Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Give UK nurseries emergency funding if they have to close down amid COVID-19
Gov Responded - 14 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsIf nurseries are shut down in view of Covid-19, the Government should set up an emergency fund to ensure their survival and ensure that parents are not charged the full fee by the nurseries to keep children's places.
Provide financial support to performers and creators during the COVID-19 crisis
Gov Responded - 22 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsThe prospect of widespread cancellations of concerts, theatre productions and exhibitions due to COVID-19 threatens to cause huge financial hardship for Britain's creative community. We ask Parliament to provide a package of emergency financial and practical support during this unpredictable time.
Extend grants immediately to small businesses outside of SBRR
Gov Responded - 29 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsThe cash grants proposed by Government are only for businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Relief, or for particular sectors. Many small businesses fall outside these reliefs desperately need cash grants and support now.
Government to offer economic assistance to the events industry during COVID-19
Gov Responded - 27 Mar 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsFor the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.
Make nurseries exempt from business rates to support the childcare sector
Gov Responded - 2 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsAfter owning nurseries for 29 years I have never experienced such damaging times for the sector with rising costs not being met by the funding rates available. Business Rates are a large drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.
Offer more support to the arts (particularly Theatres and Music) amidst COVID-19
Gov Responded - 20 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsAs we pass the COVID-19 Peak, the Government should: State where the Theatres and Arts fit in the Coronavrius recovery Roadmap, Create a tailor made financial support mechanism for the Arts sector & Clarify how Social Distancing will affect arts spaces like Theatres and Concert Venues.
Support the British aviation industry during the COVID-19 outbreak
Gov Responded - 7 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsAs a result of the COVID-19 outbreak there are travel bans imposed by many countries, there is a disastrous potential impact on our Aviation Industry. Without the Government’s help there could be an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of jobs under threat.
Business Rate Relief to be extended to all small businesses in healthcare.
Gov Responded - 5 Jun 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsTo extend the business rate relief to all dental practices and medical and aesthetics clinics and any small business that’s in healthcare
Provide financial help to zoos, aquariums, & rescue centres during the pandemic.
Gov Responded - 28 Jul 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Matthew Pennycook's petition debate contributionsZoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.
These initiatives were driven by Matthew Pennycook, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Matthew Pennycook has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Matthew Pennycook has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 - Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
Sponsor - Karen Buck (LAB)
House of Lords (Exclusion of Hereditary Peers) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - David Hanson (LAB)
A reply was sent to the Hon. Member on 25 November 2021.
We are currently finalising the UK Delegation for COP26. It is too early to confirm names at this stage, however we expect a number of Ministers from relevant government departments to be in attendance over the course of the event.
The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (TSVCM) is a private sector-led initiative and is independent of UK Government efforts as the hosts of COP26.
As set out in his Terms of Reference, Mark Carney is focussed on creating a more sustainable financial system to support the path to net zero and embedding climate into every financial decision. His objectives are set out in his published ‘Priorities for private finance for COP26’. The work of the TSVCM in supporting companies to contribute to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement is set out in the Taskforce’s final report, available at iif.com/tsvcm.
Neither the Finance Advisor for COP26, Mark Carney, nor the Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets will play a role in the formation of Government policy in relation to COP26 negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (TSVCM) is a private sector-led initiative and is independent of UK Government efforts as the hosts of COP26.
As set out in his Terms of Reference, Mark Carney is focussed on creating a more sustainable financial system to support the path to net zero and embedding climate into every financial decision. His objectives are set out in his published ‘Priorities for private finance for COP26’. The work of the TSVCM in supporting companies to contribute to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement is set out in the Taskforce’s final report, available at iif.com/tsvcm.
Neither the Finance Advisor for COP26, Mark Carney, nor the Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets will play a role in the formation of Government policy in relation to COP26 negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (TSVCM) is a private sector-led initiative and is independent of UK Government efforts as the hosts of COP26.
As set out in his Terms of Reference, Mark Carney is focussed on creating a more sustainable financial system to support the path to net zero and embedding climate into every financial decision. His objectives are set out in his published ‘Priorities for private finance for COP26’. The work of the TSVCM in supporting companies to contribute to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement is set out in the Taskforce’s final report, available at iif.com/tsvcm.
Neither the Finance Advisor for COP26, Mark Carney, nor the Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets will play a role in the formation of Government policy in relation to COP26 negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.
It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.
In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.
Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.
It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.
In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.
Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.
It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.
In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.
Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.
It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.
In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.
It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) is a private body appointed by Royal Charter. It is a non-profit distributing company with profits being re-invested back into the business. Like most private standards bodies, the cost of producing standards is recouped by the subsequent sales of those standards. However, many public libraries provide free access to the BSI standards catalogue.
The Government always looking at effective ways to support small and medium-sized enterprises to reduce their carbon emissions, and has worked closely with HM Treasury, and other Departments, on initiatives including my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the Net Zero Strategy to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy.
The hon. Member’s correspondence about financial support for the hospitality sector was transferred to BEIS from HM Treasury on 19 March. I will write separately in response to the hon. Member.
The Government is considering its response to the consultation and will respond in due course. This includes the Government’s decision on the timing of the policy implementation.
The UK Government is now considering the information received and will respond in due course.
In August 2019, the Government announced a £250 million Clean Steel Fund to support the UK steel sector to transition to lower carbon iron and steel production, through investment in new technologies and processes. The Fund will help the sector towards achieving our target of net zero emissions by 2050, by maximising longevity and resilience while harnessing clean growth opportunities.
Steel industry stakeholders provided positive responses to our Call for Evidence, including responses on possible timelines for the Fund. Feedback generally indicated that companies could be ready with projects for funding by 2023 or 2024. A summary of the responses was published in December 2020. Officials will work with industry to decide the most appropriate timeline for the scheme.
Planning decisions are made at a local level wherever possible. The planning application for the Whitehaven coal mine has not been called in by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and is a matter for Cumbria County Council to decide. There is no consultation role for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in this decision.
The Green Jobs Taskforce will assess how the UK jobs market and the skills sector will adapt to support net zero. I chair the taskforce jointly with my Hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills. Following the first meeting in November, the 2nd meeting of the Taskforce will take place on the 22nd of February, with further meetings planned with the aim of concluding our work in spring 2021. The resulting actions will feed into policy development across Whitehall on Net Zero, including our Net Zero Strategy to be published later in the year.
In August 2019, the Government announced a £250 million Clean Steel Fund to support the UK steel sector to transition to lower carbon iron and steel production, through investment in new technologies and processes. The Fund will help the sector towards achieving our target of net zero emissions by 2050, by maximising longevity and resilience while harnessing clean growth opportunities.
Steel industry stakeholders provided positive responses to our Call for Evidence. A summary of the responses was published in December 2020 and will inform the scheme’s design. As we develop the Fund, we will continue to engage closely with the sector to ensure that it meets the needs of businesses.
Spanning clean energy, buildings, transport, nature and innovative technologies, the Ten Point Plan will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to unlock three times as much private sector investment by 2030; level up regions across the UK; and support up to 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs. The wide range of sectors with funding outlined in the Ten Point Plan span across Government Departments, including BEIS, DfT and DEFRA and further details of funding will be published over the course of this year through a number of sectoral strategies as well as a Net Zero Strategy.
This includes a range of infrastructure projects funded through the Ten Point Plan. For example, we will be supporting the Offshore Wind industry, investing £160 million into modern ports and manufacturing infrastructure. We are currently running a competitive process to support the development of a large coastal manufacturing site for offshore wind. The deadline for applications was 8th January and we are currently assessing the proposals received.
We will also be investing £1 billion through the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Infrastructure Fund which will provide industry with the certainty required to deploy CCUS at pace and at scale. Decisions have not yet been taken on how the Fund will be allocated. In parallel we will continue to develop and implement the necessary CCUS business models to enable deployment and unlock private sector investment in CCUS across power, industry and hydrogen production.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) replaced the UK’s participation in the EU ETS on 1 January 2021. The UK ETS initially applies to energy-intensive industries, electricity generation and aviation.
In the Energy White Paper, we committed to exploring expanding the UK ETS to the two thirds of uncovered emissions, including how the UK ETS could incentivise the deployment of greenhouse gas removal technologies. We will set out our aspirations to continue to lead the world on carbon pricing in the run up to COP26.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) replaced the UK’s participation in the EU ETS on 1 January 2021. The UK ETS initially applies to energy-intensive industries, electricity generation and aviation.
In the Energy White Paper, we committed to exploring expanding the UK ETS to the two thirds of uncovered emissions, including how the UK ETS could incentivise the deployment of greenhouse gas removal technologies. We will set out our aspirations to continue to lead the world on carbon pricing in the run up to COP26.
As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in his announcement on 12 December 2020, the Government will continue to apply current policy for all in-scope activities, until the new policy is implemented following the consultation.
The Ten Point Plan will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to create and support up to 250,000 green jobs in the UK, and unlock three times as much private sector investment by 2030.
The Task Force Net Zero announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be tasked with helping government take a ‘whole system’ approach to Net Zero. Further details will be announced in due course.
Information provided to Government under Section 193 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 regarding proposed redundancies is commercially confidential and for the purpose of providing those facing redundancy with assistance such as training and job seeking advice. In appropriate cases, failure to notify without good cause is a criminal offence and can result in an unlimited fine.
Any information provided through this process is not in the public domain and it is open to employers to take legal action against the Secretary of State for breach of confidence if unauthorised disclosures were made. Therefore, we are unable to provide the information requested.
Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021, hosted in Glasgow by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be set out in due course following further discussion with parties. Since the Bureau decision, the Government has been actively engaging with COP Bureau members, Group Chairs, Parties, representatives of Non-Party Stakeholders, our operational delivery partners and stakeholders in the wider climate community.
As part of our incoming COP Presidency, in partnership with Italy, we are urging all countries to come forward with ambitious new NDCs which represent their highest possible ambition. The UK will play its part and we are preparing to come forward with an enhanced NDC well ahead of COP26.
Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health. The government's guidance remains that people should gather in groups of no larger than six people from different households, or two households, adhering to social distancing. Further easing of restrictions will take place as and when appropriate in line with scientific and medical advice.
Shops in England selling non-essential goods will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June, thanks to continuing progress in meeting our 5 tests, and provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines set out by the Government in May.
This includes High street retailers and department stores, book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys.
It will be for individual shops, however, to decide when the time is right for them to reopen, as it is subject to them following the COVID-19 secure guidelines.
The government recognises the vital role of independent community newspapers in supporting particular groups and isolated individuals by ensuring the provision of reliable, high-quality information throughout the current pandemic. Safeguarding the UK’s news media at this time of financial instability is a key priority for the government and we are in regular dialogue with publishers to ensure that our response to the challenges they are facing is as effective as it can be.
To date, the government has issued guidance to local authorities on the importance of newspaper delivery, which has been critical to ensuring the continued dissemination of printed public interest news. We have also clarified that journalists and other ancillary staff are ‘key workers’ for the purposes of access to childcare and educational places.
The government has sought to maximise advertising opportunities for the news publishing sector through a public information campaign across many national and local titles. The current partnership brings together over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach 49 million people a month. All titles utilised in the campaign have been selected by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV. As with any media planning approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy. The vast majority of titles are local papers and additional titles have been selected in order to further reach priority audiences including BAME and older men. In parallel, we have taken steps to ensure the use of ‘keyword blocklisting’ technology does not inadvertently damage news publishers’ online advertising revenues for Covid-19 related stories. Dialogue with the relevant technology companies has helped to protect publishers against the ad-blocking of coronavirus-related terms.
Most recently, the Chancellor also brought forward the zero rating of VAT on all e-publications to the 1st May - seven months ahead of schedule. The government expects the tax relief to be passed on to consumers in the form of reduced prices, and publishers should benefit from increased sales. Independent publishers may also benefit from several measures included in our unprecedented business support package, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Job Retention Scheme, Bounce Back Loans, VAT deferrals, and coverage of statutory sick pay costs.
The government will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism. Never have the activities of journalists been more popular and critical; providing quality news to all, including those self-isolating, and binding communities together, a fundamental function of our modern day democracy.
The government remains committed to driving up the quality of higher education (HE) provision, ensuring that student finance is sustainable, and promoting genuine social mobility.
We recognise that tuition fees must continue to represent value for money for students and taxpayers, both during the COVID-19 outbreak and after. The independent panel chaired by Sir Philip Augar that reported to the review of post-18 education and funding made many recommendations regarding HE, including on fees and finance. We continue to consider those recommendations carefully and will conclude the review at the next Comprehensive Spending Review.
Our income-contingent student loan system helps remove financial barriers to study and means that no eligible student needs to pay tuition fees upfront. The government has already announced that the maximum tuition fee cap will remain at £9,250 for the 2021/22 academic year in respect of standard full-time courses at approved (fee cap) providers. We are also freezing the maximum tuition fee cap for the 2022/23 academic year - the fifth year in succession that maximum fees have been frozen - to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of HE under control. HE providers are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees under this level. In deciding to keep charging full fees, providers should ensure that they can continue to deliver courses that are fit for purpose and that help students to progress towards earning their qualifications.
If students have concerns, there is also a complaints process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) to consider their complaint. The OIA website is available via the following link: https://www.oiahe.org.uk/.
The government has worked closely with the Office for Students to make clear that providers can draw upon existing funding to increase hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. Providers are able to use the funding, worth around £256 million for the academic year 2020/21, towards addressing student hardship.
We have also made an additional £85 million of student hardship funding available to higher education providers in the 2020/21 academic year. Support can include assistance to help students access teaching remotely.
In considering which areas may be suitable for primary restrictions under our contingency framework, the Department worked closely with Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre, NHS Test & Trace and the Department for Health and Social Care using the most recent data available. We used a balanced approach, rather than simple threshold cut offs, and took all factors into account, but with particular focus on: very high rates of infection, particularly high increases in seven-day case rates, and intelligence about pressure on the NHS.
These were not easy decisions to make, but they were made according to the best clinical advice and the key indicators set out within the COVID-19 Winter Plan. More information on the COVID-19 Winter Plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan.
The national lockdown announced on 4 January 2021 replaced the restrictions that had been active in some primary schools under the contingency framework. We will be continually reviewing the restrictions on schools, colleges and universities to ensure that pupils and students can return to face to face education when the pressures are easing on the NHS.
These decisions do not suggest that schools and colleges are no longer safe places. Instead, limiting attendance is about reducing the number of contacts that all of us have with people in other households.
As of 2 December, providers offering out-of-school activities to children, including private tuition, are able to open for both indoor and outdoor provision in areas at all restriction tiers, with safety measures in place. We have updated our guidance for providers of after-school and holiday clubs and other out-of-school settings on the measures they should put in place to ensure they are operating as safely as possible. For example, the guidance advises that private tutors working from their own home should consider whether a specific, well-ventilated room could be designated for lessons. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. If a private tutor normally offers provision in their own home or students’ homes, they should also refer to the government guidance on ‘Working safely during coronavirus in other people’s homes’, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes.
The government recognises that maintained nursery schools are an important part of the early years sector and provide valuable services, especially in disadvantaged areas.
We are committed to funding for maintained nursery schools in the longer term. Last October, we announced that maintained nursery schools would continue to receive supplementary funding for the whole of the financial year 2020-21 and this is unchanged by the COVID-19 outbreak, along with their funding for the usual early education entitlements through the dedicated schools grant. At the moment, our resources are focused on tackling the unprecedented challenges created by COVID-19. But resolving the long-term funding of maintained nursery schools is high on our list of priorities and we will return to it as soon as we are able. Any reform to the way maintained nursery schools are funded in the future will be accompanied by appropriate funding protections.
Unlike most state-funded schools, maintained nursery schools typically rely on private income for a significant proportion of their total income. Therefore, we have ensured that access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is also available to maintained nursery schools, in line with the published guidance.
Maintained nursery schools can access the free school meal vouchers via Edenred.
Defra declined the transfer of this correspondence. It is currently with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to respond.
As the Prime Minister stated in his announcement on 12 December 2020, the government will continue to apply current policy for all in-scope activities, until the new policy is implemented following the consultation.
In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement, UK Export Finance (UKEF) will continue to consider fossil fuel projects, subject to our due diligence, until the new policy is implemented. We do not yet know what the date of implementation will be.
The Government will provide further details underpinning the policy shift, alongside the government’s response to the consultation that closed on 8th February.
When considering a request for support, UKEF conducts extensive due diligence, including environmental, social, and human rights due diligence and consideration of climate change, to understand the risk it is being asked to take. There are various reasons why an application to UKEF might not result in support being provided, or, if support is offered, why delays in providing that support might arise. All these factors make determining when UKEF support may, or even will, be provided difficult and imprecise.
UKEF will publish details of any projects supported in its Annual Report and Accounts.
Until the Government has completed its assessment of the responses to the consultation and finalised the policy in this area, details of the final parameters of the exemptions remain subject to change. Additionally, as this policy was neither in place nor under consideration during the period in question, UK Export Finance (UKEF) does not hold sufficient data to assess whether an exemption could have been applied to certain projects which otherwise could not be supported under the new policy. Similarly, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold sufficient data about official development assistance in the form required. Consequently we are unable to provide this information other than at disproportionate cost.
At the UK-Africa Investment Summit in January we announced an end to the Government's support for thermal coal mining and coal power plants overseas, and we continue to keep our approach to other fossil fuel financing overseas under review.
The operation of specific routes is a commercial decision for airlines. The Government remains committed to working with industry to ensure a return to international travel when it is safe to do so.
The UK has introduced further border controls to add another level of protection against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus and reduce the risk of a new and dangerous strain being imported into the UK. The travel measures announced in January include the requirement for pre-departure tests, travel bans, and government-approved managed quarantine for arrivals from red list countries. Further information is available on Gov.uk.
We keep all our measures under constant review, and they will remain in place as long as is required in order to protect public health and reduce transmission of the virus and to reduce the risk of new variants.
Anyone wishing to travel should always check the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
There are no plans to make compensation available to those whose theory test certificates have expired. The cost of paying any compensation would fall to the DVSA, and to the feepayer, were the DVSA to put in place arrangements to pay it. This would be unfair to other fee payers who would not benefit from such an arrangement.
In addition, applications for a re-test would need to be validated and systems amended to remove the requirement for payment in these cases. The DVSA’s focus should rightly be on developing solutions to address the backlog of practical driving tests that has arisen as a result of the pandemic.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency must verify that the information supporting changes of name is genuine and appropriate before amending the driving licence record and issuing a licence. This is to safeguard the integrity of the records it holds.
There are currently no plans to introduce an online service.
You can leave home to attend a place of worship for individual prayer, a funeral or a related event for someone who has died, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a deathbed wedding. A list of what constitutes a ‘reasonable excuse’ for leaving home can be found in the regulations.
You can travel internationally if travelling for a reason which would permit you to leave your home under the national lockdown rules, including those set out above. Guidance for overseas travel is published in gov.uk, available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19th January to question number 104377.
From 1 April 2022, free universal access to asymptomatic and symptomatic tests for the public in England will end. We will continue to make free testing available for a small number of at risk groups. Further details on eligible groups will be made available in due course. We will review the impact of COVID-19 policies on people such as jurors.
We are looking at ways to provide fully vaccinated 12 to 15 year olds with a travel NHS COVID Pass. This will be available shortly, initially via a NHS COVID Pass travel letter. Further information will be made available in due course. While a few countries require full vaccination for under 16 year olds, others treat under 16 year olds as fully vaccinated, accept testing or recovery as equivalent to full vaccination.
The draft Coronavirus Act 2020 (Early Expiry) Regulations 2021 were laid on 21 April 2021 and will come into force once it has received Parliamentary approval.
We replied to the hon. Member’s letter on 4 December 2020.
When an individual is told that they are considered clinically extremely vulnerable as a result of national additions to the Shielded Patient List a physical letter is sent to them and emails are sent to those who have registered an email address with their general practitioner (GP). When an individual is added to the Shielded Patient List by their GP practice or trust, they receive their correspondence from those organisations directly. When there is an update to the guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people, a letter is sent out to all those affected. In addition, an email containing the same information is sent to those individuals who have registered an email address with their GP.
We are actively encouraging the use of email, though we recognise this is not appropriate for everyone as some individuals are digitally excluded and would not receive any communication if the Government only sent letters in electronic formats. It has also been noted that that some clinically extremely vulnerable people rely on the physical letter as evidence for others, such as their employer.
NHS England publishes data on vaccines administered per week and cumulative data on the number of vaccines administered by region and clinical commissioning group, which is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
We are working to provide all Members and external correspondents with accurate answers to their correspondence, as well as supporting the Government’s response to the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hon. Member’s letter will be answered as soon as possible.
We are working to provide all Members and external correspondents with accurate answers to their correspondence, as well as supporting the Government’s response to the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hon. Member’s letter will be answered as soon as possible.
We are working to provide all Members and external correspondents with accurate answers to their correspondence, as well as supporting the Government’s response to the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hon. Member’s letter will be answered as soon as possible.
The Department replied to the hon Member’s letter on 18 November 2020.
The Department replied to the hon. Member’s letter on 9 November 2020.
The information is not held in the format requested.
The information is not available in the format requested.
As there is no specific pathway for gender reassignment, appointments cannot be identified.
The information is not available in the format requested.
As there is no specific pathway for gender reassignment, appointments cannot be identified.
CDC's 2020 investment commitment to Globeleq was provided to support the financing and development of its pipeline of African power projects. The final funding arrangements for individual projects are not yet finalised.
CDC's 2020 investment commitment to Globeleq was provided to support the financing and development of its pipeline of African power projects. The final funding arrangements for individual projects are not yet finalised.
CDC Group's 2020 commitment to Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited is for the construction of a feed conditioning unit installed as part of Indorama's fertiliser plant. This unit will save 70,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, recovering CO2 that would otherwise be vented.
Since 2013 CDC's investment in Indorama has helped Nigeria meet its domestic needs for urea fertiliser as well as shifting the country to be a net exporter. This is a critical part of tackling food insecurity in Nigeria. More information on CDC's investment into Indorama is available on its website - https://www.cdcgroup.com/en/our-impact/investment/indorama-eleme-fertilizer-chemicals-limited/
CDC's 2020 investment commitment to Globeleq was provided to support the financing and development of its pipeline of African power projects. The final funding arrangements for individual projects are not yet finalised.
The UK recognises the serious and unequivocal threat that climate change poses to our planet, and that it can undermine the enjoyment of human rights. However, any recognition of a new legal right must give due regard to the structure of international human rights law so as not to undermine the notion and value of human rights as a whole.
The Foreign Secretary has completed the cross-government review of how Official Development Assistance (ODA) will be allocated against the government's priorities for 2021, including on climate and biodiversity. This review has ensured that UK ODA is focused on our strategic priorities, spent where it will have the maximum impact, has greater coherence and delivers most value for money.
However our international climate finance is protected, and we remain committed to doubling our International Climate Finance to £11.6 billion over the next five years.
No decisions on individual budgets have been taken yet by Ministers.
A response was sent on 22 December 2020, and an additional copy has been sent to the Member's office.
I spoke to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 13 November and the Armenian Foreign Minister on 30 November where I welcomed the cessation of hostilities. I urged both Foreign Ministers to ensure the International Committee of the Red Cross were able to access the conflict zone to allow for the facilitation of the return of prisoners of war and the remains of the deceased. Our Embassies in Yerevan and Baku continue to engage their hosts in support of these efforts.
HM Treasury’s Net Zero Review final report will be published in due course, and in advance of COP26.
It will be an analytical report that uses existing data to explore the key issues and trade-offs as the UK decarbonises. Against a backdrop of significant uncertainty on technology and costs, as well as changes to the economy over the next 30 years, it focuses on the potential exposure of households and sectors to the transition, and highlights factors to be taken into account in designing policy that will allocate costs over this time horizon. In line with the Review’s terms of reference, the report will not include policy recommendations.
The Review forms part of a cross-government effort to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The government’s Net Zero Strategy will be published later this year.
Input from stakeholders is a valuable part of the policy making process, ensuring government and the private sector can work together to effectively address challenges such as net zero and driving economic growth across the UK. HMT is keen to engage with industry on the Chancellor’s vision for the future of financial services, of which green finance is a key pillar. The Chancellor holds regular discussions with industry to discuss this. For example, recently the Prime Minister alongside the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England hosted a virtual roundtable with financial services leaders in advance of the Chancellor’s annual Mansion House speech.
Input from stakeholders is a valuable part of the policy making process, ensuring government and the private sector can work together to effectively address challenges such as net zero and driving economic growth across the UK. HMT is keen to engage with industry on the Chancellor’s vision for the future of financial services, of which green finance is a key pillar. The Chancellor holds regular discussions with industry to discuss this. For example, recently the Prime Minister alongside the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England hosted a virtual roundtable with financial services leaders in advance of the Chancellor’s annual Mansion House speech.
Input from stakeholders is a valuable part of the policy making process, ensuring government and the private sector can work together to effectively address challenges such as net zero and driving economic growth across the UK. HMT is keen to engage with industry on the Chancellor’s vision for the future of financial services, of which green finance is a key pillar. The Chancellor holds regular discussions with industry to discuss this. For example, recently the Prime Minister alongside the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England hosted a virtual roundtable with financial services leaders in advance of the Chancellor’s annual Mansion House speech.
The UK follows the agreed international approach for estimating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is for countries to report emissions produced within their territories. All UK domestic and international GHG emissions reductions targets, including our Net Zero commitment, are based on these territorial emissions.
The UK was the first major economy to commit to Net Zero by 2050, and to achieve that ambition, we want to ensure that every financial decision takes climate change into account. This will require a drastic increase in the quantity, quality and comparability of climate-related disclosures.
That is why, in November 2020, the Chancellor announced the UK’s intention to make disclosures in line with the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures mandatory in the UK across the economy, including the financial services sector, by 2025. This commitment is world-leading and significant progress towards achieving our ambition, including new requirements for premium-listed firms to disclose their Greenhouse Gas emissions, has already been made.
We have also committed to implementing a green taxonomy that will establish a common definition for ’sustainable economic activities’ and improve understanding around the impact of firms’ activities and investments on the environment.
Together, these measures will ensure that firms across the whole economy are disclosing robust and comparable climate and sustainability-related information that is decision-useful for investors. This will help close the sustainability data gap, as well as preventing greenwashing and supporting the greening of the UK economy.
The Chancellor sent letters of recommendations to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Committee on 23 March 2021. These letters make recommendations about aspects of the government’s economic policy that the two organisations should have regard to when considering how to advance their objectives and discharge their duties. For the first time, these letters specified that the regulators should have regard to the government’s commitment to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050 under the Climate Change Act 2008 (Order 2019).
However, it is important to note that both the FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are operationally independent, non-governmental bodies. Although the Treasury sets the legal framework for the regulation of financial services, it has strictly limited powers in relation to the FCA and PRA. In particular, the Treasury has no general power of direction over the FCA and PRA.
In a Statement to the House of Commons in November 2020, the Chancellor set out his vision for the financial services sector for an open, green, and technologically advanced sector acting in the interests of communities and citizens across the UK, creating jobs, supporting businesses, and powering growth as we direct all our energies towards economic recovery.
In November 2020 we became the first country in the world to announce our intention to make TCFD-aligned disclosures fully mandatory across the UK economy. Concurrently, the Chancellor announced that the UK would create a green taxonomy to help companies and investors determine which activities are sustainable. Both policies will facilitate transition finance and prevent greenwashing.
HM Treasury’s Net Zero Review final report will be published this spring.
The Treasury is supporting preparations for COP26 across a range of policy areas, including private finance. There is a team of 19 staff, drawn from secondees across the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as HM Treasury officials working on this area. The team reports to the Chancellor and Treasury ministers.
The Treasury is supporting preparations for COP26 across a range of policy areas, including private finance. There is a team of 19 staff, drawn from secondees across the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as HM Treasury officials working on this area. The team reports to the Chancellor and Treasury ministers.
The temporary relief was designed to stimulate immediate momentum in a property market where property transactions fell by as much as 50 per cent during the COVID-19 lockdown in March. This momentum in the property market will also support the jobs of people whose employment relies on custom from the property industry, such as retailers and tradespeople.
The Government will continue to monitor the market. However, as the relief was designed to provide an immediate stimulus to the property market, the Government does not plan to extend this relief.
The Home Secretary responded on 27 January 2021.
I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member’s correspondence. The response was sent on 10 November 2020.
A response to the letter was sent on 29 June.
My Noble Friend Lord Greenhalgh responded to the Hon Member's letter on 10 June.
A response to the Hon Member's letter has been issued.
My noble Friend, Lord Greenhalgh, responded to the hon Member's letter on 9 March.
The response was emailed to the Hon Member on Wednesday 24 February 2021.
This correspondence has been transferred, as Her Majesty’s Treasury is best placed to respond.
The planning application for the proposed West Cumbria coalmine seeks permission for the winning and working of coking coal for use in steel manufacture only.
This Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support to protect renters whose income has been affected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, to help prevent people getting into financial hardship, we have increased the local housing allowance rate to the 30th percentile of local market rents in each area. The increased LHA rates will be maintained at the current levels in cash terms in 2021/22, even in areas where the 30th percentile of local rents has gone down. We have boosted the welfare system by billions of pounds, including increasing Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by up to £1,040 for the year.
In addition, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has offered support for businesses to pay staff salaries, enabling people to continue to pay their rent and has been extended until April 2021.
For those who require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments are available. As announced at the spending round for 2020/21, there is already £180 million in DHPs for local authorities to distribute for supporting renters with housings costs in the private and social rented sectors. For 2021-22 the Government will make available £140 million in DHP funding, which takes account of the increased LHA rates.
We continue to closely monitor the ongoing effects of the pandemic on renters.
The Business and Planning Act 2020 introduced measures to enable certain planning permissions and listed building consents in England which had lapsed or were due to lapse during 2020 to be extended to 1 May 2021.
These measures provide for the power to extend the eligibility date for permissions and the time period for implementation. This is being kept under review at this time.
This correspondence has been transferred, as Her Majesty’s Treasury is best placed to respond.
Information on high rise residential buildings with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations can be found in the monthly Building Safety Programme data release, available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/aluminium-composite-material-cladding#acm-remediation-data. Data is not published at parliamentary constituency level but local authority level data is available in Web Table 3.
For high rise residential buildings with non-ACM cladding systems, local authorities and housing associations are undergoing a data collection exercise as part of an ongoing programme to build a more complete picture of high-rise residential buildings and the variety of external wall systems in use.
Protection for leaseholders from the costs of remediation is available from a number of sources, including Government funding, warranties and building owners and developers. The remediation of over half of privately owned high-rise residential buildings with unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding will be paid for by building owners and developers, or through warranty or insurance claims - without passing the cost to residents and leaseholders. Details of this can be found in Figure 6 of the Building Safety Programme: Monthly Data Release at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934661/Building_Safety_Data_Release_October_2020.pdf . We expect building owners and developers to step up in a similar way for other kinds of unsafe cladding.
The prospectus for the Building Safety Fund will be published in May and we will open for registrations soon after.
The EWS1 form was produced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on behalf of industry. Government expects building owners to share all relevant information and reports about their building with leaseholders.
We are supportive of the approach designed by industry to assist in the valuation of high rise residential properties. The Department will continue to work closely with industry as EWS1 is used within the mortgage market.
The EWS1 form, recently developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and published on 16 December, should enable industry to manage valuations for both the selling and re-mortgaging of properties in multi-occupancy buildings 18 metres and over. Government is aware that the form is now being used across industry as part of the valuation process.
We have assessed the option of creating juries with only fully vaccinated people. We believe that selecting a jury in this way cannot currently be made consistent with the random jury selection process and would introduce bias to the makeup of juries. We have assessed, therefore, that the proposal would not be in the interests of justice.
The institution of trial by jury is a key component of our criminal justice system and the interests of justice are paramount in determining how juries are selected. The random selection process exists to ensure not only that there is no bias but also that juries are representative of the communities from which they are drawn. The principle of the random selection of jurors has long been an integral part of maintaining a fair justice system.
On testing, rapid (lateral flow device) COVID tests are being offered to all citizens and we encourage anyone attending court, including jurors, to get a test to support efforts to help stop the spread of the virus. Lateral flow home-test kits are also available to collect at every court and tribunal in England and Wales for all regular court and tribunal users including jurors.
We have assessed the option of creating juries with only fully vaccinated people. We believe that selecting a jury in this way cannot currently be made consistent with the random jury selection process and would introduce bias to the makeup of juries. We have assessed, therefore, that the proposal would not be in the interests of justice.
The institution of trial by jury is a key component of our criminal justice system and the interests of justice are paramount in determining how juries are selected. The random selection process exists to ensure not only that there is no bias but also that juries are representative of the communities from which they are drawn. The principle of the random selection of jurors has long been an integral part of maintaining a fair justice system.
On testing, rapid (lateral flow device) COVID tests are being offered to all citizens and we encourage anyone attending court, including jurors, to get a test to support efforts to help stop the spread of the virus. Lateral flow home-test kits are also available to collect at every court and tribunal in England and Wales for all regular court and tribunal users including jurors.