Lisa Forbes

Labour - Former Member for Peterborough

First elected: 6th June 2019


Lisa Forbes is not a member of any APPGs
Lisa Forbes has no previous appointments


Division Voting information

Lisa Forbes has voted in 38 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Lisa Forbes Division Votes

All Debates

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

Sparring Partners
Thérèse Coffey (Conservative)
(3 debate interactions)
Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat)
(2 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(1 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Work and Pensions
(2 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(1 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(1 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(1 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Lisa Forbes has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Lisa Forbes's debates

Peterborough Petitions

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

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

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

Lisa Forbes has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Lisa Forbes

15th October 2019
Lisa Forbes signed this EDM on Thursday 31st October 2019

Prison officer pension age

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House recognises the dangerous working conditions in the Prison Service; expresses concern at the increasing number of violent assaults on prison staff; believes that prison officers approaching the age of 70 should not be expected to deal with violent and dangerous criminals aged in their twenties, thirties and …
75 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 36
Scottish National Party: 19
Democratic Unionist Party: 8
Independent: 6
Conservative: 3
Plaid Cymru: 2
Liberal Democrat: 1
15th October 2019
Lisa Forbes signed this EDM on Thursday 24th October 2019

Intimidation in public life

Tabled by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Wirral South)
That this House recognises that intimidation experienced by those in public life poses a threat to the diversity, integrity, and vibrancy of representative democracy in the UK and that tackling intimidation is a cross-party issue; notes that abuse and intimidation know no political boundaries; welcomes the ongoing work on developing …
67 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Oct 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 42
Conservative: 9
Liberal Democrat: 5
Independent: 3
Scottish National Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Non-affiliated: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
Crossbench: 1
View All Lisa Forbes's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lisa Forbes, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Lisa Forbes has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Lisa Forbes has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Lisa Forbes has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lisa Forbes has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
24th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure blind and partially-sighted people are guaranteed privacy when they cast votes at elections.

All eligible voters should be able to cast their vote in secret and the Government through the Cabinet Office chaired Accessibility of Elections Working Group is working to make elections more accessible. This has included working in partnership with the RNIB and Electoral Commission to make improvements to training materials for polling station staff to provide better support to voters with sight loss.

The proposals announced as part of the package around the Queen’s Speech, will bring forward legislative measures that respond to issues raised in the Government’s response to the 2018 Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. This will include increasing the range of support available to voters with sight loss in polling stations, with a dedicated sub-group of the Accessibility of Elections Group Working researching potential solutions. Disabled people including those who are blind and partially sighted will also benefit from an increased range of support that can be provided at the polling station (such as carers).

22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2019 to Question 1123, what financial support is available for businesses in a position to take on former employees of Thomas Cook.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has convened a special cross-government taskforce alongside local stakeholders to support employees, local stakeholders and supply chains. The taskforce is considering support schemes available and will also monitor local business impacts.

Additionally, the Rapid Response Service is helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support, which may include:

  • Help with job searches, including CV writing and interview skills.
  • Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps, linked to the local labour market.
  • Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.
  • Help to overcome barriers to attending training, securing a job or self-employment, such as childcare costs, tools, work clothes and travel costs.

Local partners are able to advise on support available locally to former employees and businesses wishing to recruit them.

22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2019 to Question 1123, what additional public funding has been made available to support businesses in the Thomas Cook supply chain; and by what mechanism will that funding be allocated.

Local partners are able to advise on support available locally to businesses in the Thomas Cook supply chain.

The Business Secretary has convened a special cross-government taskforce alongside local stakeholders to support employees, local stakeholders and supply chains. The taskforce is considering existing support schemes available and will also monitor local business impacts.

Additionally, the Rapid Response Service is helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support, which may include:

  • Help with job searches, including CV writing and interview skills.
  • Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps, linked to the local labour market.
  • Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.
  • Help to overcome barriers to attending training, securing a job or self-employment, such as childcare costs, tools, work clothes and travel costs.

22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2019 to Question 740, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making additional funding available to the National Taskforce for Thomas Cook.

The National Taskforce for Thomas Cook will look to ensure existing mechanisms to offer support and associated governance are working effectively.

22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate has been made of the number of Thomas Cook employees who were based at the company's headquarters in Peterborough.

The Official Receiver’s Special Managers advise that 1,143 staff were based at the Thomas Cook headquarters in Peterborough.

The National Taskforce for Thomas Cook will look to ensure existing mechanisms to offer support and associated governance are working effectively.

Additionally, the Rapid Response Service is helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support, which may include:

  • Help with job searches, including CV writing and interview skills.
  • Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps, linked to the local labour market.
  • Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.
  • Help to overcome barriers to attending training, securing a job or self-employment, such as childcare costs, tools, work clothes and travel costs.
22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2019 to Question 737, how many of the (a) 7,186 and (b) 462 former Thomas Cook employees who specifically stated in their claim that Peterborough was their place of work have received redundancy payments to date.

Three thousand of the 9,000 staff employed by Thomas Cook were retained after the commencement of the liquidation to assist repatriation work and the liquidation process. This included many at the HQ in Peterborough responsible for areas such as payroll.

As a result, a number of the Peterborough claims are from employees made redundant in the last week following the end of the repatriation exercise and are therefore currently still being assessed and processed for payment. Administering redundancy payments is an ongoing process as claims are verified and further payroll information is received. The Redundancy Payments Service will process outstanding payments as quickly as possible.

As of 29 October 2019, of the 7,627 former Thomas Cook employees who have submitted claims to the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service, 7,483 have received one or more payment. Of the 587 former Thomas Cook employees who specifically state in their claim that Peterborough was their place of work, 555 have received one or more payment.

21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a business growth zone for Peterborough following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Government is supporting businesses in Peterborough by continuing to invest in the Signpost 2 Grow Growth Hub run by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The Growth Hub is available to help support business growth through signposting and referring to existing business support provision and to identify gaps in provision and source suitable alternatives whether free, subsidised or commercially available.

Signpost 2 Grow is a part of the network of 38 Growth Hubs that are local public/private sector partnerships led by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). They join up national and local business support, so it is easy for businesses to find the help they need.

21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2019 to Question 374, how much funding from the public purse Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority received from the package of support following the collapse of Thomas Cook; and what funding the Government is providing to support (a) former employees with re-employment and (b) businesses to take on redundant employees of that company.

The National Taskforce for Thomas Cook will look to ensure existing mechanisms to offer support and associated governance are working effectively.

Additionally, the Rapid Response Service is helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support, which includes:

  • Help with job searches, including CV writing and interview skills.
  • Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps, linked to the local labour market.
  • Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.
  • Help to overcome barriers to attending training, securing a job or self-employment, such as childcare costs, tools, work clothes and travel costs.
21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2019 to Question 373, how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to the SSI Taskforce to date.

Recognising the unique requirements of certifying existing skills and retraining in the steel and heavy manufacturing sector, and the economic vulnerability of the area around the Redcar steelworks, around £53 million has been provided to support schemes identified by the SSI Task Force to support impacted workers.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the number of the Thomas Cook employees who have been made redundant in each region of the UK.

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

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will provide former employees of Thomas Cook with (a) retraining opportunities and (b) loans to start new businesses.

The Business Secretary has convened a special cross-government taskforce alongside local stakeholders to support employees, local stakeholders and supply chains. The taskforce is considering existing support schemes available and will also monitor local business impacts.

The Rapid Response Service is already helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support. This includes training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.

The Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has developed a package of support for those affected locally which includes a dedicated advice service. This will support former employees with re-employment or with advice on starting a business of their own, and support businesses in a position to take on redundant employees. It will also provide advice and funding for businesses affected in the supply chain.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will take steps to help ensure that the site of the former Thomas Cook headquarters in Peterborough is used to generate future employment.

Local partners, including Opportunity Peterborough and Peterborough City Council, are exploring how best to create future employment at the former Peterborough HQ site and secure future investment into the City, working with the Thomas Cook Trust Fund and local and national property agents.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will make new capital grant funding available to businesses in Peterborough to generate jobs after the collapse of Thomas Cook.

The National Taskforce for Thomas Cook aims to ensure support for employees and for the local economies most affected by the liquidation.

The Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has developed a package of support for those affected locally which includes a dedicated advice service. This will support former employees with re-employment or with advice on starting a business of their own, and support businesses in a position to take on redundant employees. It will also provide advice and funding for businesses affected in the supply chain.

15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support she plans to provide to businesses in Peterborough that were in the supply chain for Thomas Cook.

The Business Secretary has convened a special cross-government taskforce alongside local stakeholders to support employees, local stakeholders and supply chains. The taskforce is considering existing support schemes available and will monitor local business impacts.

The Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has developed a package of support for those affected locally which includes a dedicated advice service. This will support former employees with re-employment or with advice on starting a business of their own, and support businesses in a position to take on redundant employees.

15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what future meetings are planned of the National Taskforce for Thomas Cook; and what funding will be allocated to that task force from the public purse.

The fourth meeting of the National Taskforce for Thomas Cook will be held on 23 October 2019. The taskforce aims to ensure existing mechanisms offer support for employees and for the local economies most affected by the liquidation of Thomas Cook.

15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many requests the Insolvency Service has received for redundancy payments from Thomas Cook employees; and how many of those request were from head office employees.

The Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service has received claims from 7,186 former Thomas Cook employees. 462 of these have specifically stated in their claim that Peterborough was their place of work, though it is not mandatory to do so.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to the SSI Task Force since the closure of SSI by programme; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the SSI Task Force in supporting (a) former employees and (b) the economy in the Tees Valley area following the collapse of SSI.

The SSI Task Force was set up in 2015 to support impacted workers after the liquidation of the company. We are working with the Task Force and Tees Valley Combined Authority on an evaluation of the economic impact on both affected workers and the local economy. This will be published shortly. Progress reports for the Task Force are available at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/SSITaskForce.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will request that the liquidator of Thomas Cook does not contest protective award claims from employees of the company.

The Official Receiver was appointed as liquidator of the Thomas Cook group of companies by the court and, as liquidator, the Official Receiver acts as an officer of the court. It will be for the Official Receiver to determine his response to any claims for protective awards from former employees made to an Employment Tribunal, taking account of the particular circumstances of the claims.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the SSI Taskforce established following the closure of SSI, if she will establish (a) a safety net fund for areas where large numbers of Thomas Cook employees are being made redundant and (b) a business growth zone for Peterborough following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Established in 2015, the SSI Taskforce has been responsible for delivering a range of support initiatives following the closure of the SSI steelworks in Redcar. The National Taskforce for Thomas Cook is bringing together key partners to support former employees in all parts of the UK, with regional focus at Manchester and Peterborough where many employees were based.

The Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has developed a package of support for those affected locally which includes a dedicated advice service. This will support former employees with re-employment or with advice on starting a business of their own, and support businesses in a position to take on redundant employees.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations she has received from Peterborough City Council for financial support following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

The Business Board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has developed a package of support for those affected locally which includes a dedicated advice service. This will support former employees with re-employment or with advice on starting a business of their own, and support businesses in a position to take on redundant employees.

29th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2019 to Question 280408 on Schools: Uniforms, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance on school uniforms under (a) section 88 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and (b) section 175 of the Education Act 2002.

This Government has announced its plan to put the school uniform guidance on a statutory footing.

23rd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2019 to Question 378, what estimate he has made of the number of apprentices employed by Thomas Cook, and how many of those apprentices were based at the company's headquarters in Peterborough.

We currently estimate that the collapse of Thomas Cook has affected 158 apprentices of which 49 are based in the Thomas Cook head office in Peterborough. The remainder are based across the country, including 62 who are on travel consultant apprenticeships in their stores.

Hays Travel have bought all 555 Thomas Cook stores across the UK, safeguarding up to 2500 jobs, including those of apprentices. We are liaising with Hays Travel to ensure a smooth transfer for the apprentices affected.

We have established a dedicated mailbox for individual enquiries from Thomas Cook apprentices. Ongoing support is also available through the National Careers Service, who will provide information, advice and guidance on learning, training and work.

Although there are no plans to make additional funding available specifically for the re-training of Thomas Cook employees, we are working to ensure that apprenticeship funding is available to support those affected.

The availability of apprenticeship opportunities is determined by employers. A number of other employers in the sector, and in related areas, have offered job opportunities to affected apprentices and we will work with these employers to ensure that all apprentices are supported to complete their apprenticeship.

Cambridge and Peterborough are one of 6 Mayoral Combined Authorities where the Adult Education Budget has been devolved. This will assist them in directly supporting adults in developing their skills, reducing skills shortages, boosting productivity and economic prosperity and improving wellbeing in their community.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
23rd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2019 to Question 378 on Apprentices and Training: Peterborough, what additional funding he plans to allocate to offer re-training opportunities for former Thomas Cook headquarters employees.

We currently estimate that the collapse of Thomas Cook has affected 158 apprentices of which 49 are based in the Thomas Cook head office in Peterborough. The remainder are based across the country, including 62 who are on travel consultant apprenticeships in their stores.

Hays Travel have bought all 555 Thomas Cook stores across the UK, safeguarding up to 2500 jobs, including those of apprentices. We are liaising with Hays Travel to ensure a smooth transfer for the apprentices affected.

We have established a dedicated mailbox for individual enquiries from Thomas Cook apprentices. Ongoing support is also available through the National Careers Service, who will provide information, advice and guidance on learning, training and work.

Although there are no plans to make additional funding available specifically for the re-training of Thomas Cook employees, we are working to ensure that apprenticeship funding is available to support those affected.

The availability of apprenticeship opportunities is determined by employers. A number of other employers in the sector, and in related areas, have offered job opportunities to affected apprentices and we will work with these employers to ensure that all apprentices are supported to complete their apprenticeship.

Cambridge and Peterborough are one of 6 Mayoral Combined Authorities where the Adult Education Budget has been devolved. This will assist them in directly supporting adults in developing their skills, reducing skills shortages, boosting productivity and economic prosperity and improving wellbeing in their community.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
17th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated to the Maintained Nursery School budget for the financial year 2020-21.

The Government recognises that maintained nursery schools are an important part of the early years sector and provide valuable services to disadvantaged children.

The Government plans to spend £3.6 billion to support early education in the financial year 2020-21 and details of how this is to be distributed across local authorities will be issued shortly.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the availability of (a) apprenticeships and (b) re-training opportunities in Peterborough for former staff of Thomas Cook's headquarters.

We are working to ensure that Thomas Cook apprentices who have been affected are supported to complete their apprenticeship. Apprentices who were previously at Thomas Cook and have any queries relating to their apprenticeship can email a dedicated enquiry mailbox: ThomasCook.QUERIES@education.gov.uk.

The Education Skills and Funding Agency is in touch with all the training providers who are supporting the apprentices across the country, including those in Peterborough, and we will continue to liaise with them on this matter. A number of employers in the sector and in related areas have already stepped forward to offer job opportunities to apprentices, including Hayes Travel that has bought the 555 Thomas Cook shops which will safeguard up to 2,500 jobs.

The National Careers Service will provide information, advice and guidance to help all former Thomas Cook staff with decisions on learning, training and work: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
19th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 12 July 2019 to Question 273502 on Schools: Uniforms, what the timeframe is to bring forward legislative proposals on guidance for school uniform policies.

The Department intends to put the school uniform guidance on a statutory footing when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

16th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2019 to Question 273502, whether primary legislation is required to place his Department's guidance on school uniforms onto a statutory footing.

Statutory guidance cannot be issued without the legislative powers to do so.

5th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the amount of pupil premium funding provided to schools in (a) Cambridgeshire (b) the Peterborough constituency in each year since 2011.

Pupil Premium allocations are published annually on GOV.UK. The figures are available through the links below, for each financial year since 2011.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2011-12:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123124929/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/settlement2012pupilpremium/a0075963/pupil-premium-2011-12.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2012-13:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-funding-tables-2012-to-2013.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2013-14:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-2013-to-2014-final-allocation-tables.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2014-15:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-2014-to-2015-final-allocations.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2015-16:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-2015-to-2016-allocations.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2016-17:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-conditions-of-grant-2016-to-2017.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2017-18:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-conditions-of-grant-2017-to-2018.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2018-19:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-conditions-of-grant-2018-to-2019.

This link shows Pupil Premium allocations for 2019-20:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2019-to-2020.

4th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of A better deal: boosting competition to bring down bills for families and firms, November 2015, Cm 9164, in relation to school uniforms.

It is for the governing body of a school (or an academy trust, in the case of academies) to decide rules relating to appearance including whether there should be a school uniform, what it will be and how it is sourced.

The Department has issued best practice guidance on school uniform, which emphasises the need for schools to give highest priority to cost considerations. The guidance sets out that no school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to, or attend, a school of their choice, due to the cost of the uniform. The Department’s guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform.

4th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the availability of school uniform grants in each local authority in England.

The information requested is not held centrally as the Department does not collect figures on the number of local authorities that offer uniform grants. In England, some local authorities provide discretionary grants to help with buying school uniforms. Local authorities that offer these grants set their own criteria for eligibility.

Schools may also offer individual clothing schemes, such as offering second-hand uniform at reduced prices. This would be a decision for the school to make.

The Department’s non-statutory guidance on school uniform places extra emphasis on the need for schools to give highest priority to cost considerations. No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to, or attend, a school of their choice, due to the cost of the uniform.

The Department’s guidance on school uniform is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform.

4th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is his policy on placing his Department’s guidance on school uniform on a statutory footing.

The Department intends to put the school uniform guidance on a statutory footing when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

The Department’s guidance on school uniform is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department can provide to help doctors access medicines in Kashmir.

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

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding from the public purse she is allocating to provide former employees of Thomas Cook with immediate financial assistance.

The information is not available.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2019 to Question 375 on Thomas Cook: Insolvency, how many permanent staff are based at Peterborough Jobcentre; and how many staff from neighbouring offices are working from Peterborough Jobcentre on a temporary basis to meet any increased demand on services since the collapse of Thomas Cook.

There are 91 permanent staff based at Peterborough Jobcentre. The office received the help of 6 additional staff from around the District and neighbouring offices to meet increased demand. All but one returned to their offices last week. There is one person remaining who will return to their home department this week. In addition, overtime was granted to provide extra capacity to meet the demand from and provide support to former Thomas Cook employees.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received from Peterborough City Council for financial support for local welfare services following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

We are working closely with Peterborough City Council through Opportunity Peterborough to deliver the support required. Our local team in Peterborough are monitoring all new claims to benefits to identify where the claimant is a former employee of Thomas Cook so that they quickly receive the right level of support.

The Department is offering a range of support to anyone affected by the closure of Thomas Cook, through our Rapid Response Service and wider DWP services. For example, a local provider is offering a series of workshops for former Thomas Cook employees to explain the support available to help them find a job. We are working with a wide range of employers to provide support to former employees of Thomas Cook.

Our team in Peterborough have provided staff to support with the organisation and delivery of two local jobs fairs, arranged by Thomas Cook and Opportunity Peterborough (part of Peterborough City Council). The Thomas Cook event was attended by around 850 former employees and over 100 former employees visited the DWP stand at the Opportunity Peterborough event.

As current resources are adequate for the need to be met there has been no request made by Peterborough City Council or by the Department for additional financial support.

We continue to work with Peterborough City Council to monitor the situation and consider further support as required.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 1 October to Question 290912, which of the 100 employers her Department is working with to find jobs for former Thomas Cook employees are operating in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridgeshire; what specific support the rapid response service is providing in Peterborough following the collapse of Thomas Cook; and what financial support her Department has provided for jobs fairs in Peterborough.

Our local team in Peterborough are monitoring all new claims to benefits to identify where the claimant is a former employee of Thomas Cook so that they quickly receive the right level of support. We estimate that as of 15th October, 159 former Thomas Cook employees have visited Peterborough Jobcentre, of which 120 have made a claim to benefits and 39 have made a general enquiry about the support available. Additional staff from neighbouring offices are working from Peterborough Jobcentre on a temporary basis to meet any increased demand on our services.

We are working with a wide range of employers to provide support to former employees of Thomas Cook. As they are part of our national portfolio we do not readily hold details on those that are operating in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and to provide this information would incur disproportionate cost. The Department is offering a range of support to anyone affected by the closure of Thomas Cook, through our Rapid Response Service and wider DWP services. For example, a local provider is offering a series of workshops for former Thomas Cook employees to explain the range of support available to help them find a job.

Rather than providing direct financial support, our team in Peterborough have provided staff to support with the organisation and delivery of two local jobs fairs, arranged by Thomas Cook and Opportunity Peterborough. The Thomas Cook event was attended by around 850 former employees and over 100 former employees visited the DWP stand at the Opportunity Peterborough event.

Please note that the data supplied are derived from unpublished management information which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employees of Thomas Cook have received assistance from JobCentre Plus in Peterborough following the collapse of that company; and what support her Department is providing for that JobCentre to deal with additional workload following the collapse of that company.

Our local team in Peterborough are monitoring all new claims to benefits to identify where the claimant is a former employee of Thomas Cook so that they quickly receive the right level of support. We estimate that as of 15th October, 159 former Thomas Cook employees have visited Peterborough Jobcentre, of which 120 have made a claim to benefits and 39 have made a general enquiry about the support available. Additional staff from neighbouring offices are working from Peterborough Jobcentre on a temporary basis to meet any increased demand on our services.

We are working with a wide range of employers to provide support to former employees of Thomas Cook. As they are part of our national portfolio we do not readily hold details on those that are operating in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and to provide this information would incur disproportionate cost. The Department is offering a range of support to anyone affected by the closure of Thomas Cook, through our Rapid Response Service and wider DWP services. For example, a local provider is offering a series of workshops for former Thomas Cook employees to explain the range of support available to help them find a job.

Rather than providing direct financial support, our team in Peterborough have provided staff to support with the organisation and delivery of two local jobs fairs, arranged by Thomas Cook and Opportunity Peterborough. The Thomas Cook event was attended by around 850 former employees and over 100 former employees visited the DWP stand at the Opportunity Peterborough event.

Please note that the data supplied are derived from unpublished management information which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure equity of access to IVF treatment across (a) clinical commissioning group areas and (b) post codes.

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

29th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure Parkinson's disease patients receive medication on time while in hospital.

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

25th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support areas at high risk of tuberculosis.

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

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
16th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with eating disorders receive treatment based on their mental state.

All patients should receive necessary treatment appropriate to their individual circumstances.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines suggest that eating disorder specialists and other healthcare teams should collaborate to support effective treatment of physical or mental health comorbidities in people with an eating disorder.

When collaborating, teams should use outcome measures for both the eating disorder and the physical and mental health comorbidities, to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for each condition and the potential impact they have on each other.

16th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure funding for Clinical Commissioning Groups is equitable and protects patient outcomes.

The allocation of funding to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to support them in commissioning services for their local population is one of the key duties of NHS England. The approach NHS England must take in setting allocations is outlined in the mandate from the Department which says:

“The Government expects the principle of ensuring equal access for equal need to be at the heart of NHS England’s approach to allocating budgets.”

The approach is also informed by NHS England’s duty to reduce inequalities to accessing services and the outcomes of care.

These two aims are reflected in the target formula, which produces a target allocation or ‘fair share’ for each area, based on a complex assessment of factors such as demography, morbidity, deprivation, and the unavoidable cost of providing services in different areas. The NHS England Board has agreed a pace of change policy that seeks to bring all CCGs to target funding over time.

The formula is based on independent academic research and is overseen by an independent external group, the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, which provides advice to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Chief Executive of NHS England.

4th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure people have access to dental care in the area they live.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in England has access to primary care dental services.

NHS England is responsible and has a duty to commission primary care dental services to meet local need and, ensuring where there are shortages these are addressed.

21st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help resolve the situation in the Kurdish controlled territory of northern Syria arising from Turkish military action in that area.

​The UK has taken bilateral and multilateral action to end the Turkish military incursion into north-east Syria. The Prime Minister spoke to President Erdogan on 12 and 20 October and the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have also spoken to their Turkish counterparts. We and our European Union partners have issued statements condemning the Turkish military operation and we have also, with European partners, raised this issue at the UN Security Council.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
21st Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the (a) employment prospects and (b) financial security of former staff of the HMRC office in Peterborough of the closure of that office.

HMRC’s office in Peterborough (Churchgate) is scheduled to close in December 2020 with staff moving where possible to the Stratford Regional Centre, or to Croydon or Nottingham if these are more suitable options. One-to-one meetings between staff and managers to discuss personal circumstances and support packages tailored to individual needs are scheduled to start in November 2019. The precise impact of the office closure will not be known until these meetings have been completed.

HMRC will support people who are unable to move to work through all possible options, including helping them to find another role and offering advice and training on applying for jobs. HMRC have a close working relationship with the other government departments in Peterborough and will continue to scope opportunities for their staff as they arise.

HMRC are committed to supporting their people and in July 2019 HMRC published a People and Equality Impact Assessment, which is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf. The document sets out the actions HMRC are taking across the UK to minimise the impacts on their people.

22nd Jul 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure banks are able to effectively tackle cybercrime.

The Government is determined to protect consumers and further improve the resilience of the finance sector.

The Financial Authorities (HM Treasury, the Bank of England, Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Financial Conduct Authority) work together to assess, test and improve the operational resilience, including cyber resilience, of the finance sector.

The finance sector also benefits from a dedicated team within the National Cyber Security Centre, who work closely with industry, the Financial Authorities, and the National Crime Agency to protect firms and provide support during incidents.

In July 2018, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority published a joint Discussion Paper on an approach to improve the operational resilience, including cyber resilience, of firms and financial market infrastructures.

It has also been made easier for customers to report fraud or cybercrime to law enforcement. Action Fraud is the UK’s reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, providing a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office