First elected: 5th May 2005
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).
Stop the implementation of betting affordability/financial risk checks
We want the Government to abandon the planned implementation of affordability checks for some people who want to place a bet. We believe such checks – which could include assessing whether people are ‘at risk of harm' based on their postcode or job title – are inappropriate and discriminatory.
Call an immediate general election to end the chaos of the current government
Gov Responded - 20 Sep 2022 Debated on - 17 Oct 2022 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsCall an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK.
Ensure Trans people are fully protected under any conversion therapy ban
Gov Responded - 12 May 2022 Debated on - 13 Jun 2022 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsEnsure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy.
Stop Forestry England granting licenses for Fox & Hare hunts
Gov Responded - 7 Dec 2020 Debated on - 25 Apr 2022 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsFor the most recent hunting season, Forestry England gave hunting licences for 34 fox & hare “trail hunts”. Despite hunting wild mammals with dogs being illegal, two of the licensed/previously licensed trail hunts have been associated with convictions under the Hunting and Animal Welfare Acts.
Mini’s law - Protect the public and animals from hunting activities
Gov Responded - 24 May 2021 Debated on - 25 Apr 2022 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsIn March 2021 Mini the cat was chased and killed by hunting hounds in a quiet residential area.
The Government should back Mini’s Law (Public and Animal Safety Bill 2021) to ensure safety to the public and animals from hunting activity, such as trail hunts and exercise of hunting hounds.
#Reggieslaw - Regulate online animal sales
Gov Responded - 1 Jul 2021 Debated on - 13 Dec 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsGiven how many animals are sold online, we want Government to introduce regulation of all websites where animals are sold. Websites should be required to verify the identity of all sellers, and for young animals for sale pictures with their parents be posted with all listings.
Increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS.
Gov Responded - 24 Aug 2020 Debated on - 1 Nov 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsEndometriosis and PCOS are two gynaecological conditions which both affect 10% of women worldwide, but both are, in terms of research and funding, incredibly under prioritised. This petition is calling for more funding, to enable for new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues.
Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsWe ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.
Increase curriculum content about water safety as part of swimming lessons
Gov Responded - 3 Jun 2021 Debated on - 12 Jul 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsAs a country we see many water-related fatalities every year. We see many more call outs to water related incidents. Throughout lockdown year our coastguards were tasked to almost double the call outs than in the previous year. Our children NEED to learn about Cold water shock & rip currents.
The UK should ban the importation of Shark Fins.
Gov Responded - 3 Nov 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsNow that we have left the EU, the UK has the ability to finally stop the importation of Shark Fins. They had previously stated that 'Whilst in the EU, it is not possible to unilaterally ban the import of shark fins into the UK.'
Ban the exploitative import of young puppies for sale in the UK.
Gov Responded - 8 Sep 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsPlenty of dogs from UK breeders & rescues need homes. Transporting young pups long distances is often stressful, before being sold for ridiculous prices to unsuspecting dog-lovers. Government must adjust current laws, ban this unethical activity on welfare grounds & protect these poor animals ASAP.
Stop the rising number of ear-cropped dogs in the UK
Gov Responded - 9 Mar 2021 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsLeading veterinary and welfare bodies are concerned by the alarming rise in ear-cropped dogs in the UK. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK and an unnecessary, painful mutilation with no welfare benefit. The practice involves cutting off part of the ear flap, often without anaesthesia or pain relief.
Do not give consent for another Scottish Independence Referendum
The SNP government appears solely intent on getting independence at any cost.
Repeal the Coronavirus Act 2020
Gov Responded - 20 Oct 2020 Debated on - 22 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsThe Coronavirus Act grants potentially dangerous powers including to detain some persons indefinitely, to take biological samples, and to give directions about dead bodies. Powers last up to 2 years with 6 monthly reviews, and lockdown powers could prevent protests against measures.
Allow golf to be played with appropriate safety measures
Gov Responded - 18 Jan 2021 Debated on - 22 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsThe Government should allow golf courses to remain open during the second lockdown, and any future restrictions. Shops and clubhouses can close, but courses should be allowed to remain open, with social distancing in place.
Keep gyms open during Tier 4 lockdown
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 22 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsConsider keeping gyms open during lockdown because so many people have mental health and stress and they need something to do to take their mind off it closing all fitness facilities can affect us pretty badly.
Shut all nurseries and early years settings during lockdown
Gov Responded - 26 Jan 2021 Debated on - 22 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsUrgent call for the government to close all nurseries and early years settings in light of the new lockdown to protect early years staff.
Open gyms first as we come out of lockdown & fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme
Gov Responded - 16 Mar 2021 Debated on - 22 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsWe want the government to recognise the importance of gyms, health clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools in empowering people to look after their health and stay fit and for them to open first as we come out of lockdown.
We're also calling for government to fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme.
Make LGBT conversion therapy illegal in the UK
Gov Responded - 21 May 2020 Debated on - 8 Mar 2021 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsI would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy
Fund research for childhood cancers with the worst survival rates
Gov Responded - 24 Mar 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View David Mundell's petition debate contributions12 kids in the UK are diagnosed with cancer daily. 1 in 5 will die within 5 years, often of the deadliest types like DIPG (brainstem cancer) - fatal on diagnosis & other cancers on relapse. Yet there has been little, or no, funding for research into these cancers and little, or no, progress.
Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19
Gov Responded - 23 Nov 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsIsolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.
Prevent gyms closing due to a spike in Covid 19 cases
Gov Responded - 28 Oct 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsIn the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.
Ban fireworks for general sale to the public.
Gov Responded - 5 Nov 2019 Debated on - 2 Nov 2020 View David Mundell's petition debate contributionsEvery year more and more people, animals and wildlife get hurt by fireworks. It’s time something was fine to stop this. There are enough organised firework groups around for us to still enjoy fireworks safely so please help me stop the needless sale of them to the public!
These initiatives were driven by David Mundell, 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 Mundell has not been granted any Urgent Questions
David Mundell has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
This Bill received Royal Assent on 23rd March 2016 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision for the prosecution in Scotland of partnerships, partners and others following dissolution or changes in membership.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 25th April 2013 and was enacted into law.
Spiking Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Status) (No. 2) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con)
Company Transparency (Carbon in Supply Chains) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Karen Bradley (Con)
I have established a diverse international Civil Society and Youth Advisory Council, the first of its kind at any COP, to work with the UK Presidency to deliver a successful summit. The co-chairs are young climate activists, one from the global north and one from the global south.
I have also committed to and have been meeting civil society and youth groups on my international visits to ensure their voices are heard at COP26.
Lord Dunlop has concluded his review and the UK Government is carefully considering its recommendations.
The UK’s data protection legislation requires all organisations to process personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely. There are stricter conditions and safeguards in relation to processing of personal data relating to people’s health.
The Data Protection and Digital Information (no. 2) Bill does not remove or amend these foundational principles. Instead, it builds on the existing elements of the legislation to make it more ambitious and innovation-friendly, while still underpinned by secure and trustworthy data standards.
The ICO already has published guidance for organisations on the use of special category data, but it has recently been made aware of concerns linked to the inappropriate sharing of personal health data, including the HIV status of individuals. It is currently engaging with the organisations involved to understand these issues further. It has indicated that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that it supports and advises relevant organisations about sharing sensitive information, and that it is clear in its guidance about identifying and reporting breaches linked to health data.
The UK’s data protection legislation requires all organisations to process personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely. There are stricter conditions and safeguards in relation to processing of personal data relating to people’s health.
The Data Protection and Digital Information (no. 2) Bill does not remove or amend these foundational principles. Instead, it builds on the existing elements of the legislation to make it more ambitious and innovation-friendly, while still underpinned by secure and trustworthy data standards.
The ICO already has published guidance for organisations on the use of special category data, but it has recently been made aware of concerns linked to the inappropriate sharing of personal health data, including the HIV status of individuals. It is currently engaging with the organisations involved to understand these issues further. It has indicated that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that it supports and advises relevant organisations about sharing sensitive information, and that it is clear in its guidance about identifying and reporting breaches linked to health data.
The UK’s data protection legislation requires all organisations to process personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely. There are stricter conditions and safeguards in relation to processing of personal data relating to people’s health.
The Data Protection and Digital Information (no. 2) Bill does not remove or amend these foundational principles. Instead, it builds on the existing elements of the legislation to make it more ambitious and innovation-friendly, while still underpinned by secure and trustworthy data standards.
The ICO already has published guidance for organisations on the use of special category data, but it has recently been made aware of concerns linked to the inappropriate sharing of personal health data, including the HIV status of individuals. It is currently engaging with the organisations involved to understand these issues further. It has indicated that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that it supports and advises relevant organisations about sharing sensitive information, and that it is clear in its guidance about identifying and reporting breaches linked to health data.
The Government and Ofgem will ensure customers do not experience any disruption to their supply when a company leaves the market. The Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process is triggered by Ofgem when a supplier becomes insolvent. Ofgem invites suppliers to bid to be the SoLR and chooses the supplier that will offer the best value for consumers, this includes ensuring the protection of customer credit balances.
Ofgem runs the Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process that ensures customers do not experience any disruption to their supply when a company leaves the market. Ofgem will work with suppliers to appoint the SoLR that provides the best deal for customers. Customers will continue to be protected from unfair prices by the price cap.
Ofgem are to publish their first report on the provisions made by suppliers for smaller scale exports under the Smart Export Guarantee in the summer. We will review this before considering whether there are any further barriers to community energy development that need to be addressed. The Government continues to offer support to communities who want to generate energy locally through the Rural Community Energy Fund.
The Government has made available a substantial package of financial support over the last year for the hospitality sector. My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer will be making further announcements on the next phase of our economic support package in his Budget on 3rd March.
This is a commercial matter for Scotch Whisky distillers. However, the Government would like to thank those distilleries which repurposed their facilities for the production of hand sanitiser for their tremendous contribution to the UK’s response to Covid-19.
As of 21 June, 921,229 loans have been issued under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), with a total value of £28.09 billion.
Issuing new loans is the priority for lenders and the Government.
At this time, we are unable to provide a breakdown of lending or number of applications by region or devolved region. We are working with the British Business Bank, HM Treasury and the lenders on regular and transparent data publication going forward.
The technical consultation on changes to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure in England closed on 14 June 2021. We are now considering the responses to the consultation and the Government will publish its response in due course.
The government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector on its response to this unprecedented situation. We encourage businesses experiencing financial difficulty to research the initiatives in the Government’s support package such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Our schemes are continuously under review to make sure our schemes are accessible, fair and targeted to help those who need it the most.
DCMS also regularly engages with businesses and sector representative bodies in order to properly understand the issues being faced as well as to develop means of offering support. Over recent months DCMS has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders such as Sport England, Society of London Theatre, UK Theatre and the Events Industry Senior Leaders Advisory Panel.
Some of the support the government has offered includes the unprecedented £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund - the largest ever one-off investment in culture - to help countless organisations weather the COVID storm; and the £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, which will assist the film and TV production sectors who are ready to return to work, but are precluded from doing so by the difficulties they face obtaining insurance cover for Covid-19. The scheme will be available to compensate Film and TV productions after they have restarted, and where costs are then incurred due to delays or abandonment as a result of Coronavirus.
We are aware of the struggles of the entire events industry and their supply chain, and DCMS prioritises all of our sectors. We are working hard to provide financial support for all sectors, with businesses being able to access the Government’s UK wide support package. We are dedicated to helping all of our sectors survive the winter months ahead.
As part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations are able to put on live performances in front of a socially-distanced audience in line with the latest Covid secure guidance.
Similarly, the exhibitions sector will be allowed to continue hosting events providing that they follow all Covid-19 Secure guidance. This guidance has been developed by the Events Industry Forum in collaboration with DCMS so local authorities can safely host a multitude of events.
Sport England have announced a £195 million package of support to help community clubs through this crisis. It recently boosted its Community Emergency Fund by a further £15 million to meet the demand, taking the total package up to £210 million. We will return spectators to elite and professional sports events when it is safe to do so.
We have already saved 135 grassroots music venues from imminent collapse. Arts Council England and other DCMS arms-length bodies are currently assessing thousands of applications from other organisations, and successful applicants will be informed from October. We are committed to ensuring that live performances will be fully back up and running when it is safe to do so.
We have not received any representations from the Let Live Thrive Campaign regardings live events in the UK.
The Secretary of State announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for the cultural sector which will benefit the live events sector by providing support to music venues and many other cultural organisations to stay open and continue operating.
We continue to engage with the sector to discuss the on-going challenges facing the industry.
The UK has one of the most robust regulatory systems in the world. Pesticides are only authorised following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks are not authorised.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for these authorisations. They also undertake compliance and enforcement activities to ensure that where pesticides are used, they are used safely and in accordance with the law.
The role of the Expert Committee on Pesticides is to provide independent scientific advice, views and recommendations where required. The ECP publishes its annual report each year which summarises its work & it delivers expert advice as requested. The latest annual report to be published can be found here.
The Government is aware of the outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Europe and is working closely with the equine sector to ensure owners are aware of the risks and are taking the necessary precautions to keep their animals safe.
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is not notifiable and isolation of sick animals is the best protection against infection. There is no public health risk.
Horse owners are advised to contact their private vet if they observe any respiratory illness, abortion or neurological signs in horses or ponies in their care or would like to discuss options for vaccination against the disease.
All horses imported into the UK are required to be certified as being fit to travel and not to have originated from premises where disease is known to be present. Any horses imported into the UK should be placed in isolation for at least 10 days before allowing them to mix with other equines.
Comprehensive industry advice and guidance on biosecurity and vaccination is available online and the Animal and Plant Health Agency international trade team is, on behalf of Defra, writing to anyone wishing to import any equine from Europe to remind them of this guidance and strongly recommend that it is followed.
Defra works closely with the Scotch Whisky Association who have recently launched a new Sustainability Strategy, with an aim to achieve Net Zero emissions in their operations by 2040. We welcome this industry-led initiative, which will help secure a sustainable future for Scotch whisky and make a significant contribution to tackling climate change, building a green future in line with the UK’s core themes at UNFCCC COP26 due to be held in Glasgow later this year.
No specific assessment has been made of the role of the Scotch whisky industry in supporting agriculture in the UK. The majority of the industry’s barley and wheat requirements are sourced in Scotland and the industry maintains a strong relationship with the cereals supply chain.
‘Wet markets’ sell a range of fresh produce and can be found across the globe, including farmers markets and seafood markets in the UK. They are an important source of food and income for many people globally. The Government recognises that markets selling live animals and meat are a high risk environment for the transmission of zoonotic diseases if they are not subject to high standards of biosecurity and hygiene. We therefore agree with the World Health Organization that markets should close if these standards are not met.
The Government is fully committed to tackling the environmental drivers of pandemics, including by reversing global biodiversity loss, tackling unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade, and driving up standards in food production and food safety around the world. We will continue to support swift policy interventions where these are shown to be effective in mitigating future risk of zoonotic diseases and are underpinned by sound evidence.
The Secretary of State was incredibly pleased to be invited to write a foreword to the Global Nutrition Report this year. As highlighted in the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report launched yesterday, progress to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030 remains off-track and is set to stall further in the face of COVID-19. The UK remains committed to preventing and treating malnutrition as part of our commitment to end the preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children and DFID has contributed £15 million?of UK aid to the World Food Programme’s global COVID-19 response. In addition, I’m pleased to say that the RAF has now flown?four?UK aid-funded flights in support of WFP’s COVID-19 response plan.
The UK has been a global leader on nutrition since 2013 and remains committed to address malnutrition, particularly as the indirect impacts of COVID-19 are set to increase malnutrition significantly in the poorest countries of the world. We are looking carefully at options for a new UK commitment?post 2020?and will provide an update on our plans?in due course.
Spending 0.7 percent of our national income on aid is enshrined in law. As per the Prime Minister’s statement to the House, the work of UK Aid to reduce poverty will remain central to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office. We will undertake the necessary parliamentary process to transfer responsibilities under the International Development Act to the new department.
The UK has been a global leader on nutrition since it hosted the first Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in 2013. The Summit generated £15 billion in new financing for nutrition up to 2020. Between 2015 and March 2019, DFID reached 50.6 million women, adolescent girls and young children with nutrition services in 25 countries, including Bangladesh, Somalia, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Yemen.
The UK remains committed to preventing and treating malnutrition as part of our commitment to end the preventable deaths of mothers, new-borns and children. Continued investment to prevent and treat malnutrition is important, particularly as countries face worsening levels of malnutrition in the face of COVID-19. The Secretary of State reiterated the importance of nutrition in her endorsement for the DFID-funded Global Nutrition Report 2020, which was published in May.
The UK is proud to have raised $8.8 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance at the Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June. The UK pledged £1.65 billion to Gavi for 2021 to 2025. The Gavi Alliance, which includes the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, will play a vital role in maintaining essential services, including routine immunisation, throughout the pandemic. Routine immunisation is the strongest shield against secondary outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. The funding raised by all donors at the Global Vaccine Summit will enable Gavi to immunise 300 million more children and save up to 8 million lives by 2025. The UK has also reallocated $60 million for Gavi’s Covax AMC, to ensure access in the poorest countries to any COVID-19 vaccine.
The UK is a key supporter of the COVID-19 pandemic response. This includes a global health response led by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The UK is a key donor to the WHO and has already contributed £75 million to help the organisation lead international efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic.
The UK and Japanese governments started negotiating a UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement on 9 June. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will be used as the basis?and may be enhanced?in areas of?mutual?interest.
Regarding the protection of the Scotch Whisky Geographical Indication (GI) in Japan, the UK’s published negotiating objectives for trade negotiations with Japan state that “the UK will secure protections for UK GIs”. The UK Government recognises the high value of GIs to both the communities that produce them and as illustrations of the wide range of quality British products enjoyed around the world.
Regarding tariffs, UK exporters will continue to be able to export Whisky to Japan duty free as Japan applies no tariffs to their Whisky imports regardless of which country the imports come from.
The UK Government takes the negative impact of US tariffs and the additional impact of Covid-19 on Scottish exporters very seriously.
Last week, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade engaged with her opposite numbers in both the US administration and the European Commission. She will continue to work with the EU, other Airbus nations and the US on a negotiated settlement to the Airbus-Boeing disputes. She will also continue to push the US and work with the EU for the removal of tariffs on both sides of the Atlantic and the rebalancing measures imposed in response.
National Highways has finalised the design of new signage to Langholm on the roundabout at M6 Junction 44. At the same time, Cumberland Council, who are responsible for signage on the A7 itself in Cumbria, is planning to modify two existing signs on the A7 to include signing for Langholm. This is at an advanced stage well beyond design. To ensure consistency of signing, we understand that National Highways and Cumberland Council are working collaboratively to agree an installation date once all the signs required have been manufactured, but this will be early in the new year.
The Prime Minster and President Biden have made clear the importance of bringing about the return of safe trans-Atlantic travel as soon as possible. Department for Transport Ministers are in regular contact with US partners on driving forward this goal.
The newly formed joint UK-US Experts’ Working Group is now underway, and we are working closely with our US partners on delivering the practical solutions to effectively restoring travel.
We are hopeful that vaccines will play an important role in normalising travel between the UK and US and confident that the AstraZeneca vaccine will underpin this for UK citizens.
The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation and the Government has taken the decision not to lay further legislation to extend it. The primary reason is that the two-year validity is in place to ensure that a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point they drive on their own for the first time. Extending the validity would provide less reassurance that this is the case. Those whose certificate previously expired and have since passed the theory test will now have a further two years in which to pass the practical test.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to protect the public and save lives. That remains its priority as it restarts its services.
As different approaches to easing lockdown are currently being adopted across England, Scotland and Wales, the DVSA is following published guidance in each of those countries as it restarts its services safely for customers and staff.
The DVSA will continue to observe the guidance and scale up its services when it is permissible and lawful to do so.
In Scotland, theory tests and motorcycle instruction may restart on 22 July 2020. Motorcycle module 1 and module 2 tests, and tractor driving tests, will restart on Monday 3 August 2020.
Other types of driving tests are still suspended. When the DVSA has more detail, it will inform instructors and candidates.
The Government is committed to levelling-up the whole of the UK, including Scotland. In 2016, HS2 Ltd. made an early assessment of extending high speed lines into Scotland, taking into account the benefits for the region through reduced journey times as well as forecasted demand. At present, the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North is, among other things, looking at delivering better rail connectivity to Scotland, considering economic arguments around how this can be achieved.
The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) temporary Coronavirus regulations mean that everyone infected with covid-19, or who is required to self-isolate in line with Government guidelines, will be treated as having Limited Capability for Work in ESA without the requirement for fit notes or a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). These measures also apply to clinically extremely vulnerable people who are unable to work from home and have been advised to shield in line with the relevant public health advice in England, Wales and Scotland.
There are no plans to extend the time limit for people claiming contributory ESA who are affected by covid-19, and reach their 365-day limit. The majority of the covid-19 related claims will not reach this limit as they are for short periods.
Where an individual requires further financial support, they may be able to claim Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.
The Secretary of State and I have had regular meetings with senior officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in order to assess in what ways the Department can support HSE on the work it is doing to support the Government during the COVID-19 outbreak. Since the COVID–19 outbreak started the Department has received a weekly written update on the work HSE is doing, this includes:
As part of our HIV Action Plan implementation, we are working together with key stakeholders to improve access to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention drug pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for key population groups. The HIV Action Plan Implementation Steering Group is working to develop a roadmap, based on the PrEP Access and Equity Task and Finish group’s recommendations, to help guide our efforts to ensure access, uptake, and use of PrEP meets the needs of groups most at risk of HIV.
HIV PrEP is routinely available in specialist sexual health services throughout the country since March 2020 and we invested more than £34 million in PrEP in 2020/21 and 2021/22. PrEP funding has been fully included within the public health grant since 2022/23 and funds appointments and testing in sexual health services, whilst NHS England covers the costs of the drug itself.
As part of the HIV Action Plan and our combination approach to HIV prevention, we are investing £3.5 million over 2021 to 2024 in HIV Prevention England, a national HIV prevention programme targeting key population groups with a high burden of HIV. NHS England has committed £20 million, 2022 to 2025, to fund the expansion of HIV opt-out testing in emergency departments in areas with extremely high HIV prevalence, which has helped find more than 550 cases of undiagnosed or untreated HIV in the first year of the programme. Treatment as prevention is a key HIV prevention measure and treatment coverage in England remained high in 2021 at 99% and was consistent across all groups.
Local authorities in England are responsible for commissioning open access sexual and reproductive health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, through the Public Health Grant, funded at £3.5 billion in 2023/24. It is for individual local authorities to decide their spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and to commission the service lines that best suit their population.
Increasing the availability of HIV testing is one of our core ambitions in the Government’s HIV Action plan published in December 2021. As part of the plan, the Department is investing over £3.5 million from 2021 to 2024 to deliver the National HIV Prevention Programme. This includes national campaigns such as the National HIV Testing Week (NHTW) and the Summer Campaign designed to normalise and reduce barriers to testing, such as stigma. In 2023 the NHTW delivered more than 20,000 HIV testing kits targeted at the most affected communities.
NHS England has committed £20 million, between 2022 to 2025, to fund the expansion of HIV opt-out testing in emergency departments in areas with extremely high HIV prevalence. This has helped diagnose 2,000 new cases of blood-borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C as well as HIV) in the first year of the programme. We will be considering the data recently released alongside the data on progress towards our ambitions to end new HIV transmissions within England by 2030 to examine the feasibility of further expanding this programme.
Improving Treatment and retention in care, as well as quality of life for and reducing the stigma faced by people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are objectives in the Government’s HIV Action plan published in December 2021.
NHS England are currently reviewing the national Service Specification for Adult HIV services, which sets out the standards of care that HIV providers are expected to meet, including availability of community, psychological and psychosocial support for patients to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
As part of the HIV Action Plan Steering Group, a re-engagement and retention in care task and finish group was established in 2023. This group will provide advice on increasing the number of people retained and re-engaged in care and receiving effective treatment. They will present their recommendations to the HIV Action Plan Implementation Steering Group, who will agree on how the advice will be taken forward.
Improving Treatment and retention in care, as well as quality of life for and reducing the stigma faced by people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are objectives in the Government’s HIV Action plan published in December 2021.
NHS England are currently reviewing the national Service Specification for Adult HIV services, which sets out the standards of care that HIV providers are expected to meet, including availability of community, psychological and psychosocial support for patients to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
As part of the HIV Action Plan Steering Group, a re-engagement and retention in care task and finish group was established in 2023. This group will provide advice on increasing the number of people retained and re-engaged in care and receiving effective treatment. They will present their recommendations to the HIV Action Plan Implementation Steering Group, who will agree on how the advice will be taken forward.
The updated NHS England clinical commissioning policy establishes the use of generic and second line pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus prevention, including emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (Descovy®) as a second line treatment option for individuals who meet the inclusion criteria and cannot take the usual first-line PrEP therapy due to risk factors.
The commissioning policy was published on 22 May 2023 and is available at the following link:
Health is a devolved matter, though officials at the Department continue to meet with counterparts from Scotland and Wales to share information to help end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
No discussions have taken placed around introducing a United Kingdom wide HIV testing week.
Health is a devolved matter and it is the responsibility of individual Governments to commission comprehensive healthcare based on population need.
The HIV Action Plan 2022/25 for England includes a commitment to deliver National HIV Testing Week in England, an annual campaign which increases awareness and acceptability of HIV testing and aims to reduce barriers to access.
HIV Prevention England operates the annual National HIV Testing week campaign, on behalf of the Department, which is taking place between 6 February and 12 February 2023.
HIV Prevention England (HPE) is the national HIV prevention programme for England and is funded by the Department. The programme aims to support communities who are disproportionately affected by HIV, including gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men and Black African heterosexual men and women. The Department has appointed Terrence Higgins Trust, a national charity who provide services related to sexual heath and HIV, to deliver the programme from 2021/2024. HPE delivers a nationally co-ordinated programme of HIV prevention work, including public campaigns such as National HIV Testing Week, that is designed to complement locally commissioned prevention activities in areas of high HIV prevalence.
The table below shows the funding that has been provided specifically for HIV public health campaigns within the HPE contract:
2018-19 | £484,800 |
2019-20 | £442,000 |
2020-21 | £524,000 |
2021-22 | £500,000 |
2022-23 | £500,000 |
The Department does not provide funding for separate national HIV public health campaigns specifically targeted at women or the black community or heterosexual women and men.
HIV Prevention England (HPE) is the national HIV prevention programme for England and is funded by the Department. The programme aims to support communities who are disproportionately affected by HIV, including gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men and Black African heterosexual men and women. The Department has appointed Terrence Higgins Trust, a national charity who provide services related to sexual heath and HIV, to deliver the programme from 2021/2024. HPE delivers a nationally co-ordinated programme of HIV prevention work, including public campaigns such as National HIV Testing Week, that is designed to complement locally commissioned prevention activities in areas of high HIV prevalence.
The table below shows the funding that has been provided specifically for HIV public health campaigns within the HPE contract:
2018-19 | £484,800 |
2019-20 | £442,000 |
2020-21 | £524,000 |
2021-22 | £500,000 |
2022-23 | £500,000 |
The Department does not provide funding for separate national HIV public health campaigns specifically targeted at women or the black community or heterosexual women and men.
HIV Prevention England (HPE) is the national HIV prevention programme for England and is funded by the Department. The programme aims to support communities who are disproportionately affected by HIV, including gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men and Black African heterosexual men and women. The Department has appointed Terrence Higgins Trust, a national charity who provide services related to sexual heath and HIV, to deliver the programme from 2021/2024. HPE delivers a nationally co-ordinated programme of HIV prevention work, including public campaigns such as National HIV Testing Week, that is designed to complement locally commissioned prevention activities in areas of high HIV prevalence.
The table below shows the funding that has been provided specifically for HIV public health campaigns within the HPE contract:
2018-19 | £484,800 |
2019-20 | £442,000 |
2020-21 | £524,000 |
2021-22 | £500,000 |
2022-23 | £500,000 |
The Department does not provide funding for separate national HIV public health campaigns specifically targeted at women or the black community or heterosexual women and men.
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a partner organisation of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, funds research relating to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) across all UKRI councils.
The latest spend figures available for research on HIV are as follows:
Financial expenditure | |||||
Funded by | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 |
NIHR | £8,087,542 | £5,786,318 | £6,153,681 | £7,341,078 | £8,310,996 |
UKRI* | £6,771,301 | £9,024,753 | £10,511,516 | £12,545,525 | £8,905,895 |
*collated data on expenditure for Medical Research Council (MRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This includes payments due for 2022/23 financial year.