Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were employed in the agricultural sector in Wales in (1) 1991, (2) 2000, (3) 2010, and (4) 2019.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician
The Lord Roberts of Llandudno
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
05 February 2021
Dear Lord Roberts,
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people were employed in the agricultural sector in Wales in (1) 1991, (2) 2000, (3) 2010, and (4) 2019 (HL12843).
Agricultural employment estimates are produced using a combination of DEFRA surveys and Office for National Statistics (ONS) employment surveys. Employment estimates by year, industry and geographic location are available to download on the employment surveys datasets area of NOMIS[1].
Table 1 below shows agricultural employment in Wales in 1991, 2000, 2010 and 2019.
Table 1: Agricultural employment in Wales[2]
Year | All employees, thousands |
1991 [3] | 20,000 |
2000 [4] | 12,000 |
2010 [5] | 15,000 |
2019 4 | 14,000 |
Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
[1] https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/select/getdatasetbytheme.asp?opt=3&theme=&subgrp=
[2] Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand
[3] ONS source is the Annual Employment Survey
[4] ONS source is the Annual Business Inquiry
[5] ONS source is the Business Register Employment Survey
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the nomination process for the elections due to be held in May is not adversely affected by COVID-19 restrictions; and in particular, whether they intend (1) to change the number of signatures required per nominee, and (2) to allow such signatures to be sent electronically.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
We have received representations from Parliamentarians on this issue, and we are currently considering the matter.
We will keep Parliament updated on the election preparations, will engage with political parties and will publish detailed guidance in due course.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have made to mitigate any job losses following the end of the transition period for the UK's departure from the EU.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government believes that leaving the EU will lead to long-term benefits for the UK economy. Whilst many businesses would have been preparing for the end of the Transition Period since last year, we recognise the impact COVID-19 will have had on their ability to plan and prepare.
We have a number of support schemes available including loans, grants, income support schemes and tax deferrals to support businesses through this period. Details are available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likelihood of securing Parliamentary approval for government expenditure on a ceremony to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government was elected on a manifesto which made clear our plans to exit the EU, that the transition period will end on 31 December 2020, and that we will have recovered our economic and political independence.
Many millions of people welcome this outcome and will mark it in their own private ways. A ceremony is not appropriate at a time of COVID restrictions.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that local government elections are held in May 2021; and what social distancing measures they intend to put in place.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government is working with the electoral administrators and Public Health England to identify and resolve challenges involved in delivering the May 2021 elections, including ensuring polling stations are safe and covid-secure places to vote. People will be able participate in the polls safely, and in a way of their choice, whether by post, proxy or in-person.
This was outlined in the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution’s letter to Electoral Returning Officers, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-chloe-smith-mp-to-returning-officers
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis they are able to refuse consent for Scotland and Wales to hold referendums.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
For the devolved administrations to hold a referendum in relation to any reserved matter, an order under the Scotland Act 1998 or Government of Wales Act 2006, or Westminster primary legislation, would be required.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have in place to facilitate the postponement of (1) local, (2) mayoral, and (3) Police and Crime Commissioner, elections in May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government has been working closely with key electoral stakeholders, as well as Public Health England and representatives of political parties, regarding local and mayoral elections in England and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales in May 2021.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage young people to register to vote.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have the statutory responsibility for maintaining complete and accurate registers for their areas. The Government is committed to encouraging democratic engagement amongst all electors, including young people, and we want to build upon recent record levels of individuals registering to vote for elections. Our Register to Vote website is widely used by young people, with almost 8 million online applications submitted by 16-24 year olds since the service was introduced in 2014.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the (1) Scottish, and (2) Welsh, Government about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on any elections due to be held in May 2021.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government has been working closely with key electoral stakeholders, as well as Public Health England and representatives of political parties, regarding local and mayoral elections in England and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales in May 2021.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have in place to ensure that polling stations comply with COVID-19 safety measures.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government has been working closely with key electoral stakeholders, as well as Public Health England and representatives of political parties, regarding local and mayoral elections in England and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales in May 2021.