Hywel Williams

The protected characteristics provided for in Section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 reflect the progressive development over time of the UK’s world leading approach to equalities legislation, covering all those required by EU law, together with “marriage and civil partnership”. Protections available across the range of protected characteristics exceed EU requirements, as they include proscription of unlawful discrimination by providers of goods and services because of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.

Article 14 (non-discrimination) of the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights works differently from the Equality Act 2010 by providing for a right not to be discriminated against, on various grounds, in respect of the other rights set out in the Convention. Section 1 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Human Rights Act 1998 give Article 14 further effect in UK domestic law.

About ten staff in the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and its legal advisers, particularly those dealing with equalities legislation and international matters, work as necessary on the UK leaving the EU, though none are employed full-time on this issue.

DECC published the latest figures for UK greenhouse gas emissions on 3^rd February 2015 [1]. This included an assessment of progress towards meeting targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol. The UK’s target for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which ran from 2008 to 2012, was a 12.5 percent reduction on Kyoto Protocol base year emissions [2]. UK emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol (including carbon dioxide) were an average 607.9 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year over this period taking account of emissions trading under the EU Emissions Trading System; 22 percent lower than base year emissions.

[1] Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407432/20150203_2013_Final_Emissions_statistics.pdf

2] ‘Base year emissions’ refer to UK emissions in 1990, as reported in the UK 2004 inventory submission.

The Department does not measure carbon savings per year from individual types of energy efficiency measure across the UK.

However, estimated carbon savings from energy efficiency policies are reported in our Updated Emissions Projections, which can be found on the government’s website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-and-emissions-projections”

Breakdown of the estimated number of UK dwelling insulated each year from 2010:

From : https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-deal-and-energy-company-obligation-eco-statistics#quarterly-statistics

The March 2015 cavity wall insulation installation statistics are still to be calculated

*This includes delivery through Government schemes and new build properties.

No estimate has been made of the number or cost of future apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are a demand led programme and therefore not subject to government targets or projections.

The latest information on apprenticeship starts and participation can be found in the Statistical First Release: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/learner-participation-outcomes-and-level-of-highest-qualification-held.

The average apprenticeship programme cost to government of learners who completed (or left) in the 2013/14 academic year is estimated at £5,300 for 16-18 year olds and £2,000 for learners aged 19 and over. Please note that this is the government contribution only and does not include any employer contributions.

When setting the Feed-in Tariff for hydro schemes of any size in 2012, our economists took into account both capital and operating costs, including the costs of grid connection. Our capex costs were all estimated using the following report:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42912/5900-update-of-nonpv-data-for-feed-in-tariff-.pdf/.

However, each scheme is different and cost can vary greatly, including for grid connection, and we do not have specific data for community schemes.

Regional electricity bills, based on fixed consumption levels are published in Quarterly Energy Prices, table 2.2.3:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual-domestic-energy-price-statistics

Annual 2014 UK electricity bills by PES (Public Electricity Supply) Region

Data published are based on a fixed annual consumption of 3,800kWh.

The business model for electricity transmission companies is a matter for the independent regulator, Ofgem, and the network companies. Ofgem has developed a new regulatory framework, RIIO (Revenue=Incentives+Innovation+Outputs), which commenced for electricity transmission on 1 April 2013.

Where householders own the land used for new pylons, network companies would normally pay a capital sum to the owner if an easement agreement is entered into, or an annual payment for a wayleave to the owner and/or occupier. Compensation is settled by agreement between the parties in the case of an easement or a voluntary or necessary (compulsory) wayleave. Failing agreement in the case of a necessary wayleave, compensation is settled by the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) at the request of either party (as provided for in paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 4 to the Electricity Act 1989). There are no plans to review or modify this approach.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has commissioned analysis regarding the respective costs of underground electricity cables and overhead electricity lines. The Electricity Transmission Costing Study, which was published in 2012, can be found at:

http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/transmission.cfm.

The analysis found that while the costs of individual proposals will vary on a case by case basis, undergrounding is always more expensive than overhead lines. DECC has not carried out a specific analysis of the impact of transmission lines on property values or taxation.

DECC Ministers meet regularly with Ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Government to discuss a range of issues. As has been the case with successive administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

The Government has no plans to introduce financial support for individuals who do not qualify for statutory paternity leave and pay because they do not have the required length of service.

Paternity leave and pay was considered as part of a broader examination of family-related leave which led to the introduction of Shared Parental Leave and Pay through the Children and Families Act 2014.

It is important to maintain the right balance between the needs of employees to take leave and the needs of employers to have certainty when recruiting and hiring new staff. Paternity leave and pay can be taken immediately from the birth of a child to allow the father to care for the mother and the newborn. This means that unlike annual leave, where the exact dates of the absence can be agreed in advance, paternity leave dates are subject to change.

The 26 week service qualification period allows employers to plan effectively to cover an employee's absence during the paternity leave period, which would not be possible if the employee had just been recruited.

Unlike paternity leave, maternity leave is a day one right to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby. In order to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, a mother must have 26 weeks qualifying service (the same requirements as for paternity pay). Those mothers who do not have the requisite service for statutory maternity pay may be entitled to Maternity Allowance. This is because the benefit system recognises pregnant women and new mothers have a specific need for protect their own health and safety, and the health of their child, by allowing them to take time off work. There is no equivalent paternity allowance or adoption allowance, as there are not equivalent health and safety reasons to do so.

We have committed to a review of the changes to employment law enacted by the Children and Families Act after 2018.

On 12 May, the Prime Minister confirmed that a public inquiry into COVID-19 would be established on a statutory basis, with full formal powers, and that it will begin its work in spring 2022.

Further details will be set out in due course.

There has been engagement with Welsh Government counterparts - as well as weekly engagement at official level - about the inland border sites in North Wales. Provision of Border Control Posts for SPS checks is a devolved matter. However, Defra, HMRC, Wales Office, and Welsh Government are working constructively to define an appropriate control regime for customs and biosecurity checks to be in place and operational at the sites in Parc Cybi from 1 January.

The Warrington Inland Border Facility has been operational since January 2021 and has the capacity to handle more than 700 goods vehicle movements per day for customs checks. Together with other inland border facilities, such as Birmingham and Sevington, there is more than adequate capacity to accommodate any shortfall capacity at Welsh ports and inland sites in January 2022, should this be needed.

There has been engagement with Welsh Government counterparts - as well as weekly engagement at official level - about the inland border sites in North Wales. Provision of Border Control Posts for SPS checks is a devolved matter. However, Defra, HMRC, Wales Office, and Welsh Government are working constructively to define an appropriate control regime for customs and biosecurity checks to be in place and operational at the sites in Parc Cybi from 1 January.

The Warrington Inland Border Facility has been operational since January 2021 and has the capacity to handle more than 700 goods vehicle movements per day for customs checks. Together with other inland border facilities, such as Birmingham and Sevington, there is more than adequate capacity to accommodate any shortfall capacity at Welsh ports and inland sites in January 2022, should this be needed.

The information requested is not held centrally.

We welcome dialogue between Parliament and the European Parliament. At the first meeting of the Partnership Council last week, both we and the EU encouraged continuing work on the establishment of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, and noted its importance.

Work is ongoing between members of this House and the Other Place. We look forward to their proposals so that we can support the early establishment of the Assembly.

Further to my answer to PQ 160771 on 11 March 2021, the Government does not hold information on the number of businesses, if any, who have been unable to export goods to the EU since 1 January 2021. However, as the Office for National Statistics trade statistics to February, released this week, have shown, goods exports to the EU are now getting close to their average 2020 monthly levels once again. We continue to offer a wide range of support to businesses exporting to the EU. This includes the £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, which provides access to grants and practical support.

The Government has regular dialogue with representatives of the haulage sector and general business representative organisations through the Brexit Business Taskforce.

The Government is offering various avenues of support to hauliers, including over 20 helplines to provide advice to specific sectors. We have also published a Haulier Handbook - translated into 13 different languages - to provide information and advice to hauliers on how they can get ready for changes at the GB-EU border. This is in addition to the 46 Information and Advice sites across the UK.

The Government continues to provide support for businesses, as outlined in the statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Thursday 11 February in which he announced the launch of the £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, which has been met with support from SMEs and provides them with access to grants and practical support.

The Government has regular dialogue with representatives of the haulage sector and general business representative organisations through the Brexit Business Taskforce.

The Government is offering various avenues of support to hauliers, including over 20 helplines to provide advice to specific sectors. We have also published a Haulier Handbook - translated into 13 different languages - to provide information and advice to hauliers on how they can get ready for changes at the GB-EU border. This is in addition to the 46 Information and Advice sites across the UK.

The Government continues to provide support for businesses, as outlined in the statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Thursday 11 February in which he announced the launch of the £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, which has been met with support from SMEs and provides them with access to grants and practical support.

The Government has regular dialogue with representatives of the haulage sector and general business representative organisations through the Brexit Business Taskforce.

The Government is offering various avenues of support to hauliers, including over 20 helplines to provide advice to specific sectors. We have also published a Haulier Handbook - translated into 13 different languages - to provide information and advice to hauliers on how they can get ready for changes at the GB-EU border. This is in addition to the 46 Information and Advice sites across the UK.

The Government continues to provide support for businesses, as outlined in the statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Thursday 11 February in which he announced the launch of the £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, which has been met with support from SMEs and provides them with access to grants and practical support.

The UK government has been committed to working closely with the devolved administrations and there have been regular discussions throughout the Covid response, including in relation to the procurement of supplies and services.

We have procured vaccines for the whole of the UK, and provided testing capacity to all of the Devolved Administrations, including operating testing sites across the UK. Mutual aid and cooperation across and between all four nations has been a key part of ensuring PPE gets to where it is needed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 120952 on 30 November 2020.

In a three month period between July and September 2020, departments received around 8,000 freedom of information requests and responded to almost 90% of them within 20 working days or with a permitted extension. This reflects the Government’s commitment to fulfill its freedom of information obligations despite the pressures of responding to COVID-19.

The FOI statistics for October to November 2020, and the annual statistics for 2020, will be published in April 2021, at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 120952 on 30 November 2020.

In a three month period between July and September 2020, departments received around 8,000 freedom of information requests and responded to almost 90% of them within 20 working days or with a permitted extension. This reflects the Government’s commitment to fulfill its freedom of information obligations despite the pressures of responding to COVID-19.

The FOI statistics for October to November 2020, and the annual statistics for 2020, will be published in April 2021, at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have kept ministers up-to-date on their Census preparations throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ONS have recently published an update on how everyone can be safely counted in Census 2021.

For more information please see:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/census2021andcoronavirus.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement states that the European Parliament and the Parliament of the United Kingdom may, if they so choose, establish a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly consisting of Members of the European Parliament and of Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The exact membership of this Assembly would be for the European Parliament and the Parliament of the United Kingdom to determine. The UK Government is committed to continue working closely with the devolved administrations to ensure that our relationship with the EU works in the interests of citizens and businesses across the whole of the UK.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement states that the European Parliament and the Parliament of the United Kingdom may, if they so choose, establish a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly consisting of Members of the European Parliament and of Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The exact membership of this Assembly would be for the European Parliament and the Parliament of the United Kingdom to determine. The UK Government is committed to continue working closely with the devolved administrations to ensure that our relationship with the EU works in the interests of citizens and businesses across the whole of the UK.

Lord Dunlop’s review will be published in due course, alongside a full response from the Government.

Ministers and officials are in discussion regularly with the Welsh Government on a range of topics so we can work together to the benefit of all citizens of the United Kingdom.

Lord Dunlop’s review will be published in due course, alongside a full response from the Government.

Ministers and officials are in discussion regularly with the Welsh Government on a range of topics so we can work together to the benefit of all citizens of the United Kingdom.

Primary legislation states that the elections will go ahead in May 2021. Many of these elections have already been delayed by a year. Voters have a right to be heard and to decide who governs them.

Such a policy intention should rightly be reviewed in light of the changing public health situation and we are taking steps to assure ourselves that polls can be delivered. The Government is continuing to work closely with the electoral sector, public health bodies and political parties to identify and resolve challenges in the successful delivery of the polls this May. Indeed, proper preparedness is the very thing that opposition parties have called for – and this is precisely what we are undertaking.

As I stated to the House, I will ensure Hon. Members are kept updated once we have completed this work.

The Census questions to be used in England and Wales follow recommendations from the Office for National Statistics, based on an extensive three-year programme of consultation and research which included consideration of Welsh language skills questions. With Census Day around three months away, preparations are now well underway and it is not possible to change any questions at this late stage.

The UK government supports the ambition of the Welsh government to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and Census 2021 will provide valuable information on progress towards this objective.

The Government is working closely with ports to ensure they have the required infrastructure ready for the end of the transition period. Details of the recipients of the Port Infrastructure Fund will be announced in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the published Border Operating Model, available on gov.uk and the statement made by my Rt Hon friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September.

For January 2021, HMRC is putting in place temporary arrangements to support Common Transit Convention movements through Holyhead. For July 2021, there needs to be a multi-functional site dealing with transit, customs and SPS checks to serve Holyhead. Details will be announced in due course.

The Government is working closely with ports to ensure they have the required infrastructure ready for the end of the transition period. Details of the recipients of the Port Infrastructure Fund will be announced in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the published Border Operating Model, available on gov.uk and the statement made by my Rt Hon friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September.

For January 2021, HMRC is putting in place temporary arrangements to support Common Transit Convention movements through Holyhead. For July 2021, there needs to be a multi-functional site dealing with transit, customs and SPS checks to serve Holyhead. Details will be announced in due course.

The Government is working closely with ports to ensure they have the required infrastructure ready for the end of the transition period. Details of the recipients of the Port Infrastructure Fund will be announced in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the published Border Operating Model, available on gov.uk and the statement made by my Rt Hon friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September.

For January 2021, HMRC is putting in place temporary arrangements to support Common Transit Convention movements through Holyhead. For July 2021, there needs to be a multi-functional site dealing with transit, customs and SPS checks to serve Holyhead. Details will be announced in due course.

Further to the comments of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 September 2020, the 'Check an HGV is ready to cross the border' service is being developed in accordance with the rigorous standards applied to the development of any digital Government service. This includes consultation and engagement with users as well as internal testing. The service has passed successfully into the “beta” phase and is now being subjected to operational testing with users, including businesses. It is on schedule to be ready for December 2020.

On 12 July, the Government announced a funding package in 20/21 for border infrastructure, staffing and IT to ensure GB border systems are fully operational when the UK takes back control of its border after the end of the transition period.

A breakdown will be provided, port by port and region by region, in due course.