Jerome Mayhew Portrait

Jerome Mayhew

Conservative - Broadland

First elected: 12th December 2019


Public Accounts Commission
4th Jul 2022 - 11th Jul 2023
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
7th Jun 2023 - 11th Jul 2023
Electricity and Gas Transmission (Compensation) Bill
23rd Jan 2023 - 25th Jan 2023
Backbench Business Committee
15th Mar 2022 - 21st Nov 2022
Shark Fins Bill
9th Nov 2022 - 16th Nov 2022
Glue Traps (Offences) Bill
12th Jan 2022 - 19th Jan 2022
Finance (No.2) Bill
8th Dec 2021 - 11th Jan 2022
Elections Bill
15th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Jerome Mayhew has voted in 902 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

26 Oct 2022 - Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Jerome Mayhew voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 264 Conservative No votes vs 1 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 136 Noes - 276
View All Jerome Mayhew 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
Andrew Selous (Conservative)
Second Church Estates Commissioner
(12 debate interactions)
Rishi Sunak (Conservative)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(12 debate interactions)
Paul Scully (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(82 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(40 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(38 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Jerome Mayhew's debates

Broadland 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

Air pollution kills 64,000 people in the UK every year, yet the Government provides annual fossil fuel subsidies of £10.5 billion, according to the European Commission. To meet UK climate targets, the Government must end this practice and introduce charges on producers of greenhouse gas emissions.

Government should support vulnerable children & #endchildfoodpoverty by implementing 3 recommendations from the National Food Strategy to expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals & activities during holidays to stop holiday hunger & increase the value of and expand the Healthy Start scheme

After owning nurseries for 29 years I have never experienced such damaging times for the sector with rising costs not being met by the funding rates available. Business Rates are a large drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.

For the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.

If nurseries are shut down in view of Covid-19, the Government should set up an emergency fund to ensure their survival and ensure that parents are not charged the full fee by the nurseries to keep children's places.

The prospect of widespread cancellations of concerts, theatre productions and exhibitions due to COVID-19 threatens to cause huge financial hardship for Britain's creative community. We ask Parliament to provide a package of emergency financial and practical support during this unpredictable time.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak there are travel bans imposed by many countries, there is a disastrous potential impact on our Aviation Industry. Without the Government’s help there could be an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of jobs under threat.

The cash grants proposed by Government are only for businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Relief, or for particular sectors. Many small businesses fall outside these reliefs desperately need cash grants and support now.

To extend the business rate relief to all dental practices and medical and aesthetics clinics and any small business that’s in healthcare

Zoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.

As we pass the COVID-19 Peak, the Government should: State where the Theatres and Arts fit in the Coronavrius recovery Roadmap, Create a tailor made financial support mechanism for the Arts sector & Clarify how Social Distancing will affect arts spaces like Theatres and Concert Venues.


Latest EDMs signed by Jerome Mayhew

18th August 2021
Jerome Mayhew signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 18th August 2021

Legislative Reform (Church Commissioners) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 842)

Tabled by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Legislative Reform (Church Commissioners) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021 No. 842), dated 13 July 2021, a copy of which was laid before this House on 27 July 2021, be annulled.
6 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Aug 2021)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 5
Liberal Democrat: 1
View All Jerome Mayhew's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Jerome Mayhew, 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.


Jerome Mayhew has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Jerome Mayhew

2 Bills introduced by Jerome Mayhew


A Bill to require the whole-life carbon emissions of buildings to be reported; to set limits on embodied carbon emissions in the construction of buildings; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 24th February 2023

A Bill to introduce a retirement age of 75 for members of the House of Lords; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

Latest 49 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
5 Other Department Questions
2nd Mar 2023
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of local authority grant funding available to parish churches to upgrade their facilities.

It is the view of the National Church Institutions that Local Authority and Parish Council grant funding is not being made available to parish churches on a consistent basis, due to a lack of clarity in interpretation of existing law, specifically the Local Government Acts 1894, 1972 and the Localism Act 2011.

The Church Buildings Council, following legal advice, has concluded that the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Government Act 1972 allow for all Local Authorities, including Parish Councils, to contribute to the upkeep of church property under certain circumstances – mainly related to the public benefit achieved. A briefing note is available here: Local Authority Investment | The Church of England

In Sir Bernard Taylor’s 2017 Review of the Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals, a recommendation was made that the law be clarified. See pp.31-32: The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Bishop of Bristol is bringing amendments to the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill in the House of Lords to clarify the law. She has the support of heritage bodies and the National Association of Local Councils. The Bishop’s amendments would enable parish churches to be treated the same as other faith and community buildings, which can apply for small grants to improve public access, upgrade facilities such as kitchens or toilets, or enable repairs of guttering, stonework or windows.

Andrew Selous
Second Church Estates Commissioner
25th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support women in STEM roles.

We’ve made great progress in increasing the number of girls studying STEM subjects but we need to do more to get women into STEM roles to meet the demands of today’s workforce.

To support that we are launching a new STEM returners pilot that will encourage those who have taken a break to care for others back into work – giving them the opportunity to refresh and grow their skills in sectors where their talents are most needed.

By supporting STEM returners, there is significant opportunity to address skills shortages and boost our economy.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
20th Jul 2022
To ask the President of COP26, what recent assessment he has made of the potential role of private finance in delivering COP26 objectives.

Action from private finance will be vital in helping to deliver many of the commitments made by countries and companies at COP26.

For example, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, representing over 130 trillion dollars, will have a key role to play in mobilising capital to support green projects in emerging economies.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
26th May 2021
What steps she is taking to support female entrepreneurs.

Our Start Up Loans Company has a great track record, supporting female entrepreneurs with over 33,000 loans worth over £270.5 million since the scheme launched in 2012, to the end of April 2021. This represents 40% of the total amount lent. Over £4.5 million of these loans have been made since the start of April 2021. The scheme provides intensive support to new entrepreneurs, including low-cost government-backed loans and free mentoring.

In March, we announced an award of £50,000 each to the UK's top female innovators, as well as bespoke mentoring, to scale up and bring to market their innovations, and to help the UK recover from COVID-19 and tackle global challenges.

The Government has taken active measures, publishing the Investing in Women Code and working with industry through the actions agreed by the Rose Review. In response to the Rose Review recommendations, we set an ambition to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by half by 2030, equivalent to nearly 600,000 additional female entrepreneurs.

The government-backed British Business Bank is part of HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, which asks financial services firms to commit to industry actions to prepare their female talent for leadership positions.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
14th Apr 2021
What steps he is taking to secure an international carbon price that is sufficient to effect consumer behavioural change in the run-up to COP26.

Carbon pricing has been shown to incentivise investment in renewable energy in a cost-effective manner. The UK has long been a supporter of carbon pricing and continues to lead the way with the new UK Emissions Trading System.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
24th Mar 2020
To ask the Attorney General, what plans she has for the allocation of the £80 million CPS budget increase announced in the Spending Round 2019.

The Government is investing across the justice system and has invested £85m in the CPS up to 2021. This will enable the CPS to respond effectively to the expected increase in caseload resulting from the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers; to better meet its disclosure obligations; to work with investigators to pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry; and to deliver much needed changes to external counsel fees. Investing in the CPS, to support it to respond to these pressures, demonstrates this Government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served.

11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress she has made on the Help to Grow scheme; what plans she has for the future rollout of this scheme to (a) SMEs and (b) other businesses; and which businesses in Broadland constituency are participating in the scheme.

Up to the end of February 2023, the Help to Grow: Management (HTG:M) programme has had 5,395 enrolments, including 295 businesses from the East of England. Our Year One evaluation findings show that 90% of SME leaders surveyed say they would recommend the programme to another business leader. It is not possible to disclose individual business information due to data protection. The programme will run until 2025.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the Smart Export Guarantee Scheme to help ensure that microgenerators receive a price that reflects the market value of the electricity they sell.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a cost-reflective and market led mechanism and it is for suppliers to determine the value of the exported electricity and to take account of the administrative costs associated when setting their tariffs.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to introduce a regulated market for solar microgenerators.

The Government’s approach to supporting microgeneration including solar is through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG is a cost-reflective and market led mechanism whereby it is for suppliers to determine the value of the exported electricity.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that energy suppliers pay a price that reflects the market value of energy produced by solar microgenerators.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) ensures small-scale generators are paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It is a cost-reflective and market led mechanism. Suppliers determine the value of the exported electricity and take account of the associated administrative costs when setting their tariffs.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Nov 2021
What steps his Department is taking to introduce a regulated asset base for the offshore grid.

Our Net Zero Strategy delivers more offshore wind with a more coordinated offshore grid, through the Offshore Transmission Network Review.

Within this, Ofgem have consulted on options for delivery models for offshore connections, including a regulated asset base approach.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to restart the Government’s consultation into the use of a Regulated Asset Base model for renewables and low carbon energy generating assets.

The Government consulted on the use of a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model for nuclear in summer 2019, concluding that RAB was a credible model for large-scale nuclear projects. The Government introduced the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill on 26 October to establish the RAB model to fund new nuclear projects at a low cost of capital, saving consumers money. As set out in our response to the consultation, the Government will continue to consider whether a RAB model could be applied to other low carbon technologies, including transport and storage infrastructure for carbon dioxide (outlined in the Government’s response to the carbon capture, usage and storage business models consultation).

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to assess the fire risks posed by large scale lithium-ion battery storage.

Grid-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage systems are covered by a robust regulatory framework which requires manufacturers to ensure products are safe before they are placed on the market, that they are installed correctly, and that any safety issues found after products are on the market or after installation are dealt with.

In 2018, BEIS set up an industry-led Storage Health and Safety Governance Group responsible for ensuring that an appropriate, robust, and future-proofed health and safety framework is sustained as the industry develops. In 2020 following a recommendation from this Group, the Government commissioned a gap analysis to identify any gaps in the health and safety standards landscape. This will be published in due course

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of regulating lithium-ion battery energy storage systems to help mitigate the risk of fire.

Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, including grid-scale installations and those used in homes and businesses, are covered by a robust regulatory framework which requires manufacturers to ensure products are safe before they are placed on the market, that they are installed correctly by project developers, and that any safety issues found after products are on the market or after installation are dealt with.

There are a number of regulations that must be met for the product and installation of a battery to mitigate the risk of fire, including the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. In addition, for large scale battery storage there are statutory requirements to notify the Fire and Rescue Service to inform their emergency response planning.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
6th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to (a) develop carbon capture and storage technology and (b) retrain and redeploy oil and gas sector workers in low-carbon industries.

We are committed to deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) this decade as we work towards Net Zero by 2050 and see an opportunity for the UK to become a global leader in CCS.

That’s why we announced a new CCS Infrastructure Fund which will enhance long-term competitiveness of UK’s industrial regions by providing at least £800million to establish CCS in at least two UK clusters, one by the mid-2020s and another by 2030, contributing to our net zero targets and levelling up the economy.

In parallel, we are investing over £40 million between 2016 and 2021in innovation funding carbon capture, usage and storage. United Kingdom Research and Innovation has also recently announced the allocation of the first phase of funding for the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, in which we expect carbon capture and storage to play an important role.

The upstream oil and gas sector remains an important sector in its own right. However, as we transition to a low carbon economy we expect the oil and gas sector, including its supply chain, to have a key role in delivering this transformation. We are already seeing this happening as the supply chain uses its existing skills and capabilities to diversify into low-carbon sectors such as offshore wind. We are working with the sector on our manifesto commitment to deliver a transformational oil and gas Sector Deal which we expect to focus around the energy transition.

25th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to expand broadband coverage in rural areas.

The Government is investing £5 billion through Project Gigabit to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas across the UK. By the end of March 2022, we had delivered gigabit-capable broadband to over 740,000 premises, ahead of our target of 720,000 premises. Combined with commercial gigabit delivery, we are on track to hit our target of 85 per cent UK gigabit coverage in 2025.

We have launched procurements with a value of over £700 million to bring gigabit connections to hundreds of thousands more rural and hard-to-reach homes and businesses, and we recently signed our first contracts in North Dorset, Teesdale and North Northumberland.

As part of Project Gigabit the Government is investing up to £210 million in the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to support rural homes and businesses with the cost of installing new gigabit-capable connections. To date, we have issued over 106,000 vouchers to homes and businesses through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and previous iterations. Further information is available on the gigabit voucher website including eligibility criteria and how to apply for the scheme.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
1st Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made on rolling out the shared rural mobile phone network in Broadland constituency.

The Shared Rural Network, which the Government announced in March 2025, will see operators collectively increase mobile phone coverage throughout the UK to 95% by the end of 2025, underpinned by legally binding coverage commitments.

The exact site deployment plans and associated timescales will be managed by the operators themselves in order for them to best deliver the agreed coverage outcomes, so at this time, and until the operators’ final radio planning exercise is complete, we do not currently have specific details on the precise impact that the Shared Rural Network will have on individual communities across the whole of the UK, including those in the Broadland constituency. However, we expect that consumers will feel the benefit of the programme long before its conclusion and the operators will consult with communities as roll out plans become clearer.

7th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to allocate funding from the £5 billion fund to support the rollout of full-fibre, 5G and other gigabit-capable networks to Broadland constituency.

The ambition to invest £5bn for the rollout of full fibre and gigabit capable networks in the hardest to reach areas of the UK was announced in September 2019. This was reiterated in the Conservative Party Manifesto. In anticipation of the funding being announced in the March budget, mobilisation of the delivery programme is underway.

An application for State Aid approval has been submitted in parallel to both the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
Modelling of the Intervention Area (“the final 20% of premises / F20”) is underway.
The procurement approach is being designed in conjunction with Government Commercial Organisation and Crown Commercial Services

The delivery team is ramping up resources, processes and systems in preparation
Supplier and Local Authority engagement and workshops are underway

Plans are not yet at a sufficiently mature or at a sufficiently detailed stage to answer funding plans and dates at a constituency level, however we will provide more granular detail over the coming months. In the meantime our existing fibre delivery programmes continue to deliver further coverage. These include the Superfast, Local Full Fibre Networks, Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programmes as well as our Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.

17th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve financial education in secondary schools.

Financial education forms a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for mathematics (at Key Stages 1 to 4) and citizenship (at Key stages 3 and 4), which together cover important financial topics including personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt, and calculating interest. The National Curriculum is compulsory for maintained schools but academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum, including mathematics. The National Curriculum can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum.

The Prime Minister recently announced more investment in secondary mathematics, and that mathematics will be studied by all 16 to 18 year olds as part of the new Advanced British Standard qualification.

As with all aspects of the curriculum, schools have flexibility over how they deliver financial education, so they can develop an approach that is sensitive to the needs and background of their pupils.

There is a wide range of support for financial education. For example, the Money and Pensions Service has published guidance, setting out how schools can improve the financial education they deliver, and signposting to services and resources that can help. The guidance can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/research/2021/financial-education-guidance-for-primary-and-secondary-schools-in-england.

The Department’s national network of 40 Maths Hubs also supports schools to improve their mathematics teaching, including financial content in the mathematics curriculum, based on best practice from East Asia.

The Oak National Academy, which became an independent Arm’s Length Body in September 2022, will provide adaptable, optional and free support for schools, reducing teacher workload and enabling pupils to access a high quality curriculum. New Oak curriculum materials, including for mathematics, will start be available from autumn 2023, with full curriculum packages available by summer 2024. Oak’s next phase of procurement of curriculum resources is expected to launch in late 2023 and will include citizenship.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to support the roll out of a national reusable nappy incentive scheme.

In line with the 25 Year Environment Plan and our Resources and Waste Strategy, we are considering the best approach to minimise the environmental impact of a range of products, including nappies, taking on board the environmental and social impacts of the options available.

Potential additional policy measures include standards, consumer information and encouraging voluntary action by business which could include a national reusable nappy incentive scheme.

We are funding an environmental assessment of disposable and washable absorbent hygiene products with the primary focus on nappies, and we need to wait for the outcome of that work before considering possible future action by the Government and industry. The assessment is looking at the waste and energy impacts of washable and disposable products, disposal to landfill or incineration, and recycling options. The research will be published later this year, following peer review.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Jul 2023
A47
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the costs to the dualling of the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham and Easton to North Tuddenham of the judicial review process.

National Highways’ estimated legal costs associated with the judicial review process for the A47 Blofield to North Burlingham and A47 Easton to North Tuddenham schemes is £50,000 to £75,000. The judicial review process has not yet completed, so further legal costs could be incurred.

It is not yet possible to assess the full impact of the legal action on the project itself. However, it has meant that the schemes have missed their scheduled start of works dates of March 2023 and their construction costs will face additional inflationary pressures, potentially into the millions of pounds.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps he has taken to support the launch of rockets and satellites from the UK.

The Department for Transport has established the regulatory framework that enabled the first launch into space from the UK. The Department has licensed the UK’s first ever spaceport, Spaceport Cornwall, and the first orbital satellite launch from the UK, operated by Virgin Orbit. The launch on 9 January, though it did not reach its target orbit, demonstrated that our licensing regime and approach to public safety works well.

30th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to expand the support available through Jobcentres in Broadland constituency.

The local Jobcentre team are collaborating with a range of partners to support people into work and help employers fill vacancies. In addition to hosting jobs fairs and delivering sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs), they are working with Breckland, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk and North Norfolk District Councils, Duke of Lancaster Academy and Fakenham Academy to provide an employment and skills offer to help meet the recruitment needs of local employers.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
16th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total rate of (a) employment and (b) unemployment was of people aged 16 to 64 between February and April 2010.

  • The ONS headline measure of the UK employment rate is for people aged 16-64.
  • The ONS headline measure of the UK unemployment rate is for people aged 16+.

The 16-64 UK employment rate was 70.2% between February and April 2010. The 16-64 UK unemployment rate between February and April 2010 was 8.1%.

Employment and unemployment data is published and available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/summaryoflabourmarketstatistics

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive have taken to assess the risk of fire and explosion associated with large scale lithium-ion battery storage.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been closely studying battery safety for several years, using its bespoke battery testing facility to help customers and research partners understand how best to manage the fire and explosion risks during battery manufacture, storage, transport, and use. HSE’s scientists and engineers are at the forefront of the Energy Storage Health and Safety Governance Group and have been involved with the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems and the Energy Institute’s Guidance Note on battery energy storage system fire planning and response.

The fundamental principle of health and safety law is that those who create risks are best placed to control them so far as is reasonably practicable. Designers, installers, and operators all have a duty to ensure this is the case. HSE regulate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), within a robust regulatory framework, expecting the duty holder to assess the specific situation and implement necessary control measures.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure effective regulation of proposed new battery developments on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk Border and in Kent.

The Health and Safety Executive considers that the current regulatory framework is sufficient and suitably robust in relation to lithium-ion batteries and battery energy storage systems.

Of particular relevance are the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations which set minimum requirements for the protection of workers and others from fire and explosion risks; the Electricity at Work Regulations which require precautions to be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities; and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations which require risks to be assessed and appropriately managed. In addition, for large scale battery storage, there are statutory requirements to notify the Fire and Rescue Service to inform their emergency response planning.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of NHS dental provision in Norfolk.

National Health Service dentists throughout the country have been asked to maximise safe throughput to meet as many prioritised needs as possible, focussing first on urgent care and care for vulnerable groups followed by overdue appointments. This has been underpinned by the requirement for dental providers to deliver 60% of normal activity volumes for the first six months of 2021/22 for full payment of the NHS contractual value.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with stakeholders to amend the Directory of Service to improve pathways for urgent patients to urgent dental centres and dental practices across the East of England. In addition, a web-based programme called ‘Service Finder’ has recently been launched which provides up-to-date information about services that are available locally. A transformational dental strategy has also been developed in the East of England, to prioritise urgent care, prevention and inequalities. Plans to procure additional primary care dental services across Suffolk, Norfolk and Waveney are currently being reviewed.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

The new approach, set out in the Windsor Framework, restores the balance needed to uphold the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. It restores the smooth flow of trade within the UK; protects Northern Ireland's place in the Union; and addresses the democratic deficit. These changes ensure that Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom is fully respected. The Framework therefore provides a new basis for future stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland, as we look ahead to the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

Leo Docherty
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made representations to the Tunisian Government on the prosecution of members of the Tunisian Parliament which may carry the death penalty.

The UK is monitoring legal cases being brought against politicians from the parliament and previous governments, including allegations of irregularities in the 2019 elections. We regularly raise respect for human rights and due legal process with the Tunisian Government.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
21st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) political, (b) economic and (c) social situation in Tunisia; what steps her Department is taking in response to the political roadmap of President Saied; and if she will make a statement.

The UK closely monitors the economic and political situation in Tunisia and will continue to do so as the new constitution is published on 30 June and the referendum takes place, scheduled for 25 July. The UK stands ready to play a constructive role as Tunisia addresses significant political and economic challenges. We also regularly emphasise the importance of accountability and inclusive political participation in the democratic process, most recently during the visit of Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for North Africa, in June.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
21st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed new Tunisian Constitution on democratic accountability in Tunisia, in the context of the low rates of participation of potential voters in the preceding online consultation.

The UK closely monitors the economic and political situation in Tunisia and will continue to do so as the new constitution is published on 30 June and the referendum takes place, scheduled for 25 July. The UK stands ready to play a constructive role as Tunisia addresses significant political and economic challenges. We also regularly emphasise the importance of accountability and inclusive political participation in the democratic process, most recently during the visit of Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for North Africa, in June.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the US Centre for Disease Control allow British seafarers to travel through US airspace.

The UK Government's position on welfare was reiterated to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards for our seafarers. Officials continue to work closely with the Centre for Disease Control to allow the disembarkation of British crew from cruise ships across the United States.

Where vessel operators request assistance to repatriate their employees, we stand ready to work as quickly as possible to help those who may need rapid consular assistance. This includes regular contact at the highest levels with our US partners on our joint response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

10th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of implementing carbon border adjustment tariffs.

As a global leader on decarbonisation, the UK recognises the importance of ensuring that policy interventions to cut domestic emissions do not lead to increased emissions elsewhere. A range of approaches could potentially help to address this, of which carbon border adjustments are one, and the Treasury continues to engage on the issue.

10th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to help ensure the safety of (a) asylum seekers and (b) other members of the public while asylum seekers are housed in Badersfield during the covid-19 outbreak.

For those asylum seekers in hotel accommodation the hotel services procured ensure access to a single room and all essential needs including three meals a day that cater to individuals’ dietary requirements, supplementary beverages, fruit and personal hygiene products. Where service users are isolating food is placed outside of their rooms, otherwise it is served in communal dining rooms with staggered meal times and appropriate marking to delineate social distancing. Providers are applying controls to further support social distancing, such as tape markings, and providing translated public health guidance and instruction to service users. Full laundry facilities are also made available to all. This replicates the services provided in most initial accommodation facilitates, although rooms there are shared where service users are not self isolating.

In Dispersed Accommodation (and self catered initial accommodation), where the significant majority of our service users reside and consists of houses or homes of multiple occupancy accommodating small numbers, service users have been provided guidance to ensure they socially distance or self-isolate in line with the advice provided to the general public. Additionally, service providers have enhanced their contact management and wraparound services to ensure access to medical care, food packages and other essential items.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
12th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Accommodation Strategy.

Following the publication of the Defence Accommodation Strategy, the single Services and other enabling organisations are drafting plans that will underpin the delivery of the Strategy’s objectives in providing high-quality subsidised accommodation our Service personnel deserve. These plans will be refreshed annually, reported on quarterly and the single Services will be spending £1.6 billion over the next 10 years improving and building new Single Living Accomodation. Ongoing assessment of Armed Forces’ personnel satisfaction will be front and centre in judging the success of the strategy and guiding future plans.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
15th Nov 2021
What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Carrier Strike Group’s ongoing deployment.

The carrier strike group has not only visited and worked with over 44 nations on its tour, but has had visits from 63 Ministers. It is great convenor and a great presence that, made in Britain, definitely does go around the world showing that Britain can do both soft and hard power, and do it with quality.

16th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will introduce a National Defence Medal.

It is understood that many of those who have served in the Armed Forces feel that their service has not been properly recognised, and that they ought to receive a medal. However, medals in the UK Honours system are awarded in recognition of risk and rigour faced while on active service, and are not given for Service alone. There are, therefore, no plans to introduce a National Defence Medal.

James Heappey
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
19th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when Fakenham, Norfolk is planned to receive funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund.

The UK Community Renewal Fund aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches and will invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

The deadline for bid submission has now passed. Officials are currently assessing the bids received and funding decisions will be announced in due course. Successful project applicants will have until 31st March 2022 to deliver their projects.

8th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to support offenders in gaining employment following their release from prison.

The Prisons Strategy White Paper sets out our ambition to deliver a step-change in the number of prisoners who work in prison, on temporary licence, and secure employment on release.

We will open our doors to the private sector to overhaul the opportunities for work offered in prisons and on Release on Temporary Licence. We will implement dedicated Employment Advisors in prisons and develop a digital tool that will match prisoners to jobs on release.

We will establish more local employment boards to link prisons with business networks. The Secretary of State recently hosted an employment summit, attended by over 600 organisations, at which he set out this department’s commitment to improving employment rates for prison leavers and also establish ‘Employment Hubs’, the equivalent of a ‘jobcentre in a prison’ where prisoners can find out about job opportunities.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department's policy on parents access to children is based on a presumption of equal access, subject to additional risk factors.

The welfare of the child is the court’s paramount concern when making any decision about a child’s upbringing, including with whom the child is to live or spend time. The legislative framework is contained in the Children Act 1989, which is gender neutral.

While the court must presume that a parent’s involvement in the child’s life will further their welfare this can be rebutted, for example in cases of domestic abuse. If a parent can be involved in the child’s life in a way that is safe, the nature of that parental involvement will then be determined by the court based on all the facts.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the adversarial approach of the Family Courts in dealing with child access cases.

We are committed to ensuring that the Family Courts deal with child arrangement order cases to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and their families. In May 2019 the MoJ established a panel of experts to review how the family courts handle cases involving domestic abuse and other serious offences. The panel received submissions from over 1200 individuals and organisations, many of whom had experience of the adversarial system. The panel is finalising its report and will publish findings and recommendations for next steps in the coming weeks.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the proportion of family court cases where discouraged access to the child was reported by one of the parents.

Incidences of alleged or apparent parental alienation by either parent in relation to family proceedings about child arrangements are not recorded centrally and such information could only be obtained from individual case files at disproportionate cost.

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is continuing to develop its work in addressing parental alienation when it arises in such cases. Its Child Impact Assessment Framework (CIAF) includes various tools and guidance that further support social work practitioners in identifying how individual children are experiencing parental separation, including any alienating behaviour by one parent against the other. Further information about the Framework is available on the Cafcass website at www.Cafcass.gov.uk.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Irish Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

The Government engages regularly with the Irish Government on a range of matters that benefit from partnership between our two countries.

Most recently, I met with the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on 12 October. A range of issues were discussed, including the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. I encouraged the Irish Government to engage with the ICRIR in the coming months to understand its plans for implementation of the Act.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

The Windsor Framework protects and strengthens Northern Ireland’s place in our Union and this will be reinforced by the changes we are making to domestic legislation.

As well as ensuring goods available on the shelves in Great Britain are able to move freely to Northern Ireland, the agreement safeguards Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market through agreements on medicines, VAT and State aid.

The agreement ensures that Northern Ireland will benefit from the same VAT and alcohol taxes as apply in the rest of the United Kingdom.

With the agreement, we have restored sovereignty by putting the people of Northern Ireland in charge and eliminating the democratic deficit.

Northern Ireland’s businesses have access not only to the UK market, but also to the European single market and the agreement provides Northern Ireland with excellent opportunities for economic growth. In so doing it supports the prosperity of both Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK.

As Tony Blair recently noted, political stability is the best way to protect the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and by fixing the problems with the Protocol and restoring the delicate balance inherent in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, we have provided a sound basis for Northern Ireland to move forward economically and politically as an integral and prosperous part of the United Kingdom.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
9th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Scottish Government on improving transport connectivity between the mainland of Scotland and the islands.

Connectivity between the Scottish mainland and islands is essential to the livelihoods and well-being of our island communities.

The Scotland Office routinely engages with stakeholders on this and other matters impacting our islands. Indeed, my Ministerial colleague, Lord Offord, attended the first Islands Forum last year.

I am confident that continued collaboration will help island communities tackle shared challenges and unlock their full potential.

John Lamont
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
14th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Scotland Office, what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of defence spending in Scotland on the Scottish economy.

Defence spend contributes significantly to delivering thousands of high-skilled jobs and investment in Scotland, not least through shipbuilding at which we are a world leader.

The latest figures show that in 2021/22, MoD expenditure with industry and commerce in Scotland totalled more than £2 billion.

That is the equivalent of £370 per person and higher than the average of £310 per person for the whole UK.

John Lamont
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
21st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of allowing gene editing in Scotland.

It is the UK Government's ambition for the whole of the UK to benefit from the cutting edge technology that the development of gene edited plants offers.

Agriculture and the legislation of gene edited plants is a devolved matter and the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill currently extends to England only. However, we are keen that all parts of the UK have the ability to unlock the potential of these technologies and are having ongoing discussions on the proposed policy changes with the Devolved Administrations. We have also invited them to join us in bringing forward this legislation and this invitation remains open as the Bill continues its passage through Parliament.

Alister Jack
Secretary of State for Scotland
12th Feb 2020
What steps the Government is taking to support the operation of the UK internal market.

The UK internal market is essential to promote growth, drive productivity and deliver an economy that works for all parts of the UK and the Government is committed to supporting this.

The Scottish Government’s own statistics make clear that 60% of Scottish exports go to the rest of the UK, 1.5 times higher than is exported to the EU and the rest of the world combined.