Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues and with veterans' charities to improve care pathways for veterans with complex rehabilitation needs.
Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
Veterans in England are able to receive specialised treatment on the NHS via the Veterans’ Trauma Network for physical health conditions, and Op COURAGE for mental health support. The Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Framework (IPC4V) also offers a personalised care approach for the small number of Armed Forces personnel who have complex and enduring physical, neurological and mental health conditions that are attributable to injury whilst in Service. We will continue to work with colleagues across government, and the charity sector, to ensure that veterans are able to access the best healthcare possible, including via the commitments made in the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether covid-19 social distancing restrictions will remain in place for weddings after 21 June 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Government announced a four-week pause at Step 3 of the roadmap following an assessment of the data against the four tests.
After carefully considering the potential impacts, on 14 June the Government announced that there will no longer be a maximum number cap for attendees at wedding and civil partnerships, and receptions set out in law. From 21 June, the number of attendees at weddings, civil partnerships and receptions will be determined by how many people the venue or space can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place.
The changes allow people to celebrate their union with their families and loved ones, and aligns the wedding sector with the way most other COVID Secure venues operate - such as restaurants and pubs - where social distancing determines a venue’s capacity. Additionally, changes also bring commemorative events, such as wakes, in line with existing rules on funerals so people can say goodbye to those they have lost.
This change does not enable a wedding of any size to take place. To manage the risks around the virus the exact number of attendees will be based on the COVID-19 risk assessment of each venue or outdoor space, and measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
At Step 3, social distancing and COVID-secure rules apply to all businesses, venues and workplaces. While we feel it is safe to make some easements, we have not made the decision to move to Step 4. We will only lift remaining restrictions on weddings, civil partnerships and commemorative events when the decision is taken to move to the next stage of the roadmap. We know this pause will be disappointing to many people, including those planning weddings and other events, but we hope that these cautious changes will enable some more people to attend these special events.
We have published extensive guidance on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations on GOV.UK, which can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-wedding-and-civil-partnership-ceremonies-receptions-and-celebrations
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government will publish updated guidance on any covid-19 restrictions on weddings taking place after 21 June 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
We recognise that any restrictions on weddings may be disappointing for those planning such events. We do not wish to keep restrictions in place for any longer than we have to.
At Step 4, which will take place no earlier than 21 June, the Government aims to remove all restrictions on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions.
The decision on whether to proceed to Step 4 will be taken a week in advance of 21 June in order to take into account the latest data. Guidance will then be updated as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the protection and prioritisation of disabled veterans' employment.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Veterans offer a vast range of skills and talent to civilian employers and the Government recognises that having a job is one of the key foundations for those leaving the Armed Forces to transition into civilian life. This is why the Government has made it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service and introduced a National Insurance tax break for their employers.
Veterans, including those with disabilities, requiring specialist employment support to find work can benefit from early voluntary entry to the Department for Work and Pensions’ Work and Health Programme and in due course we look forward to the publication of the National Disability Strategy which will set out further support for people, including veterans, with disabilities, building on the existing protections and opportunities they enjoy today.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that a UK trade deal with the (a) US and (b) EU will be compliant with the (i) UK's climate action commitments and (ii) UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK is committed to using its free trade agreements to support our climate commitments, such as net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and promote sustainable development, as our published UK objectives for negotiations with the EU and US make clear.
In both agreements, the UK is seeking provisions that support and help further the Government’s climate ambition.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure that all key information and communications on covid-19 are (a) accessible to disabled people and (b) available in a range of formats.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Accessibility of public information on Covid-19 is a high priority for the Government. We have worked to ensure that key health advice like detailed social distancing guidance is available in alternative formats including large print, British Sign Language, braille in English and Welsh and audio description.
We ensure that we publish guidance on how to access a range of formats on our website through the gov.uk accessibility statement. We are continually reviewing our communications to ensure they are as accessible as possible.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to put permanent support arrangements in place to enable disabled people, who require reasonable adjustments, to stand in all Local, National and Police Crime Commissioner Elections.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
It is the Government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. While financial support for candidates in elections is also a matter for political parties, the Government is considering what support it might provide to succeed the current EnAble fund. We are considering options in connection with the National Strategy for Disabled People, which is due to be published in 2020.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of employment of women with young children since 2015.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data his Department holds on trends in the level of (a) political participation and (b) civic engagement by disabled people.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government does not collect data on levels of political participation and civic engagement in relation to disabled people or any other group.
In December 2017, the Government published its Democratic Engagement Plan which set out our strategy to promote democratic participation amongst all groups, including disabled people. This included plans for National Democracy Week, which took place in July this year and included activities and events run by our partners from a number of civil society organisations, such as RNIB, Mencap and Scope.
On 30 August 2018, the Government published the response to its Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. This includes actions to address barriers and further support disabled people to participate in elections. The Cabinet Office is also leading further work to make the electoral registration and elections systems more accessible to people with disabilities. This includes the development of an easy read guide which sits on the Register to Vote Website and provides support on the online application process.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with Sir John Chilcot on the publication date of the Iraq Inquiry.
Answered by Oliver Letwin
None.