Richard Fuller

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

The removal of banned pesticides from sale can adversely affect crop yields if alternative crop protection products or techniques are less effective. Alternative pesticides can sometimes be more expensive. Often these problems may reduce over time as new products become available or farmers find and adopt new approaches. The impact on consumer prices will depend on the degree to which overall market supply is affected. The impact on farm profitability will depend upon a number of factors including yield changes, farm gate price changes and input costs.

The Government’s review of the National Action Plan for the Sustainable use of Pesticides will take a holistic approach centred on Integrated Pest Management which can reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and help farmers to combat pest resistance and support agricultural productivity. The Plan aims to support measures to minimise pesticide use and to reduce risks to human health and the environment. We will consult on the updated Plan later in the year.

Section 42 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 allows for the automatic adoption of private sewers for new developments by sewerage companies if implemented.

The Government is currently reviewing the economic case for implementation of Section 42 and will take into account the lessons learnt from The Water Industry (Schemes of Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011, which expired in June 2018, when considering the scope of any new regulations and their application to sewerage infrastructure such as private waste water pumps.

The Government is committed to further strengthening our world-leading animal welfare standards. We have committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in an effective and credible way and will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

The Department is not undertaking any audit work with the Rail Delivery Group. We are currently trialling some accessibility audits on a small number of stations which if successful will better inform our accessibility investment decisions in the future. This is due to complete in the autumn. The Rail Delivery Group remain responsible for ensuring the accessibility data on the National Rail Enquiries website remains accurate and up to date.

A monitoring station that is part of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) is located at the roadside alongside the A1, north-west of Sandy, Bedfordshire (52.132417, -0.300306). This monitoring site measures levels of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, PM10 particulate matter and PM2.5 particulate matter. The measurement data from this monitoring site is reported in near real-time and is updated every hour and is available online on DEFRA’s UK Air website. The monitoring site was compliant with air quality limit values for the past three years.

The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects on commuter behaviour. As we move from lockdown to recovery, it is important that we get the balance right in the short and medium term between managing demand and ensuring that we provide better value for money for passengers going forward. The Department is working with industry to explore already available options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.

On 23rd May the Secretary of State announced £25 million of funding to provide up to £50 to members of the public wanting to get their old cycles roadworthy again.

The Government is working with representatives from the cycle industry to design a scheme that can support up to half a million cyclists over the age of 18, including those using adapted cycles, who want to get their old bikes back in working order.

We are also working to enable and encourage as many competent mechanics to participate as possible, to ensure there is sufficient repair capacity and so that independent shops can benefit from the scheme.

We aim for the scheme to launch for members of the public by the end of June, and we will release eligibility criteria for customers at this time. In advance of this we will be opening the scheme to bike shops and mechanics to register and will provide further information on participation at this point.

The Rail Delivery Group are responsible for collecting and publishing accessibility data on stations in Great Britain and for keeping this up to date on the National Rail Enquiries website. Details of the accessibility criteria used will also be held by them.

Network Rail publish a map showing stations in the Access for All programme which, where feasible, receive an accessible step free route into the station and to and between each platform. The information and maps on the National Rail Enquiries website is published by the Rail Delivery Group, the industry body representing the train operating companies. They are responsible for collecting data on accessibility at each station across the network.

The Rail Delivery Group are responsible for collecting and publishing accessibility data on stations in Great Britain and for keeping this up to date on the National Rail Enquiries website. Details of any independent verification will also be held by them.

The figures requested are in the table below. Figures are accurate as of 1^st January, 2020.

1) Source: Zap-Map

2) Data on private charging devices comes from three Office for Low Emission Vehicle grant schemes: the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for businesses; the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and its predecessor, the Domestic Recharge Scheme (DRS) for private domestic charging devices.

We have already doubled the funding available for the On-Street Residential Grant Scheme (ORCS) over the last two years (to £5m in August 19, up from £2.5m, and to £10m for 2020/21, up from £5m) to ensure that more local authorities and residents can benefit from the scheme.

We have approved 73 grant applications since the scheme began, including one successful application from Luton Borough Council in 2018/19. We have not received any other applications from local authorities within Bedfordshire.

The scheme has supported over 60 local authorities to deliver over 2,000 chargepoints for residents who do not have off-street parking. Uptake of the scheme increased rapidly in 2019/20. In October, the Secretary of State wrote to all local authorities encouraging them to send their strategies for infrastructure deployment and to take advantage of ORCS funding.

We are currently consulting on bringing forward an end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. This includes looking at the package of measures that are required to support an earlier date, such as support required for those who do not have off-street parking. Budgets for ORCS beyond 2020/21 have not yet been set, but responses to the consultation, especially from local authorities, will help to inform our understanding of what might be required.

We have already doubled the funding available for the On-Street Residential Grant Scheme (ORCS) over the last two years (to £5m in August 19, up from £2.5m, and to £10m for 2020/21, up from £5m) to ensure that more local authorities and residents can benefit from the scheme.

We have approved 73 grant applications since the scheme began, including one successful application from Luton Borough Council in 2018/19. We have not received any other applications from local authorities within Bedfordshire.

The scheme has supported over 60 local authorities to deliver over 2,000 chargepoints for residents who do not have off-street parking. Uptake of the scheme increased rapidly in 2019/20. In October, the Secretary of State wrote to all local authorities encouraging them to send their strategies for infrastructure deployment and to take advantage of ORCS funding.

We are currently consulting on bringing forward an end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. This includes looking at the package of measures that are required to support an earlier date, such as support required for those who do not have off-street parking. Budgets for ORCS beyond 2020/21 have not yet been set, but responses to the consultation, especially from local authorities, will help to inform our understanding of what might be required.

The Department currently has no plans to extend eligibility to people with temporary disabilities or conditions. With around 2.3 million badges already on issue in England, a further widening of the criteria could place undue pressure on the scheme. It is important that the Blue Badge scheme remains sustainable and protects preferential parking facilities for those who rely upon them for their long-term independence.

In Control Period 5 (2014-2019), the Access for All programme delivered step free routes at 6 stations in the East of England, including Leighton Buzzard. In Control Period 6 (2019-2024) 8 of the 73 stations due to benefit from Access for All funding are in the East, including Luton and Biggleswade.

This is in addition to access improvements delivered as part of other major projects, and by the industry itself, which must meet current accessibility standards whenever it installs, replaces or renews station infrastructure.

Details of all of this work is held by the individual organisations and the information on the facilities available at stations is collected and held by the Rail Delivery Group, who you can contact using info@raildeliverygroup.com.

We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.

Discretionary Housing Payments are made at local authority discretion, including the amount and duration of any award.

Local authorities administer the scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the limited funds are targeted effectively.

As we have announced at the spending round for 2020/21 there is £179.5m in DHPs for Local authorities to support renters with housing costs in the private and social rented sector. The increase to the Local Housing Allowance rates will help alleviate shortfalls in the private rented sector and relieve pressure on DHPs.

We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.

The government has brought forward a package of measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus. With these in force, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home.

From 26 March, landlords have had to give all renters 3 months’ notice if they intend to seek possession (i.e. serve notice that they want to end the tenancy) – this means the landlord can’t apply to start the court process until after this period.

This extended buffer period will apply in law until 30 September 2020 and both the end point, and the 3 month notice period can be extended if needed.

From 27 March, the court service has suspended all ongoing housing possession action – this means that neither cases currently in the system or any about to go in to it can progress to the stage where someone could be evicted.

No assessment has been made on the feasibility and efficacy of providing monthly COVID-19 antibody tests to care homes. However, social care workers in England have been eligible for a free antibody test at National Health Service test sites through and the at-home testing service since Summer 2020 for adult social care staff to access antibody tests if they wish to do so.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published interim advice on a potential COVID-19 booster vaccination programme on 30 June 2021, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-interim-advice-on-a-potential-coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccine-programme-for-winter-2021-to-2022/jcvi-interim-advice-potential-covid-19-booster-vaccine-programme-winter-2021-to-2022

As stated in the interim advice, adults who are severely immunosuppressed, such as those who have had solid organ transplants, may not respond as well to COVID-19 vaccines. The advice states that those adults who are severely immunosuppressed should be offered COVID-19 booster revaccination at the start of the booster programme. It should be noted that this advice may be subject to change before being finalised.

Final decisions on the timing and scope of the vaccine booster programme will be made later in the year, informed by further independent advice from the JCVI. The JCVI will review the emerging scientific evidence to inform the Government in our final decision-making process, which includes further data on the durability of protection from vaccines, data supplied by manufacturers and clinical trial data from the Cov-Boost trial on immune responses following a third vaccination. It is anticipated that primary data from the initial stages of this trial will be reported to the JCVI by the end of summer 2021.

The Government has no plans to review or extend the prescription charge medical exemptions list. Around 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge and extensive arrangements are already in place to help people, including those with asthma. To support those with the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption, the cost of prescriptions can be spread by purchasing prescription pre-payment certificates. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.

The Department has evaluated 142 lateral flow antigen tests at phase two. Of these, 24 were manufactured in the United Kingdom.

The Department has evaluated 142 lateral flow antigen tests at phase two. Of these, 60 proceeded to phase three. Of the 60 tests, five were manufactured in the United Kingdom.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics. The NIHR welcomes research into any aspect of human health, including dementia. In 2018/19, the most recent year for which complete data is available, the NIHR’s total spend was £31.6 million. Total Government spend was £82.9 million. We are looking at ways to boost further research into dementia and to enable spending to increase significantly over the current Parliament. In March 2021, the NIHR launched a highlight notice on dementia which invited proposals for research, including meeting the needs of underserved communities.

The United Kingdom’s vaccination programmes are based on expert review of the evidence and advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI made an initial recommendation in June 2019 that the vaccine for shingles was offered to those aged 60 years old and over, which had triggered further analysis. The Department is currently conducting further analysis and exploring the implications of delivering this recommendation with health system partners.

There are no current plans to offer the vaccine to the parents of clinical extremely vulnerable (CEV) children.

In line with current advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), adult members of a household that includes someone who is CEV are prioritised for vaccination according to their own age and clinical risk. They are not prioritised on the basis of sharing a household with someone who is CEV whether this person is an adult or a child. Children under 16 years of age, even if they are CEV, are at low risk of serious morbidity and mortality and given the absence of safety and efficacy data on the vaccine, are not recommended for vaccination.

The JCVI continues to look at the emerging evidence on COVID-19 and will offer further advice if and when evidence is found that vaccinating a particular group, including household members of individuals most at risk from COVID-19, would further reduce overall mortality, morbidity and hospitalisation which is the overarching objective.

From 15 February, anyone permitted to arrive into the United Kingdom will have to isolate for ten days. If they been in a ‘red list’ country, this will be in a Government-approved managed quarantine hotel or, if arriving from an ‘amber’ country, self-isolation at home or the home of a friend or family member. It will be mandatory for all arrivals to take a test on day two and eight of their 10 day quarantine period. This will provide an additional layer of protection against the risk posed by variants.

There are no exemptions for joint custody parental visits. However, in situations where it would not be reasonable for a parent/guardian to stay in a managed quarantine hotel with a child who has entered the country, alternative arrangements can be made at the approval of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. This would be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Eligible unpaid carers have been invited for vaccination as a part of cohort six of phase one of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. This follows the advice the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI).

There is no distinction in NHS England and NHS Improvement’s standard operations procedure (SOP) between eligibility of those who are and are not, in receipt of carers allowance. The SOP is available at the following link:

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

The SOP sets out a number of existing sources used by the National Health Service to identify unpaid carers as follows:

- Those in receipt of or entitled to a carer’s allowance;

- Those known to general practitioners who have a ‘carer’s flag’ on their primary care record;

- Those known to local authorities who are in receipt of support following a carer’s assessment; and

- Those known to local carers organisations to be actively receiving care and support.

The JCVI’s definition of an unpaid carer has been clarified in Public Health England’s Green Book for COVID-19 as “carers who are eligible for carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable”.

We are aware that the adult social care insurance market is changing in response to the pandemic and recognise that some care providers may encounter difficulties as their policies come up for renewal. We are introducing temporary and targeted state-backed indemnity arrangements which will help fill gaps in commercial insurance cover and support care homes registered, or intending to register, as Designated Settings. These are care homes designated and assured by CQC for the discharge of COVID-19 positive individuals from hospitals.

The Department has made no direct assessment.

There are currently no plans to review the effectiveness of the Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST was originally developed in 2007 and has been reviewed periodically since then, with the most recent iteration being published in 2018.

The National Framework for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS Funded Nursing Care (the Framework) encourages eligibility appeals to be processed in a timely manner. It also lays out the expectation for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to engage in a person-centred approach, ensuring the individual, and/or their representative, is fully aware of, and involved in, the processes. Upon completion of the assessment, a clear explanation of how the decision of eligibility was reached should be provided, as well as an explanation of the appeals process.

There are Assurance Standards in place, which allow NHS England to monitor the performance of CCGs on the delivery of CHC assessments. The Framework sets out that CHC assessments must be undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team.

There are currently no plans to review the effectiveness of the Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST was originally developed in 2007 and has been reviewed periodically since then, with the most recent iteration being published in 2018.

The National Framework for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS Funded Nursing Care (the Framework) encourages eligibility appeals to be processed in a timely manner. It also lays out the expectation for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to engage in a person-centred approach, ensuring the individual, and/or their representative, is fully aware of, and involved in, the processes. Upon completion of the assessment, a clear explanation of how the decision of eligibility was reached should be provided, as well as an explanation of the appeals process.

There are Assurance Standards in place, which allow NHS England to monitor the performance of CCGs on the delivery of CHC assessments. The Framework sets out that CHC assessments must be undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team.

There are currently no plans to review the effectiveness of the Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST was originally developed in 2007 and has been reviewed periodically since then, with the most recent iteration being published in 2018.

The National Framework for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS Funded Nursing Care (the Framework) encourages eligibility appeals to be processed in a timely manner. It also lays out the expectation for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to engage in a person-centred approach, ensuring the individual, and/or their representative, is fully aware of, and involved in, the processes. Upon completion of the assessment, a clear explanation of how the decision of eligibility was reached should be provided, as well as an explanation of the appeals process.

There are Assurance Standards in place, which allow NHS England to monitor the performance of CCGs on the delivery of CHC assessments. The Framework sets out that CHC assessments must be undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team.

The Department is aware that some patients who took Primodos between the years of 1958 and 1978 have stated that their medical records are incomplete or missing. However, the Department does not hold data on what proportion of patients who allege they have suffered adverse effects as a result of taking of the prescribed drug Primodos have missing medical records. It should be noted that medical records are generally held by general practitioners and not centrally by the Department. The Department has made no assessment or investigation into the reports that patient medical records from the period between 1958 and 1978 are missing.

The NHS Test and Trace app requires users to be owners of smartphones that are able to use Apple iOS 13.5 and above and Android Marshmallow and above. This is because the app needs the Exposure Notification framework developed by Apple and Google, which is only available in these versions.

The Department does not hold data on the proportion of patients identified to have suffered the effects of sodium valproate who reported their medical records missing between the years of 1958 and 1978. There has been no assessment or investigation into this issue.

We started rolling out regular retesting for residents and staff of care homes for over 65s and dementia from 6 July. We provided testing kits to all care homes for older people and people with dementia who have registered for regular retesting kits by 7 September.

All remaining adult care homes were able to apply for regular retesting from 31 August.

We are meeting demand and issuing more than 100,000 tests a day to care homes across the country.

On 22 July 2020 the Government published updated guidance on visiting arrangements for care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance is available at the following link:

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

Our priority has been to enable residents to be reunited safely with their loved ones. This guidance will be updated as the risk posed by COVID-19 continues to change.

We are rolling out millions of antibody tests to help us better understand how COVID-19 is spreading across the country which will be vital for future decisions about how to best control the virus. We are now testing National Health Service and care staff as well as patients where there is an identified clinical need.

For care staff, the antibody testing programme is being rolled out in a phased way across regions in England.

NHS England has made antibody tests available to all its staff including those working on National Health Service premises but not directly employed by the NHS, and those in primary, community, and mental health care including community pharmacists. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/antibody-testing-programme-roll-out-for-nhs-staff-and-patients-letter-from-pauline-philip-and-professor-steven-powis

Antibody testing is also being made available for all paid social care staff in England.

The Department has rolled out whole home testing to all care homes registered on the portal. Since its launch we have been able to provide whole home testing to over 13,500 care homes in England.

On routine testing, we have launched this in care homes from 3 July. From 6 July onwards, we will start to roll out weekly testing of staff and testing of residents every 28 days in all care homes without outbreaks through Pillar 2. Bank, agency and visiting staff such as social workers and Allied Health Professionals working in care homes should be included in the weekly staff tests in care homes.

On 29 April 2020 the Government introduced a new method of reporting daily COVID-19 deaths so that it now includes reporting of deaths in all settings, including care homes. More information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/daily-death-reporting-now-includes-all-positive-covid-19-deaths

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes all deaths registered with COVID-19 in each week including in care homes. More information can be found at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/weekending24april2020

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Weaver Vale on 13 March to Question 27668:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-10/27668/

The Department has made no such assessment.

A wide range of gluten-free (GF) products are available in most supermarkets and online.

Following consultation with major stakeholders such as Coeliac UK, changes were made to legislation in 2018. As a result, gluten free bread and mixes can be prescribed on the NHS to support people with established coeliac disease. This ensures the best use of NHS resources while maintaining availability of staple GF foods for patients on prescription.

This information is not held centrally.

NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), but not staff working in primary care or in general practitioner (GP) surgeries, local authorities or other providers.

The following table shows the full time equivalent (FTE) number of doctors, and nurses and health visitors employed in the Bedfordshire area as at October 2019, the latest available data, compared to October 2010.

The Bedfordshire area is defined as those working at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust or NHS Bedfordshire CCG in 2019, and at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust or Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust in 2010.

The following table shows the number of GPs and nurses employed in the area covered by NHS Bedfordshire CCG as at September 2019 compared to September 2015, FTE.

The UK regulatory agencies are aware of the bankruptcy of German Property Group (GPG), formerly known as Dolphin Trust, and the effect on UK-based investors.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a joint statement with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service. The statement sets out what UK consumers should do if they invested in GPG via an FCA authorised firm – either a financial adviser firm or a Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) operator – and they believe they were mis-sold. This includes how to complain to the Ombudsman service or submit a claim to the FSCS. The statement can be accessed on the FCA’s website (https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/gpg-companies-preliminary-bankruptcy-proceedings).

Companies under the German Property Group are incorporated in Germany and have never been authorised by the FCA. However, consumers should be assured that the FCA is working closely with all relevant external stakeholders on this matter and will share any further updates as and when possible.

HM Treasury Ministers and Officials regularly speak with their counterparts in Germany. The UK and Germany share high standards of prudential regulation and work together to promote these internationally through fora such as the Financial Stability Board and the Basel Committee for Banking Supervision. Oversight of BaFin is the responsibility of the Government of Germany.

The Treasury works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure that the financial advice market works well, competitively and fairly for firms and consumers. As the regulator, the FCA expect financial advisers to understand their client’s knowledge and experience of the transaction being considered, to be fully aware of their clients’ financial situation, and to fully appreciate what the client is trying to achieve.

Financial advisers must disclose their charges to customers prior to any transaction, using a price list or tariff, confirming the specific amounts they will be charged, so customers understand what service they are paying for at what price. In the area of defined benefit (DB) pensions transfer advice, new rules came into effect on 1 October 2020 to ensure that costs and charges are clearly disclosed, and that charges are not contingent on a positive recommendation to transfer. This removes any incentives for an advice firm to act in their own interests, rather than their client’s, and places a value on professional advice, regardless of whether it results in a transaction.

In December 2020, HM Treasury and the FCA published an evaluation of the Retail Distribution Review and the Financial Advice Market Review to understand how the market has evolved since these reviews were undertaken, and to establish what the key remaining policy challenges are. The FCA also launched a “Call for Input: Consumer Investments” last year which looks across the whole investment market and considers systemic issues which may need to be fixed. The FCA are now considering responses.

There would be significant risks for the public purse if the Government relied on 2019-20 returns for the SEISS, as this would create an opportunity for fraudulent activity through the manipulation of trading profit figures. The Government cannot expose the tax system to these risks.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) continues to be one of the most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world as the economy reopens.

The SEISS is one element of the unprecedented financial support provided by the Government. This support includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support,?increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants.

The Government has launched an unprecedented package to protect people’s incomes affected by COVID-19 including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for employees and support for the self-employed. Examination boards are independent organisations. As such, they are responsible for deciding on payment arrangements and discussing with HMRC as appropriate. The situation is complex, as the employment status of examiners varies, but the Government is aware that examination boards are providing information and updates to those affected.

HMRC are delivering an enhanced Time to Pay offer to fit the specific impacts of Covid-19. Time to Pay is available to all firms and individuals who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and are unable to pay their tax on time or have existing liabilities. The bespoke arrangement, which is agreed depending on circumstances, can cover all debts owed to HMRC. Taxpayers may be able to defer payments for as long as they need if they are unable to make a payment immediately. To this end, HMRC have set up a dedicated Covid-19 helpline to enable those eligible to get practical help and advice. This can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559. HMRC will keep all operations under constant review as the situation develops.

The information requested is not available.

HM Treasury releases Help to Buy: ISA data on a quarterly basis and have made this information available in the latest quarterly statistics publication which was released on 27 February 2020. This publication is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/help-to-buy-isa-scheme-quarterly-statistics-december-2015-to-30-september-2019

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.

The safety and health of people in the detention estate is of the utmost importance. The Home Office is working closely with NHS England health and justice teams and regional commissioning teams to support the planning and delivery of healthcare services in immigration removal centres during the COVID-19 outbreak. All immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency plans, based on PHE advice, and dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers. All receptions into detention receive an assessment within two hours by a nurse and can see a doctor within 24 hours.

NHS England have identified all people with known vulnerabilities across the immigration detention estate, who by age, underlying health conditions or both are at greater risk from COVID-19. Each of these detainees will be shielded using protective isolation measures as far as practicable. Detainees can also self-declare any vulnerabilities to healthcare or centre staff.

The Government is delivering on the people’s priorities by recruiting 20,000 additional police officers over the next three years.

In October 2019 Home Office confirmed officer allocations for every force in England and Wales in the first year of the uplift. Bedfordshire Police has been allocated 54 officers in year one of the uplift, to be recruited by the end of March 2021. Decisions on the allocation of officers for years two and three are yet to be taken.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-announces-first-wave-of-20000-police-officer-uplift

From April 2020 the Home Office will publish quarterly updates outlining the progress on delivering the police uplift.

The ‘Planning for the Future’ consultation published in August 2020 set out that Government is committed to retaining neighbourhood planning and wants to encourage the continued use of neighbourhood plans, and to help spread their use further, particularly in towns and cities.

Our current £34.5 million neighbourhood planning support programme runs until 2022 and we will confirm future funding arrangements at a later date.

On 1 May, government announced up to £617 million available in the form of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) to support certain small businesses that are not liable for business rates or rates reliefs and are therefore out of scope of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF). As set out in the Grant Funding Schemes guidance, a local authority’s funding allocation for the LADGF equates to 5 per cent of the value of the hereditaments they have identified as in scope of the SBGF and RHLGF in their area: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses

Local authorities have now closed their LADGF schemes and are in the process of making final payments to businesses. These must be complete by 30 September. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will contact local authorities shortly to arrange the return of any unspent funds.

On 1 May, government announced up to £617 million available in the form of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) to support certain small businesses that are not liable for business rates or rates reliefs and are therefore out of scope of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF). As set out in the Grant Funding Schemes guidance, a local authority’s funding allocation for the LADGF equates to 5 per cent of the value of the hereditaments they have identified as in scope of the SBGF and RHLGF in their area: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses

Local authorities have now closed their LADGF schemes and are in the process of making final payments to businesses. These must be complete by 30 September. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will contact local authorities shortly to arrange the return of any unspent funds.

On 1 May, Government announced up to £617 million available in the form of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund to support certain small businesses that are not liable for business rates or rates relief and are therefore out of scope of the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund.

Local authorities were responsible for defining precise eligibility for the scheme in their area, subject to businesses meeting the national eligibility criteria set out in the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding .

We do not receive management information from local authorities on local scheme eligibility criteria over the lifetime of the Discretionary Grants Fund.

The Government planning framework guidance sets out that local planning authorities should objectively assess and evidence their full housing needs, working with neighbouring authorities where housing market areas cross administrative boundaries.

The assessment should address the need for all types of housing, including affordable housing, and identify the scale and mix of housing, and the range of tenures that the local population is likely to need over the plan period. It is for the local authorities and housing associations as registered providers (landlords) to decide what types of housing stock they want to deliver.

In order to plan properly, local authorities need to properly understand how many homes they need to build in their area. It is for local areas to make evidence-based decisions on the total number and type of homes needed in their area as part of their plan-making process

On 31 March 2020, the published quarterly statistics recorded a total of 20,485,644 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for dwellings in England and Wales. This information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-energy-performance-of-buildings-certificates

The published data may contain more than one EPC for a property where multiple assessments have been undertaken and no estimate has been made of the proportion of dwellings in England and Wales with a valid EPC.

On 30 April 2020, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published quarterly statistics which recorded a total of 20,485,644 Energy Performance Certificates for dwellings in England and Wales. Table LA1 gives a further breakdown of domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all dwellings in each local authority, by energy efficiency rating. This information is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-energy-performance-of-buildings-certificates

The current publication provides statistics up to the end of the first quarter of 2020.

Subsequent statistical releases covering the second and third quarters of 2020 will be published at the end of July and October, respectively. These releases will be available via the same link as above.

The department has not modelled estimates for the average cost of upgrading dwellings from Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band F to Band D, Band E to Band D and Band D to Band C.

The average notional cost for implementing all recommended energy efficiency measures in F or G band dwellings was £26,891.

The average notional cost for implementing all recommended energy efficiency measures in A to E band dwellings was £13,347.

At Budget 2020, Government outlined plans to explore the case for up to four new Development Corporations at Bedford, St Neots/Sandy, Cambourne and Cambridge. Since the Budget my Department has engaged local partners on this work, and further detailed examination and development will continue in 2020 and 2021.

Supporting housing delivery in the right places is crucial to delivering sustainable growth across the Arc. The standard method for calculating local housing need enables all communities to have a clear, transparent understanding of the minimum number of homes they need. It is for local authorities across the Arc to calculate their local housing need figure based on the standard method set out by my Department

At Budget 2020 the Government also announced it will work with local communities and partners, to deliver a spatial framework for the Arc to make sure future growth is planned over the long-term in a sustainable and coordinated way.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that plans should set out the contributions expected from development. This should include setting out the levels and types of infrastructure required, such as that needed for health. Such policies should not undermine the deliverability of the plan

Local authorities are able to use contributions from developers to support the delivery of local infrastructure, including GPs’ surgeries.

The National Infrastructure Commission’s report highlighted the significant potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc area, and recommended steps to meet this potential. The report was advisory and the Government issued a detailed response to its recommendations in October 2018 and more detail on how we will work with local partners in March 2019.

As we develop the Spatial Framework we will embed high environmental sustainability standards in our approach in the Arc. We will begin thorough and tailored environmental assessments now and for these to be conducted in parallel with the development of a wider strategic framework across the Arc.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to PQ 62505 on June 30 2020:

The Government has taken steps to regulate all businesses, including holiday parks, to ensure they are run responsibly and that the right regulatory frameworks are in place to meet business and consumer needs. No further regulation of the holiday park sector is planned.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects consumers including owners of holiday caravans and lodges on parks licensed for holiday use, against unfair contract terms. Other consumer law protects against mis-selling of goods and services and prohibits unfair commercial practices against consumers, primarily in the course of marketing and selling.

Consumers in England and Wales can obtain free advice on their rights and how to seek redress by contacting the Citizens Advice consumer service (0808 223 1133) or through its website. In Scotland consumers can call the Advice Direct Scotland line (0808 800 9060).

Holiday sites are required to maintain their parks and ensure they are safe to use. Local authorities have powers to take enforcement action against site owners who breach those requirements.

Given these existing protections, the Government does not plan to give caravan/lodge owners on sites with planning permission for holiday use, similar protections as those on residential sites, or introduce an ombudsman or independent regulator.

However, we are aware of examples of poor practice in the sector and my department will continue to work with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which has responsibility for general consumer protection, to explore how messages about rights and responsibilities can be communicated more effectively.

The Government is committed to promoting fairness and transparency for homeowners and ensuring that consumers are protected from abuse and poor service.

The Government is aware that homeowners could be subject to a possession order or the granting of a lease of their home by the rentcharge owner over rentcharge arrears. As part of our leasehold reform work we have committed to repeal Section 121 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to ensure homeowners are not subjected to unfair possession orders. This will be pursued when Parliamentary time allows.

The Government also intends to legislate to ensure that freehold homeowners who pay estate rentcharges have the right to challenge their reasonableness and to go to the tribunal to appoint a new management company if necessary.

The Government recognises that public toilets are valuable community amenities. Primary legislation would be required to provide business rates relief for those public toilets owned by principal local authorities and parish councils, as currently such bodies cannot have their rates bills reduced through reliefs. The Non-Domestic Rating (Lavatories) Bill, which would have enabled this, fell when the last Parliament was dissolved. The Government will consider reintroducing the measure in due course.

The number of homes purchased through the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme in North East Bedfordshire in each of the last six years are in the table below. Data for 2019 is not included as it is not complete.