Jack Brereton Portrait

Jack Brereton

Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent South

First elected: 8th June 2017


Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill
8th Mar 2023 - 15th Mar 2023
Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill
28th Jun 2021 - 6th Jul 2021
Transport Committee
8th May 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Work and Pensions Committee
16th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Jack Brereton has voted in 901 divisions, and 4 times against the majority of their Party.

7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Jack Brereton voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Jack Brereton voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 525
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Jack Brereton voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 529
17 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Jack Brereton voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 59 Conservative Aye votes vs 266 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 536
View All Jack Brereton Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(17 debate interactions)
Steve Barclay (Conservative)
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(16 debate interactions)
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(16 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(51 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(40 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(31 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Jack Brereton's debates

Stoke-on-Trent South Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

The HMRC mileage rate for reimbursing the use of private cars (e.g. for employees but also volunteers) has been fixed at 45p/mile (up to 10,000 miles) since 2011. The lack of any increase since then is a serious disincentive to volunteer drivers particularly as fuel has gone up again recently.

The UK's departure from the EU looms but questions remain about the legitimacy of the Referendum. The Electoral Commission said illegal overspending occurred during the Referendum. Were the vote/any subsequent political acts affected? Article 50 was triggered. Was the overspend known about then?

There is now strong evidence of serious misconduct during the 2016 EU Referendum, including intereference by foreign actors and governments. This must be investigated under the Inquiries Act (2005).

The government should consider delaying negotiations so they can concentrate on the coronavirus situation and reduce travel of both EU and UK negotiators. This would necessitate extending the transition period; as there can only be a one off extension, this should be for two years.


Latest EDMs signed by Jack Brereton

21st February 2024
Jack Brereton signed this EDM on Wednesday 21st February 2024

No confidence in the Speaker

Tabled by: William Wragg (Conservative - Hazel Grove)
That this House has no confidence in Mr Speaker.
91 signatures
(Most recent: 20 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 44
Scottish National Party: 41
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 2
Workers Party of Britain: 1
View All Jack Brereton's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Jack Brereton, 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.


Jack Brereton has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Jack Brereton

Thursday 18th June 2020

3 Bills introduced by Jack Brereton


Parallel Parliament Note:

The proposals laid down in this bill were performed voluntarily by Channel 4. See here for more information.

A Bill to require Channel 4 to relocate its headquarters outside London; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 17th October 2017
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require local authorities to designate high streets in their area; to require local authorities to undertake and publish periodic reviews of the condition of those high streets; to require local authorities to develop action plans for the improvement of the condition of those high streets; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 60%

Last Event - Committee Stage
Wednesday 13th March 2024
(Read Debate)
Next Event - Report Stage
Friday 26th April 2024
Order Paper number: 2
(Likely to be Debated)

A Bill to give employees who are unpaid carers the right to one week’s unpaid leave for caring purposes; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

Latest 35 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
13th May 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to encourage executive agencies to buy (a) ceramic tableware and (b) other products from UK manufacturers to support domestic industries during the covid-19 outbreak .

Further to the comments on the ceramics industry by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made in the House on 19 May 2020, the Government has taken unprecedented action to support businesses, including the ceramics sector, during the outbreak of COVID-19 by introducing a range of initiatives from the opportunity to defer VAT and/or income tax for 3 months to the Job Retention Scheme and access to government-backed financing.

Government departments and executive agencies spend a significant sum on public procurement, and we are aware of the vital role this will play in kick-starting the economy once the pandemic has passed. Contracting Authorities are already required to consider the social and environmental impacts of procurements and we intend to deliver a package of ambitious measures, including launching a new social value model, to support the recovery effort to ensure that Government’s huge purchasing power is used to support communities and the local economy. The model can form a key part of the government’s overall plan for recovery as it enables commercial teams to select policy outcomes to:

    • Tackle regional inequality with new jobs and skills, including retraining the unemployed in clean growth sectors, and helping disadvantaged communities recover.

    • Promote economic growth and prosperity by supporting SMEs and start-ups to lead or be part of government supply chains.

    • Support physical and mental health and ensure those in disadvantaged groups have equal opportunity to become part of a diverse, resilient workforce.

13th May 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Government departments buy (a) ceramic tableware and (b) other products from UK manufacturers (i) during and (ii) after the covid-19 outbreak.

Further to the comments on the ceramics industry by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made in the House on 19 May 2020, the Government has taken unprecedented action to support businesses, including the ceramics sector, during the outbreak of COVID-19 by introducing a range of initiatives from the opportunity to defer VAT and/or income tax for 3 months to the Job Retention Scheme and access to government-backed financing.

Government departments and executive agencies spend a significant sum on public procurement, and we are aware of the vital role this will play in kick-starting the economy once the pandemic has passed. Contracting Authorities are already required to consider the social and environmental impacts of procurements and we intend to deliver a package of ambitious measures, including launching a new social value model, to support the recovery effort to ensure that Government’s huge purchasing power is used to support communities and the local economy. The model can form a key part of the government’s overall plan for recovery as it enables commercial teams to select policy outcomes to:

    • Tackle regional inequality with new jobs and skills, including retraining the unemployed in clean growth sectors, and helping disadvantaged communities recover.

    • Promote economic growth and prosperity by supporting SMEs and start-ups to lead or be part of government supply chains.

    • Support physical and mental health and ensure those in disadvantaged groups have equal opportunity to become part of a diverse, resilient workforce.

19th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to decouple (a) domestic and (b) commercial electricity prices from wholesale gas prices; and if he will make a statement.

As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is considering a range of potential options to shield both domestic and non-domestic consumers from their impacts of potential future commodity price spikes and to ensure they benefit from lower cost renewables.

The CfD scheme already insulates consumers against electricity price spikes. Over time this scheme will reduce dependence on fossil fuelled power generation, lowering consumer exposure to gas prices.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment for the potential effect of the (a) energy intensity test and (b) trade intensity test for sectoral qualification to the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) Scheme on energy-intensive enterprises which are (i) within sectoral codes that meet one but not both of the tests and (ii) able to meet both tests as individual businesses but excluded from the ETII Scheme for falling outside of the qualifying sectoral codes; and if he will make a statement.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme review considered qualitative and quantitative evidence, and input from businesses and stakeholders on sectors that may be most affected by rising energy prices based on energy and trade intensity. Eligible sectors have to operate in the top 20% for energy intensity and top 40% for trade intensity. Standard Industrial Classification codes allowed Government to define a sector hierarchy, with energy and trade thresholds set to balance delivering targeted support at lower overall cost, while capturing a broad enough share of affected companies. Energy intensive sectors that are not significantly trade intensive will not be eligible for support.

Some businesses are highly exposed to both energy prices and international competition and are unable to pass through or absorb these costs and without the subsidy there’s likely to be a competitive disadvantage.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
21st Jan 2020
What recent steps she has taken to support businesses in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub has received more than £1m over five years and in the previous financial year supported over 5000 local businesses, including ceramics companies.

Furthermore, £98m of Local Growth Funding is supporting projects across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire such as the Heat Academy at Stoke-on-Trent College to help businesses access the skills they need to compete and grow.

17th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent estimate she has made of the contribution to economic growth of the video games industry; and what steps the Government is taking to support the UK video games industry.

The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector and we recognise that video games bring economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK. The video games industry trade body Ukie has estimated the value of the consumer games market at £7.16 billion in 2021, more than doubling in value since 2013.

As part of a wider package to support the growth of the creative industries, the Government is delivering an £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund. This will provide valuable support to early stage game development businesses and talented graduates throughout the UK. In addition, the Video Games Tax Relief continues to make the UK one of the leading destinations in the world for making video games. The Video Games Tax Relief has supported £5.1 billion of UK expenditure on 1,940 games since its introduction in 2014.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 54 of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) report of 6 November 2018 entitled Investigation into the use of data analytics in political campaigns, what the status is of the ICO's investigation into the (a) Liberal Democrats' sale of electoral data to Open Britain and (b) use of personal data by the Remain side of the EU referendum campaign.

The ICO took advice from the Electoral Commission on the matter of the Liberal Democrats. As a result this case was referred to the Metropolitan Police on 26 October 2018 as the issues fell outside the jurisdiction of the ICO. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that they were unable to consider the matter any further.

The ICO’s wider investigations of several organisations on both the remain and the leave side of the UK’s referendum about membership of the EU has now concluded. The ICO identified no significant breaches of the privacy and electronic marketing regulations and data protection legislation that met the threshold for formal regulatory action. Where an organisation has continued in operation, the ICO has provided advice and guidance to support better future compliance with the rules.

The ICO will shortly publish a report of audits on the main political parties.

24th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) information about dangerous individuals who would be a risk to children are identified in the social service system and (b) that that information is shared amongst relevant authorities; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a national database to record previous involvement of individuals with social services.

Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for the government.

The multi-agency statutory guidance document ‘Working Together (2018)’ sets out what professionals and organisations need to do to safeguard children, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2.

Working Together (2018), is clear that practitioners should be proactive in sharing information as early as possible to help identify, assess and respond to risks or concerns about the safety and welfare of children. Practitioners should be alert to sharing important information about any adults with whom that child has contact, which may impact the child’s safety or welfare.

Section 11 of the Children Act, 2004 places duties on a range of organisations, agencies and individuals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Many of the agencies subject to the section 11 duty are members of the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), including the police, prison and probation services. MAPPA should work together with ‘duty to co-operate agencies’ to manage the risks posed by violent and sexual offenders living in the community in order to protect the public and should work closely with the safeguarding partners over services to commission locally.

The government is introducing measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 9 March 2021, to clarify the information sharing powers of those agencies subject to the duty to co-operate under MAPPA.

Furthermore, provisions in the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, currently passing through parliament, will contribute further to the management of offenders. Perpetrators who are subject to a Domestic Abuse Protection Order are required to notify the police of their name and address and any changes to this information. Failure to notify constitutes a breach punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The government has not conducted an assessment of the potential merits of a national database.

8th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to improve access for UK exporters to high growth global markets.

As an independent trading nation, we are building strong trading relationships across the world and removing market access barriers for British businesses. We have secured trade agreements with 66 non-EU countries, worth £217bn in 2019. We have formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement which removes tariffs on 95% of goods between members and will deepen UK access to key markets around the world, from Mexico to Malaysia.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many boreholes along the HS2 Phase 2 route have (a) been filled and (b) had land restored since the decision to cancel Phase 2; and when he expects the work of removing boreholes and compounds along the Phase 2 route be completed.

Work continues to develop the closedown, remediation, and demobilisation plan for Phase 2. A further update will be provided in the next HS2 parliamentary report.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the value engineering report for the design of the proposed Handsacre Junction of HS2 from 2018.

The Department does not hold and is not aware of a value engineering report of the proposed HS2 Handsacre Junction from 2018.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the value engineering report for the design of the proposed Handsacre Junction of HS2.

There have been no value engineering reports on Handsacre junction since Network North. Previous decisions to change the design of Handsacre junction were made to reduce costs and disruption for passengers on the West Coast Main Line during construction, which was value for money given the previous plan to deliver Phase 2a on an accelerated timeframe would have resulted in the use of the junction for more than 1 train per hour in each direction only for a very short period.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on (a) whether any issues were identified during the testing of new Hitachi AT300 rolling stock to replace Voyager on Avanti West Coast services, (b) whether an assessment has been made of the potential effect of the lack of tilt mechanism for those trains on (i) maintaining safe operation around bends at speed, (ii) journey times and (iii) rail timetables and (c) for what reason the tender for the rolling stock replacement for Voyager on Avanti West Coast services did not specify the inclusion of a tilt mechanism.

The procurement, safety risk assessment, and safe operation of the Hitachi AT300 rolling stock is the responsibility of the operator. When running rolling stock procurements, operators take account of factors such as what products are available to the market, reliability, operating cost, passenger capacity, comfort and environmental performance. Network Rail is currently upgrading infrastructure on parts of the West Coast Main Line to allow higher speed running with non-tilting trains. The Office of Rail and Road is responsible for ensuring the new trains meet rail safety regulatory requirements before they can operate on the mainline.

The Department is looking forward to the introduction of Avanti West Coast's brand new Hitachi rolling stock later this year which will replace its current diesel fleet in line with the Department's goal to run a more sustainable railway, resulting in a 61 per cent cut in carbon emissions, as well as offering more space and a quieter journey for passengers.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made a provision for a break clause in the HS2 Phase 2a Design and Delivery Partner contract; and if he will make a statement.

The Invitation to Tender for the HS2 Phase 2a Design and Delivery Partner was published on 13 January 2022. This set out the structure of the contract including the segmenting of the work into Service Delivery Plans.

Following the fiscal settlement for Phase 2a for the next two financial years as agreed in the Spring budget, HS2 Ltd are advancing the DDP procurement and a tender addendum was issued to the parties on 31 May 2023. The plan is to award the contract in November 2023 commencing with Service Delivery Plan 1. Decisions on contracting subsequent Service Delivery Plans will be taken at the relevant point in the delivery of project.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason it is not his policy to replace Crosscountry train rollingstock with bi-mode multiple units for use with overhead electric wires.

Most trains in the CrossCountry fleet are around 20 years old; far from their operating life expectancy. CrossCountry are working with rolling stock owners to reduce the carbon footprint of its train fleet.

Our Transport Decarbonisation Plan commits to delivering a Net Zero rail network by 2050, with sustained carbon reductions in rail along the way. Our ambition is to remove all diesel-only trains from the network by 2040.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to upgrade train rolling stock on Crosscountry services to (a) address overcrowding and poor accessibility and (b) meet 2050 net zero targets.

The rolling stock requirements for the next CrossCountry contract are yet to be decided. Most of its fleet is around 20 years old, far short of the trains’ life expectancy, and is all fully accessible. The Department will consider value for money proposals offering an increase in capacity and wider passenger benefits.

CrossCountry is working with the rolling stock owners on options to reduce the carbon footprint of the CrossCountry train fleet.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to (a) address overcrowding on and (b) improve connectivity of rail services between Manchester and Birmingham via Stoke-on-Trent.

I welcome that passengers are returning to the railway. The CrossCountry franchise runs to October 2023 and a new contract is being developed. This will consider options for affordable opportunities to increase capacity on CrossCountry services in future years.

CrossCountry is working to increase the frequency of services connecting Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent with Birmingham, Bristol and Bournemouth during 2023, and their plans will be made public soon.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Network Rail Limited’s Annual Report and Accounts 2020, page 1, to what extent (a) station retail sales and (b) income to reinvest have grown (i) nationally, (ii) in each of the five Network Rail Regions, and (iii) at Stoke-on-Trent station; and if he will make a statement.

In 2019/20, income from Network Rail’s managed stations, all of which is reinvested in the railway, grew by £8m / 4%.

A full break down of this information by region is provided in the table attached.

Stoke-On-Trent Station is owned by Network Rail and leased to the Train Operating Company, Avanti. We do not hold information on income for this station.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) UK’s vaccine vial production capability, (b) reliance of the UK on the import of medical grade vials and (c) security of UK supply chains in the event of a future pandemic.

The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted assessments on these specific goods. The Government has established strategic partnerships with industry to maintain security of vaccine supply in the event of a pandemic. This includes our partnership with Moderna which is building an innovation and technology centre with capacity from 2025 to produce up to 250 million doses of mRNA vaccines annually onshore in the United Kingdom.

The UK Health Security Agency has also agreed an advanced purchase agreement with Seqirus UK Limited to access 100 million vaccines if a future influenza pandemic is declared. The manufacturing process will be based entirely in the UK, giving better security of access if global demand ever outweighs supply. As part of these contracts, the Government regularly assesses risks that may impact the performance of the contract.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) adequacy of the UK’s vaccine vial production capability, (b) reliance of the UK on the import of medical grade vials and (c) security of UK supply chains in the event of a future pandemic.

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

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
10th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to use implantable cardiac monitoring for secondary stroke prevention in the NHS.

Implantable cardiac monitors are used successfully by patients across England and within the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in September 2020 on the use of implantable cardiac monitors. National Health Service trusts are currently using such devices in stroke prevention throughout England. It is for local integrated care systems to determine the appropriate cardiac monitoring devices for their populations’ commissioners.

10th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to roll out the implantable cardiac monitoring commissioning system used in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to other Integrated Care Boards in England.

Implantable cardiac monitors are used successfully by patients across England and within the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in September 2020 on the use of implantable cardiac monitors. National Health Service trusts are currently using such devices in stroke prevention throughout England. It is for local integrated care systems to determine the appropriate cardiac monitoring devices for their populations’ commissioners.

10th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to implantable cardiac monitors in (a) England and (b) Stoke-on-Trent South constituency.

Implantable cardiac monitors are used successfully by patients across England and within the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in September 2020 on the use of implantable cardiac monitors. National Health Service trusts are currently using such devices in stroke prevention throughout England. It is for local integrated care systems to determine the appropriate cardiac monitoring devices for their populations’ commissioners.

5th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the deprivation index on the methodology used to calculate funding for clinical commissioning groups; and how the deprivation rating of each area is determined.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). This process is independent of government and NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. CCG allocations take account of health inequalities and unmet need. The approach was updated in 2019/20 and further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/note-on-ccg-allocations-2019-20-2023-24.pdf

NHS England and NHS Improvement are responsible for the design of tariff, including the Market Forces Factor. The approach and underlying data were updated in 2019/20. These changes have been introduced on a five-year glide path to ensure stability for the sector. Further information can be found in the guide available at the following link:

https://improvement.nhs.uk/documents/475/Guide_to_the_market_forces_factor.pdf

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
5th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the PFI interest rate is that is charged to the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust on the construction of the Royal Stoke University Hospital, what the comparable rate is for HM Treasury-funded projects; and what additional funding is provided to that NHS Trust for mitigating any difference.

As each Private Finance Initiative (PFI) company raises its finance in different ways and from different sources, the most relevant and easily comparable way of describing the cost of PFI finance is the pre-tax nominal project internal rate of return. This rate for the Royal Stoke University Hospital PFI project was 5.70% in June 2007 based on the Government’s standard inflation rate assumption.

At the time the Royal Stoke University Hospital PFI was signed in June 2007, the interest rate for loans for capital investment, which was based on the relevant National Loan Fund rates, was 5.65%.

Where public dividend capital is made available for capital investment, under current rules Trusts are required to pay a 3.5% dividend on its net assets.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
15th Jun 2021
What diplomatic steps he is taking to support the operation of political opposition in Belarus.

We support the opposition’s struggle to seek a democratic future for all Belarusians through peaceful means. We strongly condemn the ongoing repression and human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime. The Government has increased financial support to civil society organisations and independent media. We have provided over £1m in 2020, and an additional £1.8m this financial year to support civil society and media freedom in Belarus. We have imposed over 90 sanctions designations in response to the fraudulent elections and human rights violations in Belarus and we are actively considering further designations. Following the FR4978 flight, the UK took clear decisive action:

    • We suspended the operating permit of Belavia airlines.

    • We banned Belarusian airlines from UK airspace without prior authorisation

    • We have advised all UK airlines to avoid flying over Belarus.

The Foreign Secretary discussed the political situation in Belarus and further measures the UK might take with the opposition leader in exile, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 2 June. The UK pressed for a fact finding investigation by ICAO, the international organisation responsible for civil aviation, which was established on 27 May.

17th Oct 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the contribution of Video Games Tax Relief to (a) jobs, (b) investment and (c) productivity in the UK video games sector; and what plans he has to increase video games tax relief from 25 per cent to 32 per cent in April 2023.

The Government recognises the valuable economic and cultural contribution of the video games industry. The Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR) has supported £5.1 billion of UK expenditure on 1,940 games since its introduction in 2014.

The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review.  Any externally commissioned evaluation will be published in the usual way, in line with the Government Social Research Publication Protocol.

The Government regularly receives proposals for changes to tax reliefs. When considering changes, the Government must ensure they provide support to businesses in a fair way and that taxpayer money is effectively targeted. An uplift in the rate of VGTR is not currently under consideration.

Felicity Buchan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to open the next round of the Safer Streets Fund to funding bids; and if she will make a statement.

Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund was formally announced via a Written Ministerial Statement by the Home Secretary on the 6th July.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
13th Jul 2020
What steps her Department is taking to stop migrants crossing the English Channel illegally.

We have a duty both to protect our borders and prevent loss of life. That’s why we are doing everything we can to stop these dangerous Channel crossings and bring to justice the criminals behind this evil trade.

No one should be making these dangerous and illegally-facilitated crossings. France is a safe country with a well-run asylum system.

The National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and UK Police are working closely with French authorities to stop ruthless criminals who facilitate the crossings, putting lives at risk. A UK-France Coordination and Information Centre was opened in Calais in November 2018 to co-ordinate law enforcement activity.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
9th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the role of the armed forces in the King’s Coronation parade.

The coronation was the largest military ceremonial operation for 70 years and involved around 7,000 Armed Forces personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. They were supported by thousands more service personnel and Defence civil servants behind the scenes to deliver a complex plan executed with impressive skill and style. In addition, more than 400 personnel from 33 Commonwealth nations and six British Overseas Territories took part in the procession, in a demonstration of the United Kingdom’s close links with its allies and partners around the world.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what criteria were used in awarding round two of the Levelling Up Fund; whether these were different to those used in round one; and how levels of multiple deprivation were factored into determining the areas which should receive funding.

I refer the my Hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 129836 on 26 January 2023 and to the published prioritisation of places methodology note and index update note published on gov.uk, which outline the metrics and methodology used in the Levelling Up Fund's Index of Priority Places.

The published Explanatory Note for LUF round 1 sets out the approach to assessment and decision making for round 1.

23rd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the allocation of an additional £474 million of Government funding to local authorities in Staffordshire in response to the covid-19 outbreak, if he will publish the (a) expenditure of that funding by local authority area and (b) the budget headings under which that funding was spent.

Councils are on the front line as we tackle this pandemic, and we have now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-ringfenced grant so they can address pressures in response to COVID-19.

It is important that we carefully monitor the pressures councils are facing. We have now carried out three rounds of the COVID-19 financial monitoring survey and received data for every single authority in the latest round. We are currently analysing the results from the third round and we will publish the data in due course.

We are extremely grateful for the continued collaboration from councils, which enables us to understand pressures at a national and local level. A summary of the data provided to us by councils in England from the first two rounds of monitoring can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-covid-19-financial-impact-monitoring-information . We are not currently publishing LA-level data, but are keeping this approach under review.

We know from the first two rounds of monitoring that the majority of the money is being allocated to supporting those most vulnerable in society, as we would expect. Other service areas that money is being allocated to environmental costs (which includes death management) and housing which includes homelessness and rough sleeping.

3rd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the allocation of an additional £474 million of Government funding to local authorities in Staffordshire in response to the covid-19 outbreak, if he will publish (a) the expenditure of that funding by local authority area and (b) the budget headings under which that funding was so expended.

Councils are on the front line as we tackle this pandemic, and we have now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-ringfenced grant so they can address pressures in response to Covid-19.

It is important that we carefully monitor the pressures they are facing. Across both rounds of our Covid-19 financial monitoring survey we received data from every single authority asked. We are extremely grateful for their continued collaboration, which enables us to understand pressures at a national and local level. A summary of the data provided to us by councils in England will be available in due course.

We know from the first two rounds of monitoring that the majority of the money is being allocated to supporting those most vulnerable in society, as we would expect. Other service areas that money is being allocated to environmental costs (which includes death management) and housing which includes homelessness and rough sleeping.