Neale Hanvey

This Government has been consistently clear that we do not accept the inappropriate use by some employers of fire and rehire as a negotiation tactic.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets regularly with a diverse range of stakeholders including trade unions and employers to discuss various policy matters, across the sectors covered by the Department. The Department has also welcomed further evidence from trade unions and employers on the nature and scale of the issue.

This Government has been consistently clear that we do not accept the inappropriate use by some employers of fire and rehire as a negotiation tactic.

Earlier this year we asked Acas to produce more comprehensive, clearer guidance to help all employers explore all the options before considering ‘fire and rehire’ and encourage good employment relations practice. Acas will publish the guidance shortly.

The Government has made clear to all employers, including those in the private and public sector, that using threats to ‘fire and rehire’ as a tactic to pressure workers during negotiations is unacceptable. We have been consistent in telling employers that the use of firing and rehiring tactics in negotiations is unacceptable. I made a statement in the House in June urging employers to negotiate fairly and openly.

Earlier this year we asked Acas to produce more comprehensive, clearer guidance to help make our expectations clearer. It will set out the ways employers can explore all the options before considering ‘fire and rehire’ and encourage good employment relations practice.

This Government has been consistently clear that we do not accept the inappropriate use by some employers of fire and rehire as a negotiation tactic. The valid variation of contractually binding terms and conditions usually depends upon mutual agreement between the employer and worker as parties to the contract. Should an employer seek to enforce contractual variation without agreement, there are a number of legal obligations and protections they will need to comply with, depending on the circumstances. Where a business feels that redundancies must be made, they must follow the rules which include giving a notice period and consulting staff before a final decision is reached.

The Department asked Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) to conduct an evidence gathering exercise to learn more about the use of fire and rehire practices. This report was published on 8 June and is available from https://www.acas.org.uk/fire-and-rehire-report. In addition, the Department has also welcomed further evidence from trade unions and employers on the nature and scale of the issue.

The Government has been consistently clear that we do not accept the inappropriate use by some employers of fire and rehire as a negotiation tactic. Earlier this year we asked Acas to produce more comprehensive, clearer guidance to help all employers explore all the options before considering ‘fire and rehire’ and encourage good employment relations practice. Acas will publish the guidance shortly.

The Department asked Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) to conduct an evidence gathering exercise to learn more about the use of fire and rehire practices. This report was published on 8 June and is available from https://www.acas.org.uk/fire-and-rehire-report. In addition, the Department has also welcomed further evidence from trade unions and employers on the nature and scale of the issue.

The Government has been consistently clear that we do not accept the inappropriate use by some employers of fire and rehire as a negotiation tactic. Earlier this year we asked Acas to produce more comprehensive, clearer guidance to help all employers explore all the options before considering ‘fire and rehire’ and encourage good employment relations practice. Acas will publish the guidance shortly.

Transmission charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and it published a call for evidence on 1 October 2021 on possible transmission charging reforms. The call for evidence is available at: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/tnuos-reform-call-evidence. BEIS is engaging with Ofgem as it progresses this work.

When it was established in 2011, the Warm Home Discount scheme rebates were set at £120 per household. Since then, the rebates have been increased to £140, and this winter around 2.2 million low-income and vulnerable households will receive rebates off their electricity bills.

Over the summer, the Government consulted on extending and expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme from next year until 2026 at least. This included an expansion of the overall spending envelope from around £350 million to £475 million (in 2020 prices) and setting the rebates at £150. These proposals would mean around 3 million households every year would receive a rebate. The Government will publish its response to the consultation in the coming months.

In the summer, the Government consulted on extending, expanding, and reforming the Warm Home Discount scheme from 2022 until 2026 at least. The measures included expanding the overall spending envelope from around £350 million to £475 million (in 2020 prices) and increasing the value of the rebates to households to £150, which would mean 3 million low-income and vulnerable households each winter would receive a rebate. We also proposed reforming the scheme to better target those in fuel poverty and enabling the vast majority of households to receive their rebates automatically without having to apply, as around half of recipients currently do.

The consultation received responses from a large cross-section of stakeholders, including from energy suppliers. We will publish the Government’s response to the consultation in the coming months.

In addition, officials from BEIS, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Ofgem continue to engage regularly with energy suppliers on the functioning of the scheme.

This winter, the energy price cap will continue to protect around 15 million British households on default tariffs, saving them between £75 and £100 a year on dual fuel bills. A £500 million Household Support Fund has also been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions to help vulnerable people with essential household costs over this winter.

The Winter Fuel Payment provides pensioners with support for their energy bills over winter. The Government has committed to keeping the winter fuel payment and will continue to pay £200 to eligible households with those aged between state pension age and 79, and £300 to a household with those aged 80 or over.

The Warm Home Discount scheme, worth £354 million this year, further provides eligible low-income and vulnerable households with £140 off their fuel bill over winter. Around one million low-income pensioner households – in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of the Pension Credit – will receive a rebate this winter. The scheme will be extended to 2026 and continue to support low-income pensioners with their energy bills.

In 2011, the Warm Home Discount scheme rebates were set at £120 per household. The rebates were subsequently increased in 2012 to £130, in 2013 to £135, and in 2014 to £140.

The rebate for winter 2021/22 is worth £140. The Government has proposed to increase the value of the rebate to £150 for winter 2022/23.

Ministers regularly discuss COVID-19 vaccine matters with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has discussed the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva with his counterpart in the Scottish Government and the UK Government will maintain dialogue with the Scottish Government on this matter.

Ministers regularly discuss COVID-19 vaccine matters with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has discussed the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva with his counterpart in the Scottish Government and the UK Government will maintain dialogue with the Scottish Government on this matter.

Ministers regularly discuss COVID-19 vaccine matters with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has discussed the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva with his counterpart in the Scottish Government and the UK Government will maintain dialogue with the Scottish Government on this matter.

The UK has contracted for a portfolio of vaccines from a number of developers, and we have sufficient contracted supply for the expected booster campaign as well as to complete the first round of vaccinations.

Ministers regularly discuss COVID-19 vaccine matters with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has discussed the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva with his counterpart in the Scottish Government and the UK Government will maintain dialogue with the Scottish Government on this matter.

The Government’s approach to seeking a vaccine for COVID-19 has, from the outset, been to secure access to a portfolio of candidate vaccines from a range of developers. This has resulted in four regulated COVID-19 vaccines within the portfolio to date providing both diversity of supply and diversity of vaccine type.

The Government has secured early access to 332 million COVID-19 vaccines doses through supply agreements with five separate vaccine developers. This includes agreements with:

• Pfizer/BioNTech for 135 million doses of its mRNA vaccine;
• University of Oxford/AstraZeneca for 100 million doses of its adenovirus vaccine;
• Moderna for 17 million doses of its mRNA vaccine;
• Novavax for 60 million doses of its protein adjuvant vaccine; and
• Janssen for 20 million doses of its adenovirus vaccine.

Of these COVID-19 vaccines, the AstraZeneca vaccine is manufactured in the UK and Novavax has a UK supply chain subject to regulatory approval. Vaccine manufacture is a global business, and the response to COVID-19 a global effort, and we are proud of AstraZeneca’s contribution to that from the UK.

The Government’s approach to seeking a vaccine for COVID-19 has, from the outset, been to secure access to a portfolio of candidate vaccines from a range of developers. This has resulted in four regulated COVID-19 vaccines within the portfolio to date providing both diversity of supply and diversity of vaccine type.

The Government has secured early access to 332 million COVID-19 vaccines doses through supply agreements with five separate vaccine developers. This includes agreements with:

• Pfizer/BioNTech for 135 million doses of its mRNA vaccine;
• University of Oxford/AstraZeneca for 100 million doses of its adenovirus vaccine;
• Moderna for 17 million doses of its mRNA vaccine;
• Novavax for 60 million doses of its protein adjuvant vaccine; and
• Janssen for 20 million doses of its adenovirus vaccine.

Of these COVID-19 vaccines, the AstraZeneca vaccine is manufactured in the UK and Novavax has a UK supply chain subject to regulatory approval. Vaccine manufacture is a global business, and the response to COVID-19 a global effort, and we are proud of AstraZeneca’s contribution to that from the UK.

Our vaccination programme is continuing to make phenomenal progress, with four out of every five adults now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

I cannot comment on commercial decisions, the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva will have no impact on our vaccine supplies for autumn.

The UK has contracted for a portfolio of vaccines from a number of developers, and we have sufficient contracted supply for the expected booster campaign as well as to complete the first round of vaccinations.

Our vaccination programme is continuing to make phenomenal progress, with four out of every five adults now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

I cannot comment on commercial decisions, the termination of our supply agreement with Valneva will have no impact on our vaccine supplies for autumn.

The UK has contracted for a portfolio of vaccines from a number of developers, and we have sufficient contracted supply for the expected booster campaign as well as to complete the first round of vaccinations.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Hon. Member for Central Ayrshire on 1st December 2020 to Question 121276.

The Department has spent the following amount on external consultancy services in the past 5 financial years. Values include VAT that is non-recoverable, whilst VAT that is recoverable has been deducted accordingly. The values for FY21/22 are subject to change following audit and the final value will be published in the DCMS Annual Report and Accounts FY21/22.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder. Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and Arms Length Bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK.

All Government Departments and their individual ALBs and agencies are required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

The Secretary of State has received no recent representations, including from the Scottish Government, about widening the scope of the Communications Act 2003 to include alcohol advertising, its statutory regulation or making it a devolved matter. The Secretary of State has also had no recent discussions with Ofcom regarding alcohol advertising.

There are already very stringent regulations in place for the marketing of alcohol in traditional forms of media, including radio, TV, and cinema, and online, as well as in relation to sports promotion, through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes of practice for advertising. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing codes of practice, then the ASA has a duty to revisit the codes and take appropriate action.

As part of the Online Advertising Programme the government is currently reviewing how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including legal but harmful content, such as alcohol advertising. The consultation closed on 8 June and will help us determine how to tackle such harms. We hope to publish a Government response in due course.

We recognise the severe impact of COVID-19 on tourism, and have 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. The government will continue to engage with industry bodies, consumer groups, and businesses in the travel sector regularly – such as the Association of British Travel Agents, the Association of Independent Tour Operators and UKInbound – to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and support the sector's recovery from the pandemic.

We recognise the severe impact of COVID-19 on tourism, and have 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. The government will continue to engage with industry bodies, consumer groups, and businesses in the travel sector regularly – such as the Association of British Travel Agents, the Association of Independent Tour Operators and UKInbound – to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and support the sector's recovery from the pandemic.

The Government is fully committed to supporting listed places of worship and has committed to the present level of funding until 31 March 2021. We recognise the importance of this scheme and the reliance which is placed on it. We are presently working through the implications of DCMS's Spending Review settlement with HMT and within DCMS. We will be able to provide an update shortly.

The Government has no plans to establish a direct replacement for the EU Motorways of the Seas programme and the Secretary of State for Transport has had no discussions with businesses, local authorities, nor other relevant stakeholders on this matter.

The Government has no plans to establish a direct replacement for the EU Motorways of the Seas programme and the Secretary of State for Transport has had no discussions with businesses, local authorities, nor other relevant stakeholders on this matter.

The Government has no plans to establish a direct replacement for the EU Motorways of the Seas programme and the Secretary of State for Transport has had no discussions with businesses, local authorities, nor other relevant stakeholders on this matter.

Implementation of COVID-19 border health measures for international travel was undertaken through department-led programmes. The costs of implementing individual measures were considered at a departmental level and tracked through standard budget management procedures. The Department for Transport did not incur any direct programme costs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 from implementing COVID-19 border health measures.

Implementation of COVID-19 border health measures for international travel was undertaken through department-led programmes. The costs of implementing individual measures were considered at a departmental level and tracked through standard budget management procedures. The Department for Transport did not incur any direct programme costs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 from implementing COVID-19 border health measures.

Implementation of COVID-19 border health measures for international travel was undertaken through department-led programmes. The costs of implementing individual measures were considered at a departmental level and tracked through standard budget management procedures. The Department for Transport did not incur any direct programme costs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 from implementing COVID-19 border health measures.

Implementation of COVID-19 border health measures for international travel was undertaken through department-led programmes. The costs of implementing individual measures were considered at a departmental level and tracked through standard budget management procedures. The Department for Transport did not incur any direct programme costs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 from implementing COVID-19 border health measures.

Anyone travelling to the UK from a red list country will be required to quarantine in a managed quarantine service, irrespective of vaccination status.

At the end of 2020, the Department for Transport had successfully agreed arrangements with all EU Member States - including France - for the mutual recognition of photocard licences. As such, UK photocard licence holders will not need to carry an additional International Driving Permit when driving in France – nor any EU Member State. We have also secured interim arrangements with the French authorities which will allow UK licence holders resident in France, to continue to use their valid UK licence until 1 January 2022. We are working with the French Government to finalise a permanent licence exchange agreement.

The impact of a second wave of COVID and the need for the Government to respond has impacted on the aviation sector.

The government has therefore announced through the Global Travel Taskforce, a number of measures to assist the sector to restart over the winter period. This includes the ‘Test to release for international travel’ (TTR) which will boost consumer confidence in air travel.

Following the successful implementation of these measures, the government will then put forward its strategic framework for the medium and long-term recovery of the aviation sector.

In the event that mutual recognition of EU Member State/UK pilot licences ceases at the end of the transition period, pilots with UK-issued licences who wish to fly EU-registered aircraft would need to transfer their licence to a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) member state before the transition period ended, or subsequently seek a second licence from an EASA member state. The UK has no control over the charges that may be applied by an EASA Member State for this process.

Pilots currently holding a commercial licence from an EASA member state would need to seek a time-limited validation from the UK’s CAA to operate UK-registered aircraft outside the UK. The CAA has developed processes to make this as seamless as possible and with no associated cost.

The Government recognises the impact Flybe’s collapse and the subsequent COVID-19 constraints on services, regional airports, regional economies and connectivity across the UK. We are working with industry to identify where key routes are being re-established and we remain committed to supporting regional connectivity, recognising the importance of maintaining a thriving competitive aviation sector in the UK to deliver this. In May the Government announced a £5.7million funding package of measures,?temporarily supporting?two airlinks,?from Belfast and Londonderry to London,?and associated airport services at City of Derry Airport and Belfast City Airport. The funding package ensured that lifeline connectivity services continued to both Belfast and Londonderry during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has provided an unprecedented package of measures to support the UK economy. These measures are open to businesses across the aviation sector and include a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT deferrals.?In exceptional circumstances, where a viable company has exhausted all options and its failure would disproportionately harm the economy, the Government is prepared to enter discussions with individual companies seeking bespoke support as a last resort. Any intervention would need to represent value for money for taxpayers. We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the sector, including regional airports, to understand the situations they face.

The Chancellor has announced that there will be a consultation on aviation tax reform. As part of this consultation, the Government will consider the case for changing the APD treatment of domestic flights, such as reintroducing a return leg exemption, and for increasing the number of international distance bands

The Government remains committed to supporting regional connectivity across all transport modes, as well as the importance of maintaining a thriving competitive aviation sector in the UK to deliver connectivity. The Department is currently working on a recovery plan for the sector out to 2025. The plan will have a strong focus on regional connectivity and will be developed in consultation with industry for an Autumn publication.

The Government decided over 25 years ago that it was going to make the State Pension age the same for men and women. Had the State Pension age not been equalised, women who would be retiring today upon reaching the age of 60, would be expected to spend (on average) over 40% of their adult lives in receipt of State Pension. This decision has been upheld by successive governments.

The Government is committed to delivering a comprehensive package of support to help older workers to remain and return to work.

This includes intensive tailored support for eligible Universal Credit job seekers; 50PLUS Champions in every Jobcentre Plus district across GB; and the delivery of Midlife MOTs in Jobcentres, in three pilot areas over the next 2 years to people in work, and digitally to help people in their 40s, 50s and 60s to review and take stock of their finances, skills and health.

Primary legislation will be introduced early in 2023 as soon as Parliamentary time allows, and further details on eligibility criteria for Cost of Living payments will be detailed in that legislation.

In determining eligibility for the 2022/23 Cost of Living Payments, the eligibility periods were chosen to reflect the nature of the qualifying benefits and have remained simple to ensure these payments can be made to those who qualify quickly and at scale to support millions of people on low incomes.

We recognise that some people will flow on and off benefits due to fluctuating earnings, including claimants who are paid four-weekly, and our policy reflects that. The 2022/23 Cost of Living Payment is being made in two payments to reduce the chance of someone missing out completely.

The information to answer parts (a) i)-iii), v) and vi) of the question can be found in the benefit expenditure and caseload tables (Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). Data for 2021/22 will be published in due course.

Information on the number of claimants who received Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the last five years, broken down by various geographies in Great Britain, is published and can be found on Stat-Xplore.

Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here. An account is not required to use Stat-Xplore; the ‘Guest Login’ feature gives instant access to the main functions.

The Department for Communities is responsible for Employment and Support Allowance in Northern Ireland.

The information to answer parts a) i)-iii), v) and vi) of the question can be found in Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for the years up to 2020/21. Data for 2021/22 will be published in due course.

The Scottish Government took on responsibility for Personal Independence Payment in Scotland from 2020/21, so expenditure data for Scotland only covers the years up to 2019/20. Information on expenditure in Scotland from 2020/21 is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

The available information on the number of claimants who received PIP in the last five years, broken down by various geographies, is published and can be found on Stat-Xplore.

You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, you can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

The Department for Communities is responsible for PIP in Northern Ireland.

Information on UC expenditure breakdowns at Local Authority and Parliamentary Constituency level prior to 2019/20 are not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The available information on the number of claimants who received benefits in the last five years, broken down by various geographies, is published and can be found on Stat-Xplore. Benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseekers’ Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.

You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, you can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

Benefit statistics for Northern Ireland are published by the Department for Communities.

The available information on the number of claimants who received benefits in the last five years, broken down by various geographies, is published and can be found on Stat-Xplore. Benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseekers’ Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.

You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, you can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

Benefit statistics for Northern Ireland are published by the Department for Communities.

Estimates on the number of benefit claimants receiving Pension Credit in each of the last five years, in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales can be found on Stat-Xplore here: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

Guidance for using Stat-Xplore is available at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Estimates on total expenditure on Pension Credit in each of the last five years, in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales can be found in the latest benefit expenditure tables here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1035981/benefit-expenditure-by-country-and-region-2020-21.ods

Local Authority and Parliamentary Constituency Pension Credit caseload data can be found on Stat-Xplore here: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

Local Authority and Parliamentary Constituency Pension Credit expenditure data are available here:

Local Authority:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1035984/benefit-expenditure-by-local-authority-2020-21.ods

Parliamentary Constituency:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1035994/benefit-expenditure-by-parliamentary-constituency-2020-21.ods

Benefit statistics in Northern Ireland are produced by the Department for Communities, and can be found here: Benefits statistics | Department for Communities (communities-ni.gov.uk

In determining eligibility for the 2022/23 Cost of Living Payments, the eligibility periods were chosen to reflect the nature of the qualifying benefits and have remained simple to ensure these payments can be made to those who qualify quickly and at scale to support millions of people on low incomes.

We recognise that some people will flow on and off benefits, and our policy reflects that. The 2022/23 Cost of Living Payment is being made in two payments to reduce the chance of someone missing out completely.

Eligibility criteria for the 2023/24 Cost of Living Payments will be published in due course.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publishes details about headcount and payroll costs for permanent staff and contractors on GOV.UK, monthly.

DWP workforce management information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The DWP consultancy spend for the financial years ending 2018 through to 2022 is shown below.

2017/18 £7,200,259

2018/19 £4,446,169

2019/20 £4,570,665

2020/21 £1,284,861

2021/22 £1,041,058

DWP publishes individual contract data on all contracts valued at £10,000 and over on

Contracts Finder - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

No. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid for by employers and there is no mechanism to include the self-employed in SSP.

The Government does have a wider safety net to ensure self-employed people are supported through the welfare system.

No. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid for by employers and there is no mechanism to include the self-employed in SSP.

The Government does have a wider safety net to ensure self-employed people are supported through the welfare system.

No assessment has been made.

The Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty and protecting low income and vulnerable households.

The Winter Fuel Payment provides pensioners with support for their energy bills over winter. Government has committed to keeping the Winter Fuel Payment and will continue to pay £200 to eligible households with someone between State Pension age and 79, and £300 to a household with someone aged 80 or over. The payment is intended to give reassurance to pensioners that they can keep warm during the colder months.

Cold Weather Payments are also available for periods of extreme weather to those in receipt of Pension Credit, including those receiving the Savings Credit element. The Scottish Government will in due course replace Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments with its own provision under the terms of the Scotland Act 2016.

The Warm Home Discount scheme, worth £354 million this year, further provides eligible low-income and vulnerable households with £140 off their fuel bill over winter. Around one million low-income pensioner households – in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of the Pension Credit – will receive a rebate this winter. Most eligible pensioners will receive their rebates automatically, without having to take any action. The scheme will be extended to 2026 and continue to support low-income pensioners with their energy bills.

We recognise that some people continue to require extra support, which is why we have introduced a £421 million Household Support Fund to help vulnerable people in England with essential household costs over the winter as the economy recovers. The Barnett Formula will apply in the usual way, with the devolved administrations receiving almost £80 million (£41m for the Scottish Government, £25m for the Welsh Government and £14m for the NI Executive), for a total of £500 million.

This winter, the energy price cap will continue to protect around 15 million British households on default tariffs, saving them between £75 and £100 a year on dual fuel bills. In addition, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy reached a Voluntary Agreement with energy suppliers last year which remains in place this winter. Vulnerable people and those experiencing financial difficulty should contact their supplier to discuss support available under the agreement, including reassessing, reducing or pausing debt repayments.

The Government has committed to keeping the winter fuel payment and will continue to pay £200 to eligible households with someone between state pension age and 79, and £300 to a household with someone aged 80 or over. The payment provides reassurance to pensioners that Government assistance is available and that they can keep warm during the colder months.

The Scottish Government will in due course replace these payments with its own provision under the terms of the Scotland Act 2016.

The Government has committed to keeping the winter fuel payment and will continue to pay £200 to eligible households with someone between state pension age and 79, and £300 to a household with someone aged 80 or over. The payment provides reassurance to pensioners that Government assistance is available and that they can keep warm during the colder months.

The Scottish Government will in due course replace these payments with its own provision under the terms of the Scotland Act 2016.

It is not possible to accurately measure take-up of BSP, out of those who are eligible, by year as this would require monthly data on deaths by age and marital status.

The legislation and arrangements we have put in place provide a remedy to satisfy the Court of Appeal’s Judgment and means that for future cases affected by this issue, monthly earnings will be reallocated to another assessment period, which means that only one set of earnings will be taken into account rather than two, and certain claimants will be able to benefit from any applicable work allowance.

The Court of Appeal’s judgment did not require the Department to apply the new arrangements retrospectively.

Universal Credit (UC) is a calendar monthly assessed benefit that is paid monthly in arrears. This approach reflects the world of work, where the majority of all employees receive wages monthly.

Unlike the legacy benefit system, Universal Credit takes income and earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent across all claimant circumstances, such as different frequencies in earnings and income received. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household for each monthly assessment period, including any income and/or earnings reported by the employer during that period.

Monthly reporting allows Universal Credit to be adjusted on a monthly basis, which ensures that if a claimant's income falls, which results in a rise in their Universal Credit award, they will not have to wait several months to receive it.

In addition, Work Coaches are trained to gauge claimants’ financial needs from their first contact and can refer them to more specialist support for personal budgeting, money guidance and debt advice if required, including through the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

Complete data is not available on the employees for whom employers have claimed automatic enrolment minimum pension contributions under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. This is because the necessary information is collected at employee level only on claims where 100 or more staff are furloughed.

An estimate of the number of employees resident in the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency that are no longer making employee pension contributions, via their employers payroll, is not currently available and to provide one would incur disproportionate cost.

In the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, since 2012, approximately 7,000 eligible jobholders have been automatically enrolled and 2,310 employers have met their duties.

The below table shows a breakdown of external consultants’ suppliers for the past five years for the British Pharmacopoeia Commission. All years denoted are financial years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder. Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK.

All Government Departments and their individual ALBs and agencies are required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The Commission on Human Medicines has incurred no expenditure on external consultants.

The Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is a Government Advisory Committee and does not directly incur expenditure on external consultancy.

There has been no expenditure on external consultancy by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel in the last five years.

The following table shows NHS Blood and Transplant's expenditure on external consultancy in each year since 2017/18.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Advisory Committee for Clinical Impact Awards’ (previously the Clinical Excellence Awards) expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each of the last five years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Health Research Authority’s expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each year since 2017/18. The information requested for 2021/22 is currently being collated and audited and will be available later this year.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows Health Education England's expenditure on external consultancy in each year since 2017/18 for which data is available.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows NHS Digital’s expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each of the last five years for which data is available.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

Fully audited data on the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) expenditure on external consultants since its formation on 1 October 2021 will be available later this year. The UKHSA is required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each of the last five years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Care Quality Commission’s expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each of the last five years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Human Tissue Authority’s expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in each of the last five years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's expenditure on external consultancy in each of the last five years. All years denoted are financial years.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder. Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, their individual agencies and Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK.

All Government Departments and their individual ALBs and agencies are required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

The following table shows expenditure on externally contracted consultancy services in the core Department in each of the last five years. Fully audited data for 2021/22 will be available later this year.

Details of all Government contracts awarded from 2016 above £10,000 and £25,000 in the wider public sector are published on Contracts Finder at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Each award notice provides information on the name of the supplier, value of the contract, its purpose and information on the type of awarding procedure used. Government departments, individual agencies and arm’s length bodies are required to publish all spend against individual suppliers above £25,000 on GOV.UK and to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 in awarding contracts.

‘The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery: 2022 to 2025 implementation plan’ has been developed by the United Kingdom Government and the devolved administrations in collaboration with the clinical research community and delivery partners through the UK Clinical Research Recovery Resilience and Growth (RRG) programme.

The RRG Oversight Group meets regularly to provide oversight and strategic co-ordination of clinical research delivery in the UK. Members include the UK health departments, Digital Health and Care Wales, National Research Scotland, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. The implementation plan was published on 30 June 2022 and progress will be monitored and evaluated by the RRG Programme Board and Oversight Group.

United Kingdom-wide accredited registration of clinical research practitioners (CRPs) was approved by the UK Professional Standards Authority in April 2020 as part of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Accredited Register for practitioners. The AHCS is a joint initiative of the UK health departments and professional bodies in healthcare science. The Standards of Proficiency for registration were developed following consultation with CRPs, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and senior leaders in nursing and management of clinical research operations. This is overseen by a board which includes representation from the devolved administrations to inform the strategic development of the profession. The NIHR and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges also offer UK-wide clinician researcher development qualifications.

The Department’s forthcoming Medtech Strategy will set out further actions to promote competition, transparency and innovation and the United Kingdom’s life sciences sector.

It will align with the Life Science Vision, which prioritised building capability in research and development, supporting the role of the National Health Service in innovation and creating a business environment which encourages investment in life sciences.

In addition, the Department and the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency will implement regulatory reforms to enable the early adoption of innovative medical devices and treatments and enhance the attractiveness of the UK as a place to do business.

We continue to meet regularly with the devolved administrations to discuss clinical research in the United Kingdom. ‘The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery: 2022 to 2025 implementation plan’ has been developed by the UK Government and the devolved administrations in collaboration with the clinical research community and delivery partners through the UK Clinical Research Recovery Resilience and Growth programme.

‘The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery’ published in March 2021 set out the ambition to create a patient-centred, pro-innovation and digitally enabled clinical research environment. ‘The Future of Clinical Research Delivery: 2022 to 2025 implementation plan’ published on 30 June 2022 summarises the progress made and the actions required in the next three years to achieve these ambitions by 2031.

The National Health Service and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are investing in data and digital platforms to increase the identification of people who meet the eligibility criteria for specific studies and to deliver virtual and decentralised studies to increase participation of patients within clinical trials. NHS England and the devolved administrations are developing plans to embed responsibility and accountability for research in healthcare delivery and introduce new measures to increase recognition for undertaking and supporting clinical research. This will include the implementation of the Health and Care Act 2022 with enhanced duties on research for NHS England and integrated care boards.

A single, simplified approval service for clinical trials in the United Kingdom will be developed, including the implementation of a fast-track ethics review in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) and the Health Research Authority’s combined process. NHS England is implementing the National Contract Value Review to expedite the costing elements of the contracting process in NHS trusts to prevent delays. Following public consultation on proposals for legislative changes for clinical research, the MHRA is preparing the Government’s response and secondary legislation. The NIHR is expanding its support through its Clinical Research Network to assist researchers with the design of studies.

These measures will be delivered through the Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme involving representatives from NHS, the devolved administrations, academia, Royal Colleges, patients and the public, research institutes, health care professional bodies and research charities, funders and industry.

‘The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery’ published in March 2021 set out the ambition to create a patient-centred, pro-innovation and digitally enabled clinical research environment. ‘The Future of Clinical Research Delivery: 2022 to 2025 implementation plan’ published on 30 June 2022 summarises the progress made and the actions required in the next three years to achieve these ambitions by 2031.

The National Health Service and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are investing in data and digital platforms to increase the identification of people who meet the eligibility criteria for specific studies and to deliver virtual and decentralised studies to increase participation of patients within clinical trials. NHS England and the devolved administrations are developing plans to embed responsibility and accountability for research in healthcare delivery and introduce new measures to increase recognition for undertaking and supporting clinical research. This will include the implementation of the Health and Care Act 2022 with enhanced duties on research for NHS England and integrated care boards.

A single, simplified approval service for clinical trials in the United Kingdom will be developed, including the implementation of a fast-track ethics review in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) and the Health Research Authority’s combined process. NHS England is implementing the National Contract Value Review to expedite the costing elements of the contracting process in NHS trusts to prevent delays. Following public consultation on proposals for legislative changes for clinical research, the MHRA is preparing the Government’s response and secondary legislation. The NIHR is expanding its support through its Clinical Research Network to assist researchers with the design of studies.

These measures will be delivered through the Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme involving representatives from NHS, the devolved administrations, academia, Royal Colleges, patients and the public, research institutes, health care professional bodies and research charities, funders and industry.

The Government reviewed scientific advice and evidence and lessons learned from the border response to adapt the approach and target measures where needed. The UK Health Security Agency is currently developing border contingency measures, which could be implemented should a variant of concern emerge. As part of this contingency planning, Departments are considering which data will be required to ensure the response can be monitored and adapted as required. The costs of implementing health measures at the border were considered at Departmental level and were monitored through standard budget management and governance procedures.

The Government reviewed scientific advice and evidence and lessons learned from the border response to adapt the approach and target measures where needed. The UK Health Security Agency is currently developing border contingency measures, which could be implemented should a variant of concern emerge. As part of this contingency planning, Departments are considering which data will be required to ensure the response can be monitored and adapted as required. The costs of implementing health measures at the border were considered at Departmental level and were monitored through standard budget management and governance procedures.

An estimated £18 million has been fraudulently claimed in refunds through the Managed Quarantine Service. All appropriate debts have been passed to the Department’s debt recovery partner, Qualco, for collection.

No specific assessment has been made. Due to the separate domestic and international travel markets, testing in the international travel market would not affect domestic testing capacity.

Due to the evolving nature of this policy, the Department did not issue a written response to the Competitions and Markets Authority’s (CMA) report. However, officials met with the CMA on 27 September 2021 to discuss the Department’s response to the CMA’s recommendations and the proposed changes to international travel testing from polymerase chain reaction testing to lateral flow device testing (LFD). On 23 December 2021, officials met with the CMA in light of the transition to LFD testing and the emerging Omicron variant. A further meeting was held in spring 2022.

As of 1 March 2022, the Department was owed £3 million from 2020/21 and £71 million from 2021/22 from unpaid stays in the managed quarantine service or for tests purchased from Corporate Travel Management. This includes amounts owed by individuals on repayment plans due to financial hardship. All appropriate debts have been passed to the Department’s debt recovery partner for collection.

A valid CE or UKCA marking is required to attain Coronavirus Test Device Approvals (CTDA) approval. All approved devices from United Kingdom manufacturers have a CE marking. All applications for CTDA approval must be made from a place of business registered in the UK. As of 25 February 2022, 14 out of 31 applications approved were from manufacturers established in the UK. All were made from a place of business registered in the UK.

The Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (CTDA) provides a regulatory framework for manufacturers and their representatives seeking to sell COVID-19 tests in-scope of the legislation on the private market or supply tests to private sector testing services in the United Kingdom. It establishes standards to protect consumers and enable high quality tests to enter the market, regardless of the country of origin.

A test must either be approved under the CTDA or be included in a protocol that lists tests that are allowed to remain on the market while their CTDA application is being processed. Tests on the protocol list have received a form of verification, evaluation or validation elsewhere in the public sector, therefore their performance expected to be sufficient to protect public health. The protocol is a temporary measure and long-term access to the UK market is achieved only via CTDA approval.

We are unable to provide the information requested as it is commercially sensitive. The Department publishes details of approved tests including the date of the decision, on GOV.UK at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-test-validation-approved-products

If an application is unsuccessful, the applicant can request that we reconsider the decision. Officials continue to work with applicants through this process and guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-test-approval-how-to-apply

Of the 3.9 billion items ordered from United Kingdom-based manufacturers, 2.5 billion has been delivered. All 2.5 billion items have been manufactured in the UK.

The Department has signed contracts with 31 United Kingdom-based companies for 3.9 billion units of personal protective equipment (PPE), of which 2.5 billion units have been delivered so far. Currently, 247 million items are yet to be manufactured, although these orders are scheduled to be delivered by the end of March 2022. The 3.9 billion items represent 10.7% of all items ordered during the pandemic.

The following table shows the companies involved in the UK Make programme. Contracts have been signed with two further UK-based companies. However, as some items are not manufactured in the UK, these products are not included in the 3.9 billion total.

We are unable to provide the information requested on the number and proportion of personal protective equipment (PPE) items provided by each company identified through the High Priority Lane, as it is commercially sensitive. The following table shows the monetary value for each contract for PPE processed through the high priority lane.

The backlog of tests in the Coronavirus Test Device Approval (CTDA) process was due to insufficient evidence submitted by applicants. We have since worked with applicants on the additional information required and permitted further time to submit this evidence. On 7 February 2022, we updated the online guidance for applicants to provide greater clarity on acceptance criteria for the range of viral loads within samples. The majority of applications are now meeting these standards and the rate of approvals is increasing.

There was no requirement for Coronavirus Test Device Approvals (CDTA) reviews to be completed by 28 February 2022. This date refers to a temporary protocol which applied from 1 November 2021 to 28 February 2022, which allowed tests to stay on the market pending their CTDA outcome.

A new protocol containing two lists took effect from 1 March 2022, one for three months for certain devices until 31 May 2022 and one for six months until 31 August 2022, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-test-validation-approved-products/medical-devices-regulations-2002-protocols-effective-from-1-march-2022

The new protocol allows the continued supply and procurement of those tests, whilst their CTDA application is being considered.

Addressing the backlog is a priority, however most applicants did not initially provide evidence of the correct type or standard. We have provided feedback to applicants on what additional information is required to progress their application and allowed the appropriate time to provide it.

We have made improvements to the process that have seen an increased flow of applications to the final stages. These steps include increasing the number of scientific advisors to meet demand, as well as updating the online guidance for applicants on 7 February 2022 to provide greater clarity for acceptance criteria for the range of viral loads within samples. This should enable applications to move through the process more efficiently.

We will continue to work with stakeholders to identify opportunities to streamline the process.

Approval of COVID-19 tests for private use falls under the Coronavirus Test Devices Approvals regulation (CTDA). The CTDA process is robust, only devices that meet the high regulatory standards are available to the British public. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency were heavily involved from the start in setting these high-performance standards.

25% of approved devices are from United Kingdom manufacturers, however, it is important as a fair and neutral regulator of market access that all applicants are treated equally and the Government is working at speed to review applications for devices submitted via this process. We have increased the number of scientific advisors to meet clinical demand and speed up CTDA approvals. Discussions are ongoing about how to further align regulation to ensure it works best for industry and the public.

We are unable to provide the information in the format requested.

The interim unaudited financial position indicates there has been approximately £370 million expenditure on contractors and temporary staff for 2020/21. This figure does not include civil servants who were on loan or secondment to the NHS Test and Trace service.

We are unable to provide the amount spent in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years on the purchases of PCR tests, lateral flow device tests and other COVID-19 testing equipment, as this information is commercially sensitive.

We are unable to provide the amount spent in the 2020/21 financial year on laboratory capacity for the purposes of processing PCR tests and an estimate of projected spend in that area, as this information is commercially sensitive.

The interim unaudited financial position indicates that expenditure on Trace activities, in the 2020/21 financial period was approximately £911 million. A breakdown of NHS Test and Trace audited expenditure for 2020/2021 will be published once finalised.

As of 31 December 2021, the unaudited projected spend on Trace activities for 2021/22 was £589 million.

The 2020/21 NHS Test & Trace total budget was £22 billion. The Department’s annual report and accounts 2020-21 reported an actual of £13.5 billion for this period. The 2020-21 NHS Test & Trace budget for consultancy was £460 million. The interim and unaudited financial position indicates that actual expenditure for this period was approximately £195 million. NHS Test & Trace operated in an environment of high uncertainty, where demand for testing and tracing was affected by new variants, case numbers and policy decisions such as national lockdowns. As a result, monthly spending fluctuated throughout the year. A breakdown of NHS Test & Trace audited expenditure for 2020-21 is intended for future publication.

The NHS Test & Trace Programme has been allocated £15 billion in 2021-22, spend figures will be published as part of the annual accounts at the end of the financial year. Future spend in this area will be in line with demand.

The Government has ordered 3.9 billion items of personal protective equipment (PPE) from United Kingdom manufacturers. This represents 10.7% of all PPE ordered since the start of the pandemic. UK manufacturers have the capacity currently to meet the estimated future demand for PPE in the UK, for all categories except gloves.

We do not set utilisation targets for laboratories as this is dependent on public demand for polymerase chain reaction testing.

The contact centre aligns resources to the forecasted growth or reduction in positive cases across the country. As figures fluctuate daily it is not possible to predict the exact number of agents to meet utilisation targets. However, the performance of the contact centres is monitored. In January 2022, 62% utilisation on the Trace Service and 63% on the general public testing enquires line was reached.

The information requested on paid for laboratory capacity which has not been utilised could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Between October 2021 and January 2022, the contact centre and 119 service did not use an average of 28% of paid time.

We do not set utilisation targets for laboratories as this is dependent on public demand for polymerase chain reaction testing.

The contact centre aligns resources to the forecasted growth or reduction in positive cases across the country. As figures fluctuate daily it is not possible to predict the exact number of agents to meet utilisation targets. However, the performance of the contact centres is monitored. In January 2022, 62% utilisation on the Trace Service and 63% on the general public testing enquires line was reached.

The information requested on paid for laboratory capacity which has not been utilised could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Between October 2021 and January 2022, the contact centre and 119 service did not use an average of 28% of paid time.

The Government has ordered 3.9 billion items of personal protective equipment (PPE) from United Kingdom manufacturers. This represents 10.7% of all PPE ordered since the start of the pandemic. We are unable to provide the information requested for lateral flow device and polymerase chain reaction tests and other COVID-19 testing equipment as this information is commercially sensitive.

The UK Health Security Agency produced a workforce strategy in July 2021 detailing plans to reduce the use of consultancy services and increase the proportion of civil servants employed by the organisation. Reducing the number of management consultants is balanced with the delivery of national priorities, ensuring the sustainable handover of critical knowledge and managing recruitment into highly skilled roles. In 2021/22, reductions in the number of consultants has produced a saving of £100 million.

The Government is satisfied with the level of transparency throughout the Coronavirus Test Device Approval process.

This information is not held in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The cost of the testing packages was formulated to ensure public sector pricing was at the approximate mid-point of the private sector market. Since the requirements were introduced for international travel testing, the costs have fallen significantly. We have now made tests available around the market mid-point to ensure testing is available at an appropriate cost.

We have expanded the inbound vaccination policy to recognise vaccinations from over 100 countries and territories. We have removed the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated passengers travelling from non- ‘red list’ countries and territories. From 24 October, eligible vaccinated passengers arriving from rest of world countries can take a cheaper lateral flow test on or before day two after their arrival.

‘Procurement Policy Note 01/20: Responding to COVID-19’ guidance on public procurement regulations is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0120-responding-to-covid-19

Authorities are allowed to procure goods, services and works with extreme urgency in exceptional circumstances using regulation 32(2)(c) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The Department must demonstrate on a case by case basis that it is satisfied the tests set out in the guidance permitting use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication have been met. The Regulations state that the Department should ensure there are genuine reasons for extreme urgency; the events that have led to the need for extreme urgency were unforeseeable; it is impossible to comply with the usual timescales in the Public Contract Regulations; and the situation is not attributable to the contracting authority.

Data regarding the number of people who have received one and two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are available at the following link:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations

As health is devolved, vaccination is managed by the health services in each nation and vaccination data is published in their respective dashboards. The Government is working closely with the devolved administrations to ensure an aligned approach to vaccine deployment across the UK.

Data on the number of vaccinations provided in England by one and two doses; age; sex; and health geographies is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/

The data is not available in the format requested.

The Department is taking steps such as repurposing or recycling items and seeking to recover costs in instances where contracts have resulted in the supply of substandard personal protective equipment.

Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 allows for the direct award of a contract without advertising in cases of “extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority”. The majority of COVID-19 related contracts were awarded using this Regulation. However, to obtain the information requested incur disproportionate cost. The Department’s data does not distinguish between the use of this Regulation and other procedures under the Regulations which also allow for a direct award.

Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 allows for the direct award of a contract without advertising in cases of “extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority”. The majority of COVID-19 related contracts were awarded using this Regulation. However, to obtain the information requested incur disproportionate cost. The Department’s data does not distinguish between the use of this Regulation and other procedures under the Regulations which also allow for a direct award.

We do not intend to publish the list of suppliers referred through the high priority lane as there may be associated commercial implications. The Department has to consider the position of suppliers which were referred to the high priority channel in terms of the recognition that disclosure of their names may damage the supplier’s reputation, affecting their competitive position, their revenue and ability to obtain future contracts.

The High Court ruling of 19 February 2021 concerned the Department’s compliance with publishing the Contract Award Notices for all contracts awarded to suppliers of personal protective equipment. The ruling found that Contract Award Notices were not all published within in 30 days as per the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or 20 days as per the Cabinet Office guidance. The Department takes its transparency requirements very seriously and as such has now published most of the Contract Award Notices and the contracts themselves.

The Government has published ‘Liverpool COVID-19 community testing pilot: interim evaluation report summary’, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liverpool-covid-19-community-testing-pilot-interim-evaluation-report-summary/liverpool-covid-19-community-testing-pilot-interim-evaluation-report-summary

This is an interim report from an evaluation led by the University of Liverpool into the pilot of community open-access testing for COVID-19 among those without symptoms. A final assessment and a more detailed report on the effectiveness of mass testing and the data to support will follow in early 2021.

The Department cannot comment on individual contracts due to commercial sensitivity.

Unpaid carers are included in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s priority group six. This also includes those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for unpaid carers has now been published. The SOP draws on national and local sources for known carers, to help identify and enable them to be invited quickly for a vaccination, as well as making provision for those unpaid carers who may not already be known to the health and social care system to come forward.

The SOP is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/03/C1182-sop-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-programme-unpaid-carers-jcvi-priority-cohort-6.pdf

Contact tracing following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test commenced on 27 January 2021 in England for LFD tests carried out in supervised conditions, in view of increased prevalence of COVID-19. Prior to this, contact tracing commenced following a positive confirmatory polymerase chain reaction test after a positive LFD test.

Data is not currently held on the number of positive LFD tests not referred to contact tracers for the period before 27 January. There are no plans to carry out a separate assessment of the implications for community transmission, as this is monitored on an ongoing basis. Nor are there plans to trace contacts of people who had a positive LFD test from this time.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) consists of independent experts who advise the Government on which vaccines the United Kingdom should use and provide advice on prioritisation at a population level.  For the first phase, the JCVI has advised that the vaccine be given to care home residents and staff, people aged over 80 years old and frontline health and social care workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and clinical risk factors

Those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, should also be offered vaccination in priority group six.

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) advises the Government on which vaccines the United Kingdom should use and provide advice on prioritisation. After studying all the available data, the JCVI concluded that the first dose of both vaccines currently deployed provides substantial protection within two to three weeks of vaccination from severe COVID-19 infection.

The second vaccine dose is important to sustain the protection and extend its duration. In the short term however, the additional impact of the second dose is likely to be modest and most of the initial protection from clinical disease is after the first dose of vaccine. The four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed with the JCVI that at this stage of the pandemic prioritising the first doses of vaccine for as many people as possible on the priority list would protect the greatest number of at-risk people in the shortest possible time.

Operationally this means that second doses of both vaccines will be administered towards the end of the recommended vaccine dosing schedule of 12 weeks. This will maximise the number of people getting the vaccine and receiving protection within the next 12 weeks.

The JCVI’s statement on changing of the dose interval is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prioritising-the-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose-jcvi-statement/optimising-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-maximum-short-term-impact

In August 2020 my Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department launched the Health and Care Visa for health and care professionals from overseas, giving them a faster and cheaper route to come and work in the United Kingdom. This visa route is conditional on having a job offer for an eligible role from an eligible sponsor. Overseas health and care staff are also either exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge when applying for a visa or can claim a reimbursement.

We are unable to provide information on the purchasing of Innova Lateral Flow Tests in 2021 as this is commercially sensitive.

Following the development of approved new technologies, NHS Test and Trace launched small scale pilots to allow more asymptomatic testing in populations where prevalence of COVID-19 was thought to be higher or where individuals are more at risk. Extensive clinical evaluation has been carried out on the lateral flow or swab tests. Evaluations from Public Health England and the University of Oxford show these tests are accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community for screening and surveillance purposes. While false positives or false negatives can never be completely ruled out, the likelihood of a false positive remains low at approximately four in 1,000 people tested.

Extensive testing has shown lateral flow devices are suitable for use in care homes where they can help to identify people who are the most likely to spread the virus further and therefore support the prevention of transmission of the disease from staff and visitors.

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

The Liverpool City testing pilot was developed in collaboration between NHS Test and Trace, Liverpool City Council, NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership and the 8th Engineer Brigade. This was a service evaluation and not intended as a research study. The Department and NHS Test and Trace liaised with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority over the use of the Innova lateral flow device in this post-validation pilot service.

The secondary analysis of data provided in a health protection activity is not classified as research and so does not require research ethics committee review. Where the gathering of additional information required interactions that were not a routine element of the pilot service, the local research ethics committee approvals were obtained.

We do not publish the information in the format requested.

The Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in over 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support.

The cross-Government PPE team considered that leads referred by Government officials, Ministerial private offices, Parliamentarians, senior National Health Service staff and other health professionals were possibly more credible and needed to be initially reviewed with more urgency. This was commonly referred to as a ‘priority’ or ‘VIP’ channel.

At the point of being prioritised these offers went into exactly the same due diligence, technical assurance, closing or contract negotiation and contract award process as all the other offers. About one in ten suppliers processed through this channel - 47 out of 493 - obtained contracts. We do not intend to publish the list of these suppliers as there may be associated commercial implications.

European Economic Area and Swiss citizens do not require Home Office confirmation of settled or pre-settled status to access National Health Service care. Settled or pre-settled status is an immigration status related to the European Union Settlement Scheme. This scheme is about securing an individual’s rights under the Withdrawal Agreement to reside in the United Kingdom beyond 31 December 2020.

Access to free NHS secondary care is unrelated to the EU Settlement Scheme and is entirely based on being ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK. Being ordinarily resident means, broadly, living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis for the time being, with non-EEA nationals who are subject to immigration control also required to have an immigration status of ‘indefinite leave to remain’. From 2021, the new global immigration system will apply the same requirements to migrants from the EEA and Switzerland.

Where a patient’s ordinarily resident status is not known, it will be for the NHS organisation that provides the treatment to assess this, based on the evidence of lawful, settled residence the patient provides.

We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Pakistan closely. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, spoke to the High Commissioner for Pakistan to the UK, Moazzam Ahmad Khan, on 9 May and to Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on 10 and 13 May, where he emphasised the importance of peaceful democratic rights, including the right to protest, adherence to the rule of law and transparency in legal processes. Where there are allegations of human rights violations, we expect these to be fully investigated in line with international human rights law.

The Government continues to press the Taliban to allow safe passage and to respect human rights, and to work to enable Afghan nationals who were employed by the UK Government, or who were notified by the Government that they were called forward or specifically authorised for evacuation, to come to the UK. Further guidance and helplines numbers for British and non-British nationals in Afghanistan are available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-british-and-non-british-nationals-in-afghanistan. This page will be updated when new information is available.

Hon. Members should approach the MoD with enquiries regarding Afghan nationals who might be eligible for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. The eligibility criteria for the ARAP scheme are set out here, alongside details of how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance.

They should approach the Home Office regarding the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), information on which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme.

FCDO provides consular support to British nationals. We encourage all British nationals who remain in Afghanistan to confirm their presence using this form: https://www.register-afghanistan.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/afghanistan-20210828/confirm-your-presence-in-afghanistan-to-fcdo to give us detailed information of those remaining. All British nationals who have correctly registered their details with the FCDO will receive important updates via email.

If constituents' relatives or friends in Afghanistan are not British nationals and are not otherwise eligible to come to the UK, then there is a limit to what the British Government can do for them as individuals. The Government is committed to supporting Afghanistan and we will use every diplomatic and economic lever at our disposal to restore stability to Afghanistan.

Since 15 August, the UK has evacuated over 15,000 people from Afghanistan. That includes: over 8,000 British Nationals, close to 5,000 Afghans who loyally served the UK, along with their dependents, and around 500 special cases of particularly vulnerable Afghans, including Chevening scholars, academics, researchers, journalists, human rights defenders, campaigners for women's rights, judges and many others. All these figures include dependants. This is in addition to the almost 2,000 people we brought to the UK between April and August under the ARAP scheme.

Our immediate focus is on ensuring safe passage for anyone remaining in Afghanistan who is eligible to come to the UK and wishes to leave. We continue to work closely with the Qatari authorities to facilitate the evacuation of British nationals from Kabul.

Rapid Deployment Teams have been sent to Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to reinforce our Embassy staff to process arrivals from Afghanistan. Teams have also deployed to Qatar and UAE to assist our operations there and we are providing consular support to British nationals who were evacuated by other allies, including via US airbases in Europe.

The International Development Strategy will outline the UK government's strategic priorities and approach to development. My ministerial colleagues have held meetings with several stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to discuss the Strategy, as part of our wider engagement process which included a public call for evidence. We intend to publish the Strategy later this year.

The UK funded Volunteering for Development (V4D) programme works through volunteers, including UK and international volunteers, across five of the UK Government's seven strategic priorities for ODA. This includes the promotion of open societies and conflict resolution; humanitarian preparedness and response; and the overarching pursuit of poverty reduction.

The UK Government appreciates the contribution volunteers and civil society organisations can make to the UK's global aid priorities. Our Volunteering for Development (V4D) programme is helping poor and marginalised people globally to access more relevant and inclusive education, health, and livelihoods services. For example, through V4D's Sisters for Sisters project in Nepal, women community volunteers have improved participation by younger girls in schools through a focus on gender inclusion and addressing barriers that prevent or limit participation.

Since the start of Operation Pitting we have received over 200,000 emails, including approximately 30,000 from Hon. Members .

As the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa said in the House on 15 September, during the evacuation operation alone the FCDO received over 200,000 emails. Responding to cases and correspondence from hon. Members is a priority for this Government. We took, and still take seriously, our duty to look into every single case raised by a Member. Where members of the public and MPs have written, either through the help@fcdo.gov.uk mailbox, or through standard FCDO correspondence, these have been triaged and the details logged. MPs also have access to the MP hotline and FCDO staff continue to follow up on urgent cases.

Responding to MPs' cases and correspondence remains a top priority for the Government and the FCDO has been working tirelessly to undertake the task. Staff from across the global FCDO network have been pulled into the crisis surge team along with colleagues from MOD and HMRC. We have had multiple shifts of over 100 people working throughout the day and night, 7 days a week to deliver and will continue to prioritise incoming correspondence.

Since 15 August, the UK has evacuated over 15,000 people from Afghanistan. That includes: over 8,000 British Nationals, close to 5,000 Afghans who loyally served the UK, along with their dependents, and around 500 special cases of particularly vulnerable Afghans, including Chevening scholars, academics, researchers, journalists, human rights defenders, campaigners for women's rights, judges and many others. This is in addition to the almost 2,000 people we brought to the UK between April and August under the ARAP scheme. Rapid Deployment Teams have been sent to Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to reinforce our Embassy staff to process arrivals from Afghanistan. Teams have also deployed to Qatar and UAE to assist our operations there and we are providing consular support to British nationals who were evacuated by other allies, including via US airbases in Europe.

On 3 September FCDO announced £30 million of additional humanitarian funding to assist the regional response to the surge in refugees. £10 million was immediately made available to humanitarian partners, such as the UNHCR, in order to enable essential supplies such as shelters, sanitation and hygiene facilities to be erected at the Afghanistan border. The remaining £20 million will be allocated to countries that experience a significant increase in refugees to support reception and registration facilities and provide essential services and supplies. In addition, the FCDO chartered 30 flights for the Afghan evacuation, at a total cost of circa £7 million.

Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained, compiled, and collated at disproportionate cost.

HM Treasury is not aware of any such representations or requests.

All taxes are kept under review and any changes are considered and announced by the Chancellor.

HM Treasury is not aware of any such representations or requests.

All taxes are kept under review and any changes are considered and announced by the Chancellor.

The requested information is not available. HMRC does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level on their VAT returns as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review, as part of the annual Budget process, and in the context of the wider public finances. In 2015, pension freedoms were introduced to give individuals the choice as to how to access their own pension savings including full pot withdrawal, purchasing an annuity, flexi-access drawdown or taking an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum. In the five years since pension freedoms were introduced, over £45bn has been accessed by over 1.8 million individuals. The Government believes it is right that individuals are trusted to choose how to access their pension income and provides a range of options for them to do so.

Electricity supplied at electric vehicle charging points in public places is subject to the standard rate of VAT (twenty per cent). In order to keep costs down for families, the supply of electricity for domestic use, including charging electric vehicles at home, attracts the reduced rate of VAT (five per cent).

Expanding the relief would come at a cost. VAT makes a significant contribution towards the public finances, raising around £130 billion in 2019/20, and helps fund the Government's priorities including the NHS, schools, and defence. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.

Electricity supplied at electric vehicle charging points in public places is subject to the standard rate of VAT (twenty per cent). In order to keep costs down for families, the supply of electricity for domestic use, including charging electric vehicles at home, attracts the reduced rate of VAT (five per cent).

Expanding the relief would come at a cost. VAT makes a significant contribution towards the public finances, raising around £130 billion in 2019/20, and helps fund the Government's priorities including the NHS, schools, and defence. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.

Electricity supplied at electric vehicle charging points in public places is subject to the standard rate of VAT (twenty per cent). In order to keep costs down for families, the supply of electricity for domestic use, including charging electric vehicles at home, attracts the reduced rate of VAT (five per cent).

Expanding the relief would come at a cost. VAT makes a significant contribution towards the public finances, raising around £130 billion in 2019/20, and helps fund the Government's priorities including the NHS, schools, and defence. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and following requests from the devolved administrations for more certainty over their funding, including greater borrowing powers, the UK Government announced the unprecedented Barnett guarantee in July 2020. The guarantee initially provided £12.7bn of additional funding and was uplifted three times to reflect the changing situation – eventually reaching £16.8bn.

The guarantee provided the devolved administrations with the necessary funding certainty to decide how and when to provide support without having to wait for the UK Government to announce new funding first. It also meant that the devolved administrations benefitted from the strength of HM Treasury and the Bank of England rather than needing to borrow themselves.

Further information on the Barnett guarantee can be found on the following gov uk page:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/barnett-consequentials-and-the-barnett-guarantee/barnett-consequentials-and-the-barnett-guarantee

I know that this has been a very difficult time for LCF bondholders. The Government has announced that it will establish a compensation scheme that will provide 80% of LCF bondholders’ principle investment up to a maximum of £68,000. The scheme will be available to all LCF bondholders who have not already received compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

The Treasury is working to finalise the details of the scheme and guidance for bondholders on their next steps. The Government will provide further details on how the scheme will operate in due course. Bondholders do not need to do anything at this stage.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) will administer the Scheme. They are committed to ensuring that payments are made to all eligible LCF bondholders within 6 months of the Compensation (London Capital & Finance plc and Fraud Compensation Fund) Bill securing Royal Assent. This Bill was brought forward by the Government at the earliest possible opportunity and was introduced on 12 May 2021.

I hope that the compensation offered by the Government scheme will offer some relief to the distress and hardship suffered and provide closure on this difficult matter.

As outlined in the Statement of Funding Policy, the Barnett formula determines changes to each devolved administration’s funding with reference to changes in DEL funding for UK Government departments. The Barnett formula is not typically applied on a sector level and does not apply to UK-wide schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

In total, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic the Scottish Government has benefitted from £14.5 billion of additional funding through the Barnett formula. It is for the Scottish Government to decide how to use this funding.

A full breakdown of the devolved administrations’ block grant funding will be published shortly in this year’s iteration of Block Grant Transparency.

As outlined in the Statement of Funding Policy, the Barnett formula determines changes to each devolved administration’s funding with reference to changes in DEL funding for UK Government departments. The Barnett formula is not typically applied on a sector level and does not apply to UK-wide schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

In total, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic the Scottish Government has benefitted from £14.5 billion of additional funding through the Barnett formula. It is for the Scottish Government to decide how to use this funding.

A full breakdown of the devolved administrations’ block grant funding will be published shortly in this year’s iteration of Block Grant Transparency.

HM Revenue and Customs publish statistics on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) regularly.

The statistics published in August 2020 can be found on gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-august-2020.

These statistics report that employers classified under Travel agency and tour operator activities (Standard Industrial Classification 2007, group 79.1) claimed £214 million for staff on furlough between the start of the scheme and 31 July 2020.

Further statistics published on 3 June 2021 report that employers in the Travel agency and tour operator activities sector claimed £232 million from 1 November 2020 to 30 April 2021. These figures can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-3-june-2021.

There are no figures available for the value of CJRS claims for Travel agency and tour operator activities from 1 August 2020 to 31 October 2020, nor for employers in sectors connected with tourism.

I refer the Honourable Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.

I refer the Honourable Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.

I refer the Honourable Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.

There are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design.

I can assure the Hon Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath that relevant records are currently retained and will continue to be as long as it is legal to do so.

There are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design.

I can assure the Hon Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath that relevant records are currently retained and will continue to be as long as it is legal to do so.

There are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design.

I can assure the Hon Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath that relevant records are currently retained and will continue to be as long as it is legal to do so.

There are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design.

I can assure the Hon Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath that relevant records are currently retained and will continue to be as long as it is legal to do so.

There are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-design.

I can assure the Hon Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath that relevant records are currently retained and will continue to be as long as it is legal to do so.

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer given on 28 January to PQ UIN 143081. The Written Ministerial Statement of 17 December 2020 set out the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

The Written Ministerial Statement also set out that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders. The Government will announce further details in due course.

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer given on 28 January to PQ UIN 143081. The Written Ministerial Statement of 17 December 2020 set out the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.

The Written Ministerial Statement also set out that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders. The Government will announce further details in due course.

In delivering the SEISS, the Government has had to balance reaching as many people as possible, while protecting the public purse from the substantial risk of fraud by organised criminals and others who would seek to exploit these schemes. This has meant using data that HMRC already hold, in the form of Self-Assessment Tax Returns for the years up to and including 2018-19.

The SEISS continues to be just one element of a substantial package of support for the self-employed. The Universal Credit standard allowance has been temporarily increased for 2020-21 and the Minimum Income Floor relaxed for the duration of the crisis, so that where self-employed claimants' earnings have fallen significantly, their Universal Credit award will have increased to reflect their lower earnings. In addition to this, they may also have access to other elements of the package, including Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation support payments and other business support grants.

In delivering the SEISS, the Government has had to balance reaching as many people as possible, while protecting the public purse from the substantial risk of fraud by organised criminals and others who would seek to exploit these schemes. This has meant using data that HMRC already hold, in the form of Self-Assessment Tax Returns for the years up to and including 2018-19.

The SEISS continues to be just one element of a substantial package of support for the self-employed. The Universal Credit standard allowance has been temporarily increased for 2020-21 and the Minimum Income Floor relaxed for the duration of the crisis, so that where self-employed claimants' earnings have fallen significantly, their Universal Credit award will have increased to reflect their lower earnings. In addition to this, they may also have access to other elements of the package, including Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation support payments and other business support grants.

The Government recognises that taxpayers have faced immense challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and it has prioritised delivering support to as many people as possible while guarding against the risk of fraud or abuse.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is one of the most generous in the world and has received claims from almost 2.7 million people so far, totalling over £18.5 billion.

The practical issues that prevented the Government from being able to include the newly self-employed in 2019-20 in the SEISS, namely that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) do not have access to the full set of 2019-20 self-assessment returns in order to verify their eligibility, still remain. The latest year for which HMRC have tax returns for all self-employed individuals is 2018-19.

The SEISS continues to be just one element of a substantial package of support for the self-employed which includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation support payments and other business support grants.

The Government has acknowledged the recommendations of the Treasury Select Committee report, the Economic impact of coronavirus: Gaps in Support.

The Committee states in its report that it recognises the challenges of offering support to those who need it while implementing the safeguards required to mitigate the very real risk of fraudulent claims for support.

The practical issues that prevented the Government from being able to include the newly self-employed in 2019-20 in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) still remain. The latest year for which HMRC have tax returns for all self-employed individuals is 2018/19.

The pricing of financial products (including the interest rates offered on savings accounts) is a commercial decision for firms and the government does not seek to intervene in such decisions. Monetary policy, including recent interest rate cuts, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England. The government therefore seeks to avoid commenting on the conduct and effectiveness of monetary policy.

The MPC’s primary objective, as set out in law, is to maintain price stability and its secondary objective is to support the government’s economic policy. The government believes that low and stable inflation is an essential pre-requisite for economic growth; providing certainty for households and businesses, helping them in their day-to-day economic decision making. The MPC is sensitive to the effect of low interest rates on savers and does consider the effect that their decisions may have on all households.

That said, the government is very aware of the challenges faced by savers in the current circumstances and has taken action on a number of fronts. In order to support savers and to reflect the government’s funding requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic, in April 2020 National Savings and Investments (NS&I) reversed planned rate reductions on NS&I’s variable rate products that were due to take effect on 1 May 2020. The government also announced on 1 May 2020 that the Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge will be reduced temporarily to 20% from 25% for any unauthorised withdrawal made between 6 March 2020 and 5 April 2021 recouping the government bonus and any interest or growth that may have accrued on that bonus, but with no further charge. Finally, the government has made significant changes over recent years to the way that income from savings is taxed, as part of its commitment to supporting people of all incomes and at all stages of life to save – this means that around 95% of people with savings income have no tax to pay on that income.

The Government is listening carefully to concerns raised by senior doctors and NHS employers about the effect of limits on pensions tax relief. As part of a wider drive to ensure the NHS has the staff it needs to meet demand and transform care, the Government is carrying out an urgent review of the pensions annual allowance taper problem that has caused some doctors to turn down extra shifts for fear of high tax bills. Ministers at HM Treasury and the Department for Health and Social Care have met the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the British Medical Association as part of this review.

The review is also considering the responses to the Department for Health and Social Care’s consultation on pension flexibility. The review will report at Budget.

In addition, in September 2019 guidance was issued by NHS Employers informing employers of the short-term approaches that they could take to mitigate the effect of pension tax on their workforce this tax year. The NHS has also implemented an immediate measure to preserve clinical capacity amid the increased pressure on services during the winter period. This has enabled NHS employers to compensate NHS clinicians for the effect on their pensions of annual allowance charges incurred in 2019/20.

Contact takes place between Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) and relevant local stakeholders, as necessary, on issues relating to the day to day running of the centre. Although immigration is not a devolved matter, we will keep the Scottish Government informed of any significant changes to the operation of this IRC.

The Annual Budget for Dungavel House IRC forms part of the budget for the wider detention estate and is not disaggregated. Published figures for the average cost of a detention bed per day can be found at the link: Immigration Enforcement data: Q4 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The Home Office publishes statistics on people entering and leaving immigration detention in the 'Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release'. The number of people entering detention each quarter are in table Det_D01 of the 'Detention detailed datasets', where the data can be broken down by age and first place of detention. The number of people leaving detention each quarter are in table Det_D03 of the 'Detention detailed datasets', where the data can be broken down by length of detention.

The Home Office does not publish by place of detention: asylum-related detentions, length of detention of people leaving detention, or a breakdown of pregnant women detained.

However, data on the total number of asylum-related detentions each year is in table Det_01 and data on the total number leaving detention by place of detention is in table Det_04c of the 'Detention summary tables'. The latest data relate to the end of December 2022.

Data on the total number of pregnant women detained in the immigration detention estate each quarter is published in table PWD_01 of the 'Immigration Enforcement data: Q4 2022'. This data is only available from July 2016 and goes up to the end of September 2022. For data prior to 2010, see the archived Detention tables.

It is correct European Economic Area and Swiss citizens do not require Home Office confirmation of settled or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme to access National Health Service care.

Individuals may wish to rely on the fact they have been granted status under the Scheme as part of demonstrating their ordinary residence in the UK. The online View and Prove service therefore offers this as an option, should users wish to share their status for this purpose. It is entirely optional.

EEA and Swiss citizens continue to be able to use their passport or national identity card to evidence their right to access services and this will not change until 30 June 2021.

From 2021, when the new immigration system is introduced, EEA or Swiss patients will be required to demonstrate they are ordinarily resident in the UK, as is already presently the case for non-EEA nationals who are not the family member of an EEA citizen. They can do this by relying on the status they have been granted under the Scheme.

EEA nationals who do not have protected rights will be bound by the new global immigration system.

The UK left the EU on 31 January on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement reached in October 2019. No further agreement is required and the protections for resident EU citizens provided in the Withdrawal Agreement are now underpinned by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and by the EU Settlement Scheme.

In line with the Withdrawal Agreement, EU citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 will be eligible to apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Their current residence rights under EU law will be protected during the grace period which will apply from 1 January 2021 until the application deadline of 30 June 2021. In addition, where a person has reasonable grounds for missing this deadline, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

The current grant funded organisations have had their funding extended until September 2020. In March, the Home Office announced a further £8 million would be made available to ensure funding for support organisations could continue through to March 2021. A new grant scheme has been launched and the bidding process started in May 2020.

After the Transition Period EU citizens will not be routinely asked to prove they have been granted status under the EU Settlement scheme in order to re-enter the UK, but systems will be in place to allow border officials to make such checks where necessary.

Once the new points-based immigration system is fully introduced, Border Force will be able to identify those individuals granted status digitally without the need for the individual to provide evidence.

The Ministry of Defence is responsible for the assessment and categorisation of radiological safety events. The categorisation of events at HM Naval Base Clyde is aligned to the guidance issued by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The radiological consequences of an event would be considered serious if it resulted in an unplanned radiation exposure exceeding a statutory dose limit or a release of radioactive material which exceeds the notification value in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.

The Ministry of Defence is responsible for the assessment and categorisation of radiological safety events. The categorisation of events at HM Naval Base Clyde is aligned to the guidance issued by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The radiological consequences of an event would be considered serious if it resulted in an unplanned radiation exposure exceeding a statutory dose limit or a release of radioactive material which exceeds the notification value in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.

There have been historical events with minor radiological consequences at both His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Coulport. These events have not resulted in significant radiation exposure or impact on the environment. All events are thoroughly investigated and, if required, notified to external regulators.

Further details regarding incidents at HMNB Clyde and RNAD Coulport can be found in the answer given to Question 180428.

Staff in building 201 were actively involved in preparing the building for handover to Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) over a number of months. Building management kept staff informed of the works programme throughout, including the date that the building was being handed over to the DIO contractor. These updates included a weekly building visit to the staff by the Resident Director.

There is no policy requirement for official communication to relocate staff from one building to another, however, it is conducted as best practice.

Building 201 was taken out of service to enable pre-planned infrastructure upgrades managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The contract for this work was awarded in December 2018, work commenced in September 2019 and was completed in October 2020. Staff from Building 201 were fully involved in preparing the facility for handover to the DIO contractor and were accommodated in building 41 from September 2019 until completion of the works.

Ministry of Defence Officials will continue monitoring the beach at Dalgety Bay for two years after completion of the remediation works. This has been agreed with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in order to prove the success of the works. SEPA will take on monitoring after the ‘proving’ period is successfully completed.

The budget of £10.5M million announced by the Ministry of Defence on 19 May 2021, was the initial value of the contract.

The increase in budget to circa £15 million will include planning costs, fees and other relevant disbursements.