Matthew Offord

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

The resilience of our Supply Chains is a key priority for the Government. We have already put in place a raft of measures to deal with the extraordinary set of circumstances brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding.

These include:

• increasing HGV testing capacity by 90% to help get new drivers into the sector quickly;

• extending cabotage rights;

• making available bootcamp places to train up to 5,000 HGV drivers, and

• making available temporary visas for poultry workers and butchers.

In October, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis to advise HM Government on supply chains and to identify both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes. He has spoken with over 100 businesses from across 14 sectors since his appointment. In order that we can continue to monitor supply chain risks and coordinate work across government, we have also established a new Supply Chains Unit within the Cabinet Office.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

This year, the Government has put in place a new procurement policy which underlines the UK’s global leadership in tackling climate change.

Prospective suppliers bidding for contracts above £5million a year must now have committed to the government’s target of net zero by 2050 and have published a carbon reduction plan. Firms which fail to do so may be deselected from the procurement.

This policy supports the Government’s plan to build back greener, by ensuring that potential government suppliers publish plans to reduce carbon emissions across their operations in order to bid for major government contracts.

In addition, ‘Fighting Climate Change’ is one of the priority themes of the government’s Social Value Model, launched earlier this year. This enables departments to take environmental considerations, such as a reduction in carbon emissions, into account in the award of government contracts, where relevant.

The Government Analysis Function, led by the National Statistician, is developing the Government Analysis Functional Standard. This sets expectations of analysis as a collaborative activity, with analysts working in partnership with policy makers and wider professions to support well informed decision making and the development and delivery of policy.

Through its functions and professions, the Civil Service is improving its ability to advise ministers using data through a number of work streams including developing the Government Analysis Functional Standard and ensuring policy professionals use data at all stages of decision making.

Government has committed to ensuring that assistance is always available for those who need it. Departments are required by the Service Standard to provide support via alternative channels for their services, where it is required, and the Central Digital and Data Office assures this via a service assessment process.

Headline Civil Service employment figures, on both a headcount and full-time equivalent basis, are published as part of Public Sector Employment Statistics by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) each quarter. The latest dataset, containing the Civil Service headcount time series back to 1999, is available from the ONS website at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/publicsectoremploymentreferencetable

The Cabinet Office does not capture non-departmental public body performance reporting centrally, this is the responsibility of the public body’s sponsoring department.

A non-departmental public body is required to submit to their sponsoring department, on an annual basis, an annual report and audited accounts prepared in accordance with the relevant statutes and guidelines. The annual report and accounts provide the sponsoring department with the financial and non-financial performance of the non-departmental public body. In addition, they will state if the non-departmental public body has met key performance indicators as set out in their business and corporate plans. The report and accounts are laid in Parliament and, where commercially possible, made available on the non-departmental public body’s website

The names of those who have had honours revoked are usually published in the London Gazette and can be found at: https://www.thegazette.co.uk. Any exceptions to this reflect broader duty of care considerations.

The reasoning behind individual forfeiture decisions is not published and we do not comment on individual cases. Honours are forfeited where there is clear evidence of action or inaction that is not in keeping with the values of the honours system, that could bring it into disrepute.

We have increased transparency in the forfeiture system, including making more information about the process available publicly, increasing engagement with complainants and appointing independent members to the Committee.

The names of those who have had honours revoked are usually published in the London Gazette and can be found at: https://www.thegazette.co.uk. Any exceptions to this reflect broader duty of care considerations.

The reasoning behind individual forfeiture decisions is not published and we do not comment on individual cases. Honours are forfeited where there is clear evidence of action or inaction that is not in keeping with the values of the honours system, that could bring it into disrepute.

We have increased transparency in the forfeiture system, including making more information about the process available publicly, increasing engagement with complainants and appointing independent members to the Committee.

Primary legislation states that the elections will go ahead in May 2021.

We continue to work closely with the electoral community, including electoral suppliers, and public health bodies to resolve challenges and ensure everyone will be able to cast their vote safely and securely - and in a way of their choosing.

Measures are planned to support absent voting at short notice. Guidance will be published in good time ahead of the polls and this matter will be kept under review. The House will be kept updated.

The Government has also engaged with the Parliamentary Parties Panel to ensure that views from political parties are taken on board.

The UK Government is of the view that it would not be appropriate to impose an all-postal vote for the local and mayoral elections in England, and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, in May 2021. All-postal voting increases fraud risks, and removes choice from voters who wish to cast their vote in person.

Postal voting on demand already allows any registered elector to vote by post.

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 work is outlined in my recent letter to Electoral Returning Officers, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-chloe-smith-mp-to-returning-officers.

I apologise for the delay in answering this question. The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (as amended by the Health Protection Act 2008), (b) Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 and (c) Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 enable the UK Government and devolved administrations to take a flexible approach according to the data in different parts of the UK. Public health is devolved and different underpinning legislation is required to enable interventions in different parts of the UK - even where those interventions may be similar. We will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations on the substance of our response.

Effective consultation exercises can contribute to better policy making, to improved delivery of public services and to Government accountability.

There is a risk that orchestrated campaigns or pressure groups could unduly influence policy making and departments ought to be aware of this when analysing consultation responses. The Cabinet Office is responsible for the Government Consultation Principles, which provide departments with guidance on conducting consultations. Analysing consultation responses is primarily a qualitative rather than a quantitative exercise, and departments will consider a range of factors in reaching policy decisions following a consultation exercise.

Last week the UK and EU engaged in a full and constructive negotiating round, via videoconference. A Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS209) made on Tuesday 28 April 2020 provides full details.

Given the independent nature of the Boundary Commissions, the Government has not issued guidance to either the Electoral Commission or to the Boundary Commissions in respect of the conduct of boundary reviews.

Boundary reviews have always been based on the number of registered electors. The 2018 Boundary Review was conducted by the four independent Boundary Commissions in accordance with the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 which provides for boundary reviews and their recommendations to be based on the number of registered electors.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

The United Kingdom has left the European Union. At the end of this year we will have recovered our economic and political independence. This means that there will be no alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

We will have control of our own trade; we will control our own migration policy through an Australian style points-based system; our own laws and courts will be supreme within the UK; we will regain control of UK fishing waters; our farmers will be free from the bureaucratic CAP; and we will have the power to set our taxes. These matters will be debated and decided by the people’s representatives in Parliament and the devolved administrations.

The Government is committed to facilitating the scrutiny of EU decisions through the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the Lords EU Committee during the transition period.

In addition, section 13A of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (inserted by section 29 of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) provides that if the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee or the Lords EU Committee publishes a report which states that EU legislation, including Council Decisions, made during the transition period raises a matter of vital national interest, a Minister must make arrangements for a debate in the relevant House within 14 sitting days.

By the end of the year, we will be a fully independent and sovereign country: this means that there will be no alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

The Conservative Government committed, in its 2019 Manifesto, to delivering updated and equal UK Parliamentary boundaries with the essential aim of making sure that every vote counts the same - a cornerstone of democracy.

In the written statement of 24 March, ‘Update: Strengthening Democracy’ (HCWS183), the Government set out its policy position in relation to the boundaries of UK Parliamentary constituencies. The statement noted that legislation currently provides that, on implementation of the 2018 Boundary Review recommendations, the number of constituencies in the UK shall be 600, and that the Government is instead minded to make provision for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650. This is a change in policy from the position previously legislated for under the Coalition Government. Since that policy was established in the Coalition Agreement, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. The UK Parliament will have a greater workload now we are taking back control, abolishing MEPs and regaining our political and economic independence. It is therefore sensible for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650.

The written statement explained that, when Parliamentary time allows, the Government is minded to bring forward primary legislation to set the framework for future boundary reviews, including the next review due to begin in early 2021.

The Conservative Government committed, in its 2019 Manifesto, to delivering updated and equal UK Parliamentary boundaries with the essential aim of making sure that every vote counts the same - a cornerstone of democracy.

In the written statement of 24 March, ‘Update: Strengthening Democracy’ (HCWS183), the Government set out its policy position in relation to the boundaries of UK Parliamentary constituencies. The statement noted that legislation currently provides that, on implementation of the 2018 Boundary Review recommendations, the number of constituencies in the UK shall be 600, and that the Government is instead minded to make provision for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650. This is a change in policy from the position previously legislated for under the Coalition Government. Since that policy was established in the Coalition Agreement, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. The UK Parliament will have a greater workload now we are taking back control, abolishing MEPs and regaining our political and economic independence. It is therefore sensible for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650.

The written statement explained that, when Parliamentary time allows, the Government is minded to bring forward primary legislation to set the framework for future boundary reviews, including the next review due to begin in early 2021.

The Queen’s Speech set out that “work will be taken forward to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.” The Act led to parliamentary paralysis at a critical time for the country and repealing the Act will make sure this doesn’t happen again. Further announcements will be made in due course.

The draft Census (England and Wales) Order 2020 was laid in Parliament on 2 March. It sets the date of the Census and the topics on which census questions are to be asked.

Once made, the Order will be followed by Census Regulations for England and for Wales. The Regulations for England will be laid before Parliament. The Regulations for Wales are the responsibility of Welsh Ministers and will be laid before the National Assembly for Wales. The Regulations to be made by the Welsh Ministers will contain the final wording of the questions on Welsh language skills and ethnic group to be asked in the Wales census.

As part of the Census Data Collection and Transformation Programme, the ONS is exploring how to produce census-type statistics more frequently than the decennial census, using other sources of data. The ONS will make a recommendation to the Government in 2023 on the future of the census.

The Government will bring forward legislation requiring electors to show an approved form of photographic ID before casting their vote in a polling station in a UK parliamentary election in Great Britain and local election in England. Any voter who does not have an approved form of ID will be able to apply, free of charge, for a local electoral identity document.

These measures are part of a wider initiative to improve trust in the integrity of the electoral process, maintain public confidence and support equality and inclusivity in our electoral system.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

For the three months to July 2021, the number of employees was estimated at 27.9 million, with 32.4 million in employment (including self-employed).

Early estimates from HMRC real time payroll data for August showed that the number of payroll employees was 29.1 million, returning to pre-pandemic level.

The Trade Union Membership 2020 Statistical Bulletin, published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 27^th May 2021, reports that the number of employees in the UK who are members of a recognised trade union is 6.6 million.

The relationship between an Arm’s-Length Body (ALB) and the Department should be established through a Framework Document. Managing Public Money sets out that:

“3.8.2 The framework document (or equivalent) agreed between an ALB and its sponsor always provides for the sponsor department to exercise meaningful oversight of the ALB’s strategy and performance, pay arrangements and/or major financial transactions, e.g. by monthly returns, standard delegations and exception reporting. The sponsor department’s accounts consolidate those of its ALBs so its accounting officer must be satisfied that the consolidated accounts are accurate and not misleading.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.

A non-departmental public body is required to submit to their sponsoring department, on an annual basis, an annual report and audited accounts prepared in accordance with the relevant statutes and guidelines. The annual report and accounts provide the sponsoring department with the financial and non-financial performance of the non-departmental public body. In addition, they will state if the non-departmental public body has met key performance indicators as set out in their business and corporate plans. The report and accounts are laid in Parliament and, where commercially possible, made available on the non-departmental public body’s website.

Renewable technologies will make a critical contribution to meeting our 2050 net zero commitment, alongside firm low carbon power such as nuclear and gas or biomass generation with carbon capture, usage and storage, and a significant increase in flexibility.

As outlined in the recent Energy White Paper, there is no single optimal mix of technologies to decarbonise electricity generation. Targets can be useful in giving certainty to sectors with long investment horizons, however we do not believe that government should prescribe the proportion of generation that will come from all specific technologies; rather the role of government will be to enable the market to deliver the levels of deployment required whilst minimising emissions at a low overall system cost.

Whilst the Government has not set specific 2030 targets for onshore wind, we recognise that achieving our 2050 net zero target will require increased deployment across a range of renewable technologies, including sustained growth of onshore wind. This is why we announced on 2 March 2020 that onshore wind and other established renewable technologies such as solar PV will be able to compete in the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round. The round will open in December 2021 and aim to deliver up to double the renewable capacity of last year’s successful round.

The UK is proud to have joined COVAX, an international initiative to support the discovery, manufacture, and fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the world.

COVAX is an international alliance co-led by the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organization (WHO), with participation from over 180 countries.

The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors to the COVAX Advanced Market Commitment (AMC), which will give lower and middle-income countries equitable access to vaccines that are developed. The UK has committed £548 million to the COVAX AMC.

COVAX has so far shipped over 29 million COVID-19 vaccines to 46 countries.

Full details of UK’s GAVI commitments can be found here at https://www.gavi.org/investing-gavi/funding/donor-profiles/united-kingdom.

Full details of COVAX’s rollout can be found here at https://www.gavi.org/covax-vaccine-roll-out.

The contract for the Post Office card account or its successor scheme is a commercial matter for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Post Office Ltd. is committed to remaining the main channel to ensure individuals and businesses can conveniently access and deposit cash. The Post Office is working with HM Treasury, financial services regulators and the financial industry to make sure that the most vulnerable who still rely on cash, can continue to access basic banking services conveniently and for free.

The sustainability and future success of the post office network remain of the utmost importance to the Government. The £227 million funding the Government has committed through the 2019 Spending Review provides Post Office Ltd with funds to support post offices across the UK and invest in the future of the business.

Scientists are united that the vaccine offers the best form of protection against the virus but it is not compulsory - the UK operates a system of informed consent for vaccinations. Demand has been extremely high with more than 13 million people having been vaccinated by 10 February.

The number of departmental staff that will be attending COP26 in an official capacity has yet to be confirmed.

The Insolvency Service publishes insolvency statistics each month on GOV.UK:

Registered Company insolvencies in the UK

1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020

The statistics for individual months have not been adjusted to account for seasonality in the data. The Insolvency Service separately publishes quarterly statistics that present seasonally-adjusted data and rates of insolvency per 10,000 active companies that allow for a like-for-like comparison over time. These statistics can also be found on GOV.UK.

From 1^st January 2021 rights holders will be able to request customs intervention in the UK via the new Application for Action form on the HMRC portal. Customs authorities in the UK will also be able to access information about IP rights in force in the UK via the existing online services provided by the UK IPO.

UK businesses who have IP rights in the EU will continue to be able to use the IP Enforcement Portal to assist in the protection of those rights after 1^st January 2021.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) launched the UK’s own Product Safety Database in November 2019. It allows national and local authorities to notify unsafe products and to access and exchange data securely and effectively to ensure swift and appropriate action can be taken to protect consumers. In addition, OPSS publishes alerts on Gov.uk about unsafe consumer products.

Specialist communications support was contracted by the Vaccines Taskforce for a time-limited period, in line with existing public sector recruitment practices and frameworks.

Details of commercial arrangements with all firms and contract labour used by the Vaccines Taskforce will be published in line with the usual transparency arrangements.

Within the decade, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister is determined for the UK to be at the forefront of the green industrial revolution as we accelerate our progress towards net zero emissions by 2050. That is why, this year alone, the government has set out billions in support for our low-carbon economy. As set out in the 2019 Green Finance Strategy, this needs to be combined with a focus on mobilising and accelerating flows of private finance into key clean growth sectors to provide good value for taxpayers, such as through providing long-term certainty and using public funds to leverage private capital.

The meetings with officials from Germany and the Netherlands took place earlier in the year, following the OSPAR Special Consultative Meeting. The meetings were constructive and focussed on possible ways forward to address their concerns. As these meetings were informal, there was no intention to record or publish the discussions.

The content of the reports provided by Germany and the Netherlands were supplementary to their objections to the derogation consultation for Brent and were therefore part of the discussion at the OSPAR Special consultative meeting in October 2019. A record of that meeting was published by the chair of OSPAR in early November 2019.

In regard to the proposal to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket, we expect to be in a position to make a decision within the next few months.

The decision on the Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta concrete gravity-based installations is currently being considered, and we are keeping the OSPAR Contracting Parties informed of our progress. We have no detailed timetable and a formal decision is expected to be made in due course.

We are currently considering two Decommissioning programmes where a derogation is likely to be sought.

Conditions to be included in the derogation permit for Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta concrete gravity-based installations are being considered alongside the final decision. We expect to include conditions that would require ongoing analysis and development of technology, consideration of how to remediate the contents of the structure in situ and a management plan for any infrastructure left in situ in perpetuity, which will involve periodic monitoring as well as environmental surveys.

The decision on the Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta concrete gravity-based installations is currently being considered, and we are keeping the OSPAR Contracting Parties informed of our progress. We have no detailed timetable and a formal decision is expected to be made in due course.

In regard to the decision to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket, we expect to be in a position to make a decision within the next 2 months.

Any approval of the derogation permit to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket and the concrete gravity based installations Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta will be consistent with all our International obligations.

Businesses are eligible for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund if they are based in England with a property that has a rateable value of up to £51,000 and is wholly or mainly being used for the purposes of retail, hospitality and/or leisure. The Government is also providing an unprecedented package of wider support available to businesses in these sectors.

The British Business Bank does not provide a breakdown on the issuance of loans under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to social enterprises. As of 29 April, in total over £4.1 billion worth of loans have been issued under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to over 25,262 businesses.

We are working with the British Business Bank, HM Treasury and the lenders on providing transparent and regular data publication going forward.

The Government has introduced important social distancing measures for all types of businesses to consider in order to minimise the risk of transmission in the workplace. The Government has been clear that it is vital that all employers follow this guidance, which is clinically led and based on expert advice.

The Government has stated that vulnerable people who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) need to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. Additionally, the government guidance sets out that members of staff who are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, as well as individuals whom they live with, should be supported by their employers as they follow the required social distancing and shielding measures.

There is no doubt that climate change is one of the greatest global challenges we face, and that action is urgently needed in the UK and across the world. The UK already has a world-leading framework for emissions reduction.

The Climate Change Act 2008 was the first of its kind in the world and made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. The Act introduced our innovative framework of carbon budgets to ensure continued progress towards that target, capping emissions in successive five-year blocks. It also established the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) which independently provides expert advice to the Government on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In June 2019, the UK became the first major economy to legislate for net zero - a 100% emissions reduction target by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels). The Prime Minister chairs a new Cabinet Committee on Climate Change to oversee this effort and drive forward action across the whole of government.

Through this strong legal framework and ambitious policy action, we have shown that cutting emissions and growing the economy can go hand-in-hand – reducing our emissions by over 40% since 1990 while growing the economy by three quarters. Our carbon budgeting, supported by independent expertise from the CCC, is widely accepted as global best-practice and provides the right framework for the UK to deliver our commitment to net zero.

As part of the Brent decommissioning proposal, Shell propose to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket and the concrete gravity based installations Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta.

A formal decision is expected to be made in due course.

Any approval of the derogation permit to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket and the concrete gravity based installations Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta will include permit conditions to continue to develop technology for the management of the structures (including in-situ remediation for the contents of the structures). Shell and the Brent field licensees will remain responsible and liable in perpetuity for any structures left in-situ.

BEIS officials at the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) who are responsible for ensuring that all decommissioning in the UK Continental Shelf is carried out in line with current UK regulations and international obligations have considered the Brent decommissioning proposals and reviewed the associated environmental impact assessment including supporting technical documents. The review also took account of the technical, safety, societal and economic aspects and determined that the environmental impact assessment presented by Shell demonstrates that the decommissioning proposals would not have a significant adverse effect on human health, the environment or other users of the sea, and that leaving the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket and the concrete gravity based installations Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta including the cell contents in-situ is the best management solution.

Officials from Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) have met with the OSPAR Contracting Parties to discuss issues around the Brent decommissioning derogation application over the last 6 months.

The Brent decommissioning proposal conservatively estimates that the cells contained within the concrete gravity based installation contain approximately 640,000 cubic metres (m³) of hydrocarbon contaminated seawater and 40,000 m³ of hydrocarbon contaminated sediments with a total estimated hydrocarbon load of approximately 16,000 tonnes. BEIS officials have reviewed the associated environmental impact assessment including supporting technical documents and have determined that the environmental impact assessment presented by Shell demonstrates that the decommissioning proposals would not have a significant adverse effect on human health, the environment or other users of the sea, and that leaving the cell contents in-situ is the best management solution. The Brent Alpha steel jacket has no materials remaining within it.

Any approval of the derogation permit to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket and the concrete gravity based installations Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta will include permit conditions to continue to develop technology for the management of the structures (including in-situ remediation for the contents of the structures). Shell and the Brent field licensees will remain responsible and liable in perpetuity for any structures left in-situ.

In addition, drill cuttings piles are present on the seabed at all of the Brent installations and on top of cells of the concrete gravity based installations and BEIS officials have determined that the best management option is to leave the cuttings piles to degrade in-situ.

BEIS officials in the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) continually consider the adequacy of companies to fund decommissioning and where any risk is identified my officials undertake work to mitigate these risks and where necessary have taken security in the form of letters of credit and entered into Decommissioning security agreements with companies.

Liability for decommissioning is joint and several and all companies who have had a beneficial interest in a licence both past and present are liable.

BEIS officials in OPRED also have a detailed understanding of the Decommissioning security that is in place in the form of commercial Decommissioning security agreements for all fields in the UKCS.

BEIS officials in the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) continually consider the adequacy of companies to fund decommissioning and where any risk is identified my officials undertake work to mitigate these risks and where necessary have taken security in the form of letters of credit and entered into Decommissioning security agreements with companies.

Liability for decommissioning is joint and several and all companies who have had a beneficial interest in a licence both past and present are liable.

BEIS officials in OPRED also have a detailed understanding of the Decommissioning security that is in place in the form of commercial Decommissioning security agreements for all fields in the UKCS.

The Government is committed to supporting people’s jobs and incomes, and we are working with businesses and unions to achieve this.

Retail workers fall within two distinct categories, those who work in non-essential retail such as clothing and electronic stores, and those who work in essential retail such as food, fuel, pharmacy, and post offices. On Monday 23^rd March, the Prime Minister announced further measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business closures to include non-essential retail. Retail workers who work in the sale of food are considered key workers.

Construction workers play a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in. Where construction sector workers cannot work from home, they should still go to work unless they are vulnerable.

However, the Government is clear that construction activity should only continue where it can take place in line with the guidance provided by Public Health England. Through the Construction Leadership Council, the construction industry has issued Site Operating Procedures to set out how this can be done.

The Government has published a list of critical sectors which includes those deemed to be key workers, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

On 5 March, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a public statement to reassure UK businesses and consumers that it is monitoring retail practices during the Coronavirus outbreak. The CMA will take direct enforcement action, or advise the Government to take additional measures, if required.

In 2012 and 2013, the Government sponsored two 15-year exploration contracts for UK Seabed Resources Ltd, a subsidiary of the US corporation Lockheed Martin.

The Government is developing the International Seabed Authority’s deep sea mining code, so future mining is conducted in a safe and environmentally sensitive way.

To date, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 29 exploration contracts to entities from 20 countries. The contractors include state-owned enterprises, as well as commercial organisations with a state sponsor.

The two UK exploration licence areas issued by the ISA are in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone in the Pacific Ocean.

The Government is developing the ISA’s deep sea mining code, so future mining is conducted in a safe and environmentally sensitive way.

Improving home energy efficiency is the most sustainable way to tackle fuel poverty and an important step towards achieving Net Zero. The Energy Company Obligation scheme is currently set at £640 million per year and provides support to upgrade the homes of low income and vulnerable families.

In addition to this existing energy efficiency support, the Conservative Manifesto made new spending commitments for social housing and for Home Upgrade Grants. Further details on these policies will be announced in due course.

The Government has adopted as best practice the Rules set out in the Annex to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The Rules indicate that the protection of underwater cultural heritage through in situ preservation should be considered as the first option. Consequently, no estimate has been made of the cost of recovering the anchor of HMT Empire Windrush (the wreck of which is understood to lie at a depth of c. 8,500 ft, 23 nautical miles off the coast of Algeria).

The Government has adopted as best practice the Rules set out in the Annex to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The Rules indicate that the protection of underwater cultural heritage through in situ preservation should be considered as the first option. Consequently, no estimate has been made of the cost of recovering the anchor of HMT Empire Windrush (the wreck of which is understood to lie at a depth of c. 8,500 ft, 23 nautical miles off the coast of Algeria).

The powers conferred by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 relate to wreck sites located in UK territorial waters. They do not extend to those located in the territorial waters of other nations or in international waters.

Currently, 54 wreck sites located in UK territorial waters adjacent to England, and 1 wreck site located in UK territorial waters adjacent to Northern Ireland, are protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act (‘protection of sites of historic wrecks’).

Responsibility for the operation of section 1 of the 1973 Act in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter. The number of wreck sites currently protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act in UK territorial waters adjacent to Scotland and Wales is understood to be 0 and 6, respectively.

The powers conferred by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 relate to wreck sites located in UK territorial waters. They do not extend to those located in the territorial waters of other nations or in international waters.

Currently, 54 wreck sites located in UK territorial waters adjacent to England, and 1 wreck site located in UK territorial waters adjacent to Northern Ireland, are protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act (‘protection of sites of historic wrecks’).

Responsibility for the operation of section 1 of the 1973 Act in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter. The number of wreck sites currently protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act in UK territorial waters adjacent to Scotland and Wales is understood to be 0 and 6, respectively.

The powers conferred by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 relate to wreck sites located in UK territorial waters. They do not extend to those located in the territorial waters of other nations or in international waters.

Currently, 54 wreck sites located in UK territorial waters adjacent to England, and 1 wreck site located in UK territorial waters adjacent to Northern Ireland, are protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act (‘protection of sites of historic wrecks’).

Responsibility for the operation of section 1 of the 1973 Act in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter. The number of wreck sites currently protected under the terms of section 1 of the 1973 Act in UK territorial waters adjacent to Scotland and Wales is understood to be 0 and 6, respectively.

The Government is taking a number of steps to support inbound tourism’s recovery from the pandemic. In total, at least £25 billion has been provided to the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector so far over the course of the pandemic - saving jobs and businesses across the UK.

The Tourism Recovery plan sets out the Government’s aim to recover domestic overnight trip volume and spend to 2019 levels by the end of 2022, and inbound visitor numbers and spend by the end of 2023 – both at least a year faster than independent forecasts predict. We will work with VisitBritain to welcome back international visitors as soon as it is safe to do so.

We are regularly engaging with travel industry bodies - such as UKInbound and the European Tour Operators Association - to monitor the pandemic’s impact and to further support the sector’s recovery.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on inbound tourism and the wider tourism industry. From last March, inbound flight arrivals were down 90% for over a year compared to 2019 levels, hotel occupancy far lower than normal, and the sector was closed for at least six of the last 12 months - more so in some parts of the country subject to local lockdowns last autumn.

We also know that tourism has been the sector most reliant on the government’s unprecedented package of support measures. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was crucial in saving tourism jobs, which at its peak supported 87% of hospitality and leisure businesses. In total, at least £25 billion has been provided to the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector so far over the course of the pandemic.

In June, we published the Tourism Recovery Plan to help the sector recover back to pre-pandemic levels and build back better for the future. The plan aims to recover domestic tourism to pre pandemic levels by 2022 and international tourism by 2023; both at least a year faster than independent forecasts predict.

All DCMS sponsored bodies are required to prepare their annual reports and accounts in accordance with their governing and other relevant legislation and the accounts directions given by this department and HMT PES papers as long as it does not supersede or affect compliance with their governing legislation.The ALB annual reports are audited and published on their own websites and on gov.uk. Similar to other government departments DCMS produces consolidated group accounts annually which includes all ALBs within its accounting boundary which are audited by the NAO. The most recent set of audited DCMS consolidated group accounts for 19-20 were published on gov.uk in December 2020. The DCMS Group audit for 20-21 is currently in progress and we expect to lay the accounts in parliament later in the year.

Physical education (PE) and school sport plays an important role in supporting children and young people to be physically active, particularly during the current COVID-19 restrictions. The Department is working with the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care on how to support better PE, sport and physical activity provision for all children and young people. This is part of our continuing work to deliver our joint school sport and activity action plan, published in 2019.

I can confirm that the School Games Organisers are now fully funded for the 2021/22 financial year. Funding beyond that point will be subject to future Government Spending Review decisions.

Since the beginning of this year, DCMS officials have communicated with Nick Clegg, Vice President of Global Affairs and Communications at Facebook, in advance of his meetings with the DCMS Secretary of State on 12 January 2021 and 25 February 2021. Additionally, officials were in contact to set up a meeting with the DCMS Director General for Digital and Media in April 2021.

We are clear that the online racist abuse is unacceptable. We must do all we can to tackle it. We are taking steps through the online harms regulatory framework to ensure that online abuse is addressed. Under a new legal duty of care, companies will need to remove and limit the spread of illegal content, including illegal online abuse. All companies will need to take swift and effective action against such content.

Companies providing high-risk, high-reach services will also need to undertake regular risk assessments to identify legal but harmful material on their services. These companies will need to set clear terms and conditions which explicitly state what categories of legal but harmful material they accept (and do not accept) on their service. Companies will need to enforce these terms and conditions consistently and transparently and could face enforcement action if they do not. The Online Safety Bill, which will give effect to the regulatory framework, will be ready this year.

• The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of Government, and therefore talent pay is a matter for the BBC.

• However, we expect to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers value for money for UK audiences.

• The public deserves to know how their licence fee is being spent, which is why in the Royal Charter the government required the BBC to publish the salary details of all BBC staff and talent paid over £150,000. This was published for the first time as part of the BBC 2016/17 annual report.

There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures erected in London.

The government recognises the vital work social enterprises and co-operatives are doing to support communities and ease demands on public services in light of Covid-19. In recognising this, we have put in place a number of emergency measures to support these organisations during this time.

The government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has been made available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme will provide lenders with a government-backed guarantee of 80% on each loan, ensuring eligible social enterprises and co-operatives gain access to crucial finance with no upfront costs and lower initial repayments. Big Society Capital has established and capitalised a Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund which aims to improve access to CBILS for social enterprises. The initiative has been enabled by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) accelerating the release of previously committed dormant bank accounts money.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is also available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employee's wages. Many organisations are already accessing this support measure.

Additionally, the government announced a £750 million support package earlier this month for charities. A number of social enterprises that are delivering vital work during the coronavirus outbreak will be eligible to apply for this support package.

Over the coming weeks and months, the government will monitor and evaluate the support that has been provided to social enterprises and co-operatives, and it continues to consider what else can be done. This includes examining further initiatives around access to finance for social enterprises and cooperatives.

The government recognises the vital work social enterprises and co-operatives are doing to support communities and ease demands on public services in light of Covid-19. In recognising this, we have put in place a number of emergency measures to support these organisations during this time.

The government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has been made available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme will provide lenders with a government-backed guarantee of 80% on each loan, ensuring eligible social enterprises and co-operatives gain access to crucial finance with no upfront costs and lower initial repayments. Big Society Capital has established and capitalised a Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund which aims to improve access to CBILS for social enterprises. The initiative has been enabled by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) accelerating the release of previously committed dormant bank accounts money.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is also available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employee's wages. Many organisations are already accessing this support measure.

Additionally, the government announced a £750 million support package earlier this month for charities. A number of social enterprises that are delivering vital work during the coronavirus outbreak will be eligible to apply for this support package.

Over the coming weeks and months, the government will monitor and evaluate the support that has been provided to social enterprises and co-operatives, and it continues to consider what else can be done. This includes examining further initiatives around access to finance for social enterprises and cooperatives.

The government recognises the vital work social enterprises and co-operatives are doing to support communities and ease demands on public services in light of Covid-19. In recognising this, we have put in place a number of emergency measures to support these organisations during this time.

The government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has been made available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme will provide lenders with a government-backed guarantee of 80% on each loan, ensuring eligible social enterprises and co-operatives gain access to crucial finance with no upfront costs and lower initial repayments. Big Society Capital has established and capitalised a Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund which aims to improve access to CBILS for social enterprises. The initiative has been enabled by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) accelerating the release of previously committed dormant bank accounts money.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is also available to social enterprises and co-operatives. This scheme allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employee's wages. Many organisations are already accessing this support measure.

Additionally, the government announced a £750 million support package earlier this month for charities. A number of social enterprises that are delivering vital work during the coronavirus outbreak will be eligible to apply for this support package.

Over the coming weeks and months, the government will monitor and evaluate the support that has been provided to social enterprises and co-operatives, and it continues to consider what else can be done. This includes examining further initiatives around access to finance for social enterprises and cooperatives.

Ministers and officials are engaging constantly with representatives across the social enterprise sector to ensure a complete understanding of the unique challenges being faced by social enterprises as a result of Covid-19. We have been using, and continue to use, these ongoing insights and data to shape government support for social enterprises during this time of financial difficulty. By engaging with key membership bodies, such as Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), we will be monitoring the effectiveness of support measures in the coming weeks and months.

It is government policy to maintain free entry to the permanent collections of the national museums. However, DCMS-sponsored museums are entitled to charge for temporary specific exhibitions. Such exhibitions, in addition to helping generate income, are a vital part of the museums’ visitor offer. At any one time, the public will be able to enjoy a range of free and paid-for exhibitions.

We published the Online Harms White Paper in April last year, setting out plans for world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

Our proposals would establish a new statutory duty of care on companies towards their users, overseen by an independent regulator. The duty of care will ensure companies have appropriate systems and processes in place to deal with harmful content on their services to keep their users safe

The Spending Review has delivered the first increase to employer-led apprenticeships funding since the 2019/20 financial year, with funding for apprenticeships in England growing to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year.

On 4 October 2021, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £500 million expansion of the Plan for Jobs. This included a further extension of the apprenticeship incentive payment to support employers of all sizes to offer apprenticeships.

Employers will be able to claim a £3,000 payment for any apprentice that has an employment start date between 1 October 2021 and 31 January 2022. They will be able to claim for their payment from January 2022. The extended payment makes it a great time for employers to offer new apprenticeship opportunities and take advantage of existing flexibilities to train apprentices in a way that suits their needs.

We do not plan to further extend the incentives beyond 31 January 2022 but will continue to support employers with the cost of apprenticeship training. The government will pay 95% of apprentice training costs for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy, alongside offering the newly improved apprenticeship levy transfers system to help smaller employers fund their apprenticeship training.

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is a private pension scheme. Higher education providers that offer the USS are responsible for the pension provision offered to their staff. Like other defined benefit schemes, the USS is regulated by The Pensions Regulator.

The Pensions Regulator is currently working with the USS, Universities UK and a range of other stakeholders as they work to find a long-term solution to the funding challenges faced by the USS.

The government understands the concerns held by some Muslim students and their families about student finance. The department have been carefully considering an alternative student finance product, alongside wider reforms to the higher education system, and an update will be provided alongside the conclusion to the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding. The interim conclusion of the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding was published on 21 January 2021, and we will conclude the Review in full at a future date.

The public funds available for student support are targeted on those persons with a lawful and substantial residential connection to the UK.

Student finance is generally available to those who have no restrictions on their ability to live and work in the UK, so that they are likely to be able stay in the UK to complete their education and contribute to the UK economy afterwards.

In 2016, the regulations governing student support were amended to introduce a new eligibility category for those who do not have settled status but who have resided in the UK for an extended period. The amendment extended access to support to students who have spent half their life or at least 20 years in the UK preceding the first day of the first academic year of their course, or 7 years for those under 18 years old. Like most other students, they must be ordinarily resident in England and have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for the 3 years preceding the first day of the first academic year of their course to qualify for support.

Statutory guidance on 'Working together to safeguard children' is clear that anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should make a referral to local authority children’s social care. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2.

The local authority and its social workers have specific roles and responsibilities to lead statutory assessments. Every assessment should reflect children’s needs within their family and community context, including taking account of a parent being in prison. These children’s circumstances vary considerably and therefore local agencies are best placed to determine what support is needed – whether early help, statutory social care services, or support for other needs such as mental health.

We recognise the impact that a parent going to prison can have on a child’s learning, behaviour, mental health and wellbeing. Support should be based on the needs of individual children, not solely the characteristic of having a parent in prison and, as such, our approach is focussed on equipping schools to respond to these needs.

Statutory guidance for schools, 'Keeping children safe in education', is clear that staff should consider the additional needs of children with a family member in prison or who are affected by parental offending. The guidance highlights the risk of poor outcomes including poverty, stigma, isolation and poor mental health, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2. It signposts staff to the National information centre on children of offenders website, which provides specialist advice and resources to support professionals working with offenders’ children and their families, to help mitigate negative consequences for those children. This can be accessed here: https://www.nicco.org.uk/.

Statutory guidance on 'Working together to safeguard children' is clear that anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should make a referral to local authority children’s social care. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2.

The local authority and its social workers have specific roles and responsibilities to lead statutory assessments. Every assessment should reflect children’s needs within their family and community context, including taking account of a parent being in prison. These children’s circumstances vary considerably and therefore local agencies are best placed to determine what support is needed – whether early help, statutory social care services, or support for other needs such as mental health.

We recognise the impact that a parent going to prison can have on a child’s learning, behaviour, mental health and wellbeing. Support should be based on the needs of individual children, not solely the characteristic of having a parent in prison and, as such, our approach is focussed on equipping schools to respond to these needs.

Statutory guidance for schools, 'Keeping children safe in education', is clear that staff should consider the additional needs of children with a family member in prison or who are affected by parental offending. The guidance highlights the risk of poor outcomes including poverty, stigma, isolation and poor mental health, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2. It signposts staff to the National information centre on children of offenders website, which provides specialist advice and resources to support professionals working with offenders’ children and their families, to help mitigate negative consequences for those children. This can be accessed here: https://www.nicco.org.uk/.

The department recognises the choice of parents and guardians to home educate their children. For most children, particularly the most vulnerable, we are clear that school is the best place for their education. Our guidance on elective home education highlights that parents/carers who home educate will need to assume full financial responsibility for their child’s education. This includes paying for the cost of entering their child for examinations. Some local authorities may provide financial or other assistance to home-educating families for public examinations, but this is discretionary.

In 2021, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, GCSE grades were determined by teachers (Teacher Assessed Grades). To support centres with the additional requirements of assessing private candidates in 2021, the department provided an exceptional grant to centres of £200 per private candidate entry. This funding aimed to avoid these additional costs being passed on to private candidates, so that they could access qualifications at a similar cost to a normal exam year.

The department does not routinely collect information relating to the cost to private candidates of sitting GCSE examinations at a school, college or other examination centre.

In 2021, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, GCSE grades were determined by teachers via Teacher Assessed Grades. The department is therefore providing an exceptional grant to centres of £200 per private candidate entry to support centres with the particular additional requirements of assessing private candidates in 2021. This is to avoid the cost being passed on to candidates who have not been taught alongside a wider cohort, so that private candidates could access qualifications at a similar cost to a normal exam year.

Universities are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees, within maximum fee limits set by Regulations. Whether or not an individual student is entitled to a refund of fees will depend on the specific contractual arrangements between the higher education provider and student.

The government has now lifted the restrictions on in-person teaching and therefore universities should not be limiting face-to-face learning based on COVID-19 restrictions. We expect all universities to continue to deliver excellent learning, in line with guidance from the Office for Students (OfS), to provide students with a full experience. The OfS will be monitoring to ensure this is the case, and universities should be open about what students can expect.

If students have concerns, they should first raise them with their higher education provider. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education to consider their complaint. More information on this process is available on the OIA website at: www.oiahe.org.uk/students.

We do not intend to introduce a statutory baseline of contact hours.

English higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions, which means that they have the freedom to determine the way their courses are taught, supervised, and assessed. It is a matter for individual providers to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed and benefit from their HE experience.

However, all registered providers must continue to meet the Office for Students (OfS) registration conditions in relation to the quality of HE. These registration conditions make clear the need to ensure that courses are high-quality, and that students are properly supported to achieve good outcomes.

The government has now lifted the restrictions on in-person teaching and providers are therefore able to shape their courses without restrictions on face-to-face learning. HE providers should therefore not be planning to restrict teaching based on COVID-19 restrictions. We expect all universities to continue to deliver excellent learning, in line with guidance from the OfS, and that they should provide students with a full experience.

The department does not collect data on children who are home educated. We are aware of the rising number of home-educated children.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The rising numbers of home educated children cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

The government remains committed to a form of registration system for children not in school. Further details on this will be in the government response to the ‘Children Not in School’ consultation, which the department will publish in coming months.

Information on the number of qualified teachers of the deaf is not collected centrally.

The department is firmly committed to ensuring that children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), including hearing impairments, receive the support they need to achieve in their early years, at school and college. High needs funding, which is specifically for supporting children with more complex SEND, will be increasing by £780 million in the financial year 2022-23. This comes on top of the over £1.5 billion increase over the previous two years and will bring the overall total of funding for high needs to £8.9 billion. Within that total, the provisional allocation to the London Borough of Barnet is £65.3 million, an 8% per head increase on the £60.5 million of high needs funding that council is receiving this financial year. Decisions about how that funding is used, including for the employment of specialist teachers for deaf children, are made by local authorities.

Information on the number of qualified teachers of the deaf is not collected centrally.

The department is firmly committed to ensuring that children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), including hearing impairments, receive the support they need to achieve in their early years, at school and college. High needs funding, which is specifically for supporting children with more complex SEND, will be increasing by £780 million in the financial year 2022-23. This comes on top of the over £1.5 billion increase over the previous two years and will bring the overall total of funding for high needs to £8.9 billion. Within that total, the provisional allocation to the London Borough of Barnet is £65.3 million, an 8% per head increase on the £60.5 million of high needs funding that council is receiving this financial year. Decisions about how that funding is used, including for the employment of specialist teachers for deaf children, are made by local authorities.

Information on the number of qualified teachers of the deaf is not collected centrally.

The department is firmly committed to ensuring that children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), including hearing impairments, receive the support they need to achieve in their early years, at school and college. High needs funding, which is specifically for supporting children with more complex SEND, will be increasing by £780 million in the financial year 2022-23. This comes on top of the over £1.5 billion increase over the previous two years and will bring the overall total of funding for high needs to £8.9 billion. Within that total, the provisional allocation to the London Borough of Barnet is £65.3 million, an 8% per head increase on the £60.5 million of high needs funding that council is receiving this financial year. Decisions about how that funding is used, including for the employment of specialist teachers for deaf children, are made by local authorities.

The Department sets out its relationship with each of its arm’s length bodies (ALBs) through a Framework Document. Managing Public Money sets out that: “3.8.2 The framework document (or equivalent) agreed between an ALB and its sponsor always provides for the sponsor department to exercise meaningful oversight of the ALB’s strategy and performance, pay arrangements and/or major financial transactions, e.g. by monthly returns, standard delegations and exception reporting. The sponsor department’s accounts consolidate those of its ALBs so its accounting officer must be satisfied that the consolidated accounts are accurate and not misleading”. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.

A non-departmental public body is required on an annual basis to submit to their sponsoring department an annual report and audited accounts, prepared in accordance with the relevant statutes and guidelines. The annual report and accounts provide the sponsoring department with the financial and non-financial performance of the non-departmental public body. In addition, they will state if the non-departmental public body has met key performance indicators as set out in their business and corporate plans. The accounts for each non-departmental public body is consolidated into the sponsoring Department’s annual report and accounts.

The Department has a two-pronged approach to assure information from departmental group bodies are included in the Department’s consolidated annual report and accounts. We review information against our own expectations of performance as well as external audits completed by the National Audit Office or other competent auditors. Regulatory bodies which are non-ministerial departments are not included in the Department’s consolidated accounts and are not included in this process.

In addition, the Department’s audit and risk committee works with audit and risk committees of other departmental bodies, including regulatory bodies, to provide oversight of risk, assurance and the annual report and accounts.

Part two of the Teachers’ Standards, published in 2011, defines the behaviour and attitudes which set the required standard for personal and professional conduct throughout a teacher’s career.

The Standards are clear that teachers uphold public trust in the profession and should maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others; not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect; and showing tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

The Teaching Regulation Agency uses the conduct elements of the Teachers’ Standards as a reference point when considering whether a teacher’s conduct has fallen significantly short of the standard of behaviour expected of a teacher.

The Department is aware of the importance of giving schools as much notice as possible of future funding. We will confirm arrangements for the Primary physical education and sport premium for the 2021/22 academic year as soon as possible.

If a pupil judges that their grade does not reflect their performance, or their grade has not been properly determined, they will have a clear route to appeal.

If a pupil considers their grade to be wrong, they will be able to ask their centre to check for errors and make sure they have followed their own process correctly. If the centre finds an error, they can submit a revised grade to the exam board with a supporting explanation for approval.

Otherwise, the centre is able to submit an appeal to the exam board on the pupil’s behalf. The exam board should review both the process the centre has followed and the evidence on which a pupil’s grade was determined to confirm whether the grade submitted by the centre was a reasonable exercise of academic judgement. If an exam board finds the evidence cannot support the grade, they should determine the alternative grade and inform the centre.

An exam board will only revise a pupil’s grade at appeal where it finds the evidence cannot reasonably support that grade, rather than as a result of differences of opinion. Pupils should be aware that their grade can go up or down on appeal.

There may be some pupils taking Vocational and Technical Qualifications or other general qualifications who are unhappy with the results that they receive through the alternative arrangements. These pupils will have a right of appeal on the same basis as those set out for GCSEs, AS and A levels, but the exact nature of the processes may differ to recognise the different nature of the qualifications.

If a candidate remains unhappy with their grade following a Board appeal, they will have two additional options. First, the case can be referred to Ofqual’s Exams Procedure Review Service (EPRS). The exam board’s decision on the grade following appeal will stand unless the EPRS finds that the exam board has made a procedural error. Second, it is the Government’s policy that there needs to be a full series of GCSE, AS and A level examinations held in the autumn and Ofqual will carry out a consultation on the arrangements for this. Having an Autumn exam series will provide an opportunity for pupils to try and improve their grade through traditional exams if they are not content with their teacher assessed grade in this unusual year.

The Department has a longstanding programme of work in place through the Recruitment and Retention Strategy to ensure that teaching remains an attractive profession, where people feel supported to stay and develop their careers. This includes encouraging schools to develop a supportive culture for staff and to work flexibly.

As part of this, the Department explored a pilot on sabbaticals during the 2018-19 academic year. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, it has been vital that we prioritise the immediate support teachers need at this time, such as work to support staff mental health through the Education Support charity and our Wellbeing for Education Return initiative.

We are also maintaining a focus on innovative approaches, including establishing eight Flexible Working Ambassador Schools to champion flexible working practices from Spring 2021. These schools will share their experiences, resources and expertise to create change in their local networks. We will continue to work with the teaching sector to review approaches such as sabbaticals.

Numbers on departmental staff attending COP26 are still to be determined.

The UK’s Chief Medical Officers have been clear that school attendance is very important for children and young people. Children and young people are at low risk from COVID-19, but being out of school causes significant long-term harm to learning, life chances and mental and physical health.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department has made decisions informed by data, analysis and advice from a number of different sources, including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), Public Health England, the Office for National Statistics and the Joint Biosecurity Centre, to ensure our policies are guided by the most up to date scientific evidence.

More recently, SAGE endorsed a paper co-authored by the Children’s Task and Finish Working Group and the Department on the benefits of remaining in education. This paper outlined key evidence and considerations associated with the closure of schools.

The scientific evidence papers from SAGE meetings are published in tranches and are available by following the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19.

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on attainment and progress is a key research priority for the Government, and we have commissioned an independent research and assessment agency to consider catch up needs and monitor progress over the course of the 2020/21 academic year.

The ongoing research is based on a large sample of pupils from Years 1 to 11, and will allow the Department to understand how best to support the sector and which particular groups of pupils have been most affected by time out of school. This research is based on assessments that schools are already choosing to use this academic year, so it adds no additional burden on schools and does not require pupils to sit any additional assessments.

To address the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department has launched a £650 million universal catch-up premium, and a £350 million National Tutoring Programme (NTP) for disadvantaged pupils: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/catch-up-premium-coronavirus-covid-19. The NTP went live on 2 November 2020 and schools are now able to access tuition to support disadvantaged pupils that need the most help to catch up.

It continues to be our aim that all pupils, in all year groups, remain in school full-time. Returning to school full time has been vital for children’s education and for their wellbeing. The risk to children themselves of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 is low and there are negative health impacts from being out of school. Senior clinicians, including the Chief Medical Officers of all four nations, still advise that school is the very best place for children to be.

Headteachers, teachers, and staff of schools and other education settings have been doing an extraordinary job to remain open, keep settings safe, and provide education. The Department published guidance to support schools to welcome back all children from the start of the autumn term. The full guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to minimise the risk of transmission. The measures set out in the Department’s guidance have been endorsed by Public Health England. These measures include regular handwashing, promoting good respiratory hygiene, keeping groups separate, maintaining distance, and minimising contact between individuals. This can be achieved through keeping groups separate (in ‘bubbles’) and through maintaining the distance between individuals. Schools must comply with health and safety law, and should continue to undertake risk assessments and implement the system of controls set out in this guidance.

The Department has received data, analysis, and advice from a number of different sources including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), Public Health England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Joint Biosecurity Centre to ensure our policies are guided by the most up to date scientific evidence.

Recently, the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey published results between 2 September (the start of the school year) and 16 October 2020 that showed no evidence of differences in the positivity rate between primary and secondary school teachers, other key workers, and members of other professions. This evidence was endorsed by SAGE. More information is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/6november2020#age-analysis-of-the-number-of-people-in-england-who-had-covid-19.

On 26 November, the ONS published additional analysis on the number of school workers, key workers, and members of other professions in England who had COVID-19. This analysis also shows no clear evidence as to whether there is a difference in the level of individuals who would test positive for COVID-19 between teachers and other key workers. More information is available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/onsstatementaddressingquestionsaroundtheanalysisofthenumberofschoolworkerskeyworkersandotherprofessionsinenglandwhohadcovid19.

The Government’s mass testing approach in schools and colleges aims to support schools and colleges to keep all students and pupils in education unless they are COVID positive. From January, all schools, starting with secondary schools and colleges and including special schools and alternative provision, will be eligible to offer weekly tests to their workforce to identify asymptomatic cases and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Both teachers and pupils will also be eligible for daily tests if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. This will mean that they can stay in school rather than self-isolating.

It continues to be our aim that all pupils, in all year groups, remain in school full-time. Returning to school full time has been vital for children’s education and for their wellbeing. The risk to children themselves of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 is low and there are negative health impacts from being out of school. Senior clinicians, including the Chief Medical Officers of all four nations, still advise that school is the very best place for children to be.

Headteachers, teachers, and staff of schools and other education settings have been doing an extraordinary job to remain open, keep settings safe, and provide education. The Department published guidance to support schools to welcome back all children from the start of the autumn term. The full guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to minimise the risk of transmission. The measures set out in the Department’s guidance have been endorsed by Public Health England. These measures include regular handwashing, promoting good respiratory hygiene, keeping groups separate, maintaining distance, and minimising contact between individuals. This can be achieved through keeping groups separate (in ‘bubbles’) and through maintaining the distance between individuals. Schools must comply with health and safety law, and should continue to undertake risk assessments and implement the system of controls set out in this guidance.

The Department has received data, analysis, and advice from a number of different sources including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), Public Health England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Joint Biosecurity Centre to ensure our policies are guided by the most up to date scientific evidence.

Recently, the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey published results between 2 September (the start of the school year) and 16 October 2020 that showed no evidence of differences in the positivity rate between primary and secondary school teachers, other key workers, and members of other professions. This evidence was endorsed by SAGE. More information is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/6november2020#age-analysis-of-the-number-of-people-in-england-who-had-covid-19.

On 26 November, the ONS published additional analysis on the number of school workers, key workers, and members of other professions in England who had COVID-19. This analysis also shows no clear evidence as to whether there is a difference in the level of individuals who would test positive for COVID-19 between teachers and other key workers. More information is available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/onsstatementaddressingquestionsaroundtheanalysisofthenumberofschoolworkerskeyworkersandotherprofessionsinenglandwhohadcovid19.

The Department is clear that exams will take place in summer 2021. Exams are the best way of judging students’ performance. By sitting exams, students have a fair chance to show their knowledge and understanding of a subject.

We recognise that there will be challenges for students being assessed in summer 2021 and we are preparing for all eventualities. We have announced a wide range of contingency measures for pupils who are ill or have to self-isolate, including spacing out exam papers and introducing contingency papers.

There is broad consensus backing the decision to hold exams because they are a critical part of the education system, giving students the foundations that they need to move on to the next stage of their life.

Students sitting exams and other assessments in 2021 will benefit from a package of exceptional measures to make them as fair as possible and manage the disruption caused by COVID-19. In recognition of the challenges this cohort faced, and is facing, grades will replicate as far as possible the overall profile of grades from 2020, making them more generous for students than in a normal year. Students will also be given advance notice of some topic areas or exam support materials, such as formula sheets, and steps will be taken to ensure every student has the chance to receive a grade, even if they miss a paper due to self-isolation or illness.

These measures recognise that, whilst teachers have gone above and beyond to support their pupils during a difficult period, some young people have had their teaching disrupted more than others and will need extra support to catch up on the curriculum and achieve their potential in exams.

The Care Review is a fundamental part of the government’s manifesto. The urgent local and national response to COVID-19 has delayed launching the Care Review but we are making preparations to launch as soon as possible and will set out further details at that point. The review will be bold, broad and independently led, taking a fundamental look across children’s social care, with the aim of better supporting, protecting and improving the outcomes of vulnerable children and young people.

The Department is aware of the issue referred to and will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to consider ongoing developments in this case.

Schools should assess resources they use to ensure they are appropriate for the age and maturity of their pupils and sensitive to their needs, where relevant. The toolkit in question has not been produced or endorsed by the Department for Education. We would advise that schools work with parents, pupils and public services to decide what is best for individual children – and what is best for others in the school.

Information on the number of ethnic minority headteachers in state funded primary and secondary schools in England as of November 2019 is available here:

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/42308de0-93ca-405d-854b-8a23c70b6c64.

Please note: Ethnic Minority includes all ethnic groups apart from White British.

On 4 June, the Government announced that, as of Monday 15 June, face coverings should be used on public transport. This does not mean surgical masks, which we must keep for clinical settings. It means the kind of face covering you can easily make at home. There will be exceptions to the rule for some children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.

We do not require children to wear face coverings on school transport, but they can wear one if they wish. School transport is provided specifically for the purpose of ensuring that children can attend school. It is limited to children travelling to school, and their travel assistants where necessary. Children do not travel on school transport at the same time as members of the public. The transport is arranged by local authorities for a planned number of children which means demand for services can be managed in a way which is not possible on public transport. This will allow children to maintain a 2 metre distance from other children not in their household, wherever possible. Additionally, school transport often carries the same children on a regular basis, which helps to reduce any risk of transmission.

Children should follow the Department for Transport’s guidance on wearing face coverings when travelling on public transport. The guidance is available here: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 23 June 2020 to Question 54195.

The Department has worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) and stakeholders on our approach and guidance throughout the Department’s COVID-19 response. In particular, the Department worked with PHE to devise a hierarchy of controls for all education settings which, when implemented, will create an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced. These include measures such as ensuring that anyone with symptoms does not attend their education settings, cleaning hands regularly, good respiratory hygiene, regular cleaning of touched surfaces, minimising contact and mixing and, where needed, use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Our guidance sets out clearly the limited circumstances in which PPE is required in educational settings, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The Department is not in a position at this stage to estimate whether there will be an increase in demand for school places within the maintained sector as a result of parents withdrawing their children from independent schools in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under review, and we will consider the impact of pupils moving between the independent and state sectors once the position is clearer.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 12 February, made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. The Written Ministerial Statement is available at the following link: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-02-12/HCWS110/.

We will ensure the review reflects the experiences of those who have needed a social worker and been in care, putting children, young people and their families at its centre. We are continuing to develop the scope of the review and are committed to undertaking it at the earliest opportunity. We are considering the next steps on the review in light of the ongoing urgent response to COVID-19.

Young people who have been ‘looked after’ are entitled to continuing support from their local authority (LA) when they leave care. The LA must appoint a Personal Advisor to help care leavers plan for their futures, access the support they need from mainstream services and provide practical and emotional support. Personal Advisor support is now available for all care leavers to age 25 (support previously ended at age 21 for most care leavers).

LAs also have a duty to consult on and publish their ‘local offers’ for care leavers. This sets out care leavers’ legal entitlements, as well as any further discretionary support that the LA provides. They also have a duty to provide a £2,000 bursary to care leavers who attend university. LAs are required to provide financial support to help care leavers engage in education; employment and training; and a leaving care grant (£2,000) to help the young person furnish their first home.

Since 2014, LAs have been under a duty to provide financial support to enable young people in foster care to remain living with their former foster family to age 21 in a Staying Put arrangement. The department has announced funding of over £33 million in 2020-21 to support implementation, an increase of approximately £10 million (40%) on 2019-20. A National Care Leaving Advisor was appointed in 2018 to support LAs to improve their leaving care services.

In October 2019, we announced the establishment of a cross-government ministerial board to drive better outcomes for care leavers and we have an on-going programme of work with other departments to identify changes to their policies that will impact positively on care leavers’ lives.

We recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home.

The Department is working with the BBC and other partners to provide advice and support directly to parents, including online resources they can access for their children at home.

We recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home.

The Department is working with the BBC and other partners to provide advice and support directly to parents, including online resources they can access for their children at home.

No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to a school of their choice. The Government is pleased to support the Private Members' Bill to ‘Make provision for guidance about the cost aspects of school uniform policies’, which was introduced to Parliament on 5 February, in order to make guidance on the cost considerations for school uniform statutory at the earliest opportunity. This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that school uniform costs are reasonable.

In 2015, the Department commissioned a survey on the cost of school uniform, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniform-2015.

No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to a school of their choice. The Government is pleased to support the Private Members' Bill to ‘Make provision for guidance about the cost aspects of school uniform policies’, which was introduced to Parliament on 5 February, in order to make guidance on the cost considerations for school uniform statutory at the earliest opportunity. This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that school uniform costs are reasonable.

In 2015, the Department commissioned a survey on the cost of school uniform, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniform-2015.

We expect higher education providers to consider their obligations under consumer law and students’ consumer rights carefully, including during industrial action. This includes ensuring that a range of appropriate remedies and mitigations are available, which may include financial compensation, to prevent and minimise the effects of any strike action upon their students.

The Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in England, has issued guidance for students affected by industrial action. It encourages students to discuss with their university or college whether it is possible to make up for any lost teaching, and whether any other loss of services and support can be rearranged so as to minimise the disruption that students have experienced. Where lost teaching has had an impact on assessments or other work that has had to be submitted, students may be able to submit a claim for this to be taken into account as part of the university’s mitigating or extenuating circumstances process.

If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, students can complain through the university’s complaints process; if they are unhappy with the outcome, students have the right to make a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA). The OIA has also published guidance on its website about its approach to complaints by students affected by the industrial action.

?It is for education publishers to ensure that their textbooks are accurate, and for schools to determine the textbooks and other curriculum resources they wish to buy and how to use them in classrooms.

The Department is currently piloting an approach to curriculum resources through the Curriculum Fund. The aim is to establish how high-quality, complete curriculum programmes in history, geography and science can support teaching in these subjects, reducing teacher workload and improving pupil outcomes. The early findings from independent research on the pilots published on 11 October 2019 are promising, and can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-curriculum-programme-pilot-early-findings.

The statutory responsibility for transport to education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds rests with local authorities, enabling them to make decisions and arrangements which best match local needs and circumstances.

Following the introduction of Raising the Participation Age legislation in 2013, the government investigated the feasibility of mandating local authorities to provide subsidised or free transport for young people post-16. Following this assessment, the department found that this approach would be both prohibitively expensive and would offer poor value for money.

The current arrangements, whereby support is provided by local authorities, transport providers, schools and colleges, alongside the 16-19 Bursary Fund, are the most cost effective solutions, and they enable local government and other organisations to tailor support in the most appropriate way according to local circumstances and needs.

We are committed to undertaking a review at the earliest opportunity.The review aims to better support, protect and improve the outcomes of vulnerable children and young people. This was confirmed in a written statement made on 12 February 2020, which is available at the following link: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statements/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2Clords&uin=HCWS110.

The Department is working closely with over 1600 schools across the country who are acting, on a voluntary basis, as early adopters of relationships education; relationships and sex education (RSE); and health education. As early adopters, these schools have indicated their intention to start teaching the new requirements: relationships education (for primary aged pupils), RSE (for secondary aged pupils) and health education (all pupils in state-funded schools), during the academic year 2019/20, ahead of the subjects being compulsory from September 2020.

The Department has been working closely with these early adopter schools to develop a programme of support. Recently four national conferences took place (including for 229 early adopter schools based in the North West London and South Central Region), to help early adopters plan for delivery of the new subjects, and to enable the Department to learn about their current practices and assess support needs. Following feedback from the conferences, consideration is being given to what further regional support may be required.

This engagement with early adopter schools is helping the Department develop its programme of support for the new subjects, which will be available to all teachers from spring 2020. The programme will focus on tools that improve schools’ practice and will offer opportunities for teachers to improve subject knowledge, build confidence and share best practice. This support will be accessed through a new online service and will include an implementation guide, which will accompany the statutory guidance, case studies from early adopter schools, and innovative materials to support staff training. We will continue to test this package with early adopter schools.

Healthcare and social care are devolved matters.

The Department jointly commissioned with Department for Health and Social Care an Expert Working Group to look at how the mental health needs of looked-after children, previously looked-after children and care leavers in England could be better met. In November 2017, the group made a set of recommendations including on improving assessment of the mental health needs of looked-after children.

The Department is taking forward a number of these recommendations through our £1 million mental health assessment pilot programme, which is testing improved approaches to the mental health and wellbeing element of the health assessment on entry to care.

The Department has appointed SQW Limited to carry out an evaluation of the pilot and fieldwork is currently underway. This will help inform our assessment of the changes needed to the mental health assessments of looked-after children.

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is a £200 million investment targeted at developing early intervention projects over 10 years to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime and serious violence, including reoffending. The fund is working with local communities to guarantee support reaches those at greatest risk. This could include issues such as children who may not be engaged with education. Through the first grant round in 2019, the YEF identified 23 successful applicants. These projects range from intensive family therapy to school mentoring programmes. The YEF will advertise future funding rounds, as well as offer regional and national events for prospective applicants when funding rounds open. The department will work with the Home Office to ensure that appropriate future rounds are publicised to all eligible bidders. More information on future rounds as well as how to apply for grants can be found on the YEF website: https://youthendowmentfund.org.uk/.

The legal duty aims to ensure key organisations in a local area collaborate in a multi-agency approach to tackle serious violence. The Department for Education is working with the Home Office to ensure that the education sector is a key part of the multi-agency partnership. We will be engaging with schools and colleges, including alternative provision institutions, and aim to publish guidance to help support education providers to understand the level of commitment the duty may place on them.

The Government is taking forward an ambitious programme of action on behaviour, exclusion and alternative provision (AP) which will respect head teachers’ powers to use exclusion when they need to, enable schools to support children at risk of exclusion, and ensure that excluded children continue to receive a good education. We will expand AP and improve the quality of the sector so that pupils in AP receive an education on a par with that received by their mainstream peers and receive the support they need in other areas. Further information on the timeframes for this work will be provided in due course.

The first Mental Health Support Team (MHST) trailblazer sites were announced in December 2018. The 7 Mental Health Support Team (MHSTs) sites selected in London will deliver 15 MHSTs in this first wave of implementation. They are all expected to have completed their training by the end of 2019 / early 2020 and will be fully operational following this. As a result, it is too early to assess their effectiveness in schools and colleges.

A further 16 MHST sites were announced in London in 2019 (23 MHST sites in total), due to deliver a total of 41 MHSTs between them. Each team is expected to support up to 20 schools and colleges, or a population of around 8,000 children and young people.

The national early evaluation of the trailblazer programme formally commenced on 1 October 2019. The protocol for the first phase of the evaluation is available at https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/16/138/31, and findings are expected to be published in Spring/Summer 2021.

The government remains committed to introducing an Alternative Student Finance product for tuition fee and maintenance loans. Details on implementation will follow the conclusion of the review of post-18 education and funding.

The Government believes that music is an important subject and that all pupils should receive a high-quality music education. The subject is compulsory in the national curriculum up to age 14 and the Government is providing funding of over £300 million for music education hubs between 2016 and 2020. We recently announced a further year’s funding for music hubs, to help thousands more children learn to play musical instruments, as well as continued support for a range of smaller music and arts programmes, totalling £85 million.

Music education hubs have done excellent work to ensure there is more equitable access to music education. We are aware of the work of the Music in Secondary Schools Trust and thank them for their commitment to music education. My officials and I would welcome a meeting with officials from the Trust to discuss their work further.

This government will ensure that our universities are places where free speech can thrive, and will strengthen academic freedoms.

The freedom to express views openly, challenge ideas and engage in robust debate is crucial to the student experience and to democracy. Individuals should never be in a position where they can be stopped from, or are made to feel inhibited in, expressing an opinion perfectly lawfully. Similarly, universities should be places where students are exposed to a range of views, including those which may be controversial, and are encouraged to debate and challenge them.

Free speech is protected in universities by law and is embedded in the Office for Students’ Regulatory Framework. Under the Education (No 2) Act 1986, universities have a specific duty to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for staff, students and visiting speakers. The government worked with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, who published new guidance in February 2019 on freedom of speech in higher education to support higher education providers and students’ unions in delivering their duties.

The government will be looking closely at how well higher education providers are meeting these obligations and will consider whether further action is needed, working with a range of partners.

In early 2022, we will publish a public consultation on the proposed long-term targets to be set under the Environment Act 2021 framework. This will include a rationale and specify the metric for each of the proposed targets. Alongside the consultation, we intend to publish an evidence pack and Impact Assessment that will provide more detailed information about the evidence approach used to develop the targets. We are required by the Environment Act 2021 to set at least one long term target for biodiversity, and are currently considering several potential options, including related to habitats.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers provided on 1 December 2021 to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam, PQ 82122, and to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, PQ 82067.

The Government has made tackling sewage overflows a priority and we are the first Government to take concerted action to tackle this historic infrastructure issue.

Earlier this year the Government published a new draft set of strategic priorities for the water industry's financial regulator Ofwat. In this publication Government set out its expectation that water companies must take steps to "significantly reduce the frequency and volume of sewage discharges from storm overflows."

The Environment Act then placed this direction on a statutory footing, setting a duty for water companies to achieve a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows. Defra intends to set out the level of ambition expected by this in due course.

The Water Industry Act, as amended by the Environment Act, will include a duty on water companies to publish near real time information (within one hour) of the commencement of an overflow, its location and when it ceases, and to monitor the water quality upstream and downstream of a storm overflow or a sewage disposal works. These requirements will be part of the way we measure and evaluate the reduction in harm caused by storm overflows and the Government will bring forward implementing legislation in due course.

Improving water quality is a Government priority and we are taking significant action in this area for people and nature. The Environment Act sets a duty on the Government to publish a storm overflow discharge reduction plan by September 2022. This plan will address reducing the adverse impacts on public health of sewage discharges from storm overflows.

Where rivers are designated as Bathing Waters, the Environment Agency monitors water quality and classifies bathing waters in line with the health protective standards of the Bathing Water Regulations (2013) and publishes an annual classification of Poor, Sufficient, Good or Excellent. It must also exercise its pollution control powers to achieve at least Sufficient status. Currently there is one river with designated Bathing Water Status, the River Wharfe at Ilkley. This was monitored for the first time during the 2021 Bathing Water Season (15th May - 30th September). The classification result will be published in January 2022.

The Environment Agency publishes a profile for each designated Bathing Water on its Swimfo website (https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/), which provides water quality testing results, the annual classification and information on pollution sources affecting each Bathing Water.

The Environment Agency and the UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) have published Swim Healthy guidance on Gov.UK

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/swim-healthy-leaflet).

The Government has not made an assessment of the impact on riverside SMEs of local sewage pollution.

However, the Government has been clear that the water industry’s levels of sewage discharges from storm overflows are unacceptable and has made tackling this a priority. We are the first Government to take concerted action to tackle this historic infrastructure issue, including through the Environment Act. The provisions in the Environment Act place a duty on the water industry to achieve a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts caused by storm overflows. These include adverse impacts on public health.

The Government will publish a report before 1 September 2022 on the actions necessary, including the costs and benefits of the elimination of storm overflows. The report will consider a range of benefits, including those to business.

On 13 September the Government published a call for evidence on the impacts of potential animal welfare labelling. The call for evidence closes on 6 December. Following the conclusion of the call for evidence and a period to analyse responses received, the Government will publish a summary of responses. This will include information about the number of responses received and explain the key themes arising from those responses, without infringing upon expected confidentiality or identifying individuals. This approach is in line with the Government Consultation Principles.

The 2018 Food Standards Agency’s survey into slaughter methods in England and Wales indicates that approximately 24% of meat from sheep slaughtered without stunning was exported to the EU. The Food Standards Agency will be undertaking a further survey in early 2022, which will provide the latest slaughter data.

There is no requirement on meat Export Health Certificates (EHCs) to stipulate if an animal was stunned or not.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone was implemented by the Mayor of London, who is responsible for assessing its impacts and effectiveness.

The Government is working with a number of local authorities to bring local roads to within legal limits for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution, following the actions set out in the 2017 NO2 plan. A number of these local authorities are implementing Clean Air Zones to achieve this aim, with zones launched in Bath and Birmingham and another launching shortly in Portsmouth. The primary goal of such actions is to safeguard public health from the impacts of air pollution.

Where a local authority identifies a Clean Air Zone is needed, it is required to carry out an assessment of the zone's impacts as part of its initial business case development. These authorities will also undertake ongoing monitoring and analysis to assess the zone's impacts on air quality.

Timber price indices published by Forest Research, based on timber sales made by Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales and Forestry and Land Scotland, show that coniferous standing timber has increased in value by 235% in nominal terms and 113% in real terms over the last 20 years. Timber is an internationally traded commodity and prices vary depending on the performance of economies around the world, currency exchange rates and levels of harvesting.

Forest Research publish timber availability forecasts for softwood and hardwood in Great Britain over 25 and 50 year time horizons. Forecasts are adjusted over time as new data and improved models become available.

Current forecasts show that softwood availability changes over time increasing from an annual average availability of 17.15 million m³ in the period 2017 – 2021 to 18.4 million m³ in 2027 – 2031 before declining to 11.9 million m³ in 2047 -2051. A revised 25 year forecast will be published in 2022.

The department has not made estimates of global supplies of timber, however, data provided by Forest Research contribute to Forest Sector Outlook Studies produced by the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

Forest Research publishes Forestry Statistics on Trade in wood products based on Overseas Statistics compiled by HM Revenue & Customs.

In the period 2011 - 2020 the UK has consumed between 43 and 57 million tonnes of wood raw material equivalent (WRME) annually. Consumption is the sum of UK produced wood plus imported wood minus exported wood. UK production accounted for between 10.0 and 11.2 million tonnes WRME annually and imported timber for between 39.6 and 50.3 million tonnes WRME.

Imported timber accounts for around 80% of timber consumed in the UK. Levels of consumption depend on economic activity. It is anticipated that imports will continue to account for the majority of timber consumed in the UK in each of the next three decades. This year, as part of the Nature for Climate Fund, we are supporting 17 projects designed to increase levels of woodland management to both improve habitats and supply timber to market. As described in the England Trees Action Plan we are working with industry to encourage the use of timber, increase supply of timber to the construction market and develop innovative timber products and methods of construction using wood.

There is no shortage of chemicals required for wastewater treatment, and production levels remain normal.

There is no shortage of ferric sulphate or any other chemical required for wastewater treatment.

Forestry is a devolved matter and so this answer relates only to government supported tree planting in England.

The latest statistics for new planting supported by central government in England can be found in the Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators: Report for 2020-21 on the gov.uk website. These most recent published provisional statistics are shown below:

Source: Forestry Commission.

1. Includes trees in areas counting as woodland, and some tree cover outside woodland.

2. The density of tree planting, in terms of numbers of trees planted per hectare of land, varies between planting schemes

3. Tree numbers are approximate and to the nearest 1,000 trees. Figures may not sum due to rounding

These statistics include new planting supported by Government via the Rural Development Programme for England (Countryside Stewardship and the former English Woodland Creation Grant), the Woodland Carbon Fund, the High Speed 2 Woodland Fund, Forestry England, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the National Forest Company, in the Northern Forest, and by the Community Forests.

Planting rates in 2020/21 were impacted by Covid-19. The England Tree Action Plan published in May 2021 stated our aim to at least treble tree planting rates in England by end of this Parliament.

Both native grey seals and common seals species are currently protected in the UK under relevant wildlife legislation. Details can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protected-marine-species/seals

The Government recognises that disturbance by members of the public can be detrimental and, on occasion, fatal to seals. Therefore, together with Seal Alliance, we launched a new Government-backed campaign, ‘Give Seals Space’, to help raise awareness of the impact that human disturbance can have on seals and to help reduce it.

Through the Marine Management Organisation, the Government has been supporting ‘Operation Seabird’ which aims to tackle increases in disturbance to marine wildlife, including seals, by providing education and guidance to prevent wildlife disturbances and to prosecute with the support of local police forces where necessary.

We will continue to identify opportunities to raise awareness and support efforts to minimise disturbance of seals. We are also investigating what other actions could be taken to better protect seals, such as developing and distributing clear guidelines to boat operators, those partaking in recreational water sports, and the public.

The latest statistics for new planting supported by central Government in England can be found in the Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators: Report for 2020-21 on the gov.uk website. These most recent published provisional statistics are shown below:

Source: Forestry Commission.

These statistics include new planting supported by the Government via the Rural Development Programme for England (Countryside Stewardship and the former English Woodland Creation Grant), the Woodland Carbon Fund, the High Speed 2 Woodland Fund, Forestry England, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the National Forest Company, in the Northern Forest, and by the Community Forests.

On 1 January 2021 Defra and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a detailed set of guidance on the gov.uk and HSE websites to give business the information it needs to carry out its new responsibilities under UK REACH.

Defra and HSE continue to regularly update the gov.uk and HSE websites with relevant content. This includes guidance related to updates to the Comply with UK REACH IT service.

The relationship between Defra and its arm’s-length bodies (ALB) is established through a Framework Document which has been agreed between each ALB and Defra to exercise meaningful oversight of the ALB’s strategy and performance, pay arrangements and/or major financial transactions, e.g. by monthly returns, standard delegations and exception reporting. Defra’s accounts consolidate its ALBs, so Defra’s accounting officer must be satisfied that the consolidated accounts are accurate and not misleading.

Defra’s ALBs are required to submit to Defra, on an annual basis, an annual report and audited accounts prepared in accordance with the relevant statutes and guidelines. The annual report and accounts provide Defra with the financial and non-financial performance of the ALB. In addition, they will state if the ALB has met key performance indicators as set out in their business and corporate plans. The report and accounts of each ALB are independently audited and are laid in Parliament and, where commercially possible, made available on the ALB’s website. The consolidated Defra group accounts are audited by the National Audit Office, laid in Parliament, and published on Defra’s website.

Defra’s injurious weeds policy aims to balance a variety of different interests. Injurious weeds, which include common ragwort, form part of our native plant communities, supporting a wide variety of invertebrates and are a major nectar source for many insects.

The ‘Code of Practice on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort’ sets out guidance for all landowners, including those in the public sector, on when and how common ragwort should be removed.

The Code does not seek to eradicate common ragwort, but only seeks to control its spread where it poses a high risk of spreading to agricultural land, for example land used for grazing.

Our proposed lump sum exit scheme will provide support for farmers in England who wish to exit the industry.

In 2018, we undertook a survey of around 1,000 farmers as part of our planning for the Agriculture Act. Six per cent of those surveyed said they wanted to leave farming but felt they were not able to do so at that time. Financial reasons were given as the main barrier.

There will be a range of factors which will affect individual farmers’ decisions about whether they wish to take the lump sum and exit farming. The consultation will be used to gather further evidence about likely uptake.

Our consultation can be found here:

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/agricultural-policy/lump-sum-and-delinked-payments-england/. This consultation is open until 11 August 2021.

The Environment Agency (EA) visits and checks the Priestley Way trash screen on a weekly basis to ensure blockages are not increasing flood risk to properties and infrastructure upstream. The EA clears the screen when it deems the accumulation of debris to present an increase in flood risk. The EA does not hold data on specific clearance dates.

The EA acknowledges that the accumulation of debris on site is unsightly however the screen has an important role in preventing debris from entering the larger protected Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) area.

We are working to complete the England Coast Path and to support our network of National Trails and intend to create a new National Trail across the North of England. We are ensuring that rights of way are recorded and protected, as well as developing schemes that reward environmental benefits which could fund the creation of new paths, such as footpaths and bridleways, which provide access for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians where appropriate.

Local authorities are also required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) to plan improvements to their network, which is usually available on the authority’s website.

During the recent stranding of a minke whale in the Thames, Defra officials worked closely with the Government-funded Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP). Unfortunately, due to the extremely poor condition of the whale, it was euthanised on welfare grounds.

CSIP investigates causes of death in stranded cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and carried out a post-mortem on the minke whale. This indicated the female calf was in poor nutritional condition and was likely already in a very poor state of health when she entered the Thames. This is consistent with the whale being only a few months old and having been separated from her mother and/or social group. Follow-up work is ongoing to understand whether there were any significant underlying issues to explain her unusual presence in the Thames.

The UK Government plays a leading role championing the conservation and welfare of all cetaceans both in the UK and internationally. We recently let a 10-year contract for the continuation of the extremely important CSIP to help us improve our understanding of, and ability to tackle, key threats to cetaceans.

In 2019, the Government asked Henry Dimbleby to carry out an independent review of the food system. Part one of that review was published in July 2020 and contained recommendations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with chapters on trade, health and food insecurity. Part Two of the report will be published in Summer 2021 and will include a root and branch examination of the food system. The findings of the review will inform the Government’s food strategy, to be set out in a Food Strategy White Paper due to be published in the 6 months following the final report.

The Food Strategy White Paper will support the development of a food system that is sustainable, resilient and supports people to live healthy lives. We recognise the importance of innovative approaches and novel technologies in this pursuit, and already have a base for the Food Strategy to build upon through the 2013 Agri-Tech Strategy and Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan which was published on Monday 30th November 2020.

Defra estimates the proportion of fresh fruit and vegetables entering the household which come from free sources, mainly gardens and allotments. In 2018/19 this was 3 percent.

In the same period the percentage of eggs entering the household which were free or home produced was 3.8 percent.

The 2020 storm overflow data submitted by water companies in England is published by the Environment Agency on gov.uk and can be found following the link below:

https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/21e15f12-0df8-4bfc-b763-45226c16a8ac

In 2020 there were 12,092 storm overflows with monitoring data, reporting a total spills count for the year of 403,171.

The 2020 storm overflow data submitted by water companies in England is published by the Environment Agency on gov.uk and can be found following the link below:

https://environment.data.gov.uk/dataset/21e15f12-0df8-4bfc-b763-45226c16a8ac

In 2020 there were 12,092 storm overflows with monitoring data reporting a combined length of time of operation for the year of 3,101,150 hours.

We take our international obligations for human health and the environment very seriously and continue to monitor action in other countries and learn from their experiences.

The export of paraquat is regulated under the Great Britain Prior Informed Consent (PIC) regulatory regime for the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals. Companies intending to export any of these chemicals from Great Britain must notify the importing country via the exporter’s Designated National Authority. For Great Britain the Designated National Authority is the Health and Safety Executive.

Paraquat additionally requires the explicit consent of the importing country before export can take place. The exchange of information that PIC provides allows the importing countries to make informed decisions on the import of those chemicals and on how to handle and use them safely.

Sphaerotilus natans is an aquatic periphyton organism associated with polluted water. It forms colonies commonly known as "sewage fungus", but can be associated with different types of organic pollution such as from agriculture or some industrial effluents. The Environment Agency does not have a specific monitoring programme for sewage fungus itself, but it is used as an indicator of pollution when the Environment Agency responds to pollution incidents, and when it carries out wastewater treatment works or storm overflow inspections. If observed the presence of sewage fungus would usually be recorded by monitoring teams when carrying routine ecological and chemical monitoring. The extent of sewage fungus is often used in evidence as an indicator of gross pollution when taking action under the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy.

Having left the EU, we now have the freedom to tackle single-use plastic items in ways that work best for us, including considering alternative approaches to the EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive to deliver a better overall outcome. Where policy areas are devolved, the devolved administrations are taking their own approach.

This year in England we are increasing our highly successful single-use carrier bag charge to 10p and extending it to all retailers, and in April 2022 a new plastic packaging tax will come into force to incentivise businesses to use 30% recycled plastic instead of new material in plastic packaging. We are also taking powers in the Environment Bill to create extended producer responsibility schemes; introduce deposit return schemes; establish greater consistency in the recycling system; better control the export of plastic waste; and give us the power to set new charges for other single-use plastic items.

The Plastics Research and Innovation Fund (PRIF) was a £20 million investment delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which began in 2018. Its aim was to explore novel ideas and innovations with the potential to make the plastics sector more circular and address the challenge of persistent plastic pollution. The last PRIF funding competition, Designing Sustainable Plastic Solutions, closed on the 16 September 2020.

The PRIF programme consisted of three components: funding for cutting edge interdisciplinary research programmes led by universities; investment in business-led research and development projects through both grants and an innovative investor partnership with Sky Ocean Ventures; and a core programme designed to provide leadership and knowledge exchange activity.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ukcpn.co.uk/news/the-plastics-research-and-innovation-fund/

Following support in response to the first consultation on increasing the consistency materials collected for recycling in England, the Environment Bill states that local authorities must make arrangements for a core set of recyclable waste streams to be collected from households. This core set includes: paper and card; plastic; metal; glass; food waste; and garden waste.

We are preparing to publish a second consultation on recycling consistency this spring, which will seek further views on the materials to be included under the definition of each recyclable waste stream, which will include seeking views on the inclusion of food and drink cartons, and plastic films. We will also seek further views on transition timelines for local authorities in the upcoming consultation.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are afforded protection through section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Natural England has published guidance on the enforcement of environmental crime, including at SSSIs which is available on GOV.UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389649/enforcement-guidance.pdf

Whilst local Biodiversity Action Plans can be a useful means of coordinating and communicating action on biodiversity, there is no formal requirement on local authorities to produce one and the Government does not keep records of the number they produce.

In 2020, the Government introduced new measures in the Environment Bill to establish Local Nature Recovery Strategies and provide a framework for the Nature Recovery Network. Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new system of spatial strategies for nature, covering the whole of England. They are designed as tools to drive more coordinated, practical and focused action to help nature. All public authorities will be required to have regard to relevant strategies as part of a stronger duty on public authorities to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

The Welsh Harp or Brent reservoir is owned by the Canal and River Trust. As the Environment Agency does not own the asset, it is not responsible for dredging the reservoir or testing the chemical composition of the silt. Riparian landowners are responsible for maintaining the river channel, banks, and associated vegetation in order to control flood risk. This includes the removal of general rubbish.

The Environment Agency is, in partnership with the council, responsible for maintaining two trash screens that lie at the entrance to the Brent Reservoir: the Priestley Way trash screen that sits on the River Brent and the Edgeware auto-trash screen that sits on the River Silkstream. Both of these trash screens are cleared of debris on a weekly basis due to the large amount of debris that comes down the two rivers and collects at these locations.

The Priestley Way trash screen is due some repair and maintenance work. This will include removal of overgrown vegetation, replacement of worn/damaged parts, and removal of current debris. Whilst these repairs need to be completed to keep the asset in good working condition, they do not currently prevent the asset from operating as it should. The Environment Agency hopes to complete this work by the end of February.

The Welsh Harp or Brent reservoir is owned by the Canal and River Trust. As the Environment Agency does not own the asset, it is not responsible for dredging the reservoir or testing the chemical composition of the silt. Riparian landowners are responsible for maintaining the river channel, banks, and associated vegetation in order to control flood risk. This includes the removal of general rubbish.

The Environment Agency is, in partnership with the council, responsible for maintaining two trash screens that lie at the entrance to the Brent Reservoir: the Priestley Way trash screen that sits on the River Brent and the Edgeware auto-trash screen that sits on the River Silkstream. Both of these trash screens are cleared of debris on a weekly basis due to the large amount of debris that comes down the two rivers and collects at these locations.

The Priestley Way trash screen is due some repair and maintenance work. This will include removal of overgrown vegetation, replacement of worn/damaged parts, and removal of current debris. Whilst these repairs need to be completed to keep the asset in good working condition, they do not currently prevent the asset from operating as it should. The Environment Agency hopes to complete this work by the end of February.

The Welsh Harp or Brent reservoir is owned by the Canal and River Trust. As the Environment Agency does not own the asset, it is not responsible for dredging the reservoir or testing the chemical composition of the silt. Riparian landowners are responsible for maintaining the river channel, banks, and associated vegetation in order to control flood risk. This includes the removal of general rubbish.

The Environment Agency is, in partnership with the council, responsible for maintaining two trash screens that lie at the entrance to the Brent Reservoir: the Priestley Way trash screen that sits on the River Brent and the Edgeware auto-trash screen that sits on the River Silkstream. Both of these trash screens are cleared of debris on a weekly basis due to the large amount of debris that comes down the two rivers and collects at these locations.

The Priestley Way trash screen is due some repair and maintenance work. This will include removal of overgrown vegetation, replacement of worn/damaged parts, and removal of current debris. Whilst these repairs need to be completed to keep the asset in good working condition, they do not currently prevent the asset from operating as it should. The Environment Agency hopes to complete this work by the end of February.

The Department has a legal requirement to review the F gas Regulation and publish a comprehensive report by no later than 31 December 2022. This will include a review of the availability of technically feasible and cost-effective alternatives and will include an assessment of the use and alternatives to SF6 in electrical installations. The Department is now beginning internal work on the review and intends to engage with stakeholders on this work later this year.

The UK has a legal requirement to review the Fluorinated Gas (F gas) Regulation and publish a comprehensive report of this review by no later than 31 December 2022. The Department is now beginning internal work on the review and intends to engage with stakeholders on this work later this year. The review will include an assessment of opportunities for faster and further action on phasing down F gases.

Numbers on departmental staff attending COP26 are still to be determined.

The Government remains committed to banning the use of remote controlled hand-held electronic training collars (e-collars) for dogs and cats in England. We will introduce the necessary legislation to implement the ban as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

The EU Commission has now responded to clarify their decision on listing the UK as a third country under Annex II of the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

On 3 December 2020 the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) of the EU voted in favour of giving the United Kingdom Part 2 listed status for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel after the transition period. This listed status will be formally adopted by the EU in due course.

Part 2 listed status means similar health requirements to travel to the EU as now, but new documentation will be required for pets and assistance dogs.

We are disappointed not to become a Part 1 listed third country. We are clear we meet all the requirements for this and have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity. Our disease risk will also not change after the transition period and so we will continue to press the EU Commission on securing Part 1 listed status.

There will be no changes to the current pet travel health requirements for entry into Great Britain and we will continue to accept EU pet passports. We intend to publish further guidance shortly on what this development means for travellers, on GOV.UK.

The Government published a call for evidence last year to help consider the development of product standards or certification criteria for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics as well as to better understand their effects on the environment and our current waste system. The call for evidence closed on 14 October 2019 and we are currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a Government response shortly.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Swansea West on 16 November, PQ UIN 113464.

[questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-11-10/113464]

Householders are already able to deposit aggregates, rubber and some household chemicals at Household Waste Recycling Centres. In accordance with the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012, householders can also arrange for collections with their local authority where they want to dispose of items of waste that exceed 25kg or cannot be contained within a receptacle for household waste provided.

We want to increase recycling of waste and reduce what is sent to landfill or energy recovery. We have legislated in the Environment Bill to require separate collection of six recyclable waste streams from households including glass, metal, plastics, paper and card and food and garden waste. We will consult further on these measures in 2021. In the Resources and Waste Strategy the Government committed to investigate extending the role of Household Waste Recycling Centres as necessary to have in place arrangements for the collection of hazardous household waste by 2025. This would be subject to consultation and assessment of potential for new burdens.

This year 31 containers of waste have arrived back in England. The containers, which were shipped to Sri Lanka in 2017, were found by the Sri Lankan authorities to contain waste described as mattresses and carpets exported for recycling. This is part of a shipment totalling 263 containers all of which are due to be returned to England soon.

Despite media reports suggesting that medical waste was illegally shipped from England to Sri Lanka, the Environment Agency (EA) as the competent authority for waste shipments for England, has not received any indication or evidence from the Sri Lankan authorities to corroborate those reports. Unless or until the EA receive such evidence to the contrary or come across it, it is the view of the EA that these media reports are incorrect and misleading.

The Environment Agency (EA) as the competent authority for waste shipments for England, is proactively engaging with the authorities in Sri Lanka regarding the 263 containers of waste being returned to England and is leading the investigation on this matter. Despite media reports suggesting that medical waste was illegally shipped from England to Sri Lanka, the EA has not received any indication or evidence from the Sri Lankan authorities to corroborate those reports. Unless or until the EA receive such evidence to the contrary or come across it ourselves, it is the view of the EA that these media reports are incorrect and misleading.

With 31 containers now back on English soil, EA enforcement officers will seek to confirm the types of waste shipped, who exported it and the producer of the waste. Those responsible could face a custodial sentence of up to two years, an unlimited fine, and the recovery of money and assets gained through the course of criminal activity.

Tick surveillance has shown that tick distribution and abundance is changing throughout the UK for many reasons, including habitat and climate change. Small numbers of localised infestations with non-native tick species have been reported in recent years. For these reasons, Defra strongly encourages pet owners to treat their pets to safeguard their animals against ticks and tick transmitted diseases when travelling abroad. Further advice can be obtained from their local vet, and via the Public Health England leaflet available on GOV.UK.

While Defra has no immediate plans to amend the tick controls for pet animals entering the UK, the end of the Transition Period will open up new opportunities for managing our Pet Travel rules. We remain aware of the concerns around ticks and tick-borne disease, and future policy will be guided by risk assessment. Defra also continues to monitor the disease situation through the Tick Surveillance Scheme.

Tick surveillance has shown that tick distribution and abundance is changing throughout the UK for many reasons, including habitat and climate change. Small numbers of localised infestations with non-native tick species have been reported in recent years. For these reasons, Defra strongly encourages pet owners to treat their pets to safeguard their animals against ticks and tick transmitted diseases when travelling abroad. Further advice can be obtained from their local vet, and via the Public Health England leaflet available on GOV.UK.

While Defra has no immediate plans to amend the tick controls for pet animals entering the UK, the end of the Transition Period will open up new opportunities for managing our Pet Travel rules. We remain aware of the concerns around ticks and tick-borne disease, and future policy will be guided by risk assessment. Defra also continues to monitor the disease situation through the Tick Surveillance Scheme.

We believe that the tobacco industry must take responsibility for the litter created by its products. Since the roundtable, we understand that Keep Britain Tidy has been working with the tobacco industry to develop a non-regulatory producer responsibility scheme for smoking related litter.

We are watching this work with interest as it could provide a more rapid means of securing significant investment from the industry to tackle this litter than taking legislative action. We have been clear that any such scheme must be developed in accordance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the FCTC guidelines and the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

If smoking related litter continues to be a significant environmental concern, we will reflect on the steps the Government can take to ensure that the tobacco industry takes more responsibility. Measures in the Environment Bill will allow us to legislate for an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for tobacco products, if such an intervention was considered necessary.

Cigarette and tobacco product packaging will be covered by the reforms to the packaging producer responsibility scheme.

Dilute and disperse landfill sites were used up to the 1990s before containment engineering was introduced.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) historic landfill dataset is a map and dataset of landfill sites from the 1900s onwards. It uses data collected from local authorities, the former Department of the Environment and the British Geological Society.

Using this dataset, in England and Wales, up to 31 Dec 1979, the total number of landfills recorded is 13,510.

In addition, up to 1990, a search of the database identifies just over 15,000 landfill sites in England and Wales.

The quality of the records vary as they are based on information provided to the EA at the time.

Defra monitors the UK agricultural markets including commodity prices and long-term trends. The beef sector has shown resilience and current prices are above the 5-year average.

We want all farmers to get a fair price for their products and the Government is committed to tackling any unfairness that may exist in the agri-food supply chain. Through the Agriculture Bill we have set out ambitious plans to improve transparency in the supply chain, strengthening the position of those who produce our food.

We recently consulted on Measures to reduce personal water consumption.

A Government response to this consultation will be published by the end of 2020, which will set out intended steps to improve water efficiency.

The Government is committed to introducing consistency in recycling in all boroughs in England including those in London. The Environment Bill seeks to introduce legislation for a core set of materials (glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, food and garden waste) to be collected for recycling from households, businesses and other organisations such as schools. The Environment Bill does not require garden waste to be collected from businesses and non-domestic premises.

A core set of materials will avoid confusion amongst householders with regard to what can be recycled. This in turn will result in more materials being recycled.

The Government has committed to covering the costs of any additional burdens that local authorities face as a result of new statutory duties that require them to implement consistency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow on 19 May 2020, PQ UIN 46697, which remains the current situation.

[www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-05-13/46697]

The Government plans to bring forward at least one target in the area of resource efficiency and waste reduction by the Environment Bill's 31 October 2022 deadline.

We want a robust, evidence-led process for setting targets which includes seeking independent expert advice, a role for stakeholders and the public, as well as scrutiny from Parliament. The process for setting targets will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets; developing fully evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and drafting target legislation. We will be engaging stakeholders, including on resource efficiency and waste, during our stepped approached to target setting.

The target setting steps will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets; developing fully-evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and finally drafting target legislation. We expect to publish a Target Policy Paper over the coming months which will include further details and timing about these steps.

The Government plans to bring forward at least one target in the area of resource efficiency and waste reduction by the Environment Bill's 31 October 2022 deadline.

We want a robust, evidence-led process for setting targets which includes seeking independent expert advice, a role for stakeholders and the public, as well as scrutiny from Parliament. The process for setting targets will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets; developing fully evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and drafting target legislation. We will be engaging stakeholders, including on resource efficiency and waste, during our stepped approached to target setting.

The target setting steps will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets; developing fully-evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and finally drafting target legislation. We expect to publish a Target Policy Paper over the coming months which will include further details and timing about these steps.

The Department has carried out a review of the existing Waste Prevention Programme which we plan to publish shortly. Over the past 12 months we have engaged with a range of stakeholders to develop initial proposals for a revised programme, but over the past few months this work has slowed down because of the immediate priorities of the Covid-19 response. We will communicate next steps in due course. In the meantime, the Resources and Waste Strategy, published in December 2018, sets out how we will preserve our stock of material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a more circular economy.

The UK remains committed to meeting its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and we have a manifesto commitment to protect and restore our natural environment after leaving the EU. Our landmark Environment Bill will help us achieve this. In the Resources and Waste Strategy published in 2018, we challenged ourselves to achieve a 65% municipal recycling rate target and to send 10% or less municipal waste to landfill by 2035. Work is underway to achieve these targets, which will help move towards a circular economy, keeping resources in use as long as possible, so we extract maximum value from them.

The preparations we made for the possibility of a no deal exit mean that we are well placed to be ready with our own independent regulatory regime for 1 January 2021. At the end of the Transition Period the UK will have its own independent chemicals regulatory framework, UK REACH. We will bring REACH in to UK law and put in place the systems and capacity to ensure the effective management and control of chemicals which safeguard human health and the environment and can respond to emerging risks.

UK REACH will retain the principles and fundamental approach of the EU REACH system, with its aims of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as enhancing innovation and competitiveness. UK REACH maintains the core principle of EU REACH of “no data no market” to provide assurance that businesses understand the risks of chemicals they are using, and how to manage those risks, and to give UK regulators the information they need to manage risks to the environment and to UK consumers.

We will aim to keep the transition to UK REACH as simple and straightforward as possible. We are considering a range of measures to minimise the burdens and costs for businesses.

This includes the grace period provisions we have out in place to enable industry to comply with UK REACH through a phased transitional period. Defra's estimates of the costs to industry broadly align with those identified by industry, and we continue to explore a range of further steps to minimise the burdens on businesses. As part of that process we have been undertaking a focused evidence-gathering exercise to better understand costs and practical options to reduce burdens on industry. This has involved a number of key stakeholders including businesses of different sizes across the supply chain, trade associations and NGOs.

We are also looking to reduce the cost to business, through the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU for a Free Trade Agreement. In February, the Government published our approach to negotiating our future relationship with the EU. That includes a proposal for a chemicals annex as part of the EU Free Trade Agreement, to facilitate trade and encourage high levels of protection for the environment and human health. To support businesses to meet the separate regulatory requirements of the UK and EU markets, we aim to agree data and information sharing mechanisms with the EU, in line with the relevant provisions set out in UK and EU regulation and existing third-country mechanisms. On 19 May the Government published its draft Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) with the EU text. Negotiations are ongoing and progress will be kept under review.

The Government published “EU Exit: Long-term economic impacts” in November 2018. This paper provides estimates of the economic impact of a range of future trading relationships with the EU. Our commitment to having control of our own laws and on not remaining within the jurisdiction of the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), means that we are not seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and participation in EU REACH.

The preparations we made for the possibility of a no deal exit mean that we are well placed to be ready with our own independent regulatory regime for 1 January 2021. At the end of the Transition Period the UK will have its own independent chemicals regulatory framework, UK REACH. We will bring REACH in to UK law and put in place the systems and capacity to ensure the effective management and control of chemicals which safeguard human health and the environment and can respond to emerging risks.

UK REACH will retain the principles and fundamental approach of the EU REACH system, with its aims of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as enhancing innovation and competitiveness. UK REACH maintains the core principle of EU REACH of “no data no market” to provide assurance that businesses understand the risks of chemicals they are using, and how to manage those risks, and to give UK regulators the information they need to manage risks to the environment and to UK consumers.

We will aim to keep the transition to UK REACH as simple and straightforward as possible. We are considering a range of measures to minimise the burdens and costs for businesses.

This includes the grace period provisions we have out in place to enable industry to comply with UK REACH through a phased transitional period. Defra's estimates of the costs to industry broadly align with those identified by industry, and we continue to explore a range of further steps to minimise the burdens on businesses. As part of that process we have been undertaking a focused evidence-gathering exercise to better understand costs and practical options to reduce burdens on industry. This has involved a number of key stakeholders including businesses of different sizes across the supply chain, trade associations and NGOs.

We are also looking to reduce the cost to business, through the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU for a Free Trade Agreement. In February, the Government published our approach to negotiating our future relationship with the EU. That includes a proposal for a chemicals annex as part of the EU Free Trade Agreement, to facilitate trade and encourage high levels of protection for the environment and human health. To support businesses to meet the separate regulatory requirements of the UK and EU markets, we aim to agree data and information sharing mechanisms with the EU, in line with the relevant provisions set out in UK and EU regulation and existing third-country mechanisms. On 19 May the Government published its draft Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) with the EU text. Negotiations are ongoing and progress will be kept under review.

The Government published “EU Exit: Long-term economic impacts” in November 2018. This paper provides estimates of the economic impact of a range of future trading relationships with the EU. Our commitment to having control of our own laws and on not remaining within the jurisdiction of the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), means that we are not seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and participation in EU REACH.

The preparations we made for the possibility of a no deal exit mean that we are well placed to be ready with our own independent regulatory regime for 1 January 2021. At the end of the Transition Period the UK will have its own independent chemicals regulatory framework, UK REACH. We will bring REACH in to UK law and put in place the systems and capacity to ensure the effective management and control of chemicals which safeguard human health and the environment and can respond to emerging risks.

UK REACH will retain the principles and fundamental approach of the EU REACH system, with its aims of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as enhancing innovation and competitiveness. UK REACH maintains the core principle of EU REACH of “no data no market” to provide assurance that businesses understand the risks of chemicals they are using, and how to manage those risks, and to give UK regulators the information they need to manage risks to the environment and to UK consumers.

We will aim to keep the transition to UK REACH as simple and straightforward as possible. We are considering a range of measures to minimise the burdens and costs for businesses.

This includes the grace period provisions we have out in place to enable industry to comply with UK REACH through a phased transitional period. Defra's estimates of the costs to industry broadly align with those identified by industry, and we continue to explore a range of further steps to minimise the burdens on businesses. As part of that process we have been undertaking a focused evidence-gathering exercise to better understand costs and practical options to reduce burdens on industry. This has involved a number of key stakeholders including businesses of different sizes across the supply chain, trade associations and NGOs.

We are also looking to reduce the cost to business, through the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU for a Free Trade Agreement. In February, the Government published our approach to negotiating our future relationship with the EU. That includes a proposal for a chemicals annex as part of the EU Free Trade Agreement, to facilitate trade and encourage high levels of protection for the environment and human health. To support businesses to meet the separate regulatory requirements of the UK and EU markets, we aim to agree data and information sharing mechanisms with the EU, in line with the relevant provisions set out in UK and EU regulation and existing third-country mechanisms. On 19 May the Government published its draft Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) with the EU text. Negotiations are ongoing and progress will be kept under review.

The Government published “EU Exit: Long-term economic impacts” in November 2018. This paper provides estimates of the economic impact of a range of future trading relationships with the EU. Our commitment to having control of our own laws and on not remaining within the jurisdiction of the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), means that we are not seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and participation in EU REACH.

The preparations we made for the possibility of a no deal exit mean that we are well placed to be ready with our own independent regulatory regime for 1 January 2021. At the end of the Transition Period the UK will have its own independent chemicals regulatory framework, UK REACH. We will bring REACH in to UK law and put in place the systems and capacity to ensure the effective management and control of chemicals which safeguard human health and the environment and can respond to emerging risks.

UK REACH will retain the principles and fundamental approach of the EU REACH system, with its aims of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as enhancing innovation and competitiveness. UK REACH maintains the core principle of EU REACH of “no data no market” to provide assurance that businesses understand the risks of chemicals they are using, and how to manage those risks, and to give UK regulators the information they need to manage risks to the environment and to UK consumers.

We will aim to keep the transition to UK REACH as simple and straightforward as possible. We are considering a range of measures to minimise the burdens and costs for businesses.

This includes the grace period provisions we have out in place to enable industry to comply with UK REACH through a phased transitional period. Defra's estimates of the costs to industry broadly align with those identified by industry, and we continue to explore a range of further steps to minimise the burdens on businesses. As part of that process we have been undertaking a focused evidence-gathering exercise to better understand costs and practical options to reduce burdens on industry. This has involved a number of key stakeholders including businesses of different sizes across the supply chain, trade associations and NGOs.

We are also looking to reduce the cost to business, through the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU for a Free Trade Agreement. In February, the Government published our approach to negotiating our future relationship with the EU. That includes a proposal for a chemicals annex as part of the EU Free Trade Agreement, to facilitate trade and encourage high levels of protection for the environment and human health. To support businesses to meet the separate regulatory requirements of the UK and EU markets, we aim to agree data and information sharing mechanisms with the EU, in line with the relevant provisions set out in UK and EU regulation and existing third-country mechanisms. On 19 May the Government published its draft Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) with the EU text. Negotiations are ongoing and progress will be kept under review.

The Government published “EU Exit: Long-term economic impacts” in November 2018. This paper provides estimates of the economic impact of a range of future trading relationships with the EU. Our commitment to having control of our own laws and on not remaining within the jurisdiction of the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), means that we are not seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and participation in EU REACH.