Deidre Brock

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

My officials have been in discussions with their EU counterparts since the publishing of the EU’s proposals on 13 October in response to our Command Paper. We are seeking to understand the detail of some of the headline claims the EU has made on issues such as SPS and customs checks.

We welcome the fact that the EU is ready to change its laws to reflect the unique context of Northern Ireland.

Our officials are continuing to work closely with their EU counterparts, and Lord Frost remains in close contact with Vice-President Šefčovič. While significant gaps remain, we are working intensively to see if they can be bridged.

The Cabinet Office's social media advertising is UK-wide.

The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.

The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.

The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.

The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.

The Cabinet Office and Scotland Office campaign teams required a creative agency to support the early development of concepts and content for a public information campaign to support UK Government policies in Scotland.

The subject matter was the same for the CCCO19A12 contract, which was not awarded after assessing the bids. The contract was subsequently awarded following an open market procurement conducted by the Crown Commercial Service.

The Cabinet Office and Scotland Office campaign teams required a creative agency to support the early development of concepts and content for a public information campaign to support UK Government policies in Scotland.

The subject matter was the same for the CCCO19A12 contract, which was not awarded after assessing the bids. The contract was subsequently awarded following an open market procurement conducted by the Crown Commercial Service.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Further to my answer of 1 November 2019 to Question 7172, any such publication would be released on GOV.UK.

The Government is committed to take action to mitigate climate change and to adapt to its impact. Environmentally sustainable farming is fundamental to our new approach to England's agricultural system. We are introducing three schemes that reward the delivery of environmental benefits: The Sustainable Farming Incentive, the Local Nature Recovery scheme and the Landscape Recovery scheme.

The three schemes are being designed collaboratively with stakeholders. We are considering how more environmentally sustainable farming approaches, including organic farming and agro-ecological approaches, may fit within the schemes where these contribute towards the delivery of environmental public goods. While designing the three schemes, we are running tests and trials. The tests and trials will co-design the component parts of the schemes, while the scheme pilots will test the whole end-to-end process. Two of the tests and trials are looking at organic farming. While we do not use tests and trials to validate if specific delivery methods achieve particular environmental outcomes, the pilots will pay farmers and land managers for delivering environmental outcomes.

Defra plays a key role in supporting emissions reduction by providing scientific advice and evidence and all our publicly funded research is published as standard practice. Systems assessments of the role of organic and other extensified farming approaches in reducing greenhouse gas emissions have concluded that although such practices can reduce emissions at farm level, comparatively lower typical yields mean that, for a given level of demand, such systems do not consistently lead to reduced emissions compared to more conventional systems. Despite this, these systems can provide wider welfare and environmental benefits, for example through increasing biodiversity. The Government believes farmers are best placed to determine the best method of farming for their land and specific circumstances. While this is a private business decision, we encourage environmentally friendly farming through numerous routes which includes organics.

The Government is committed to take action to mitigate climate change and to adapt to its impact. Environmentally sustainable farming is fundamental to our new approach to England's agricultural system. We are introducing three schemes that reward the delivery of environmental benefits: The Sustainable Farming Incentive, the Local Nature Recovery scheme and the Landscape Recovery scheme.

The three schemes are being designed collaboratively with stakeholders. We are considering how more environmentally sustainable farming approaches, including organic farming and agro-ecological approaches, may fit within the schemes where these contribute towards the delivery of environmental public goods. While designing the three schemes, we are running tests and trials. The tests and trials will co-design the component parts of the schemes, while the scheme pilots will test the whole end-to-end process. Two of the tests and trials are looking at organic farming. While we do not use tests and trials to validate if specific delivery methods achieve particular environmental outcomes, the pilots will pay farmers and land managers for delivering environmental outcomes.

Defra plays a key role in supporting emissions reduction by providing scientific advice and evidence and all our publicly funded research is published as standard practice. Systems assessments of the role of organic and other extensified farming approaches in reducing greenhouse gas emissions have concluded that although such practices can reduce emissions at farm level, comparatively lower typical yields mean that, for a given level of demand, such systems do not consistently lead to reduced emissions compared to more conventional systems. Despite this, these systems can provide wider welfare and environmental benefits, for example through increasing biodiversity. The Government believes farmers are best placed to determine the best method of farming for their land and specific circumstances. While this is a private business decision, we encourage environmentally friendly farming through numerous routes which includes organics.

The UK does not currently have access to a comprehensive feed of all data covering volumes of fish caught in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone by EU registered fishing vessels. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides the framework for continued data exchange and we are currently engaged in ongoing technical conversations with the European Commission to rapidly establish a mechanism to allow sharing of this data moving forward.

On 31 December 2020 the UK Single Issuing Authority (UK SIA) issued licences to EU registered vessels permitting them access to fish in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone. There are currently 1,464 EU vessels licenced by the UK SIA and the latest list is published online at the following link: www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-single-issuing-authority-uksia

According to data held by the Marine Management Organisation, 334 EU flagged fishing vessels have fished within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone since 1 January 2021. This can be broken down into the following:

Data provided includes Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) equipped* (≥12 m) foreign flagged fishing vessels with VMS pings at fishing speeds** inside UK EEZ in 2021.

* excludes any vessels without VMS (

** fishing speeds defined as > 0 and ≤ 6 knots

The PM confirmed during his press conference on Christmas Eve that UK fishing communities will be helped with a £100 million programme to modernise their fleets and the fish processing industry. This funding will directly benefit the seafood sector in Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom.

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We will set out more detail on this programme in due course.

Defra has established a strong relationship with the wood packaging material industry, and we have worked closely to develop policies that will ensure our biosecurity is maintained and trade continues to flow with as little disruption as possible. As part of this, some businesses involved in the wood packaging material industry have shared, in confidence, estimates of the costs involved in treatment of wood packaging material. The need for ISPM15-compliant wood packaging material is, however, an international requirement for trade and is in place to protect trading nations, including the UK, from harmful plant pests and diseases.

The PM confirmed during his press conference on Christmas Eve that UK fishing communities will be helped with a £100 million programme to modernise their fleets and the fish processing industry. This funding will directly benefit the seafood sector in Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom.

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We will set out more detail on this programme in due course.

Defra’s initial application to be listed as a Part 1 listed third country for pet travel was submitted to the EU Commission in 2019. This application was updated, but not materially changed in February 2020. We have no plans to publish these applications at this time.

Defra has routinely highlighted to the EU Commission the impacts our listed status will have on users of assistance dogs. We are also proactively and positively engaging with the assistance dog community and relevant stakeholders on the impacts on dog movements to the EU after the end of the transition period. We will continue to closely work with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance (in accessible formats) with their members on pet travel requirements.

On 3 December 2020 the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed of the EU voted in favour of giving the United Kingdom Part 2 listed status for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel after the transition period.

Part 2 listed status means similar health requirements to travel to the EU as now. However, new documentation will be required for pets and assistance dogs. We intend to publish further guidance shortly on what this development means for travellers, on GOV.UK.

We are disappointed not to become a Part 1 listed third country. We are clear we meet all the requirements for this and have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity. Our disease risk will also not change after the transition period and so we will continue to press the EU Commission on securing Part 1 listed status.

There will be no changes to the current pet travel health requirements for entry into Great Britain and we will continue to accept EU pet passports.

On 3 December 2020 the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed of the EU voted in favour of giving the United Kingdom Part 2 listed status for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel after the transition period. It will be for the EU to decide on any future grace period relating to the regulations governing pet travel.

This status will mean, from 1 January, similar health requirements to travel to the EU as now. However, new documentation will be required for pets and assistance dogs. We intend to publish further guidance shortly on what this development means for travellers, on GOV.UK.

We will continue to press the EU Commission on securing Part 1 listed status as we are clear we meet all the requirements for this, and have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity.

There will be no changes to the current pet travel health requirements for entry into Great Britain and we will continue to accept EU pet passports.

Pet travel is a devolved matter. For health and documentary requirements and future plans for pet travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, travellers should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine in the Republic of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland.

On 3 December 2020 the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) of the EU voted in favour of giving the United Kingdom Part 2 listed status for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel after the transition period. We intend to publish further guidance shortly on what this development means for travellers from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, on GOV.uk.

Defra has been in correspondence with the EU Commission on our listed status application for pet travel since its initial submission in 2019, and our re-submission in February 2020. The decision to list the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies as a Part 2 listed third country for pet travel was taken via a vote at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.

We have always been clear that we meet all the requirements for a Part 1 listed third country status, and have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity. We will continue to press the EU Commission for Part 1 listed status.

Challenges exist in estimating the number of Export Health Certificates (EHCs) required at the end of the Transition Period. Modelling was carried out to assess possible demand for certification of fish exports and certifier supply in Scotland, to support an understanding of the requirements from 1 January 2021. Demand was calculated using consignment estimates provided by the Scottish Government. The current certifier supply, or number of Food Competent Certifying Officers (who are usually EHOs) per local authority, was provided by APHA. We applied assumptions on the amount of time spent on certification based on local authority engagement and on the range of time taken to certify a consignment. The shortfall of approximately 100 Environmental Health Officers fell within this range.

On 28 April the Government announced that, in England, in recognition of the disruption to cash flow for rural businesses caused by coronavirus, eligible farmers and land managers would be offered bridging payments (interest-free loans) for 75% of the current estimated value for unpaid 2019 revenue claims on their stewardship agreements.

More than 3,800 bridging payments, worth around £43 million, were made to farmers and land managers by the end of May.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Rural Payments Agency has continued to improve its payment performance and as of the 8 June 2020 has issued around £233 million 2019 Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship and legacy Woodland Grant payments to eligible farmers, land managers, foresters and rural businesses in England. We expect to issue a further £19 million by the end of June 2020.

At the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15, to be held in Kunming, China in October 2020, the 196 Parties to the CBD are set to adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

The UK is seeking an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework to spur global action, recognising the transformative change needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The Government wants to see new targets agreed that are ambitious, implementable and measurable.

We are proactively engaging in the CBD process in the lead up to CBD COP15. UK officials are currently attending the second CBD Open Ended Working Group in Rome where negotiations on the proposed post-2020 framework are beginning. The UK is holding an extensive program of meetings with member countries to form ongoing working partnerships, to secure agreement for an ambitious post-2020 framework.

Outside of the formal CBD process ministers, officials and our diplomatic network will continue to press to raise ambition and secure ambitious outcomes and delivery, notably with China as the host of CBD COP15.

We are focusing, among other topics, on the contribution of nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and on effective and supportive communications to spur global ambition in the time leading to CBD COP15. The UK is also leading the Global Ocean Alliance in support of a new global target of protecting at least 30% of the global ocean within Marine Protected Areas by 2030.

The UK-led Global Ocean Alliance is currently made up of 12 countries (Belgium, Belize, Costa Rica, Finland, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Palau, Portugal, Seychelles, Sweden, Vanuatu) and we are proactively lobbying many more countries to join.

Since the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) wrote to third countries on 21 December 2018, we have continued to work with third countries to ensure that the UK’s Export Health Certificates (EHCs) remain when the UK leaves the EU.

93 countries have responded and no notifications have been received from third countries stating the UK’s EHCs will be not be accepted.

The UK Government is committed to ensuring UK businesses can continue to trade with our EU partners as easily as possible after Brexit, while continuing to protect the UK’s high level of biosecurity.

Defra has built and tested a new import notification system and is in the final testing phase of a new online system for processing Export Health Certificates. Both of these could be used after the implementation period, if required, to ensure trade continues.

Both the UK and the EU have committed in the Political Declaration to reaching an agreement on our future relationship by the end of 2020. Defra will continue to work closely with seed potato businesses as the Withdrawal Agreement is signed and discussions on the future relationship start.

The principles underpinning any future trade deal with the EU were set out in the Political Declaration which accompanied the Withdrawal Agreement. We would expect formal discussions on the Political Declaration to commence after we leave the EU at the end of this month.

In England, the Marine Management Organisation has increased the number of frontline warranted officers by 50% (35 people) for 2019/2020. A framework is in place to increase aerial surveillance by a maximum of two surveillance aircrafts as risk and intelligence demands. Two additional commercial vessels have been chartered to enable an increase in routine sea-based inspections to supplement provision from the Royal Navy Fisheries Protection Squadron. A framework of agreements has been put in place with other Government departments and relevant agencies which enables provision for up to 22 further vessels to be activated, should the operational situation demand it.

As fisheries management is a devolved matter, it is for the devolved administrations to decide on appropriate levels of fisheries control and enforcement provision in their waters. However, we continue to work closely with the devolved administrations to ensure a coordinated approach to fisheries control and enforcement across UK waters.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with these companies over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contracts.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with Hologic Ltd and Randox Laboratories Ltd over the last five years prior to the awarding of SARS-Cov-2 test and COVID-19 testing contracts respectively.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with Hologic Ltd and Randox Laboratories Ltd over the last five years prior to the awarding of SARS-Cov-2 test and COVID-19 testing contracts respectively.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with Ramfoam over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contract.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with Unispace Global Health over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contract.

The Department’s procurement records show that the Department has had no contracts with Ayanda Capital over the last five years prior to the award of the personal protective equipment contract.

Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 80s.

In 2017, country specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These four schemes are devolved, and each nation has made different choices around their offers of support over time.

We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.

We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any on compensation and other support.

Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 80s.

In 2017, country specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These four schemes are devolved, and each nation has made different choices around their offers of support over time.

We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.

We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any on compensation and other support.

I refer the Honourable Member for Edinburgh North and Leith to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.

In my Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2020, I outlined the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

My statement also announced that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders . The Government will announce further details, including on timescales, the scheme’s administering body, and the eligibility of compensation, in due course.

In my Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2020, I outlined the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

My statement also announced that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders . The Government will announce further details, including on timescales, the scheme’s administering body, and the eligibility of compensation, in due course.

In my Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2020, I outlined the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

My statement also announced that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders . The Government will announce further details, including on timescales, the scheme’s administering body, and the eligibility of compensation, in due course.

In my Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2020, I outlined the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

My statement also announced that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders . The Government will announce further details, including on timescales, the scheme’s administering body, and the eligibility of compensation, in due course.

In registering for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, businesses agreed to publication of the names and addresses of their restaurants or other outlets. HMRC do not have permission to publish other details about the businesses or their claims and are bound by a duty of confidentiality.

HMRC have published data about the number of registered establishments and claims totals and will publish a detailed analysis of the scheme in the near future. This will include breakdowns of claims values between small and larger businesses (those with more than 25 establishments).

The Treasury has been reviewing Small Brewers Relief (SBR) since 2018, and before recess announced several changes to the SBR scheme in order to make it easier for small independent breweries to expand and grow.

As part of the review, I have met with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition (SBDRC), most recently in July. My predecessor Simon Clarke MP met with both groups in a roundtable in September 2019. Officials have also had frequent meetings with both groups.

The review is still ongoing and will be subject to a consultation on further technical details. This will be published later this Autumn.

The Treasury has been reviewing Small Brewers Relief (SBR) since 2018, and before recess announced several changes to the SBR scheme in order to make it easier for small independent breweries to expand and grow.

As part of the review, I have met with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition (SBDRC), most recently in July. My predecessor Simon Clarke MP met with both groups in a roundtable in September 2019. Officials have also had frequent meetings with both groups.

The review is still ongoing and will be subject to a consultation on further technical details. This will be published later this Autumn.

The Treasury has been reviewing Small Brewers Relief (SBR) since 2018, and before recess announced several changes to the SBR scheme in order to make it easier for small independent breweries to expand and grow.

As part of the review, I have met with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition (SBDRC), most recently in July. My predecessor Simon Clarke MP met with both groups in a roundtable in September 2019. Officials have also had frequent meetings with both groups.

The review is still ongoing and will be subject to a consultation on further technical details. This will be published later this Autumn.

The Treasury has been reviewing Small Brewers Relief (SBR) since 2018, and before recess announced several changes to the SBR scheme in order to make it easier for small independent breweries to expand and grow.

As part of the review, I have met with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition (SBDRC), most recently in July. My predecessor Simon Clarke MP met with both groups in a roundtable in September 2019. Officials have also had frequent meetings with both groups.

The review is still ongoing and will be subject to a consultation on further technical details. This will be published later this Autumn.

Following UK government decisions at Spending Round 2019, the Scottish Government benefited from an increase of over £1.3 billion in the Barnett-based block grant, which will therefore increase to £34.5 billion in 2020-21. This is the biggest day-to-day funding settlement for Scotland in a decade.

It is for the Scottish Government to allocate this funding across their devolved responsibilities, including to victims of contaminated blood if they so choose.

The government transposed the vast majority of the provisions in the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive into domestic law through, ‘The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019’, which came into force on 10 January 2020.

This transposition ensures the UK’s AML/CTF regime remains comprehensive, responsive to emerging threats, and in line with evolving international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

The consultation on the implementation of the Directive committed to a further technical consultation on the details of the implementation of measures related to trust registration. This consultation will launch in early 2020 and will ensure the Trust Registration Service contains a robust and proportionate framework, which will be transposed into domestic law during 2020.

HM Treasury is responsible for the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (‘the Regulations’). The Regulations set out the high-level requirements on regulated firms to combat money laundering and ensure that key professionals identify their customers and understand the purpose behind transactions, including the source of funds. The Regulations are designed to combat illicit finance, while minimising the burden on legitimate customers.

The Regulations require firms in scope of the regulations to have in place appropriate risk-management systems and procedures to determine whether a customer (or their beneficial owner) is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), family member of a PEP or close associate of a PEP.

PEPs are individuals entrusted with a prominent public function. This definition includes but is not limited to heads of state, heads of government, ministers and deputy or assistant ministers, members of parliament or of similar legislative bodies.

PEPs can pose a high money laundering risk because they may be able to abuse their position for private gain. Not all PEPs, however, pose the same money laundering risk; there is a hierarchy depending on country of origin and rank, from middle tier officials to individuals with significant or absolute control over the levers, patronage and resources in a given area. For example, the Financial Conduct Authority’s guidance states that UK PEPs should be considered as lower risk.

Where a firm has identified that a customer (or their beneficial owner) is a PEP, family member or close associate of a PEP, it must conduct an appropriate range of Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) measures. When carrying out EDD on PEPs, firms must take adequate measures to establish the source of wealth and source of funds which are involved in the proposed transaction or business relationship, get approval from senior management to establish or continue a relationship with that person and carry out enhanced monitoring of the business relationship.

The scheme has only been running for a short period so far; details on the number of visas issued will be released in due course.

The Home Office is continually making efforts to simplify the application process for Ukrainian refugees, and keeps this under regular review.

The latest developments can be found in the Home Secretary’s statement of 10 March which can be found: Home Secretary update on support for Ukrainians - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Home Secretary updated Parliament on 10 March about the government's support for people fleeing Ukraine, including the need to visit a visa application centre to provide biometric data.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretary-update-on-support-for-ukrainians

We recognise the deeply troubling circumstances faced by all Ukrainians who are caught up in this conflict, including unaccompanied minors, and the role many countries will need to play to safeguard those children. With respect to UK charities we are aware of a significant interest in assisting Ukrainian children.

Safeguarding and protection of these vulnerable children is paramount. It will generally be in the best interests of a child to reunite with their family members in the first instance. This is also the position of the Ukrainian Government. We have held a number of discussions with leading international organisations who are working hard to ensure appropriate processes are put in place to process and safeguard unaccompanied minors who are fleeing Ukraine.

The Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS) provides an immediate pathway for those Ukrainians, including unaccompanied minors, with family already settled in the UK to come to our country. The relevant safeguarding checks will be performed as part of the application process. The UFS is designed to allow as many people as possible to come to Britain and gives them immediate access to the support they need.

The routes and visa changes which we have announced so far follow extensive engagement with the Ukrainian Government to ensure they respond directly to their needs and asks. We will continue to work closely with them going forward.

We are committed to working with local government to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, particularly for any unaccompanied children who may arrive and for whom there is no option of being reunited with extended family. The UK already has well established policies in this area for looked after migrant children.

We recognise the deeply troubling circumstances faced by all Ukrainians who are caught up in this conflict, including unaccompanied minors, and the role many countries will need to play to safeguard those children. With respect to UK charities we are aware of a significant interest in assisting Ukrainian children.

Safeguarding and protection of these vulnerable children is paramount. It will generally be in the best interests of a child to reunite with their family members in the first instance. This is also the position of the Ukrainian Government. We have held a number of discussions with leading international organisations who are working hard to ensure appropriate processes are put in place to process and safeguard unaccompanied minors who are fleeing Ukraine.

The Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS) provides an immediate pathway for those Ukrainians, including unaccompanied minors, with family already settled in the UK to come to our country. The relevant safeguarding checks will be performed as part of the application process. The UFS is designed to allow as many people as possible to come to Britain and gives them immediate access to the support they need.

The routes and visa changes which we have announced so far follow extensive engagement with the Ukrainian Government to ensure they respond directly to their needs and asks. We will continue to work closely with them going forward.

We are committed to working with local government to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, particularly for any unaccompanied children who may arrive and for whom there is no option of being reunited with extended family. The UK already has well established policies in this area for looked after migrant children.

We recognise the deeply troubling circumstances faced by all Ukrainians who are caught up in this conflict, including unaccompanied minors, and the role many countries will need to play to safeguard those children. With respect to UK charities we are aware of a significant interest in assisting Ukrainian children.

Safeguarding and protection of these vulnerable children is paramount. It will generally be in the best interests of a child to reunite with their family members in the first instance. This is also the position of the Ukrainian Government. We have held a number of discussions with leading international organisations who are working hard to ensure appropriate processes are put in place to process and safeguard unaccompanied minors who are fleeing Ukraine.

The Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS) provides an immediate pathway for those Ukrainians, including unaccompanied minors, with family already settled in the UK to come to our country. The relevant safeguarding checks will be performed as part of the application process. The UFS is designed to allow as many people as possible to come to Britain and gives them immediate access to the support they need.

The routes and visa changes which we have announced so far follow extensive engagement with the Ukrainian Government to ensure they respond directly to their needs and asks. We will continue to work closely with them going forward.

We are committed to working with local government to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, particularly for any unaccompanied children who may arrive and for whom there is no option of being reunited with extended family. The UK already has well established policies in this area for looked after migrant children.

As the Home Secretary set out in her Written Statement of 21 February, the review is being finalised and it is our aim to publish it shortly.

The UK Government is working with the haulage sector to promote jobs, training and a range of other initiatives to get more people into HGV driving.

Like other sectors the focus should be on training and recruiting from the UK based workforce in the first instance, especially given the impact of the pandemic resulting in more UK based workers looking for new employment. Reported shortages of HGV drivers across the EU and much of the developed world also indicate the ability to recruit abroad is no guarantee of being able to do so.

The temporary visa provision for HGV drivers was introduced in response to potential reduced availability of some food products in the run up to Christmas, enabling drivers to work in the UK until 28 February 2022. There are no plans to extend the validity of these visas beyond this date.

Recognising the extraordinary circumstances facing businesses currently, Government is providing visas as a time-limited, temporary measure for the food sector until longer term measures to improve the supply of skills domestically start to have an impact. This includes visas for up to:

• Up to 4,700 HGV food drivers who will be able to arrive from late October and leave by 28 February 2022;
• Up to 5,500 poultry workers can arrive from late October and stay up until 31 December 2021; and
• Up to 800 pork butchers who will be able to arrive from early November until 31 December 2021 and stay for up to 6 months.

It will be for the sectors and companies concerned to make use of these opportunities to recruit labour over this period.

However, we must see long-term solutions delivered by employers through improved training and hiring, with better pay and working conditions, as immigration routes do not provide a guarantee of being able to recruit in a competitive global market for skilled workers. Therefore, we have no further plans to provide more temporary visas in this sector.

The Points Based System already provides for a range of roles in the food and drink sector, including roles such as Butchers, to be recruited on a global basis subject to the rules and requirements of the system being met, including on salary.

It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on the security arrangements for protected individuals. To do so could compromise the integrity of those arrangements and affect the security of the individuals concerned.

The Government has announced at the end of the transition period, EEA and Swiss nationals will be able to continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short-term trips, without needing a visa.

The current Immigration Rules, including those for visitors, contain a wide range of provisions to cater for artists, entertainers and musicians.

The Home Office is currently engaging with the creative sector and other government departments, including DCMS, to ensure the future immigration system continues to support the thriving cultural sector in the UK.

The Government has made clear, where a person eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the
application deadline of 30 June 2021, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

We have not published a list of reasonable grounds for missing the deadline as it is a year away and the focus should be on encouraging people to apply. We will however publish clear guidance for caseworkers in due course to ensure consistency of approach.

It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on the security arrangements for protected individuals. To do so could compromise the integrity of those arrangements and affect the security of the individuals concerned

We are not able to provide a precise figure because our app statistics include transactions for applications which have been started, but not yet submitted. However, we estimate over 3.2 million applicants have used the EU Exit: ID Document check app to scan their Passport as part of their application to the EU Settlement Scheme.

We do not currently publish data on calls into the Settlement Resolution Centre. We do ensure that resource allocated is maximised to allow our dedicated teams to answer and support as many callers as possible to assist them through the EU Settlement scheme process. Our current average answer time is 25 seconds. (January 2020)

Published information for financial years 2016-17, 2017-18 & 2018-19 for revenue from visa applications can be found in the Home Office’s Annual Report and Accounts via the links below:

The cost of processing applications is not reported separately from other UKVI expenditure in the accounts, but unit cost information is published, and the link to that is also below.

2018-19

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807126/6.5571_HO_Annual_Report_201920_WEB.PDF#page=137

2017-18

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/727179/6_4360_HO_Annual_report_WEB.PDF#page=126

2016-17

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/627853/ho_annual_report_and_accounts_2016_2017.pdf#page=119

Income generated via visa applications for the current financial year 2019-20 is expected to be published in June 2020.

Published visa unit costs are provided in the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data

The EU Settlement Scheme already provides resident EU citizens with the UK immigration status they will need to continue living here after the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020. The status granted under the scheme will guarantee them the same rights to work, study and access benefits and services as they have now.

The Home Secretary provides the Home Affairs Select Committee with updates on the work of the department in connection with Windrush. This includes information on decisions made by the Taskforce under the Windrush Scheme. The correspondence can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/correspondence-on-the-work-of-the-home-office-windrush

The published Windrush guidance confirms what documentation is provided to the applicant dependent on the individual’s circumstances, and that there is no charge for an application under the Windrush Scheme. The guidance can be found at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807384/windrush-scheme-v3.0-ext.pdf

The following table shows the costs of AWE ML under the Management and Operations contract for each financial year since 2000-01, at outturn prices.

*On 1 July 2021 the contract between AWE ML and MOD ended as AWE ML reverted to direct Government ownership, becoming a Non-Departmental Public Body wholly owned by the MOD.

The requested figures cannot easily be disaggregated due to the format the data is held in and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, it will be the case that anyone who works at these locations and has a Scottish address will pay tax in Scotland. It is estimated that c.90% of staff working at these sites will be Scottish taxpayers.

The requested figures cannot easily be disaggregated due to the format the data is held in and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, it will be the case that anyone who works at these locations and has a Scottish address will pay tax in Scotland. It is estimated that c.90% of staff working at these sites will be Scottish taxpayers.

The requested figures cannot easily be disaggregated due to the format the data is held in and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, it will be the case that anyone who works at these locations and has a Scottish address will pay tax in Scotland. It is estimated that c.90% of staff working at these sites will be Scottish taxpayers.

The removal of component low level radioactive waste has been successfully and safely completed on the submarine, REVENGE, marking the completion of its initial phase of dismantling work.

A demonstrator submarine is being used to define and refine the dismantling process. As the demonstrator programme progresses, the outcomes will provide more certainty in the date when REVENGE will be fully dismantled.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 July 2021 to Question 27009 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (Mr John Healey).

The following table shows the costs of AWE ML under the Management and Operations contract for each financial year since 2000-01, at outturn prices.

Financial Year £ million

2000-01 275

2001-02 264

2002-03 258

2003-04 286

2004-05 354

2005-06 493

2006-07 687

2007-08 894

2008-09 800

2009-10 870

2010-11 944

2011-12 941

2012-13 830

2013-14 901

2014-15 921

2015-16 887

2016-17 815

2017-18 867

2018-19 901

2019-20 994

In the preparation of this response for the hon. Member it came to light that in response to two previous PQs (on 22 November 2018 and 3 February 2015, Questions 194785 and 222312) the amount stated as paid to AWE ML was erroneously overstated in respect of the financial years 2012-13 to 2017-18.

The first stage of the remediation work has not been completed; however work is underway on the site, following the granting of a licence by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, which was granted on 17 May 2021.

The target remains to complete all work by September 2022.

Since Tax Year (TY) 2018-19, retrospective mitigation payments have been made to those Regular Service personnel adversely affected, by £12 or more, through having to pay higher rates of income tax in Scotland compared to their counterparts resident outside Scotland. Not all Service personnel meeting the residency requirement for paying Scottish income tax serve in Scotland, and not all those who serve in Scotland are resident there for tax purposes.

So far, the Ministry of Defence has made just over 14,000 mitigation payments covering TYs 2018-19 and 2019-20. These have been triggered where gross taxable earnings (i.e. not just pay) have been £27,200 or more in TY 2018-19, or £28,193 or more in TY 2019-20. Payments covering TY 2020-21 will be made in June, to those whose gross taxable earnings have been £28,443 or more.

No submariners have received radiation doses in excess of safe limits in any of the last ten years.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.

The table below provides the number of Improvement Notices issued by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator since 2010.

The base port of HMS TALENT was transferred to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in July 19 however her base port is temporarily HMNB Devonport, whilst she undergoes a maintenance period. She will return to HMNB Clyde on completion of the maintenance.

The base port of HMS TRIUMPH will change to HMNB Clyde on completion of her refit, which is expected to be later this year.

I refer the hon. Member to the information on the Submarine Dismantling Project provided in "The United Kingdom's future nuclear deterrent: the 2020 update to Parliament" published on 17 December 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-united-kingdoms-future-nuclear-deterrent-the-2020-update-to-parliament/the-united-kingdoms-future-nuclear-deterrent-the-2020-update-to-parliament

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is intending to extend the scope of defence greenhouse gas emissions reporting in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2021-22.

The Ministry of Defence has made the following payments to Leidos to operate the Logistics, Commodities and Services Transformation programme since 2015:

The cost for 2020-21 has yet to be finalised and fully paid. The figure for 2021-22 covers the period 1 April 2021 to 26 April 2021.

The table below provides the number of Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at Coulport and Faslane recorded for 2018, 2019 and 2020. These are shown according to their categorisation using criteria agreed locally in 2015.

In line with industry good practice, and in common with other defence and civil nuclear sites, Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde has a well-established system for raising NSERs and investigating and categorising them according to their safety significance, whether equipment failures, human error, procedural failings, documentation shortcomings or near-misses.

The safety significance of all reported events remains low and they are all below Level 1, the lowest level of the seven-point International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

None of the events caused harm to the health of any member of staff at the Naval Base or to any member of the public, and no event resulted in any unauthorised discharge of radioactive waste to the environment.

The names, locations, property descriptions and sale years for sites disposed of in Scotland from 2016 to 2021 are listed below:

The purchaser details and sale prices for the disposed sites has been withheld in view of contractual confidentiality.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation manage the Defence Training Estate across the UK in partnership with its industry partner, Landmarc Support Services Ltd. Landmarc Support Services Ltd is the company who undertakes internal audits of Environmental Management Systems across the UK Defence Training Estate, including Cape Wrath.

As announced in the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, published on 16 March 2021, the UK will move to an overall nuclear weapon stockpile of no more than 260 warheads. I am withholding further details on the size of the stockpile for the purposes of safeguarding national security.

At 31 December 2020, 535 uniformed contractors were employed at Faslane. Of these, 470 were Scottish taxpayers, which translates to 88% of the total.

At 31 December 2020, 419 uniformed contractors were employed at Coulport. Of these, 370 were Scottish taxpayers, which translates to 89% of the total.

These figures reflect Ministry of Defence Police and Ministry of Defence Guard Service employees, who are Ministry of Defence civilian employees. The term 'uniformed contractor' has been translated to mean those employees who are neither civilian contractor, non-uniform civilian, or Service personnel.

At 31 December 2020, 1,015 civilian employees who are not contractors were employed at Faslane. Of these, 925 were Scottish taxpayers, which translates to 91% of the total.

At 31 December 2020, 475 civilian employees who are not contractors were employed at Coulport. Of these, 425 were Scottish taxpayers, which translates to 89% of the total.

At 1 January 2021, 3,624 uniformed Royal Navy Service personnel were stationed at locations in Argyll and Bute, comprising the Faslane and Coulport sites. Of these, 1,393 personnel were Scottish taxpayers, which translates to 38.4% of the total.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not record the total carbon emissions of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands.

As part of the MOD Climate Change and Sustainability Review we are developing a methodology to expand the scope of defence greenhouse gas emissions reporting to include overseas activities.

A list of names and locations of the non-inhabited listed buildings on the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) estate will be placed in the Library of the House.

The list consists of 463 sites that are located on the MOD's estate.

The list is limited to the UK estate.

As of 2 March 2020, there are 863 unused Ministry of Defence (MOD) properties in Scotland. These properties are Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and a complete list by county can be found below:

The Department needs to maintain a management margin of 10% vacant properties at each location so that there are sufficient homes of the appropriate size to accommodate Service Personnel when required. Although currently above this level at 27%, the Department has a plan to reduce these as part of the work to achieve a 10% management margin by Autumn 2021.

MOD continues to maintain vacant properties in Scotland at minimum Decent Homes Standard to allow their allocation to Service families, while looking for opportunities to better utilise or further rationalise the SFA estate.

A list of the location of Ramsar sites within the Defence estate will be placed in the Library of the House.

The list includes land that is either freehold, leasehold or a combination of both.

All sites on the list are deemed to be in Ministry of Defence (MOD) control by virtue of being Defence establishments.

The list is limited to the UK estate.

No information is held with regards to the condition of Ramsar sites with MOD ownership or control.

A list of the Sites and Areas of Special Scientific Interest; Special Protection Areas and Special Areas for Conservation within the Defence estate will be placed in the Library of the House.

The list includes land that is either freehold, leasehold or a combination of both.

All sites on the list are deemed to be in Ministry of Defence control by virtue of being Defence establishments.

The list is limited to the UK estate.

A list of names and locations of the listed buildings and scheduled monuments under his Department's ownership and control will be placed in the Library of the House.

The list includes 778 scheduled monuments and 851 listed buildings that are located on the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) estate.

All sites on the list are deemed to be in MOD control by virtue of being Defence establishments.

The list is limited to the UK estate.

Depending on the situation, the Ministry of Defence has a number of aircraft that could be used for Ministerial travel. This information is publicly available as part of the Government's commitment to publishing transparency information which includes Ministerial travel. The information is published every quarter and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Ministerial+travel&order=relevance

The number of unauthorised access incidents at HMNB Clyde, Faslane and Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, is provided in the table below:

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 in line with disclosure control policy. Figures ending in 5 are rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid bias, 5 or fewer is represented by ‘~’, 0 is represented by ‘-‘.

Unauthorised access is defined as an individual, or individuals, gaining access to a defined Restricted access area within HMNB Clyde by circumventing the site security system. There was no risk to the safety of personnel or vessels arising from these incidents.

The costs incurred in each quarter for travel by Ministers and officials in the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland is enclosed.

The Office is resourced to deliver all of the communications functions and activities expected and required of a Government Department in its own right and on behalf of the UK Government in Scotland. The number of staff in communications reflects this requirement.

As well as frontline communications functions, such as media handling, the Government Communications Service Modern Communications Operating Model requires UK Government communications divisions to deliver the following functions: campaigns, digital, internal communications, strategic communications and external affairs - such as organising ministerial visits, events, committee meetings and stakeholder engagement activities.

The number of staff working at the Office is recorded in the Annual Report and Accounts, which are available online at gov.uk/scotland.

The Department spent the following on social media advertising since June 2019:

In 2018, the Office considered carefully whether or not it should retrospectively seek to publish online all of the responses to FOI requests since August 2014. We concluded that we did not have the resources to do so, and that the benefit to the public would not be proportionate to the cost.

There is no obligation to publish responses to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where requests relate to matters of wider public interest we consider publishing the responses on a case by case basis.