Richard Fuller Portrait

Richard Fuller

Conservative - North East Bedfordshire

First elected: 12th December 2019


Co-operatives, Mutuals and Friendly Societies Bill
23rd Nov 2022 - 30th Nov 2022
UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [Lords]
16th Nov 2022 - 22nd Nov 2022
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Jul 2022 - 27th Oct 2022
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 25th Oct 2022
Business and Trade Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 25th Oct 2022
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill
1st Dec 2021 - 14th Dec 2021
Compensation (London Capital & Finance plc and Fraud Compensation Fund) Bill
8th Jun 2021 - 15th Jun 2021
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Regulatory Reform
12th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Business and Trade Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 17th Oct 2016
Regulatory Reform
3rd Dec 2012 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Richard Fuller has voted in 835 divisions, and 11 times against the majority of their Party.

24 Jun 2020 - Demonstrations (Abortion Clinics) - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Conservative No votes vs 56 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 213 Noes - 47
17 Jun 2020 - Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative Aye votes vs 283 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 31 Noes - 400
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
3 Nov 2021 - Committee on Standards - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 247 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 250 Noes - 232
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
22 Jun 2022 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Conservative No votes vs 106 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 70
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
30 Jan 2024 - Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting) - View Vote Context
Richard Fuller voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 9 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 1 Noes - 9
View All Richard Fuller Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lee Rowley (Conservative)
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
(32 debate interactions)
Andrew Griffith (Conservative)
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
(30 debate interactions)
James Murray (Labour (Co-op))
Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
(19 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
HM Treasury
(177 debate contributions)
Home Office
(105 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
UK Infrastructure Bank Act 2023
(6,350 words contributed)
Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
(5,807 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Richard Fuller's debates

North East Bedfordshire Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Richard Fuller has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Richard Fuller

Richard Fuller has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Richard Fuller, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Richard Fuller has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Richard Fuller

4 Bills introduced by Richard Fuller

Introduced: 24th October 2022

A Bill to reduce for a temporary period the amount of stamp duty land tax chargeable on the acquisition of residential property.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 8th February 2023 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to establish a closed season during which the killing or taking of hares is prohibited; to repeal the seasonal prohibition of the sale of hares in the Hares Preservation Act 1892; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 18th March 2022

A Bill to make provision about hare coursing offences; to increase penalties for such offences; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 16th June 2021

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the installation of closed circuit television in licensed Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles; to establish a minimum standard for such installations; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 29th October 2013

Richard Fuller has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
7th Dec 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the use of immigration detention for vulnerable women.

Under Home Office detention policy, people will only be detained for a reasonable period.

The dignity and welfare of detained individuals is of the utmost importance and we have policies and procedures in place to safeguard vulnerable people.

Where detention is necessary, we take into account any vulnerability concerns, and ensure that appropriate support is provided.

Laura Farris
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (jointly with Home Office)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Answers of 25 October 2023 to Question 203472 on Hare Coursing: Convictions and Prosecutions and 28 February 2018 to Question 129098 on Hare Coursing: Prosecutions, when the Crown Prosecution Service ceased maintaining a central record of the number of prosecutions for offences of hare coursing; and for what reason.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has never maintained a central record of the number of prosecutions specifically for offences of hare coursing and only holds data on the number of offences prosecuted under the Game Act 1831, the Night Poaching Act 1828 and the Hunting Act 2004, which all encompass hare coursing.

The CPS does not collect data that constitutes official statistics as defined in the Statistics and Registration Act 2007.

While the CPS does not centrally collate data showing the number of prosecutions involving hare coursing, management information data is available which shows the number of offences charged by way of the Game Act 1831, the Night Poaching Act 1928 and the Hunting Act 2004, in which a prosecution commenced. The table below shows the number of these offences recorded during each of the last three years.

Financial Year 2020-2021

Financial Year 2021-2022

Financial Year 2022-2023

Game Act 1831

53

121

67

Hunting Act 2004

28

86

82

Night Poaching Act 1828

21

28

40

Data Source: CPS Case Management System

It should be noted that the figures relate to the number of offences and not the number of individual defendants. It may be the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence. No data are held on the final outcome or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at finalisation.

The official statistics relating to crime and policing are maintained by the Home Office and the official statistics relating to sentencing, criminal court proceedings, offenders brought to justice, the courts and the judiciary are maintained by the Ministry of Justice.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
19th Oct 2023
To ask the Attorney General, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been relating to the offence of hare coursing in each year from 2016 to date.

Offences of hare coursing may be prosecuted using offences created by the Game Act 1831, the Night Poaching Act 1828 and the Hunting Act 2004.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of prosecutions for offences of hare coursing. This information could only be obtained by examining CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
14th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy for all Departments to publish a list of all their associated public bodies that have been delegated power to (a)make amend or revoke, (b) enforce and (c) monitor compliance with regulations.

The Cabinet Office publishes a list of public bodies classified as arm’s length bodies, the public bodies directory, which includes whether an organisation performs a regulatory function.

The arm’s length bodies which departments have flagged as performing a regulatory function through the most recent public bodies directory data collection are:

  • Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

  • Animal and Plant Health Agency

  • British Hallmarking Council

  • Care Quality Commission

  • Charity Commission for England & Wales

  • Civil Justice Council

  • Civil Service Commission

  • Coal Authority

  • Commission on Human Medicines

  • Competition and Markets Authority

  • Copyright Tribunal

  • Education and Skills Funding Agency

  • Environment Agency

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission

  • Food Standards Agency

  • Forestry Commision

  • Gambling Commission

  • Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority

  • Health and Safety Executive

  • Health Education England

  • Health Research Authority

  • Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

  • Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  • Human Tissue Authority

  • Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements

  • Independent Office for Police Conduct

  • Information Commissioner's Office

  • Insolvency Service

  • Legal Services Board

  • Marine Management Organisation

  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

  • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

  • Natural England

  • NHS Improvement (includes Monitor and TDA)

  • Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

  • Office for Environmental Protection

  • Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED)

  • Office for Students

  • Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)

  • Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL)

  • Office of Rail and Road

  • Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner

  • Oil and Gas Authority (now called the North Sea Transition Authority)

  • Parades Commission for Northern Ireland

  • Pensions Ombudsman

  • Planning Inspectorate

  • Regulator of Social Housing

  • School Teachers’ Review Body

  • Sea Fish Industry Authority

  • Security Industry Authority

  • Single Source Regulations Office

  • Small Business Commissioner

  • Social Work England

  • Sports Grounds Safety Authority

  • The Housing Ombudsman

  • The Pensions Regulator

  • The Statistics Board, publicly known as the UK Statistics Authority

  • Theatres Trust

  • Traffic Commissioners

  • Trinity House

  • UK Hydrographic Office

  • UK Space Agency

  • Valuation Tribunal for England

  • Valuation Tribunal Service

  • Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  • Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT)

14th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will provide a list of all public bodies that have been delegated powers to (a) make amend or revoke, (b) enforce and (c) monitor compliance with regulations.

The Cabinet Office publishes a list of public bodies classified as arm’s length bodies, the public bodies directory, which includes whether an organisation performs a regulatory function.

The arm’s length bodies which departments have flagged as performing a regulatory function through the most recent public bodies directory data collection are:

  • Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

  • Animal and Plant Health Agency

  • British Hallmarking Council

  • Care Quality Commission

  • Charity Commission for England & Wales

  • Civil Justice Council

  • Civil Service Commission

  • Coal Authority

  • Commission on Human Medicines

  • Competition and Markets Authority

  • Copyright Tribunal

  • Education and Skills Funding Agency

  • Environment Agency

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission

  • Food Standards Agency

  • Forestry Commision

  • Gambling Commission

  • Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority

  • Health and Safety Executive

  • Health Education England

  • Health Research Authority

  • Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

  • Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  • Human Tissue Authority

  • Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements

  • Independent Office for Police Conduct

  • Information Commissioner's Office

  • Insolvency Service

  • Legal Services Board

  • Marine Management Organisation

  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

  • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

  • Natural England

  • NHS Improvement (includes Monitor and TDA)

  • Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

  • Office for Environmental Protection

  • Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED)

  • Office for Students

  • Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)

  • Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL)

  • Office of Rail and Road

  • Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner

  • Oil and Gas Authority (now called the North Sea Transition Authority)

  • Parades Commission for Northern Ireland

  • Pensions Ombudsman

  • Planning Inspectorate

  • Regulator of Social Housing

  • School Teachers’ Review Body

  • Sea Fish Industry Authority

  • Security Industry Authority

  • Single Source Regulations Office

  • Small Business Commissioner

  • Social Work England

  • Sports Grounds Safety Authority

  • The Housing Ombudsman

  • The Pensions Regulator

  • The Statistics Board, publicly known as the UK Statistics Authority

  • Theatres Trust

  • Traffic Commissioners

  • Trinity House

  • UK Hydrographic Office

  • UK Space Agency

  • Valuation Tribunal for England

  • Valuation Tribunal Service

  • Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  • Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT)

2nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the timeliness of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in responding to correspondence from hon. and Rt hon. members.

The Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office provides administrative support to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) including processing correspondence to the Committee from members of the public and Hon. and Rt Hon. members.

The department has guidelines on dealing with correspondence and endeavours to process correspondence as promptly as possible within these guidelines.

21st Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment has been made of the (a) effectiveness of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), (b) quality of PHSO customer service and (c) PHSO responsiveness to enquiries from hon. Members.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a crown servant that reports directly to Parliament. The Ombudsman is not accountable to the government for its performance and sets its own standards for how it delivers its objectives. Further to this, the Honourable Member may wish to write to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee that acts as the scrutiny body for the Ombu

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the infected blood compensation framework report by Sir Robert Francis QC by 14 March 2022 or as soon as his Department receives it, whichever is earlier.

The study will report to the Paymaster General no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry. The Government's response and Sir Robert's study will be published.

6th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential contribution of rooftop solar energy to the Government's net zero targets; and whether her Department plans to require a certain proportion of solar energy to be delivered through rooftop solar.

As set out in the Powering Up Britain Energy Security Plan, the Government is aiming for 70 gigawatts of ground and rooftop solar capacity together by 2035. Maximising deployment of both types of solar is important to achieve this target. Rooftop solar is a key priority for the Government and is one of the most popular and easily deployed renewable energy sources.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve the availability of smart meters for properties which are unable to connect to the Wide Area Network.

Today, the Data Communications Company (DCC) provides Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage for smart meters to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain.

The DCC also has license obligations to explore solutions for increasing WAN coverage even further. DCC is currently developing a business case exploring such solutions, including an option for using already available internet-connected Consumer Access Devices to provide smart services. The consumer would need to have their own broadband connection and be prepared to enable the Consumer Access Device to utilise it. The Department expects to receive initial proposals from DCC shortly for review.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on considering options for a social tariff as part of wider retail energy market reforms; and whether he has plans for consultation on the options.

The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024, including options such as social tariffs, as part of wider retail market reforms.

Officials are considering the options and proactively discussing these with stakeholders.

As set out in the Energy Security Plan, the Government intends to consult in Summer 2023 on options for a new approach to consumer protection in the energy markets from April 2024 onwards.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to take steps to alter the Grade E Energy Performance Certificate minimum requirement to Grade C under the provisions of the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of supporting landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their tenant's home in an economically effective way.

The Government remains committed to the aspiration, set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, that as many homes as possible are improved to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2035, and as many private rental homes as possible by 2030 where practical, affordable and cost effective. The Government recently consulted on improving the energy performance in private rented homes to EPC Band C by 2028 and will publish a response in due course.

The Government recognises that financial support may be needed, in particular where poorer performing homes are occupied by lower income and fuel poor tenants. Therefore the Government has a number of schemes available including the Sustainable Warmth project, which comprises a third phase of the Local Authority Delivery scheme, as well as the first phase of the Home Upgrade Grant, which can be used for low-income households both on and off the gas grid. In summer this year, the Government consulted on the next iteration of the Energy Company Obligation scheme, ECO4, which will run from 2022-26 and will be worth £1 billion per year. The Government continues to support low-income households in private rented sector properties, subject to householder eligibility requirements.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of intelligent electrical heating on the effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificate gradings.

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is used to assess the energy performance of homes. It produces an annual estimate of a dwelling’s energy consumption, running cost and carbon emissions and these calculations form the basis of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). At present, we do not have a standard way of reflecting intelligent electric heating systems in SAP, so they are treated the same way as normal electric heating systems when calculating an EPC. The Department will consider how to better reflect the impact of intelligent electrical heating for the next version of SAP, SAP 11.

5th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to costs to private rented properties for achieving grade C on their Energy Performance Certificates, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of staging that progress in line with economic returns of private rented properties.

The consultation on improving the energy performance of the privately rental homes to EPC band C is open until 30 December 2020. As part of the consultation we are seeking views on affordability and are inviting stakeholders to submit relevant evidence. The Government will set out its response following the closure of the consultation.

21st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support off grid homes in rural areas decarbonise their home heating.

As stated in the Clean Growth Strategy (2017), the Government is committed to ‘phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating in homes not connected to the gas grid, starting with new homes, during the 2020s.’ The first part of this commitment, to decarbonise?new homes, is being met through the Future Home Standard, on which government consulted earlier this year. The Future Homes Standard will require new build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency, and is set to be introduced in 2025. We are developing proposals for phasing out fossil fuel heating in existing homes in off-gas-grid areas and will be consulting on them in due course.

Additionally, we are providing financial support to help decarbonise homes of the gas grid. This is being done through:

  • The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – a support scheme for low carbon heat installations in domestic buildings that will remain open to new applicants until March 2022. As of July 2020, the domestic RHI has supported around 80,300 homes make the transition to low carbon heat.
  • The Green Homes Grant – a government-funded voucher scheme launched in September 2020 to help consumers install energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures in their homes. This is available for domestic buildings in England, including rural properties, until March 2021. Under this new scheme, the government will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements for over 600,000 homes.

Further support will be provided from 2022 to 2024 through the Clean Heat Grant scheme. This will provide financial support to help consumers and small businesses transition to low carbon heating through the installation of heat pumps?and, in limited circumstances, biomass.

21st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what comparative assessment he has made of the average cost for an (a) off grid rural home and (b) urban home to meet average energy efficiency standards.

In the Clean Growth Strategy, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy stated the aspiration for as many homes as possible to be EPC Band C by 2035 where practical, cost-effective and affordable. As a result, it focusses its analysis on the cost of bringing homes up to this standard, rather than the current stock average. The recent PRS Regulations Consultation stage Impact Assessment shows the expected cost of upgrading rented homes up to EPC band C under different cost cap scenarios (table 12). It also shows costs assumptions for energy efficiency and heating systems (Tables 31-32).

10th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the coronavirus local authority discretionary grants scheme, how many local authorities added additional eligibility criteria to the scheme.

The Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) announced on 1 May was established to support certain small businesses not liable for business rates or rates reliefs and therefore out of scope of the main Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF) schemes. The department asked local authorities to prioritise certain types of businesses through the LADGF, but we also allowed them the discretion to add additional local eligibility criteria according to local economic need. We do not receive management information from local authorities on local scheme eligibility criteria over the lifetime of the LADGF.

16th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many landlords have registered an exemption from having to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards.

As of 1 July 2020, 9580 exemptions had been registered on the Private Rented Sector Exemptions Register. Of these, 9269 were for domestic properties and 311 for non-domestic properties.

1st Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to implement the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) proposed reforms to the statutory audit market published on 18 April 2019.

The Government supports effective and proportionate action to address key issues in the audit market, including the lack of competition and resilience, misaligned incentives, and a lack of public trust.

The Government has analysed the responses to the 2019 Government consultation on the CMA’s study and we intend to set out our comprehensive proposals in response to that consultation in the coming months, seeking views on them where the Government have not already done so. We will then consider bringing forward legislation in due course.

1st Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his timescale is for responding to the Statutory audit services: initial consultation on the Competition and Markets Authority recommendations which closed in September 2019.

The Government has analysed the responses to the 2019 consultation and we intend to set out our response to the consultation alongside comprehensive proposals in the coming months, seeking views on them where the Government has not already done so.

1st Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to reform of the statutory audit market in the current session of Parliament.

The Competition and Markets Authority study of the statutory audit market made a series of far-reaching and ambitious recommendations. Our intention is to set out our comprehensive proposals in the coming months, seeking views on them where the Government has not already done so. We will then consider bringing forward legislation in due course.

17th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) guidance and (b) eligibility criteria are for the covid-19 Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is now live.

Eligible businesses can apply for a loan or other form of finance through one of 40-plus providers accredited by the British Business Bank to offer the scheme. These include all the major UK banks.

The application process is typically online for smaller amounts and the lending decision is made by the provider concerned.

Full guidance, including eligibility criteria, is available on the British Business Bank website at www.british-business-bank.co.uk/cbils.

17th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 on sole traders; and what steps he is taking to support sole traders with reduced income during the covid-19 outbreak.

In order to help UK businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak, we have made an unprecedented level of support available in the form of cash grants and business loans.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), delivered by the British Business Bank, is now available for eligible smaller businesses including unincorporated businesses, such as partnerships and sole traders. Decision-making on whether a business is eligible to access CBILS will be fully delegated to the 40+ accredited lenders. The Scheme covers overdrafts, loans, asset finance, and invoice finance. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria, will be published at: www.british-business-bank.co.uk/cbils.

In addition, HMRC have set up a tax helpline on 0800 0159 559 to support and advise businesses and self-employed people concerned about missing tax commitments due to Coronavirus. Further detail on the Government’s support package for businesses is at: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

21st Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of business start-ups in (a) North East Bedfordshire constituency, (b) Bedfordshire and (c) the UK in each year since 2010.

The table below provides ONS data on new business registrations for VAT and/or PAYE (ONS Business Demography 2018 – Enterprise births, deaths and survivals).

Notes:

1) Timeseries data for business births is not available at Parliamentary Constituency level but we can provide figures as below for the three districts which make up Bedfordshire.

2) Data is not available for periods earlier than 2013 or later than 2018.

Year

UK

Bedfordshire (county)

Bedford (district)

Central Bedfordshire (district)

Luton (district)

2013

346275

3450

875

1540

1035

2014

350305

3560

870

1550

1140

2015

382755

3990

980

1585

1425

2016

413900

10370

1065

4865

4440

2017

381885

4915

925

2245

1745

2018

380580

4710

910

2200

1600

31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with local authorities on the long-term effect of the speaking of Welsh of inter-library loan charges for Welsh language books.

Public libraries are funded and run by local authorities. It is for each local authority to determine operational matters such as its stock management policy, including participation in an inter-library loan service. This is a co-operative and voluntary agreement among libraries which allows books and other materials from one library to be loaned out to a user from another.

Library services providing an inter-library loan service can apply charges for all book titles requested for borrowing from other library services, and are not limited to Welsh language books.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to publish guidance on the brand advertising exemption from advertising restrictions contained in the Health and Care Bill.

The brand advertising exemption referred to in the government’s 2021 consultation response on less healthy food and drink advertising is not expressly referred to in the Health and Care Bill, as the scope of the restrictions extend only to the advertising of identifiable less healthy food and drink products. This means that brand advertising is out of scope, and provided that there are no identifiable products, food and drink brands can continue to advertise.

It is the government’s intention to work with regulators to ensure that clear guidance is available for businesses to understand all elements of the restrictions and ensure their compliance. This will include providing more detail on brand advertising. We expect this guidance to be made available for consultation later this year. The exact timing is a matter for regulators.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on (a) businesses and (b) employment of the proposed advertising restrictions on products high in fat, sugar and salt.

The Prime Minister has made it clear that tackling obesity is a priority for this Government. In July 2020 the Government outlined it’s Tackling Obesity strategy which details a host of measures aimed at empowering people to live the healthier lives they want to live.

The Government proposed various options for restricting HFSS advertising in the 2019 and 2020 consultations targeted at protecting children from being exposed to advertising of unhealthy food products.

Balanced against the priority of protecting children and tackling obesity, we have carefully considered the impact that any restrictions will have on industry and in particular the potential for market distortion or disproportionate effects on key business sectors.

The final policy will be set out in our consultation response due to be published shortly. This will be accompanied by a final impact assessment. We will support businesses, individuals and organisations to prepare for changes to the rules around HFSS advertising.

21st Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to improve mobile phone coverage in (a) North East Bedfordshire constituency and (b) other rural areas.

The Government announced in-principle support in October 2019 for the mobile network operators’ (MNOs) Shared Rural Network (SRN) proposal. The proposal would share investment costs between the MNOs and government and increase 4G mobile coverage throughout the United Kingdom to 95% by 2025. It will be underpinned by a legally binding coverage commitment from each operator.

The Government's in-principle support is subject to detailed negotiations. While this is not yet a done deal, the Prime Minister has made improvements to rural mobile coverage part of his first 100 days pledge. I will continue to work with the sector to make that happen, but I will also explore all possible options to meet our mobile coverage ambitions, including rural roaming.

The exact site deployment plans and timescales will be managed by the MNOs themselves in order for them to best deliver the agreed coverage outcomes. So until the operators’ final radio planning exercise is complete, neither the Government nor the operators will know the precise location or number of new or upgraded masts. However, the operators will be consulting with local communities as their roll out plans become clearer.

13th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to improve broadband coverage in North East Bedfordshire constituency.

The government has made significant progress in North East Bedfordshire, with over £8 million of central government funding allocated to the Bedford and Milton Keynes project area. As a result, 95.9% of premises now have access to superfast broadband - up from 54.3% in February 2012.

There are a range of options available to those in North East Bedfordshire suffering from slow speeds. The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is available to those who are not due to receive an upgrade from a publicly funded rollout programme. Small to medium sized businesses can claim a voucher worth up to £2,500, and residents can claim a voucher worth up to £500 as part of a group project to offset the costs of installing gigabit-capable infrastructure. Increased funding is available to rural premises.

In addition to this, the government has pledged £5 billion to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the most difficult to reach areas of the UK.

27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a fund for local authorities to (a) set up and (b) expand existing supported lodgings schemes.

As set out in the ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’ implementation strategy, it is the department’s intention to increase provision and take-up of ‘supported lodgings’ models, where care leavers live in a family environment with support to develop independent living skills.

The current guidance, ‘Making a difference: Supported lodgings as a housing option for young people’, is available to all local authorities and aimed at advising on the planning and commissioning of supported lodgings. The guidance is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79706aed915d04220686ea/makingadifference.pdf. The department will continue to encourage and support local authorities with the take-up of this provision and set out its plans for implementation of further support in due course.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2021 to Question 138427 on Schools: Discipline, what progress his Department has made on establishing the criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the behaviour hubs programme; and if he will publish (a) those criteria and (b) the advice his Department received from the independent evaluator it procured to assess the effectiveness of that behaviour hubs programme.

The Department has procured an independent evaluator to assess the effectiveness of the behaviour hubs programme. The evaluator is in the process of developing an evaluation framework and set of indicators that will underpin the study. Key measures of success are likely to include improved school behaviour cultures and fewer incidents of disruption, truancy, and bullying. In the longer term, key measures of success are likely to include improved pupil attainment and outcomes, pupil and staff wellbeing, staff recruitment and retention.

16th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the impact on children of different local authority policies on school age start dates; and what he plans he has to amend the school admissions code to enable summer-born children to start reception at age five where that is what their parents want.

Local authorities do not set policies on school age start dates. Compulsory school age is the start of the term following a child’s fifth birthday. Admission authorities must provide for the admission of children in the September following their fourth birthday, but it is for parents to decide whether to send their child to school before compulsory school age.

For summer born children this means that they do not need to start school until the September after their fifth birthday. It is then the decision of the admission authority whether to admit the child to Year 1 or, at the parents' request, to Reception.

In May, the Department published the results of our latest research surveys of local authorities and parents into the delayed admission of summer born children to school.

It remains our intention to legislate, when an opportunity becomes available, so that summer born children can automatically be admitted to a Reception class, where that is what their parents want, and remain with that cohort throughout their education.

25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to provide asymptomatic covid-19 testing to all Ofsted registered childminders.

Childminders currently have access to community testing and should continue to use local community testing programmes for regular asymptomatic testing until further notice. More information on where and how these can be accessed is found here: https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site. The Department is continuing to work closely with colleagues in local authorities and across Government to explore the most effective approach for testing childminders.

25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2021 to Question 147056, on Childminding: Coronavirus, how he plans to prioritise the steps outlined; and if he will set out a timetable for taking those steps.

Childminders currently have access to community testing and should continue to use local community testing programmes for regular asymptomatic testing until further notice. More information on where and how these can be accessed is found here: https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site. The Department is continuing to work closely with colleagues in local authorities and across Government to explore the most effective approach for testing childminders.

15th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's press release, Experts to help tackle poor behaviour in schools, published on 28 February 2020, when he plans to rollout behaviour hubs; and what criteria will be used for assessing the effectiveness of those hubs.

Behaviour hubs will see schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) with exemplary behaviour working closely with other schools and MATs that need and want to improve their school behaviour. Support and resources will be available to schools more widely. The programme is overseen by a taskforce of expert advisers. Schools will begin working together in Spring 2021, so that schools can launch their new behaviour approaches in September 2021.

We are in the process of procuring an independent evaluator to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Key measures of success are likely to include an improved whole school behaviour culture, fewer incidents of disruption, truancy and bullying and, in the longer term, improved pupil attainment and outcomes, pupil and staff wellbeing, staff recruitment and retention.

30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria was applied for the distribution of the funding of £10 million to improve school discipline announced on the 28 February 2020.

On 28 February 2020, £10 million was announced to fund the behaviour hubs programme, which will begin this year and run for three years. The programme aims to improve pupil behaviour and behaviour practices in at least 500 schools by enabling schools and multi academy trusts with exemplary behaviour to work in close partnership with those that need and want to improve, alongside a central offer of support and a taskforce of behaviour advisers.

Schools receiving support must be Ofsted Requires Improvement, have adequate leadership, and be motivated to improve. Schools providing support must meet stringent eligibility criteria including being Ofsted Outstanding, have above average progress for Read, Writing and Maths for two of the past three years for all pupils or disadvantaged pupils, and have exemplary behaviour management practices and culture.

All schools in the country, including those in the programme, will have access to a free online repository of good practice resources curated and developed by the behaviour advisers. Resources may include good practice case studies and tools for schools to audit their own behaviour practice.

30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect on children with ADHD and autism of being mis-described as having behavioural issues; and what estimate he has made of the number of children with autism spectrum condition who have been (a) excluded and (b) isolated in schools in the last 12 months.

Diagnosis and the assessment of needs can offer an understanding of why a child or young person is different from their peers and can open doors to support and services in education, health services and social care, and a route into voluntary organisations and contact with other children and families with similar experiences. Diagnosis of conditions, including ADHD and autism, is carried out by clinical assessment. However, the special educational needs system does not rely on a clinical diagnosis in order to access support. Schools have a statutory duty to use their best endeavours to make suitable provision available for children with special educational needs. This forms part of their broader responsibility to support all children who have a whole range of needs.

While we have not made a formal assessment of the effect on children with ADHD and autism of being viewed as having behavioural issues, to support those working in education, the department has funded the Autism Education Trust (AET) since 2011 to deliver autism awareness training to staff in early years settings, schools and colleges. To date [1], the AET has trained more than 277,000 people – not just teachers and teaching assistants, but also receptionists, dining hall staff and caretakers, promoting a whole-school approach to support for pupils with autism. Regional networks have also been established to promote the use of the training developed by the AET in schools and we would always encourage schools to access this training. The AET has also developed national standards for autism support and a progression framework for those who work with children who have autism. These are available from their website at www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk.

The Department publishes guidance to schools on behaviour, suspension and expulsion to reinforce the benefits of arranging multi-agency assessments for pupils who display continuous disruptive behaviour. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion. A key aspect of these assessments will be to pick up any unidentified special educational needs or health problems, such as ADHD or autism.

The law does not prevent a pupil with SEN or a disability (which could include ADHD or autism) from being suspended or expelled. However, schools have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled pupils by suspending or expelling them from school because of their disability. Any suspension or expulsion must be lawful, reasonable and fair but schools must balance their responsibilities for children with SEN with their responsibility to ensure that all children are able to experience good quality teaching and learning without disruption in the classroom, and without being exposed to risks to their health or safety. The guidance also sets out that schools should, as far as possible, avoid expelling pupils who have an Education Health and Care plan.

According to our data, 155 children with a SEN primary need of autistic spectrum disorder were expelled and 12,287 received a suspension in 2018/19 (the last year we hold this data for). This is published in the publication ‘Permanent and fixed-period exclusions in England’ available at https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england.

The Department does not collect central data on the use of isolation in schools.

[1] As at 30 September 2020.

21st Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of schools in the North East Bedfordshire constituency were rated by Ofsted as (a) good and (b) outstanding in (i) 2010 and (ii) at their last inspection.

The information requested is published by Ofsted.

For the North East Bedfordshire constituency, Ofsted’s data shows that the percentage of schools rated as either good or outstanding has remained stable; 82% in 2010 and 83% in 2019.

As of 31 August 2010, 53% of schools in the constituency were rated as good and 29% of schools were rated as outstanding. The equivalent figures for England were 50% and 18% respectively.

The latest available data is for 31 August 2019, which shows 68% of schools in the constituency were rated as good and 15% of schools were rated as outstanding. The equivalent figures for England were 66% and 20% respectively.

13th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of alternative curricula for children with special educational needs.

The ‘Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years’ makes clear our expectation that all pupils should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils with special educational needs should usually be taught the same curriculum as other pupils, with those needs being addressed through how lessons are planned and delivered. The Code states:

“The National Curriculum Inclusion Statement states that teachers should set high expectations for every pupil, whatever their prior attainment. Teachers should use appropriate assessment to set targets which are deliberately ambitious. Potential areas of difficulty should be identified and addressed at the outset. Lessons should be planned to address potential areas of difficulty and to remove barriers to pupil achievement. In many cases, such planning will mean that pupils with SEN and disabilities will be able to study the full national curriculum.”

30th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that Agricultural Land Classifications cannot be amended to facilitate approval of solar farm planning applications.

The Agricultural Land Classification system in England and Wales (ALC) was developed to support planning policy and protect high quality agricultural land from loss to development. Land is assessed according to the extent that its physical or chemical characteristics impose long term limitations on agricultural use, using the approved criteria. The assessment does not consider land use.

Instead, the National Planning Policy Framework sets out clearly that local planning authorities should consider all the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, when making plans or taking decisions on new development proposals. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, planning authorities should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which seeds that are permitted under Article 49(1) of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 have not been provided authorisation for use from 1 January 2024.

Prior to EU Exit, the legislation quoted allowed seeds treated with a plant protection product (PPP) authorised in at least one Member State to be imported, marketed and used in GB. After Exit, arrangements were put in place to allow the import and use of treated seeds to continue until the end of 2023, following which all seed treatments would need GB authorisation.

I have listened to farmers and recognise the importance of access to treated seeds from the EU, particularly in the feed and horticulture sectors. I am preparing to lay secondary legislation in the autumn, through the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (REUL), to ensure measures are in place, before the current scheme for importing treated seeds ends in December.

The aim of this legislation will be to extend transitional arrangements for the import of treated seeds from the EU and EEA and will also include provisions to address the important issue of parallel imports.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 29 April 2021 to Question 185334 on Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011, when he plans to commence that consultation.

Defra has reviewed the case for implementing Section 42 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Officials will be taking forward the work to seek to implement Section 42 and to consider supplementary regulations to adopt existing sewerage assets, such as private wastewater pumping stations, constructed since July 2011.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders and plan to develop a public consultation on our implementation approach to help build our evidence base on policy options and our assessment of costs and benefits.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure the preservation of existing hedgerows and (b) encourage the creation of new hedgerows.

Hedgerows are one of the most important ecological building blocks in our farmed landscape. They maintain the distinctive character of our countryside and provide crucial habitats and food for wildlife.

Legal protection for hedgerows in England and Wales is provided by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

These regulations prohibit the removal of most countryside hedgerows (or parts of them) without first seeking approval from the local planning authority. It determines whether a hedgerow is ‘important’ because of its wildlife, landscape, historical or archaeological value and should not be removed.

A local authority also has the power to impose enforceable planning conditions on a developer to protect hedges or trees assessed as being worthy of retention, which might otherwise be harmed by construction or the new land-use. Land managers in receipt of Basic Payment Scheme payments are also required to protect hedgerows on their land.

Agri-environment schemes such as Countryside Stewardship fund the management and planting of hedgerows to deliver recognised benefits for wildlife, landscape, and the historic environment. Hedgerow management is one of the most popular options within Countryside Stewardship.

Following our exit from the European Union the development of our new environmental land management schemes will continue to recognise the role and fund the management of hedgerows. The hedgerow standard, part of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, will pay farmers to plant more hedgerows, leave them uncut or raise the cutting height.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 30 July 2019 to Question 280227 on Rodents: Gough Island, what (a) recent steps have been taken since 2019 and (b) are planned as part of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to eradicate non-native mice to protect the Tristan albatross on that island.

The UK Government has continued to provide support to RSPB for its programme to eradicate invasive non-native mice from Gough Island, to help save critically endangered seabirds such as the Tristan Albatross from extinction.

I am pleased to report that the RSPB has completed the eradication stage of the programme and will be continuing to monitor its impact.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2020 to Question 106951 on Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011, what (a) plans he has and (b) his timeframe is for completing that review.

Further to my Answer of 29 October 2020 to PQ 106951, I have now reviewed the case for implementing section 42 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Section 42 implementation would cover the automatic adoption by sewerage companies of new, not existing, sewerage assets, constructed from the date of implementation.

This year, my Department will start the work necessary to implement section 42. Part of that work will include a consultation on our implementation approach as well as determining the timing for implementation.

Regarding existing sewerage assets, such as private waste-water pumps referenced in PQ 106951, the consultation will seek views on making separate regulations, similar to the Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011, concerning the adoption of those assets by sewerage companies.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list the chemicals that have been banned from use in the UK as a result of EU legislation over the last five years.

EU legislation requires that pesticides can only be sold or used if the active substance has been approved by the EU and the product containing it has been authorised nationally. Approval and authorisation depend on scientific assessment of risks to health and the environment. The assessment is based on the information available at the time and, if approval or authorisation is refused, it remains open for a fresh application to be made if new data addresses the safety concerns.

Information on approvals and on active substances that are no longer approved, can be found on the European Commission’s database at https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database/public/?event=homepage&language=EN. Information on UK authorisations can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/databases/index.htm. This does not include information about authorisations that have been withdrawn.

Companies that see limited sales from a pesticide can of course withdraw an active substance or product at any point. These cases cannot readily be identified from the databases.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General