Paul Blomfield

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains a global leader in life sciences and continues to collaborate with European and other countries on scientific research. At the end of the UK transition period, clinical trials will continue to be approved at a national level, working to international standards as they are now. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) along with partners in the UK healthcare system, has taken steps to ensure that all trials, including multinational trials, can continue. The UK is collaborating extensively with international partners in the research effort against COVID-19 and we will continue to do so after the end of the UK transition period.

The UK’s approach to the future relationship negotiations sets out our ambition to reach an agreement that would facilitate trade in medicinal products. However, any responsible Government has a duty to prepare for all scenarios and have robust contingency plans in place. We continue to hold stockpiles to cope with a range of scenarios.

We are doing everything we can to ensure our health and social care staff have the equipment they need to tackle Covid-19 virus. Sourcing sufficient PPE is an international challenge and we are working with many international partners, including the EU. In terms of ventilators, as a result of the Ventilator Challenge the NHS has significantly increased supply.

As set out in ‘Our Plan to Rebuild’, any adjustments to current social distancing controls for England will be timed carefully according to both the current transmission rate of the virus and the Government’s ability to ensure safety. The steps for modifying social distancing measures are set out in the plan, with strict conditions to safely move from each step to the next.

In the strategy, we committed to exploring how to enable people to gather in slightly larger groups to better facilitate small weddings. We are actively looking at how we can facilitate small weddings, as soon as possible, to deliver the roadmap.

Step Three of the plan also includes the ambition to open at least some places of worship, including the potential for some small wedding ceremonies. The Government’s current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than 4 July, subject to the five tests for easing measures and further detailed scientific advice provided closer to the time, on how far we can go.

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

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

On 9th September 2020, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a Written Ministerial Statement on the future plans for subsidy control. This can be found here.

The Advertising Standards Authority is an independent body. The Government works closely with them across a wide range of areas, including gambling advertising.

All gambling advertising, wherever it appears, is subject to strict controls on content and placement. Adverts must never be targeted at children or vulnerable people. The Advertising Standards Authority independently administers these standards through the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) which covers online and non-broadcast spaces and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) for TV. If an advert for gambling holds particular appeal to children and is freely accessible then it will break the rules.

The Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) recently concluded a consultation on proposals to amend their advertising codes to further limit the potential for gambling adverts to appeal to children. The broadcast advertising codes make clear that adverts for commercial gambling must not be shown during or adjacent to television programmes directed at or likely to appeal particularly to children.

The Industry Code for Socially Responsible Gambling Advertising also prohibits gambling advertising on television before 9pm, except for adverts promoting bingo or lotteries, and sports betting in limited circumstances (not immediately around or during live sport).

The government is taking the collapse of Football Index and the concerns of those affected by it very seriously, and the Secretary of State and I have met the Gambling Commission to receive urgent updates. We are particularly keen to understand both how this situation came about and what lessons we can learn from these events. Further details will be provided in due course.

DCMS officials were made aware of the challenges facing Football Index in March 2021 shortly before the Gambling Commission suspended the licence of BetIndex Ltd, the operator of Football Index. The Gambling Commission’s regulatory investigation is ongoing. While we have been in close contact with the Commission as it continues its investigation, its role as set out in the Gambling Act is to conduct investigations fully independent of Government. It is not for the government to direct independent regulatory bodies on individual cases.

Our Review of the Gambling Act 2005 is considering a range of questions around the regulation of gambling, including the powers and resources of the Commission and whether any changes to the legislation are required to make it fit for the digital age. The review will also consider whether an alternative system of consumer redress, such as an ombudsman, is needed. Our call for evidence closed on 31 March and we are carefully considering the responses received.

The government is taking the collapse of Football Index and the concerns of those affected by it very seriously, and the Secretary of State and I have met the Gambling Commission to receive urgent updates. We are particularly keen to understand both how this situation came about and what lessons we can learn from these events. Further details will be provided in due course.

DCMS officials were made aware of the challenges facing Football Index in March 2021 shortly before the Gambling Commission suspended the licence of BetIndex Ltd, the operator of Football Index. The Gambling Commission’s regulatory investigation is ongoing. While we have been in close contact with the Commission as it continues its investigation, its role as set out in the Gambling Act is to conduct investigations fully independent of Government. It is not for the government to direct independent regulatory bodies on individual cases.

Our Review of the Gambling Act 2005 is considering a range of questions around the regulation of gambling, including the powers and resources of the Commission and whether any changes to the legislation are required to make it fit for the digital age. The review will also consider whether an alternative system of consumer redress, such as an ombudsman, is needed. Our call for evidence closed on 31 March and we are carefully considering the responses received.

The government currently has no plans to introduce a requirement for gambling operators to pay a fee or levy to sports clubs and has not had discussions with football clubs about developing commercial opportunities.

The Review of the Gambling Act 2005 was launched on 8th December with the publication of a Call for Evidence. As part of the broad scope of that Review, we have called for evidence on the benefits or harms of allowing operators to advertise and engage in sponsorship arrangements across sports, esports and other areas. The Call for Evidence will remain open until 31 March, and no policy decisions have yet been made. We intend to set out conclusions, including any proposals for change, in a white paper later this year.

The government currently has no plans to introduce a requirement for gambling operators to pay a fee or levy to sports clubs and has not had discussions with football clubs about developing commercial opportunities.

The Review of the Gambling Act 2005 was launched on 8th December with the publication of a Call for Evidence. As part of the broad scope of that Review, we have called for evidence on the benefits or harms of allowing operators to advertise and engage in sponsorship arrangements across sports, esports and other areas. The Call for Evidence will remain open until 31 March, and no policy decisions have yet been made. We intend to set out conclusions, including any proposals for change, in a white paper later this year.

All gambling advertising, wherever it appears, is subject to strict controls on content and placement. Adverts must never be targeted at children or vulnerable people, and the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) recently concluded a consultation on proposals to amend the advertising codes to further limit the potential for adverts to appeal to these groups. The broadcast advertising codes make clear that adverts for commercial gambling must not be shown during or adjacent to television programmes directed at or likely to appeal particularly to children. In addition, the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Gambling Advertising prohibits gambling advertising on television before 9pm, except for adverts promoting bingo or lotteries, and sports betting in limited circumstances (not immediately around or during live sport).

The government is not aware of specific evidence on the effect of gambling advertising broadcast on television during the day. However, in March 2020 the charity GambleAware published the final report of a major piece of research into the effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable people. That study found that exposure to advertising was associated with an openness to gamble in the future amongst children and young people aged 11-24 who did not currently gamble. It also found that there were other factors that correlated more closely with current gambling behaviour amongst those groups, including peer and parental gambling. Among vulnerable adults, the study found some evidence that problem or heavy gamblers were more likely to report that marketing had prompted them to place a bet or open a new account. It did not suggest a causal link between exposure to advertising and the development of problem gambling in childhood or later life.

The government launched its Review of the Gambling Act 2005 on 8 December with the publication of a Call for Evidence. As part of the wide scope of that Review, we have called for evidence on the benefits or harms of allowing gambling operators to advertise.

Data released by the Gambling Commission in May 2020 on the black market suggested that the scale of the black market had remained low and stable, with little variation in the number of complaints it had received about illegal gambling websites over the previous 12 months. The Commission continues to monitor this area closely and take action against unlicensed operators where needed.

However, new technologies have the potential to increase the risk posed by illegal unlicensed operators, so it is important that we improve our understanding of these risks and the exact scale of the black market. That is why our Review of the Gambling Act 2005 will consider issues around black market gambling as part of its wide scope, and we have called for evidence on the extent of the black market, its accessibility to consumers, and the risk of one emerging in the future. We have also launched our consultation proposing an uplift to industry licence fees, which will provide the Commission with greater capacity in the short to medium term to investigate and tackle the threat caused by the black market.

The Call for Evidence will be open until 31 March 2021, and further details, including how to make a contribution, can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence/review-of-the-gambling-act-2005-terms-of-reference-and-call-for-evidence.

This Government recognises the great value of the UK’s arts and cultural sectors. We have provided £1.57bn through the Cultural Recovery Fund, ensuring record breaking support is available to support the cultural sector through the COVID-19 crisis.

The Government decided not to seek continued participation in the Creative Europe programme as part of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU but to look at other ways of supporting the UK’s arts and cultural sectors. The Spending Review announced £7m in funding for a pilot year of the Global Screen Fund. The Fund will support the UK independent screen sector, in particular UK independent film content, to remain competitive in the international market and help ensure the continued stability of the independent screen sector as a whole.

We understand the role international cultural partnerships and networking play in driving forwards the very best in leading contemporary practice. The Government will continue to assess the needs of the sector through the continued impacts of COVID-19 and in establishing our place on the world stage outside of the European Union.

This Government recognises the great value of the UK’s arts and cultural sectors. We have provided £1.57bn through the Cultural Recovery Fund, ensuring record breaking support is available to support the cultural sector through the COVID-19 crisis.

The Government decided not to seek continued participation in the Creative Europe programme as part of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU but to look at other ways of supporting the UK’s arts and cultural sectors. The Spending Review announced £7m in funding for a pilot year of the Global Screen Fund. The Fund will support the UK independent screen sector, in particular UK independent film content, to remain competitive in the international market and help ensure the continued stability of the independent screen sector as a whole.

We understand the role international cultural partnerships and networking play in driving forwards the very best in leading contemporary practice. The Government will continue to assess the needs of the sector through the continued impacts of COVID-19 and in establishing our place on the world stage outside of the European Union.

Ministers have regular discussions with their Cabinet Colleagues on a wide range of issues, including cross-border labour mobility with the EU for musicians and other creative professionals.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other cultural and creative practitioners, and their support staff. Officials from across government engaged with the performing arts sector extensively throughout negotiations. That engagement has continued since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of new requirements. Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure they have the support they need to thrive.

We appreciate that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many of DCMS’ sectors including the publishing industries. Through regular ministerial-led roundtables, working groups and contact with DCMS officials, we will continue to work with the publishing sector to assess and understand the difficulties it faces in these challenging times and through recovery.

The Government has provided unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency. The Government’s response has been one of the most generous and comprehensive in the world, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Bounceback Loan Scheme and business rates reliefs. The publishing sector has also benefited from the government's introduction of a zero rate of VAT to e-publications, which will make it clear e-publications are entitled to the same VAT treatment as their physical counterparts.

The Chancellor has announced the Winter Economy Plan to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months, once the existing Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme come to end.

The Government is continuing to engage with the creative sectors to ensure that freelancers, organisations and businesses know what they need to do to prepare for changes at the end of the transition period.

On 1st September 2020, the Government launched a comprehensive communications campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period. This includes guidance on customs and mobility procedures important to professionals in the live music industry, including freelance musicians and touring artists. My department will continue to engage with the music sector on the specific issues they may face.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians. We are seeking a reciprocal agreement with the EU that could allow UK citizens to undertake some business activities in the EU without a work permit, on a short-term basis. We are unable to comment on the detail of these arrangements as discussions are ongoing.

The government’s response to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Report on Immersive and Addictive Technologies was published on 8th June. Copies were placed in the libraries of the House, and it is also available on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-digital-culture-media-sport-select-committee-report-on-immersive-and-addictive-technologies

Our response includes a commitment to launch a call for evidence on loot boxes and to lead work on developing a framework to support future independent research on video games’ impacts on behaviour.

We will be launching a website with more information on the Turing Scheme and setting out the application process in the coming weeks, for mobilities to start in September 2021.

Under the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to participate fully in the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. This means that the projects successfully bid for during the current programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project, including those where funding runs beyond 2020 and the end of the transition period.

The government has decided that it is not in the UK's interests to seek continuing participation in the next Erasmus+ programme. Instead, the UK is introducing a new international educational exchange scheme that has a genuinely global reach. Under the Turing scheme, UK universities, colleges and schools will be able to bid for funding to enable their students to travel abroad for study and work placements starting in September 2021 – for any of their students, regardless of nationality.

UK institutions are already speaking to their European counterparts to ensure they maintain and build upon their strong relationships. The government will support this engagement while also working to directly promote the Turing scheme overseas through government-to-government engagement.

The UK is a world-leading destination for study and research, with four universities in the world’s top 10, and 18 in the top 100. The UK is currently second only to the USA as a destination for international higher education students with approximately 486,000 students from abroad. We have considerable appeal as a destination and partner in international mobilities and exchanges, not just within the EU but across the world. Through our planned update to the International Education Strategy, and measures such as the new Graduate Route, we intend to build on this global reputation.

We will soon be launching the website and announcing the bidding process for mobilities to start in September 2021.

Under the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to participate fully in the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. This means that the projects successfully bid for during the current programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project, including those where funding runs beyond 2020 and the end of the transition period.

The government has decided that it is not in the UK's interests to seek continuing participation in the next Erasmus+ programme. Instead, the UK is introducing a new international educational exchange scheme that has a genuinely global reach. Under the Turing scheme, UK universities, colleges and schools will be able to bid for funding to enable their students to travel abroad for study and work placements starting in September 2021 – for any of their students, regardless of nationality.

UK institutions are already speaking to their European counterparts to ensure they maintain and build upon their strong relationships. The government will support this engagement while also working to directly promote the Turing scheme overseas through government-to-government engagement.

The UK is a world-leading destination for study and research, with four universities in the world’s top 10, and 18 in the top 100. The UK is currently second only to the USA as a destination for international higher education students with approximately 486,000 students from abroad. We have considerable appeal as a destination and partner in international mobilities and exchanges, not just within the EU but across the world. Through our planned update to the International Education Strategy, and measures such as the new Graduate Route, we intend to build on this global reputation.

We will soon be launching the website and announcing the bidding process for mobilities to start in September 2021.

Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly with school leaders and their representatives on a wide range of issues around COVID-19, including discussions in relation to costs faced by schools at this time.

Schools have continued to receive their core funding allocations throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Following last year’s Spending Round, school budgets are rising by £2.6 billion in the 2020-21 financial year, £4.8 billion in 2021-22 and £7.1 billion in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20. This increase in funding will help schools with costs associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Department has announced a new COVID-19 workforce fund for schools and colleges to help them to remain open. It will fund the costs of teacher absences over a threshold in schools and colleges with high staff absences that are also facing significant financial pressures. Guidance on the claims process will be published shortly so schools and colleges have confidence in the costs they can incur and be eligible to reclaim.

Schools have already received payments of £102 million for exceptional costs during the summer months, and there will be a further opportunity later in the year for schools to claim for any costs that fell between March and July in the same approved categories, for which they did not claim during the first window.

To support schools in making up for lost teaching time, there is a £1 billion catch up package for schools, which includes a universal £650 million ‘Catch Up Premium’. Our expectation is that this funding will be spent on the additional activities required to support children and young people to catch up after a period of disruption to their education. Alongside this, the catch up package includes the National Tutoring Programme for disadvantaged 5 to 16 year old pupils. This scheme will provide additional, targeted support for disadvantaged pupils who need the most help to catch up.

The Department has also provided support for schools to deliver remote education. In October 2020, the Department announced a support package to help schools meet the remote education expectations set out in the schools guidance for full opening, including access to the right technology to deliver remote education, as well as curriculum guidance and resources. As part of over £195 million invested to support access to remote education and online social care, over 340,000 laptops and tablets are being made available this term to support disadvantaged children in Years 3 to 11 whose face to face education may be disrupted. Since September 2020, over 100,000 of these have been delivered to schools.

We have agreed with the EU that current EU principles of equal treatment will continue to apply for those covered by the citizens’ rights provisions in the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement. This means that EU nationals resident in the UK (and UK nationals resident in the EU), before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, will be eligible for support on a similar basis to domestic students in the relevant host state.

EU and other EEA nationals not in the scope of the citizens’ rights protections will not be eligible for home fee status, undergraduate, postgraduate and advanced learner financial support from Student Finance England for courses starting in the academic year 2021/22. This change will also apply to further education funding for those aged 19 and above. It will not affect students starting courses in the academic year 2020/21. This will not apply to students from Ireland whose right to study and to access benefits and services will be preserved on a reciprocal basis under the Common Travel Area arrangement.

From August 2021, EU and other EEA citizens, and their family members, as well as non-EEA citizens, will be eligible for apprenticeship funding in England if they have permission to live and work in the UK and meet the residency eligibility criteria in place at the time, which will be set out in the funding rules for the academic year 2021/22.

EEA students, staff and researchers make an important contribution to our universities. The government wants that contribution to continue and is confident – given the world-leading quality of our higher education sector – that it will.

The department received the letter from the hon Member for Sheffield Central on 2 April 2020.

The department takes the concerns raised by the hon Member seriously and is in the process of drafting a response which will address the concerns raised. This will be sent out to the hon Member in due course.

The Government recognises that, for many complex reasons, economic disadvantage can have an adverse effect on pupil attainment and wellbeing.

Through the pupil premium, the Department has spent more than £18 billion since 2011, including £2.4 billion in 2019-20, to tackle educational inequality. We established the Education Endowment Fund with £137 million to research and promote the most effective ways of using pupil premium funding so that all schools can make a difference to the futures of their disadvantaged pupils. Since 2011, the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has decreased at both ages 11 and 16.

The Department has taken a range of actions to help schools support the mental wellbeing of their pupils. This includes teaching pupils about mental wellbeing through the introduction of health education and improving collaboration with external agencies to ensure those pupils that need specialist support and treatment get it quickly. New Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) will be established in 20% to 25% of the country by 2023, supporting children and young people with mild to moderate mental health issues, and helping those with more severe needs to access the right specialist services locally. MHSTs should be delivered in a way to take account of disadvantage and seek to reduce health inequalities. We will also fund training for senior mental health leads in every state funded school and college in England, providing the skills and knowledge required to put in place effective whole school and college approaches to promote and support good mental health. We also have several initiatives in place to further support schools to develop and implement whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

EU and non-EU students make an invaluable contribution to the UK’s higher education sector, socially, culturally and financially. This is why the UK Government will continue to welcome international students, working towards the ambition set out in our International Education Strategy, to host 600,000 international students per year by 2030.

The Prime Minister has also been clear that he wants to help the UK attract talent from around the world. On May 28 2019, we announced guarantees on student finance for EU nationals. EU nationals (and their family members) who start a course in England in the 2020/21 academic year or before will continue to be eligible for ‘home fee’ status and undergraduate and postgraduate student financial support from Student Finance England for the duration of their course, provided they meet the residency requirement.

To further ensure the UK higher education sector remains internationally attractive, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced the new Graduate Route in September 2019. This will offer an opportunity for international students who have passed their degree to stay and work in the UK for two years post-study.

Natural England (NE) has recently undertaken an evidence review of the causes and impacts of wildfire. This review is feeding into the Government’s land management policies and practices.

Over the last 12 months the local Peak District Fire Operations Group has set up a small working group to develop a strategic approach to managing wildfire risk and NE is working closely with estates across the Peak District to develop Long Term Plans that include addressing wildfire risk and management.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for City of Chester, Christian Matheson, on 20 January 2020, WQ 3774.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) already tackle smuggling and they will continue to do so through intelligence-led targeting. My Department continues working closely with HMRC to make sure that the United Kingdom’s trade policy will be effectively operationalised at the border after the transition period ends.

Border controls on controlled goods will continue regardless of whether imports come from the European Union or Rest of the World countries. To ensure compliance with new customs procedures and controls at the border after transition period ends, my Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster recently announced a new infrastructure funding package that includes £470m to build the necessary infrastructure required.

I cannot disclose the specifics of discussions between my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and my Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster.

However, I can assure the Hon. Gentleman that the Department for International Trade is working closely with officials in both the Border and Protocol Delivery Group and HM Revenue and Customs to implement all border delivery plans and timelines, including in relation to the delivery of tariff declaration systems, in the lead up to the end of the transition period.

The Government complies with its international obligations. The Department for International Trade continues to work with relevant government departments on the UK’s WTO compliance, as a result of the UK’s new border regime and the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government will discharge its responsibilities in a way that is effective; which upholds our international obligations; and which respects the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.

The litigation costs associated with defensive trade disputes vary significantly depending on the nature and complexity of the individual dispute. This department has established the processes and procedures necessary to ensure that the UK will effectively represent itself independently in trade disputes from the end of the Transition Period. The Department for International Trade will continue to work with all Government departments to prepare for any potential defensive trade disputes, including ensuring appropriate provision is made to meet the costs.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) already tackle smuggling and they will continue to do so through intelligence-led targeting. My Department continues working closely with HMRC to make sure that the United Kingdom’s trade policy will be effectively operationalised at the border after the transition period ends.

Border controls on controlled goods will continue regardless of whether imports come from the European Union or Rest of the World countries. To ensure compliance with new customs procedures and controls at the border after transition period ends, my Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster recently announced a new infrastructure funding package that includes £470m to build the necessary infrastructure required.

Any death on our roads is one too many. We want our roads to be as safe as possible.

That is why the Secretary of State asked the Department to carry out an evidence stocktake to gather the facts about the safety of smart motorways and make recommendations. The Department will present the findings of the stocktake shortly.

While I would not want to pre-judge the results of that work, what I can say is that we will continue to prioritise improving safety – making conditions safer for everyone on our roads. The Roads Minister will write to you as soon as the stocktake is completed to answer your specific question.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 09 February to question number 149299.

The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. We suspended all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits in March 2020. This temporary suspension, brought in to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic, remains in place, and is being kept under review in line with the latest public health guidance. Any re-introduction of face-to-face assessments would involve stringent Covid-19 related safety measures, supported by guidance for claimants and assessment providers to ensure compliance with the relevant public health guidance.

However, throughout the pandemic we have continued to assess people on paper evidence, using this route whenever possible. We also introduced telephone assessments, providing limited outcomes, in June 2020. We have continued building our capacity and capability since June enabling us to provide the full range of outcomes at volume from this February. This action will ensure that claimants receive their correct benefit entitlement as quickly as possible and reduce the time claimants who may be entitled to a higher award are waiting for their assessment.

Where an individual’s contributory ESA ends if they require further financial support they may be eligible for Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.

For people who are ineligible for Universal Credit they may be eligible for other assistance such as Discretionary Housing Payments provided by their Local Authority, which helps the most vulnerable and supports renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sectors.

In addition, the Government has introduced a raft of temporary measures to support those hardest hit:

• Extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to support individuals and businesses who are impacted by disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) this winter. The CJRS (also known as the furlough scheme) will remain open until 31 March 2021
• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension provides critical support to the self-employed in the form of 2 further grants, each available for 3-month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.
• Affected self-employed claimants will also not have a Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time within UC.
• Working people on low incomes who are required to remain at home by NHS Test and Trace to help stop the spread of the virus and cannot work from home can now receive £500 to financially support them while self-isolating.
• Local housing allowance rates have been increased to cover the lowest 30th percent of local rents. This £1bn investment will benefit over 1 million households with an average increase of £600 this year, and help alleviate the pressure on Discretionary Housing Payments.
• People in England can also apply to their Local Authority for support from the £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme that we have introduced to help with food and essential utility bills to the end of March. Devolved Administrations have received equivalent funding.

In addition, there is a Flexible Support Fund, which has been increased by £150 million, to support customers facing redundancy.

The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. We suspended all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits in March 2020. This temporary suspension, brought in to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic, remains in place, and is being kept under review in line with the latest public health guidance. Any re-introduction of face-to-face assessments would involve stringent Covid-19 related safety measures, supported by guidance for claimants and assessment providers to ensure compliance with the relevant public health guidance.

Eligible Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants will receive the Assessment Rate of benefit for the first 13 weeks (this rate will increase by 0.5% in April in line with the Consumer Price Index). At present, claimants may stay on this rate for longer than usual.

However, throughout the pandemic we have continued to assess people on paper evidence, using this route whenever possible. We also introduced telephone assessments providing limited outcomes in June 2020, building capacity and capability since then which has enabled us to provide the full range of outcomes from the beginning of February. By doing this, we will ensure that claimants receive their correct benefit entitlement as quickly as possible and reduce the time claimants who may be entitled to a higher award having to wait for their assessment.

Therefore, if a claimant qualifies for an additional amount following their Work Capability Assessment (WCA), it will be backdated to the 14^th week to ensure no long-term loss.

Where an individual’s contributory ESA ends, if they require further financial support, they may be able to claim Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.

We continue to complete paper based assessments where possible and are now carrying out telephone Work Capability Assessments from which all outcomes are available. We are also trialling video assessments. Once completed the trial will be evaluated and a decision made on the feasibility to roll-out wider.

On 31^st March 2020 HSE employed 2343 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, 222 of whom were based in Scotland, and a further 28 contingent labour staff [1].

On 31^st December 2020 HSE employed 2345 FTE staff, 211 of whom were based in Scotland, and a further 133(p) contingent labour staff.

HSE is a national regulator and regulatory effort is not necessarily confined by geographical region. HSE has specialists who work across geographical regions such as those regulating major hazard sectors. Regions are also able to draw on the support of HSE’s Science Directorate to assist investigations and to support important health and safety research and HSE’s Engagement and Policy Division who develop regulatory policy and design communications strategy.

[1] ‘Contingent labour’ is defined as temporary staff not on HSE’s payroll, which may include agency workers, specialist contractors, interim managers etc.

(p) Provisional - due to the early reporting of this figure final reconciliation of contingent labour staff is still ongoing and may be subject to change once this is complete.

As part of the Government’s strategy to support people affected by COVID 19, DWP has made a number of changes to make sure people can self-isolate, and to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system. We have announced measures that benefit those experiencing the most financial disruption and which can be quickly and effectively operationalised, these include:

• Increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates so that they cover 30% of local market rents – which is on average an additional £600 per year in people’s pockets.

• Amendments to Housing Benefit so that increases in Working Tax Credits can be disregarded rather than reducing the Housing Benefit award.

• Treating all ESA claimants who satisfy the conditions of entitlement and are suffering from COVID-19, or who are required to self-isolate in line with government guidance, as having limited capability for work, without the requirement to provide a fit note or to undergo a Work Capability Assessment.

• Removing waiting days for ESA for those claimants affected by Covid-19, so it will be payable from day one of the claim, subject to the claimant satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement.

All health professionals carrying out assessments are clinically qualified and registered practitioners in their own field. DWP requires health professionals to have a broad training in disability analysis as well as awareness training in specific conditions, which includes chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and other chronic illness.

The PIP consultation is not a medical assessment requiring the health professional to diagnose a condition or its severity and recommend treatment options. Instead it requires the assessor to look at the impact of conditions and impairments on an individual’s daily life. This helps ensure that assessment reports are fit for purpose, clinically justified and sound, and provide sufficient information for the department to make a reasonable decision on entitlement to benefit.

The Department does not collect data about the use of loan sharks.

The Government is creating a Breathing Space scheme to help people experiencing problem debt. Breathing Space will be implemented in early 2021 and provide access to advice and allow people the time and space to fully engage with professional support, helping them identify a sustainable solution to their debts. The scheme will cover a broad range of debts, including not only financial services debts but also arrears owed to utility companies and to central and local government.

The latest caseload data shows Universal Credit is supporting 2.8 million claimants, including those in Sheffield, to more easily start work and access smoother incentives, such as the work allowance and taper, to increase hours. We have scrapped the cliff edges and complicated hours’ rules of the legacy benefit system to ensure claimants have flexibility to access the opportunities offered in the labour market. It will provide an extra £2.1bn a year once full rolled out, compared to the legacy benefits it replaces.

During a claimant’s first interview, Work Coaches identify those who require immediate financial assistance and will offer access to a New Claim Advance. Around 60% of new claims take up an advance, which are repayable, interest free, over a 12-month period. From October 2021, the repayment period on advances will be further extended to 16 months.

For claimants who require additional support, Work Coaches and Case Managers can signpost individuals to specialist support for personal budgeting, money guidance and debt advice if required, including through the Money and Pensions Service.

DWP remains committed to improving the assessment process, especially around trust and transparency. We are currently developing an approach to provide consistency for claimants across audio recording of Work Capability Assessments and PIP assessments.

The information is not available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is currently examining the evidence and the relative risks and benefits of routinely vaccinating children and young people against COVID-19 and will provide advice to the Department in due course. This will include consideration of those aged 16 to 17 years old.

We have made no such assessment.

Since requirements were introduced for international travel testing, the costs of testing have fallen significantly. We are committed to working with the travel industry and private providers to reduce the cost of travel testing and we have made NHS Test and Trace tests available at the market mid-point.

The flow of EU workers into the sector annually is small comparable to the size of the workforce. Fewer than 5% of all workers joining the sector in a direct care role in 2019/20 had arrived from the EU in the previous 12 months. Therefore, we do not anticipate that there will be an immediate impact on workforce supply. We will continue to monitor the situation with regards to domestic recruitment and the flow of workers from the EU.

We have made no specific assessment.

The Department monitors all providers’ performance, including test turnaround times and those providing inadequate services receive a five-day warning to demonstrate they have rectified their service or they are removed from the list of providers on GOV.UK.

There are no current plans to do so.

The Department has issued detailed guidance to National Health Service trusts, making it clear that EU citizens will need to have lawful status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to meet the ordinarily residence test from 1 July 2021. From this date, the Home Office will accept late applications to the EUSS where they accept the person has reasonable grounds. The Department has provided guidance to NHS trusts on the chargeable status of patients who have made a late application. Primary medical care is free of charge to all overseas visitors.

European Union citizens and non-EU family members that have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) can provide their Certificate of Application as evidence of this when accessing National Health Service treatment. Those granted EUSS status will be able to provide a share code, through which NHS trusts can establish their immigration status. EU citizens and non-EU family members will still need to meet the ordinarily residence test to be eligible for free healthcare. Primary medical care is free of charge to all overseas visitors. Health services are not withheld from anyone in urgent need.

No assessment has been made. FRANK, the government’s drug information and advisory website, provides information on a wide range of drugs including nitrous oxide. It covers the risks of using nitrous oxide, including the risks of mixing it with alcohol. It also signposts users to support services and provides a 24 hour free-to-use confidential helpline, text and email message services and online chat.

We estimate that between 35 to 45 million tests per week will be needed to provide twice weekly rapid lateral flow testing for all people in England. We have a stock level that far exceeds this to allow us to actively manage ongoing replenishment, monitor uptake and adjust incoming supply.

No such assessment has been made. The gambling industry is currently regulated by the Gambling Commission, established under the Gambling Act 2005. The role of the Gambling Commission is to permit gambling in so far as it is consistent with the licensing objectives of keeping gambling fair and crime free and protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by it.

We are working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in their comprehensive review of the Gambling Act 2005, ensuring the regulatory framework is fit for purpose and protects children and vulnerable people from gambling-related harms.

In line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) advice, special school staff will not be prioritised for a COVID-19 vaccination based on their occupation. Special school staff will be prioritised for vaccination according to their age and clinical risk along with the rest of the population. There are currently no plans to deviate from the JCVI’s advice on prioritisation.

We take parliamentary scrutiny incredibly seriously and it is fundamentally important that hon. Members are provided with accurate and timely information to enable them to hold the Government to account. We are working rapidly to provide all Members with accurate answers to their questions, as well as supporting the Government’s response to the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hon. Member’s question will be answered as soon as possible.

People suffering from severe asthma are more likely to have had an emergency hospital admission or have taken oral steroids for a specified frequency. These criteria were behind the decision to include severe asthma sufferers as part of priority group six for vaccination.

Regarding shielding, patients with severe asthma were identified as being priority group four or clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) by two routes. An algorithm was used to identify patients who received high levels of certain asthma medication. Inpatients were also directly added to the CEV list by a clinician in either primary or secondary care following the shielding advice for those with severe respiratory conditions, which was published by the British Thoracic Society in April 2020.

We know that some children and young people have found this period difficult for their mental health and we are absolutely committed to ensuring they have access to the right support.

Children and young people’s community and specialist mental health services have remained open throughout the pandemic and continue to offer support using digital and remote approaches while maintaining face to face appointments where appropriate.

All mental health trusts have made available 24 hours a day, seven days a week all age urgent mental health helplines so children and young people in crisis can get urgent help when they need it.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not identified any robust data to indicate that, as a group, persons with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome are at higher risk of mortality from COVID-19 and therefore are not included as a group for prioritisation for vaccination in the vaccine programme.

Prioritisation for phase two has not yet been decided, but interim advice has been published by the JVCI recommending an age-based approach which the Government has accepted in principle. Phase two of the COVID-19 vaccine programme will cover all adults under 50 not already included in Phase one.

No specific assessment has been made.

The NHS Long Term Plan announced the creation of up to 15 specialist gambling clinics by 2023/24. Work continues on the phased expansion of these services, enabling the National Health Service to explore how best to use existing treatment models to reach those most in need of support.

The Department commissioned Public Health England to undertake the first ever comprehensive evidence review focussed on gambling-related harm. The review will look at the prevalence, determinants and harms associated with gambling, alongside the social and economic burden of gambling-related harms. This includes reviewing the evidence on young people, men and women. The review will be published later this year.

Alongside this, the National Institute of Health Research commissioned a research unit in Sheffield University to undertake a mapping review of the effectiveness of national and international policies and interventions to reduce gambling-related harms.

The NHS Long Term Plan announced the creation of up to 15 specialist gambling clinics by 2023/24. Work continues on the phased expansion of these services, enabling the National Health Service to explore how best to use existing treatment models to reach those most in need of support.

The Department commissioned Public Health England to undertake the first ever comprehensive evidence review focussed on gambling-related harm. The review will look at the prevalence, determinants and harms associated with gambling, alongside the social and economic burden of gambling-related harms. This includes reviewing the evidence on young people, men and women. The review will be published later this year.

Alongside this, the National Institute of Health Research commissioned a research unit in Sheffield University to undertake a mapping review of the effectiveness of national and international policies and interventions to reduce gambling-related harms.

The National Health Service remains on track to deliver the expansion of specialist treatment services for those individuals addicted to gambling. The existing gambling clinics have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a combination of remote and face to face treatment, where safe to do so.

The Government continues to run a public health campaign across different media on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This campaign includes alerting the public to where face coverings are required and how to wear one correctly.

Most Government communications efforts surrounding face coverings are now part of the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ campaign, for which video resources demonstrating correct face covering usage have been produced. These resources have been used on multiple social media channels alongside in person prompts such as in transport hubs and shop windows.

It is against the law for anyone, including children under 12 years old to meet socially with friends outdoors, including if an adult is present, unless they are part of their household or support bubble. Under the current restrictions, individuals cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes.

The Government keeps its restrictions under continual review and will make changes if the data and science supports it.

The NHS Long Term Plan announced the creation of 15 new specialist problem gambling clinics with up to £15 million of funding allocated over five years until 2023/24. The following table shows the committed annual spend for problem gambling mental health support.

Source: NHS Mental Health Implementation Plan 2019/20 – 2023/24

There are currently no plans to produce and publish additional evidence regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines on pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is recommended to that women affected should discuss whether to receive the vaccine with their doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

The reciprocal healthcare coverage under the United Kingdom-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement for those on a temporary stay in an EU member state is the same, in terms of healthcare services which can be accessed by individuals, compared to the previous coverage under EU Regulations 883 and 987. However, under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, crew or passengers of a vessel or aircraft may now be covered for necessary healthcare on their arrival in an EU member state if the need arose whilst on a voyage, which is not the case under the EU Regulations.

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides reciprocal healthcare coverage for travel to EU member states only. European Free Trade Area states are not covered. The UK Global Health Insurance Card has been launched to recognise this new agreement and will gradually replace old European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) once they expire.

Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, UK nationals who were residing and/or working in the EU, and EU citizens residing and/or working in the UK, before 1 January 2021 are eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC which can be used for travel to EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. For those who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK has agreed a bilateral reciprocal arrangement with Norway which means UK nationals are covered for necessary healthcare there.

The NHS Business Services Authority has received over 38,000 applications for the United Kingdom Global Health Insurance Card since the announcement of the scheme on 11 January 2021.

No assessment has been made.

The findings of Public Heath England-led research indicates that during the COVID-19 outbreak children’s face-to-face behavioural weight management services were suspended. Some services however continued to provide support remotely.

The research is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/weight-management-services-during-covid-19-phase-1-insights

The Government’s £8 million Wellbeing for Education Return programme will support staff to respond to the emotional and mental health pressures some children and young people may be feeling.

We are continuing to establish mental health support teams in schools, including two teams in the Sheffield area.

This complements the new Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum, which makes mental health a key part of primary- and secondary-school education.

The Government published guidance on visiting care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic on 22 July 2020. This guidance is available on GOV.UK at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus

The resumption of visits to care homes in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.

The Government works in close collaboration with the devolved administrations to share and stay up to date with the latest advice and policy developments.

We are aware that limiting visits in care homes is difficult for many families and residents who want to see their loved ones.

The Government published guidance for England on visiting care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic on 22 July 2020. This guidance is available on GOV.UK.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has taken pragmatic steps to ensure that the United Kingdom continues to have innovative and cost-effective treatments that benefit patients and boost growth in the life sciences sector. This includes limiting any additional cost or burden on industry by considering applications for marketing authorisations in the UK on the basis of information consistent with that being submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

As for clinical trials, the MHRA will continue to approve applications at a national level, working to international standards as they are now, using a UK data package whose requirements are consistent with those in the European Union. The UK will still have the ability to participate in multinational trials, as, data generated in a UK clinical trial will continue to be admissible to support regulatory activity in the EU, and indeed globally. This ensures the UK remains an attractive location for trials to take place, with a view to getting medicinal products licensed in the UK and elsewhere.

Public Health England publishes annual independent updates on the prevalence of vaping among adults and young people in England.

The latest report found that less than 1% of adults who have never smoked are current vapers (defined as any current use). Among young people under 18, less than 1% of those who have never smoked are current vapers (defined as weekly or less than weekly).

No assessment has been made of the effect of vaping on the health of people who have never smoked in England.

‘Vaping in England: an evidence update including mental health and pregnancy, March 2020: a report commissioned by Public Health England’, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaping-in-england-evidence-update-march-2020

Public Health England publishes annual independent updates on the prevalence of vaping among adults and young people in England.

The latest report found that less than 1% of adults who have never smoked are current vapers (defined as any current use). Among young people under 18, less than 1% of those who have never smoked are current vapers (defined as weekly or less than weekly).

No assessment has been made of the effect of vaping on the health of people who have never smoked in England.

‘Vaping in England: an evidence update including mental health and pregnancy, March 2020: a report commissioned by Public Health England’, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaping-in-england-evidence-update-march-2020

The Integrated Review which was launched on 16 March by the Prime Minister, states that in 2021 and beyond, Her Majesty's Government will make tackling climate change and biodiversity loss its number one international priority and the Foreign Secretary will take the necessary steps to deliver on this. The UK is working closely with international partners to assess and reduce the risk of climate change both globally and in the UK. The Foreign Secretary and FCDO ministers regularly raise the subject in engagements with international partners. In December the UK co-hosted the Climate Ambition Summit where 75 leaders, as well as businesses pledged new and more ambitious commitments to tackle climate change. On 31 March, COP President-Designate Alok Sharma and the Foreign Secretary will host the Climate Development Ministerial which will bring together countries and partners to identify practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing vulnerable countries.

Domestically the Prime Minister's 10 Point Plan accelerates the UK's transition to Net-Zero. On 4 December 2020 we announced an ambitious new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This target commits the UK to the fastest rate of emissions reductions of any major economy. In 2019, we legislated for net zero emissions by 2050 - the first of the major economies to set such a legally binding target.

Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised ongoing demolitions with the Israeli Authorities, in a meeting alongside like-minded partners on 25 February. I called on Israel to stop demolitions on 5 February 2021 and raised my concerns about demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures with the Israeli Ambassador on 29 October 2020. UK officials from the British Consulate in Jerusalem have made regular visits to areas at risk of demolition and eviction to reiterate UK support for those communities. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.

Rwanda has made huge strides over the past two decades with regards to a positive record on gender equality in its cabinet and parliament, and improvements in healthcare, development and prosperity. However, the UK remains concerned by Rwanda's overall human rights record and regularly raises specific cases of concern with the Rwandan Government. The UK firmly believes that a strong opposition and vibrant civil society is vital for a healthy and well-functioning democracy. Civil society and opposition parties must be able to operate freely, holding the Government of Rwanda to account and contributing to the debate on how Rwanda should be governed.

As a member of the Commonwealth, and future Chair-in-Office, we urge Rwanda to uphold and champion Commonwealth values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. This was reiterated in the UK's statement on human rights in Rwanda at the 37th Session of the Universal Periodic Review on 25 January. We are clear that Rwanda must mirror its social and economic progress with gains in civil and political rights for its people.

We welcome President Abbas' announcement of dates for legislative and Presidential elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time since 2006. We encourage the Palestinian leadership to work toward strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Free and fair elections are an important and necessary step. The UK will work closely with the Palestinian Authority and international partners to support this. We are supportive of Hamas-Fatah reconciliation attempts, and of the Palestinian Authority returning to resume government functions in Gaza, helping to improve the dire humanitarian and economic situation and restore effective and accountable governance.

Responding to severe food insecurity is one of the UK's key objectives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UK aid has provided access to food for over 1.7 million people since 2017.

The UK is leading a global call to action on the risk of famine. We have appointed Nick Dyer as the UK's first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, and pledged £180 million in 2020 to provide aid to more than 7 million vulnerable people in some of the world's most fragile places, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During my visit to the DRC in November 2020, I discussed with the Government of DRC the need to address the insecurity and conflict in the East which one of the key drivers of the humanitarian crisis. I also met with food insecure people who had fled violence, and visited a hospital where malnourished children were given lifesaving treatment.

The UK is committed to rapid equitable access to safe and effective vaccines. The UK has committed £548 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines, of which the UK is one of the largest bilateral donors. Our commitment helped encourage other donors to commit $1 billion by the end of 2020. Our funding will contribute to the supply of at least 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 for up to 92 developing countries. The Prime Minister has said that the UK will share the majority of future vaccine doses surplus to domestic needs with COVAX.

The COVAX AMC aims to supply fully subsidised doses sufficient to vaccinate up to 20 per cent of country populations, initially prioritising healthcare workers, and then expanding to cover other priority groups. Countries will then be able to procure additional doses, subject to vaccine availability, in order to increase coverage further. COVAX is supporting countries to assess vaccine introduction readiness, and to develop detailed national deployment and vaccination plans, including support needed to strengthen delivery systems. Our network of health advisers in relevant AMC countries are working to support host governments to apply for the COVAX AMC and prepare for vaccine delivery.

We are concerned about the continued violence in Tigray region and its impact on regional security. We have consistently urged all parties to end the conflict, prioritise the protection of civilians and allow unfettered humanitarian access. The Foreign Secretary raised these points when he met with Prime Minister Abiy on 22 January and also pressed for a political dialogue to bring a lasting peace to Tigray.

The Foreign Secretary spoke with Prime Minister Abiy after he visited Gondar, in the neighboring Amhara region on 22 January and saw first-hand how £11m of UK Aid is supporting the World Food Programme and NGOs to ensure the delivery of aid to those affected by the conflict.

The UK regularly engages with both the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority (PA) and will continue to raise timely and appropriate access to COVID-19 vaccines. We welcome steps both parties have taken so far to coordinate the response, including the recent delivery of 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the Israeli Authorities to the PA for Palestinian health workers. We continue to encourage further cooperation between the two parties.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians. For short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period, the EU has legislated such that UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to and within the Schengen Area when performing a limited range of activities (e.g. attending cultural or sports events, business meetings, tourism). Member States have discretion to add activities to this list and UK nationals should check before travelling. For all travel involving work/long-term service provision, a visa and/or work permit may be needed.

As part of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations, we are seeking a reciprocal agreement with the EU on the type of business visitor activities both sides will commit to allowing, to provide long-term certainty for UK and EU travellers.

The UK is concerned by the political and security situation in Ethiopia, including ongoing violence between ethnic groups, and reports of arrests and abuses by security services. I [Minister Duddridge] visited Ethiopia from 27 - 29 July and was able to discuss these issues with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President of Oromia Region. I [Minister Duddridge] pushed for full and transparent investigations into the violence, and that those detained are afforded due process and their cases heard promptly. I [Minister Duddridge] also expressed the need for more peaceful dialogue between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia and for space to be given for political debate.

The UK welcomes the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to strengthen accountability. We have provided direct support to public consultations on the new civil society legislation and draft media proclamations. The UK is facilitating capacity building in Ethiopia to ensure that democratic institutions fulfil their constitutional mandate. For instance, we have supported the National Election Board of Ethiopia, contributing over £15 million of funding towards election preparations. We also support civil society organisations in Ethiopia so that they can play an increasing role in monitoring human rights. We will track the situation, raise our concerns at the deaths of civilians, and raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Government of Ethiopia and regional leaders.

The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. The British Government also supports Palestinians facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. The British Government also supports Palestinians facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law. We remain concerned about Israel's extensive use of administrative detention which, according to international law, should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary rather than as routine practice and as a preventive rather than a punitive measure.

The UK remains concerned about the treatment of Palestinian children detained in Israeli military detention. We are committed to working with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including on this issue. We also continue to fund projects providing legal aid to minors and capacity building to local lawyers.

Our Ambassador to El Salvador issued public calls for dialogue on 9 and 11 February. On 12 February, he urged the Government and legislators to work together to reduce tensions and resolve the situation through dialogue, and welcomed the government's commitment to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court. The Head of Latin America Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office discussed the incident on 11 February with the Salvadoran Ambassador, and on 24 February with a visiting Government of El Salvador delegation. We welcome actions taken since by all parties since 9 February to reduce tensions. The UK and El Salvador have a close dialogue on a number of bilateral and global issues of mutual interest, and our Embassy in San Salvador remains in close contact with the Salvadoran authorities.

We continue to monitor the cases of Mohammed Ramadhan and Hussain Moosa as their case is taken to the Court of Cassation for final review. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain, and will continue to do so where we have concerns. As the former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa publicly stated, we are deeply concerned that the death penalty has been issued to Mohammed Ramadhan and Hussain Moosa. The Government of Bahrain is fully aware that the UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty, in all circumstances.

The reporting of the proposed bill is deeply concerning. We strongly support the rights of women in Turkey and encourage the Turkish authorities to safeguard their welfare and respect their human rights and have raised our concerns over child marriage with the Turkish authorities. Our Embassy in Ankara provides project support to a number of Turkish civil society organisations working in the area of fundamental freedoms. Currently in the financial year 2019/20 we are funding a range of projects including women's and minority rights. We will continue to monitor the situation in Turkey and to encourage the government to protect fundamental rights.

Ministers and our Embassy in Brasilia routinely engage with the Brazilian Government on many environmental issues, including deforestation. The United Kingdom is committed to encouraging and contributing to international action to address the widespread problem of deforestation.

Since November, employers are only asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions for hours not worked under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This is lower than the previous level in September and October, and for an average claim accounts for just 5 per cent of total employment costs, or £70 per employee per month. Furthermore, many small employers can benefit from the Employment Allowance for support with their NICs bill, and, since March, businesses have received billions in loans, tax deferrals, Business Rate reliefs, and general and sector-specific grants. This support can be used by businesses to cover the costs of NICs and pension contributions, ensuring that they can continue to furlough their employees.

I refer the hon Member to my answer of 28 January 2021 to PQ UIN : 142918.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 17 December 2020 outlined 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, and the Financial Conduct Authority’s Complaints Scheme.

The statement also announced 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, including the eligibility criteria, in due course.

The Government does not intend to produce an Impact Assessment. We have consistently said that it would be impossible for a single model, number or scenario to capture that complexity or represent the varying impacts that will be felt across different parts of the economy.

The Government has secured a deal that will benefit families and businesses across the UK, we can now take full advantage of the opportunities available to us.

An employer can claim for employees who were employed and on their PAYE payroll on 30 October 2020. In addition, employees that were employed and on the payroll on 23 September 2020 (the day before the Job Support Scheme announcement) who were made redundant or stopped working afterwards can be re-employed and claimed for under the CJRS extension.

This cut-off date aims to include as many people as possible, while also addressing the risk of fraud that existed as soon as the fact that the Government was providing a further employment support scheme became public.

The Government has also provided wider support to individuals throughout the pandemic. In March, the Government announced a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants.

The practical issues that prevented the Government from being able to include the newly self-employed in 2019-20 in the original Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), namely that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will not have access to their self-assessment returns in order to be able to verify their eligibility, still remain. The latest year for which HMRC have tax returns for all self-employed individuals is 2018/19. 2019/20 returns are not due until the end of January 2021.

Unlike for employees, self-employed income is not reported monthly, but at the end of each tax year on the individual’s Income Tax Self Assessment return. This means that the most reliable and up-to-date record of self-employed income is from 2018-19 tax returns.

The SEISS continues to be just one element of a comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support,?increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants.

The Government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through business rates relief given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.

A range of measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for business rates relief such as flexible workspaces, has also been made available.

HMRC received 58 applications for duty deferment accounts in July and 88 in August.

Since 1 April 2020, 283 UK businesses have applied for a duty deferment account which allows them to defer payments of import VAT.

HMRC do not employ customs intermediaries directly and there are no set qualifications.

The UK has a well-established industry of customs intermediaries that serve British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and made up of a number of different business models including specific customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators; all of which require differing numbers of staff.

The Government has now made available a total of £84 million to grow the sector to encompass EU trade after 2020. This is one part of the measures to support the customs intermediary sector to meet the increased demand it will see from traders at the end of the transition period.

The Government continues to monitor progress carefully and keeps support under review.

Pre-2012 UK Freeports model was were not well used, in large part because they offered limited only basic customs benefits and were in fixed locations inside ports.

The government has consulted on the introduction of a new Freeport model which will include a wider package of policy measures, including customs measures and tariff benefits, tax reliefs and planning freedoms to boost trade, regenerate deprived communities and promote innovation. The consultation closed on 13 July, and the responses are currently being carefully considered.

The government will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise any risk of money laundering and tax evasion and will continue to meet international standards. The government’s consultation response will set out more detail on this, as well as on how any risk of harmful job displacement will be managed.

Pre-2012 UK Freeports model was were not well used, in large part because they offered limited only basic customs benefits and were in fixed locations inside ports.

The government has consulted on the introduction of a new Freeport model which will include a wider package of policy measures, including customs measures and tariff benefits, tax reliefs and planning freedoms to boost trade, regenerate deprived communities and promote innovation. The consultation closed on 13 July, and the responses are currently being carefully considered.

The government will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise any risk of money laundering and tax evasion and will continue to meet international standards. The government’s consultation response will set out more detail on this, as well as on how any risk of harmful job displacement will be managed.

Pre-2012 UK Freeports model was were not well used, in large part because they offered limited only basic customs benefits and were in fixed locations inside ports.

The government has consulted on the introduction of a new Freeport model which will include a wider package of policy measures, including customs measures and tariff benefits, tax reliefs and planning freedoms to boost trade, regenerate deprived communities and promote innovation. The consultation closed on 13 July, and the responses are currently being carefully considered.

The government will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise any risk of money laundering and tax evasion and will continue to meet international standards. The government’s consultation response will set out more detail on this, as well as on how any risk of harmful job displacement will be managed.

Pre-2012 UK Freeports model was were not well used, in large part because they offered limited only basic customs benefits and were in fixed locations inside ports.

The government has consulted on the introduction of a new Freeport model which will include a wider package of policy measures, including customs measures and tariff benefits, tax reliefs and planning freedoms to boost trade, regenerate deprived communities and promote innovation. The consultation closed on 13 July, and the responses are currently being carefully considered.

The government will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise any risk of money laundering and tax evasion and will continue to meet international standards. The government’s consultation response will set out more detail on this, as well as on how any risk of harmful job displacement will be managed.

Border points are responsible for deciding how they want to ensure customs control requirements are met to meet full customs controls from July 2021. THEY will be able to use a temporary storage model or pre-lodgement model. HMRC are working with border points to help them decide which model is best for them but this is a commercial decision for each to make based on their own unique circumstances.

Where pre-lodgement of declarations may be mandated by legislation, details of those border points will be published in a notice on gov.uk at least 30 days before the legislation comes into force.

Traders importing standard goods into Great Britain from the EU between 1 January and 30 June 2021 can make a record in their own commercial records at the point of entry of goods into Great Britain and then follow this with a supplementary declaration which must be submitted to HMRC within six months of the point of import. They will need to record details of the goods in their commercial records, including information such as the classification, value, and weight of the goods. In order to make a delayed supplementary declaration, the importer will need to become authorised to use customs simplified procedures or appoint an agent that is authorised. Further information can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/declaring-goods-brought-into-great-britain-from-the-eu-from-1-january-2021.

The vast majority of the UK’s rest of world traders use an agent or intermediary to comply with customs formalities and manage their logistics and transport needs. Based on this, the Government expects that intermediaries will play an essential role as the majority of UK businesses trading with the EU will want to use their services to facilitate the import/export process.

The UK has a well-established industry of customs intermediaries which serve British businesses. The sector is varied and made up of a number of different business models including specific customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators. HMG has recently announced an additional £50 million of grant scheme support for the sector to increase capacity, in addition to the £34 million of support made available so far.

The £50 million support package will boost the capacity of the customs intermediary sector to help provide businesses with further support ahead of the new processes taking effect from January 2021. Those who currently complete or intend to complete customs declarations, either as an intermediary on behalf of their clients or importer or exporter for their own goods, are able to apply.

The time required to become a customs approved area will depend on the unique circumstances of individual locations.

HM Revenue and Customs and Border Force are working to ensure that appropriate approvals will be in place by the end of the transition period.

The number of frontier locations currently approved as customs approved areas to receive or dispatch freight from outside of the UK are:

About 10 rail terminals are expected to require temporary approvals.

Airports that receive or dispatch freight from outside of the UK should already be a customs approved area so will not require temporary customs approvals. Pipeline operators will receive full customs approvals for January 2021.

The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border. As the customs authority, HMRC will act to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible, without compromising security. From 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 most traders importing non-controlled goods will be able to defer customs declarations for 180 days. Like importers of controlled goods, traders with a poor compliance record will not be allowed to defer declarations and must complete full customs declarations at the time of import.

HMRC is planning a package of activities to support and educate traders on their obligations during this period. HMRC will promote the keeping of good records, which will be crucial in minimising losses to error once supplementary declarations are made. HMRC will also have the power to ask for a trader’s records to check that they have made adequate entries.

HMRC has existing tools in place to tackle non-compliance. These tools include risk-based pre- and post-clearance checks, regular monitoring of high-risk traders and their supply chains and providing education to traders on risks and issues identified. Traders or individuals with a poor compliance history will be contacted by HMRC and will be instructed that they will not be able to defer declarations. The Government will publish further information on what constitutes a poor compliance history soon.

The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border. As the customs authority, HMRC will act to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible, without compromising security. From 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 most traders importing non-controlled goods will be able to defer customs declarations for 180 days. Like importers of controlled goods, traders with a poor compliance record will not be allowed to defer declarations and must complete full customs declarations at the time of import.

HMRC is planning a package of activities to support and educate traders on their obligations during this period. HMRC will promote the keeping of good records, which will be crucial in minimising losses to error once supplementary declarations are made. HMRC will also have the power to ask for a trader’s records to check that they have made adequate entries.

HMRC has existing tools in place to tackle non-compliance. These tools include risk-based pre- and post-clearance checks, regular monitoring of high-risk traders and their supply chains and providing education to traders on risks and issues identified. Traders or individuals with a poor compliance history will be contacted by HMRC and will be instructed that they will not be able to defer declarations. The Government will publish further information on what constitutes a poor compliance history soon.

On 17 July 2020, HMRC held 13,026 live Duty Deferment Accounts (DDAs).

HMRC are streamlining a number of their authorisation processes to make it quicker and easier for traders to use. New rules are being introduced to make it easier to access a Duty Deferment Account (DDA) at the end of the transition period. This means most businesses will be able to open DDAs without needing to provide a guarantee, unless they have a history of non-compliance or insolvency. Further detail on how these new rules will operate in practice will be provided in updated guidance in due course.

As of 12 July 2020, 241,018 businesses have registered for a UK EORI number since December 2018, including both VAT and non-VAT-registered businesses. This includes traders who were automatically issued a number. Over 700,000 UK EORI numbers have been issued in total.

Businesses who have yet to register can do so online. It is a simple process that only takes 10 minutes.

As of 12 July 2020, 241,018 businesses have registered for a UK EORI number since December 2018, including both VAT and non-VAT-registered businesses. This includes traders who were automatically issued a number. Over 700,000 UK EORI numbers have been issued in total.

Businesses who have yet to register can do so online. It is a simple process that only takes 10 minutes.

As the Withdrawal Agreement sets out, the UK is part of the EU budget for 2020 and will make contributions and receive receipts for the remainder of the year. Both the UK and the EU have confirmed that the UK has no liability to contribute to the wider €540bn package announced on 9 April. Additionally, the UK will not be exposed to liabilities in relation to the additional €750 billion which the Commission proposes to borrow on the capital markets from 2021-2024. The UK is supporting the EU's efforts to tackle coronavirus, and we'll meet our obligations through the Financial Settlement. But we do not intend to go beyond what we have agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement, because we have now left the EU.

The Government is considering the EU’s budgetary response to COVID-19, and our decision to participate in any cooperation efforts or schemes with the European Commission, and other European and international partners, will always be made on the basis of public health requirements at the time.

As the Withdrawal Agreement sets out, the UK is part of the EU budget for 2020 and will make contributions and receive receipts for the remainder of the year. Both the UK and the EU have confirmed that the UK has no liability to contribute to the wider €540bn package announced on 9 April. Additionally, the UK will not be exposed to liabilities in relation to the additional €750 billion which the Commission proposes to borrow on the capital markets from 2021-2024. The UK is supporting the EU's efforts to tackle coronavirus, and we'll meet our obligations through the Financial Settlement. But we do not intend to go beyond what we have agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement, because we have now left the EU.

The Government is considering the EU’s budgetary response to COVID-19, and our decision to participate in any cooperation efforts or schemes with the European Commission, and other European and international partners, will always be made on the basis of public health requirements at the time.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for public services, workers and businesses to protect against the current economic emergency. Our economic response is one of the most generous and comprehensive globally and the Government is now working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.

We’ve taken steps to make our schemes deliverable, fair and targeted at those who need it the most. These measures will support millions of families, businesses and self-employed people to get through this and emerge on the other side both stronger and more united.

Under the financial settlement in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to pay into EU programmes funded by the 2020 EU Budget, and benefit from our share of receipts, until the end of this year. This includes initiatives which form part of the EU’s Covid-19 response, although there are some new measures which do not apply to the UK under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Government is considering different funds on a case-by-case basis and will apply for funding where it is in the national interest to do so.

As office holders, salaried company directors are eligible to be furloughed and receive support through this scheme.

Directors paid annually are eligible to claim, as long as they meet the relevant conditions. These include being notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 19 March 2020 which relates to a payment of earnings in the 2019/20 tax year.

This requirement is important in order to protect taxpayers’ money from fraudulent claims.

The new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) helps those adversely affected by COVID-19. By midnight 21 June 2020, HMRC had received 2.6m claims representing a total of £7.6bn claimed.

HMRC recognise the important role that agents play in supporting people who are self-employed. Due to the speed at which HMRC are delivering the SEISS it has not been possible to offer agents the ability to claim on behalf of their clients. However, the process has been designed to be as simple as possible, and HMRC do all the calculations for taxpayers.

Anyone who cannot apply online can contact HMRC by telephone to submit their claim.

The Government is committed to driving down both wildlife and rural crime. To help deliver this, we provide funding for the police’s National Wildlife Crime Unit and fully support the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Rural Affairs Strategy, which supports safer rural communities and provides a better rural focus in policing. Delivery of the Strategy is supported by the Government’s recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers over the next three years to ensure that the public are protected against crime, including rural crime.

It is the responsibility of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, who understand the priorities of their communities, to ensure that resources, including these new officers, are deployed accordingly.

The Government is fully committed to discharging the obligation under the UK Borders Act 2007, which is that a non-British citizen convicted of an offence in the UK and sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment and to whom an exception does not apply is deported from the UK. A person’s age upon arrival to the UK or their nationality are not exceptions to automatic deportation, but may be relevant factors in considering whether an exception applies.

The length of time a person has lived in the UK, as well as the strength of their social, cultural and family ties to the UK, are factors considered when determining any Article 8 claim and whether there are very compelling circumstances which satisfy the requirements of the Immigration Rules. A foreign criminal is given the opportunity to make submissions as to why they should not be deported and all claims raised are fully considered and decided upon before deportation, including, where applicable, via the Courts.

We only return those with no legal right to remain in the UK, including foreign national offenders. Individuals are only returned to their country of origin when the Home Office and, where applicable, the Courts deem it is safe to do so.

Our priority will always be to keep our communities safe and since January 2019 we have removed 8,441 foreign criminals.

British citizens, including those with dual citizenship, have a right of abode in the UK and do not require leave to enter.

Where the passenger presents a non-British passport and claims to be British, but does not hold any evidence of their citizenship, the officer will conduct all relevant checks to satisfy themselves the passenger is British

Dual nationals, including those who are EU citizens, who are eligible to use e-gates, will be able to enter via the e-gates without being routinely examined by an immigration officer.

We recommend all dual nationals, including EU citizens, travel on their British passport or with evidence or their British citizenship to minimise any potential delay at the border or when commencing their journey

EU citizens seeking support via the Support Resolution Centre can do so for free. The SRC has helped millions of people with their applications and continues to do so every day.

We identified a technical error on 20 July which meant a very small percentage of customers calling the UKVI Resolution Centre may have been charged. This technical issue was resolved by 17:00 on 20 July.

We are currently working with the supplier to identify any customers who were charged incorrectly and arrange refunds for these customers.

The UK Resettlement Scheme commenced in March 2021, immediately following the successful completion of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. The UK Resettlement Scheme continues to successfully resettle refugees, as local authority and community sponsor capacity allows, and as we recover from the pandemic.

Statistics under the scheme are published through official statistics at quarterly intervals. The next set of statistics will be published in July and will include the number of people resettled since March. These are available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

We are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Action Access and they have appointed the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to independently evaluate the pilot. NatCen will be publishing the evaluation on their website.

The Government recognises the vital contribution overseas NHS, health and social care workers have made and continue to make in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of the Health and Care visa last August made it quicker and cheaper for regulated health and care professionals – including Senior Care Workers - and their dependants to secure their visa.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has also extended the visas of over 10,000 key, frontline regulated health and care professionals, and their eligible family members. Details of the free extension, including the eligible occupations can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-health-worker-visa-extension.

In response to issues raised during the Immigration and Social Security Coordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020, the Government will shortly commission an independent review of the impact of ending free movement on the care sector. This will be published in due course. Yet UK Immigration policy should not be viewed as an alternative to offering hard working care workers the type of rewarding packages and career development opportunities common in other sectors, especially at a time when many UK based workers may be looking for new opportunities as a result of the economic impacts of the global pandemic.

The Government recognises the vital contribution overseas NHS, health and social care workers have made and continue to make in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of the Health and Care visa last August made it quicker and cheaper for regulated health and care professionals – including Senior Care Workers - and their dependants to secure their visa.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has also extended the visas of over 10,000 key, frontline regulated health and care professionals, and their eligible family members. Details of the free extension, including the eligible occupations can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-health-worker-visa-extension.

In response to issues raised during the Immigration and Social Security Coordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020, the Government will shortly commission an independent review of the impact of ending free movement on the care sector. This will be published in due course. Yet UK Immigration policy should not be viewed as an alternative to offering hard working care workers the type of rewarding packages and career development opportunities common in other sectors, especially at a time when many UK based workers may be looking for new opportunities as a result of the economic impacts of the global pandemic.

The latest published information shows the total number of concluded applications to the EU Settlement scheme was 5.27 million up to 31 May 2021 out of a number of 5.61 million applications received.

The latest figures can be found on the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’ web page available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Applications concluded by month and decision type are published in the detailed quarterly release which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-march-2021

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. It usually takes around 5 working days for completed applications to be processed, but it can take longer if the Home Office needs to request more information, for example: if the applicant has submitted a paper application or if the applicant has a relevant criminal record, including pending prosecutions.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

The latest published information shows the total number of concluded applications to the EU Settlement scheme was 5.27 million up to 31 May 2021 out of a number of 5.61 million applications received.

The latest figures can be found on the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’ web page available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Applications concluded by month and decision type are published in the detailed quarterly release which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-march-2021

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. It usually takes around 5 working days for completed applications to be processed, but it can take longer if the Home Office needs to request more information, for example: if the applicant has submitted a paper application or if the applicant has a relevant criminal record, including pending prosecutions.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

The latest published information shows the total number of concluded applications to the EU Settlement scheme was 5.27 million up to 31 May 2021 out of a number of 5.61 million applications received.

The latest figures can be found on the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’ web page available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Applications concluded by month and decision type are published in the detailed quarterly release which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-march-2021

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. It usually takes around 5 working days for completed applications to be processed, but it can take longer if the Home Office needs to request more information, for example: if the applicant has submitted a paper application or if the applicant has a relevant criminal record, including pending prosecutions.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. Complete applications are usually processed in around five working days.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. Complete applications are usually processed in around five working days.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

Our aim is to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme as expeditiously as possible. Complete applications are usually processed in around five working days.

More information about processing times for applications under the scheme is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications

The Home Office has received more than 5.4 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme to 30 April 2021. Our focus remains on encouraging those EU citizens and their family members eligible for the scheme who have yet to apply to do so before the 30 June 2021 deadline for those resident in the UK by the end of the transition period.

We recently launched another marketing campaign for this purpose, bringing to £7.9 million our investment in such activity. The campaign highlights the significant support in applying to the scheme available to those who need it, including from the network of now 72 organisations across the UK, grant funded by the Home Office with £22 million to help vulnerable people apply.

In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, we have made clear where a person eligible for status under the scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline, they will be given a further opportunity to apply. The non-exhaustive guidance on reasonable grounds for submitting a late application we published on 1 April 2021 includes where there are compelling practical or compassionate reasons why a person may have been unaware of the requirement to apply to the scheme by the deadline or may have failed to do so.

No assessment has been made of the merits of making possession or use of nitrous oxide an offence. The Government takes seriously the harms relating to psychoactive substances such as nitrous oxide and it will continue to keep this issue under review and to consider any new or emerging evidence.

The supply of substances for their psychoactive effect is an offence. There are legitimate uses for nitrous oxide, such as in medicine, dentistry and as a propellant for whipped cream canisters, but those who supply nitrous oxide who know, or who are reckless as to whether, it will be used for its psychoactive effect may be subject to a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, the Government has made clear where a person eligible for status under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications by those resident in the UK by the end of the transition period, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

Non-exhaustive guidance on what constitutes reasonable grounds for missing the deadline can be found at pages 26 to 44 of the caseworker guidance, EU Settlement Scheme: EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members, which is available here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-caseworker-guidance.

This includes where there are compelling practical or compassionate reasons why a person may have been unaware of the requirement to apply to the scheme by the deadline or may have failed to do so, or where a person with a residence document issued under the EEA Regulations was not aware they needed to apply to the scheme.

The guidance will be kept under ongoing review and updated as appropriate. It will underpin a flexible and pragmatic approach to considering late applications under the scheme, in light of the circumstances of each case.

In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, the Government has made clear where a person eligible for status under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications by those resident in the UK by the end of the transition period, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

Non-exhaustive guidance on what constitutes reasonable grounds for missing the deadline can be found at pages 26 to 44 of the caseworker guidance, EU Settlement Scheme: EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members, which is available here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-caseworker-guidance.

This includes where there are compelling practical or compassionate reasons why a person may have been unaware of the requirement to apply to the scheme by the deadline or may have failed to do so, or where a person with a residence document issued under the EEA Regulations was not aware they needed to apply to the scheme.

The guidance will be kept under ongoing review and updated as appropriate. It will underpin a flexible and pragmatic approach to considering late applications under the scheme, in light of the circumstances of each case.

A consultation process is underway, from which we hope to draw further insights and evidence to inform our thinking. As is routine, an impact assessment will be published alongside the introduction of any Bill.

We have indicated our intention to continue operating and further expanding our youth mobility arrangements to additional countries.

Each Youth Mobility Scheme is subject to a bilateral, reciprocal agreement which also provides benefit to UK Nationals, with the detail negotiated and agreed between the relevant parties.

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) was a temporary route designed to enable graduates to bridge the gap between studies and the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)/ Innovator routes.

Time spent on temporary immigration routes do not lead to settlement, so would only contribute to meeting a continuous requirement under the provision for long term residents. This approach is consistent with other temporary routes.

Those whose permission expires prior to the launch of the route will not be eligible, but will still benefit from the favourable switching provisions into the Skilled Worker route.

The Doctorate Extension Scheme for PhD students will remain open up until the launch of the new route.

The Home Office publishes data on Tier 2 (General) visas in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’.

Data on the number of Tier 2 (General) visas are published in table Vis_D02 of the entry clearance visas applications and outcomes dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.

The latest data relates to year ending December 2020. Data for the first quarter of 2021 are due to be published on 27 May 2021.

Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

Total applications and conclusions by month up to December 2020 can be found in table EUSS_MON available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964547/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-tables-28-august-2018-to-31-december-2020.ods.

The latest top-level monthly figures can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Total applications and conclusions by month up to December 2020 can be found in table EUSS_MON available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964547/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-tables-28-august-2018-to-31-december-2020.ods.

The latest top-level monthly figures can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Total applications and conclusions by month up to December 2020 can be found in table EUSS_MON available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964547/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-tables-28-august-2018-to-31-december-2020.ods.

The latest top-level monthly figures can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Total applications and conclusions by month up to December 2020 can be found in table EUSS_MON available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964547/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-tables-28-august-2018-to-31-december-2020.ods.

The latest top-level monthly figures can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Total applications and conclusions by month up to December 2020 can be found in table EUSS_MON available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964547/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-tables-28-august-2018-to-31-december-2020.ods.

The latest top-level monthly figures can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

As part of the Department’s immigration detention reform programme, we are conducting a series of two pilots exploring alternatives to detention. In line with international best practice, each pilot will run for two years, before a final evaluation

The first of these pilots, Action Access, has provided women who would otherwise be detained with a programme of support in the community. This pilot will conclude on 31 March 2021 after operating for two years, as planned. The second pilot, the Refugee and Migrant Advisory Service, is currently supporting both men and women in the community and will remain in operation until June 2022

We are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on these pilots and they have appointed the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to independently evaluate this work. These evaluations will be published, with the evaluation report of the Action Access pilot scheduled for early Summer 2021. We will use the evaluations of these pilots to inform our future approach to case-management focused alternatives to detention.

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) was a temporary route designed to enable graduates to bridge the gap between studies and the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)/ Innovator routes.

As a temporary route it did not lead to settlement and any time spent on this route would only contribute to meeting a continuous requirement under the provision for long term residents.

Individuals on the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route are able to switch into either the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) or Innovator routes at any point during their permission and start their journey to settlement.

The Home Office collects data on crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales but information on whether the perpetrator was a woman and if gambling was identified as a relevant factor are not held centrally.

While the Home Office collects data on crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales , information on whether or not the crime was related to problem gambling behaviour or related circumstances are not collected.

The Home Office engaged regularly with the creative sector as the plans for the UK’s new immigration system were developed, this was focused upon the UK’s inward offer for creatives travelling to the UK.

Officials and Ministers in DCMS have engaged with the sector extensively throughout negotiations and since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to understand the diverse circumstances of companies, organisations and individual practitioners and how they may need to adapt as they plan activity across the European Union.

DCMS will continue to work closely with the sector, including with representative organisations, to ensure businesses and individuals have the advice and guidance they need to meet new requirements. Touring artists should always check individual member state requirements as these differ across different countries.

The Government knows while leaving the EU will bring changes and new processes to touring and working in the EU, it will also bring new opportunities. In all circumstances, we expect UK musicians’ work to continue to be an export highly valued in the European Union as it is across the world.

The UK has secured an agreement with the EU delivering a comprehensive package of capabilities relating to law enforcement and criminal justice co-operation. This will ensure we can continue to work with counterparts across Europe to tackle serious crime and terrorism - helping to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.

Sadly the EU took the position throughout the negotiations that it was legally impossible for any third country outside the Schengen area to continue cooperating through SIS II. We have therefore returned to tried and tested mechanisms of cooperation via Interpol and bilateral channels, which we already use with the rest of the world – and which we used with EU Member States until 2015. All incoming Interpol circulations (notices and diffusions) are available at the front line via UK border and policing systems. In addition to over 150,000 Interpol nominal circulations, the UK has direct access to 90 million suspect document records.

Our assessment is the UK was a safe country before joining SIS II in 2015 and we will continue to be one of the safest countries in the world, with border security set to be enhanced by our decision to end the use of EEA National ID Cards at the UK Border later this year.

The Government is investing in longer-term technical capabilities to support law enforcement data sharing by developing a single technical mechanism for law enforcement agencies to access and share alerts related to people, documents and objects with international partners on a reciprocal basis. The programme is at an early stage of development.

The UK has secured an agreement with the EU delivering a comprehensive package of capabilities relating to law enforcement and criminal justice co-operation. This will ensure we can continue to work with counterparts across Europe to tackle serious crime and terrorism - helping to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.

Sadly the EU took the position throughout the negotiations that it was legally impossible for any third country outside the Schengen area to continue cooperating through SIS II. We have therefore returned to tried and tested mechanisms of cooperation via Interpol and bilateral channels, which we already use with the rest of the world – and which we used with EU Member States until 2015. All incoming Interpol circulations (notices and diffusions) are available at the front line via UK border and policing systems. In addition to over 150,000 Interpol nominal circulations, the UK has direct access to 90 million suspect document records.

Our assessment is the UK was a safe country before joining SIS II in 2015 and we will continue to be one of the safest countries in the world, with border security set to be enhanced by our decision to end the use of EEA National ID Cards at the UK Border later this year.

The Government is investing in longer-term technical capabilities to support law enforcement data sharing by developing a single technical mechanism for law enforcement agencies to access and share alerts related to people, documents and objects with international partners on a reciprocal basis. The programme is at an early stage of development.

The UK has secured an agreement with the EU delivering a comprehensive package of capabilities relating to law enforcement and criminal justice co-operation. This will ensure we can continue to work with counterparts across Europe to tackle serious crime and terrorism - helping to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.

Sadly the EU took the position throughout the negotiations that it was legally impossible for any third country outside the Schengen area to continue cooperating through SIS II. We have therefore returned to tried and tested mechanisms of cooperation via Interpol and bilateral channels, which we already use with the rest of the world – and which we used with EU Member States until 2015. All incoming Interpol circulations (notices and diffusions) are available at the front line via UK border and policing systems. In addition to over 150,000 Interpol nominal circulations, the UK has direct access to 90 million suspect document records.

Our assessment is the UK was a safe country before joining SIS II in 2015 and we will continue to be one of the safest countries in the world, with border security set to be enhanced by our decision to end the use of EEA National ID Cards at the UK Border later this year.

The Government is investing in longer-term technical capabilities to support law enforcement data sharing by developing a single technical mechanism for law enforcement agencies to access and share alerts related to people, documents and objects with international partners on a reciprocal basis. The programme is at an early stage of development.

The responsibility for inspecting locations under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme and the Seasonal Worker’s Pilot sits with UK Visas and Immigration.

The Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) accompanied UK Visas and Immigration on their inspections to provide them with information, advice and guidance.

The Home Office does not hold this data in a reportable format.

Information on broader Sponsorship activity can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsorship-transparency-data-november-2020

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority employed 144 staff in total in 2019-20. Two of these were based in Scotland. In 2020-21, GLAA employed 137 people in total.

One member of staff is based in Scotland. Further staff are available from other enforcement and compliance teams to support work in Scotland through the GLAA’s tasking and co-ordination process.

The responsibility for inspecting locations under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme and the Seasonal Worker’s Pilot sits with UK Visas and Immigration.

The Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) accompanied UK Visas and Immigration on their inspections to provide them with information, advice and guidance.

Unlike the current Seasonal Workers Pilot, the Scheme Operators for the old Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme were not subject to sponsor licencing requirements.

The Home Office does not hold this data in a reportable format.

Information on broader historical SAWS activity can be found at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/257242/migrant-seasonal-workers.pdf

The UK is one of the world’s leading refugee resettlement states. Over recent years the Home Office has worked in partnership with UNHCR and other resettlement states to increase global resettlement capacity, including through leading various international fora. We have also provided direct advice and assistance to a number of states, supporting them to start, expand or develop their own resettlement schemes.

Alongside our international work, we have also been working closely with our key domestic stakeholders on plans to safely resume UK resettlement arrivals against the backdrop of unprecedented restrictions and pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of this work, and as announced by Baroness Williams of Trafford in the House of Lords on 9 November, the UK will shortly restart UK resettlement arrivals to fulfil our commitment of resettling 20,000 refugees affected by the conflict in Syria under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and we are working closely with partners to deliver this commitment.

Decisions regarding resettlement beyond the completion of this scheme, including the number of refugees we plan to resettle, are yet to be made and will need to take account of the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing pressures on the asylum system.

The UK is one of the world’s leading refugee resettlement states. Over recent years the Home Office has worked in partnership with UNHCR and other resettlement states to increase global resettlement capacity, including through leading various international fora. We have also provided direct advice and assistance to a number of states, supporting them to start, expand or develop their own resettlement schemes.

Alongside our international work, we have also been working closely with our key domestic stakeholders on plans to safely resume UK resettlement arrivals against the backdrop of unprecedented restrictions and pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of this work, and as announced by Baroness Williams of Trafford in the House of Lords on 9 November, the UK will shortly restart UK resettlement arrivals to fulfil our commitment of resettling 20,000 refugees affected by the conflict in Syria under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and we are working closely with partners to deliver this commitment.

Decisions regarding resettlement beyond the completion of this scheme, including the number of refugees we plan to resettle, are yet to be made and will need to take account of the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing pressures on the asylum system.

The UK is one of the world’s leading refugee resettlement states. Over recent years the Home Office has worked in partnership with UNHCR and other resettlement states to increase global resettlement capacity, including through leading various international fora. We have also provided direct advice and assistance to a number of states, supporting them to start, expand or develop their own resettlement schemes.

Alongside our international work, we have also been working closely with our key domestic stakeholders on plans to safely resume UK resettlement arrivals against the backdrop of unprecedented restrictions and pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of this work, and as announced by Baroness Williams of Trafford in the House of Lords on 9 November, the UK will shortly restart UK resettlement arrivals to fulfil our commitment of resettling 20,000 refugees affected by the conflict in Syria under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and we are working closely with partners to deliver this commitment.

Decisions regarding resettlement beyond the completion of this scheme, including the number of refugees we plan to resettle, are yet to be made and will need to take account of the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing pressures on the asylum system.

The information is not available in the format requested and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Subsequent to the Honourable Member's question of 4 November, I am pleased to say that, as announced by Baroness Williams of Trafford in the House of Lords on 9 November, the UK will shortly restart resettlement arrivals to fulfil our commitment of resettling 20,000 refugees affected by the conflict in Syria under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and we are working closely with partners to deliver this commitment.

Due to the lead times for refugee arrivals, it is likely that we will see most refugees start to arrive early in the new year

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) related restrictions and pressures, both overseas and in the UK, resettlement activity is currently paused. We continue to evaluate how to respond given these restrictions and pressures, but we expect to resume refugee resettlement activity when safe to do so

The Government has protected the rights of EEA citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 through the enactment of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the establishment of the EU Settlement Scheme under Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules. The scheme provides a simple means for those who are eligible to secure their immigration status in UK law.

Those who obtain pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are able to access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis as currently applies under free movement rules. Where a person already holds another form of limited leave to enter or remain that allows recourse to public funds, for example discretionary leave, the Immigration Rules (HC 813) make provision for a late application to the scheme. Such an application must be made before the expiry of that leave unless there are reasonable grounds for failure to do so.

Parliament has approved the Citizens’ Rights (Application Deadline and Temporary Protection) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. These regulations protect existing relevant EU law rights for those EEA citizens and their family members who are lawfully resident in the UK at the end of the transition period but who have yet to obtain status under the EU Settlement Scheme, until the final determination of an application to the scheme made by the deadline of 30 June 2021. This ensures there is no change to their current rights while they make their application. Regulations to be made under clause 4 of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, subject to its enactment, will contain provisions to ensure those with pre-settled status are treated in the same way after the end of the transition period as they are now for the purposes of accessing benefits and services.

The Government has protected the rights of EEA citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 through the enactment of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the establishment of the EU Settlement Scheme under Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules. The scheme provides a simple means for those who are eligible to secure their immigration status in UK law.

Those who obtain pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are able to access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis as currently applies under free movement rules. Where a person already holds another form of limited leave to enter or remain that allows recourse to public funds, for example discretionary leave, the Immigration Rules (HC 813) make provision for a late application to the scheme. Such an application must be made before the expiry of that leave unless there are reasonable grounds for failure to do so.

Parliament has approved the Citizens’ Rights (Application Deadline and Temporary Protection) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. These regulations protect existing relevant EU law rights for those EEA citizens and their family members who are lawfully resident in the UK at the end of the transition period but who have yet to obtain status under the EU Settlement Scheme, until the final determination of an application to the scheme made by the deadline of 30 June 2021. This ensures there is no change to their current rights while they make their application. Regulations to be made under clause 4 of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, subject to its enactment, will contain provisions to ensure those with pre-settled status are treated in the same way after the end of the transition period as they are now for the purposes of accessing benefits and services.

The Government has protected the rights of EEA citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 through the enactment of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the establishment of the EU Settlement Scheme under Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules. The scheme provides a simple means for those who are eligible to secure their immigration status in UK law.

Those who obtain pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are able to access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis as currently applies under free movement rules. Where a person already holds another form of limited leave to enter or remain that allows recourse to public funds, for example discretionary leave, the Immigration Rules (HC 813) make provision for a late application to the scheme. Such an application must be made before the expiry of that leave unless there are reasonable grounds for failure to do so.

Parliament has approved the Citizens’ Rights (Application Deadline and Temporary Protection) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. These regulations protect existing relevant EU law rights for those EEA citizens and their family members who are lawfully resident in the UK at the end of the transition period but who have yet to obtain status under the EU Settlement Scheme, until the final determination of an application to the scheme made by the deadline of 30 June 2021. This ensures there is no change to their current rights while they make their application. Regulations to be made under clause 4 of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, subject to its enactment, will contain provisions to ensure those with pre-settled status are treated in the same way after the end of the transition period as they are now for the purposes of accessing benefits and services.

Immigration Enforcement recommenced face to face reporting in July and August for limited, priority cohorts of people. We have implemented Safe Systems of Working (SSOW) and Risk Assessments in all our Reporting Centres where we have put in place robust social distancing measures; health screening questions are asked as a person enters; face masks are offered to those who have travelled without them; and sanitiser stations are placed throughout our buildings. We continue to review our current reporting arrangements in line with any new local and national COVID restrictions that are put in place.

Before inviting individuals into reporting, case owners will make an assessment based on the harm that those who are Foreign National Offenders may pose to the public, as well as the vulnerability and personal circumstances of all of those we ask to report. We continue to keep in contact with the overall reporting population by telephone to update individuals on the current reporting position. An SMS text or email/letter is sent to those required to recommence reporting informing them of the date and time they should report, along with relevant advice on COVID. We have also updated the reporting pages on GOV.UK for those who report and their representatives. This information includes how to travel most safely by public transport, avoiding both busy transport hubs and traveling at peak times; advice on reporting alone where possible; and what to do if those reporting have symptoms or are shielding.

The Home Office takes the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously and has already put in place a range of measures to support asylum applicants affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

In line with the Home Office’ commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of its staff and applicants as a top priority, we have introduced regional intake units to allow asylum claims to be registered in a safe way that adheres to social distancing guidance and minimises travel.

Priority services have resumed in some locations.

The resumption of priority services in specific locations remains under review and services will be reintroduced on a phased basis where they can be delivered. This is dependent on various factors including the easing of local restrictions relating to Covid-19 and courier delivery services.

UKVI continues to keep this position under review and will publicise any changes to services.

Home Office support services and application routes have all fully reopened in line with public health guidance. However, some face-to-face support services are provided by our delivery partners. The scanning service is provided by Local Authorities who will review and assess the safe provision and resumption of the service. The Home Office and our delivery partners are keeping this situation under constant review and will endeavour to reinstate all services to their original capacity in line with public health guidance.

Despite this there are multiple ways applicants can have their identity documents checked as part of the application process, including using the EU Exit: ID Document Check smartphone app or by posting identity documents to the Home Office.

The Home Office publishes figures on accidental primary fires started by barbecues in table FIRE0605, available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#cause-of-fire. The data is available from 2010/11 to 2018/19. 2019/20 data will be published on 2 October 2020. Data for May to August 2020 will be published in Autumn 2021.

In 2018/19, there were 90 accidental outdoor primary fires started by barbecues in England.

The Home Office currently publishes a range of data on immigration detention. This covers people detained under immigration powers and includes information such as nationality, age, sex, place and length of detention, cost of detention, pregnancy in detention and reports made by a medical practitioner under rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001.

Following the then Home Secretary’s statement in Parliament in July 2018, which committed to publishing more data on immigration detention, the Home Office have since been undertaking a review. This review is still ongoing and will consider all elements of data important to the Home Office and the Public.

As set out in the Home Secretary’s letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee dated 29 April, we will grant immediate Indefinite Leave to Remain to families of frontline NHS health workers who die as a result of contracting Coronavirus. UK Visas and Immigration will work with NHS Trusts and employers across the whole of the UK to identify dependants in this tragic position. Details of immigration changes relating to COVID-19 can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders.

The Home Office is currently working on implementation plans to introduce the provisions in The Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc) Act 2019.

This will facilitate an update of the marriage entry to include the names of both parents of a couple.

The reponse for UIN 14690 was given on 3rd July 2020.

The Government has been clear free movement is ending and a new immigration system will be introduced from January 2021.

The Government is committed to eradicating exploitation across all sectors of the labour market and migrant workers are no exception.

The focus of the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is on protecting vulnerable and exploited workers, who can raise concerns in confidence with the GLAA through their telephone line.

The Government has been clear free movement is ending and a new immigration system will be introduced from January 2021.

The Government is committed to eradicating exploitation across all sectors of the labour market and migrant workers are no exception.

The focus of the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is on protecting vulnerable and exploited workers, who can raise concerns in confidence with the GLAA through their telephone line.

The classification of the skill level of jobs is based upon advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The MAC has been clear immigration is not the solution to addressing staffing levels in the social care sector.

The Government is working alongside employers to ensure the workforce has the right number of people to meet increasing demands and have recently launched a national recruitment campaign for Social Care.

Senior care workers who meet the criteria will be able to come to the UK through the points-based system.

We are also providing councils with access to an additional £1.5 billion for adults and children’s social care in 2020-21.

The UK currently has youth mobility arrangements with eight countries and territories, resulting in around 20,000 young people coming to the UK each year.

We remain open to concluding further youth mobility arrangements.

Individuals granted pre-settled or settled status have had the option within the ‘view and prove your settled or pre-settled status’ service to share their status information for a variety of reasons since 30th September 2019. This is done by generating a ‘share code’ which can be given to a third party to provide them with time-limited access to the data. One of these options (‘work in the UK’) takes users to a separate Home Office service, which can also be used by individuals who have not been through the EU Settlement Scheme (holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)).

The ability to share information via the online service(s) is entirely optional; EEA nationals can continue to rely on their passports or national ID cards until 30 June 2021 to evidence their rights in the UK but can choose to use the online service if they wish. Those with a BRP/C can also continue to rely on their physical cards.

While data relating to number of share codes generated is captured for internal purposes, this is not representative of the number of times users have shared their status information. Data on the number of views of a person’s status by third parties gives a more accurate reflection of checks carried out, and this is intended to be included when data on usage is published.

Data on usage of the ‘view and prove’ service is intended to be published as part of the Home Office Transparency Data. The data will be published once we are content it is robust and of sufficient quality, having been through our assurance processes, which should be before the end of the year.

Individuals granted pre-settled or settled status have had the option within the ‘view and prove your settled or pre-settled status’ service to share their status information for a variety of reasons since 30th September 2019. This is done by generating a ‘share code’ which can be given to a third party to provide them with time-limited access to the data. One of these options (‘work in the UK’) takes users to a separate Home Office service, which can also be used by individuals who have not been through the EU Settlement Scheme (holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)).

The ability to share information via the online service(s) is entirely optional; EEA nationals can continue to rely on their passports or national ID cards until 30 June 2021 to evidence their rights in the UK but can choose to use the online service if they wish. Those with a BRP/C can also continue to rely on their physical cards.

While data relating to number of share codes generated is captured for internal purposes, this is not representative of the number of times users have shared their status information. Data on the number of views of a person’s status by third parties gives a more accurate reflection of checks carried out, and this is intended to be included when data on usage is published.

Data on usage of the ‘view and prove’ service is intended to be published as part of the Home Office Transparency Data. The data will be published once we are content it is robust and of sufficient quality, having been through our assurance processes, which should be before the end of the year.

We will deliver on the people’s priorities by introducing a new NHS Visa for certain qualified health professionals, offering fast-track entry, reduced visa fees and dedicated support to come to the UK with their families.

Care workers who meet the relevant criteria, including a skills and salary threshold, with a confirmed job offer working for the NHS or providing services to the NHS, will be able to benefit from this offer.

Further details will be published in due course.

The General Register Office (GRO) is currently working on the secondary legislation, IT systems and administrative processes that are required to implement the marriage schedule system.

The Home Office is planning to launch an online right to rent status checking service later this year.

The new online service will enable EEA nationals granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and non-EEA nationals with biometric residence permits and cards to demonstrate their right to rent.

The online right to rent checking service will build on the general launch of the ‘View and prove your settled or pre-settled status’ service for those granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The current grant funding scheme continues until the end of March 2020, and the Home Office is currently exploring options for the financial year of 2020/21.

As well as providing funding for charities which have supported hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people, there are more than 1,500 Home Office staff working on the EU Settlement Scheme and 250 Settlement Resolution Centre staff providing assistance to applicants with any questions about the scheme or who need help applying.

Additional support is also available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply. This includes over 300 assisted digital locations across the UK where people can be supported through their application.

There have been more than 3 million applications and 2.7 million granted status under the EU Settlement scheme.

Individuals granted pre-settled or settled status have had the option within the ‘view and prove your settled or pre-settled status’ service to share their status information for a variety of reasons since 30th September 2019. This is done by generating a ‘share code’ which can be given to a third party to provide them with time-limited access to the data. One of these options (‘work in the UK’) takes users to a separate Home Office service, which can also be used by individuals who have not been through the EU Settlement Scheme (holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)).

The ability to share information via the online service(s) is entirely optional; EEA nationals can continue to rely on their passports or national ID cards until at least December 2020 to evidence their rights in the UK but can choose to use the online service if they wish. Those with a BRP/C can also continue to rely on their physical cards.

Data is collected on usage of the service for internal purposes, to help us make improvements to the service, and to inform how it is performing. Data relates to number of views on the service, rather than unique users, and it is not currently possible to identify whether those who go on to share their status have settled or pre-settled status.

Data on usage on the ‘view and prove’ service more generally will be published later this year, as part of the Home Office Transparency Data.

Individuals granted pre-settled or settled status have had the option within the ‘view and prove your settled or pre-settled status’ service to share their status information for a variety of reasons since 30th September 2019. This is done by generating a ‘share code’ which can be given to a third party to provide them with time-limited access to the data. One of these options (‘work in the UK’) takes users to a separate Home Office service, which can also be used by individuals who have not been through the EU Settlement Scheme (holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)).

The ability to share information via the online service(s) is entirely optional; EEA nationals can continue to rely on their passports or national ID cards until at least December 2020 to evidence their rights in the UK but can choose to use the online service if they wish. Those with a BRP/C can also continue to rely on their physical cards.

Data is collected on usage of the service for internal purposes, to help us make improvements to the service, and to inform how it is performing. Data relates to number of views on the service, rather than unique users, and it is not currently possible to identify whether those who go on to share their status have settled or pre-settled status.

Data on usage on the ‘view and prove’ service more generally will be published later this year, as part of the Home Office Transparency Data.

Since July 2016, under section 21 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 there have been 3 people prosecuted.

Immigration Enforcement will review investigations into employers on a case by case basis to see whether a civil penalty is a more appropriate course of action rather than a criminal prosecution. Where there are no aggravating factors, it is more likely that civil penalty action will be undertaken to enforce compliance.

Data on the number of penalties issued under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, and the total value of those penalties are published on gov.uk. A total of 5,856 civil penalties were issued between July 2016 and June 2019, with a total value of £100.1m.

Data on the number of penalties issued under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, and the total value of those penalties are published on gov.uk. The latest published figures up to the end of June 2019 can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-enforcement-data-august-2019.

A total of 5,856 civil penalties were issued between July 2016 and June 2019, with a total value of £100.1m.

The Home Office does not publish data on the total amount collected.

The Home Office is the data controller for all data processed within the EU Settlement Scheme. This includes where organisations are contracted to act on behalf of the Home Office. No other organisations have access to the personal information of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The Home Office may share information with other organisations, but only where the information needs to be shared and there is an appropriate legal basis for doing so.

The analysis referenced in Written Answer 269726 was conducted against data which was anonymised. It is therefore it is not possible to answer the questioned posed.

The Government has made clear that, where a person eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the application deadline of 30 June 2021, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

As this is over 17 months away, our focus is on encouraging all those who need to apply to do so before the deadline. EU citizens can apply to the scheme, free of charge, simply by completing three key steps: proving their identity, showing that they live in the UK and declaring any criminal convictions. There is support available for any who need help in applying, including through the EU Settlement Resolution Centre, which is open seven days a week.

However, our compassionate and flexible approach will ensure that individuals who miss the deadline through no fault of their own can still obtain lawful status in the UK. We will publish clear guidance for caseworkers in due course to ensure consistency of approach.

The Government has made clear that, where a person eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the application deadline of 30 June 2021, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

As this is over 17 months away, our focus is on encouraging all those who need to apply to do so before the deadline. EU citizens can apply to the scheme, free of charge, simply by completing three key steps: proving their identity, showing that they live in the UK and declaring any criminal convictions. There is support available for any who need help in applying, including through the EU Settlement Resolution Centre, which is open seven days a week.

However, our compassionate and flexible approach will ensure that individuals who miss the deadline through no fault of their own can still obtain lawful status in the UK. We will publish clear guidance for caseworkers in due course to ensure consistency of approach.

Due to the way in which people are encountered and recorded when referred for enquiries on their immigration status, an immigration offence may not be immediately identifiable by the arresting or referring officer.

It is therefore not possible to provide accurate data in relation to the number of people arrested for immigration offences as part of Operation Nexus in each of the last three years.

Our priority is to enable residents to be safe and feel safe in their homes. We upheld the 31 December application deadline for the private sector Aluminium Composite Material cladding remediation fund in order to maintain pressure on the pace of remediation. Unless there are exceptional circumstances to justify a delay in making an application, those responsible for buildings should expect further action to be taken – including naming and shaming and enforcement.