First elected: 7th May 2015
Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Hannah Bardell, 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.
Hannah Bardell has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Universal Credit Sanctions (Zero Hours Contracts) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Afzal Khan (Lab)
Gender-based Pricing (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)
Crime (Assaults on Emergency Services Staff) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)
To support women in the workplace, we will: extend redundancy protections for women after they return from maternity leave; introduce neonatal leave and pay; and introduce one week of unpaid carer’s leave. We have also recently consulted on measures to increase the availability of flexible working – and look forward to publishing our response to that in due course.
Following consultation with Members, a nursery model of childcare was determined as best fulfilling their needs and the needs of the children. The Nursery opened in 2010. A crèche would need to be separate from the nursery, and would require appropriate accommodation. The Nursery Governance Committee discussed this at its meeting in October 2015 and was not persuaded of the case for a crèche.
However, I am sure that the Commission would welcome fuller consideration of the case for such services, and of an appropriate funding model.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of low pay from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earning (ASHE). However, the ASHE sample size is too small to give reliable estimates of low pay at the constituency level. Breakdowns of low pay at the regional level are available here – http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/low-pay/april-2014/stb-2014-low-pay-estimates.html
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Departmental Board draws its membership from ministers, senior officials and non-executives. In accordance with the Code of Good Practice for Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments (2011), appointments to the Board are made on merit with due regard for the benefits of diversity, including gender. Of the current membership, 40% are women.
There have been no such discussions. As a UK institution located in Edinburgh, I appreciate there is particular interest in Scotland in the Green Investment Bank. The Government will continue to be as informative as possible as plans for the company’s future development.
The Government rigorously assesses the capacity of the UK to counter non-military attacks through the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) process. In light of the ever-changing national security environment and in support of the SDSR 2015, the National Security Council (NSC) commissioned a focused National Security Capability Review (NSCR), published in March 2018. This set out how we could develop, deliver and deploy our considerable national security capabilities to maximum collective effect to address the increasing and diversifying threats to our national security, including from non-military attacks.
The NSCR also introduced the Fusion Doctrine, which seeks to use our full range of security, economic and influence capabilities to maximum effect in pursuit of our national security goals.
The latest State of the Estate Report 2015-2016 references both the Greening Government Commitments and fulfils the reporting requirements under the Climate Change Act 2008. It reports on energy efficiency performance against government commitments.
The next Government Estates Strategy due to be published shortly will continue to ensure the government estate plays its full part in reducing the government's environmental impact as required by the Climate Change Act 2008.
The latest State of the Estate Report 2015-2016 references both the Greening Government Commitments and fulfils the reporting requirements under the Climate Change Act 2008. It reports on energy efficiency performance against government commitments.
The next Government Estates Strategy due to be published shortly will continue to ensure the government estate plays its full part in reducing the government's environmental impact as required by the Climate Change Act 2008.
Workforce planning is primarily the responsibility of each department. The Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government's commitment to leave the EU and get the best deal for the UK. Civil Service HR is working with all departments across the Civil Service to better understand their capacity and capability requirements.
In October last year we published the Clean Growth Strategy:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy.
In this document the Government set out its strategy for how the whole country can benefit from low carbon economic opportunities through the creation of new technologies and new businesses, which creates jobs and prosperity across the UK, while meeting our ambitious national targets to tackle climate change. This means developing low carbon sources of electricity that are both cheap and clean, taking into account wider system impacts for all sources of generation. It also means upgrading our electricity system so it is smarter (using data to provide greater control), more flexible (providing energy when it is needed) and takes advantage of rapidly developing technologies such as energy storage.
We are considering options for small-scale low carbon generation beyond 2019, and a consultation on the Feed-in Tariffs scheme will be published in due course. Ofgem’s current Targeted Charging Review (link: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/targeted-charging-review-consultation) is considering some aspects of network charging and the incentives it places on network users, including distributed energy.
The draft Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill is clear that Ofgem must have regard to the need to ensure that holders of supply licences who operate efficiently are able to finance activities authorised by the licence. It would be for the independent regulator, Ofgem, to make its assessment of efficient operations. Ofgem is not required to have regard to investment projects that are outside the scope of the activities authorised by the supply licence.
The draft Bill would require Ofgem to set the level of the price cap such that, amongst other things, it would maintain incentives for switching and enable effective competition.
The prepayment safeguard (price cap) tariff was introduced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following its investigation into the energy markets. The methodology set by the CMA, and administered by Ofgem, to calculate the cap was brought into effect by the CMA’s Energy Market Investigation (Prepayment Charge Restriction) Order 2016, which is available on the CMA’s website here, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-market-investigation-prepayment-charge-restriction-order-2016
Imposing an absolute price cap on domestic standard variable and default tariffs with limited exemptions will ensure customers on these tariffs do not pay unjustifiably high prices. Banning these tariffs would not provide assurance that they would not simply be replaced with an alternative default tariff that had little impact on customer engagement, switching rates or differentials between highest and lowest tariffs.
Reducing the differentials between the highest and lowest tariffs could result in suppliers removing their cheapest tariffs but maintaining high priced standard variable tariffs. This was also the view of the BEIS Select Committee in their report on the draft Bill.
The draft Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill is clear that Ofgem must take into account an efficient supplier’s ability to finance its activities. This would include the roll out of smart meters, which is a requirement of their supply licence.
Under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 it is a criminal offence to place on the market personal protective equipment that does not comply with the regulations or to supply any such equipment unless it is safe. Trading Standards are responsible for taking appropriate action against personal protective equipment that does not comply with the Regulations. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy continues to work closely with Trading Standards to ensure that any Personal Protective Equipment on the market is safe.
The new Personal Protective Equipment Regulation adopted earlier this year, will apply from 21 April 2018 and while it does not need transposing into UK legislation there will need to be implementing UK legislation to provide for enforcement and penalties. The Government will consult on these provisions in due course.
Working with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Government has identified skills, business models and innovation as the major sources of improved productivity in the sector.
To promote increased investment in skills, an Apprenticeship Levy will be introduced in April 2017 on all companies with a pay bill above £3 million per annum. The CLC Review of the Construction Labour Model launched in January 2016, is examining the labour model in construction and will recommend measures which will help lead house-building and other construction firms to ensure they have the skills, and the skills pipelines, that they need.
The Government Construction Strategy 2016-2020 published in March this year has a focus on smarter procurement, using Government’s position in the market to help drive improved productivity in construction and better value for the tax payer.
Businesses need money to invest in productivity improvement, and a review of the practice of cash retention and of the effectiveness of the legislation covering construction contracts (Part 2 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996), is currently underway.
Digital technology has great potential to drive productivity improvement through innovation in construction, and the UK is among the world leaders thanks to the Government’s support for the use and development of Building Information Modelling. In the Budget the Government announced support for the development of the next digital standard for the construction sector, Building Information Modelling 3.
Working with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Government has identified skills, business models and innovation as the major sources of improved productivity in the sector.
To promote increased investment in skills, an Apprenticeship Levy will be introduced in April 2017 on all companies with a pay bill above £3 million per annum. The CLC Review of the Construction Labour Model launched in January 2016, is examining the labour model in construction and will recommend measures which will help lead house-building and other construction firms to ensure they have the skills, and the skills pipelines, that they need.
The Government Construction Strategy 2016-2020 published in March this year has a focus on smarter procurement, using Government’s position in the market to help drive improved productivity in construction and better value for the tax payer.
Businesses need money to invest in productivity improvement, and a review of the practice of cash retention and of the effectiveness of the legislation covering construction contracts (Part 2 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996), is currently underway.
Digital technology has great potential to drive productivity improvement through innovation in construction, and the UK is among the world leaders thanks to the Government’s support for the use and development of Building Information Modelling. In the Budget the Government announced support for the development of the next digital standard for the construction sector, Building Information Modelling 3.
The Department has not made a specific forecast of how many jobs will be lost (or how many will be created) over the next 10 years due to automation. However, officials across Government are exploring the implications for policy – including employment – of automation, as part of the Horizon Scanning Programme. Officials are also engaging with our international partners to ensure that we are aware of the most recent thinking about the potential impacts of automation.
The Government is taking action to provide individuals with the skills that will help prepare them for changes to the labour market. Activities include the new school computing curriculum, developing new apprenticeship standards, growing the apprenticeships programme, and recently announcing the Institute for Coding.
The final reports on pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination in the workplace were published on 22 March 2016, together with the Government response to recommendations made by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We had intended to publish the final reports in December 2015, but this did not prove possible as the research reports were extensive and took longer than expected to finalise.
The final reports on pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination in the workplace were published on 22 March 2016, together with the Government response to recommendations made by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We had intended to publish the final reports in December 2015, but this did not prove possible as the research reports were extensive and took longer than expected to finalise.
The Festival will showcase the UK's unique strengths in creativity and innovation and will be held in 2022. The Festival programme is at its early stages of planning, and funding arrangements will be confirmed in due course.
The forthcoming Online Harms White Paper will set clear standards for industry to make sure there is improved support for users online, and that more companies are taking consistent action to tackle online harms.
As set out in the Internet Safety Strategy Green Paper, Government is committed to working with a wide range of partners to ensure that online safety messages are delivered to all users, including parents, through a range of communication channels.
The forthcoming Online Harms White Paper will set out a wide range of legislative and non-legislative measures to help make the UK the safest place to be online.
The Government Response to the Internet Safety Strategy noted the Government’s intention to set a new, strategic approach to online safety funding, while maintaining the benefits of current funding streams from the major technology companies. Detailed plans to tackle the full range of online harms will be set out in the forthcoming Online Harms White Paper, including legislative and non-legislative measures.
DCMS is the lead delivery department for the festival, and will work closely with other government departments. Further funding arrangements will be detailed in due course.
The allocation of funding and delivery model for the festival will be confirmed in due course.
Telecoms, including the Broadband Univeral Service Obligation (USO) is a reserved matter and applies throughout the UK. We have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on a wide range of issues, and I am grateful for their responses to the Government's USO consultation and more recently to Ofcom's Call for Inputs on the design of the USO.
Telecoms, including the Broadband Univeral Service Obligation (USO) is a reserved matter and applies throughout the UK. We have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on a wide range of issues, and I am grateful for their responses to the Government's USO consultation and more recently to Ofcom's Call for Inputs on the design of the USO.
We have made no assessment. The Government has been clear about its position in respect of the Referendum.
The Government recognises the important role that sport plays in all our lives and a Free-to-Air Listed Events regime has operated in the UK for many years. Taking into account the list, it is a commercial matter for the broadcasters to choose which sporting events to bid for.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, meets regularly with Cabinet colleagues to discuss the Department for Education's agenda.
The apprenticeship levy will raise £2.8 billion a year across the UK by 2020
Through the levy, we will be investing £2.5 billion a year in England on apprenticeships by 2020
The table below provides the latest provisional figures for apprenticeships budgets (excluding non-participation budgets, Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) and Employer Ownership Pilot (EOP).
| 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 |
Department for Education, £m | 2,010 | 2,231 | 2,450 |
Funds will be available to levy payers through the digital apprenticeship service depending on their levy payment and their workforce who are resident in England.
Funding for the devolved administrations has also been announced: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-agrees-apprenticeship-levy-funding-deal-with-devolved-administrations
The apprenticeship levy will raise £2.8 billion a year across the UK by 2020
Through the levy, we will be investing £2.5 billion a year in England on apprenticeships by 2020
The table below provides the latest provisional figures for apprenticeships budgets (excluding non-participation budgets, Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) and Employer Ownership Pilot (EOP).
| 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 |
Department for Education: £m | 2,010 | 2,231 | 2,450 |
Funds will be available to levy payers through the digital apprenticeship service depending on their levy payment and their workforce who are resident in England.
Funding for the devolved administrations has also been announced: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-agrees-apprenticeship-levy-funding-deal-with-devolved-administrations
In line with UK protocol, the Agreement will be published when it is laid before Parliament. This is planned for Monday 19 October.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.
The Government supports the use of geographical indications (GIs) and will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink. The EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.
We will of course engage on how we continue to protect the best of our UK food and drink as we leave the EU and consider future trade opportunities across the world. Future protection of UK protected products in the EU, and EU protected products in the UK, is subject to negotiations with the EU on our future economic partnership.
Ministers meet regularly in a variety of fora for discussions on such issues.