Kirsten Oswald

During the lockdown period, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has been offering a limited theory test and practical test service in England and Wales to NHS health and social care workers, emergency services and local council workers who need to both drive as part of their job and respond to 'threats to life' as part of their job. The DVSA has contacted eligible organisations, such as NHS Trusts, to explain how to nominate candidates; candidates cannot apply themselves.

Mobile emergency worker tests cannot be currently offered in Scotland due to Covid restrictions determined by the Scottish Government.

The DVSA has no current plans to expand this priority service.

As announced at Budget 2020 and confirmed in the subsequent Spending Review, the Government is investing £4.2 billion in the transport networks of eight city regions across England from 2022/23.

This funding will be delivered through multi-year consolidated transport settlements negotiated with central Government and based on plans put forward by city regions.

It will be for the eligible Combined Authorities, in their role as the local transport authorities, to prioritise projects within their local areas.

The Department is looking forward to working towards and agreeing settlements based on each eligible city region’s transport priorities.

We continue to develop our rail portfolio in line with the rail industry’s Project SPEED principles, reflecting the need to deliver fast and efficient outcomes for the significant investment this government is making in rail. That means we are embedding the rail industry’s Project SPEED principles in every one of our investment decisions. We are also working with colleagues across Government to ensure that the HMT led Project Speed initiatives are also embedded in rail projects.

As announced at Budget 2020 and confirmed in the subsequent Spending Review, the Government is investing £4.2 billion in the transport networks of eight city regions across England from 2022/23.

This funding will be delivered through multi-year consolidated transport settlements negotiated with central Government and based on plans put forward by city regions.

It will be for the eligible Combined Authorities, in their role as the local transport authorities, to prioritise projects within their local areas.

The Department is looking forward to working towards and agreeing settlements based on each eligible city region’s transport priorities.

We will shortly be commissioning accessibility audits of all mainline stations that will allow us to prioritise future investment in station accessibility.

Further measures to improve rail accessibility will be included in the forthcoming rail reform White Paper.

We will shortly be commissioning accessibility audits of all mainline stations that will allow us to prioritise future investment in station accessibility.

Further measures to improve rail accessibility will be included in the forthcoming rail reform White Paper.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is in discussions with Transport Scotland to provide driving theory tests and practical driving tests for frontline mobile emergency workers. Transport Scotland is working to ensure it has the relevant legislation is in place before offering the service.

The DVSA is working with its theory test contract provider, Pearson VUE, to respond to requests for theory tests in England and Wales from organisations such as Ambulance Authorities on behalf of frontline mobile emergency workers who require a driving licence to carry out duties in their employment role. The DVSA will also respond to requests for practical driving tests in England and Wales from organisations on behalf of frontline mobile emergency workers, who require a driving licence to carry out duties in their employment role.

This is a limited service subject to examiner resource and is restricted to candidates working in health and social care, and other public bodies involved in work responding to ‘threats to life’ such as the Environment Agency’s flood rescue staff, or local authority gritter truck drivers. The DVSA is contacting NHS Trusts to explain how to nominate candidates; candidates cannot apply themselves. Applications from other organisations will be considered if the mobile emergency worker criteria is met.

The DVSA is in the process of planning for the resumption of services and increasing test capacity when it is safe to do so. Arrangements will be announced in due course.

295,373 practical car driving tests were conducted between 14 September 2020 and 21 January 2021.

The practical driving test booking system does not identify how many of those test conducted were part of the additional 375,000 test slots allocated.

In addition to its primary role as highway authority for the strategic road network in England, Highways England manages the Historical Railways Estate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport across England, Scotland and Wales. It is planning to infill up to twenty-three bridge structures in Scotland over the next five years for the purpose of maintaining the safety of nearby communities and the drivers who use the roads which cross them.

East Renfrewshire Council has indicated that there are future plans for the former Lanarkshire and Ayrshire railway. There will be further discussions between Highways England and the local authority about plans for the three bridges. Highways England enjoys a strong working relationship with local councils, allowing for an open dialogue about local authority responsibilities and the potential future use or transfer of ownership of bridges.

A total of 99,892 theory test certificates expired during the 6 months following the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without a practical test being passed.

The table below shows the comparable figures for the same 6-month period in the previous 3 years are as follows:

The validity period of the theory test certificate is 2 years.

The total number of theory test passes between 25 March 2018 – 25 March 2019 is 1,005,789.

It is not possible to estimate how many of those will expire without the candidate being able to sit a practical test.

There are no plans to bring forward such legislative proposals.

A candidate whose theory test certificate expires will have received the service for which they paid the fee. Therefore, no consultation has been conducted. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency continues to refund the fee for the practical driving test as soon as a candidate’s theory test certificate expires.

The attached table shows the practical driving test backlogs as at 21 December 2020:

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working hard to reduce the backlog of tests whilst adhering to Government guidance to suspend its testing services to help stop the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe. It will continue to reschedule tests that are suspended in line with Government restrictions to the next available test dates.

Unlike driver practical tests, the DVSA is unable to make an estimate of the backlog of theory tests as these appointments are managed by re-scheduling candidates into a virtual centre, giving candidates the opportunity to choose an alternative date and time.

Demand for theory test services has increased as a result of national and local restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government’s initiative to support vocational drivers, and the shortage of delivery and goods drivers due to Brexit.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not record, or hold, information to show candidates whose driving licence is a requirement of their current, or potential, employment.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for the delivery of driver and vehicle testing. It does hold data on the economic cost to the applicant or wider economy.

The DVSA does not record, or hold, information to determine if a driving licence is a requirement for the applicant maintaining or taking up employment.

Candidates select the test centre of their choice when booking a driving test. Some candidates may be residing temporarily in an area away from their home address, for example, for study or work purposes.

In the period 25 March 2020 to 30 November 2020, there were 754 candidates with Scotland postcodes who took their driving tests in England or Wales.

Network Rail will develop a baseline database of habitats and biodiversity across its estate such that long-term management plans can be developed in the same way as those for other railway assets such as track and embankments.

Network Rail are creating a culture dedicated to enhancing natural habitats and, will continue to strive towards demonstrating leadership by partnering with experts, communities and lineside neighbours. Training and recruitment will ensure that the organisation has specialist skills and competencies.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) priority has been to restore its testing services with new protective measures and procedures in place that keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. The safety measures applied when conducting a practical driving test in England are therefore the same regardless of which Tier level the test centre falls under.

Network Rail welcomed John Varley's independent report on its approach to vegetation management and set out how it would respond to the review’s recommendations when it was published.

In its Environmental Sustainability Strategy published in September 2020 Network Rail commits to exceeding the review’s recommendation to achieve no net loss of biodiversity across the network by 2024 and net gain by 2040, instead achieving biodiversity net gain by 2035. Further details will be set out in the forthcoming biodiversity action plan.

The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation and the Government has decided not to lay further legislation to extend it; therefore, no consultation has been undertaken.

The main reason the two-year validity of a theory test certificate is in place is to ensure a candidate’s theoretical knowledge of driving remains current. Extending the validity would erode that assurance. It is important that road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date as learners prepare to take their practical test. Learners will therefore need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency realises this will affect and disappoint some learners.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 came into effect on 25 March 2020. Around 118,000 theory test pass certificates were due to expire by the end of September 2020. However, on average 14,000 candidates let their certificate expire each month in the normal course of events.

No estimate has been made of the cost of refunding theory test fees as this is expressly forbidden by the Road Traffic Act 1988 section 91 (except in limited cases not relevant here). The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) pays its contractor, Pearson, per theory test delivered.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 came into effect on 25 March 2020. Around 118,000 theory test pass certificates were due to expire by the end of September 2020. However, on average 14,000 candidates let their certificate expire each month in the normal course of events.

If candidates were exempted from having to pay for one-retest, then the DVSA would have incurred costs of up to £1.5m if all of the 118,000 learners chose to retake the theory test. In addition, applications for a re-test would need to have been validated and systems amended to remove the requirement for payment in these cases. No estimate was made of these additional costs to the DVSA. The fee for any practical test booking was refunded on expiry of the candidates’ theory test certificate.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not bought forward any regulations under the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Ministers have regular contact with NATS to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their business. We understand that the decision NATS have taken to place at risk the contracts of 122 trainees in their training college, whilst regrettable, has been carefully considered. NATS have committed to staying in contact with the trainees and looking for opportunities to restart their training as soon as possible.

The Enabling Works Contracts (EWC) for Phase One were awarded to joint venture (JV) organisations in November 2016, covering three geographic Areas (North, Central and South). The enabling works contractors are Laing O’Rourke and Murphy Group (LM-JV) for Area North; Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall and Ferrovial Agroman (Fusion JV) for Area Central; and Costain and Skanska (CS-JV) for Area South. The Procurement route used for the EWC Contracts was the OJEU negotiated procedure. The announcement regarding the awarding of contracts can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-names-enabling-works-contractors

No plants have been rejected by the Independent Inspector as being defective. Out of a total of 553,233 trees planted between 2017 and 2020, 122,208 have been replacement trees, leaving a net total 431,025 trees successfully planted.

The loss of HS2 plants during hot weather, particularly in 2018, has been consistent with planting carried out by others at the same time, including the Forestry Commission which increased its rates under their grant schemes to allow replacement of the additional losses. The cost of maintaining sufficient water supplies for saplings would have been higher than replanting, and using the quantities of water required to maintain the planting would not have been an appropriate or responsible use of resources at the height of summer. Replacing plants lost is considered a much more cost effective solution, as well as being a more ethical use of resources during unprecedented conditions.

The Independent Assessor of Plant Material role is undertaken through Aecom Infrastructure and Environment Limited. There are a number of qualified individuals that support that contract. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and for a period of two years from 23^rd January 2017. The Contract has since been extended until 31^st March 2021. The reports are not published, as their intent is to help provide an independent view of plant quality to help ensure that planting is successful, and are not designed to be a public record of the status of the planting that is taking place.

Every report or allegation of a breach of wildlife or environmental protection legislation is investigated to assess whether a breach has taken place. Allegations may come from a wide range of sources, including direct correspondence, phone calls to the HS2 helpline, media reports, tweets and campaign websites. There are no discretionary parameters as to whether a report is investigated or not.

HS2 Ltd’s live reporting over the past 5 years has recorded 93 possible breaches of Wildlife legislation, and 307 possible breaches of Environmental Protection legislation. HS2 takes credible potential breaches very seriously and each is investigated as necessary with the involvement of the relevant statutory authority where applicable.

HS2 Ltd has appointed an independent inspector responsible for checking the quality of cultivated plant material. Plant material is inspected twice a year, including a pre-delivery inspection of its size and quality. The independent inspector also carries out inspections of material delivered to sites to further confirm that it meets the required specifications. The inspector produces a report for each inspection, which includes recommendations for HS2 Ltd or its supply chain as necessary. Material is planted by the Early Works Contractors, who have the responsibility for regular inspection and maintenance during tree establishment, including the replacement of any defective or failed plant material.

There have been no prosecutions for breaches in wildlife or environmental protection legislation in relation to HS2 Ltd or its contractors in the last 5 years. HS2 Ltd has a process for live reporting and recording of credible potential breaches and these are reviewed daily, with reporting on a monthly basis at both the programme and senior level. HS2 Ltd takes the risk of breaches very seriously. Were one to occur, this would be investigated as necessary with the involvement of the relevant statutory authority where applicable.

The Chancellor has set out unprecedented support for workers of airline companies and Ministers and officials regularly meet with airline representatives to discuss the challenges they face and possible areas of support. Measures such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme are being used across the aviation industry to protect the sector against the Covid-19 economic crisis.

These measures, alongside other Government support measures such as Coronavirus Large Business Loan Interruption Scheme and the Covid Commercial Finance Facility are helping airlines of all sizes get through this crisis and beyond. The Chancellor has noted that under exceptional circumstances bespoke support could be provided to airlines.

The department is working closely with the transport sector and Public Health England to ensure that transport operations reflect the latest public health advice.

PHE and their counterparts in the devolved administrations, are responsible for determining and publishing health advice in relation to Covid-19. PHE has published guidance for staff in the transport sector which was made available on the GOV.UK website and DfT will continue to work with PHE to ensure this remains up to date.

There are currently over 20,000 employers signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, covering over 11m employees.

In November 2018, we published the results of survey research which explored the effect that signing up to the Disability Confident scheme had on recruitment and retention attitudes towards disabled people. The researchers interviewed employers of all sizes, ranging from very small organisations with low levels of staff turnover to large companies employing thousands, and a key finding was that signing up to Disability Confident resulted in half (49%) of employers interviewed taking on at least one disabled member of staff, rising to 66% amongst larger firms. The full report may be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-survey-of-participating-employers.

We will be conducting further research this year, to establish the value added by Disability Confident and explore the behaviours of employers and their recruitment and retention practices. Disability Confident employers have also offered over 60,000 specific work opportunities, which include: work experience, work trials, Apprenticeships, Traineeships, job shadowing, student placements, Sector Based Work Academy Placements as well as job vacancies.

The Government is committed to a goal of seeing a million more disabled people in work in the decade to 2027 and reducing the disability employment gap. In the first three years of the goal (between 2017 and 2020), the number of disabled people in employment increased by 800,000¹. Between 2014 and 2020 the disability employment gap also reduced by 5.2 percentage points.

¹The underlying data behind this figure is currently under review by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and is therefore subject to change.

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident (DC) scheme are provided with the knowledge, skills and free resources they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace. The scheme is designed as a learning journey with all employers starting at Level 1 and encouraged to progress through the scheme to Levels 2 and 3. No employer is too small or new to start the journey and even the most experienced employer will still find new techniques and best practice that can help better support their employees. For example, employers signing up to the scheme are committing to ‘Ensure their recruitment process is inclusive and accessible’ and ‘Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work’.

Throughout the pandemic, we have ensured that employers have received timely and appropriate support through the delivery of a series of practical national webinars, covering a range of employer hot topics, ranging from: New Ways of Working, Access to Work, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Virtual Hiring and Autism and Neurodiversity. We have also delivered a number of employer events, focusing on the support available to employees. In addition, all Disability Confident employers receive regular Disability Confident newsletters and other communications to support them and their employees. There are currently over 20,000 employers signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, covering over 11million employees.

The tables below provide information on initial decisions following a Personal Independence Payment assessment for claimants with a primary disabling condition of epilepsy:

Notes:

• Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
• The volumes of MRs and appeals for the more recent periods of initial decision could increase as claimants’ progress to MR and appeal.
• Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics.
• Appeal lapsed is where DWP changed the decision (in the customer’s favour) after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at a tribunal hearing.
• Some decisions which are changed at the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) stage, and where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher PIP award, are then changed again at tribunal appeal.

The tables below provide information on initial decisions following a Personal Independence Payment assessment for claimants with a primary disabling condition of epilepsy:

Notes:

• Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
• The volumes of MRs and appeals for the more recent periods of initial decision could increase as claimants’ progress to MR and appeal.
• Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics.
• Appeal lapsed is where DWP changed the decision (in the customer’s favour) after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at a tribunal hearing.
• Some decisions which are changed at the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) stage, and where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher PIP award, are then changed again at tribunal appeal.

The available information for daily claims made to Universal Credit to 8 April 2021 is published and available at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

Guidance for users is available at:

https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

The available information for Jobseeker’s Allowance monthly on-flows to April 2021 is published on the NOMIS website and available at:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp

Guidance for users is available at:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp

Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessments statistics for initial assessments, including those still in progress, by month of claim start to June 2020, are published in Table 1a of the data tables available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-march-2021

We want employers to better understand the composition of their workforce and recognise external reporting as a positive step on the journey towards driving a culture of transparency and openness around health at work. In November 2018, we published a voluntary reporting framework, aimed at large employers (with over 250 employees) that recommends that they publicly report on disability employment and mental health and wellbeing. The framework can also be used to support smaller employers who are keen to drive greater transparency in their organisation or industry. In November 2019, it also became a requirement for new and renewing Disability Confident Leaders to publically report on disability and mental health.

Whilst we recognise the merits of disability reporting, we would not propose to extend this to pay gap reporting due to the risk of dis-incentivising employers from recruiting more disabled people.

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith is also leading a time-limited independent Commission looking at how DWP, wider Government and employers can best support people to progress out of low pay, especially for those groups more likely to be in persistent low pay. A report will be published shortly. The ONS identified in 2018 that disabled employees were over-represented in lower-skilled and lower paying occupations when compared to their non-disabled counterparts.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on disabled people using existing and new data sources. The Department has had discussions with charities, disabled people's organizations’ and individuals to understand the range of experiences disabled people have had during the pandemic and to identify the support needed.

DWP offers financial support for people who are affected by the pandemic, or who need employment-related support in general through Universal Credit, New Style ESA or Pension Credit, all of which can be applied for online. Employer led support is available through Statutory Sick Pay. In addition, people with a condition arising from exposure to the Covid-19 virus are able to access PIP in the same way as other people with long-term health conditions or disabilities

A range of DWP initiatives are supporting disabled people to stay in and enter work. These include the Work and Health Programme, one-to-one support and training through the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have provided specialist employment support remotely and made programmes easier to access.

Government will also shortly publish the National Strategy for Disabled People which will take into account the impacts of the Covid-19 impact on disabled people and focus on the issues that disabled people say affect them most in all aspects of life.

The Department defines a complaint as, ‘any expression of dissatisfaction about the Department’s service which is not resolved by operational staff as normal business.’

At the end of each quarter of the financial year, the Department publishes transparency data, which sets out the cumulative total of customer complaints received about our services. In addition, data is published which confirms the number of complaints received - and accepted for investigation - by the Independent Case Examiner (ICE).

Data in relation to complaint numbers can be viewed by accessing the following link to www.gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-dwp-financial-year-2020-to-2021

The Department does not routinely publish statistics in relation to complaint outcomes.

The Department also publishes complaint volume data – and information about how customer feedback is used to improve our level of service - in our Annual Report and Accounts publication. This provides details of the full complaint journey which includes the outcomes of ICE and Ombudsman investigations. The reports can be viewed by accessing the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2019-to-2020

The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Quality Assurance Framework sets out the Department’s quality controls

There are three tiers of assurance within the Framework, with each tier aspiring to report lower levels of error as a means of supporting continuous improvement.

Tier 1 provides an assurance at local centre level and focuses on known areas of highest risk of error or complexity

Tier 2 measures official error and gives an independent assurance of financial accuracy via a review of randomly selected cases.

Tier 3 assurance constitutes a formal review of cases for financial error in relation to fraud, customer error and official error.

These assurances apply to all product lines, including UC, JSA and ESA. Wherever possible, award types identified as being high risk are selected for assurance ahead of any payment being made.

DWP reports Tier 3 assurance via its published Monetary Value of Fraud Error statistics. The latest published version can be found via this link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-2020-to-2021-estimates

The Department does not measure complaints as described in the question and to determine this request, we would need to examine each individual case, which the Department considers to be cost prohibitive to provide.

The Department does not measure complaints as described in the question and to determine this request, we would need to examine each individual case, which the Department considers to be cost prohibitive to provide.

The Departments complaints process which considers formal complaints about our service can be found on Gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/complaints-about-the-department-for-work-and-pensions)

As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to make changes to our complaints model to allow staff to be deployed to support processing claims and payments. From 9 July 2020, the Department triage complaints to prioritise vulnerable claimants who may be at risk, and those with benefit payment issues for example.

We continue to look into all complaints as quickly as we can and, as part of the triage process, we write or call those customers where there may be a delay in answering their complaint.

We are reviewing the approach we have taken throughout the pandemic as part of developing the future complaints operating model.

The national customer experience survey is the vehicle DWP uses to assess customers’ experiences with the services they receive from DWP. The survey seeks feedback from a range of DWP customers including ESA and UC customers. The last published survey can be found on DWP’s research publication page:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-claimant-service-and-experience-survey-2018-to-2019--2  

The latest available data on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims with entitlement which can be split by Daily Living and Mobility award status and by main disabling condition can be found at https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.

‘Epilepsy’ is found under the disability category ‘Neurological disease’.

Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html.

No such discussions on this specific subject have taken place with Cabinet colleagues, pension providers or trade unions.

The Government does not collect the specific data sought.

No such discussions on this specific subject have taken place with Cabinet colleagues, pension providers or trade unions.

The Government does not collect the specific data sought.

No such discussions on this specific subject have taken place with Cabinet colleagues, pension providers or trade unions.

The Government does not collect the specific data sought.

No such discussions on this specific subject have taken place with Cabinet colleagues, pension providers or trade unions.

The Government does not collect the specific data sought.

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

No such assessment has been made.

There have been no steps to change the savings threshold limits, which allow people to continue to receive means tested benefits even though they may have an increased amount of capital, by gradually reducing the level of their entitlement.

The capital thresholds strike a balance between protecting less well-off people and the taxpayer, whilst at the same time recognising the conscientious efforts of people who have built up capital. This limit also ensures that the help which comes from taxpayers, many of whom are themselves on low incomes and have limited capital, is directed to people who need it most. Whilst it is important to encourage saving, it has never been thought right for substantial amounts of capital to be ignored, therefore it is also reasonable that there should be a capital limit above which benefits are not available.

No such assessment has been made.

There have been no steps to change the savings threshold limits, which allow people to continue to receive means tested benefits even though they may have an increased amount of capital, by gradually reducing the level of their entitlement.

The capital thresholds strike a balance between protecting less well-off people and the taxpayer, whilst at the same time recognising the conscientious efforts of people who have built up capital. This limit also ensures that the help which comes from taxpayers, many of whom are themselves on low incomes and have limited capital, is directed to people who need it most. Whilst it is important to encourage saving, it has never been thought right for substantial amounts of capital to be ignored, therefore it is also reasonable that there should be a capital limit above which benefits are not available.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data assessing the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on disabled people.

The 11 March 2021 ONS release can be found on this link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/disability/datasets/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsondisabledpeopleingreatbritainmay2020

Alongside this, insights from qualitative research commissioned by the Cabinet Office Disability Unit and conducted by Policy Lab with disabled people were used to understand the impact of the pandemic on the day-to-day lives of disabled people.

This Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and to ensuring that the right support is in place. Mental health services have remained open throughout the pandemic, and, for those with severe needs or in crisis, all National Health Service mental health providers have established 24/7 urgent mental health helplines.

We have provided over £10million of additional funding for mental health charities to support adults and children struggling with their mental wellbeing during this time. We have also provided a further £6 million to support various charities, including those working with people with learning disabilities, autistic people and complex needs.

We recognise that the COVID-19 outbreak has hit families of children with disabilities or serious illnesses particularly hard. Supporting vulnerable children is a priority for this Government, and their wellbeing has been central to our response throughout the pandemic. We are, for example, providing £40.8 million for the Family Fund in 2020-21 to support over 80,000 families on low incomes raising children with disabilities or serious illnesses. This includes £13.5m to specifically respond to needs arising from the pandemic, which may include for example assistive technology to aid remote learning.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Cabinet Office Disability Unit works with disability stakeholders and across Government Departments to ensure that the needs of disabled people are considered in the Government’s response to COVID-19.

The Government remains committed to improving the lives of disabled people, and will publish the National Strategy for Disabled People this year. The strategy will take into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled people and will focus on the issues that disabled people say affect them the most in all aspects of life.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data assessing the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on disabled people.

The 11 March 2021 ONS release can be found on this link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/disability/datasets/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsondisabledpeopleingreatbritainmay2020

Alongside this, insights from qualitative research commissioned by the Cabinet Office Disability Unit and conducted by Policy Lab with disabled people were used to understand the impact of the pandemic on the day-to-day lives of disabled people.

This Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and to ensuring that the right support is in place. Mental health services have remained open throughout the pandemic, and, for those with severe needs or in crisis, all National Health Service mental health providers have established 24/7 urgent mental health helplines.

We have provided over £10million of additional funding for mental health charities to support adults and children struggling with their mental wellbeing during this time. We have also provided a further £6 million to support various charities, including those working with people with learning disabilities, autistic people and complex needs.

We recognise that the COVID-19 outbreak has hit families of children with disabilities or serious illnesses particularly hard. Supporting vulnerable children is a priority for this Government, and their wellbeing has been central to our response throughout the pandemic. We are, for example, providing £40.8 million for the Family Fund in 2020-21 to support over 80,000 families on low incomes raising children with disabilities or serious illnesses. This includes £13.5m to specifically respond to needs arising from the pandemic, which may include for example assistive technology to aid remote learning.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Cabinet Office Disability Unit works with disability stakeholders and across Government Departments to ensure that the needs of disabled people are considered in the Government’s response to COVID-19.

The Government remains committed to improving the lives of disabled people, and will publish the National Strategy for Disabled People this year. The strategy will take into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled people and will focus on the issues that disabled people say affect them the most in all aspects of life.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to PQ UIN 161760 on 8 March 2021.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to PQ UIN 161760 on 8 March 2021.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to PQ UIN 161760 on 8 March 2021.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to PQ UIN 161760 on 8 March 2021.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is an extra costs benefit based on assessment of disability-related needs rather than medical condition. Reviews of PIP are a key part of the benefit and ensure that not only do awards remain correct where needs may change but that we also maintain contact with the claimant. Importantly, the length of an award is based on an individual’s needs, rather than their condition or disability, and can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review at the ten-year point.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Declaring a health condition is voluntary, therefore the figures provided are specifically from staff members who have declared a disability or long-term health condition.

Of the 47 department staff members declaring epilepsy 46 are paid staff members.

Of all colleagues declaring a disability or long-term health condition, 7,045 are full time, 5,778 are part-time.

As at 31 December 2020, 92 per cent of 85,041 department colleagues had declared their disability status on our central systems. Of these, 13,894 colleagues had declared themselves to have a disability or long term health condition. This represents 18 per cent of all colleagues who have updated their records to show their disability status.

There are no plans to reassess this policy. Successive Governments have supported the policy that where someone is entitled to two benefits for the same contingency then only one will be paid. Entitlement to State Pension and Carer’s Allowance differ but are both paid as an income replacement.

Carer’s Allowance replaces income where the carer has given up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to care for a severely disabled person, while State Pension replaces income in retirement. To avoid duplicate provision for the same need, social security “overlapping benefit” rules - operate to prevent them being paid together.

If a carer’s State Pension is less than Carer's Allowance, State Pension is paid and topped up with Carer's Allowance to the basic weekly rate of Carer's Allowance which from April 2020, increased to £67.25.

Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance also gives access to the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit of £37.50 a week. If a pensioner’s income is above the limit for Pension Credit, they may still be able to receive Housing Benefit.

There are no plans to reassess this policy. Successive Governments have supported the policy that where someone is entitled to two benefits for the same contingency then only one will be paid. Entitlement to State Pension and Carer’s Allowance differ but are both paid as an income replacement.

Carer’s Allowance replaces income where the carer has given up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to care for a severely disabled person, while State Pension replaces income in retirement. To avoid duplicate provision for the same need, social security “overlapping benefit” rules - operate to prevent them being paid together.

If a carer’s State Pension is less than Carer's Allowance, State Pension is paid and topped up with Carer's Allowance to the basic weekly rate of Carer's Allowance which from April 2020, increased to £67.25.

Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance also gives access to the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit of £37.50 a week. If a pensioner’s income is above the limit for Pension Credit, they may still be able to receive Housing Benefit.

There is no change. The UK will continue to provide the same protections to pension savers, as were in place before the end of the transition period.

Anyone who has accrued benefits in a UK occupational pension scheme in the UK can continue to access their pension savings or pension rights regardless of whether they live outside of the UK in either an EU or a non-EU state. Existing forms of protection for those savings, will continue to be available.

The Pension Regulator will continue to supervise UK occupational pension schemes, taking action where appropriate, so that UK employers, trustees and providers comply with UK laws that protect members’ rights and benefits.

The Pension Protection Fund, will continue to pay compensation to members of eligible Defined Benefit pension schemes administered in the UK even if the employer is based in the EU. The PPF pays compensation to eligible pension schemes whose sponsoring employer has become insolvent, and the pension scheme is unable to meet its pension liabilities.

The Health and Safety Executive will amend health and safety legislation to extend the PPE at Work Regulations to all workers as soon as possible. Work is underway to timetable the legislative changes in accordance with parliamentary processes.

People with active epilepsy and classed as disabled are protected from discrimination at work under The Equality Act. Employers have a duty to provide reasonable workplace adjustments where necessary. If employees with epilepsy need workplace support beyond the cost of reasonable adjustment, Access to Work can help. Access to Work is supporting thousands more people with disabilities and health conditions than ever before. In 2019, Access to Work funded tailored and flexible support for 43,000 people, a 20% increase on the previous year.

Access to Work has actively worked with employers during the pandemic. For example, Access to Work worked with employers to transport assistive technology from the workplace to the home to enable home working. And where the support cannot be removed from the workplace, Access to Work has put in place alternative adjustments or supported adaptations to standard equipment.

We also, through Disability Confident, provide employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace.

As at September 2020, 47 staff declared themselves on Departmental systems as having epilepsy. This figures include unpaid staff.

Please note that it is not mandatory for staff to declare a disability or long-term health condition, and if they have declared this, to state the type of condition, so this is likely to be an underestimate. It also does not differentiate between active/inactive epilepsy.

The Department is committed to becoming the most inclusive employer and increasing the representation of under-represented groups to make DWP more diverse. In order to maintain our focus on disability issues we have developed and agreed a Disability Action Plan for the forthcoming year. We implement all practical steps to remove barriers for our employees with any kind of disability, including epilepsy. Specifically:

• We have a comprehensive reasonable adjustments provision in place to support line-managers and colleagues, they can involve specialist equipment, assistive software and/or non-physical adjustments such as changing work patterns.
• We have developed strong employee networks and our disability network THRIVE is providing invaluable support to colleagues.
• We are members of Business Disability Forum who provide specific guidance on epilepsy, which we signpost via our intranet pages.

As at September 2020, 47 staff declared themselves on Departmental systems as having epilepsy. This figures include unpaid staff.

Please note that it is not mandatory for staff to declare a disability or long-term health condition, and if they have declared this, to state the type of condition, so this is likely to be an underestimate. It also does not differentiate between active/inactive epilepsy.

The Department is committed to becoming the most inclusive employer and increasing the representation of under-represented groups to make DWP more diverse. In order to maintain our focus on disability issues we have developed and agreed a Disability Action Plan for the forthcoming year. We implement all practical steps to remove barriers for our employees with any kind of disability, including epilepsy. Specifically:

• We have a comprehensive reasonable adjustments provision in place to support line-managers and colleagues, they can involve specialist equipment, assistive software and/or non-physical adjustments such as changing work patterns.
• We have developed strong employee networks and our disability network THRIVE is providing invaluable support to colleagues.
• We are members of Business Disability Forum who provide specific guidance on epilepsy, which we signpost via our intranet pages.

The specific information requested is not held by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Background

The number of disabled people (aged 16 to 64) in the UK who are employed and report epilepsy as their main health condition is 38,000¹. Sample sizes are too small to draw robust estimates for Scotland from this data.

¹Figure shown in table 3.3 of ‘The employment of disabled people 2019’ Official Statistics publication using data from Annual Population Survey, April 2018 to March 2019. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-employment-of-disabled-people-2019.

Around 913,000 people made a claim to Universal Credit, between 16 March 2020 and 12 November 2020, that have been required to report self-employed earnings at some point during their claim.

Notes:

- Figure rounded to the nearest thousand.

- This figure does not include people who made a UC claim but did not subsequently make it onto the official UC caseload.

- Not everybody would have been required to report self-employed earnings from the outset of their claim.

The information requested is not available as we do not record reasons as to what purpose an individual’s savings are used for.

Following the High Court Judgment of 13 November 2020, the Health and Safety Executive is now preparing the necessary legislative changes to the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 and will implement them as soon as possible.

Health and safety is a reserved matter for Scotland and Wales. However, health and safety is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Health and Safety Executive has discussed this case with the Northern Ireland Office and they are aware of the need to make corresponding legislative changes in order for the UK as a whole to give effect to the judgment and ensure proper implementation of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations.

The Government is considering the judgment and will respond according to the timetable set down by the High Court.

In April 2016, the government introduced a higher statutory minimum wage rate for all employees over 25 years of age - the National Living Wage. All employers in the UK are required to pay the National Living Wage. The Department for Work and Pensions pays all employees, regardless of age, at least the statutory National Living Wage which is revaluated each April. From April 2020 the rate increased to £8.72 per hour.

The Living Wage Foundation is an initiative by Citizens UK which advocates employers paying an alternative hourly rate known as the Living Wage. Employers can apply to be accredited Living Wage employers. DWP is not an accredited Living Wage employer.

Tackling child poverty is a key priority for this Government.

We are working closely with counterparts across government, ensuring a collective approach to the policies and interventions that can make a difference to children’s outcomes, now and in the future.

Tackling child poverty is a key priority for this Government.

We are working closely with counterparts across government, ensuring a collective approach to the policies and interventions that can make a difference to children’s outcomes, now and in the future.

A paper Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) medical questionnaire form is issued to all ESA claimants that require a work capability assessment. On DWP’s website there is a version of the form available which provides claimants with an option to download and complete the form on a computer. This allows the form to be saved and completed in stages.

The available information on the number of households with children with Universal Credit in payment, by parliamentary constituency, is published and can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

The following special points should be noted:

For 1 year from 6 April 2020, the standard allowance of Universal Credit has been increased by £20 per week from 6 April 2020 above the already announced annual uprating, raising the standard allowance from £317.82 to £409.89 per month (for claimants aged 25 and over).

The Secretary of State has a statutory obligation to review the levels of the benefit cap at least once in each Parliament unless an early election is called, as it was last year. A review will take place at an appropriate point in the future.

We are currently in the process of reviewing this measure, and will confirm next steps as soon as possible.

As part of the Government’s strategy to support people affected by coronavirus (COVID 19), my department has made a number of limited changes to the operation of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). In doing so, we have balanced the need to provide additional support for employees who are sick, self-isolating or shielding due to coronavirus and are unable to work as a result, with considerations about the burden on employers.

Temporarily suspending waiting days ensures SSP is payable from day one of a period of absence, rather than day four, to encourage people to follow government advice to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

We consulted last year on a range of measures, including reform of SSP, designed to reduce ill-health related job loss. We will bring forward proposals on next steps later this year.

SSP is just one part of the government’s safety net. Where an employee’s income is reduced while off sick and they require further financial support they may be able to claim Universal Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance, depending on individual circumstances.

Background

• SSP is paid at £95.85 per week for up to 28 weeks by the employer.
• Employers can choose to go further than their statutory requirements and provide more financial support to their employee throughout their sickness absence.
• We have increased the standard rate in Universal Credit by £20 a week for one year – this will mean claimants will be up to £1040 a year better off.
• The consultation: Health is everyone’s business was published in July 2019 and closed in October 2019.

We made the decision to temporarily suspend the requirement for face-to-face Jobcentre Plus appointments for all claimants in Universal Credit, New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), old-style JSA and ESA, and Income Support.

Arrangements after the 30th June will be communicated in due course.

The information requested, for the number of households on Universal Credit that have received a sanction while also receiving the child or limited capability elements, is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Department only publishes the number of Universal Credit claimants who have been sanctioned. The latest figures for Universal Credit sanction rates are up to February 2020 and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/statistics

Geographical breakdowns of the figures can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance for users is available at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

The information requested, for the number of households on Universal Credit that have received a sanction while also receiving the child or limited capability elements, is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Department only publishes the number of Universal Credit claimants who have been sanctioned. The latest figures for Universal Credit sanction rates are up to February 2020 and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/statistics

Geographical breakdowns of the figures can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance for users is available at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Universal Credit replaces a highly complex system of multiple benefits with a single monthly payment. It introduces a simple taper system to ensure that claimants are better off in work and keeping more of what they earn compared to the legacy benefit system.

The amount of Universal Credit paid to claimants reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period. Monthly assessment periods align to the way the majority of employees are paid and also allows Universal Credit to be adjusted each month. This means that if a claimant’s income falls, they will not have to wait several months for a rise in their Universal Credit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been identified that some employers are reporting earnings incorrectly as a result of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We are working closely with HM Revenue and Customs on this issue who have re-enforced guidance and are contacting employers on the cases we identify.

Communications around the changes to State Pension age have been clear and comprehensive. Since 1995, people have been notified with leaflets, an extensive advertising campaign and individual letters. During 2012-13, the Department wrote to individuals directly affected by the 2011 Act, informing them of the change to their State Pension age (5.7 million letters sent). Between April 2000 and the end of January 2020, the Department provided more than 33 million personalised State Pension statements to people who requested them (either online or by telephone or post; and based on both old and new State Pension rules). We continue to encourage people to request an estimate, as part of their long-term financial planning.

The workplace pension campaign continues to drive the positive benefits of saving into a workplace pension, maintaining awareness and understanding, whilst the Retirement Provision campaign encourages people to go and check their state pension forecast online to better understand their retirement provision.

The data for this request is not held.

The Department is offering a range of support to anyone affected by the closure of Thomas Cook, through our Rapid Response Service (RRS) and wider services. This is designed to give practical support and advice to employers and their employees when faced with redundancy.

DWP are committed to providing a quality, sensitive and respectful service to everyone. In advance of attending a face-to-face consultation, individuals will be given the opportunity to alert their assessment provider of any additional requirements they may have and the providers will meet any such reasonable requests. Individuals identified as being vulnerable, including having mental health or learning disabilities, can access additional support at any point in the claim or assessment process, for example help filling in the form or the questionnaire and additional protections for failing to return the questionnaire or for failing to attend a face-to-face assessment.

Companions are encouraged to attend and can play an active role in assessments. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with mental, cognitive or intellectual impairments who may not be able to provide an accurate account of their condition due to a lack of understanding or unrealistic expectations of their ability.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 3, research has been commissioned into the phenomenon of Christian Persecution and this will be used to guide and inform future work.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 4, a number of mechanisms to gather data and information already exist. The effectiveness of these is being assessed, and how they can be used to understand and track issues related to freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). In addition, an FCDO-funded project with the Religious Freedom Institute developed additional indicators on FoRB where needed.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 5, various research activities have already been funded, including establishing the John Bunyan Fund, which amongst other things, has looked at the links between gender and freedom of religion and belief. We continue to look for opportunities to support quality research.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 7, the UK remains strongly committed to early and effective action to prevent all mass atrocities including violence against religious groups. As most atrocities occur in and around armed conflict, the Government has dedicated significant resources to preventing conflict as a means of reducing the risk of atrocities occurring.

The UK uses early warning tools, diplomacy, development and programmatic support, and defence tools, including the armed forces, to strengthen the international system's prevention and response. Our work in this area is long-standing, both in terms of preventing atrocities and of securing accountability and justice for atrocities committed. The UK's thematic atrocity prevention work is set in the context of our wider approach to conflict prevention, but we also look for the risk of atrocities in specific geographical settings.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 7, the UK remains strongly committed to early and effective action to prevent all mass atrocities including violence against religious groups. As most atrocities occur in and around armed conflict, the Government has dedicated significant resources to preventing conflict as a means of reducing the risk of atrocities occurring.

The UK uses early warning tools, diplomacy, development and programmatic support, and defence tools, including the armed forces, to strengthen the international system's prevention and response. Our work in this area is long-standing, both in terms of preventing atrocities and of securing accountability and justice for atrocities committed. The UK's thematic atrocity prevention work is set in the context of our wider approach to conflict prevention, but we also look for the risk of atrocities in specific geographical settings.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022. On Recommendation 8, the Global Human Rights Sanctions regime was launched on 6 July 2020. It is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated under the regime in the future, as to do so could reduce the impact. We will continue to consider further designations, guided by the human rights objectives of the sanctions regime and the evidence.

The Government has committed to implementing in full the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro's review, and work continues to implement them in a way that will bring real improvement to the lives of those persecuted due to their faith or belief. Of the 22 recommendations we have fully delivered ten, made good progress on a further eight, and are confident that all 22 will be delivered by the time of the independent review in 2022.

On Recommendation 9, The John Bunyan Fund for Freedom of Religion or Belief was launched in August 2019, funding 15 research projects FY 2019-20. These projects have all concluded, and work is in hand to implement some of the key recommendations. Subsequently we have used the Fund to deepen understanding of the intersecting vulnerabilities experienced by religious minorities living in poverty in the shadows of Covid-19, providing training to local data gatherers in two affected countries and producing reports on the scale of the problem.

The UK Government welcomes President Buhari's decision to disband the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) following the #ENDSARS protests, and notes the intention to redeploy FSARS officers. We continue to support police reform in Nigeria, and to advocate for improvements in the human rights compliance and accountability of the Nigerian police. To this end, we welcome the establishment of judicial panels of inquiry to investigate alleged incidents of brutality by the security services.

We will continue to push for the Nigerian police, armed forces and wider security services to uphold human rights and the rule of law in all operations, investigate any incidents of brutality, illegal detentions and use of excessive force, and hold those responsible to account.

The Government is deeply concerned by the military action in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and has been in regular contact with both the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan urging de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table. Since the renewed hostilities began, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood has spoken to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers three times, most recently on 28 October, to raise UK concerns over civilian casualties and fatalities, urge immediate de-escalation and reinforce the importance of engagement with the OSCE Minsk Group. Additionally, officials have continued to engage with the Azerbaijani Ambassador and the Armenian Charge d'Affaires in London and our Embassies in Baku and Yerevan have continued to work with their hosts on a range of topics, including at Foreign Minister level.

The Government is deeply concerned by the military action in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and the resulting humanitarian situation. The Foreign Secretary and Canadian Foreign Minister have delivered two joint statements calling for de-escalation and for both parties to return to the negotiating table without preconditions. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood has spoken to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers three times, most recently on 28 October. The Minister raised UK concerns over civilian casualties and fatalities, urged immediate de-escalation and reinforced the importance of engagement with the OSCE Minsk Group. The UK will continue to engage the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan and all regional partners, including to push for a return to substantive negotiations without pre-conditions.

We are in regular contact with the insurance industry on the impact of COVID-19. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) announced on 2 April that UK-based insurers will look to extend travel insurance policies for up to a minimum of 60 days to ensure British travellers abroad will be covered for emergency medical treatment they might need, provided that the customer is making every effort to return home. Anyone affected should speak to their insurance company to discuss the options available to them.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working around the clock, through our Posts overseas and in London, to make sure all British travellers who need and want to return to the UK are receiving the support and information they need. We have now brought home over 36,100 people on 173 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 39 countries and territories and supported repatriation of over 19,000 Britons from cruise ships, either by providing consular assistance, or by working with local authorities and cruise operators to allow ships to dock.

No British national passengers remain on cruise ships, but we recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships and other vessels around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship and vessel operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew.??The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families.

Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.

Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working around the clock, through our Posts overseas and in London, to make sure all British travellers who need and want to return to the UK are receiving the support and information they need. We have now brought home over 36,100 people on 173 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 39 countries and territories and supported repatriation of over 19,000 Britons from cruise ships, either by providing consular assistance, or by working with local authorities and cruise operators to allow ships to dock.

No British national passengers remain on cruise ships, but we recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships and other vessels around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship and vessel operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew.??The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families.

Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.

Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working around the clock, through our Posts overseas and in London, to make sure all British travellers who need and want to return to the UK are receiving the support and information they need. We have now brought home over 36,100 people on 173 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 39 countries and territories and supported repatriation of over 19,000 Britons from cruise ships, either by providing consular assistance, or by working with local authorities and cruise operators to allow ships to dock.

No British national passengers remain on cruise ships, but we recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships and other vessels around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship and vessel operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew.??The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families.

Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.

Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.

The FCO and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have been closely involved in the negotiation of a new Implementing Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction - the BBNJ Agreement - as an important step forward in addressing the challenges that the ocean faces. The UK is pressing for an ambitious Agreement. It will be a key mechanism in enabling the designation of at least 30 per cent of the global ocean as Marine Protected Areas by 2030.

Unfortunately, due to the impacts of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the fourth session of the Inter-Governmental Conference, scheduled for 23 March to 3 April in New York, was postponed. The UK is supportive of re-scheduling the fourth session for the earliest possible opportunity that will enable all delegations to be present for the negotiations in New York. The precise make-up of the UK delegation will need to take into account any social distancing measures that may be in place for the re-scheduled session, but it will be a strong delegation. The UK also strongly supports intersessional work, which is vital to ensure that we maintain momentum towards the successful conclusion of these important negotiations.

We are in regular contact with the insurance industry to understand the impact on them and keep the information on our travel advice pages up to date. The Association of British Insurers announced on 2 April that UK-based insurers will look to extend travel insurance policies for 60 days to ensure British travellers abroad will be covered for emergency medical treatment they might need, provided that the customer is making every effort to return home. Anyone affected should speak to their insurance company to discuss the options available to them.

HMRC waived the late filing penalty for tax returns filed online by 28 February in order to provide relief to all Self-Assessment taxpayers and agents at a time of significant pressure. The statutory filing deadline of 31 January did not change.

According to HMRC, 11.4 million people had submitted their 2019-20 Self-Assessment tax returns by 28 February. About 1.1 million returns are outstanding. Not all of these cases will ultimately file a return or will be self-employed.

HMRC analysis of filing volumes around this period suggests that an estimated 97% of individuals who claimed the third Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant, about 2.1 million people, had submitted their 2019-20 Self-Assessment tax return by 28 February.

An estimate of the number of self-employed individuals who will be ineligible for the fourth SEISS grant as a result of their tax return for the tax year 2019-20 not having been submitted by 2 March 2021 is not available. This will depend on the number of individuals that file a 2019-20 return after that date and the information they submit.

At Spring Budget the Government announced a major improvement in access to the SEISS. HMRC will use 2019-20 tax returns to determine eligibility for the fourth and fifth grants, provided they were submitted by 2 March.

This means about 600,000 people, many of whom became self-employed in 2019-20, may now be able to claim the fourth and fifth grants, bringing the total number of people who could be eligible to about 3.7 million.

HMRC waived the late filing penalty for tax returns filed online by 28 February in order to provide relief to all Self-Assessment taxpayers and agents at a time of significant pressure. The statutory filing deadline of 31 January did not change.

According to HMRC, 11.4 million people had submitted their 2019-20 Self-Assessment tax returns by 28 February. About 1.1 million returns are outstanding. Not all of these cases will ultimately file a return or will be self-employed.

HMRC analysis of filing volumes around this period suggests that an estimated 97% of individuals who claimed the third Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant, about 2.1 million people, had submitted their 2019-20 Self-Assessment tax return by 28 February.

An estimate of the number of self-employed individuals who will be ineligible for the fourth SEISS grant as a result of their tax return for the tax year 2019-20 not having been submitted by 2 March 2021 is not available. This will depend on the number of individuals that file a 2019-20 return after that date and the information they submit.

At Spring Budget the Government announced a major improvement in access to the SEISS. HMRC will use 2019-20 tax returns to determine eligibility for the fourth and fifth grants, provided they were submitted by 2 March.

This means about 600,000 people, many of whom became self-employed in 2019-20, may now be able to claim the fourth and fifth grants, bringing the total number of people who could be eligible to about 3.7 million.

The Government announced at Budget 2021 that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will continue until September, with a fourth and a final fifth grant.

This means more than 600,000 people are brought into scope who either became self-employed in 2019-20, or were ineligible for previous grants but now may be eligible for the fourth grant on the basis of submitting their 2019-20 Self-Assessment tax return.

HM Revenue & Customs waived the late filing penalty for Self-Assessment tax returns filed online by 28 February to provide relief to taxpayers and agents at a time of unprecedented pressure. The statutory filing deadline of 31 January did not change.

Taxpayers who are registered for Self-Assessment will have been issued with a notice to file their return.

HMRC run a prominent, annual communications campaign to prompt taxpayers to file their return by the due date. This year, in addition, they issued further press releases during February, complemented by messaging via social media and, where possible, direct emails and SMS texts to taxpayers who had not yet filed returns, and their agents.

The Government recognises the impact that periods of lockdown across the country have had on the self-employed and remains committed to supporting them through the impact of the virus.

The self-employed are very diverse and have a wide mix of turnover and profits, with monthly and annual variations even in normal times, and in some cases with substantial alternative forms of income too. The design of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), including the eligibility requirement that an individual’s trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to their non-trading income, means it is targeted at those who need it the most, and who are most reliant on their self-employment income.

The SEISS has already provided generous support to self-employed individuals, with claims across the first three grants totalling over £19.7 billion. The Government has also confirmed that there will be a fourth SEISS grant, covering the period from February to April 2021.

Further details of the SEISS, including the fourth grant, will be released on 3 March.

The Government firmly believes that there has to be a limit on working-age benefits the state should provide to households. It is not reasonable or fair for taxpayers to pay for people to live on out of work benefits at higher incomes than they themselves receive from work. Exemptions to the cap apply for those in work and the most vulnerable claimants. £180 million has been made available for Local Authorities in 2020/21 to use Discretionary Housing Payments to address shortfalls arising from the benefit cap where they deem this justified.

DWP Secretary of State has a statutory obligation to review the levels of the benefit cap at least once in each Parliament unless an early election is called, as in 2019. A review will take place at an appropriate point in the future.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates have been relinked to the 30th percentile for 2020-21, at a cost of almost £1 billion. Over 1.5 million households have gained just over £600 per year on average this year in additional support, while for people renting in the highest demand areas the gain will be even higher, for example, around 500,000 claimants had an increase of more than £100 per month. We are maintaining LHA rates at the same cash level next year to ensure that claimants continue to benefit from this increase, rather than reverting back to previous rates, which were significantly less generous.

For claimants with higher rents, additional support is also available through Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). Local authorities have a combined budget of £180m for DHPs for this financial year.

The Government remains committed to introducing the VAT reverse charge for building and construction on 1 March 2021. VAT fraud in this sector still presents a significant risk to the Exchequer.

There are several UK anti-fraud reverse charge measures already in operation and their impact on business and supply chains is well understood and explained in the Impact Assessment for this measure. The Government provided a very long lead-in time for this measure ahead of the original implementation date of 1 October 2019 and has listened carefully to industry concerns, especially those in relation to cashflow and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector. The Government has subsequently delayed the introduction of the reverse charge on two occasions to give businesses even more time to prepare.

HMRC continue to work closely with the construction industry, providing support and communications to ensure that businesses are fully aware and can prepare for cashflow challenges ahead of implementation on 1 March 2021.

The Government recognises that because of the exceptional circumstances posed by COVID-19, some taxpayers will have difficulty paying their 2019/20 Self-Assessment (SA) liabilities on time.

For that reason, the Chancellor announced in March 2020 that SA taxpayers could defer paying their July 2020 Payment on Account until 31 January 2021. This provided an immediate financial easement to about 1.5 million taxpayers who took up the option and deferred a total of about £5.8 billion.

The Government understands that many taxpayers will still struggle to pay their SA payments becoming due on 31 January 2021. Although it is not possible accurately to estimate the number of taxpayers who will be affected in this way, the numbers may be considerably higher than in previous years.

Therefore, in order to support taxpayers facing financial difficulty, HMRC have made significant changes to their online self-service Time to Pay Service, enabling taxpayers to set up a Direct Debit instalment payment arrangement with HMRC without having to contact HMRC beforehand.

Previously, this service was only available to taxpayers with Self-Assessment liabilities of up to £10,000. That threshold has been increased to £30,000 to enable more taxpayers to use the service, allowing payment in up to 12 monthly instalments.

Taxpayers with Self-Assessment liabilities over £30,000 will still be able to contact HMRC directly to agree a Time to Pay arrangement.

The Government recognises that because of the exceptional circumstances posed by COVID-19, some taxpayers may have difficulty paying their 2019/20 Self-Assessment (SA) liabilities on time.

Although the numbers may prove to be considerably higher than in previous years, it is not possible to make an accurate assessment of the level of interest and penalties that will be charged to SA taxpayers who do not meet the deadline of 31 January 2021 for payment of tax for tax year 2019-20.

In order to support taxpayers facing financial difficulty, HMRC have made significant changes to their online self-service Time to Pay Service, enabling taxpayers to set up a Direct Debit instalment payment arrangement with HMRC without having to contact HMRC beforehand.

Where a taxpayer does this within 30 days of the 31 January deadline they will not have to pay a late payment penalty as long as they keep to the terms of the Time To Pay agreement. However, late payment interest will still be payable on any amounts which remain unpaid after the 31 January due date.

A late payment penalty will not be payable if a taxpayer has a reasonable excuse for not paying their tax on time. HMRC will consider the impact of coronavirus as a reasonable excuse for missing return deadlines.

The value of interest raised on late tax return payments and late payment of penalties, and the number and value of penalties charged to self-assessment taxpayers for late payments of tax for each of the previous three tax returns, are provided in the following tables. It has not been possible to separate interest for late tax payments from interest for late payment of penalties.

These figures are correct as at 28 December 2020 but are not final. The 2018-19 figures are particularly subject to change because they do not include the 12-month late payment penalties due to timing and large value penalties which can be raised based on information held at the time, but which are subsequently cancelled or reduced once the correct information is provided. For this reason it is not possible to make meaningful comparisons between figures from different years.

Late payment penalties can only be issued following receipt of a Self Assessment tax return, or where HMRC make a determination of tax liability for the financial year where no return has been delivered. As HMRC receive further late returns or amended returns from taxpayers, additional late payment interest and penalties may be issued or cancelled for earlier years.

Notes on the tables:

All counts have been rounded to nearest 100; all values have been rounded to nearest 1000. As such, totals may not always sum due to rounding.

Interest is chargeable on late payments on account and late balancing charge payments. Penalties are chargeable on late balancing charge payments only. As such a taxpayer may be liable to late payment interest charges or late payment penalties, or both.

These figures have been produced using an extract of the data provided for analytical purposes, and there may be small differences between this and the live Self-Assessment system.

Penalties are not used as a means of generating revenue. HMRC want taxpayers to comply with their obligations.

HMRC charge penalties to encourage taxpayers to meet their tax obligations and to act as a sanction for those who do not, so the majority who do pay correctly and on time are not disadvantaged.

HMRC recognise that because of the exceptional circumstances presented by COVID-19 some taxpayers will not be able to meet their tax obligations on time, or appeal or review HMRC decisions within the usual time limit; HMRC’s approach has been to collect the tax and penalties due in a way that recognises the very real needs and challenges that businesses and individuals are facing, supporting those in difficulty, including considering coronavirus as a reasonable excuse for missing return deadlines.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the retail sector. People are shopping online more frequently, however, online sales and click and collect services have provided many high street businesses with an important revenue stream during this period. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that despite many store closures in November, nearly 90% of retail businesses continued to trade in some form through this month. This suggest that despite store closures, many high street businesses were able to continue to trade online.

Online retailers have also provided a vital lifeline for those self-isolating or shielding. ?Goods ordered online have helped people receive the food and supplies they need,?supported home working, education, entertainment, helped friends and family stay connected, and enabled people to have the parts they need to carry out home repairs?.

The Government has always been clear that online retail can continue to operate and is encouraged. These online retail businesses however must meet legal and tax obligations like any other. For example, the threshold for VAT registration is the same whether you sell online or from a physical store.

The Government will continue to support high street businesses as it has done through the the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, and the Future High Streets and Towns Funds. This is in addition to the wide-ranging support the Government has already delivered to these sectors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including extending the CJRS until April; and protecting businesses with cash grants, Government backed finance through loan schemes, a VAT deferral, a 12-month business rates holiday; and a moratorium on evictions to protect commercial tenants.

Treasury ministers and officials have had meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors (including MPs, businesses, professional representative bodies, and the unions) throughout the development of the COVID-19 support package.

Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel.

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

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

The latest available information on the number of families with children receiving Working Tax Credit at the parliamentary constituency level is for April 2020. In April 2020, the number of families with children receiving Working Tax Credit in the East Renfrewshire constituency was 800.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-and-working-tax-credits-statistics-provisional-awards-geographical-analyses-december-2013

Information on following months is not readily available. The next update to this publication will provide statistics relating to December 2020 and will be available in January 2021.

Finalised annual information on families with children receiving Working Tax Credits is published once a year and updated each July.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-and-working-tax-credits-statistics-finalised-annual-awards-2018-to-2019

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not normally disclosed. Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has a statutory obligation to review the levels of the benefit cap at least once in each Parliament unless an early election is called, as it was last year. A review will take place at an appropriate point in the future.

A response was provided on 4 June, and I wrote to the Honourable Member on 7 September to provide further information. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

As of 21 August, HMRC have received five Subject Access Requests (SARs) relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Two have been granted and the remaining three are under consideration.

The first two SARs took six weeks to complete. HMRC have now implemented a new process for SARs relating to the CJRS and aim to complete requests within 28 days.

As of 21 August, HMRC have received five Subject Access Requests (SARs) relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Two have been granted and the remaining three are under consideration.

The first two SARs took six weeks to complete. HMRC have now implemented a new process for SARs relating to the CJRS and aim to complete requests within 28 days.

The total number of iForm submissions made to the tax fraud hotline on GOV.UK in the first quarter of each tax year (April to June) for the last three tax years, was:

2019/20: 15,951

2018/19: 14,265

2017/18: 12,856

23,272 submissions were made between 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020.

HM Revenue and Customs do not routinely produce estimates of the volume of expected allegations submitted through this reporting pathway.

The Treasury regularly holds discussions with the FCA on a range of issues. The Treasury does not routinely comment on specific companies.

The Treasury has no plans to review the handling of Sirius Minerals' application.

It is not possible to provide an answer in the time available.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, including the cut-off for RTI notifications, was designed in a way that mitigated the risk of fraud and could be delivered quickly in order to provide the support that employers and employees needed in April. Where individuals are not eligible to be furloughed the Government has put in place a significant package of temporary welfare measures including a £20 per week increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance and working tax credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit Claimants.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, including the cut-off for RTI notifications, was designed in a way that mitigated the risk of fraud and could be delivered quickly in order to provide the support that employers and employees needed in April. Where individuals are not eligible to be furloughed the Government has put in place a significant package of temporary welfare measures including a £20 per week increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance and working tax credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit Claimants.

The Government introduced the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) from January 2013 to ensure that support is targeted at those who most need it. HICBC applies to anyone with an individual income over £50,000, who claims Child Benefit or whose partner claims it.

HM Revenue and Customs use a number of channels to reach those who may be liable to pay HICBC to explain what they need to do to pay the charge, and when it is due.

The Government has no current plans to review HICBC thresholds but, as with all elements of tax policy, keeps these under review.

As part of the country’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 virus, the Government announced that childcare settings (including nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and wrap around childcare for school aged children)?would close to everyone except children of critical workers and vulnerable children. As childcare settings gradually re-open, parents currently on the childcare vouchers scheme will be able to use their vouchers as a valid form of payment for eligible childcare services. The childcare vouchers scheme remains closed to new entrants, so parents not currently in the scheme should register for its successor, Tax-Free Childcare.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available to individuals who are self-employed and who report their trading income through Income Tax Self-Assessment. Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim a CJRS grant for the hours not worked.

Firms may have access to a range of grants and loans depending on their circumstances, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme,?Bounce Back Loans,?and the deferral of tax payments.

HMRC will comply with their obligations under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to provide information relating to an identified natural person, including information relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, upon request. Subject Access Requests are processed on a case by case basis depending on the data requested and applying any relevant exemptions.

HMRC do not routinely issue employees with information about returns or claims made by their employers. Employees can report concerns to HMRC if they suspect their employer is abusing the scheme.

HMRC will comply with their obligations under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to provide information relating to an identified natural person, including information relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, upon request. Subject Access Requests are processed on a case by case basis depending on the data requested and applying any relevant exemptions.

HMRC do not routinely issue employees with information about returns or claims made by their employers. Employees can report concerns to HMRC if they suspect their employer is abusing the scheme.

HMRC will comply with their obligations under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to provide information relating to an identified natural person, including information relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, upon request. Subject Access Requests are processed on a case by case basis depending on the data requested and applying any relevant exemptions.

HMRC do not routinely issue employees with information about returns or claims made by their employers. Employees can report concerns to HMRC if they suspect their employer is abusing the scheme.

Applications for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opened on 13 May. By midnight 31 May 2020, HMRC had received 2.5m claims representing a total of £7.2bn claimed.

SEISS is a new scheme and HMRC are currently working through the analysis they will be able to provide based on the data available. HMRC will update in due course on the types of data available and timescales for publication.

It is not possible to answer the question in the required timeline. This is due to the way in which the data held by HMRC is structured as it relates to payments made to tronc schemes in terms of liability for Income Tax or National Insurance Contributions.

HMRC will not contact individual employees in respect of CJRS claims; if an individual employee has a query in respect of a claim, they should direct this query to their employer.

If an employee is concerned that their employer could be abusing the scheme, they should make a report using the Report Fraud to HMRC iForm on GOV.UK; a link to this iForm is included in the CJRS employee guidance on GOV.UK.

The Government expects the vast majority of employers to do the right thing, but HMRC reserve the right to follow up on claims and take whatever action is necessary if people abuse the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Fraudulent claims put at risk the provision of public services and the protection of livelihoods.

The CJRS is a reserved matter and the responsibility for compliance remains with HMRC.

The Government has engaged and is continuing to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Devolved Administrations, to inform the development and use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The total number of iForm submissions made to the tax fraud hotline on GOV.UK in each tax year, for the last 5 tax years (1 April to 31 March) were:

2019/20: 65,169

2018/19: 58,664

2017/18: 57,631

2016/17: 49,686

2015/16: 40,044

6,613 iForm submissions were made between 1 April to 12 May 2020. HM Revenue and Customs do not routinely produce estimates of the volume of expected allegations submitted through this reporting pathway.

The Government has published clear guidance for employers and employees, and has supported employers through the provision of webinars, and dedicated communications.

HMRC have provided a clear link for employees to report any suspicions about employers abusing the scheme (using the iForm on GOV.UK). Furthermore, the claims process for employers makes clear that grants need to be paid to the employee in full.

HMRC have included messaging about the proper use of funds paid under the scheme in their emails to agents (about 80,000) and employers (just over 2 million). HMRC have also included information in messaging that has gone out to key stakeholders, which include bodies representing a wide range of interests.

The Government keeps its communication strategy under regular review.

The Government has published clear guidance for employers and employees, and has supported employers through the provision of webinars, and dedicated communications.

HMRC have provided a clear link for employees to report any suspicions about employers abusing the scheme (using the iForm on GOV.UK). Furthermore, the claims process for employers makes clear that grants need to be paid to the employee in full.

HMRC have included messaging about the proper use of funds paid under the scheme in their emails to agents (about 80,000) and employers (just over 2 million). HMRC have also included information in messaging that has gone out to key stakeholders, which include bodies representing a wide range of interests.

The Government keeps its communication strategy under regular review.

The Government expects that the vast majority of employers will do the right thing, but HMRC reserve the right to follow up on claims and take whatever action is necessary if people abuse the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Fraudulent claims put at risk the provision of public services and the protection of livelihoods.

The Government has published clear guidance for employers and employees, and has supported employers through the provision of webinars, and dedicated communications.

HMRC have provided a clear link for employees to report any suspicions about employers abusing the scheme (using the iForm on GOV.UK). Furthermore, the claims process for employers makes clear that grants need to be paid to the employee in full.

HMRC have included messaging about the proper use of funds paid under the scheme in their emails to agents (about 80,000) and employers (just over 2 million). HMRC have also included relevant information in messaging to other key stakeholders.

The Government keeps its communication strategy under regular review.

HM Treasury’s Direction to HMRC under the Coronavirus Act 2020 in respect of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the guidance published in respect of the CJRS scheme, and the online portal through which claims are made, all make clear that any payments are for the purposes specified in paragraph 8.1 of the HM Treasury Direction and for no other purpose. The Direction and associated guidance also make clear that any money paid out under the scheme must be returned to HMRC if the claimant becomes unwilling or unable to use the payment for the specified purposes.

Those who submit claims to HMRC for payment under CJRS are required to state that any money paid by HMRC will be used for the specified purposes. Any claimant who states that the payment will be used for the proper purposes when this is not the case is likely to have committed a criminal offence.

In England and Wales, and in Northern Ireland, it is a crime of fraud, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, dishonestly to make a false representation with intent to make a gain. Those who dishonestly state in their claims to HMRC that any money they receive under CJRS will be used for the specified purposes, when this is not the case, are likely to have committed fraud. Those who encourage or assist the commission of a crime can also be found guilty of the offence. Those who aid and abet another’s crime can also be convicted.

In Scotland, those who engage in a false pretence with an intention to deceive HMRC will commit a common law fraud. Such a false pretence could include stating that the payment under CJRS will be used for the specified purposes when this is not the case. Those who act in concert with the perpetrator of such crimes can also be convicted and punished.

In all parts of the UK, where claimants obtain payments from HMRC through fraudulent claims to the CJRS scheme, any money obtained would be the proceeds of crime. Any dealing with this fraudulently obtained money could amount to the offence of money laundering, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The money laundering offences contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are punishable with a sentence of imprisonment of up to 14 years, a fine without limit, or both. Fraudulently obtained payments can also be recovered through the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act dealing with summary forfeiture of assets representing the proceeds of crime.

HMRC will subject CJRS claims to scrutiny and use their usual compliance tools to carry out proportionate risk-based compliance checks before and after payment to test the veracity of CJRS claims. HMRC will take robust steps to prevent fraudulent claims being paid, to recover any payments made to those who are not eligible, and to respond to those who make fraudulent claims. In doing so, HMRC aim to protect essential public services and the livelihoods at risk during these challenging times.

The Government expects that the vast majority of employers will do the right thing, but HMRC reserve the right to follow up on claims and take whatever action is necessary if people abuse the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Fraudulent claims risk the provision of public services and the protection of livelihoods.

The CJRS is a reserved matter and the responsibility for compliance remains with HMRC.

The Government is continuing to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including other departments and the Devolved Administrations, to inform the development and use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

As announced on 1 May 2020, to help investors withdraw funds from their Lifetime ISA during the COVID-19 pandemic the withdrawal charge has been temporarily reduced from 25% to 20%. The reduced withdrawal charge applies to all unauthorised withdrawals made in the period from Friday 6 March 2020 until Monday 5 April 2021. This means savers will get back all the money they originally put in, subject to any investment losses incurred on stocks and shares Lifetime ISAs. There is no withdrawal charge if it is made to buy a first home or the investor has a terminal illness.

Further information on the reduced charge is available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/lifetime-isa-withdrawal-charge-reduced-to-20

HMRC’s Real Time Information system can only be accessed by an employer or an agent authorised to act on an employers’ behalf.

HMRC are not be able to provide information about individual Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) applications to employees.

If an employee is concerned that their employer has not claimed on their behalf when entitled to do so, the employee should speak to their employer.

If an employee suspects that their employer is abusing the scheme, they should report them to HMRC using the iForm on GOV.UK.

The government has introduced an unprecedented package of measures to help individuals and businesses affected by the crisis, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, changes to Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay that make it quicker and easier to access support as well as more generous, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, a business rates holiday, grants to smaller businesses, and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans.

The government wishes to encourage pension saving. This is why, for the majority of savers, pension contributions are tax-free. This makes pensions tax relief one of the most expensive reliefs in the personal tax system. In 2017/18 income tax and employer National Insurance Contributions relief cost £54 billion.

The government therefore imposes a charge on early withdrawals, which can be from 40% to 55% depending on the circumstances, both to recoup its investment through tax relief and to provide individuals with a strong incentive to save through their pension for the long-term. There are no plans to change this aspect of tax policy.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have taken considerable steps to raise awareness of HICBC. HMRC wrote to about 800,000 families affected by the charge when it was launched, and ran a high profile advertising and media campaign in 2013. They also sent letters to two million higher rate tax payers in 2013, containing a prominent message about the charge.

The Government has made two recent changes to Child Benefit. The first is an uprating of Child Benefit payments from 6th April 2020 to a weekly rate of £21.05 for the first child and £13.95 for each additional child. The second enables people to claim Child Benefit during the COVID-19 outbreak, without registering the birth of a child.

These changes have been advertised on GOV.UK guidance pages, in a press notice, on HMRC social media channels and through stakeholder engagement; HM Revenue and Customs will continue to advertise the changes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) use a wide array of channels to reach those who may be liable to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge. This includes putting information about the charge in packs made available to new parents which tell them how to claim Child Benefit.

HMRC have also ramped up communications aimed at people whose financial circumstances have changed since they claimed Child Benefit by using social media, GOV.UK, and via third parties such as family websites.

The Government introduced the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) from January 2013 to ensure that support is targeted at those who need it most. It applies to anyone with an individual income over £50,000, who receives Child Benefit or whose partner receives it. The charge increases gradually for taxpayers with incomes between £50,000 and £60,000.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have taken considerable steps to raise awareness of HICBC. HMRC wrote to about 800,000 families affected by the charge when it was launched, and ran a high profile advertising and media campaign in 2013. HMRC also sent letters to two million higher rate tax payers in 2013, containing a prominent message about the charge.

HMRC use a wide array of channels to reach those who may be liable to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge. This includes putting information about the charge in packs made available to new parents which tell them how to claim Child Benefit. In addition, where HMRC hold all the relevant information, HMRC write to parents who may have become liable for HICBC, explaining what they need to do to pay the charge when it is due and avoid penalties.

Asylum seeker right to work is a complex issue. A review of the policy is ongoing, and we are considering the evidence put forward on the issue. The findings of the review will be announced once the work has been completed.

The Home Office has proactively established a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

To ensure spouses or partners applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020;
• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;
• a temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account;
• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

This also sets out the ways in which the minimum income requirement can be met using other sources of income instead of, or along with, income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Home Office has proactively established a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

To ensure spouses or partners applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020;
• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;
• a temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account;
• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

This also sets out the ways in which the minimum income requirement can be met using other sources of income instead of, or along with, income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Home Office has proactively established a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

To ensure spouses or partners applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020;
• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;
• a temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account;
• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

This also sets out the ways in which the minimum income requirement can be met using other sources of income instead of, or along with, income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Home Office has proactively established a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

To ensure spouses or partners applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020;
• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;
• a temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account;
• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

This also sets out the ways in which the minimum income requirement can be met using other sources of income instead of, or along with, income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Home Office has proactively established a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

To ensure spouses or partners applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020;
• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;
• a temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account;
• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

This also sets out the ways in which the minimum income requirement can be met using other sources of income instead of, or along with, income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the situation closely and may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

The minimum income requirement, which was set following advice from the Migration Advisory Committee, can be met in a number of ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

These are unprecedented times and we may make further temporary adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate to ensure people are not unduly affected by or penalised for circumstances beyond their control.

As part of UK Visa & Immigration’s ongoing operational forecasting activities we regularly review and refresh the number of applications we expect from all routes including non-EEA spouses and partners of UK Citizens.

The Home Office publishes data on decisions on applications for leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’ available on GOV.UK

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

These are unprecedented times and we may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate. We will ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

The Government set out its plans for the UK’s future points-based immigration system on 19 February.

As has been the case since 2008, the UK’s points-based immigration system will not offer a dedicated route for Au Pairs, but there are other immigration routes which will exist for people who may wish to take up these roles. For example, the UK operates youth mobility schemes with eight countries.