Paula Barker

The information requested is not held centrally.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to PQ84363 on 15 September 2020.

This information is not held centrally.

Sustainability issues can be raised through the Civil Service Forum, which engages nationally with the National Trade Union Committee. Departments are responsible for determining their own sustainable development plans, and their engagement on these matters with relevant departmental trade unions.

Spring Budget 2020 set out that the public sector will invest more than £600 billion in our future prosperity. The infrastructure plans set out at Budget included measures to invest in strategic roads around England, improve mobile coverage in rural areas, better support flood defences, and further fund urban transport systems. Specific allocations and delivery plans will be set out later this year.

Sustainability issues can be raised through the Civil Service Forum, which engages nationally with the National Trade Union Committee. Departments are responsible for determining their own sustainable development plans, and their engagement on these matters with relevant departmental trade unions.

The construction of Hinkley Point C in Somerset is well underway, employing thousands of workers and having already invested almost £1.7 billion in the regional economy.

In September 2020, the UK nuclear industry issued an update on progress towards the commitments and targets contained within the £200 million plus Nuclear Sector Deal. the industry also issued a report which set out how to cut the cost of new nuclear plants.

Building on the advanced nuclear spending commitments of the Nuclear Sector Deal, we have developed a package of funding now worth approximately £100 million, designed to turbocharge the UK’s advanced nuclear industry. This includes the initial £36 million received last year by the UK Small Modular Reactor consortium, led by Rolls-Royce, to further develop their design, as well as this year’s investment of £40 million in projects focused on developing advanced modular reactors and upskilling our world-class regulators.

We have recently launched a Call for Evidence on supporting marine projects, including tidal stream and tidal range, to gather evidence on the scope for innovative marine energy technologies across Great Britain.

The Department has a range of consultative practices in place to ensure regular and meaningful engagement with our Departmental Trade Unions on internal policy matters, including sustainability considerations.

Work is in progress to reduce the Department’s carbon emissions and become net zero in the earliest possible timeframe, and by 2050 at the latest. BEIS has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 65% from a 09/10 baseline.

In his speech of 30 June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear that as we recover from COVID-19, we must build back better, greener and faster, ensuring that our economy will be cleaner, more sustainable, and more resilient. This applies to all sectors of the economy, including those which are currently seen as difficult to decarbonise, such as steel.

The Government is supporting the steel sector throughout this difficult period, as well as providing the £250 million Clean Steel Fund, which will help UK steel producers to reduce emissions in line with our target to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This is complemented by the £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to help energy intensive industries, such as steel, transition away from carbon-intensive energy sources.

The Department publishes a pipeline, identifying future steel requirements for all public infrastructure and construction projects annually. An update of this pipeline will be published shortly. We have also introduced steel-specific procurement guidance that requires Government Departments and public bodies to consider social and environmental factors when procuring steel.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. Outdoor swimming pools have been able to open from 11 July, and from 25 July indoor gyms, leisure centres (including sports halls) and swimming pools in England should be able to reopen. These facilities will be able to offer on-site services to customers, provided they are COVID-secure and follow Government guidance.

Sport England have announced a £195 million package of support to help community clubs through this crisis. It recently boosted its Community Emergency Fund by a further £15 million to meet the demand, taking the total up to £210 million.

The income scheme announced on Thursday 2 July by the Secretary of State for Local Government, aims to support local authorities who have incurred irrecoverable loss of income from sales, fees and charge which they had reasonably budgeted for.

We are continuing to work across government to ensure the sector has the support it needs to continue providing their central role in helping people be active.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active. Outdoor swimming pools have been able to open from 11 July, and from 25 July indoor gyms, leisure centres (including sports halls) and swimming pools in England should be able to reopen. These facilities will be able to offer on-site services to customers, provided they are COVID-secure and follow Government guidance.

Sport England have announced a £195 million package of support to help community clubs through this crisis. It recently boosted its Community Emergency Fund by a further £15 million to meet the demand, taking the total up to £210 million.

The income scheme announced on Thursday 2 July by the Secretary of State for Local Government, aims to support local authorities who have incurred irrecoverable loss of income from sales, fees and charge which they had reasonably budgeted for.

We are continuing to work across government to ensure the sector has the support it needs to continue providing their central role in helping people be active.

On 18th August, the Government amended its guidance to provide extra clarification for organisers of non-elite sports events to help them manage and admit spectators safely, adhering to social distancing.

Non-league football clubs from level seven of the pyramid, below the National League North / South, can admit spectators in line with the FA’s definition of non-elite football.

We continue to work closely with all sports, including the interests of football from National League and above to support the safe return of spectators to stadia more widely from October 1st. As announced by the Prime Minister, this remains subject to successful pilots events and wider prevailing public health factors, both of which remain under active consideration.

We are committed to getting the performing arts sector fully back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so. It is a priority of my department to work with the arts and cultural sectors to address the challenges of reopening.

From the information we have been receiving from various organisations and professionals, we know that the picture is nuanced across the country, with different organisations facing different challenges when it comes to the question of reopening.

The Secretary of State recently revealed a five stage roadmap that the government will work through to get the performing arts sectors back up and running as soon as possible:

• Stage One - Rehearsal and training (no audiences)

• Stage Two - Performances for broadcast and recording purposes

• Stage Three - Performances outdoors with an audience and pilots for indoor performances with a limited socially-distanced audience

• Stage Four - Performances allowed indoors and outdoors (but with a limited socially-distanced audience indoors)

• Stage Five - Performances allowed indoors / outdoors (with a fuller audience indoors)

From the 11th July, we will move to Stage Three. This means that performances outdoors - including outdoor concert arenas with a socially distanced audience - can take place in line with this guidance. DCMS will work with sector representative bodies to select a number of pilots for indoor performances with a socially distanced audience, as we look to move into Stage Four.

We appreciate that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a huge challenge to the creative and night time industries and the freelancers and the self-employed workers within it. 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. In addition, the Government has adapted the welfare system so that the self-employed can access Universal Credit in full, to help people get quicker and more generous support when they need it most.

On Sunday 5 July 2020, the Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors including some businesses operating in the night time economy.

We are working closely with DCMS’ Arm’s Length Bodies to develop guidance indicating who can apply for the different elements of this funding, and we will publish detailed guidance as soon as possible in July.

The Department’s priority is for all schools to deliver face to face, high quality education to all children, pupils and students. The Department has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England to revise the guidance for schools. Schools should continue to ensure good hygiene for everyone, maintain appropriate cleaning regimes, keep occupied spaces well ventilated and follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19. As pupils will potentially have mixed with many other people during the summer holidays, all secondary school pupils should receive 2 on-site lateral flow device tests, 3 to 5 days apart, on their return in the autumn term.

Schools should continue to conduct risk assessments and take appropriate action in line with the control measures. Schools should have contingency plans in place outlining the actions they would take if pupils and staff test positive for COVID-19, or how they would operate if they were advised to take extra measures to help break chains of transmission.

The evidence is clear that being out of education causes significant harm to educational attainment, life chances, and mental and physical health. In making decisions, the Government has balanced education and health considerations, weighing the impact of these measures on teaching, wellbeing and the functioning of schools and nurseries, against the risks posed by COVID-19, in a context that has now fundamentally changed due to the success of the vaccination rollout.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have advised the Government that ventilation should be integral to the COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy, and that this should include identification of how a space is ventilated, as well as guidance to ensure the ventilation is adequate.​

On 21 August 2021, the Department announced that CO₂ monitors will be provided to all state-funded nurseries, schools and colleges from September. Backed by a £25 million Government investment, the new monitors will enable staff to act quickly where ventilation is poor and provide reassurance that existing ventilation measures are working.

The programme will provide nurseries, schools and colleges with sufficient monitors to take representative readings from across the indoor spaces in their estate, assessing all spaces in a relatively short space of time. It is expected that monitors will confirm that in most cases, existing ventilation is sufficient.

The Department will also provide new guidance on how to better manage ventilation, including how using CO₂ monitors can help.

The majority of the 300,000 carbon dioxide monitors will become available over the autumn term, with special schools and alternative provision prioritised to receive their full allocation from September.

Citizenship education has been part of the National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 since 2002. The subject aims to prepare pupils to play a full and active part in society and covers topics such as parliamentary democracy, the key elements of the constitution of the United Kingdom, the power of Government and how citizens and Parliament hold it to account. Pupils are also taught about the different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom and how citizens can take part in democratic processes, including by voting, to influence decisions.

As part of the personal development judgment within school inspections, Ofsted is required to consider pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Inspection of personal development includes areas such as democracy and preparing pupils for life in modern Britain, which are important elements of citizenship. This approach enables important aspects of citizenship to be considered in a proportionate and integrated way.

The Department does not provide a national curriculum beyond Key Stage 4. Further education (FE) colleges have the flexibility to offer aspects of citizenship education if it is in the best interest of their students.

As part of 16-19 study programmes, FE colleges can offer a qualification regulated by Ofqual, with a small number of citizenship qualifications at level 2 and below being eligible to receive public funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Also, as part of 16-19 study programmes, students are expected to take part in meaningful non-qualification activities that develop their character, broader skills, attitudes, and confidence.

This has been a difficult and uncertain time for students, however, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and I have continued to work closely with higher education representative bodies, mission groups and the regulator throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. The government’s clear and stated expectation throughout the COVID-19 outbreak is that universities are expected to maintain quality and academic standards and the quantity of tuition should not drop.

The higher education regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS), has also made it clear that all higher education providers must comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards. This means ensuring that courses provide a high-quality academic experience, students are supported and achieve good outcomes, and standards are protected, regardless of whether a provider is delivering its courses through in-person teaching, remote online learning, or a combination of both.

The OfS has and continues to take very seriously the potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on teaching and learning. It has actively monitored providers to ensure that they maintain the quality of their provision, that it is accessible for all, and that they have been clear in their communications with students about how arrangements for teaching and learning may change throughout the year. The OfS has also followed up directly with providers where they received notifications from students, parents or others raising concerns about the quality of teaching on offer.

If students have concerns about their tuition, there is a process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint.

Universities and other higher education providers are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees within maximum fee limits set by Regulations.

Ultimately, whether an individual student is entitled to a refund of their tuition fees depends on the specific contractual arrangements between the provider and student. Students do have consumer rights, and it is for them to decide whether to seek to exercise these.

Following the review into when the remaining higher education students can return to in-person teaching and learning, the government has announced that the remaining students should return to in-person teaching no earlier than 17 May 2021, alongside Step 3 of the roadmap. Students and institutions will be given at least a week’s notice of any further return in accordance with the timing of Step 3 of the roadmap.

The government roadmap is designed to maintain a cautious approach to the easing of restrictions to reduce public health risks and ensure that we can maintain progress towards full reopening. However, the government recognises the difficulties and disruption that this may cause for many students and their families and that is why the government is making a further £15 million of additional student hardship funding available for this academic year 2020/21. In total we have made an additional £85 million of funding available for student hardship.

We are supporting universities to provide regular twice weekly asymptomatic testing for all students and staff on-site and, from May, at home. This will help break chains of transmission of the virus.

Following the review into when the remaining higher education students can return to in-person teaching and learning, the government has announced that the remaining students should return to in-person teaching no earlier than 17 May 2021, alongside Step 3 of the roadmap. Students and institutions will be given at least a week’s notice of any further return in accordance with the timing of Step 3 of the roadmap.

The government roadmap is designed to maintain a cautious approach to the easing of restrictions to reduce public health risks and ensure that we can maintain progress towards full reopening. However, the government recognises the difficulties and disruption that this may cause for many students and their families and that is why the government is making a further £15 million of additional student hardship funding available for this academic year 2020/21. In total we have made an additional £85 million of funding available for student hardship.

We are supporting universities to provide regular twice weekly asymptomatic testing for all students and staff on-site and, from May, at home. This will help break chains of transmission of the virus.

This Government is committed to ensuring that all pupils receive a high-quality music education. The guidance for the full opening of schools for academic year 2020-21 makes clear that the curriculum should remain broad so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including the arts. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the majority of GCSE and A level students are expected to continue to study their examination subjects, including those who are due to take exams in music, to support them towards their preferred route to further study.

As there may be an additional risk of infection in environments where singing and the playing of wind or brass instruments takes place, the guidance sets out detailed advice on how schools can teach music safely.

In relation to risk assessments for rooms and equipment, the guidance includes advice on ventilation, room size and social distancing if teaching indoors, and how to use instruments and other equipment safely. This allows school leaders to make best use of their school estate and equipment so that all pupils can participate in music education.

In terms of wider support for music in schools, in January, the Department announced a further £80 million investment in Music Education Hubs for 2020-21 to ensure all children, whatever their background, have access to a high-quality music education. Music Education Hubs continue to provide a range of opportunities for young people, including whole class instrumental teaching, individual lessons, ensembles, choirs and more. Schools should work with their Hubs to ensure a quality music education for all pupils this year.

The Department also continues to support thousands of students to reach their full musical potential through the Music and Dance Scheme, with subsidised places at top music and dance schools across the country, and part time teaching at Centres for Advanced Training, all resuming this academic year.

This Government is committed to ensuring that all pupils receive a high-quality music education. The guidance for the full opening of schools for academic year 2020-21 makes clear that the curriculum should remain broad so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including the arts. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the majority of GCSE and A level students are expected to continue to study their examination subjects, including those who are due to take exams in music, to support them towards their preferred route to further study.

As there may be an additional risk of infection in environments where singing and the playing of wind or brass instruments takes place, the guidance sets out detailed advice on how schools can teach music safely.

In relation to risk assessments for rooms and equipment, the guidance includes advice on ventilation, room size and social distancing if teaching indoors, and how to use instruments and other equipment safely. This allows school leaders to make best use of their school estate and equipment so that all pupils can participate in music education.

In terms of wider support for music in schools, in January, the Department announced a further £80 million investment in Music Education Hubs for 2020-21 to ensure all children, whatever their background, have access to a high-quality music education. Music Education Hubs continue to provide a range of opportunities for young people, including whole class instrumental teaching, individual lessons, ensembles, choirs and more. Schools should work with their Hubs to ensure a quality music education for all pupils this year.

The Department also continues to support thousands of students to reach their full musical potential through the Music and Dance Scheme, with subsidised places at top music and dance schools across the country, and part time teaching at Centres for Advanced Training, all resuming this academic year.

The Department is committed to the continuation of high quality education for all pupils during this difficult time and expects all schools to have remote education contingency plans in place by the end of September. On 2 July, the Department published guidance that sets out what is expected from schools for their remote education provision. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#section-3-curriculum-behaviour-and-pastoral-support.

The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to children who would not otherwise have online access, as part of over £100 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care. The Department is supplementing this support by making an initial 150,000 laptops and tablets available to support disadvantaged children through this scheme. Devices will be available to schools so they may support the most disadvantaged pupils in year 3 to year 11 who would not otherwise have access to a device, and whose education is disrupted.

Schools will also be able to support disadvantaged children across all year groups who might be shielding at home on official or medical advice due to them or a close family a member of their household being clinically extremely vulnerable.

Where education is disrupted in hospital schools, they will be able to order devices for children in all year groups. Further education colleges registered to teach 14-16 year olds may also apply for devices for disadvantaged children in Key Stage 4. Schools and colleges will be able to lend and reallocate the devices between pupils as they see fit.

The Department for Transport has reviewed its annual leave policy against the legislation and is content that no change to existing policy is required. Employees of the department and its agencies are encouraged to use their annual leave allowance if possible, but may already carry over excess annual leave.

The department has issued advice to staff about annual leave arrangements, reflecting the recent legislation and guidance from Civil Service Employee Policy.

The Government is committed to going further and faster to tackle climate change, which is why we are developing a bold and ambitious Transport Decarbonisation Plan to achieve net zero emissions across all modes of transport. We published “Decarbonising Transport: Setting the Challenge” to kick start this work at the end of March and will publish the final plan before the end of this year.

No specific arrangements are in place for consultation between the department and the trade unions on sustainability issues, but sustainability issues may feature in the consultation and negotiation undertaken between the department and its recognised trade unions.

Information on all Government fleets is not held centrally and this response is for the Government Car Service fleet which operates as a division of the Department for Transport. The table indicates the material that the car bodies are manufactured from, also indicating if UK steel has been used.

*Jaguar Land Rover: British steel is used in mixed material bodies, and in components on all car lines.

51% of the GCS car fleet were built in the UK.

The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) prevents the carryover of untaken annual leave from one leave year to the next. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) policy does not. Specifically, HSE’s policy:

• Makes provision for an automatic carry-over of 10 days annual leave from one leave year into the next.
• Allows flexibilities to carry over more than the maximum 10 days in some circumstances, with senior manager agreement.

As a result, HSE has not needed to change its policy in response to the exception to the WTR which was introduced in March 2020, which allows allow carry-over of leave in response to the impacts of coronavirus.

Following the introduction of the Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, DWP revised its guidance on annual leave carry-over to ensure it is fully compliant with the Regulations. The new 2-year extension of carry-over limits is available to anyone who, for reasons related to the impact caused by COVID-19, cannot use their annual leave by their normal deadline.

The Department greatly values the contribution made by our employees, who have voluntarily postponed their leave to help out when our workloads have increased greatly over recent months. However, employees have been encouraged to use their leave where possible because it is important for their wellbeing that they do so, in order to have time away from work to rest

The Department is creating an Estates Carbon Management plan with prioritised impactful activities. The resulting activities are currently being incorporated into the department’s CSR20 bid to Treasury.

Should the Department’s CSR20 Estates Sustainability bid be successful with HM Treasury, the practicalities and impacts of the plans will be consulted upon with the Departmental Trades Union and our Sustainability Champions network.

In 2019/20, we set up an extensive network of Sustainability Champions, covering the majority of the estate and with over 600 volunteers. A programme of monthly campaigns was underway, although this is currently on-hold due to COVID-19.

We will continue to work with our Sustainability Champions by:

• Ensuring that there are regular campaigns addressing energy and water consumption, amongst the many other wider aspects of sustainability.
• Communicating new sustainability targets, when they are confirmed.
• Investigating how we can further utilise the Sustainability Champions to drive the Estates sustainability agenda.

DWP has performed well in reducing its carbon emissions to date. DWP recently submitted its annual Greening Government Commitments (GGC) return for 2019/20. Our analysis shows that we have exceeded our carbon targets for 2019/20.

DWP Estates are developing the Estates Carbon Management Plan, which makes reference to the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, as well as the UK’s commitment to Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and the UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Framework. The Carbon Management Plan utilises the OGP Net Zero Carbon tool, which DWP have been beta testing, to help determine prioritised impactful activities. These plans are currently being incorporated into the department’s CSR20 bid to Treasury. The plan includes recommendations to:

- Improve the operational performance of our estate;

- Invest in our estate to improve energy efficiency;

- Ensure we lease highly energy efficient buildings for our long term estate;

- Ensure that energy efficiency standards are adhered to when we refurbish or fit out buildings.

It is by implementing this Carbon Management Plan that we propose to meet the forthcoming new Greening Government Commitments targets, and in doing so meet the 2032 target to halve direct emissions on the public estate. This will also position the Department on the correct pathway towards the Net Zero Carbon 2050 target.

It should be noted that, as a result of COVID-19, we are looking to lease additional estate capacity for the additional coach recruitment announced by the Chancellor. This will inevitably lead to a short-term increase in overall carbon emissions across the Estate during the period of these leases. However, the lease commitments for these additional properties will be short term (typically less than 3 years) and the Department is committed to implementing measures to reduce the carbon emissions within its longer-term property portfolio.

The Department is committed to supporting the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) targets of 25% of its fleet to be electric vehicles (EV) by 2022 and 100% by 2030. Prior to COVID-19, plans were in place to start implementation this year. We are now reviewing the impact of COVID-19 on our plans.

The Government launched the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance scheme on 20 May 2020. The £60,000 payment it provides is tax-free and aims to provide a substantial level of financial security to the families of health and social care workers who die from coronavirus. Benefits from the scheme are payable in addition to additional survivor benefits individuals may have purchased, such as those provided by the NHS Pension Scheme.

A key principle is that Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits should only go to people who do not have assets available to meet their basic needs. This is to ensure that we can maintain our focus on getting money to families who most need it.

As the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance scheme is non-contributory and taxpayer funded, payments are factored into means-testing to ensure fairness and affordability for the public purse.

Jobcentres have remained open to support our most vulnerable claimants throughout this health emergency, in accordance with PHE and Devolved Government guidelines on social distancing. By implementing safety measures across our Jobcentres we can provide face-to-face support to any claimant who needs it.

We have secured tens of millions of additional blood tubes, including importing additional supplies from the European Union and the United States of America which are now in use and there continues to be stock in place to ensure clinically urgent testing continues. The Department is working closely with NHS England, the devolved administrations and the National Health Service to minimise any impact on patient care and return to a normal service as soon as possible.

We have recently invited the Competition and Market Authority to conduct a review into pricing and standards in the market for international travel tests. The cost of NHS Test and Trace tests for international arrivals has been reduced from £88 to £68 for fully vaccinated travellers from ‘green’ or ‘amber’ list countries and from £170 to £136 for two tests for those who are not fully vaccinated arriving from ‘amber’ list countries. By the end of October, fully vaccinated passengers travelling from non ‘red’ list countries will also be able to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.

All polymerase chain reaction currently used by private providers have been independently assessed as effective. Private providers of COVID-19 tests are assessed individually and in order to become accredited, a provider must demonstrate that their test device has been independently verified to meet the required clinical performance standards. This evidence is scrutinised as part of their initial application and further verified in the laboratory before accreditation is granted to that provider.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) interim advice is that COVID-19 booster vaccines should first be offered to the most vulnerable. The JCVI advises a two staged approach, with individuals in stage one offered a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, as soon as possible from September. Individuals in stage two would be offered a booster vaccine as soon as practicable after stage one, with equal emphasis on deployment of the flu vaccine where eligible.

Final decisions on the timing, scope and eligibility will be confirmed once the JCVI has provided their final advice.

The reforms in the Health and Care Bill will support the National Health Service (NHS) to respond to challenges, both now and in the future, to tackle key issues such as patient waiting times.

The Department is unable to set a decisive timeframe for clearing the backlog for routine hospital treatment due to uncertainty around how many patients who did not seek treatment as a result of the pandemic will be coming forward and when.

The Department continues to support the NHS to step up activity as much as possible and tackle the backlog as a priority, with a particular focus on those who have been waiting the longest.

The Government continues to assess the evidence and keeps the guidance on wearing face coverings under review. We will take further action if needed.

For patients on immunosuppressive treatment such as anti-tumour necrosis factor medication, all vaccines should offer some level of protection. Post-vaccination testing may be considered, though it should be noted that low or absent antibody levels does not mean a vaccinated immunosuppressed patient has no protection.

As there is limited evidence on the immune response generated by COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised individuals, it is too early to assess what additional approaches, if any are needed to best support this group. The OCTAVE study will examine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in clinically at-risk groups. Results of the study are expected shortly.

Departmental officials have had regular discussions with officials at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

No impact assessment has been undertaken. Local authorities are responsible for their own parking criteria and make decisions on providing this free parking locally.

Departmental officials have had regular discussions with officials at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

No impact assessment has been undertaken. Local authorities are responsible for their own parking criteria and make decisions on providing this free parking locally.

We have no plans to do so.

The information requested is shown in the following table.

No recent assessment has been made.

The Department has made no assessment of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances since 31 March 2020.

The Department has made no assessment of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances since 31 March 2020.

There are currently no plans to prioritise students as a group. Students aged 18 years old or over will be prioritised on grounds of age in phase two of the COVID-19 vaccine programme if they have not been vaccinated as part of phase one.

Vaccination is not currently routinely recommended for those aged 16-17 years old and is not recommended for those under 16 years old except in specific limited circumstances. We are on track to offer a first dose of COVID-19 vaccination to all those aged 18 years old or over by 31 July.

The information is not available in the format requested. NHS Digital receives information on the prescribing of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia and without a diagnosis of psychosis. However, it does not include the location of those receiving the prescription and, therefore, cannot identify those in care homes.

Data on the number of health and social care staff who have not been vaccinated is not held centrally.

On 13 February we published the UK COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Plan, with the to increase the rate of vaccination amongst health and social care staff. Published data shows 79% of care home staff have received their first dose of the vaccine and the latest weekly data published on 15 April 2021 shows over half of National Health Service trust health care workers in the NHS Electronic Staff Record have received the second dose of their vaccine. The data is available at the following link:

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

Employers should consider how best to ensure those staff members and patients are safe. This could include measures such as the appropriate personal protective equipment is in place, infection control standards, appropriate training and that employees have an up to date risk assessment in place to identify their individual risks, taking into account latest Government and professional advice.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that the first priorities for the current COVID-19 vaccination programme should be the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection of health and social care staff and systems.  The JCVI recommend that within this group, priority should be given to frontline staff at high risk of acquiring infection, at high individual risk of developing serious disease and at risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff in a healthcare setting.

The Public Health England Green Book provides supportive guidance on the roles that may be considered as ‘frontline healthcare’ staff to prioritise as being at a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, or at risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff in a healthcare environment. The guidance provides advice on what roles may be considered which includes ‘non-clinical staff in secondary or primary care/community healthcare settings’, specifically non-clinical ancillary staff who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in patient care. Those staff will be prioritised if they are at a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 or at risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff.

From 2 December people should follow advise relevant to the Tier their area is in and some couples who live in separate households will be able to form a support bubble.

People do not need to socially distance from anyone they are in an established relationship with outdoors. If in the early stages of a relationship, particular care should be taken to follow the guidance on social distancing.

The Government will continue to review the measures and guidance, assessing them to ensure that they continue to be necessary and proportionate based on available scientific evidence.

Local providers have been asked to produce plans for how they will meet the key actions outlined in the phase 3 guidance issued by NHS England at the end of July. The ambition is to recover elective services in October to 90% of last year’s levels for admissions and 100% for outpatients. In September, the National Health Service carried out 80% of the planned hospital inpatient procedures which it delivered last year, as well as 96% of last year’s level of computerized tomography (CT) scans and 86% of MRI scans.

We will do everything possible to tackle waiting lists between now and winter, but this must be done in a safe and managed way ensuring that we maintain the capacity for any further surge in COVID-19 activity.

At the end of August 2020, there were 31,404 people on the elective waiting list for Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group.

It is our priority to ensure that everyone receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This includes ensuring people are discharged safely from hospital to the most appropriate place, and they receive the care and support they need.

Building on the commitments of the Adult Social Care Winter Plan, we are working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the NHS to ensure that everyone due to be discharged to a care home has an up-to-date COVID-19 test result, with anyone who is COVID-positive being discharged to a setting that the CQC has assured is able to provide care and support for people who are COVID-positive.

Ministers regularly meet adult social care sector organisers including provider representatives and providers themselves to discuss current issues including the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.

Decisions on commissioning and provider occupancy rates are a matter for individual local authorities, who have a duty to ensure a sustainable and high quality adult social care market in their areas. We have now made £3.7 billion available to local authorities so they can address pressures on local services caused by the pandemic, including declines in occupancy in care homes.

The Department runs a consultation if there is either a statutory duty to consult or a common law duty (a duty established by case law) to consult. It follows the Cabinet Office Guidance on Consultation and also guidance on GOV.UK on writing and launching a consultation. There is no set length of time that a consultation should run for, but most run for 12 weeks. The Cabinet Office’s consultation principles recommend a ‘proportionate amount of time’.

A list of consultations held in the last 12 months is not held centrally and to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental support of advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) and committees and their respective functioning capacity, has been largely unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic and meetings have been successfully operating online. For example, of the 13 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) staff providing secretariat support to the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Commission on Human Medicines, only one was redeployed to the COVID-19 taskforce. Similarly, out of four staff supporting the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards, one was seconded to the taskforce but the vacancy has since been filled.

With regard to expert/advisory committees, these operate like ANDPBs but as part of the Department, with some sponsored through Public Health England or the MHRA. Dedicated secretariat support ranges from one full time equivalent (FTE), such as the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO), up to nine FTE, such as the UK National Screening Committee. Their functioning capacity and Departmental support has been largely unaffected. Meetings have generally continued after a short pause, and in some cases meeting frequency has increased, such as with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, SaBTO, and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group.

An exception is the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling. It is now supported by nine analysts due to evolving from a planning and preparedness advisory committee that met three to four times a year, to a fully operational subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies that meets at least weekly, with additional specialised subgroups of its own.

Departmental support of advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) and committees and their respective functioning capacity, has been largely unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic and meetings have been successfully operating online. For example, of the 13 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) staff providing secretariat support to the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Commission on Human Medicines, only one was redeployed to the COVID-19 taskforce. Similarly, out of four staff supporting the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards, one was seconded to the taskforce but the vacancy has since been filled.

With regard to expert/advisory committees, these operate like ANDPBs but as part of the Department, with some sponsored through Public Health England or the MHRA. Dedicated secretariat support ranges from one full time equivalent (FTE), such as the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO), up to nine FTE, such as the UK National Screening Committee. Their functioning capacity and Departmental support has been largely unaffected. Meetings have generally continued after a short pause, and in some cases meeting frequency has increased, such as with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, SaBTO, and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group.

An exception is the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling. It is now supported by nine analysts due to evolving from a planning and preparedness advisory committee that met three to four times a year, to a fully operational subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies that meets at least weekly, with additional specialised subgroups of its own.

Information on the Department’s advisory non-departmental public bodies and advisory committees can be found on GOV.UK.

The Department has representatives on all committees, and officials regularly attend committee meetings. Chairs have regular appraisals and report to a Senior Departmental Sponsor. The Department provides secretariat either directly or through Public Health England or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Each body publishes details of its role, with meeting minutes and annual reports, under their appropriate listing on GOV.UK. Reports of external reviews are also published. Those groups that do not publish minutes, such as the NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration (UK), do so on the grounds that it might prejudice further discussions with stakeholders.

Information on the Department’s advisory non-departmental public bodies and advisory committees can be found on GOV.UK.

The Department has representatives on all committees, and officials regularly attend committee meetings. Chairs have regular appraisals and report to a Senior Departmental Sponsor. The Department provides secretariat either directly or through Public Health England or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Each body publishes details of its role, with meeting minutes and annual reports, under their appropriate listing on GOV.UK. Reports of external reviews are also published. Those groups that do not publish minutes, such as the NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration (UK), do so on the grounds that it might prejudice further discussions with stakeholders.

Information on the Department’s advisory non-departmental public bodies and advisory committees can be found on GOV.UK.

The Department has representatives on all committees, and officials regularly attend committee meetings. Chairs have regular appraisals and report to a Senior Departmental Sponsor. The Department provides secretariat either directly or through Public Health England or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Each body publishes details of its role, with meeting minutes and annual reports, under their appropriate listing on GOV.UK. Reports of external reviews are also published. Those groups that do not publish minutes, such as the NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration (UK), do so on the grounds that it might prejudice further discussions with stakeholders.

We are grateful for everything that Shared Lives carers do and the compassion and dedication they show in providing care and support to thousands of people.

We understand that many Shared Lives carers have seen their usual pattern of providing care change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and have shown flexibility and resilience in responding to this situation.

The £546 million extension of the Infection Control Fund which came into place in October contains £126.8 million in support for community care providers. This includes Shared Lives services which are providing Care Quality Commission-regulated personal care.

Our aim is to ensure carers feel supported the Department has worked with Shared Lives Plus and local government during the pandemic to ensure that local commissioners can take appropriate action to support Shared Lives carers during this time.

The Government is committed to supporting the adult social care system in the face of the pressures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have now made £3.7 billion available to local authorities so they can address pressures on local services caused by the pandemic, including in adult social care.

In September we announced £546 million of additional funding to extend the Infection Control Fund to March 2021. This extension means we have now ringfenced over £1.1 billion to support social care providers with COVID-19 costs. The Government will continue to monitor the pressures on adult social care during this period and keep future funding under review.

The Government is committed to improving the safety of cosmetic procedures and the Department is exploring the regulation of premises, practitioners, products and consumer safeguards. This includes an assessment of the regulation and qualifications of practitioners in the aesthetics sector.

The Government expects providers to have the requisite knowledge and skills to safely deliver the treatments they offer. Providers of aesthetic services should ensure they have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with Health and Safety legislation and the Government’s published guidance on close contact services.

The Government supports the principle of increased protection for children and young people and is exploring the legal implications and potential impacts of introducing age restrictions for some non-surgical procedures.

The Government is committed to improving the safety of cosmetic procedures and the Department is exploring the regulation of premises, practitioners, products and consumer safeguards. This includes an assessment of the regulation and qualifications of practitioners in the aesthetics sector.

The Government expects providers to have the requisite knowledge and skills to safely deliver the treatments they offer. Providers of aesthetic services should ensure they have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with Health and Safety legislation and the Government’s published guidance on close contact services.

The Government supports the principle of increased protection for children and young people and is exploring the legal implications and potential impacts of introducing age restrictions for some non-surgical procedures.

With negotiations with the European Union ongoing, the Government is committed to achieving a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU by December 2020 that ensures zero tariffs and zero quotas on United Kingdom-EU trade. However, if no FTA is agreed then the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will apply to imports from the EU.

As part of the UKGT, the Government is dropping tariffs to zero across a wide range of products which are used in UK production, reducing the cost pressures of inputs into UK manufacturing.

With negotiations with the European Union ongoing, the Government is committed to achieving a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU by December 2020 that ensures zero tariffs and zero quotas on United Kingdom-EU trade. However, if no FTA is agreed then the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will apply to imports from the EU.

As part of the UKGT, the Government is dropping tariffs to zero across a wide range of products which are used in UK production, reducing the cost pressures of inputs into UK manufacturing.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care confirmed on 10 March 2020, Official Report, column 135, that the public health grant will increase in real terms in 2020/21 so local authorities can continue to invest in prevention and essential frontline health services. Individual allocations will be confirmed shortly.

HMRC cannot provide an estimate for the number of people subject to the Loan Charge who have been declared bankrupt. There are many reasons why someone may be declared bankrupt. Moreover, HMRC are not always the only creditor; some individuals may be declared bankrupt as a result of a non-HMRC debt and some individuals may choose to enter insolvency themselves based on their overall financial position.

HMRC only ever consider insolvency as a last resort and encourage taxpayers to get in contact to agree the best way to settle their tax debts. Anyone who is worried about being able to pay what they owe is encouraged to get in touch with HMRC as soon as possible on 03000 599110.

The Government and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are committed to continuing to tackle promoters and operators of tax avoidance schemes. This includes challenging the entities and individuals who promote disguised remuneration loan schemes.

On 19 March 2020, HMRC published their strategy for tackling promoters of tax avoidance schemes. The strategy sets out HMRC’s work to date and outlines how HMRC will continue to take robust action against promoters of tax avoidance. The Promoter Strategy is available on GOV.UK. HMRC consulted on a package of measures to tackle promoters of tax avoidance schemes over Summer 2020.

On 12 November 2020, the Government announced further proposals to tackle promoters, which it will consult on this spring. Umbrella companies advising individuals to use disguised remuneration tax avoidance schemes are within the scope of the legislation that applies to promoters and others who facilitate tax avoidance. Where appropriate, they are subject to the range of measures laid out in HMRC’s strategy for tackling promoters of tax avoidance schemes.

The UK is a world leader in tackling climate change, becoming the first major economy in the world to legislate to end its contribution to global warming by 2050.

The Treasury has a robust process for assessing the impact of spending decisions on achieving our environmental goals. Our world-leading Green Book mandates the consideration of climate and environmental impacts in spending.

Under the policy partnership between HMT and HMRC the two departments collaborate closely on areas of tax policy, including where this relates to the environment. We also engage regularly with a wide range of stakeholders outside the Government on these issues.

The business grant funds, including the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund, were primarily intended to support small businesses which faced high fixed property-related costs during the strict lockdown period, when consumer footfall was dramatically reduced. As most businesses in most areas are now able to reopen, it is right that we wind up the grant schemes, all of which closed to new applicants on 28 August. The Government continues to review the economic situation and consider what support businesses need. However, there are currently no plans to make further support available through the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund.

We do recognise that businesses which are forced to totally close for a substantial period in local lockdowns are likely to require additional support, which is why on 9 September the Government announced a new Local Lockdown Grant Fund, to enable Local Authorities to provide business properties which are required to shut due to nationally-imposed local lockdowns with grants of up to £1,500 for each three week closure period.

Businesses can still access a range of other support from the Government, including the furlough scheme which remains open, and Bounce Back Loans. In addition, all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have had their business rates cancelled in full for the entire year.

HMRC have a range of processes and checks built into the running of the tax system, which ensures the accuracy of their taxpayer information. To support the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) a number of additional processes and checks have been introduced to ensure the correct eligibility decisions have been reached, based on the information available, and HMRC have also undertaken a number of manual reviews to cross-check the information held on the taxpayer’s self-assessment account.

The Government has introduced a comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses to help combat the impact of COVID-19. For the self-employed and sole traders, the Government introduced the SEISS, which has received more than 2.6 million claims worth over £7.6bn. The Government will continue its support for millions of self-employed individuals through the SEISS extension. An initial taxable grant will be provided to cover three months’ worth of profits for the period from November to the end of January 2021. This is worth 20% of average monthly profits, up to £1,875.

For those ineligible for the SEISS, the Government has increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and relaxed the Minimum Income Floor for the duration of the crisis meaning that if self-employed claimants’ earnings have significantly reduced, their Universal Credit award will now increase to reflect their lower earnings. In addition to this they also have access to other elements of the package which includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants.

The Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on sectors like public leisure. We are working intensively alongside the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport to understand the long-term challenges facing the sector.

The Treasury has already announced unprecedented support during this pandemic for individuals and businesses, to protect against the current economic climate; including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, bounce-back loans and a year-long business rates holiday for all eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Where eligible certain public leisure services may further have benefited from the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Fund; and the Discretionary Grant.

The Government has also provided a comprehensive package of support for councils to help with their response to Covid-19. Over £3.7bn in additional grant funding has been announced for councils in England, which can be used flexibly across all their services, including public gyms and leisure facilities. On 2nd July, the Government also announced an income guarantee scheme which will reimburse local councils for 75% of eligible irrecoverable income from sales, fees and charges, above 5% of planned income for 2020/21.

We will continue to monitor the impact of government support with regard to supporting public leisure as we respond to this pandemic.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has pledged a range of measures to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and relief from business rates worth more than £300 billion.

To support over 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs following the lifting of the Covid-19 lockdown, the Government will temporarily apply a reduced rate of VAT (5%) to tourist attractions and goods and services provided by the hospitality industry.

The Government has also announced a major £1.57 billion package to support key cultural organisations during this crisis. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of sectors, including performing arts and theatres, museums and galleries, heritage sites, live music venues and independent cinema.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has provided guidance to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs), to support the safe resumption of prevention activities, including Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs)

FRSs will adopt a risk- based approach to HFSVs to avoid the spread of Covid-19 to vulnerable groups and to protect staff, while continuing to deliver their statutory duty of promoting fire safety. The NFCC guidance provides factors that FRSs should consider when working in the home setting. The guidance is available on the NFCC website: https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/COVID-19/prevention/Strategic_Intention_COVID-19_Prevention.pdf

During the pandemic the Home Office has continued to collaborate with the NFCC through the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of pertinent fire safety messages. Campaign materials were developed and made available online and to fire and rescue services to support local interventions addressing specific and topical issues.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has provided guidance to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs), to support the safe resumption of prevention activities, including Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs)

FRSs will adopt a risk- based approach to HFSVs to avoid the spread of Covid-19 to vulnerable groups and to protect staff, while continuing to deliver their statutory duty of promoting fire safety. The NFCC guidance provides factors that FRSs should consider when working in the home setting. The guidance is available on the NFCC website: https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/COVID-19/prevention/Strategic_Intention_COVID-19_Prevention.pdf

During the pandemic the Home Office has continued to collaborate with the NFCC through the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of pertinent fire safety messages. Campaign materials were developed and made available online and to fire and rescue services to support local interventions addressing specific and topical issues.

Information on the amount of compensation claims made, processed and how much compensation each claimant has received, is available to view on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-august-2020.

The data will be updated on the 28^th September 2020 and cover the period up to 31^st August 2020. In relation to the average time taken from a claim being made to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and a payment being made, we are processing claims as quickly as possible – this is our absolute priority.

We are making interim payments where parts of a claim can be resolved more easily and quickly than others. But this is not a one size fits all compensation scheme. Each person’s claim is deeply personal and requires detailed consideration to understand their individual circumstances and experiences.

Some claims are more complex than others and it is right we take the time to ensure each one is considered carefully. We want each person to get the maximum compensation to which they are entitled and we will work with individuals on their claims accordingly. This holistic approach necessarily takes time but ultimately is beneficial to individuals.

Information on the amount of compensation claims made, processed and how much compensation each claimant has received, is available to view on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-august-2020.

The data will be updated on the 28^th September 2020 and cover the period up to 31^st August 2020. In relation to the average time taken from a claim being made to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and a payment being made, we are processing claims as quickly as possible – this is our absolute priority.

We are making interim payments where parts of a claim can be resolved more easily and quickly than others. But this is not a one size fits all compensation scheme. Each person’s claim is deeply personal and requires detailed consideration to understand their individual circumstances and experiences.

Some claims are more complex than others and it is right we take the time to ensure each one is considered carefully. We want each person to get the maximum compensation to which they are entitled and we will work with individuals on their claims accordingly. This holistic approach necessarily takes time but ultimately is beneficial to individuals.

Information on the amount of compensation claims made, processed and how much compensation each claimant has received, is available to view on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-august-2020.

The data will be updated on the 28^th September 2020 and cover the period up to 31^st August 2020. In relation to the average time taken from a claim being made to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and a payment being made, we are processing claims as quickly as possible – this is our absolute priority.

We are making interim payments where parts of a claim can be resolved more easily and quickly than others. But this is not a one size fits all compensation scheme. Each person’s claim is deeply personal and requires detailed consideration to understand their individual circumstances and experiences.

Some claims are more complex than others and it is right we take the time to ensure each one is considered carefully. We want each person to get the maximum compensation to which they are entitled and we will work with individuals on their claims accordingly. This holistic approach necessarily takes time but ultimately is beneficial to individuals.

The Home Office does not publish data on how long it takes to make an initial decision on asylum applications or to carry out a substantive interview.

However, the Home Office does publish data on the number asylum applications awaiting an initial decision by duration. This data can be found at This data can be found at Asy_04 of the published Immigration Statistics:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-june-2020/list-of-tables

The Home Office are committed to ensuring asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay, individuals who need protection are granted asylum as soon as possible and can start to integrate and rebuild their lives, including those granted at appeal.

Whilst we take steps to increase capacity, with focus on process improvements, to deliver better quality decisions, more efficiently, we have moved away from the six-month service standard to concentrate on older claims, cases with acute vulnerability and those in receipt of the greatest level of support, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). Additionally, we are prioritising cases where an individual has already received a decision, but a reconsideration is required. The intention is for this approach to bring balance back to the asylum system.

The Home Office routinely publishes information on the total number of initial decisions on asylum applications, by outcome. This data can be found at This data can be found at Asy_02a of the published Immigration Statistics:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-june-2020/list-of-tables

The Government recognises that there has been market disruption. That is why on 31 July a two-month extension was announced to the Help To Buy building completion deadline from 31 December 2020 to 28 February 2021. The legal completion deadline for the purchase remains 31 March 2021. However, the Government also announced some additional flexibility to protect existing reservations made before 30 June 2020. These sales, by agreement with Homes England, must reach practical completion by 30 April 2021 and legal completion no later than 31 May 2021. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/help-to-buy-scheme-extended . There are no plans to extend the current Help to Buy scheme beyond 31 March 2021 and a new two-year Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme for first time buyers commences on 1 April 2021. More information on the new scheme can be found at: https://www.helptobuy.gov.uk/equity-loan/help-to-buy-equity-loan-2021-2023/ .

The department has not made an assessment of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in urban centres. However, we have given local authorities strong powers to regulate standards in HMOs.

These powers include HMO licensing, penalties of up to £30,000 for breaches of the law, rent repayment orders and, for the worst offenders, banning orders.

Local authorities also have additional powers through the planning system to regulate the change of use of properties into HMOs. Any change of use from a dwelling-house to a larger HMO housing of more than six people requires an application for planning permission.

Permitted development rights, which are set at a national level, allow a dwelling-house to change use to an HMO for up to six people who share facilities, without the need for a planning application. This process enables the change of use without placing unnecessary burdens on landlords and local planning authorities and we have no current plans to change this.

However, where there is sufficient evidence that it is necessary to protect local amenities or the well-being of the area, local planning authorities may withdraw a permitted development right in a specific area using an Article 4 direction under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, after consultation with the local community.

The Government provided £4.3 billion to help councils to manage the impacts of COVID-19 which includes their work to support homeless people, £3.7 billion of which is unringfenced, and £600 million to support social care. The Government provided a further £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to support vulnerable rough sleepers.

On 18 July, the Government launched the Next Steps Accommodation Programme, inviting bids for additional funding in 2020/2021 to pay for immediate?support?to ensure that people housed during the pandemic do not return to the streets,?and to?deliver longer-term move-on accommodation.

On 17 September we announced allocations of £91.5 million from the Next Steps Accommodation Programme to 274 councils in England to help vulnerable people housed during the pandemic. An additional £13.5 million will be used to enable local authorities to tackle new and emerging challenges over the winter. Applications for funding for the longer-term accommodation element of the Next Steps Accommodation Programme are currently being considered.

The Housing Act 2004 already gives powers to local authorities to regulate and enforce standards in the private rented sector. We added to these through the Housing and Planning Act 2016 when we introduced Rent Repayment Orders, Banning Orders and the database of rogue landlords. We also gave local authorities the power to serve financial penalties of up to £30,000, and they can keep the proceeds of this to pay for more targeted enforcement of standards in the worst properties.

So that local authorities can continue to apply these powers effectively, we are reviewing the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the tool used to assess hazards in rented homes. This will provide a future-proofed system that tackles the worst conditions, helping the most vulnerable people and delivering big savings to the NHS.

MHCLG is providing local authorities with an unprecedented package of support, including £3.7 billion of un-ringfenced grants. This direct?financial support ?the government has ?provided, is just part of a comprehensive package of support? which includes cashflow measures as well as grants and business rates reliefs for businesses. The Secretary of State for Communities has also announced a co-payment scheme to cover?irrecoverable losses in sales, fees and charges?income?in 20/21; such as revenue from cultural assets which have been depressed by the pandemic.

MHCLG is providing local authorities with an unprecedented package of support, including £3.7 billion of un-ringfenced grants. This direct?financial support ?the government has ?provided, is just part of a comprehensive package of support? which includes cashflow measures as well as grants and business rates reliefs for businesses. The Secretary of State for Communities has also announced a co-payment scheme to cover?irrecoverable losses in sales, fees and charges?income?in 20/21; such as revenue from cultural assets which have been depressed by the pandemic.

The Government is working hard to make sure that UK producers of steel have the best possible chance of competing for and winning contracts across all Government procurement

In 2019, BEIS published information from departments and their arm’s-length bodies on how much steel they have procured over the last financial year and how they have applied the steel procurement guidance.

All Government departments and arms-length bodies are required to consider socio-economic and environmental factors when procuring steel.

BEIS also published an update of the Steel Pipeline, signalling upcoming steel requirements for national infrastructure projects.

In December 2017 BEIS published independent research that identified high value market opportunities for UK steel producers, worth up to £3.8 billion a year by 2030. We are actively encouraging the UK steel sector to invest in their capacity and capability to enable them to grasp these opportunities.

The University and College Union (UCU) is not a recognised Trade Union by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). As such it is the responsibility of the private providers, who deliver education and recognise the UCU, to have discussions on the delivery of education during the Covid-19 recovery period. All providers are fully engaged in local risk assessments to ensure obligations are fulfilled to staff, department and children in custody, and the Youth Custody Service has liaised with Prospects with regard to their obligations on this basis.

With regards to risk assessments on delivering education, the teachers who provide education across the children and young people secure estate are protected by the Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure agreed between HMPPS and its recognised trade unions.

Additionally, HMPPS have consulted with recognised trade unions at both a local and national level on their Exceptional Delivery Models and risk readiness assessments. These assessments considered and encompassed staff working in educational settings, including staff not employed directly by HMPPS.

The University and College Union (UCU) is not a recognised Trade Union by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). As such it is the responsibility of the private providers, who deliver education and recognise the UCU, to have discussions on the delivery of education during the Covid-19 recovery period. All providers are fully engaged in local risk assessments to ensure obligations are fulfilled to staff, department and children in custody, and the Youth Custody Service has liaised with Prospects with regard to their obligations on this basis.

With regards to risk assessments on delivering education, the teachers who provide education across the children and young people secure estate are protected by the Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure agreed between HMPPS and its recognised trade unions.

Additionally, HMPPS have consulted with recognised trade unions at both a local and national level on their Exceptional Delivery Models and risk readiness assessments. These assessments considered and encompassed staff working in educational settings, including staff not employed directly by HMPPS.

The University and College Union (UCU) is not a recognised Trade Union by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). As such it is the responsibility of the private providers, who deliver education and recognise the UCU, to have discussions on the delivery of education during the Covid-19 recovery period. All providers are fully engaged in local risk assessments to ensure obligations are fulfilled to staff, department and children in custody, and the Youth Custody Service has liaised with Prospects with regard to their obligations on this basis.

With regards to risk assessments on delivering education, the teachers who provide education across the children and young people secure estate are protected by the Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure agreed between HMPPS and its recognised trade unions.

Additionally, HMPPS have consulted with recognised trade unions at both a local and national level on their Exceptional Delivery Models and risk readiness assessments. These assessments considered and encompassed staff working in educational settings, including staff not employed directly by HMPPS.

The University and College Union (UCU) is not a recognised Trade Union by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). As such it is the responsibility of the private providers, who deliver education and recognise the UCU, to have discussions on the delivery of education during the Covid-19 recovery period. All providers are fully engaged in local risk assessments to ensure obligations are fulfilled to staff, department and children in custody, and the Youth Custody Service has liaised with Prospects with regard to their obligations on this basis.

With regards to risk assessments on delivering education, the teachers who provide education across the children and young people secure estate are protected by the Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure agreed between HMPPS and its recognised trade unions.

Additionally, HMPPS have consulted with recognised trade unions at both a local and national level on their Exceptional Delivery Models and risk readiness assessments. These assessments considered and encompassed staff working in educational settings, including staff not employed directly by HMPPS.

We are very sensitive of the difficulties many children in custody will be having as a result of Covid-19, and the measures taken to protect children and staff.

There has been a focus on delivering essential activities (including regular phone calls, with additional free phone credits allocated). ‘SECURE STAIRS’ - the integrated framework of care jointly led by NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Youth Custody Service - has adapted its approach to meet the needs of children at this time, whilst adhering to physical distancing.

I am pleased that, following completion of ‘youth-specific’ Exceptional Delivery Models, ‘face to face’ education and visits are commencing this week at our public sector Young Offender Institutions, as part of Covid-19 recovery work.

The data for the overtime hours taken by staff as time off in lieu can only be obtained by disproportionate cost. We would have to look at each individual staff record for the past six months to obtain this level of information.

Table below shows the number of hours for which staff compensated with overtime payment in each of the last six months. Please note that this cost includes overtime hours completed for other establishments.

We are making special payments to all of our hard-working prison staff who are going above and beyond the call of duty during these exceptional times.

The data regarding the accumulated hours worked by staff as time off in lieu is not held centrally. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate as all individual staff records would need to be scrutinised.

The table below shows the number hours for which staff were paid overtime, or ‘Payment Plus’, in the last six months. Please note this cost includes overtime hours completed for other establishments.

We are making special payments to all of our hard-working prison staff who are going above and beyond the call of duty during these exceptional times.

Fewer than five staff at HMP Ranby were ordered by the Governor to extend their scheduled shifts in the last six months.

We cannot provide an exact figure where the true number falls between one and five. We believe that the release of some of this information would risk identification of the individuals concerned and it should not be assumed that the actual figure represented falls at any particular point within this scale; ‘five or fewer’ is used as a replacement value from which it would be difficult to isolate or extract any individual data.

Staff in minus hours of their contractual working hours will be asked or, when necessary if they refuse, be ordered to extend their shift when there is a need to maintain safe and decent regimes.

The number of full time equivalent band 3 prison officers at HMP Ranby as at 31 March 2020 was 204.1.

Governors now have the autonomy to determine staff numbers to best meet the needs of the prison, whilst keeping within the overall budgetary envelope. In August 2019, HMP Ranby had a significant increase in their band 3 prison officers, to help facilitate keyworker activity and improve safety and performance. The next HMPPS Workforce Bulletin can be accessed on this page when it is published on 20 August 2020 - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-offender-management-service-workforce-statistics.

The table below shows the overall staff salary costs and any additional payment awards made to staff at HMP Ranby in the last six months.

We are also making special payments to all of our hard-working prison staff who are going above and beyond the call of duty during these exceptional times.

There is an Exceptional Regime Management Plan (ERMP) at the prison. This was developed in consultation with Public Heath England at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The plan outlines a framework to assist with the delivery of services during the pandemic.