Peter Aldous

The Government intends to consult on proposals to strengthen the condition and increase the economic benefits to the UK in October. The response to the consultation will be published in line with the principles for consultation published by the Cabinet Office.

All UK fishing vessels are registered to UK companies (or individuals); the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) does not hold data relating to the degree of foreign investment or beneficial ownership of these companies or fishing opportunities associated with them. Therefore, it is not possible to provide data on landings, quota compliance or vessel numbers split between UK and foreign ownership. The economic link conditions apply to all UK fishing vessels and are enforced through conditions in the fishing licence to ensure that genuine benefits to the UK are realised by the whole fleet.

The licence condition relating to crewing is audited by the MMO through the requirement of a crew manifest detailing the names and addresses of all crew members. The condition requires residence in the UK and does not specifically relate to distance of residence from the coast.

During 2019 quota donations made though the economic link requirements were estimated to have a value of £2.1 million based on average first sale prices. The donated quota totalled 714 tonnes across the range of stocks as detailed in the table below. Donated quota is provided directly to the 10m and under fleet or traded by the MMO for more beneficial stocks for the 10m and under fleet as necessary. The MMO carries out a large number of trades each year through domestic and international swaps to ensure the most beneficial fishing opportunities for the fleet. Economic link related quota donations form part of the overall trading package along with multiple other sources of quota, so it is not possible to state the precise value of this component. For this reason the MMO uses the first sale value of donated quota to assess the economic link compliance.

All UK fishing vessels are registered to UK companies (or individuals); the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) does not hold data relating to the degree of foreign investment or beneficial ownership of these companies or fishing opportunities associated with them. Therefore, it is not possible to provide data on landings, quota compliance or vessel numbers split between UK and foreign ownership. The economic link conditions apply to all UK fishing vessels and are enforced through conditions in the fishing licence to ensure that genuine benefits to the UK are realised by the whole fleet.

The licence condition relating to crewing is audited by the MMO through the requirement of a crew manifest detailing the names and addresses of all crew members. The condition requires residence in the UK and does not specifically relate to distance of residence from the coast.

During 2019 quota donations made though the economic link requirements were estimated to have a value of £2.1 million based on average first sale prices. The donated quota totalled 714 tonnes across the range of stocks as detailed in the table below. Donated quota is provided directly to the 10m and under fleet or traded by the MMO for more beneficial stocks for the 10m and under fleet as necessary. The MMO carries out a large number of trades each year through domestic and international swaps to ensure the most beneficial fishing opportunities for the fleet. Economic link related quota donations form part of the overall trading package along with multiple other sources of quota, so it is not possible to state the precise value of this component. For this reason the MMO uses the first sale value of donated quota to assess the economic link compliance.

All UK fishing vessels are registered to UK companies (or individuals); the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) does not hold data relating to the degree of foreign investment or beneficial ownership of these companies or fishing opportunities associated with them. Therefore, it is not possible to provide data on landings, quota compliance or vessel numbers split between UK and foreign ownership. The economic link conditions apply to all UK fishing vessels and are enforced through conditions in the fishing licence to ensure that genuine benefits to the UK are realised by the whole fleet.

The licence condition relating to crewing is audited by the MMO through the requirement of a crew manifest detailing the names and addresses of all crew members. The condition requires residence in the UK and does not specifically relate to distance of residence from the coast.

During 2019 quota donations made though the economic link requirements were estimated to have a value of £2.1 million based on average first sale prices. The donated quota totalled 714 tonnes across the range of stocks as detailed in the table below. Donated quota is provided directly to the 10m and under fleet or traded by the MMO for more beneficial stocks for the 10m and under fleet as necessary. The MMO carries out a large number of trades each year through domestic and international swaps to ensure the most beneficial fishing opportunities for the fleet. Economic link related quota donations form part of the overall trading package along with multiple other sources of quota, so it is not possible to state the precise value of this component. For this reason the MMO uses the first sale value of donated quota to assess the economic link compliance.

All UK fishing vessels are registered to UK companies (or individuals); the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) does not hold data relating to the degree of foreign investment or beneficial ownership of these companies or fishing opportunities associated with them. Therefore, it is not possible to provide data on landings, quota compliance or vessel numbers split between UK and foreign ownership. The economic link conditions apply to all UK fishing vessels and are enforced through conditions in the fishing licence to ensure that genuine benefits to the UK are realised by the whole fleet.

The licence condition relating to crewing is audited by the MMO through the requirement of a crew manifest detailing the names and addresses of all crew members. The condition requires residence in the UK and does not specifically relate to distance of residence from the coast.

During 2019 quota donations made though the economic link requirements were estimated to have a value of £2.1 million based on average first sale prices. The donated quota totalled 714 tonnes across the range of stocks as detailed in the table below. Donated quota is provided directly to the 10m and under fleet or traded by the MMO for more beneficial stocks for the 10m and under fleet as necessary. The MMO carries out a large number of trades each year through domestic and international swaps to ensure the most beneficial fishing opportunities for the fleet. Economic link related quota donations form part of the overall trading package along with multiple other sources of quota, so it is not possible to state the precise value of this component. For this reason the MMO uses the first sale value of donated quota to assess the economic link compliance.

Changes to State Pension age were made over a series of Acts by successive governments from 1995 onwards; including the Coalition 2010-2015, Labour 1997-2010 and the Conservatives 1995-1997, following public consultations and extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament. Through the welfare system, the Government is committed to providing financial support for people at every stage of their life, including when they near or reach retirement.

Women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1953 were affected by State Pension age equalisation under the Pensions Act 1995. The Pensions Act 2011 accelerated the equalisation of State Pension age, and included transitional arrangements limiting State Pension age delays, affecting women born between 6 April 1953 and 5 December 1953. It also brought forward the increase in State Pension age from 65 to 66 which affected women born between 6 December 1953 and 5 April 1960.

The Department published estimates on the cost of reversing the women’s State Pension age to 60 and men’s State Pension age to 65 on the 7^th June 2019.

The publication shows the estimated cost of reversing women’s State Pension age back to 60 and men’s State Pension age back to 65 over the period 2010/11 to 2025/26, to be £181.4bn for women and £33.8bn for men with an overall cost estimate of £215.2bn.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/analysis-relating-to-state-pension-age-changes-from-the-1995-and-2011-pensions-acts/analysis-relating-to-state-pension-age-changes-from-the-1995-and-2011-pensions-acts

The Age Addition is paid to people who reached State Pension age prior to 6^th April 2016 when they claim their State Pension and attain 80 years of age. It is not payable to those people who reached State Pension age on or after 6^th April 2016.

In March 2019, the most recent date for which data are available, there were approximately 3.3m people in receipt of the payment, at a weekly cost of approximately £820,000.

Source: DWP Administrative data, March 2019

No assessment has been made of removing the 45% target.

However, an assessment has been made of the attainment of the 45% activity thresholds. These lower levels of activity support continued payment of full contractual value to National Health Service providers during the pandemic period, when infection control requirements necessarily restrict the numbers of patients that can be seen.

This assessment supported the recent increase in thresholds from 45% to 60%. Arrangements will continue to be monitored, with reduced clawback of contract payments between attainment levels of 36% to 60% and flexibility for NHS commissioners to make exceptions, for instance in cases where a dental practice has been impacted by staff being required to self-isolate.

NHS East of England are working with stakeholders to amend the Directory of Service to improve pathways for urgent patients to urgent dental centres and dental practices across the East of England. In addition, a web-based programme called ‘Service Finder’ has recently been launched which provides up-to-date information about services that are available locally to a potential patient. A Transformational Dental Strategy has also been developed in the East of England, the aim of which is to prioritise urgent care, prevention and inequalities. Plans to procure additional primary care dental services across Suffolk, Norfolk and Waveney are currently being reviewed.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are responsible for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet local need and the interim NHS People Plan commits to addressing shortages.

We are working both on improving career pathways and the current dental contract. In the summer, Health Education England will publish the report of their ‘Advancing Dental Care’ programme which has explored opportunities for flexible dental training pathways and the Department will publish a report on the learning from dental contract reform programme. NHS England and NHS Improvement have been asked to lead the next stage of dental contract reform to design implementable proposals taking the learning from reform programme into account.

National Health Service dentists have been asked to maximise safe throughput, focussing first on urgent care and vulnerable groups followed by overdue appointments. This has been underpinned, taking into account current infection prevention and control guidelines, by the requirement for dental providers to deliver 60% of normal activity volumes for the first six months of 2021/22 for full payment of the NHS contractual value.

Testing is available to all symptomatic people across the whole of the United Kingdom. Anyone with any of the three main coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and access a test as soon as possible, this includes those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable.

Where a person is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms but cannot order a test for themselves, there is the ability for a member of their family or community to order a test on their behalf. Should their condition worsen they should call 111, their own general practitioner or in the event of a medical emergency, 999.

HMRC are continuing to help businesses get determinations right. HMRC set up dedicated teams to provide education and support to all businesses, public bodies and charities affected by the off-payroll working reform. This includes topic-based webinars, workshops as well as targeted one-to-one calls with affected businesses.

This is further supported by updated off-payroll working guidance, online learning and attendance at stakeholder events.

HMRC have also outlined how they will support customers to comply with the changes to the off-payroll working rules: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-issue-briefing-supporting-organisations-to-comply-with-changes-to-the-off-payroll-working-rules-ir35.

HMRC developed the Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool to help organisations and individuals determine employment status for tax and decide whether the off-payroll working rules apply.

CEST is a free service which was developed working closely with tax specialists, contractors and other stakeholders. It was tested rigorously against known case law and settled cases, and HMRC stand by its results if the tool is used in accordance with HMRC's guidance.

The Government has also ensured there is a client-led status disagreement process where contractors and deemed employers can lodge a complaint, if they disagree on how a contractor has been categorised.

‘Mutuality of obligation’ (MoO) is a term often used to describe the basic obligations that exist between a hirer and a worker. These basic obligations are where the hirer is obliged to pay remuneration, of any kind, and the worker is obliged to provide their work or skill in return.

MoO is important because without it there can be no contract for the supply of a worker. CEST does account for MoO on these terms and is clear in guidance to users that it can only be used to determine employment status for tax where there is such a contract in place. CEST then considers this contract, testing the employment status factors, and determines whether the engagement is more likely to be employed or self-employed for Income Tax and National Insurance contributions purposes.

After receiving feedback during user testing, HMRC provided a link to guidance on MoO on CEST’s landing page to make this understanding clearer to users of the tool. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-status-manual/esm0543.

The Government does not have plans to rebase assets for the purposes of calculating CGT. Revaluation would be costly and burdensome for both individuals and the government, as a professional valuation of the assets in question would be necessary.

The police continue to apply the usual safeguarding and referral procedures, working in partnership with agencies such as social services and local authorities to support vulnerable children. This has not changed under the new social distancing measures. The National Police Chief’s Council and College of Policing have issued guidance to forces that specifically asks officers to consider safeguarding issues and ensure the child’s welfare.

We are working closely with domestic abuse organisations, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and police to monitor the impact of covid-19 on incidents of all forms of domestic abuse.

The Government has provided a £76?million package of support to ensure the most vulnerable in society including victims of domestic and sexual abuse, vulnerable children and victims of modern slavery get the support they need during the pandemic. This is in addition to £2m of funding announced by the Home Secretary to bolster support for helplines and web based services.

An awareness campaign has been launched to signpost victims of domestic abuse to appropriate support.

We are working closely with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, domestic abuse organisations, the police and the Department for Education to ensure that children affected by domestic abuse receive the support they need.

The police continue to attend incidents of domestic abuse and refer to children’s social care where they think necessary. Existing safeguarding advice continues to be applicable at this time. Any front line responder or public sector worker having concerns about a child with whom they come into contact should make a safeguarding referral to social services in the normal way for appropriate action.

We know that, for many vulnerable children, being in education is a protective factor from harm. We have therefore asked schools to remain open for children who are vulnerable, as well as for those children of workers critical to the COVID-19 response who absolutely need to attend. Vulnerable children includes those with a social worker, who have an education health and care (EHC) plan and who have been assessed as being otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities and who could therefore benefit from continued attendance. This might include children on the edge of receiving support from children’s social services or those living in temporary accommodation.

The Department for Education has also issued guidance?which is clear that schools and colleges should revise their child protection policies to reflect what arrangements are in place to keep children who are not physically attending the school or college, safe. This guidance is clear that all staff who interact with children, including online, should continue to look out for signs a child may be at risk and that where appropriate referrals should still be made to children’s social care, and as required, to the police.

The Government has provided additional funding for Operation Encompass which facilitates liaison on domestic abuse issues affecting children between police forces and schools. This is in addition to the £3.1m recently announced by the Home Office for the provision of specialist services for children affected by domestic abuse.

The Government has also made £1.6m of funding available immediately for the NSPCC to expand and promote its national helpline for adults. Expanding the helpline will mean that many more adults know how and where to raise concerns and seek advice or support about the safety and well-being of any children they are worried about. This is in addition to the £7m of funding for See, Hear, Respond, a new service which will provide targeted help to vulnerable children, young people and their families affected by COVID-19 and the measures put in place to stop its spread. The partnership of charities, led by Barnardo’s, will work alongside local authorities, schools and colleges, police forces, healthcare professionals and other vital services involved in protecting these children.

The landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, has now passed third reading, will help to better protect and support victims of domestic abuse and their children across the country.

Whether there will be another round of the Coastal Communities Fund or the Coastal Revival Fund is a matter for the next Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Government is committed to levelling up all parts of the UK. We published a prospectus at Budget for the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund which will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. In addition, as announced at Spending Review 2020, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to level up and create opportunity across the UK in places most in need, such as ex-industrial areas, deprived towns and rural and coastal communities, and for people who face labour market barriers. We will publish a UK-wide investment framework for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund later this year and confirm multiyear funding profiles at the next Spending Review.

The Government is supporting coastal communities to recover from the pandemic. On 20 March we announced a new £56 million Welcome Back Fund to support a safe and successful reopening of our high streets and seaside resorts, giving people the reassurance that they can shop and socialise in a COVID-secure way. This builds on the £50 million Reopening High Streets Safely Fund (RHSSF) announced on 25 May 2020, doubling local authority funding allocations and significantly increasing the scope of eligible activity.

This Government recognises the unique challenges facing coastal communities and is committed to levelling up all areas of the UK. However, whether there is another round of the Coastal Communities Fund is a matter for the comprehensive Spending Review.

This Government recognises the unique challenges facing coastal communities and is committed to levelling up all areas of the UK. However, whether there is another round of the Coastal Communities Fund is a matter for the comprehensive Spending Review.