has noted the findings from this study. Public Health England (PHE) is monitoring any new, high quality evidence on nutrition and COVID-19 and is seeking further advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) as appropriate. On 29 June 2020, the SACN and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a rapid evidence review which concluded that there is currently no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk or severity of COVID-19.
In April 2020, PHE re-issued advice on vitamin D supplementation, advising that people who do not go outdoors often should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D to prevent deficiency. Existing evidence also highlights that people who have dark skin – for example, have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight. This advice is not about reducing the risk of COVID-19 or mitigating its effects; vitamin D is needed to keep bones and muscles healthy.
On 7 July 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) classified IQOS as a ‘modified risk product’ and permitted the use of certain information in their advertising and marketing of the products. The FDA states that this does not mean these products are safe or “FDA approved” and they will continue to monitor them.
The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) provided an independent assessment of the harms of heated tobacco products for the Government. COT reported in December 2017 and found that the evidence suggests heated tobacco products pose a risk to users and though there is likely to be a reduction in risk for cigarette smokers who switch to these products, it is best to quit entirely.
In the United Kingdom heated tobacco products are regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) and classed as a novel tobacco product. The Government has a legal commitment to carry out a post-implementation review of TRPR by May 2021.
Antibody tests are available to National Health Service and care staff, eligible patients and care residents in England to see if they have had COVID-19 as part of the new national antibody testing programme. The antibody test will be available for clinicians to use in their routine management of NHS patients as appropriate, and also for any patient who is already having blood taken as part of other tests. A positive test result for antibodies does not mean that the person being tested is immune to COVID-19. There is currently no firm evidence that the presence of antibodies means someone cannot be re-infected with the virus or will not pass it on to someone else. If someone tests positive, they still need to follow social distancing measures and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
The importance of developing a consistent and joined-up approach to contact tracing and testing across the whole of the United Kingdom is regularly discussed between the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and his counterparts in each of the devolved administrations, most recently on 28 May 2020 at the weekly Four Nations ministerial call.
To support this, officials within the Department, NHSX and Public Health England are working closely with counterparts in the Welsh Government – as in each of the devolved administrations – to explore opportunities for aligning and integrating contact tracing and testing systems.
Public Health England (PHE) is monitoring any new, high quality evidence on nutrition and COVID-19 and seeking the advice of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) as appropriate. PHE is carrying out a rapid review of recent evidence relating to vitamin D and the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections for SACN to consider at its meeting in June 2020.
PHE is aware of reviews and trials underway further exploring the vitamin D and the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Examples of clinical trials underway on vitamin D and COVID-19 can be found at the following link:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=COVID&term=vitamin+d&cntry=&state=&city=&dist
Those with diabetes are already on the wider clinically vulnerable list and should be strictly following social distancing measures. The guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 has been developed by expert doctors identifying specific medical conditions based on what we know about the virus so far. We will continue to keep this evidence under review.
In addition, general practitioners and hospital specialists have been asked to recommend other patients follow shielding guidance, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of each individual’s needs.
The Department and NHSX have been working closely with our partners in the devolved administrations throughout this outbreak. The National Health Service COVID-19 app will be available throughout the United Kingdom and the devolved administrations may choose to use the app as part of their response to COVID-19. A representative from each devolved administration has been sitting on the NHS COVID-19 app oversight board since mid-March. There is also a working group that is ensuring the NHS COVID-19 app can be integrated with devolved administrations’ test and trace plans.
We have sought and obtained permission from Apple to include the National Health Service COVID-19 app on the App Store.
The National Health Service COVID-19 app will be part of a wider approach that will involve contact tracing and testing. The Department and NHSX have been working closely with our partners in the devolved administrations throughout this outbreak, including on our contact tracing work, and will continue to do so going forward.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has weekly calls with his devolved administration counterparts and a representative from each devolved administration sits on the app oversight board.
The World Health Organization recommends regulating e-cigarettes in order to protect non-smokers and youth from accessing these products. The United Kingdom regulatory framework recognises this.
Although not risk free, in the UK, e-cigarettes have helped some smokers to quit tobacco use who would not have quit through other means. We continue to keep the evidence base on e-cigarettes under review.
At the 9th World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference of the Parties, officials will continue to communicate the United Kingdom Government’s position on e-cigarettes. That is, although not risk free, e-cigarettes have helped some smokers to quit tobacco use who would not have quit through other means. We have introduced a proportionate regulatory framework and continue to keep the evidence base on e-cigarettes under review.
The United Kingdom intends to attend the 9th Conference of the Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in accordance with the terms set out within the withdrawal agreement with the European Union.
The UK Government continues to raise Alaa Abdel Fatah's case with the highest levels of the Egyptian government and is working urgently to secure consular access to ensure his welfare. We are concerned by reports that he is on a sustained hunger strike. We continue to be in regular contact with his family to provide support.
As the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 21 June, she is meeting the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his upcoming visit to the UK.
The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our concerns about the manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces police non-violent protests and the border areas. I recently travelled to Israel where I discussed this with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll.
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
On 11 May, I publicly expressed my sadness upon hearing news of the tragic death of veteran Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, and called for a thorough investigation. The Foreign Secretary also made this clear in a statement on 12 May. Officials from the British Embassy Tel Aviv have reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.
The UK Government is in contact with the Egyptian authorities and urgently seeking consular access. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah. The UK Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities, including with regard to political prisoners in the Egyptian system, both privately and in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. This includes raising the implementation of the rights guaranteed by Egypt's constitution.
The UK Government is in contact with the Egyptian authorities and urgently seeking consular access. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah. The UK Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities, including with regard to political prisoners in the Egyptian system, both privately and in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. This includes raising the implementation of the rights guaranteed by Egypt's constitution.
We are concerned by the severity and length of sentence received by Mr Bala at trial. The British High Commissioner has expressed these concerns to the Kano State Government and the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff. We will continue to follow developments in Mr Bala's case closely and stress the importance of Mr Bala being treated in full accordance with his human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief.
We do not agree with the use of this terminology. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. This includes encouraging the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all.
The UK fully supports the UN-facilitated, Libyan led and owned political process. Successful, free, fair and inclusive elections will be a crucial step in this process, and the Libyan people have made it clear their aspirations to have a say in who governs them. The UK is working with Libyan and international partners - including the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor Stephanie Williams and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya - to pursue this priority through an inclusive political process to support Libya's sovereignty and national unity and to put the country on a path towards sustained peace, security and prosperity.
The UK is working with Libyan and international partners - including the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor Stephanie Williams - to support Libya's sovereignty and national unity, and to put the country on a path to sustained peace, security and prosperity. In our engagement with external actors, we have been clear that the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries should happen without delay, as set out in the UK-led UN Security Council Resolution 2570, and that all external actors should implement the 20 October 2020 ceasefire agreement and the Action Plan agreed by the October 2021 5+5 Joint Military Committee Action Plan.
There is extensive evidence of Iranian material support to the Houthis, including in reports from UN Panel of Export and open-source reporting, which is in clear breach of UNSCR 2216. This Government regularly assesses the impact of Iran's continued provision of weapons and military support to the Houthis: it has contributed to the Houthis' sustained drone and missile attacks within Yemen, and into Saudi Arabia and UAE. This sustained support has stoked further conflict and undermined UN-led peace efforts.
It is vital that Yemen is not used as a theatre in which to escalate conflict in the region. We therefore urge Iran to fully support the UN Special Envoy's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and the start of formal peace talks.
As set out by the Foreign Secretary and I on 17 January, the UK condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on Abu Dhabi. We are in close contact with our Emirati partners via Ministerial and official channels and continue to offer our support. We are closely monitoring the situation and keeping our Travel Advice under constant review. British Nationals in the UAE should sign up for alerts and follow our travel advice for the latest information.
In line with the commitments in the Integrated Review, the conflict centre in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working with a range of partners to consider and further develop our approach to conflict. We are assessing evidence for what works and how to harness the full range of Her Majesty's Government (HMG) capabilities to increase our impact in preventing, managing and resolving conflict in priority regions. The UK is committed to protecting all children affected by armed conflict.
The UK prioritises efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict through our active membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) which leads the international response to violations committed against children in conflict. The Working Group focuses on responding to the UN Secretary General's CAAC annual report which lists governments and armed groups for committing grave violations against children. We further protect children in armed conflict through our extensive Girls' Education Campaign. The UK advocates for universalisation of the Safe Schools Declaration and by situating the Declaration within our Girls' Education Campaign, we are ensuring implementation is gender responsive; focusing on getting girls back into school and recognising they are impacted in unique ways by conflict and by pauses in their education.
We will set out more detail on the FCDO's approach to conflict in the New Year.
The UK is firmly committed to ending all violations against children in armed conflict. We use our permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) membership to ensure conflict-related child protection issues remain a key part of UNSC discussions and that UN operations address child protection issues. The UK is also an active member of the UNSC Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which leads the international response to violations committed against children in conflict. The Working Group issues calls and concrete requests to those governments and armed groups listed in the Secretary-General's annual report on children and armed conflict, supplementing the work of the UN to get parties to enter into concrete action plans to end the recruitment and use of children.
As a member of the UNSC Working Group, the UK applies diplomatic pressure to listed parties to enter into concrete UN action plans to verify and release any children associated with armed groups and forces, to prevent re-recruitment and ensure the provision of appropriate reintegration and rehabilitation assistance. We also press for the inclusion of child protection provisions in UN peacekeeping mandate renewals and resolutions.
In line with the commitments in the Integrated Review, the conflict centre in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working with a range of partners to consider and develop our approach to conflict. We are assessing evidence for what works and how to harness the full range of HMG capabilities to increase our impact in preventing, managing and resolving conflict in priority regions. A core part of the conflict centre's role will be to draw on expertise from across Her Majesty's Government (HMG) and beyond to support the UK's work on conflict, including from civil society, academia, bilateral partners, multilateral organisations and the private sector.
We will set out more detail on the FCDO's approach to conflict and how we are delivering on the IR commitments in the New Year.
We are in contact with the Government of Israel to understand the basis of the designations. We have made clear that human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including those focused on Israel's conduct in the Palestinian Territories. Israel's long-standing commitment to democratic values is one of its great strengths as a fellow democracy, and we continue to make clear that a strong, vibrant civil society is in Israel's own interest. As a friend of Israel, we are concerned by any developments that may undermine this commitment.
We are aware of the decision by the Israeli authorities and will be seeking additional information to understand the basis for the designations. Human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in the development of thriving, open societies.
We are aware of the decision by the Israeli authorities and will be seeking additional information to understand the basis for the designations. Human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in the development of thriving, open societies.
The UK is a long-term supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We recognise UNRWA's unique mandate from the UN General Assembly, to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Our future spending allocations will be set in the next Spending Review. Full budgets will be published in due course, including in our regular Statistics on International Development website and in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts.
We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website. We advise British businesses to bear in mind the British Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region. When approached by businesses, we set out the UK's clear position on Israeli settlements, and share with them our online guidance. This is voluntary guidance to British businesses on doing business in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Ultimately it will be the decision of an individual or company whether to operate in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but the British Government would neither encourage nor offer support to such activity.
The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.
The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.
The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.
The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.
The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.
The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.
We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. The UK regularly raises the issue of forced evictions from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. We continue to urge Israel to cease such actions, which in all but the most exceptional cases are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.
The UK regularly raises the issue of demolitions and forced evictions of Palestinian families from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.
The UK opposes Israel's demolitions of Palestinian schools and we continue to urge Israel to cease such policies. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. It is essential to have a strong and thriving Palestinian education system to provide opportunities for the next generation. UK aid works to support the Palestinian education system; in financial year 2020/21 we provided £20 million in funding to the Palestinian Authority to support the salaries of education workers in the West Bank. Our ongoing programme support to UNRWA also helps to provide education to children across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including virtually since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK regularly raises the issue of demolitions and forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.
The UK is deeply concerned about the arrest of Gasser Abdel Razek, Mohammed Basheer and Karim Ennarah. We continue to raise our concerns with the Egyptian authorities both in London and in Cairo. All human rights defenders should be able to work without fear of arrest or reprisals. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue directly with his Egyptian counterpart on 19 November. We are working closely with partners in the international community who share our concerns.
We are aware of reports about the condition of the Nabarima floating storage and off-loading facility in the Gulf of Paria. We have not made representations to the Venezuelan authorities, but would urge them to take all necessary measures to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe that would have repercussions not only for Venezuela but also for the entire region.
We are aware of public claims relating to a site in the Sorkheh-Hassar region. Iran's reductions in compliance with its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) continue to be of serious concern. The UK, with France and Germany, triggered the JCPoA's Dispute Resolution Mechanism on 14 January to try to resolve these concerns. The Foreign Secretary, along with his French and German counterparts has made clear that Iran must return to compliance with the JCPoA without delay. We have called for a ministerial meeting of parties to the JCPoA to seek a diplomatic way forward.
The execution of Navik Afkari by the Iranian authorities was deplorable. The UK Government made clear its public condemnation of the action on 12 September. The UK Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, as a matter of principle, and we unreservedly support the right to peaceful protest. Iran's human rights record is of serious and longstanding concern to the UK. The continued use of the death penalty, weak rule of law and restrictions on freedoms of expression remain deeply worrying. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.
The UK is a long-standing friend and supporter of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. We have provided significant assistance to Lebanon, allocating over £700 million in humanitarian and development funding since the start of the Syria crisis. The UK's development support and technical expertise has generated investment and jobs, provided children with access to quality education; and provided humanitarian support to those most in need - both refugees and vulnerable Lebanese.
We will continue to stand with Lebanon in its time of urgent need following the devastating Beirut Port explosion. We have announced a £25 million package of humanitarian support making us one of the biggest donors to the crisis. £20 million of this, through the UN's World Food Programme, will help the country's most vulnerable by going directly to those families most at risk to cover their essential survival needs, including access to food and medicine. We have also allocated £3 million to the British Red Cross to meet urgent multi-sector needs. And we have deployed UK technical expertise, including medical and humanitarian specialists to assist with the response on the ground and help plan the next stages of the UK and international response.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been clear that the death of George Floyd was appalling, inexcusable and deeply distressing. We are aware that a suspect has been charged and there is a federal review underway. We would hope and expect justice to be done.
The violence we have seen is clearly very alarming. People must be allowed to protest peacefully - peaceful protest remains a vital part of a democratic society and we understand the strength of feeling around this issue.
We are deeply concerned by the reports of the executions of these two juvenile offenders. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated these executions are prohibited under international human rights law and has violated the International Convention on the Rights of the Child which Iran had signed up to. The UK regularly raises human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.
The British Government's position on welfare was reiterated to the International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation at the start of this crisis, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards for our seafarers. Where vessel operators request assistance to repatriate their employees, the British Government stands ready to work as quickly as possible to help those who may need rapid consular assistance.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Transport continue to work closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of British national crew members. Operators are repatriating non-essential Crew and we have recently supported in country to ensure crew are able to disembark in Europe and the US.
The British Government's position on welfare was reiterated to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards for our seafarers. Where vessel operators request assistance to repatriate their employees, the British Government stands ready to work as quickly as possible to help those who may need rapid consular assistance.
FCO and DFT continue to work closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of BN crew members. Operators are repatriating non-essential Crew and we have recently supported in country to ensure crew are able to disembark in Europe and the US.
The Government is currently considering all proposals put forward through the alcohol duty review consultation, which closed on 30 January. The Government will respond to the consultation in due course.
The Government set out at the Budget its proposal to tax all products, including wine, in line with their ABV content. This will consistently apply the principle that stronger products should pay higher amounts of duty. This means that sparkling wines and still wines below 11.5% ABV will pay less duty than now, while still and fortified wines above this level will pay more duty.
The consultation on the new alcohol duty system closed on 30 January. The Government is considering the feedback received from producers and will respond in due course.
HMRC is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly in its Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics, which is available here: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/
It is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria here: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/?id=fe2418fe-ac77-4e16-9cbd-e7fa8a8500a2
Statistics on imports of bourbon whiskey from the US between 2016 and 2021 are set out below.
Calendar Year | Net Mass (kg) | Supplementary Unit (Litres) | Value £ |
2016 | 12,471,221 | 5,301,569 | 81,888,310 |
2017 | 16,173,512 | 6,829,720 | 120,044,006 |
2018 | 7,773,522 | 3,496,934 | 55,492,104 |
2019 | 3,108,182 | 1,440,312 | 14,499,473 |
2020 | 4,749,687 | 2,282,670 | 20,749,231 |
2021 | 3,359,107 | 2,003,139 | 13,864,750 |
The figures for 2021 are provisional and cover January to November 2021. Statistics for December are yet to be published.
The Real-Time Gross Settlement (“RTGS”) service is the infrastructure that holds accounts for banks, building societies and other institutions at the Bank of England (“the Bank”). The balances in these accounts can be used to move money in real time between these account holders, delivering final and risk-free settlement. A programme of work (“the Programme”) has been established by the Bank to deliver a renewed RTGS service.
The Programme consists of around 200 Bank employees, who work on a range of activities, including the technical build of the new system, supporting industry readiness and designing the Bank’s target operating model once the service goes live. This figure also includes all programme overheads, such as colleagues forming a Programme Management Office. Given the Programme is a major financial infrastructure programme, industry participants are also involved in preparing their organisations and relevant systems for the renewed RTGS service. No Treasury officials work directly on the Programme, though the Bank updates the Treasury on the status of the Programme as a key stakeholder.
Given the Programme is only part way through its timeline, it would not be meaningful to provide a specific cost figure for the Programme as of 8 December 2021. The costs of the Programme will be fully recovered from participants via the RTGS tariff, which the Bank is currently reviewing to ensure it will be fit for purpose once the renewed service goes live. Industry will be consulted on the Bank’s proposed approach in Spring 2022, and an accompanying consultation document will include indicative total costs for the Programme.
The indicative timeline for the Programme is publicly available on the Bank’s website. For reference, this can be found at the following location:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/payment-and-settlement/rtgs-renewal-programme
This indicative timeline is the result of close industry engagement. As would be expected of any major technology programme, the Bank of England continually assess readiness for this timeline and make contingency plans to ensure the stability and resilience of the RTGS service.
The Real-Time Gross Settlement (“RTGS”) service is the infrastructure that holds accounts for banks, building societies and other institutions at the Bank of England (“the Bank”). The balances in these accounts can be used to move money in real time between these account holders, delivering final and risk-free settlement. A programme of work (“the Programme”) has been established by the Bank to deliver a renewed RTGS service.
The Programme consists of around 200 Bank employees, who work on a range of activities, including the technical build of the new system, supporting industry readiness and designing the Bank’s target operating model once the service goes live. This figure also includes all programme overheads, such as colleagues forming a Programme Management Office. Given the Programme is a major financial infrastructure programme, industry participants are also involved in preparing their organisations and relevant systems for the renewed RTGS service. No Treasury officials work directly on the Programme, though the Bank updates the Treasury on the status of the Programme as a key stakeholder.
Given the Programme is only part way through its timeline, it would not be meaningful to provide a specific cost figure for the Programme as of 8 December 2021. The costs of the Programme will be fully recovered from participants via the RTGS tariff, which the Bank is currently reviewing to ensure it will be fit for purpose once the renewed service goes live. Industry will be consulted on the Bank’s proposed approach in Spring 2022, and an accompanying consultation document will include indicative total costs for the Programme.
The indicative timeline for the Programme is publicly available on the Bank’s website. For reference, this can be found at the following location:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/payment-and-settlement/rtgs-renewal-programme
This indicative timeline is the result of close industry engagement. As would be expected of any major technology programme, the Bank of England continually assess readiness for this timeline and make contingency plans to ensure the stability and resilience of the RTGS service.
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not normally disclosed.
However, the Government recognises that free access to cash remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of millions of people across the UK, as well as the impact that COVID-19 has had on cash usage.
At the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. This will ensure that millions of people can get hold of the cash they need when they need it.
The Government continues to engage with the Payment Systems Regulator, who regulate LINK, the scheme that runs the UK’s largest ATM network, and the financial regulators on access to cash.
The Government recognises the continued importance of cash for many retailers and consumers, particularly in light of COVID-19. That is why, at the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. The Government will ensure that the approach reflects the needs of cash users across the economy.
With regard to ATMs, as of 2019, there were approximately 45,000 free-to-use ATMs in the UK. Although this is less than the peak number of free ATMs in 2017, this remains 13% higher than a decade ago. Furthermore, most ATMs are clustered together in areas of high demand and high footfall, particularly in retail centres and transport hubs. As of January 2020, 78% of all free-to-use machines were within 300 metres of the next, and 94% were within one kilometre of the next.
LINK, the scheme that runs the UK’s largest ATM network, has put in place specific arrangements to protect remote free-to-use ATMs one kilometre or further from the next nearest free-to-use ATM or Post Office, including all high streets with five or more qualifying retailers. Furthermore, LINK has made £5 million available to fund requests for new ATMs from communities with poor access to cash.
The Payment Systems Regulator, which regulates LINK, is monitoring ATM market developments closely and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over its public commitments.
Information on average response times is not held.
However, in 2019, the Treasury replied to 90% of MPs’ correspondence within 15 working days.
The Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. All Member’s correspondence is currently receiving attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.
The Government does not routinely comment on intelligence matters, including whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription. The Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review.
In line with the MOD's Human Security strategy, we are working to ensure that Human Security training, including training on child protection, is part of all relevant training programmes for personnel. This work is being taken forward as part of the Human Security change programme, led by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
The training provided to UK personnel deploying on operations is tailored in order to best meet the needs of the deployment, taking into consideration factors such as the expected level of engagement with the local population and the forecast Defence activity.
I can confirm that the pre deployment training and briefing for UK personnel for the UN Peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Mali include material on child protection.
Consistent with the Withdrawal Act, the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR) will be amended at the end of the Transition period to reflect the UK's new status.
Reform of the DSPCR is currently being actively considered as part of the cross-Government review into the UK's defence and security industrial sectors. Reform would, in due course, require new primary legislation.
The most recently published information regarding combined waiting times for a grant of probate, on paper and digital cases, covers April 2021 to June 2021 and is published on gov.uk via Family Court Statistics Quarterly (Table 25):
Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Any vandalism or attack on property should be met with the full force of the law. Attacking any memorial is an insult, and this is particularly true of a war memorial commemorating those who have given their lives fighting for our freedom.
The Secretary of State has committed to reviewing the laws around criminal damage. We are also looking at penalties for this type of offending and will fully examine any proposed legislation put to us in the usual way.
The Secretary of State will be setting out plans later this year.
In January 2020 the figures are as follows:
Case type | Average weeks to issue | Median weeks to issue |
Grant of Administration | 13.1 | 5.2 |
Grant of Administration with Will annexed | 10.2 | 5 |
Grant of Probate | 8.8 | 4.6 |
Please note these figures include any time where the case is stopped, and also any time spent waiting for the applicant to submit documentation before the application can be processed.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last met representatives of the Road Haulage Association on 22 January at a roundtable discussion convened by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Its representatives have also attended the Protocol sub-group of the Brexit Business Taskforce, which is co-chaired by officials in the Northern Ireland Office and the Cabinet Office.
The Secretary of State will continue to engage closely with businesses and representative organisations in Northern Ireland, and will consider any further requests for a meeting that the Road Haulage Association make.
I am advocating a strong and active role for the 22 local authorities in Wales as we make progress on the Shared Prosperity Fund. Devolution isn’t simply about transferring powers to Cardiff Bay – it is about involving every region of Wales in decisions about the Fund.
There have been unprecedented levels of engagement between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, at present numbering over 100 such engagements. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with the First Minister and his ministerial team including through COBR(M) and the Ministerial Implementation Groups. I have set out a schedule of the Ministerial engagement between my Office and the Welsh Government since the start of the crisis.
All four UK administrations are committed to the UK-wide approach to tackling Covid-19. The overall approach in responding to the pandemic remains aligned across the UK, with each government able to modify that approach to reflect the needs of each nations.
There are some limited differences in the restrictions that apply between Wales and England. These are mainly at the margins of our common approach. It is important that the rationale for any differences is founded on evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.
There have been unprecedented levels of engagement between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, at present numbering over 100 such engagements. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with the First Minister and his ministerial team including through COBR(M) and the Ministerial Implementation Groups. I have set out a schedule of the Ministerial engagement between my Office and the Welsh Government since the start of the crisis.
All four UK administrations are committed to the UK-wide approach to tackling Covid-19. The overall approach in responding to the pandemic remains aligned across the UK, with each government able to modify that approach to reflect the needs of each nations.
There are some limited differences in the restrictions that apply between Wales and England. These are mainly at the margins of our common approach. It is important that the rationale for any differences is founded on evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.