Sarah Olney Portrait

Sarah Olney

Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park

First elected: 12th December 2019

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

(since January 2020)

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury)

(since July 2022)


Department Event
Tuesday 19th December 2023
11:30
HM Treasury
Oral questions - Main Chamber
19 Dec 2023, 11:30 a.m.
HM Treasury (including Topical Questions)
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Note: This event involves a Department with which this person is linked, and does not guarantee their actual attendance.
Division Votes
Monday 4th December 2023
Victims and Prisoners Bill
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 27 Noes - 267
Speeches
Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Autumn Statement
This statement is a deception from the Chancellor after years of unfair tax hikes. Under this Conservative Government, economic growth …
Written Answers
Monday 4th December 2023
Adoption
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support she provides to local authorities to help provide post-adoption support.
Early Day Motions
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Pedicabs and Hammersmith Bridge
That this House recognises the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motor traffic has disproportionately impacted older and less mobile people; …
Bills
Monday 20th June 2022
Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill 2022-23
A Bill to make provision to increase the energy performance of buildings; and for connected purposes.
MP Financial Interests
Monday 4th September 2023
3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources
Name of donor: Transopco UK Ltd (trading as FREENOW)
Address of donor: Harling House, Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BS …
EDM signed
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
That this House acknowledges that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; recognises that survival rates in the UK still lag …
Supported Legislation
Tuesday 5th July 2022
Kinship Care Bill 2022-23
A Bill to provide for a statutory definition of kinship care; to make provision about allowances and parental leave for …

Division Voting information

During the current Parliamentary Session, Sarah Olney has voted in 673 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Sarah Olney 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
Paul Scully (Conservative)
(15 debate interactions)
Eleanor Laing (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
Rachel Maclean (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(63 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(55 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2021
(4,397 words contributed)
Trade Bill 2019-21
(1,886 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Sarah Olney's debates

Richmond Park 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

Enact legislation to protect retail workers. This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.

The Government should class in-person interaction with family members and unmarried partners abroad as an essential reason to travel.

The government should allow BTEC students to achieve teacher predicted grades rather than being forced into a system that is unethically downgrading thousands of students grades.

Schools can be a breeding ground for the spread of coronavirus. Children are mingling at schools and returning to families who are potentially vulnerable, keeping rates high.

It's only been since schools opened that infection rates have been high in Kent, and keeping them open may keep it high.

Cancel all standardise testing for year 11 and year 12 students in 2021. By replacing tests with smaller amounts of course work and teacher assessment, students would have a fair chance at achieving their target grades and it would relieve stress for teachers and students.

Please don’t send students back until we know we have had the priority groups vaccinated such as the elderly, the extremely clinically vulnerable, and those with underlying health conditions.

To not decide to scrap free travel for those who are under 18. As a teenager who has relied so much on free travel, it has allowed for me to go to school without the worry of an extra expense and explore around the beautiful city of London also. Destroying free travel would hurt so many of us.

After owning nurseries for 29 years I have never experienced such damaging times for the sector with rising costs not being met by the funding rates available. Business Rates are a large drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.

For the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.

If nurseries are shut down in view of Covid-19, the Government should set up an emergency fund to ensure their survival and ensure that parents are not charged the full fee by the nurseries to keep children's places.

The prospect of widespread cancellations of concerts, theatre productions and exhibitions due to COVID-19 threatens to cause huge financial hardship for Britain's creative community. We ask Parliament to provide a package of emergency financial and practical support during this unpredictable time.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak there are travel bans imposed by many countries, there is a disastrous potential impact on our Aviation Industry. Without the Government’s help there could be an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of jobs under threat.

The cash grants proposed by Government are only for businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Relief, or for particular sectors. Many small businesses fall outside these reliefs desperately need cash grants and support now.

To extend the business rate relief to all dental practices and medical and aesthetics clinics and any small business that’s in healthcare

Zoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.

As we pass the COVID-19 Peak, the Government should: State where the Theatres and Arts fit in the Coronavrius recovery Roadmap, Create a tailor made financial support mechanism for the Arts sector & Clarify how Social Distancing will affect arts spaces like Theatres and Concert Venues.


Latest EDMs signed by Sarah Olney

21st November 2023
Sarah Olney signed this EDM on Wednesday 29th November 2023

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Tabled by: Paulette Hamilton (Labour - Birmingham, Erdington)
That this House acknowledges that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; recognises that survival rates in the UK still lag behind much of the rest of Europe and the World; notes that pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and that diagnosis takes too long with slow processes and multiple tests …
43 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Dec 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 20
Liberal Democrat: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 5
Independent: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Scottish National Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
29th November 2023
Sarah Olney signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 29th November 2023

Pedicabs and Hammersmith Bridge

Tabled by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
That this House recognises the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motor traffic has disproportionately impacted older and less mobile people; acknowledges that the closure has had a negative impact on these groups' access to shops, health services, and public transport; recognises the temporary pedicab service that was put in place …
3 signatures
(Most recent: 1 Dec 2023)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Labour: 1
View All Sarah Olney's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Sarah Olney, 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.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Sarah Olney

5 Adjournment Debates led by Sarah Olney

Thursday 16th November 2023
Tuesday 8th November 2022
Friday 22nd October 2021
Wednesday 7th October 2020

4 Bills introduced by Sarah Olney


A Bill to make provision to increase the energy performance of buildings; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 24th March 2023
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the effectiveness of gender pay gap reporting requirements.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to prohibit the use of upward-only rent review clauses in commercial rent agreements; to nullify existing such clauses; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to prohibit anti-abortion protests within 150 metres of abortion clinics; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 11th March 2020

1514 Written Questions in the current parliament

(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
10 Other Department Questions
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what data her Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

For management and staffing purposes, the Equality Hub is an integrated part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office provides laptops and mobile phones to over 10,000 users in 2023-24. The Cabinet Office supplies fully security encrypted mobiles and laptops. We do not issue memory sticks or external drives.

There are occasional incidents where equipment is reported lost or stolen. Staff are required to report such incidents, and cases are investigated. Any loss is unfortunate and should be avoided, but invariably reflects that such devices may be taken out of a workplace environment.

The following table includes the numbers and costs related to the lost/stolen devices for the Cabinet Office as a whole.

Laptops

Mobile Phones

Memory Sticks

External Data Drives

Number Lost

28

108

N/A

N/A

Cost of Lost Replacement

£23,911.20*

£40,280*

N/A

N/A

Number Stolen

21

10

N/A

N/A

Cost of Stolen Replacement

£23,010.52*

£3,585*

N/A

N/A

*Some devices not approved for replacement

Given steps taken to secure information, we do not believe there has been any data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

There were twelve consultations published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the 2022/2023 financial year. Of these, a response is yet to be published for three of these. These are:

  1. Online Advertising Programme. The Government consultation on the Online Advertising Programme launched earlier last year and closed on 8 June 2022. We will be publishing a Government response to the consultation in due course.

  2. UNESCO World Heritage Sites - UK Tentative List Review. The new UK Tentative List is due to be announced in Spring 2023.

  3. Developing a tourist accommodation registration scheme in England. The Call for Evidence was held between June and September 2022 and received almost 4,000 responses. The results of the Call for Evidence will be published shortly.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
3rd Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will meet Guide Dogs UK to discuss improving access to local businesses for guide dog owners.

Under the Equality Act 2010 it is the legal responsibility of businesses, whether as employers or providers of services, to ensure that guide dog owners can access their premises and services where reasonable to do so. This “reasonable adjustments” duty is anticipatory in the provision of services, meaning that businesses should expect that a proportion of their customers will be, for example, visually impaired and put in place measures to accommodate this, before being asked to do so.

If Guide Dogs UK wishes for a meeting, my officials would be happy to accommodate this. However with respect to how the law operates, it is important to be clear that the onus is on businesses to know their responsibilities and a range of guidance and codes of practice is available on this. Where things go wrong, enforcement will fall to the person who considers that they have experienced unlawful discrimination, or a person acting on their behalf.

Before considering any legal action, a disabled person who may have been personally discriminated against because of a disability may contact The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), the government helpline established to provide free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns. The EASS can be contacted via their website - http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/, by telephone on 0808 8000082 or text phone on 0808 8000084. The EASS has the ability to intervene on an individual’s behalf with a service provider to help resolve an issue. The EASS can also advise people who wish to take their complaint further on their options.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in her Department in each of the last 5 years.

Between January and December of 2018 there were 370 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Aberdeen, Belfast City, Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle Of Man, Jersey, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Shetland Isle and Southampton.

Between January and December of 2019 there were 496 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Aberdeen, Belfast City, Belfast International, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle Of Man, Jersey, Kirkwall, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Derry, Manchester, Newcastle, Shetland Isles and Southampton.

Between January and December of 2020 there were 52 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Belfast City, Belfast International, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Kirkwall, London City, London Heathrow and Newcastle.

Between January and December of 2021 there were 92 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Belfast City, Belfast International, Edinburgh, Glasgow International, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Luton.

Between January and December of 2022 there were 272 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Aberdeen Dyce, Belfast City, Belfast International, Dundee, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow International, Inverness, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Stornoway and Sumburgh.

Between January and February of 2023 there were 96 domestic flights taken by officials within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the destinations of these flights are as follows; Belfast City, Belfast International, Derry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow International, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
11th Nov 2022
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2022 to Question 389, how much public money was spent on subsidising food and drink in outlets on the parliamentary estate in 2021-22.

Parliament provides a range of catering services to Members, House staff, journalists and a large number of visitors. As a workplace this includes staff canteens that are available for people who work in Parliament. The services aren’t directly subsidised, but they unavoidably come at a cost due to the irregular hours that Parliament works. The service has a commitment to continuously seek to reduce costs where possible.

The net cost of catering for the latest available financial year, April 2021–March 2022, was £7.5m.

20th Apr 2022
To ask the President of COP26, what recent steps he has taken to help coordinate a whole of Government response to tackling the climate and ecological emergency ahead of the COP15 Biodiversity Conference.

The COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity is a crucial moment in 2022 to ensure global action on tackling biodiversity loss by 2030.

The UK government is taking a wholly joined up approach to delivering world-leading climate & ecological commitments through our Net Zero Strategy, the Environment Act, and our Environmental Improvement Plan, including an historic target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Jan 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of findings on the disparity in mortality rates of women following operations performed by male and female surgeons.

We are committed to improving women’s health. Independent reports such as Baroness Cumberlege’s review in 2021 were a catalyst in shining a light on women’s experiences of the healthcare system. In December we published Our Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy, which sets out our ambitions for improving women’s health and reducing disparities – we will publish the Women’s Health Strategy this year.

We are also clear that wider patient safety must be a top priority for the NHS in England. Significant measures introduced by the Government and those being implemented by NHS England as part of the NHS Patient Safety Strategy are about improving the way the NHS learns from avoidable patient harm and the response to harmed patients.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
3rd Feb 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of tailored support for the wraparound childcare sector during the covid-19 outbreak to improve measures to tackle gender inequality.

Wraparound childcare is a Department for Education policy, therefore the Minister for Women and Equalities would not be best-placed to lead discussions on this issue with the Chancellor. The Equality Hub provides evidence and expertise to support cross-government work on economic and social recovery, working closely with the COVID-19 Taskforce and the relevant delivery departments. This includes working with the Department for Education to highlight the pressures faced by those balancing work with childcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we know that the majority of these pressures fall on women.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
19th Jan 2021
To ask the President of COP26, whether he has had discussions with the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on moving the Intersessional Conference taking place prior to the COP26 Summit online.

The UK continues to work closely with the UNFCCC Secretariat, UNFCCC Subsidiary Body Chairs, and COP25 Presidency Chile to ensure we maximise progress ahead of COP26. Decisions regarding the Bonn intersessional will be made by the UNFCCC COP Bureau, where all countries are represented.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Attorney General, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

The Attorney General’s Office has not had any laptops, mobile phones, memory sticks or external hard drives lost or stolen in the last year.

Michael Tomlinson
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

The Cabinet Office provides laptops and mobile phones to over 10,000 users in 2023-24. The Cabinet Office supplies fully security encrypted mobiles and laptops. We do not issue memory sticks or external drives.

There are occasional incidents where equipment is reported lost or stolen. Staff are required to report such incidents, and cases are investigated. Any loss is unfortunate and should be avoided, but invariably reflects that such devices may need to be taken out of a workplace environment.

The following table includes the numbers and costs related to the lost/stolen devices.

Laptops

Mobile Phones

Memory Sticks

External Data Drives

Number Lost

28

108

N/A

N/A

Cost of Lost Replacement

£23,911.20*

£40,280*

N/A

N/A

Number Stolen

21

10

N/A

N/A

Cost of Stolen Replacement

£23,010.52*

£3,585*

N/A

N/A

*Some devices not approved for replacement

Given steps taken to secure information, we do not believe there has been any data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
28th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed border target operating model on the availability of food.

The Border Target Operating Model proposes a new control regime for imports of animal and plant products. It will implement an innovative, risk-based approach to border controls for imports ensuring that goods can flow and checks, delays and waste are minimised.

As set out in our Food Strategy published in 2022, the resilience and reliability of food supply chains is a key objective of this Government.

The draft Border Target Operating Model was developed with input from business. Our innovative and risk-based approach to border controls will limit complexity for businesses, whilst providing the critical border controls that will keep the UK safe from a range of biosecurity, human health and security threats.

Many food products will require no new certification or checks, and where they are needed importers will be able to complete them more simply. Some businesses may need to adapt their business models, and we will support them to do that.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of the Border Target Operating Model on levels of food waste.

The Border Target Operating Model proposes a new control regime for imports of animal and plant products. It will implement an innovative, risk-based approach to border controls for imports ensuring that goods can flow and checks, delays and waste are minimised.

As set out in our Food Strategy published in 2022, the resilience and reliability of food supply chains is a key objective of this Government.

The draft Border Target Operating Model was developed with input from business. Our innovative and risk-based approach to border controls will limit complexity for businesses, whilst providing the critical border controls that will keep the UK safe from a range of biosecurity, human health and security threats.

Many food products will require no new certification or checks, and where they are needed importers will be able to complete them more simply. Some businesses may need to adapt their business models, and we will support them to do that.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
22nd May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the monetary value of the benefits delivered by urban wetlands.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady Parliamentary Question of 22 May is attached.

28th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

Information is available on gov.uk on all open and closed consultations published by the Cabinet Office including the closing date for open consultations and, where available, the Government's response.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in his Department in each of the last 5 years.

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department. Comprehensive details of Senior Officials’ Business Expenses, encompassing domestic flights are available on GOV.UK.

20th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish an assessment of the potential impact of the creation of single buyer agreement for public sector food on the competitive landscape of the wholesale market, including for SMEs.

SMEs in the food supply chain were consulted as part of supplier engagement activities. Feedback from these activities shaped the procurement strategy for the proposed framework agreement.

SME producers will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector. Customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order.

Many other Public Buying Organisations (PBOs) offer food and or drink commercial solutions, to the public sector which is not managed by CCS as a central government organisation. CCS consulted with a number of PBO’s as part of their food strategy development.

CCS’ initial proposed commercial solution value will have a headroom to accommodate £100 million worth of spend over the 4 year agreement period. This equates to less than 5% of the £2.1 billion public sector food spend.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential merits of adding the terms and conditions set out in the Buying Better Foods agreement to existing public sector food frameworks such as TUCO and ESPO.

SMEs in the food supply chain were consulted as part of supplier engagement activities. Feedback from these activities shaped the procurement strategy for the proposed framework agreement.

SME producers will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector. Customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order.

Many other Public Buying Organisations (PBOs) offer food and or drink commercial solutions, to the public sector which is not managed by CCS as a central government organisation. CCS consulted with a number of PBO’s as part of their food strategy development.

CCS’ initial proposed commercial solution value will have a headroom to accommodate £100 million worth of spend over the 4 year agreement period. This equates to less than 5% of the £2.1 billion public sector food spend.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Buying Better Foods framework on the participation of SMEs in that sector.

SMEs in the food supply chain were consulted as part of supplier engagement activities. Feedback from these activities shaped the procurement strategy for the proposed framework agreement.

SME producers will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector. Customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order.

Many other Public Buying Organisations (PBOs) offer food and or drink commercial solutions, to the public sector which is not managed by CCS as a central government organisation. CCS consulted with a number of PBO’s as part of their food strategy development.

CCS’ initial proposed commercial solution value will have a headroom to accommodate £100 million worth of spend over the 4 year agreement period. This equates to less than 5% of the £2.1 billion public sector food spend.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the creation of a single buyer agreement for public sector food.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS), representing the Cabinet Office, Defra and its Ministers have worked closely together throughout the development of the proposed agreement.

Defra approached CCS in 2019 to consider the concept of developing a commercial strategy and procurement solution for food produce, specifically a holistic approach to the ordering, fulfilment, consolidation and delivery of food produce to customers.

CCS have been working alongside Defra to design a commercial solution, and Defra will be responsible for establishing the updated Government Buying Standards for Food. CCS and Defra continue to work closely together on this issue.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what food and drink wholesale companies were consulted by the Government ahead of the publication of the Buying Better Food Agreement PIN.

The tender for the proposed Buying Better Food Agreement has not yet been published. Invitations to Tender are expected in Summer 2023, with the contract going live in Spring 2024.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) have followed the public sector regulations by issuing a PIN notice, which is published on the government Find a Tender Service, used for all public sector opportunities. This notified the market of our intentions, and invited willing participants to engage with us.

As a result of this, a cross-section of the food and drink supply chain has been engaged and consulted through CCS’ ongoing market engagement process. These include micro SME producers to Tier 1 national providers.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
19th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has set target response times for telephone calls to Government Department helplines.

Departmental helplines are not managed or run centrally. Therefore, each department is responsible for their own helpline, as well as response and waiting times.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
19th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has made a recent estimate of the average waiting time for calls made to helplines run by Government departments; and if he will take steps to help shorten those waiting times.

Departmental helplines are not managed or run centrally. Therefore, each department is responsible for their own helpline, as well as response and waiting times.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
6th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many of the Prime Minister's Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

For management and staffing purposes, the Prime Minister’s Office is an integrated part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office had 10,655 staff in 2022-23, and all devices are fully security encrypted. The following table includes the number of lost/stolen devices in the Cabinet Office in the last five years.

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Laptops

54

40

27

28

28

Mobile phones

93

188

113

127

140

Memory sticks

0

0

0

0

0

External hard drives

0

0

0

0

0

Given steps taken to secure information, we do not believe there has been any data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

5th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the impact of inflation on games and toys for the domestic market in each of the last five years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 5 December is attached.

5th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the impact of inflation on the average price of a (a) turkey, (b) Christmas pudding, (c) brandy and (d) Christmas cracker in each of the last three years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 5 December is attached.

18th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many job vacancies there are in each Government (a) department and (b) agency.

As at 8am on 19 July, there are 3,349 adverts for 10,409 total postings advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website. The below table shows vacancies and posts by department.

Department

Agency (if applicable)

Adverts Live

Total Posts Live

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence

597

1,199

HM Prison & Probation Service

HM Prison & Probation Service

519

3,480

HM Revenue and Customs

HM Revenue and Customs

243

504

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Internal)

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Internal)

230

262

UK Health Security Agency

UK Health Security Agency

112

175

Home Office

Home Office

107

990

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

86

164

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice

82

206

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions

76

396

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office

50

60

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade

50

61

Department of Health and Social Care

Department of Health and Social Care

48

54

Office for National Statistics

Office for National Statistics

47

149

Department for Education

Department for Education

45

71

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

43

203

Crown Prosecution Service

Crown Prosecution Service

39

82

Health and Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive

38

63

HM Courts and Tribunals Service

HM Courts and Tribunals Service

38

297

OFGEM

OFGEM

37

57

Natural England

Natural England

36

82

Scottish Government

Scottish Government

34

43

Department for Transport

Department for Transport

30

32

Forestry Commission

Forestry Commission

26

28

HM Treasury

HM Treasury

26

31

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

24

36

House of Commons

House of Commons

23

32

Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland

22

70

Government Digital Service

Government Digital Service

20

30

Insolvency Service

Insolvency Service

20

34

Homes England

Homes England

19

28

Government Legal Department

Government Legal Department

17

146

DEFRA

Food Standards Agency

16

20

Government Commercial Function

Government Commercial Function

16

29

Care Quality Commission

Care Quality Commission

16

65

Forestry Commission - Forest Research

Forestry Commission - Forest Research

16

16

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

15

25

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

15

16

College of Policing

College of Policing

15

44

UK Hydrographic Office

UK Hydrographic Office

15

49

Valuation Office Agency

Valuation Office Agency

14

130

Pensions Regulator

Pensions Regulator

13

16

Met Office

Met Office

13

23

Welsh Government

Welsh Government

13

56

National Crime Agency

National Crime Agency

13

144

The Money and Pensions Service

The Money and Pensions Service

13

18

Government Property Agency

Government Property Agency

12

29

DEFRA

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

12

13

Legal Aid Agency

Legal Aid Agency

11

29

Historic Environment Scotland

Historic Environment Scotland

10

10

HM Land Registry

HM Land Registry

10

18

Information Commissioner's Office

Information Commissioner's Office

10

19

FCDO Services

FCDO Services

10

10

Crown Commercial Service

Crown Commercial Service

9

14

Office for Students

Office for Students

9

20

Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills

Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills

9

12

Disclosure & Barring Service

Disclosure & Barring Service

8

16

UK Export Finance

UK Export Finance

8

11

Department for Transport

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

8

20

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

8

9

House of Lords

House of Lords

8

9

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

7

7

Companies House

Companies House

7

7

Marine Management Organisation

Marine Management Organisation

7

9

Government Office for Science

Government Office for Science

7

28

GCHQ

GCHQ

7

22

UK Space Agency

UK Space Agency

7

7

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

6

6

Student Loans Company

Student Loans Company

6

14

Department for Transport

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

6

92

Department for Transport

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

6

10

Serious Fraud Office

Serious Fraud Office

5

9

Office of the Public Guardian

Office of the Public Guardian

5

12

Trade Remedies Authority

Trade Remedies Authority

5

5

Planning Inspectorate

Planning Inspectorate

5

7

Cross Departmental Opportunities

Cross Departmental Opportunities

5

9

UK Statistics Authority

UK Statistics Authority

4

4

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

4

5

DEFRA

Rural Payments Agency

4

5

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office

4

6

Forestry and Land Scotland

Forestry and Land Scotland

4

4

Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual Property Office

4

4

Consumer Scotland

Consumer Scotland

4

5

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

4

4

Office of Rail and Road

Office of Rail and Road

4

5

Government Statistical Service

Government Statistical Service

4

40

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

4

10

Charity Commission

Charity Commission

4

7

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Independent Office for Police Conduct

4

5

Independent Monitoring Authority

Independent Monitoring Authority

3

3

UK Research and Innovation

UK Research and Innovation

3

3

Government Internal Audit Agency

Government Internal Audit Agency

3

4

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

3

7

Medical Research Council

Medical Research Council

3

3

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

3

3

The National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund

3

3

DEFRA

Animal and Plant Health Agency

3

3

Defence Electronics & Components Agency

Defence Electronics & Components Agency

3

3

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

3

3

Gambling Commission

Gambling Commission

3

3

Registers of Scotland

Registers of Scotland

3

4

Competition & Markets Authority

Competition & Markets Authority

2

3

Innovate UK

Innovate UK

2

3

National Savings and Investments

National Savings and Investments

2

2

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

2

2

Housing Ombudsman Service

Housing Ombudsman Service

2

2

MI5

MI5

2

2

DEFRA

Veterinary Medicines Directorate

2

2

Office for Nuclear Regulation

Office for Nuclear Regulation

2

2

Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority)

Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority)

2

3

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

2

2

Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council

Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council

2

10

Security Industry Authority

Security Industry Authority

2

3

Office for Environmental Protection

Office for Environmental Protection

1

2

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Equality and Human Rights Commission

1

1

Home Office

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services

1

1

The National Archives

The National Archives

1

1

Valuation Tribunal Service

Valuation Tribunal Service

1

1

DEFRA

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

1

2

MI6 - Secret Intelligence Service

MI6 - Secret Intelligence Service

1

1

Government Actuary's Department

Government Actuary's Department

1

5

Environmental Standards Scotland

Environmental Standards Scotland

1

1

Scottish Forestry

Scottish Forestry

1

1

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

1

1

UK Debt Management Office

UK Debt Management Office

1

1

Parole Board

Parole Board

1

1

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Criminal Cases Review Commission

1

1

Youth Justice Board

Youth Justice Board

1

6

Building Digital UK (BDUK)

Building Digital UK (BDUK)

1

1

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

1

1

Grand Total

3,349

10,409

23rd Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the (a) number of civil servants who were involved in and (b) the cost to the public purse of the (i) creation and (ii) maintenance of the Retained EU law dashboard as of 23 June 2022.

a) The Cabinet Office staff resource for the dashboard was less than 1 FTE.

b) There has been no additional non-pay cost to the public purse by creating the dashboard. The process was led by the Cabinet Office, who commissioned Government Departments to find REUL within their legislation and compile an authoritative account of where REUL sits on the UK statute book.

The dashboard itself is made by the Government Strategic Management Office and is hosted on Tableau Public, which is a free platform for hosting public dashboards. The dashboard will continue to be updated at no additional cost.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there was a cost to the public purse from expenditure on (a) alcohol, (b) food, (c) suitcases and (d) a fridge at gatherings being investigated by the (i) Second Permanent Secretary to Cabinet Office and (ii) Metropolitan Police.
2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to publish a report on the review of all EU retained laws being undertaken to determine whether those laws are beneficial to the UK.

The Queen’s speech will set out in further detail the Government’s legislative programme in the normal way.

This legislation on retained EU law will be informed by the Cabinet Office's ongoing reviews into the substance and status of retained EU law. Legislation will be accompanied by the normal documents that will explain the benefits of making it easier to amend or remove retained EU Law.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward legislative proposals with the aim of ensuring that it is easier to amend or remove retained EU law.

The Queen’s speech will set out in further detail the Government’s legislative programme in the normal way.

This legislation on retained EU law will be informed by the Cabinet Office's ongoing reviews into the substance and status of retained EU law. Legislation will be accompanied by the normal documents that will explain the benefits of making it easier to amend or remove retained EU Law.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to The Benefits of Brexit: How the UK is taking advantage of leaving the EU published in January 2022, what assessment he has made of the way in which the Withdrawal Agreement enabled the UK to establish a strategic partnership with Australia and the USA through AUKAS.

Following our withdrawal from the European Union, the UK is able to pursue an independent foreign, trade and security policy. As set out in ‘The Benefits of Brexit’, this gives us greater flexibility to pursue the UK’s international objectives: to sit at the heart of a network of like-minded countries, defend human rights and uphold global norms. This new and agile approach is demonstrated through AUKUS. AUKUS is a concrete articulation of the UK’s ambition, made in the ‘Integrated Review’, to deepen defence, security and foreign policy ties with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific and more widely across the globe. The agreement reflects the unique level of trust and cooperation between our three countries.

1st Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will publish a breakdown of the projected £1 billion of red tape faced by businesses that will be removed via Brexit Freedoms Bill, by (a) business sector and (b) type of red tape cut.

The review into the substance of retained EU law and departmental appraisals will be used to establish how best to meet the target. In due course, as we progress with this work, we will consider whether to publish a breakdown of the target.

24th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he will take with his counterparts in the EU to resolve the backlog of road freight at Dover.

Traffic flows and any congestion build up at the Short Straits are monitored 24/7 by officials on both sides of the English Channel, and the appropriate escalation routes are already in place, and well tested to mitigate the risk of delays at the border. The reasons why the Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP) has been activated recently are understood, and we are confident that new customs processes introduced from 1 January were not the cause of queues.

Officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are engaging with industry groups, Port of Dover and local stakeholders in Kent.

9th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost to the Government is of new border infrastructure, including IT systems, put in place to process goods imported from the EU.

In July 2020, the Government announced a £705 million package of investment in border infrastructure, staff and technology to ensure GB border systems would be ready for the transition period. This included the £200 million Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF), £270 million for inland infrastructure and a further £235 million for border IT, systems and recruitments.

As of early December 2021, £95.5 million in grants from the PIF had been disbursed to ports to cover verified expenditure to date. Of the £200 million PIF, we expect all of the £195 million allocated to ports to be spent by the end of the current (2021-22) financial year. Additionally, by December 2021, the Department for Transport had spent £292.2 million on inland border infrastructure and the running of Information and Advice sites.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has ongoing funding to deliver the key priorities for EU Exit. As of early December 2021, HMRC had spent, for example, £9 million scaling up the existing Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system, £45 million on the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and an additional £76 million on Inland Border Facility (IBF) development.

Since departments have border-related funding built into their baseline budgets, it is not straightforward to provide the total cost to the Government of all new border infrastructure and IT systems to date. Spending is ongoing and will be accounted for by departments in the usual way.

9th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government has taken to inform small and medium sized enterprises of the new import processes taking effect from 1 January 2022; and how much money the Government has spent on dispersing that information.

Government officials and Ministers meet weekly with representatives of trade bodies that represent SMEs, such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry, to discuss how best to target information at SMEs. We also engage larger companies to ensure they help prepare smaller companies in their supply chains for the changes ahead.

The Government has also prepared several freely available tools to assist all traders with the new import processes being introduced from 1 January 2022. This includes the publication and continuous updating of the Border Operating Model; over 200 webinars delivered by the Cabinet Office reaching around 20,000 UK and EU traders to date, and a haulier handbook translated into 17 languages.

In addition, our ‘Check, Change, Go’ communications campaign has been designed using polling and insights from SMEs. Based on these insights, all paid for marketing has been developed to target these audiences to ensure they are aware of the effect of new rules in place between the EU and the UK.

Given much of this activity falls within standard government business as usual, it is not possible to disaggregate all costs relating to communications specifically for preparing small and medium sized businesses. However the Cabinet Office publishes expenditure on gov.uk, including on public information campaigns on a rolling monthly basis as part of routine government transparency arrangements.

8th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many of the Prime Minister's office (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

For management and staffing purposes, the Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.

Figures are not available for 2017. Subsequent figures for the whole of the Cabinet Office as a department are as follows:

2018

2019

2020

2021

Laptops

46

63

40

32

Mobile phones

80

136

69

87

Memory sticks

0

0

0

0

External hard drives

0

0

0

0

To place this context, in 2020-21, the Cabinet Office (core department) had 9,248 staff.

All departmental IT is fully security encrypted.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely locked.

The Departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

There has been no data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

21st May 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to resolve customs delays at the UK-EU border.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 175882 on 28 April 2021.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the length of time in which overseas electors can vote beyond 15 years.

In line with the commitment in the 2019 Conservative manifesto, the Government will scrap the rule that prevents British citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from participating in UK parliamentary elections. Many British citizens overseas retain deep ties to the United Kingdom and it is right that we respect this.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will put in place a mandatory two-week notice period for changing guidelines for marriages and civil partnerships ceremonies.

May I apologise for the delay in answering the question. On 5 November, the Department for Health and Social Care acted swiftly in accordance with growing evidence of virus prevalence to put in place new national COVID-19 restrictions in England. Under these new restrictions, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are not permitted to take place, except in exceptional circumstances where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover. We recognise that the restrictions may be disappointing for those who are planning such events. However, by their nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together from across the country and sometimes across the world, making them high risk events for transmission of the virus.


For further information on COVID-19 restrictions, please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november. Information for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is available on related websites.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
24th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that Article 8 of the Withdrawal Agreement is implemented in full.

The UK government is committed to implementing the Withdrawal Agreement, including Article 8.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

The figures for the Department for Business and Trade from 1 April 2023 to 10 November 2023 for phones and laptops are below.

Item

Number

Cost

Phone

68

£ 30,285

Laptop

28

£ 30,734

TOTAL

96

£ 61,019

The Department has no record of lost removable devices, including memory sticks or external hard-drives.

All departmental IT is fully security encrypted.

The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the

Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the

contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately.

and remotely locked.

There has been no data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish the (a) average amount of time it took for consignments of (i) food and (ii) agricultural products to clear customs in the latest period for which information is available and (b) Government's estimate of the average amount of time it will take for those consignments to clear customs under the Border Target Operating Model.

This information is not held by the Department for Business and Trade.

A number of factors impact clearance times at the border. They will vary depending on the type of food or agricultural product being imported, the port of entry and the mode of transport. Under the risk-based approach to controls set out in the Border Target Operating Model many food and agricultural imports will not require checks at ports ensuring they can leave the port without delay.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate she has made of the number of people eligible for the entitlements set out in the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act who will not receive those entitlements between the date the Bill received Royal Assent and the date the Act is due to be implemented.

We are committed to introducing Neonatal Care Leave and Pay as quickly as possible. Work is ongoing across Government to deliver these new entitlements.

It is not possible to deliver the Neonatal Care Leave and Pay entitlement immediately after Royal Assent as delivery requires updates to HMRC IT systems and a significant amount of secondary legislation.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress her Department has made on the consultation on choice on units of measurement: markings and sales.

The Government has received over 100,000 responses to the consultation on the Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales and will publish its response in due course.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of a 10 per cent tariff on the import of vehicles on the UK's car manufacturing sector.

The UK Global Tariff sets out the UK’s Most Favourite Nation tariffs. It applies to all imports of goods unless an exception applies, such as a Free Trade Agreement. The UKGT has been in place since 1 January 2021.

In setting tariffs on automotive goods, the Government took into account a number of market and economic factors as well as the interests of UK businesses, manufacturers, and consumers as well as on the views expressed through a public consultation in February 2020.

The Government’s programme of trade agreements also supports the import of vehicles. We continue to engage with partners to address issues, including around rules of origin, as needed.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of legislation to (a) support small businesses when trading online and (b) protect small businesses from infringement of their intellectual property rights.

The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 protects businesses from misleading advertising by other businesses, and are enforced by Trading Standards.

The Government recently introduced the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill to establish a new pro-competition regime that will force the most powerful tech firms to treat businesses in the UK fairly – including small businesses.

The options available to a business which believes its intellectual property (IP) is being infringed online depend on the type of IP, where it is registered and where the alleged infringement is taking place.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Answer of 21 January 2020 to Question 3164 on Employment Tribunals Service: Fines, how many (a) warning notices and (b) financial penalty notices were issued to respondent employers under section 150 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 for failure to pay an employment tribunal award in each year since 2016-17.

Workers should receive the money they are owed. We are committed to ensuring this happens and that they are protected from exploitation.

As stated in the answer to HL6685, data held on Employment Tribunal Penalties is derived from a live case management system used for internal purposes which has not been subject to sufficient validation that would be required for us to release this to Parliament at this time.

We will consider what data we may be able to publish on this subject in the future.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the consultation entitled Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales, published on 3 June 2022, when the Government expects to publish its response to that consultation; and how many responses to that consultation have been analysed as of 13 April 2023.

The Government has received over 100,000 responses to the consultation on the Choice on units of measurement: markings and sale and will publish its response in due course.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to reform the Online Intermediation Services for Business Users (Enforcement) Regulations 2020 following the passage of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

The Department for Business and Trade is reviewing all REUL in line with usual policy development to determine whether to repeal, replace or preserve it.

The Government will, in due course, provide further information regarding its plans for the Online Intermediation Services for Business Users (Enforcement) Regulations 2020.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

Policy teams across the Department for Business and Trade consult regularly during the policy development and implementation cycle.

Information is available on gov.uk on all open and closed consultations published by the Department for Business and Trade, including the closing date for open consultations and, where available, the Government's response.

The Cabinet Office has published best practice ‘consultation principles’ for Government Departments.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in her Department in each of the last 5 years.

Due to the Machinery of Government changes we are unable to give total figures for the Department of Business and Trade.

The number of domestic flights (flights departing and arriving within the United Kingdom) taken by officials of the former Department of International Trade (DIT) in each of the last 5 financial years is published in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts.

The link to the DIT Annual Report and Accounts can be found at the following location: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-international-trade-annual-report-and-accounts

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether it remains her Department's policy to (a) expand the definition of a Small or Medium Sized Enterprise to include companies with up to 500 employees and (b) consult on extending the threshold to businesses with up to 1,000 employees.

In October 2022, the Government extended the Small and Micro Business Assessment process to include a new test for medium sized businesses of up to 499 employees. This will help ensure that the impact of new and renewed regulations on these businesses are considered, and exemptions or mitigations applied where it is appropriate. There are no plans to extend the threshold further.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

Between 7th February 2023, when the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was formed, to 10th November 2023, records show the following devices were reported lost or stolen.

(A) Lost

(B) Stolen

Replacement Cost

(i) Laptop

14

8

£19,250 (£875 unit)

(ii) Mobile Phone

76

6

£29,110 (£355 unit)

DESNZ has a policy for the controlled use of memory sticks and external hard drives. These are only permitted with a valid and approved business case and using authorised, hardware encrypted devices. Once approved, individual Directorates are responsible for controlling the memory sticks and external hard drives, therefore no figures on loss are held centrally.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she will make it her Department's policy to end renewable subsidies for tree burning in power stations.

The Government has no plans to remove support for biomass generating stations that are already supported under the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the Contract for Difference (CfD) schemes. Such generators undertook their investments in establishing their stations under these schemes and have a statutory right to their existing support.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Gypsies and Travellers living on roadside camps and (b) itinerant liveaboard Boaters can access the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

Officials are still working to determine if there is a robust method for Gypsies and Travellers and itinerant liveaboard boaters to provide proof that their caravan or boat is their main or sole residence. This is necessary so they can receive the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding support whilst protecting public funds from fraud. The Government is working to resolve this issue and will communicate any decision with stakeholder associations who represent these households when it has been made.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
22nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of competition in the retail energy market.

The Government does hold this information.

Ofgem monitors the retail energy market for gas and electricity and these data are published regularly on the Ofgem website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/retail-market-indicators.

The number of consumers switching contracts is a key metric indicating the level of competition. Ofgem’s data show that switching remains significantly below that seen before the gas price crisis started. However, the most recent figures for February 2023 show that the total number of switches was up 41% relative to January 2023, and 58% above the level observed in February 2022.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
5th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households have applied to receive Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding as of 4 May 2023; and what proportion of those applications have been processed.

Figures on the number of households who have applied for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding will be published on GOV.UK on 11 May. This will include the number of applications which have been approved for payment or paid.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was created in February 2023. The Department has not issued any consultations for which a response is outstanding.

As part of the Machinery of Government changes, the Government inherited 34 ongoing consultations from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

- Review of the energy intensive industries exemption scheme;

- Considerations for future Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds;

- Capacity Market 2023: strengthening security of supply and alignment with net zero;

- Improving boiler standards and efficiency;

- Smart Meter Targets Framework: minimum installation requirements for Year 3 (2024) and Year 4 (2025);

- Review of consents for major energy infrastructure projects and Special Protection Areas, 2022;

- Data sharing regulations for a safeguard energy tariff;

- Energy retail: opt-in and testing opt-out switching;

- Designing a framework for transparency of carbon content in energy products: call for evidence;

- Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes;

- Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme: request for information;

- Review of consents for major energy infrastructure projects and Special Protection Areas;

- Proposals for hydrogen transport and storage business models;

- Decarbonisation readiness: call for evidence on the expansion of the 2009 Carbon Capture Readiness requirements;

- Future of the energy retail market: call for evidence;

- 1st Offshore Carbon Dioxide Storage Licensing Round Appropriate Assessment;

- UK Emissions Trading Scheme free allocation review: call for evidence;

- Greenhouse gas removals (GGR) business models;

- Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid;

- Re-coupling Great Britain electricity auctions for cross-border trade;

- Exemptions from the requirement for an electricity licence: call for evidence;

- Climate Change Agreements (CCAs): proposals for a future scheme;

- Future policy framework for power with carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS): call for evidence;

- Land rights and consents for electricity network infrastructure: call for evidence;

- Introducing a performance-based policy framework in large commercial and industrial buildings;

- Role of biomass in achieving net zero: call for evidence;

- Cost of energy review: call for evidence;

- Improving home energy performance through lenders;

- Potential of marine energy projects in Great Britain: call for evidence;

- Designing the Green Heat Network Fund: call for evidence;

- Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid;

- Green Gas Support Scheme 2022 annual tariff review: call for evidence;

- Third-party intermediaries in the retail energy market: call for evidence;

- Non-domestic Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation.

We will respond to these consultations as soon as possible.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of eligible households have taken up the Alternative Fuel Payment in each region of the UK.

Regional data is not yet available. Electricity suppliers, who deliver the automatic enrolment element of the scheme, will provide MPAN-level delivery data to Government shortly. The Alternative Fund for the Alternative Fuel Payment, the element which requires an application, launched recently on 6 March and early data is still being collected. Transparency data will be published in due course.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
13th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the cost to the public purse was of advertising support schemes for people using prepayment meters in the last financial year.

The Government wants everyone who is eligible to redeem their prepayment meter vouchers and get £400 to help with their energy bills. Unlike direct debit customers, pre-payment meter customers need to take action in order to access the £400 support and represent some of the most vulnerable groups in society which is why it’s vital they are made aware of how to access this funding.

Ministers have pushed for suppliers to do more to help vulnerable customers and, alongside using all of its existing relationships and networks, the Government have expanded campaign activity to reach eligible customers with additional advertising across multiple channels including community radio, social media and national magazine titles. The cost of advertising targeted at people with pre-payment meters to drive take-up will be £469,000 this financial year.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
10th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to provide energy bill support to low-income families who have children with disabilities.

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 part of this work, the Government is working with disability organisations, assessing the need for specific support for disabled people including families with disabled children.

In addition, for 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments. This will be split into three payments of around £300 each across the 2023/24 financial year. A separate £300 payment will be made to pensioner households on top of their Winter Fuel Payments and individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits will receive a £150 payment.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
7th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with energy suppliers on the potential merits of extending the free gas safety checks being given to customer on their Priority Services Registers to include electrical safety checks.

There are no plans to hold discussions with energy suppliers on this matter. The independent regulator, Ofgem, requires licenced energy suppliers to provide and maintain a Priority Services Register for vulnerable customers with additional, non-financial needs. The services that suppliers are required to offer to customers on a Priority Services Register are a matter for Ofgem.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in his Department in each of the last 5 years.

The Department was established on 7 February 2023. As a result, there has been no decision yet on whether we will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in this Department in each of the last 5 years

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support hospices with the cost of energy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Putney on 27 February to Question 147486.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to ensure that consumers charging their electric vehicles from the public network benefit from the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme is for households not businesses.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of whether charge point operators have been complying with his Department's guidance on passing on Energy Bills Support Scheme funding to consumers in the period since 1 November 2022.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme is delivering a £400 non-repayable government discount to households across the United Kingdom to help with energy bills this winter. The £400 is for domestic use and is not provided to electric vehicle charge point operators.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

Between 7th February 2023, when the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was formed, to 10th November 2023, our records show the following devices were reported lost or stolen.

(A) Lost

(B) Stolen

Replacement Cost

(i) Laptop

2

5

£6,125 (£875 unit)

(ii) Mobile Phone

26

3

£10,295 (£355 unit)

DSIT has a policy for the controlled use of memory sticks and external hard drives. These are only permitted with a valid and approved business case and using authorised, hardware encrypted devices. Once approved, individual Directorates are responsible for controlling the memory sticks and external hard drives, therefore no figures on loss are held centrally. All end-user devices are encrypted and can be remotely locked.

Andrew Griffith
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies on artificial intelligence of the draft International Guiding Principles for organisations developing advanced AI systems.

As stated in the October 30 G7 Leaders’ Statement on the Hiroshima AI Process, the UK welcomes the development of the International Guiding Principles for Organisations Developing Advanced AI systems. These Principles will help maximise the innovative opportunities and transformative potential of AI, whilst helping to keep citizens safe from risks. They will be subject to further stakeholder consultation that will be developed alongside Japan, the current G7 and Hiroshima AI Process chair.

We will further reflect on the Guiding Principles in the continued development of our AI policy. We recognise the value of the Principles as Governments continue to develop their own domestic approaches to AI, including the UK with our own pro-innovation, risk-based approach

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if her Department will take steps to launch a stakeholder consultation on the Hiroshima Process International Guiding Principles for organisations developing advanced AI systems.

As part of our broader commitment to work closely with our international partners to ensure the development of safe AI, the UK has been an active participant in the G7 Hiroshima AI Process. Throughout the negotiation of the International Guiding Principles and related International Code of Conduct for Organisations Developing Advanced AI Systems, we maintained a focus on maximising the transformative potential of AI and managing the risks for individuals and society, building from the strengths of our pro-innovation, risk-based domestic approach. We have also ensured that the Hiroshima AI Process complements and can build on the important progress made during our own AI Safety Summit, which had a more focused ambition on frontier AI safety.

We recognise that stakeholder consultation is an important next step in ensuring that both Hiroshima AI Process outputs can effectively shape organisations’ behaviours. Alongside our G7 partners, the UK will take steps to support further stakeholder consultation to ensure that relevant organisations have the chance to contribute to the process. We continue to work closely with Japan, the current G7 and Hiroshima AI Process Chair, to shape the ongoing workplan.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2023 to Question 181744 on Copyright: Arts, what steps her Department is taking with representatives from creative industries and AI developers to develop a code of practice for text and data mining; and whether her Department will accept written evidence from members of the public who work in (a) creative and (b) tech industries.

To inform the code of practice, the Government will convene a group of AI firms and rights holders to identify barriers faced by users of data mining techniques when accessing copyright materials, and to develop licensing solutions for these. As the draft develops, we will seek evidence from an appropriate range of sources.

27th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2023 to Question 181745 on Copyright: Arts, if she will publish the dates and times of meetings between her Department and representatives from the creative industries on text and data mining since 1 February 2023.

The information requested is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with creative industries on (a) licencing and copyright exceptions for text and data mining and (b) the AI Regulation White Paper in 2023.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) speaks to representatives of the creative industries on a regular basis and its officials have met with them on text and data mining (TDM), in relation to former proposals to introduce a broad exception for data mining, as well to discuss the current work to develop a code of practice on TDM. DSIT officials have also worked in close partnership with officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to understand the key insights on TDM gained from their engagement with the creative industries.

Relevant Ministers and officials at DCMS and DSIT have engaged extensively across creative industries and the wider AI sector. This has included professional associations representing the creative industry, holders of rights to creative content, platforms that host creative content, broadcasters, creative industry professional associations and unions, as well as providers of content-creation tools.

19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to re-open consultation with creative industries on proposals for licensing or exceptions to copyright for text and data mining.

The Government has already announced it will work with creative industries and AI developers to develop a code of practice on text and data mining licensing by the Summer.

19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Bill.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday 25 April.

19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department will proceed with its policy to introduce a new copyright and database exception which allows Text and Data Mining any purpose as announced on 28 June 2022.

The Government has already announced that it will not proceed with its previous policy for a broad copyright exception for data mining. Instead, it will work with AI developers and right holders to develop a code of practice by the Summer. The Government seeks to strike a balanced and pragmatic approach which allows AI innovators and the creative industries to grow in partnership.

14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to restrict the extent to which phone companies may increase tariffs in the context of the increased cost of living.

The Government recognises that this is a difficult time for families across the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.

The sector remains highly competitive and UK consumers can currently access some of the lowest mobile pricing in Western Europe. However, it is important that contracts are transparent and consumers understand what they are signing when taking out a new communications service. Ofcom recently announced it has begun a programme of work to consider whether contracts are sufficiently transparent. I look forward to their findings.

In June 2022, leaders from broadband and mobile operators agreed on a set of industry commitments to help people through the global rise in the cost of living. These include manageable payment plans and allowing households, who may be mid-contract but struggling with their bills, to switch to cheaper packages without penalty.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was created in February 2023. The Department has not issued any consultations for which a response is outstanding.

As part of the Machinery of Government changes, we inherited 5 ongoing consultations from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport:

- The future of connected and automated mobility in the UK: call for evidence;

- Project Gigabit: open market review request for information - Wales;

- Wireless Infrastructure Strategy: call for evidence;

- Open Market Review: Superfast and Gigabit broadband infrastructure in Scotland - request for information;

- Online Advertising Programme.

We will respond to these consultations as soon as possible.

17th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Minister has responsibility for the Intellectual Property Office.

The Department for Science, Technology and Innovation is responsible for The Intellectual Property Office and the relevant minister is Viscount Camrose.

The Department and the Intellectual Property Office are both committed to supporting innovators as the UK looks to embrace the science and innovation that is at the heart of our economic plan. Intellectual property (IP) plays a key role in how businesses compete, at home and in world markets. Getting the IP framework right is central to the UK’s ability to generate growth and jobs.

17th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Department is responsible for the Intellectual Property Office.

The Department for Science, Technology and Innovation is responsible for The Intellectual Property Office and the relevant minister is Viscount Camrose.

The Department and the Intellectual Property Office are both committed to supporting innovators as the UK looks to embrace the science and innovation that is at the heart of our economic plan. Intellectual property (IP) plays a key role in how businesses compete, at home and in world markets. Getting the IP framework right is central to the UK’s ability to generate growth and jobs.

23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in her Department in each of the last 5 years.

The Department was established on 7 February 2023. As a result, there has been no decision yet whether we will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in his Department in each of the last 5 years.

16th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to bring heat networks under the remit of Ofgem.

The Government remains committed to the important measures in the Energy Security Bill to deliver change in the energy system over the long term, including giving new powers to Ofgem as the preferred regulator for the heat networks sector. The Energy Security Bill is being taken forward in this Parliamentary session. The Government expects Ofgem to take up its role as regulator in 2024.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding, when the online portal for applications for that scheme will open open on gov.uk; and when draft guidance on that scheme will be issued to local authorities

The application portal for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding is due to open later this month. In addition, the guidance on the scheme is expected to be issued to Local Authorities shortly.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on the impact of letter delivery delays on (a) vulnerable consumers and (b) small businesses.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the regulatory authority for the postal sector, including the overall provision of the universal service obligation.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Ofcom's regulatory powers to hold Royal Mail to account.

Section 54 and Schedule 7 of the Postal Services Act 2011 give Ofcom robust powers to enforce the regulatory requirements it has imposed on Royal Mail and other postal service providers, including instituting court proceedings or imposing financial penalties where appropriate.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the appropriateness of Ofcom’s month-long suspension of Royal Mail’s quality of service targets.

As the independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to explain the decisions it takes on the regulatory framework.

In its 2022 review of postal regulation, Ofcom decided to retain Royal Mail’s exemption from meeting performance targets during the Christmas period as it considered that its current approach remained appropriate. In coming to its decision, Ofcom carefully considered consultation responses including from consumer bodies but reserves the right to propose further action in this area if necessary.

Ofcom considers Royal Mail’s performance against its quality of service targets and will continue to closely monitor performance for 2022-23 which it has been clear should no longer be impacted by Covid-19.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding has been provided to Trading Standards (a) nationally and (b) by local authority in each of the last five years.

Local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales are responsible for funding Local Authority Trading Standards Services (LATSS). Local authorities are independent from central government and are responsible for determining their resourcing priorities in accordance with the needs of the local electorate. Local government expenditure is determined by the block grant to local authorities, with the remainder raised from local taxation. This funding is used to resource LATSS.

The Department established National Trading Standards (NTS) in England and Wales, to better enable local authorities to take coordinated action against consumer scams. Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) was created to provide a similar role in Scotland. The resources are supplementary and distinct from LATSS funding. Funding in each of the last five years is provided below.

NTS and TSS

22/23

£13,242,000

21/22

£13,242,000

20/21

£13,235,800

19/20

£14,440,000

18/19

£14,676,000

Total

£68,835,800

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
19th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an estimate of the average response time to telephone calls from the public to large private sector organisations; and what steps he is taking to improve these times.

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, published a report on service standards across the telecoms industry, including call waiting times in May 2022. A copy of the report can be found at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2022/best-and-worst-telecoms-customer-service-revealed.

The Government expects all firms to treat their customers fairly, but does not have plans to amend the consumer protection law in this area. How customer services are operated is a matter for firms, and there are many different channels of communication firms offer.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
19th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he will make it his policy to regulate waiting times for telephone calls from the public to large private organisations.

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, published a report on service standards across the telecoms industry, including call waiting times in May 2022. A copy of the report can be found at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2022/best-and-worst-telecoms-customer-service-revealed.

The Government expects all firms to treat their customers fairly, but does not have plans to amend the consumer protection law in this area. How customer services are operated is a matter for firms, and there are many different channels of communication firms offer.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the energy performance certificate rating is for each building (a) rented and (b) owned by his Department as of 7 December 2022.

The Department does not own any buildings. BEIS is the primary occupier of the building at 1 Victoria Street, London. The most recent Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for this building was D and expired October 2022. The landlord has been asked to make the necessary arrangements for its renewal. The current Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is E and expires April 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the number of instances where creative industries have failed to license their repertoire to artificial intelligence developers.

The Government asked specific questions about impact in the consultation on AI and IP, but very limited quantitative evidence was submitted. However, smaller users such as small businesses and start-ups, as well as many researchers, have indicated that - when seeking to analyse works from multiple sources - licences have been out of reach on the grounds of cost or complexity.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much his Department has spent on energy costs in each of the last 5 years.

The Minister has cleared the below:

At the Department’s headquarters building at 1 Victoria Street, London, the net spend on energy for the last five financial years was as follows:

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

Energy Spend

£799,370

£860,935

£718,595

£555,825

£700,199

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many of his Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

Our records show the following devices were reported lost or stolen in each year in the last five years. The data was captured on 7th December 2022.

BEIS have a policy for the controlled use of memory sticks. These are only permitted with a valid and approved business case and using authorised, hardware encrypted devices. Once approved, individual Directorates are responsible for controlling the memory sticks, therefore no figures on loss are held centrally.

BEIS have a policy for the controlled use of external hard drives. These are only permitted with a valid and approved business case and using authorised, hardware encrypted devices. Once approved, individual Directorates are responsible for controlling the external hard drives, therefore no figures on loss are held centrally.

2022

a) Laptop

b) Mobile

c) Memory sticks

d) External hard drives

Lost

14

148

Nil

Nil

Stolen

12

11

Nil

Nil

2021

a) Laptop

b) Mobile

c) Memory sticks

d) External hard drives

Lost

6

80

Nil

Nil

Stolen

14

11

Nil

Nil

2020

a) Laptop

b) Mobile

c) Memory sticks

d) External hard drives

Lost

10

63

Nil

Nil

Stolen

18

12

Nil

Nil

2019

a) Laptop

b) Mobile

c) Memory sticks

d) External hard drives

Lost

16

125

Nil

Nil

Stolen

28

32

Nil

Nil

2018

a) Laptop

b) Mobile

c) Memory sticks

d) External hard drives

Lost

6

27

Nil

Nil

Stolen

6

5

Nil

Nil

All departmental IT is fully security encrypted.

The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current mechanism for calculating of the energy price cap by Ofgem.

As the expert independent regulator, Ofgem is responsible for operating the price cap. Ofgem remains the sole decision-maker over how it is calculated and has consulted extensively on its methodology for determining the cap level. The Government has confidence in Ofgem, as the expert independent regulator, to set the cap at a level that reflects the underlying efficient costs of supplying energy.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the (a) timeline and (b) eligibility criteria for the Intellectual Property Office's extended consultation on the Text and Data Mining proposals.

The Government has launched a period of stakeholder engagement on implementation options for its proposals for text and data mining and aims to conclude this engagement in early 2023. The Intellectual Property Office will invite views on implementation options from stakeholders representing both rights holders and users of data mining techniques.

1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposals on the expansion of the text and data mining exception on (a) UK and (b) non-UK based technology companies.

The proposed exception will only apply to copying for data mining conducted in the UK. A non-UK- technology company may seek to benefit from the exception by basing their business in the UK or the part which conducts data mining. An impact assessment will be published alongside the legislation when laid.

3rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of Britishvolt going into administration.

The Government does not comment on speculation or the commercial affairs of private companies.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
3rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings he has held with representatives of Britishvolt over future investment of the proposed gigabit factory in Blythe in each of the last 6 months.

The Government is committed to securing investment into the automotive sector, which will play an important role in levelling up across the UK and driving down emissions to net zero by 2050. The Government has met frequently with Britishvolt since the start of September, including two meetings with the Secretary of State on 16 September and 21 October. Record of ministerial meetings will be published in accordance with the Government’s standard quarterly transparency publications.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to encourage households to reduce their domestic energy consumption.

The Government is investing over £6.6 billion this parliament to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating.

Through the Government’s ‘Help to Heat’ capital schemes, domestic consumers could potentially save between £300 and £700 per annum, based on the current price cap.

In the summer the Government launched a GOV.UK digital service (‘Find ways to save energy in your home’) providing impartial, tailored advice to homeowners on ways to improve the energy performance of their homes. This will be supported in the coming months by the launch of telephone advice and specific local area advice for energy consumers.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to encourage people who have solar panels on their properties to sell their energy back to the National Grid.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a Government scheme that enables small-scale generators with eligible technologies on their properties, including solar panels, to receive payment for any electricity exported to the grid.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what percentage of people in England were in fuel poverty in each of the last five years.

The Department publishes annual statistics on the percentage of households in fuel poverty in England, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which businesses have used the Standard Industrial Classification code 56302 in each region of the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Please see below the annual business counts for the SIC code 56302 (Public houses and bars) for UK regions for the past 10 years. Note that some figures have been rounded by ONS to prevent disclosure. All figures are drawn from the Inter-Departmental-Business-Register via NOMIS.

Region

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

North East

1,320

1,250

1,280

1,290

1,245

1,255

1,270

1,360

1,365

1,335

1,355

North West

3,910

3,710

3,675

3,660

3,595

3,520

3,510

3,575

3,560

3,480

3,620

Yorkshire and The Humber

3,160

3,060

3,020

3,045

2,980

2,895

2,890

2,930

2,960

2,935

3,015

East Midlands

2,920

2,810

2,765

2,785

2,720

2,680

2,680

2,665

2,660

2,570

2,615

West Midlands

3,035

2,875

2,830

2,830

2,755

2,730

2,670

2,755

2,740

2,675

2,745

East

3,195

3,000

3,005

2,935

2,860

2,795

2,800

2,820

2,810

2,705

2,715

London

2,415

2,290

2,260

2,330

2,270

2,195

2,190

2,215

2,245

2,225

2,265

South East

4,755

4,505

4,450

4,385

4,270

4,150

4,125

4,140

4,060

3,955

3,980

South West

3,940

3,820

3,730

3,690

3,610

3,565

3,510

3,555

3,495

3,395

3,405

Wales

2,210

2,090

2,080

2,030

1,950

1,900

1,855

1,820

1,835

1,770

1,765

Scotland

2,625

2,515

2,520

2,465

2,380

2,305

2,315

2,315

2,265

2,120

2,145

Northern Ireland

840

800

755

720

710

715

730

735

720

705

700

Total

34,320

32,725

32,375

32,160

31,345

30,710

30,545

30,885

30,720

29,865

30,325

11th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the comparative effect of the standing charge for electricity on low income households compared to other households.

The standing charge remains capped under the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), which means that a household with typical energy use in Great Britain will pay, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill up till April 2023, when the EPG will be reviewed.

The energy regulator, Ofgem, recently reviewed the components of the standing charge to see if they could be reduced. Ofgem concluded that while some low consuming users, might benefit from change, some higher consuming users, including vulnerable users, would pay more. Retaining the current methodology would protect users with greater energy needs, such as disabled users and electric heating users.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of company insolvencies that took place in London in the second quarter of the year, for each of the last five years.

The data used for insolvency statistics is compiled from information at Companies House. The registered office address for a company may not be representative of its trading location, and often it is changed upon insolvency to the address of the appointed Insolvency Practitioner dealing with the case. Subject to these caveats, the table below sets out the data on estimated company insolvencies in the second quarter, 1st April to 30th June, in London in each year from 2017 to 2022.

Estimated number of company insolvencies in London in Q2 (April to June) 2017 to 2022

Source: Insolvency Service and Companies House

Year

Q2 (London) [1]

Q2 (England & Wales)

2017

768

3498

2018

921

3970

2019

1018

4239

2020

608

2884

2021

685

3145

2022

1183

5501

[1] Location is based on registered company address, which may not be representative of a company’s trading location.

11th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of business insolvencies there have been in the food and beverage services industry in each region in each of the last five years.

The data used for insolvency statistics is compiled from information at Companies House. The registered office address for a company may not be representative of its trading location, and often it is changed upon insolvency to the address of the appointed Insolvency Practitioner dealing with the case. Subject to these caveats, the table below sets out the data on estimated company insolvencies by year and region for companies in the food and beverage service activities division (SIC code 56) between 2017 and 2022. The 2022 figures are up to the 30th June 2022.

Table 1: Estimated company insolvencies in the food and beverage services division by region and year, 1st January 2017 to 30th June 2022, United Kingdom

Source: Insolvency Service

Region/ Country[1]

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022[2]

North East

65

75

65

46

42

46

North West

216

304

364

270

223

212

Yorkshire and The Humber

236

241

276

209

271

153

East Midlands

135

157

180

82

85

72

West Midlands

136

192

196

166

160

102

East of England

98

126

122

103

141

128

London

391

509

574

410

369

250

South East

137

155

168

140

124

86

South West

89

120

134

80

86

46

Northern Ireland

32

39

59

23

8

13

Scotland

105

172

192

108

77

56

Wales

46

57

68

41

36

31

Unknown

9

7

4

7

2

2

[1] Region/country is based on registered company address, which may not be representative of a company’s trading location. [2] 2022 number up to 30th June 2022

10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to introduce a revenue cap on renewable energy companies.

On 12th October 2022, the Government introduced a new Energy Prices Bill to ensure vital support gets to British consumers this winter. This includes new powers to help break the link between high global gas prices and the cost of low-carbon electricity. The powers allow for the establishment of a temporary Cost-Plus Revenue Limit to reduce the impact of unprecedented wholesale prices on consumers and the taxpayer. This limit will apply to low-carbon generation and allow generators to cover their costs and receive an appropriate revenue that reflects their operational output, investment commitment and risk profile.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the full eligibility criteria for (a) businesses and (b) other non-domestic consumers to claim support through the Energy Bills Relief Scheme.

The Energy Bills Relief Scheme will provide support to all businesses and other non-domestic energy users, including those in the voluntary and public sector who are on eligible energy supply contracts. Details on the eligibility criteria have been published at this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-bill-relief-scheme-help-for-businesses-and-other-non-domestic-customers#eligibility.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who the Minister for Small Business is.

I am the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which Minister in his Department is responsible for small business.

I am the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the hospitality industry on (a) rising energy bills, (b) labour shortages and (c) rising food and drink prices.

This Department launched the Hospitality Sector Council to oversee the delivery of the Hospitality Strategy in July 2021 to support the sector across a range of policy areas, grouped into three themes: Reopening, Recovery, and Resilience. The Council last met on 18 July and is scheduled to meet on 24 October.

Between meetings, council members provide regular insights and data on the energy challenges faced by businesses, informing the development of Government support including the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The Government engages regularly with hospitality businesses and organisations to understand the pressing issues and challenges that they face, including cost pressures, supply chain disruptions and the impact of rising energy prices on businesses of all sizes.

22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) pubs, (b) restaurants and (c) takeaways in operation in each of the last 10 years.

Official data[1] show that, between 2013 and 2022, there were an average of 31,200 pubs and bars, 48,500 restaurants and 35,900 takeaways and mobile food stands operating each year across the UK. In 2022, there were approximately 30,300 pubs and bars, 58,100 restaurants, and 43,700 takeaways and mobile food stands. Full business counts data are provided in Annex A.

Annex A: Business counts, UK, 2013 - 2022

Year

SIC Code 56101: Licensed restaurants

SIC Code 56102: Unlicensed restaurants and cafes

Total restaurants (SIC Codes 56101 + 56102)

SIC Code 56103: Take away food shops and mobile food stands

SIC Code 56302: Public houses and bars

2013

24,140

12,785

36,925

27,965

32,725

2014

25,160

14,415

39,575

28,925

32,375

2015

26,860

18,715

45,575

34,595

32,160

2016

27,210

19,885

47,095

35,190

31,345

2017

27,625

21,060

48,685

35,765

30,710

2018

28,180

22,025

50,205

36,670

30,545

2019

28,705

22,970

51,675

37,465

30,885

2020

29,130

23,670

52,800

38,170

30,720

2021

29,680

24,810

54,490

40,570

29,865

2022

31,420

26,655

58,075

43,705

30,325

2013 - 2022 average

27,811

20,699

48,510

35,902

31,166

[1] ONS business counts data, 2013-2022.

22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the number of small to medium-sized enterprises that have closed down since (a) January 2022, and (b) January 2020.

From January 2022 until the end of June 2022 there were an estimated total of 251,000 registered business closures[1]. This compares with 276,000 between January and June 2021, 176,000 between January and June 2020 and 178,0000 between January and June 2019[2].

From January 2020 until the end of June 2022 there were an estimated total of 1,004,000 registered business closures[3]. The corresponding figure for between January 2017 and June 2019 is 833,000[4].

Data is not available to estimate the number of closures for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) specifically, however, given 99.9% of registered businesses are SMEs[5], it is likely that the total number of registered business closures is very close to the total number of SME closures.

[1] ONS Business demography, quarterly experimental statistics

[2] ONS Business demography, quarterly experimental statistics

[3] ONS Business demography, quarterly experimental statistics

[4] UK business; activity, size and location Statistical bulletins

[5] BEIS Business population estimates, 2021

22nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the number of pubs and restaurants that have closed down since (a) January 2020 and (b) January 2022.

ONS business deaths data[1] shows that 4,200 businesses in the beverage serving sector (which includes pubs) and 12,800 business in the restaurants and mobile food services sector ceased trading in 2020.[2] ONS business deaths statistics are not timely enough to provide estimates of the number of business closures since January 2022.

[1] ONS business demography statistics, UK.

[2] These industry breakdowns are the most granular available for the hospitality sector.

20th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact on consumer energy bills of (a) faults and (b) loss of smart function in smart meters.

Over half of energy meters in Great Britain are now smart meters. The vast majority are operating as intended, providing consumers with automatic meter readings and near-real time usage information via the In-Home Display. Estimates, based on the current typical household bill, indicate the rollout is delivering over £0.5 billion in annual bill savings.

Allowances for operational factors such as maintenance or faults are already factored into industry’s cost bases. Energy suppliers have commercial incentives to ensure these costs are minimised, including having active programmes to address faults where they do exist.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on energy companies’ policies on responding to issues with customers’ smart meters.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy works closely with Ofgem to monitor suppliers' performance.

Energy suppliers are required by licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers' smart meters are fully functional. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against these obligations and against the Standards of Conduct, which set out expectations regarding behaviour and customer service.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on energy companies’ policies on responding to issues with customers’ smart meters such as inaccurate or failed readings.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy works closely with Ofgem and industry to monitor and support a positive consumer experience of smart meters.

Energy suppliers are required by licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ smart meters are fully functional and are obligated to provide customers with complete and accurate information. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their licence obligations.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the affordability for people in households below average national income of purchasing a fridge freezer with an energy rating system of D+ and above.

Household refrigerators are subject to regulations that set minimum energy performance standards and mandatory energy labelling, both of which were updated in 2021 to improve the efficiency of appliances on the market, making them cheaper to run and helping consumers to choose the right product for them. In making those changes, the Department did not make the specific assessment referred to in the question.

18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the sectors worst affected by skills shortages; and what steps his Department is taking to help fill those vacancies.

BEIS works closely with the Department for Education which leads on the collection of skills data for business sectors. The Employer Skills Survey[1] 2019 found that skill-shortage vacancy density was highest in the Construction and Manufacturing sectors.

BEIS is working with other relevant departments and industry to address skills and workforce issues with a focus on construction and manufacturing where the data suggest skills challenges.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employer-skills-survey-2019-uk-excluding-scotland-findings

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made the number of households on pre-payment meters in each of the last three years, by parliamentary constituency.

The Government does not have this data at constituency level, however, data is compiled of households with pre-payment meters by region, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/quarterly-domestic-energy-price-stastics.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many times the Government has met with representatives of the (a) construction, (b) manufacturing and (c) hospitality industries specifically to discuss labour shortages, in the last three months.

BEIS Ministers and officials regularly meet with construction, manufacturing and hospitality businesses and representatives from all three sectors to discuss a range of issues including labour shortages. Employment in the hospitality sector is now above pre-pandemic levels.

Additionally, BEIS officials recently met with the National Manufacturing Skills Task Force to discuss how Government and industry can work together to address the skills and workforce challenges of manufacturing employers. Officials are in active dialogue across all sectors.

15th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings he has had with representatives of Ofgem on the energy price cap since 1 April 2022.

It is Ofgem’s role, as the independent regulator, to set a fair level for the price cap. The Government is in regular contact with Ofgem and industry to discuss the impact of unprecedented global gas prices and will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure consumers are protected.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings he has held with relevant stakeholders on fuel poverty since 1 April 2022.

Ministers regularly meet with external stakeholders. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published quarterly and can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.

The latest published data covers January to March 2022, further data will be published in due course.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings he has held with small business groups on energy prices since 1 April 2022.

Ministers regularly meet with external stakeholders. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published quarterly and can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.

The latest published data covers January to March 2022, further data will be published in due course.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of (a) rising fuel costs and (b) introducing a commercial energy price cap on (i) small businesses and (ii) the hospitality industry.

The Government continues to engage with businesses to understand the impacts of high global energy prices.

The price cap for households was put in place because the Competition and Market’s Authority found that a loyalty penalty exists for the disengaged households. The CMA did not find evidence of this in the business sector.

The price cap prevents suppliers making excess profit, but it cannot reduce wholesale energy costs. The cap allows suppliers to recover the efficient costs of supplying its customers.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
31st May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that petrol wholesalers and/or retailers pass on the 5p reduction to fuel duty to consumers.

Drivers should be getting a fair deal for fuel across the UK. Healthy competition between forecourts is key to achieving this, with competition working to keep pressure on prices. The Government has asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to conduct an urgent review of the fuel market, as well as a longer-term market study under the Enterprise Act 2002, to explore whether the retail fuel market has adversely affected consumer interests. As part of this, the Government has asked for the CMA’s advice on the extent to which competition has resulted in the fuel duty cut being passed on to consumers and the reasons for local variations in the price of road fuel.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish a timeline of when he plans to undertake the next statutory review of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

The second statutory review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator covers the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022.

BEIS has already started the review by considering a range of publicly available evidence. On 26 May 2022, I published an invitation seeking stakeholders’ views and evidence which will also be considered as part of this review.

This can be accessed through GOV.uk at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pubs-code-and-pubs-code-adjudicator-invitation-for-views-on-the-second-statutory-review-2019-to-2022 and stakeholders have until 17 August 2022 to respond.

A report on the findings of the review will be published as soon as practicable and laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State.

12th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of number of (a) businesses and (b) individuals qualified to implement retrofitting measures in homes and buildings across England in the latest period for which figures are available.

In order to participate in government schemes, an installer business must be TrustMark registered, and PAS 2030:2019 or Microgeneration Certification Scheme certified. There are 1,690 installer businesses that meet those requirements, as of 28th April 2022. There are also 2,832 TrustMark registered Retrofit Coordinators and Retrofit Assessors.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
26th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of number of (a) businesses and (b) individuals qualified to implement retrofitting measures in homes and buildings across England in the latest period for which figures are available.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require online retailers to state the country of origin in which the goods offered for sale were manufactured.

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCRs) require traders to provide consumers with specified pre-purchase information including information about the main characteristics of goods, services or digital content but this does not necessarily include the country of origin. The Government have no plan to change this rule.

However, consumers are free to enquire from the seller as to the origin of products, and to base their decision of whether or not to purchase on the reply. Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs), traders are banned from giving consumers false information or using misleading statements or presentation about the geographical or commercial origin of products including in response to requests for information by consumers. The Regulations carry criminal penalties and are enforced by local trading standards officers.

28th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to his answer of 25 November 2021 to question 75086, what steps he plans to take to make a comparative assessment of the effect of burning (a) wood pellets and (b) coal at the Drax power station on achieving net zero in the absence of information on the carbon transport costs of either process.

The Renewables Obligation Order (RO) and Contracts for Difference (CfD) sustainability criteria require that electricity generation from biomass does not exceed a set greenhouse gas threshold and produces life-cycle emission savings:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contracts-for-difference-cfd-allocation-round-4-standard-terms-and-conditions

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/renewables-obligation-sustainability-criteria.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2022 to Question 134378 on Nuclear Weapons: Russia, when the Government plans to publish an update on UKRI funding to research projects with Russian collaboration.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 9 March 2022 to Question 134378.

16th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Department will publish the businesses that received loans under the (a) Covid Business Interruption Loans Scheme, (b) Covid Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and (c) Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

Some information about loans accessed through the Government’s Covid-19 loan guarantee schemes are made available on the European Commission State Aid Transparency Database and the UK Subsidy Transparency Database, where required to ensure compliance with EU and international law.

16th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what legal restrictions there are on his Department in publishing the businesses that received loans under the (a) Covid Business Interruption Loans Scheme, (b) Covid Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and (c) Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

Some information about loans accessed through the Government’s Covid-19 loan guarantee schemes are made available on the European Commission State Aid Transparency Database and the UK Subsidy Transparency Database, where required to ensure compliance with EU and international law.

A variety of complex legal, contractual and commercial considerations apply in relation to any additional release of loan recipient data.

11th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on which private sector companies are using large scale bioenergy with carbon capture and storage to reduce their carbon footprint.

We are not aware of any private sector companies using large scale bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether any trees burnt in UK power stations since 2003 were sourced from the UK.

Ofgem publishes data relating to UK derived biomass on its website which can be accessed here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2019-20.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the total value of loans issued to businesses with premises or registered interests in the Russian Federation was under the (a) Covid Business Interruption Loans Scheme, (b) Covid Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and (c) Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

In order to be eligible for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme or the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, a business was required to be trading in the United Kingdom. We do not hold data on whether recipients of the schemes have premises or registered interests in the Russian Federation.

4th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of OneWeb’s decision to suspend all satellite launches from Baikonur on the (a) planned timetable for launches and (b) market value of that company.

OneWeb is currently assessing options for alternative launches. The Government is working closely with other shareholders to discuss next steps.

4th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of OneWeb on the decision to suspend all satellite launches from Baikonur.

OneWeb is currently assessing options for alternative launches. The Government is working closely with other shareholders to discuss next steps.

4th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Department has made of the effect of OneWeb's decision to suspend all satellite launches from Baikonur on that company's ability to compete with SpaceEx.

OneWeb is currently assessing options for alternative launches. This exercise is commercially sensitive. The Government is working closely with other shareholders to discuss next steps.

4th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on the expected timescale for OneWeb delivering a commercial service.

The OneWeb Board has voted to suspend all launches scheduled from Baikonur. OneWeb is currently assessing options for alternative launches. This exercise is commercially sensitive. The Government is working closely with other shareholders to discuss next steps.

4th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on the continuation of Government supported research projects involving Russian collaboration; and if he will conduct an assessment of the implications for his policies on international research collaboration of the invasion of Ukraine.

As I noted on 27 February, BEIS is rapidly reviewing all Russian beneficiaries of UK science, research, technology and innovation funding. This is a fast moving policy area and the Government will provide an update in due course.

1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the reports from (a) the European Academies' Science Advisory Council, (b) the Ember think tank and (c) Chatham House which suggest that burning wood pellets risks making climate change worse.

The Government only supports sustainable biomass and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that comply with strict sustainability criteria.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the evidential basis behind the age profile of forests logged for wood pellets used in the Drax power station having remained constant.

The Government does not hold this information. The Government only supports sustainable biomass and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that complies with strict sustainability criteria.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
23rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Answer of 9 February 2022 to Question 116010, what the estimated cost to the public purse is of the assessment of the economic impact on businesses from reintroducing imperial measurements that will be carried out in due course.

Impact assessments are an established part of the normal civil service policy-making process and the cost of undertaking them is not assessed individually.

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will bring forward legislative proposals on the introduction of paid neonatal leave before the end of this Parliament.

The Government is committed to bringing forward legislative proposals on the introduction of paid neonatal leave, to support those new mothers and fathers who need it during some of the most stressful days of their lives.

The Government will bring forward these reforms to our employment framework when Parliamentary time allows.

9th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he will take to ensure that plans for the UK taxonomy are robust and lead to effective progress towards a more sustainable world.

In October 2021, the Government published ‘Greening Finance: A Roadmap to Sustainable Investing’, which set out its approach to economy-wide Sustainability Disclosure Requirements, including reporting against the UK Green Taxonomy. This underlines the Government’s commitment to the taxonomy being science-based, accessible, and built for the UK to support a global transition to net zero. The Government has been working with the Green Technical Advisory Group and the Energy Working Group during the development of draft Technical Screening Criteria to achieve this ambition.

As the Prime Minister has stated, the Government intends to consult on the inclusion of nuclear in the draft technical standards for a UK green taxonomy and the development of Technical Screening Criteria is currently ongoing. As set out in the Roadmap, the Government expects to consult on draft Technical Screening Criteria in coming months, ahead of legislating by the end of the year.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including nuclear and gas as taxonomy aligned endeavours in the EU’s Green Taxonomy; and if he will make a statement.

In October 2021, the Government published ‘Greening Finance: A Roadmap to Sustainable Investing’, which set out its approach to economy-wide Sustainability Disclosure Requirements, including reporting against the UK Green Taxonomy. This underlines the Government’s commitment to the taxonomy being science-based, accessible, and built for the UK to support a global transition to net zero. The Government has been working with the Green Technical Advisory Group and the Energy Working Group during the development of draft Technical Screening Criteria to achieve this ambition.

As the Prime Minister has stated, the Government intends to consult on the inclusion of nuclear in the draft technical standards for a UK green taxonomy and the development of Technical Screening Criteria is currently ongoing. As set out in the Roadmap, the Government expects to consult on draft Technical Screening Criteria in coming months, ahead of legislating by the end of the year.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has assessed the merits of mandating large asset managers sign up the FRC’s New Stewardship Code as part of their responsibilities to their fiduciaries.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires that asset managers disclose clearly the nature of their commitment to the Financial Reporting Council’s UK Stewardship Code. Where an asset manager chooses not to follow the Code, it must disclose its alternative investment strategy. The FRC continues to gather evidence of the quality of stewardship practice and reporting under the revised Stewardship Code introduced in 2020. The FRC and the FCA are due to review the regulatory framework for effective stewardship formally in 2023, including the operation of the revised Code.

3rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what financial support his Department is providing to SMEs that wish to become carbon negative.

Businesses have significant power to drive change towards achieving our domestic net zero goal. To underline the importance of this area, last year the Government led the Race to Zero campaign targeting small and microbusinesses across the UK. Over 2,700 have joined the Race to Zero to date.

The Government has worked closely with the international UN-backed SME Climate Hub, which is part of the global Race to Zero campaign, to embed a UK campaign page known as the UK Business Climate Hub. This campaign page offers free advice to small business on how to be greener and save money, along with inspiring UK case studies. Upon making their SME climate commitment to join the Race to Zero, businesses gain free access to a suite of resources to help them measure, reduce and report on emissions.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support SMEs who wish to make their business carbon neutral.

Businesses have significant power to drive change towards achieving our domestic net zero goal. To underline the importance of this area, last year the Government led the Race to Zero campaign targeting small and microbusinesses across the UK. Over 2,700 have joined the Race to Zero to date.

The Government has worked closely with the international UN-backed SME Climate Hub, which is part of the global Race to Zero campaign, to embed a UK campaign page known as the UK Business Climate Hub. This campaign page offers free advice to small business on how to be greener and save money, along with inspiring UK case studies. Upon making their SME climate commitment to join the Race to Zero, businesses gain free access to a suite of resources to help them measure, reduce and report on emissions.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if we will negotiate a supplementary agreement with the EU on conformity assessment and the markings of industrial, electrical and electronic goods.

Throughout negotiations, it was a UK priority to agree a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) across as many sectors as possible with the EU. We were not able to reach an agreement on this proposal.

MRAs remain a useful tool, and we will continue to seek them in negotiations with partners where this would be beneficial. Nevertheless, the priority and key focus for the UK now is implementing our deal with the EU and supporting industry to adjust to the changes and opportunities ahead.

1st Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the potential effect on GDP of enabling a Crown Stamp symbol to appear on pint glasses.

The Government wants to provide businesses with the option to use the crown stamp symbol so that it can appear on pint glasses once again. The use of the crown stamp symbol on pint glasses will be voluntary. Businesses will have freedom to choose whether or not to apply the symbol to pint glasses, alongside the legally required UKCA and M markings. No additional conformity assessment processes will be required and we do not anticipate any impact on GDP.

1st Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic value and impact on GDP of reviewing the EU ban on markings and sales in imperial units.

We are reviewing the EU ban on the use of imperial units for markings so that businesses have more choice over the measures they use.

This is an important step in taking back control of our national rules, and we will consult to ensure that we have the best evidence available on which to make changes. An assessment of the economic impact on businesses will be carried out in due course.

26th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the effect on energy efficiency over the next 10 years of electricity produced by (a) wind, (b) solar and (c) burning trees.

Projections of renewable generation are taken from BEIS Energy and Emissions Projections: Net Zero Strategy baseline (partial interim update), Annex J – Total electricity generation by source, published 7th December 2021. BEIS does not publish a disaggregation of renewables sources.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
26th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to move from burning 25 million trees per year at Drax to shorter rotation bioenergy; and whether Drax turbines are technically constrained by burning this alternative feedstock.

The UK only supports biomass that complies with strict sustainability requirements and generators only receive subsidies for compliant biomass

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
26th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve protections for workers paid through umbrella payroll companies and (b) secure the employee rights of those workers.

The Government wants to ensure it has a detailed and up to date understanding of the umbrella company market and how it is continuing to evolve. Therefore, the Government launched a Call for Evidence on 30 November 2021, which is intended to complement the Government’s commitment to bring umbrella companies into scope of state enforcement.

25th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much (a) the Government has spent on covid-19 vaccines as at 25 January 2022 and (b) the supply of that vaccine is estimated to cost in 2022 and 2023.

We are not able to disclose costs of vaccines procured to date, as details of contracts between the Government and vaccine manufacturers are commercially sensitive.

As announced in the Spending Review of October 2021 the Government has now made available £9.6 billion for key COVID-19 programmes and related health spending over this Spending Review period.

20th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the final design for the Energy Company Obligation ECO4: 2022-2026.

The Government will issue a response to the ECO4 consultation in due course.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which planned programmes to improve home energy efficiency will deliver the Committee on Fuel Poverty's 2025 Band D milestone and 2030 Band C target; and steps he plans to take in the event that those targets are not reached.

The Government outlines its approach to tackling fuel poverty in England in its “Sustainable Warmth” policy paper, published in February 2021. The Government’s fuel poverty target for England is to ensure that as many fuel poor homes as feasibly possible achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band C, by 2030.

There are a range of schemes in place to deliver energy efficiency measures to low-income households. For example, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Home Upgrade Grant and the Energy Company Obligation will all help deliver against the Government’s 2030 target, and 2025 milestone.

The Government will continue to monitor the delivery of schemes to ensure support reaches those qualifying households and progress towards the 2030 target and interim milestone.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how his Department has allocated the additional £60 million to retrofit social housing which the Government committed to spending in the Sustainable Warmth policy paper published in February 2021.

The Government committed £60 million of funding to continue upgrading the least efficient social housing in the Autumn 2020 Spending Review. This was increased to around £160 million for the first Wave of the fund, in March 2021. The Government launched the grant competition for Wave 1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund in August 2021 and will provide circa. £160 million funding in 2021/22 financial year, delivering up to March 2023. The bidding window closed on 15 October 2021 and the outcomes of bids will be disclosed in due course.

In the Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero Strategy, launched in October 2021, the Government announced that a further £800 million had been committed for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund in the 22/23 to 24/25 financial years as part of the 2021 Spending Review process.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to tackle the growing cost of energy consumption.

The current rising energy costs has been precipitated by unprecedented conditions in global energy markets. The Energy Price Cap continues to protect households, ensuring they pay a fair price for their energy.

Extensive engagement continues across government at both ministerial and official level on this situation to understand, and help mitigate the impacts of, high global energy prices. The Government’s priority is to ensure costs are managed and energy supplies maintained.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to respond to his Department's joint consultation with Ofgem on proposals for a Future System Operator; and what assessment he has made of the relative potential merits of (a) strategic planning of infrastructure investment and (b) a sector-by-sector approach.

The recent consultation on a Future System Operator closed on the 28th September. Within the consultation the Government invited views on a whole systems approach, including joining up planning and co-ordination of networks in the gas and electricity sectors and improving strategic decision making in the energy system. A response to this consultation will be published in due course.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions and communications he has had with online marketplaces with regards to the UK’s exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime.

Ministers at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have spoken to a wide variety of stakeholders with regards to the UK’s exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime.

15th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of an international copyright exhaustion regime on the UK’s book industry; and what plans he has to publish that assessment.

The Government recently held a consultation on the UK’s future exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime. The potential impact of an international exhaustion regime on the UK’s book industry is likely to form part of the overall assessment, alongside the potential effect on other sectors of the economy. The Government will provide an update on this consultation in due course.

10th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the amount of aviation turbine fuel, Avtur, consumed in the UK in 2019-20.

Consumption of aviation turbine fuel in 2019 and 2020 is published in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics table 3.2-3.3.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings Ministers have held with representatives of the toys industry in the last year; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle the impact of (a) supply chain issues, (b) trade disruption and (c) labour shortages on the import and manufacture of toys.

The Department publishes details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations on a quarterly basis, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.

We recently established a Supply Chain Advisory Group and Industry Taskforce, which provides a link between business and the Government to identify causes of supply chain issues and what Government action may be proportionate.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
8th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many of his Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has lost or had stolen the following numbers of laptops and mobile phones:

Date

Number of Laptops Lost

Number of Laptops Stolen

Number of Mobile Phones Lost

Number of Mobile Phones Stolen

2017

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2018

6

6

27

5

2019

16

28

125

32

2020

10

18

63

12

2021 (to 09 Dec)

6

14

74

11

Information about the loss or theft of memory sticks and external hard drives is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

17th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of lowering thresholds to file shareholder resolutions at annual general meetings for the purposes of encouraging stronger stewardship and wider stakeholder engagement as businesses transition to net zero.

The right to file resolutions is an important means through which shareholders can exercise effective stewardship, including on environmental matters. The law needs to provide a balance between giving shareholders such opportunities whilst at the same time ensuring that companies are not burdened with handling resolutions from shareholders who do not represent any significant body of opinion amongst the investor base.

The Department keeps this (and other aspects of company law) under review and is currently considering recommendations made by the Asset Management Taskforce’s Stewardship and Stakeholder Working Groups and the Pension Scheme Voting Implementation Taskforce for Government to consider lowering the thresholds for filing shareholder resolutions.

9th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason there is different (a) maternity and (b) adoption financial support for the self-employed; and what steps he plans to take to help ensure that the self-employed are supported during the process of adoption.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) forms part of a package of employment rights and protections available specifically to the employed. These rights do not extend to the self-employed because of the difference in the nature of the employment. If you are self-employed and expecting, you can apply for Maternity Allowance which is designed for the flexible nature of self-employment and will support you to take a break from your business prior to, and after, giving birth.

The Government recognises that it is crucial to the success of an adoption placement that an adopter takes time off work to care for and bond with their child. So far, the Government has focused on supporting employed parents as they do not generally have the same level of flexibility and autonomy over how and when they work as self-employed parents do. Statutory adoption guidance says that Local Authorities should consider making a payment - equivalent to Maternity Allowance - in cases where adopters do not qualify for any statutory payment because of their self-employment.

8th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing (a) judges and (b) public officials to remove or hide their home address from Companies House in the event that they have a company registered at that address.

As set out in the 2020 Government response to the corporate transparency and register reform consultation, the Department will proceed with the proposal to allow applications to suppress a historic registered office address when it is a director’s residential address. The Department will also proceed with proposals to allow applications to suppress a residential address when it is the registered office address of a live company, if a valid, alternative address is provided, or when in use at the point at which a company was dissolved. These proposals require primary legislation and we will legislate when Parliamentary time allows.

1st Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to (a) reduce barriers to investment and (b) encourage pension funds to invest in the green economy.

The UK financial services industry, with their access to global capital pools and outstanding professional services, are poised to enable private capital to flow into our net zero investment needs. As set out in the Net Zero Strategy, we are colloquial instead, ensuring more disclosure and transparency in the financial markets on climate risks through new Sustainability Disclosure Requirements.

At the same time, targeted public intervention via the British Business Bank (BBB), UK Export Finance and the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) coupled with strong policy frameworks, will bring down the cost of capital and will bring investment from the private sector.

The Government has been a global champion in promoting safer, better, greener pensions. On 1 October 2021, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures regulations and statutory guidance came into force, requiring trustees to consider, assess and report on the financial risks and opportunities of climate change within their portfolios.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many businesses have defaulted on a loan provided through the (a) Bounce Back Loan and (b) Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme (i) in total and (ii) by size of business.

Estimates of potential guarantee claims by lenders under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) were provided in the Department’s 2019/20 Annual Report and Accounts.

16th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will allocate funding for decarbonising the housing stock to help deliver net zero emissions by 2050.

The Government recognises that decarbonising our country’s 30 million buildings is essential to meet our ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Government is investing £9 billion in improving the energy efficiency of our buildings, including £1.3 billion this financial year.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to match steps the EU is taking on support for green hydrogen.

This August, the UK published the first ever UK Hydrogen Strategy, alongside key policy detail on how we will support new low carbon hydrogen production and ensure standards are in place to deliver the carbon emissions savings we need to meet net zero. This is the most substantive hydrogen strategy and policy package of its kind in the world and one that places the UK firmly at the forefront of the race to develop hydrogen as a promising replacement for fossil fuels in the global transition to net zero.

By setting out our approach not only for the financial mechanisms that will support new hydrogen production facilities, but also making firm commitments across networks, markets, standards and sector development, this package includes steps that have not been taken elsewhere in the EU or any of its member states.

The UK Hydrogen Strategy sets out the government’s ‘twin-track’ approach to supporting both electrolytic ‘green’ and carbon capture (CCUS)-enabled ‘blue’ hydrogen production. The UK has expertise and assets to support these and other low carbon production routes, helping us drive cost effective supply volumes in the 2020s in line with our 2030 5GW ambition, whilst scaling up electrolytic hydrogen.

We are currently consulting on new policy interventions to support low carbon hydrogen, including the £240m Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, a hydrogen business model to incentivise the production and use of low carbon hydrogen, and a UK standard to ensure the hydrogen production we support is sufficiently low carbon.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to (a) facilitate and (b) encourage the roll-out of solar panels.

Solar is a key part of the government’s strategy for low-cost decarbonisation of the energy sector. Achieving our ambitious 2050 Net Zero target will require significant increases in renewable electricity generation, and we will need to increase deployment across a range of technologies, including solar PV.

Since 2010, we have quadrupled the electricity we generate from renewables – installing 99% of the UK’s solar capacity and over 800,000 installations – exceeding out historic projections on solar PV deployment. We now have over 13.3GW of solar capacity installed in the UK, which is enough to power over 3 million homes.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
6th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will take steps to support businesses ineligible for the expanded retail discount scheme for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses.

On 25 March, the Government announced an additional £1.5 billion relief for ratepayers who have not been able to access existing relief throughout the pandemic. The new £1.5 billion relief will enable councils to provide a meaningful and certain level of support to those most affected.

Further funding has been made available via the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) to support those businesses that have had their trade adversely affected. Local Authorities in England have been allocated £2bn in this additional discretionary funding, to provide support that best suits their area. It should be used as quickly as possible when and where most needed. The FAQs issued to Local Authorities on 6 May reiterate that ARG funding can be used as a top-up for businesses that are in receipt of grants under other schemes.

Additionally, the Government have extended the moratorium on commercial landlords’ right to forfeiture for the non-payment of rent to the 25 March 2022 and we will introduce legislation to help landlords and tenants resolve historic Covid-19 rent debt through binding arbitration if necessary.

28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to increase the development of renewable energy to support a green economic recovery following the covid-19 outbreak.

Through my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and our Energy White Paper we have set out concrete steps to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The Ten Point Plan announced our ambitious target to quadruple the capacity of our offshore wind to deliver 40GW, including 1GW of floating offshore wind by 2030. To help deliver this, we announced in March that two new ports on the Humber and on Teesside will build the next generation of offshore wind projects –part of an up to £95 million investment to boost the UK’s world-leading industry and create 6,000 new jobs in the North. Alongside this, UK Government also launched the Offshore Wind Investment Programme on 22 February to support the delivery of manufacturing investment in the offshore wind supply chain across the whole of the UK.

We have also announced that our next Contracts for Difference scheme to support the deployment of renewable energy will be held in December this year and will be our biggest auction to date – including a pot for established renewable technologies to ensure technologies such as onshore wind and solar can play their full role in meeting net zero.

Meanwhile, we are investing £320m to accelerate the growth of the UK heat networks market through the Heat Networks Investment Project and are preparing to launch the Green Heat Network Fund in April 2022. A new Clean Heat grant scheme will also support the deployment of heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers. Further information will be set out in the Government response to the consultation later this year and the scheme is due to open in April 2022. The Green Gas Support Scheme is due to launch in autumn this year and aims to increase the proportion of green gas in the grid. The Green Gas Support Scheme will be funded by the Green Gas Levy and will provide tariff-support for new biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion and injected into the gas grid.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to adjust the parameters of the upcoming Contracts for Difference fourth allocation round to support a green economic recovery following the covid-19 outbreak.

We will publish specific auction parameters well in advance of the next allocation round. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution set out our very firm commitment to industry, including our plans to strengthen supply chain commitments to boost UK growth. We are also aiming to deliver up to double the amount of renewables we procure through the next Contracts for Difference allocation round, and this will be crucial for stimulating investment in the sector.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of the UK's departure from the EU on staffing levels in the hospitality industry.

We are in regular dialogue with the hospitality sector to understand how business operating models have been affected by leaving the EU.

14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he makes of the merits of providing a direct grant of up to £30,000 to each small brewer in England to compensate for the costs of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises the impact the pandemic has had on hospitality businesses including breweries. That is why we have provided an unprecedented support package of £352 billion including grants, loans, business rates relief, VAT cuts and the job retention scheme.

13th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department plans to extend the scope of Additional Restrictions Grants.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) continues to enable Local Authorities to put in place discretionary business support. Local Authorities are free to provide support that suits their local area including to support those businesses not required to close but which have had their trade severely affected by the restrictions and those businesses that fall outside the business rates system. Local Authorities can use their local expertise to target businesses to support in their local area.

My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced an additional £425m will be made available via The Additional Restrictions Grant, meaning that more than £2bn has been made available to Local Authorities since November 2020.

13th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of installing solar panels on (a) government, (b) commercial and (c) industrial buildings.

The generation of renewable electricity from rooftop solar on commercial, industrial and public sector buildings reduces carbon emissions, helps save money on energy bills, protects against electricity price fluctuations and puts unused roof space to good use. Consuming most of the electricity generated on site can also reduce the amount of electricity lost in networks. Projects can be installed relatively quickly, creating new local jobs and contributing to green recovery.

There is currently around 13.5GW of solar PV in the UK of which up to around 3GW is installed on non-domestic roofs[1]. We will need to see sustained increases in deployment of all types of solar, alongside other renewables, to meet our ambitious net zero targets.

Those installing rooftop solar (and other small scale low carbon technologies) can receive payment for any surplus electricity that is exported to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme launched in October 2020 provides grants to install low carbon energy efficiency and heating solutions, including rooftop solar panels, in government and public sector buildings.

[1] Source: BEIS solar PV deployment statistics (April 2021 ) at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solar-photovoltaics-deployment

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his department is taking to increase the number of signatories to the 2020 Stewardship Code.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) received 162 stewardship reports from asset managers and service providers by the first deadline of 31 March this year and will receive reports from asset owners at the end of April. This is in line with the target of 200 applications for 2021 as a whole. The FRC is currently assessing the quality of these reports and will announce the outcome of this process in late summer 2021. The FRC carried out an early review of reporting in autumn 2020 and was encouraged by how many investors had already started to engage with the spirit of the Code and were using it to review their practices and reporting.

In November 2020, HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce report recommended initiatives to increase the uptake of the Code among pension funds, service providers that support investors, and asset managers. The FRC is supporting these initiatives, including chairing the Stewardship Regulators Group.

23rd Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the (a) number received and (b) quality of annual reports submitted by asset managers to the 2020 Stewardship Code.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) received 162 stewardship reports from asset managers and service providers by the first deadline of 31 March this year and will receive reports from asset owners at the end of April. This is in line with the target of 200 applications for 2021 as a whole. The FRC is currently assessing the quality of these reports and will announce the outcome of this process in late summer 2021. The FRC carried out an early review of reporting in autumn 2020 and was encouraged by how many investors had already started to engage with the spirit of the Code and were using it to review their practices and reporting.

In November 2020, HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce report recommended initiatives to increase the uptake of the Code among pension funds, service providers that support investors, and asset managers. The FRC is supporting these initiatives, including chairing the Stewardship Regulators Group.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to negotiate the automatic mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU for (a) architects and (b) other professions.

The recognition of professional qualifications is important for individuals wishing to practise their chosen profession outside the jurisdiction in which they qualified. It is for this reason that UK negotiators worked hard to secure a best-in-class Free Trade Agreement with the EU, which includes a framework for regulators and professional bodies to agree the recognition of professional qualifications for specific professions. It is important that regulators are able to maintain professional standards. In negotiating recognition arrangements such as mutual recognition agreements, it is for UK regulators and professional bodies to decide what arrangements – including, potentially, on automatic recognition - they want to agree with their EU counterparts.

The Government is supporting the Architects Regulation Board (ARB) as they explore recognition arrangements under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement with their European counterparts through the forum of the Architects’ Council of Europe. The ARB also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in December 2020.

The Government has also established a dedicated team to support regulators and professional bodies to enter recognition arrangements with their international counterparts. The team is working with regulators and professional bodies across the UK’s professions and sectors to progress this work.

25th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of reducing the VAT charge on solar panels.

Taxation is a matter for HM Treasury. However, BEIS Ministers are in regular contact with Treasury Ministers to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including options for facilitating deployment of the low- cost renewable technologies needed to help meet our 2050 net zero target.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress OneWeb has made towards being operational by 2022.

OneWeb currently has 110 satellites in orbit, with an additional 36 satellites due to be launched on 25th March. The launch pipeline is planned to complete UK coverage this year, so that commercial service introduction can be commenced in the UK by the end of 2021. Global coverage is planned for 2022.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will extend the bounce back interest free period on loans by an additional six months during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government launched the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) to ensure that the smallest businesses could access loans of up to £50,000 to help businesses through this difficult period. Under BBLS no repayments are due from the borrower for the first 12 months of the loan, giving businesses the breathing space they need during this difficult time. In addition, the Government covers the first 12 months of interest payments charged to the business by the lender.

We have always been clear that businesses are responsible for repaying any finance they take out. However, we recognise that some borrowers will benefit from flexibility for their repayments. That is why we announced the Pay As You Grow measures.

Pay As You Grow was designed to provide Bounce Back Loan borrowers more time and flexibility over their repayments by giving them the option to:

  • Extend the length of the loan from six years to ten.
  • Make interest-only payments for six months, with the option to use this up to three times throughout the loan.
  • Once six payments have been made, have the option of a six-month repayment holiday.

On 8th February, the Government announced that these options would be made more generous – removing the requirement to make six payments before accessing the six-month repayment holiday.

Businesses will be able to use these options either individually or in combination with each other. In addition, they have the option to fully repay their loan early and will face no early repayment charges for doing so.

22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it remains his Department's policy to deliver the £2 billion pledged to the Green Homes Grant as set out in Sustainable Warmth: protecting vulnerable households in England, published on 11 February 2021.

The £2 billion pledged to the Green Homes Grant (GHG) is comprised of £500m of funding for the Local Authority Delivery element and £1.5 billion of funding originally allocated to the Voucher Scheme for use in the 2020/21 financial year. £320 million of funding was announced for the Voucher Scheme for 2021/22 in the November 2020 Spending Review.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
3rd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to support supply companies within the hospitality sector through mechanisms such as invoice factoring to ensure that suppliers' cashflows are protected when the hospitality sector reopens after the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted and forward payment contracts resume again.

Since the start of the pandemic the government has worked closely with the hospitality sector to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and has responded with a substantial package of business support. We also hold discussions with businesses in the supply chain.

2nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) renewable energy, (b) insulation and (c) glazing installers participating in the Green Homes Grant scheme are paid on time.

The scheme administrator is working to ensure vouchers are paid as quickly as possible. Payment to installers is a four-step process. It requires the customer to confirm the work has been completed, the installer to lodge the work and the scheme administrator to undertake scheme checks before they can proceed to payment. Once it has reached the payment stage, the administrator aims to make payments within five-working days. However, if an inspection is deemed necessary then the process will take longer, especially given the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to issue written guidance to (a) nannies and (b) their employers on working safely during the covid-19 outbreak and lockdown.

As working in other peoples’ homes is an essential part of a nanny’s work, they need to ensure they follow the Safer Working guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people's homes.

When nannies need to enter their clients’ homes, they should take appropriate Covid-19 secure precautions such as socially distancing wherever possible, washing their hands often, using a separate towel to dry their hands or making sure there is appropriate ventilation. If the nanny or anyone in the household has Covid-19 symptoms, they must not go to work and they must self-isolate.

27th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of new jobs created by the Green Homes Grant scheme to date since its commencement.

The scheme has the capacity to support 80,000 jobs. The extension announced on 18 November 2020 has allowed an extra year to take advantage of the Green Homes Grant, helping tradespeople and households plan their workload and create new jobs in their communities.

We have worked to ensure that jobs are created across the country and there are now, on average, 76 Green Homes Grant installers per local authority area in England. Official scheme statistics will be published in due course.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support his Department is providing for the further development of small anaerobic digestion plants.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which came into force on 1 January 2020, gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators, including from small anaerobic digestion (AD) stations, the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid.

AD for heat is currently supported through the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI), which provides tariff support for biogas and biomethane plants. The RHI is due to close to new applicants on the 31st March 2021. In November 2020 BEIS published a Government Response detailing changes to the NDRHI to aid non-tariff guarantee eligible projects that were under development prior to the 17th August that may struggle to meet the 31st March 2021 application deadline due to COVID-19 related delays. Eligible projects, including on-site biogas, will be afforded an additional 12 months after scheme closure in which to submit a properly made full application.

The Green Gas Support Scheme, due to launch in Autumn 2021, will provide tariff based support for AD plants producing biomethane for injection into the gas grid. The scheme is due to run for four years.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of redirecting renewable energy subsidies away from biomass to wind and solar power.

Sustainable, low carbon bioenergy has helped us move to a low-carbon energy mix, increase our energy security, and keep costs down for consumers. Bioenergy remains an important part of a diverse energy mix, needed to achieve our Net Zero ambitions. We have introduced mandatory sustainability criteria for biomass for heat and power generation. This is to ensure biomass reduces carbon emissions and is sourced sustainably. Generators only receive subsidies for the electricity output which complies with our sustainability criteria.

In November 2020, we announced that we would make the changes required to exclude coal-to-biomass conversions from future Contract for Difference (CfD) allocation rounds. However, we have no plans to remove support for biomass generating stations that are already supported under the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the CfD. Such generators undertook their investments in establishing their stations under these schemes and have a statutory right to their existing support, as set out in the schemes’ implementing legislation. All support for coal-to-biomass conversions ends in 2027.

In March 2020 we announced that onshore wind and solar projects will be able to bid in the Contracts for Difference allocation round 4. The round will open in late 2021 and aim to deliver up to double the renewable capacity of last year’s successful round, potentially providing enough clean energy for up to 10 million homes.

On 17 November, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out his ambitious ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution – an innovative and ambitious programme of job creation and investment. This includes deploying enough offshore wind to generate more power than every home uses today, quadrupling our generation capacity to 40GW by 2030.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of which EU state-aid rules prevent large retailers from claiming more support from the Government’s £4.6bn emergency covid-19 grant scheme.

Subsidies must instead meet the terms of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) as well as the other Free Trade Agreements we have reached with the rest of the world and our WTO commitments.

The State aid Temporary Framework provisions set out in previous iterations of local authority grant support guidance should still be applied to these schemes until further guidance on domestic subsidy control related to these schemes is issued.

The Government has put forward an unprecedented package of business support throughout the pandemic. In situations where businesses are not able to access grants, they may be able to access other support including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the loan schemes that have been made available.

22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason his Department's policy is to comply with EU state-aid rules regarding the eligibility of large retailers for the Government’s £4.6bn emergency covid-19 grant scheme.

Subsidies must instead meet the terms of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) as well as the other Free Trade Agreements we have reached with the rest of the world and our WTO commitments.

The State aid Temporary Framework provisions set out in previous iterations of local authority grant support guidance should still be applied to these schemes until further guidance on domestic subsidy control related to these schemes is issued.

The Government has put forward an unprecedented package of business support throughout the pandemic. In situations where businesses are not able to access grants, they may be able to access other support including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the loan schemes that have been made available.

13th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to give local authorities the power to implement noise limits on fireworks.

Existing legislation controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit. Under the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 there are strict labelling requirements. Fireworks are categorised and labelled according to their explosive content and category. The fireworks categories must be marked on the label and give an indication of the noise level and hazard level.

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 limits noise from fireworks available to consumers to a maximum of 120 decibels. These noise limits are GB wide and Local authority Trading Standards officers are responsible for their enforcement.

13th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to require mandatory labelling of firework packaging with information about the noise level of the firework.

Existing legislation controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit. Under the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 there are strict labelling requirements. Fireworks are categorised and labelled according to their explosive content and category. The fireworks categories must be marked on the label and give an indication of the noise level and hazard level.

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 limits noise from fireworks available to consumers to a maximum of 120 decibels. These noise limits are GB wide and Local authority Trading Standards officers are responsible for their enforcement.

12th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the deadline for the Local Authority Delivery Scheme on the development of sustainable jobs and skills.

BEIS estimates the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme will support on average 8,000 jobs per annum over the years 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans the Government has to use the results of the Local Authority Delivery scheme to assess the effectiveness of local authorities in the future.

BEIS has embedded evaluation into the delivery plans of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme so that Government can learn about its effectiveness, implement learning into the future of energy efficiency schemes and consider what ongoing role Local Authorities should have in the delivery of such schemes.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of aligning the deadlines for Local Authority Delivery scheme phases 1a, 1b and 2 to the Voucher Scheme deadline of March 2022.

The Local Authority Delivery and Vouchers schemes have been designed to work alongside each other whilst reflecting the differences in delivery methods.

BEIS has allocated Local Authority Delivery funding to 55 projects totalling £74.3m of expenditure for delivery by March 2021, which can play an important role in sustaining and creating jobs in all regions of England.

BEIS anticipates funding in excess of £124m of LAD scheme projects with a delivery date of September 2021, and a further £300m is allocated to the regional Local Energy Hubs for delivery by December 2021.

These staggered dates intend to balance the aim of the scheme to support economic recovery whilst being pragmatic over delivery timescales.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the deadline for delivery of the Local Authority Delivery Scheme 2.

The Green Homes Grant, Local Authority Delivery Scheme is part of a package of measures aimed at providing an urgent stimulus to the economy. BEIS intends to allocate £300m to the regional Local Energy Hubs for delivery by December 2021. This aims to balance the aim of the scheme to support economic recovery whilst being pragmatic over delivery timescales.

These economic stimulus schemes are part of a longer term, sustained investment in the growth of skills and jobs to build the supply chains necessary to achieve net zero. We have recently published the Energy White Paper and we plan to publish a Heat and Building Strategy outlining our approach alongside an updated Fuel Poverty Strategy for England, that builds upon the commitments in the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, to extend the Energy Company Obligation and implement the Home Upgrade Grant.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has developed a plan for the future of the UK infrastructure market over the next 30 years to allow regulators to work with a consistent and stable set of priorities.

The Government has set out its strategic objectives and priorities for infrastructure investment in the National Infrastructure Strategy, and the 2018 National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. The latter includes projects in both the public and private sectors, and there will be an estimated c£600bn of investment over the next decade. The pipeline will be updated in Spring 2021.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of updating the economic regulatory duties that sit with each individual sectoral regulator to (a) reflect the need to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 and (b) support regulators to make transparent trade-offs where necessary.

The Government has established new coordination arrangements since setting the net zero target. This includes two cabinet committees, chaired by my Rt. Hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to turbo-charge the net zero transition and co-ordinate action. The four main departments with lead responsibility for decarbonising sectors of the economy have also set up boards to oversee delivery of their policies aimed at reducing emissions.

The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) undertook a study on economic regulation, which the Government responded to alongside the National Infrastructure Strategy. The Government agreed with the NIC that regulator duties should be coherent, covering price, quality, resilience and the environment, and has committed to consider new and existing duties in the round as part of a policy paper in 2021.

The Government supports the work already undertaken by the regulators to deliver net zero, and will continue to review the most appropriate measures, including legislated climate duties, alongside existing duties to ensure regulators make the necessary contributions to achieve legislated net zero targets.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his policy on the EU Withdrawal Agreement is that it obliges the establishment of a central patent court seat in London under the Unified Patent Court Agreement.

The Government will not be participating in the Unified Patent Court (UPC), nor establishing a seat in London, due to the UPC’s links with the EU Court of Justice. Consequently, on 20 July 2020, the UK withdrew its ratification of the UPC Agreement. Withdrawing ratification clarifies the UK’s status in the Agreement and will help facilitate its orderly entry into force for other States, if they so choose. The locations of the central division of the UPC is a matter for the remaining participating states to decide.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
15th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to measure the effect of Green Homes Grant scheme funding on the energy performance certificate rating of each home that receives that funding.

Developed to help stimulate economic recovery and support and create tens of thousands of jobs; the scheme provides funding for homeowners to install energy efficiency and low carbon heat measures which give greatest thermal benefits and carbon reductions, but which consumers are typically less likely to install on their own.

In order to ensure installations will be of the highest quality, the scheme requires that all businesses and tradespeople that install measures must be TrustMark registered, as well as MCS certified for heat and PAS certified for energy efficiency. That means they will have been thoroughly vetted for technical competence, customer service and trading practices, and will be operating in accordance with the TrustMark customer charter, and MCS and PAS industry standards.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to paragraph 7.26 of the Spending Review 2020, how much of the over £1 billion to make further progress towards delivering the government’s commitment to invest in the energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation of schools, hospitals and homes will be allocated to the Green Homes Grant scheme.

In the Spending Review 2020, the Government has committed to invest over £1 billion next year into making new and existing homes and public buildings more efficient, including through the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Paragraph 4.7 of the Spending Review sets out the Government’s intention to extend the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme with £320 million of funding in 2021-22.

10th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Exchequer Secretary to the Environmental Audit Committee of 2 December 2020, on what calculations she based her assessment that it would cost only £3,000 on average to raise each existing English home to an Energy Performance Certificate Band C rating.

The Government is currently consulting on proposals to raise the energy performance standard to EPC Band C for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in England and Wales. This is proposed as a phased trajectory for achieving the improvements, applying to new tenancies only from 2025 and all tenancies from 2028. The consultation proposes a cost cap of £10,000, requiring landlords to spend up to this amount to improve their properties.

Under this cap, the average cost per household for all properties treated under these regulations is £4,700. This includes properties that do not meet the required standard, and is specific to the PRS. Spend towards this cap, to comply with these regulations, can only be counted from 2023. The Green Homes Grant provides vouchers to homeowners in England to cover two thirds of eligible energy efficiency improvements, up to a total government contribution of £5,000. Landlords are eligible to apply for funding through the Green Homes Grant, however this would not count towards the £10,000 cost cap as the scheme ends before 2023.

The £3,000 figure relates to the contribution the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme can make towards a property that requires, on average, the same level of energy efficiency work as those under the PRS analysis above.

9th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2020 to Question 119331 on Green Homes Grant Scheme, what the reasons are for the difference in the number of (a) energy efficient jobs that will be created by implementing Point 7 of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan up to 2030 and (b) energy efficiency jobs supported by the Green Homes Grant Scheme in 2020-21.

Further to the response on 26 November to Question 119331, the 50,000 jobs supported by 2030 relate to the package of measures from ‘Point 7: Green Buildings’ outlined in my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan. The 2030 figure is based on the expected additional work required by 2030 in order to align with our plans for buildings to improve their energy efficiency and align with our Carbon Budgets.

The 80,000 jobs supported by the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme relates to the £1.5 billion funding allocated for 2020/21. It is a time-limited scheme to help boost employment and support economic recovery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

23rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason the Answer of 10 November 2020 to Question 908549 on the Green Homes Grant Scheme states that the expected number of jobs supported through the Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme was over 80,000 and Point 7 of the Prime Minister's Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, published in November 2020, states that developing greener buildings could deliver support for around 50,000 jobs by 2030.

Further to the response on 10 November to Question 908549, the 80,000 jobs supported by the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme relates to the £1.5 billion funding allocated for 2020/21.

The 50,000 jobs supported by 2030 are as a result of the package of measures for ‘Point 7: Green Buildings’ outlined in my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan. This figure relates to energy efficiency work done by 2030.

16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the time required to fully train each apprentice installer of domestic heat pumps.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is working closely with industry, the Department for Education the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, to ensure that there are clear routes for new entrants to join the heat pump installation market, through higher education including apprenticeships.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education estimates that the typical duration of an apprenticeship to become a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician is 48 months.

16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answers of 7 September 2020 to Question 82123 and of 10 November 2020 to Question 908549, for what reason the estimate of the number of jobs that that funding could support was 140,000 in September and 80,000 in November.

The answer provided on 7 September 2020 to Question 82123 was for the expected number of jobs created by over £3 billion of investment in the green recovery, as announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 July. This included the £2 billion Green Homes Grant Scheme, £1 billion to improve the efficiency of public sector buildings, alongside a £50 million fund to pilot the right approach to decarbonise social housing.

The answer provided on the 10 November 2020 to Question 908459 was for the expected number of jobs created through the £1.5 billion Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme.

4th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to publish its assessment of the wider social and economic implications of UKRI’s proposed Open Access policy.

As outlined in the recently published R&D Roadmap, Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research, and to maximise the benefit of public research funding to other researchers, businesses and wider audiences.

As part of the UKRI Open Access review, UKRI is working with BEIS to consider implications for stakeholders. UKRI and BEIS co designed analysis on the social and economic costs and benefits of Open Access, which UKRI commissioned from an independent consultancy. This will assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers, as well as perspectives of users of Open Access publications including businesses. This independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020, now provide the basis for considering the wider social and economic implications.

The UKRI open access review will report in Spring 2021. Together with its final policy, UKRI will publish key pieces of analysis and this will include the assessment of possible implications for stakeholders, and the analysis of consultation responses.

UKRI supported Plan S and joined the coalition because working internationally is important to help achieve open access, and Plan S broadly aligns with UKRI Open Access principles. UKRI is considering the Plan S principles and guidance, including with regards to rights retention, alongside other evidence and inputs within the broader aspects of the Review. The outcomes of the review will determine the decision on the final UKRI Open Access policy.

BEIS continues to work closely with UKRI to ensure that the policy supports economic Open Access models where the fair, transparent and reasonable costs of Open Access publishing are met.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
4th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what process his Department is following in order to independently assess the wider social and economic implications of UKRI’s proposed Open Access policy.

As outlined in the recently published R&D Roadmap, Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research, and to maximise the benefit of public research funding to other researchers, businesses and wider audiences.

As part of the UKRI Open Access review, UKRI is working with BEIS to consider implications for stakeholders. UKRI and BEIS co designed analysis on the social and economic costs and benefits of Open Access, which UKRI commissioned from an independent consultancy. This will assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers, as well as perspectives of users of Open Access publications including businesses. This independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020, now provide the basis for considering the wider social and economic implications.

The UKRI open access review will report in Spring 2021. Together with its final policy, UKRI will publish key pieces of analysis and this will include the assessment of possible implications for stakeholders, and the analysis of consultation responses.

UKRI supported Plan S and joined the coalition because working internationally is important to help achieve open access, and Plan S broadly aligns with UKRI Open Access principles. UKRI is considering the Plan S principles and guidance, including with regards to rights retention, alongside other evidence and inputs within the broader aspects of the Review. The outcomes of the review will determine the decision on the final UKRI Open Access policy.

BEIS continues to work closely with UKRI to ensure that the policy supports economic Open Access models where the fair, transparent and reasonable costs of Open Access publishing are met.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
4th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to implement cOAlition S’s Rights Retention Strategy in relation to UKRI's new Open Access policy.

As outlined in the recently published R&D Roadmap, Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research, and to maximise the benefit of public research funding to other researchers, businesses and wider audiences.

As part of the UKRI Open Access review, UKRI is working with BEIS to consider implications for stakeholders. UKRI and BEIS co designed analysis on the social and economic costs and benefits of Open Access, which UKRI commissioned from an independent consultancy. This will assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers, as well as perspectives of users of Open Access publications including businesses. This independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020, now provide the basis for considering the wider social and economic implications.

The UKRI open access review will report in Spring 2021. Together with its final policy, UKRI will publish key pieces of analysis and this will include the assessment of possible implications for stakeholders, and the analysis of consultation responses.

UKRI supported Plan S and joined the coalition because working internationally is important to help achieve open access, and Plan S broadly aligns with UKRI Open Access principles. UKRI is considering the Plan S principles and guidance, including with regards to rights retention, alongside other evidence and inputs within the broader aspects of the Review. The outcomes of the review will determine the decision on the final UKRI Open Access policy.

BEIS continues to work closely with UKRI to ensure that the policy supports economic Open Access models where the fair, transparent and reasonable costs of Open Access publishing are met.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the time required to train an installer of (a) insulation for solid walls and (b) domestic heat pumps.

We understand that an increased number of skilled tradespeople will be required to retrofit homes with energy efficiency and low carbon measures as a result of the Green Homes Grant scheme. Presently, an existing builder could take on skilled people and become certified to install solid wall insulation within 14 days, provided they meet the requirements.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has for land currently held by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; and if he will make a statement.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has established a Strategic Land Management Board, comprising members from across the NDA group and wider Government, to consider how to divest or lease NDA land where it becomes surplus to requirements. The Board ensures a consistent and optimal approach is taken when considering options for the reuse of NDA sites, in line with wider commercial and operational objectives for the organisation.

21st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussion he has had with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets on establishing a Right to Local Supply to ensure the costs of supplying energy are proportionate to the size of the supplier.

A key aim for Ofgem is to ensure that customers retain choice and flexibility in the market and get good value and service from their supplier.

Ofgem can award supply licences that are restricted to a geographical area and has just consulted on how to use this facility more effectively to bring forward innovation. Ofgem’s Licence Lite regime also aims to reduce the cost and complexity of entering and operating in the market for suppliers.

Ofgem’s Innovation Link helps innovators navigate the sector’s arrangements and their Energy Regulation Sandbox enables trails and rollout of new products, services, business models and methodologies without some of the usual rules applying.

21st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the consumption of electricity from local, renewable community generation schemes in Greater London.

The Government recognises the valuable contribution that community energy can make in helping to meet our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We have funded the Greater South East Energy Hub to work with Community Energy England to raise the profile of community energy and promote it more widely.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators, including community energy projects, the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. There are currently more than 10 SEG tariffs on offer from electricity suppliers, which small scale generators can choose from.

21st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will expand the Energy Company Obligation to support fuel poor households who are under greater financial pressure as a result of covid-19.

The Government has introduced a number of financial support mechanisms to support households who may be under greater financial pressure due to Covid-19. Specifically, on energy efficiency, around half of the £2 billion Green Homes Grant will be targeted at low income and vulnerable households.

In addition, the Energy Company Obligation is providing support worth around £640 million per year to help fuel poor and low income households stay warm while reducing their energy bills.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of district heating systems for reducing the number of fuel poor households as part of his Department’s Fuel Poverty Strategy.

District heating systems, or heat networks, have the potential to reduce consumer bills and therefore may contribute to reducing fuel poverty. We will consider the role and potential impact of heat networks as part of our planned update to the Fuel Poverty Strategy for England.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the statement that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) has value but is not sufficient in the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee's report, Energy efficiency: building towards net zero, Twenty-First Report of Session 2017–19, HC 1730, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of widening the scope of the ECO.

The costs of the Energy Company Obligation are ultimately borne by domestic energy customers. Government needs to balance the costs to bill payers alongside the low income and vulnerable households whose homes are upgraded. ECO will work alongside other regulatory policy and direct funding to decarbonise buildings in the transition to net zero.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of community energy to meeting the fourth and fifth greenhouse gas emissions budgets under the Climate Change Act 2008.

The Government is building on its Clean Growth Strategy and has already made significant progress towards meeting the UK’s net zero target. We have met our first and second carbon budgets that were established under the Climate Change Act 2008, and we are on track for the third.

As a Government, we have supported community energy through the £10m Rural Community Energy Fund, and through extensions for community groups under the Feed in Tariffs to ensure that communities can develop renewable energy projects. We are also working closely with Community Energy England on the Community Energy Hub and in creating a regional network of support for communities getting involved directly in reducing their carbon footprint. This includes developing a new tool for parish councils, as well as the SCATTER tool for local authorities.

Our forthcoming sector strategies on energy, heat and buildings and the environment, and our wider plans to deliver a green economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, will contain further proposals to support us in meeting carbon budgets 4 and 5. Two cabinet committees, chaired by my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister and my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, have also been established to turbo-charge the net zero transition and co-ordinate action across Government.

2nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on reform of Employee Share Ownership schemes.

There have been no recent discussions on reform of the Employee Share Ownership scheme between my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer and my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

2nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of (a) the Government's criteria for COP26 sponsors that companies should have set ambitious net zero commitments by 2050 or earlier, with a credible short-term action plan to achieve this and (b) COP26 organisers holding discussions with (i) Equinor, (ii) Shell and (iii) BP on sponsorship of COP26.

The Government has set strict sponsorship criteria for COP26 and will partner with companies who have set ambitious net zero commitments by 2050 or earlier, with a credible short-term action plan to achieve this. The Government will continue to talk to a wide range of companies as part of wider COP26 policy engagement to move the global economy to net zero emissions.

2nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what funding is available for low-income households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The Energy Company Obligation, worth £640m per year, is focused on low income and vulnerable households across Great Britain. Our recently launched Green Homes Grant in England will further support customers in making their homes more energy efficient, including up to £10,000 for low income households.

In addition to the available funding to support low-income households with improving the energy efficiency of their homes, we also provide support with energy bills for low income and vulnerable consumers through the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

We intend to publish an updated Fuel Poverty Strategy for England in due course which will provide further information on the range of schemes available to support low income and vulnerable households in improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

1st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to raise the minimum level of energy efficiency standard for private rented accommodation from band E to band D.

The Department has just launched a consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales. Under the Government’s recommended option, landlords would be required to reach EPC Band C for new tenancies from 1 April 2025 and all tenancies by 1 April 2028. The preferred policy option will deliver 7.9 MtCO2e in carbon emission savings over Carbon Budgets 4 and 5. Landlords are encouraged to take advantage of the Green Homes Grant to fund necessary improvements.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic effect of UK Research and Innovation’s proposed Open Access policy.

Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research. Public funding should result in public benefit, and therefore the Government and UKRI support the principle that published outputs of publicly funded research should be widely and freely accessible to all, under conditions that allow for maximum reuse, as recently reiterated in the R&D roadmap.

Understanding the overall economic impact of the Review’s proposed policy is important and UKRI has commissioned independent analysis to assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers. BEIS will consider the wider social and economic implications, using this independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020.

UKRI’s mission is to work in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and Government to create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish and to create social and economic impact. The Open Access Review will continue under these principles, with UKRI continuing to conduct further evidence gathering, analysis and stakeholder engagement and the issues raised by the Honourable Member are all being considered by UKRI as part of the ongoing process.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of UK Research and Innovation’s open access policy on research-intensive universities.

Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research. Public funding should result in public benefit, and therefore the Government and UKRI support the principle that published outputs of publicly funded research should be widely and freely accessible to all, under conditions that allow for maximum reuse, as recently reiterated in the R&D roadmap.

Understanding the overall economic impact of the Review’s proposed policy is important and UKRI has commissioned independent analysis to assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers. BEIS will consider the wider social and economic implications, using this independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020.

UKRI’s mission is to work in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and Government to create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish and to create social and economic impact. The Open Access Review will continue under these principles, with UKRI continuing to conduct further evidence gathering, analysis and stakeholder engagement and the issues raised by the Honourable Member are all being considered by UKRI as part of the ongoing process.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of UK Research and Innovation’s Open Access policy on international collaboration between UK-based and overseas researchers.

Open Access is central to the Government’s ambitions for research and innovation, with openness being key to world class research. Public funding should result in public benefit, and therefore the Government and UKRI support the principle that published outputs of publicly funded research should be widely and freely accessible to all, under conditions that allow for maximum reuse, as recently reiterated in the R&D roadmap.

Understanding the overall economic impact of the Review’s proposed policy is important and UKRI has commissioned independent analysis to assess the possible implications for various groups such as Learned Societies, Research Organisations, Disciplines and Publishers. BEIS will consider the wider social and economic implications, using this independent evidence on costs and benefits, and the responses to the consultation on the proposed policy run by UKRI from Feb-May 2020.

UKRI’s mission is to work in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and Government to create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish and to create social and economic impact. The Open Access Review will continue under these principles, with UKRI continuing to conduct further evidence gathering, analysis and stakeholder engagement and the issues raised by the Honourable Member are all being considered by UKRI as part of the ongoing process.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the 30 person limit for weddings includes staff at the wedding venue.

As set out in COVID-19: Guidance for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations, 30 people is the maximum number for all attendees at the event, including the couple and guests. It also includes any third-party suppliers, such as photographers or security. It does not include staff employed by the venue or third-party catering staff.

20th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department provides for the workplace for (a) employees on the ADHD spectrum and (b) their employers.

The Government appreciates that people with mental health conditions – including those on the ADHD spectrum – may face challenges in the workplace and encourages employers to take appropriate steps to support them.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) produces guidance on supporting mental health in the workplace aimed at both employers and workers: https://www.acas.org.uk/supporting-mental-health-workplace.

Acas has also produced a framework for positive mental health at work and offers training on understanding mental health issues in the workplace: https://archive.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1900.

3rd Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the skills gap in the workforce required to retrofit the UK’s housing stock with insulation; and if he will take steps to close that gap.

A good supply of skilled workers is essential in order to meet our aspiration for as many UK homes as possible to be EPC Band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective and affordable. In 2018, the domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency sectors employed 153,600 people, but many more will be required. The Government has sponsored the development of Trustmark and PAS 2035 to ensure high standards among energy efficiency installers. The Government is further funding six local supply chain demonstration pilots to support development and training of the supply chain for home energy retrofit. We will continue to work with installers and training providers in order to grow the sector.

2nd Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will take steps to provide additional support for disabled people during the covid-19 outbreak by enabling disabled people to work flexibly.

The Government is fully committed to supporting disabled people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, including making sure they can continue to work. The Government continues to support disabled employees to access assistive technology and other forms of support they need to remain in work. For example, Access to Work is continuing to provide support for people with a disability or health condition whether they are working in the workplace or are working from home.

Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers including making reasonable adjustments to support disabled workers to be able to work.

Currently the Government advice is that people should be working from home where it is possible to do so. Existing employment law gives employees the right to request flexible working, which includes remote working.

.

29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Queen's Speech of December 2019, what progress has his Department made on investing £9.2 billion to improve the energy efficiency of homes and public buildings.

Tackling climate change and reaching our legally-binding emission reduction targets continue to be a top priority for the Government.

We remain committed to our aspiration for as many homes as possible to reach Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2035 where practical, cost-effective, and affordable. Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes will play a critical role in delivering our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, including Net Zero by 2050 as well as lifting households out of fuel poverty.

We continue to enable greenhouse gas emission reductions in public buildings through the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, and the fund for England will stand at £385 million by the end of 2020/21.

BEIS remains committed to energy efficiency and decarbonising buildings, in line with the Manifesto commitment to invest £9.2 billion in low carbon buildings. The funding decisions are a matter for my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer.

29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has encourage the uptake of energy efficiency retrofitting by households to increase private sector investment in that sector.

In the Clean Growth Strategy, we set our aspiration for as many homes as possible to be Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective and affordable.

The Government is planning to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings.

These actions include the deployment of energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating as part of an ambitious programme of work required to enable key strategic decisions on how we achieve the mass transition to low-carbon heat and set us on a path to decarbonising all homes and buildings.

1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what steps he is taking to ensure that employees will not be forced to accept (a) zero-hour contracts and (b) other reduced employment conditions, without being given the option of redundancy, when the furlough ends.

An employment contract is a matter between an individual and their employer.

Any changes to an employment contract – including an individual’s working hours – should be made by agreement in a way that is consistent with employment law. This Government is clear that employers must take their employment responsibilities seriously and cannot simply opt out of them.

An employer can decide to make a worker redundant when their furlough ends under certain conditions, if they deem this to be the best course of action to take for their business.

The legal position in relation to redundancy remains the same. Any redundancy process should be fair and reasonable, with appropriate equalities considerations.

24th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to provide local licensing authorities with regulatory powers over public firework displays; and if she will make a statement.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. This includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.

21st Jan 2020
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of business rates on high street businesses.

This Government will conduct a fundamental review of business rates.

My Retail Sector Council industry co-chair and I have already met the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to discuss the Council’s review of the costs retailers face, including business rates.

I will continue to engage with Treasury colleagues as we deliver this important manifesto commitment.

9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what data their Department holds on the (a) number and (b) total cost of replacing (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones, (iii) memory sticks and (iv) external hard drives that have been (A) lost and (B) stolen in the last year.

The following table includes the number of lost/stolen devices in the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) from 1 January 2023 to 31 October 2023.

  1. Lost

  1. Stolen

Laptops

1

6

Mobile phones

2

4

Memory sticks

0

0

External hard drives

0

0

Lost and Stolen devices are not replaced on an individual basis, all assets are managed as part of a pooled resource model and replenished as part of their end to end lifecycle.

All departmental IT has device encryption enabled, at rest and is fully security encrypted, to prevent unauthorised access.

The departmental security unit, records and investigates each reported loss from the department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely locked.

There has been no data loss or compromise resulting from these losses.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Dec 2022
5G
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many agreements were reached to install 5G masts on private property in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those agreements were concluded consensually.

Digital connectivity is important now more than ever and the Government is committed to providing good quality digital infrastructure and mobile coverage, including 5G, across the UK. This will ensure that people are able to stay connected and businesses are able to grow. The Government’s ambition for the majority of the UK population to have access to 5G by 2027 was met 5 years early with basic “non-standalone” 5G. Non-standalone 5G is available outside up to 77% of UK premises.

However, Government policy in this area consistently aims to maintain a proportionate balance between the public benefits of digital rollout, and the rights of individual landowners. This is reflected in the legal framework underpinning rights to install and keep electronic communications apparatus on public and private land, contained in the Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”).

5G network rollout and the acquisition and management of masts, mobile sites and network infrastructure is, ultimately, a matter for the mobile network operators (MNOs), operating within that legal framework. The Government therefore does not routinely collate comprehensive data on site acquisitions.

However, you may find it useful to note that information provided by mobile operators and infrastructure providers during passage of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act showed that the number of agreements being concluded on new and existing sites has increased year on year since 2020. This data shows that in 2022, at least 107 agreements were reached in relation to new sites, with heads of terms agreed on a further 66 sites. That is in addition to the 533 renewal agreements which have concluded this year, along with heads of terms being agreed on a further 119 renewals.

To be clear however, this data does not represent a complete picture of the number of agreements agreed during 2022, but rather a snapshot provided by some mobile operators. We do not have any additional data breaking down these figures into agreements concerning the installation of 5G masts on private property, or how many agreements were completed consensually. However, as you may be aware, measures contained in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act aim to encourage consensual negotiations.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
15th Dec 2022
5G
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what rights private landowners have to oppose the installation of 5G masts on their property.

The Government is committed to providing good quality digital infrastructure and mobile coverage, including 5G, across the UK. This will ensure that people are able to stay connected and businesses are able to grow. Digital connectivity is important now more than ever. The Government’s ambition for the majority of the UK population to have access to 5G by 2027 was met 5 years early with basic “non-standalone” 5G. Non-standalone 5G is available outside up to 77% of UK premises.

At all times, however, government policy in this area works to keep a proportionate balance between public benefits of digital rollout, and the rights of individual landowners.

Rights to install and keep electronic communications apparatus on public and private land are regulated by the Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”). Rights relating to apparatus on private land are normally agreed through negotiation between a landowner and communications operator.

Where a consensual agreement cannot be reached, the operator can ask a court to consider whether rights should be imposed. It is important to note, however, that the imposition of those rights is not automatic.

In these cases, the court will take into account whether the proposed installation is in the public interest and whether the landowner can be adequately compensated in deciding whether or not the requested rights should be imposed.

In addition to the need to comply with the requirements of the Code, the installation of apparatus must also comply with any planning requirements. Most telecommunications infrastructure, such as new masts and base stations, now benefit from nationally set permitted development rights. Permitted development rights enable certain types of development to be undertaken without the need for a full planning application, where the need to apply for permission would be out of proportion with the impacts of development. However, new ground-based masts still require the prior approval of local planning authority on certain matters, such as siting a design, before deployment can take place.

Local planning authorities are the decision makers for local planning decisions and must ensure that they are satisfied with things such as siting and appearance of the proposed development, before the permitted development rights are applied.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
12th Dec 2022
5G
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many 5G masts have been installed in each region in the last two years.

5G network rollout and the management of masts, mobile sites and network infrastructure is a matter for the mobile network operators (MNOs), and this information is not held by the government.

However, local authorities must grant planning permission for building masts and therefore some local authorities keep mast site registers which may contain installation information.

When deploying masts, the MNOs will consider consumer demand and how any mobile site fits with their network deployment plans.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
12th Dec 2022
5G
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many 5G masts have been installed on residential properties in each of the last two years.

5G network rollout and the management of masts, mobile sites and network infrastructure is a matter for the mobile network operators (MNOs), and this information is not held by the government.

However, local authorities must grant planning permission for building masts and therefore some local authorities keep mast site registers which may contain installation information.

When deploying masts, the MNOs will consider consumer demand and how any mobile site fits with their network deployment plans.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will work with Arts Council England to commission a strategic review of opera provision.

I refer the Hon Member for Richmond Park to my previous answers on this matter, including 97388 and 97389 to the Rt Hon Member for Camberwell and Peckham.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the English National Opera.

I refer the Hon Member for Richmond Park to my previous answers on this matter, including 97388 and 97389 to the Rt Hon Member for Camberwell and Peckham.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed merger between BBC News and the BBC World Service on the quality of news.

The Government wants to see the BBC continue to serve both UK and international audiences with high quality, accurate and impartial news and information, which is an essential part of its Mission and Public Purposes.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the government and the government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations. It would therefore be inappropriate for the government to intervene in their decision to merge BBC News and BBC World News.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the BBC, is responsible for ensuring that the BBC continues to meet the public service obligations set out in the BBC Charter, Agreement, and Operating Licence. In response to the BBC's announcement, Ofcom has said that it expects the BBC to be clear about how it plans to ensure that BBC News will continue to provide high quality UK news. Ofcom has also stated that it will continue to develop its understanding of the detail of the BBC’s proposals, and that if issues of concern arise Ofcom will work with the BBC to address them, and if necessary, take steps to ensure the BBC continues to deliver for audiences in the UK.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
29th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department has spent on consultancy fees in each of the last five years.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28th June 2022 to Question UIN 22551.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
26th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2022 to Question 154260 on Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Aviation, how many rail journeys officials in her Department made between (a) London and Edinburgh, (b) London and Glasgow and (c) Southampton and Newcastle in 2019-2020.

The total number of rail journeys to and from requested locations taken by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport officials between April 2019 and March 2020 is broken down below:

  • London and Edinburgh: 15

  • London and Glasgow: 66

  • Southampton and Newcastle: 0

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
26th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2022 to Question 154260 on Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Aviation, what the total cost of the 246 domestic flights taken by officials in her Department was between April 2019 and March 2020.

The total cost of domestic flights taken by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport officials between April 2019 and March 2020 was £40,465.77.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to Greening Government Commitments Annual Report, April 2019 to March 2020, published in October 2021 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason there was an increase in the number of domestic flights taken by her Department between 2009-10 and 2019-20; and if she will provide a breakdown by (a) origin and (b) destination of those flights in 2019-20.

The increase in domestic flights taken by DCMS officials in 2019/20 compared to 2009/10 can be explained by the following:

  • The department is less London centric, increasing its presence across the UK.

  • The department has increased in size from 454 FTE in 2009/10 to 1,304 FTE in 2019/20, a 187% increase. The increase in FTE is contributed to by the increased remit of the department, specifically within digital and international policy.

A total of 246 domestic flights were taken by DCMS officials between April 2019 and March 2020, to attend external meetings and conferences.

A breakdown of the flight data, detailing the origin and destination of flights taken in 2019/20 can be found in the attached PDF.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
30th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent estimate she has made of the total funds to be allocated for Unboxed: Creativity in the UK.

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK is an ambitious programme of ten major multi-site and digital creative projects. The programme objectives are to bring people together and celebrate our collective and unique offer to the world. To deliver this, UNBOXED is taking the projects to over 80 places across the UK which have not generally staged such events in the past, all for free.

This programme aims to deliver a wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits which will be independently assessed and a report will be published in early 2023. In particular, the programme will help contribute to people’s happiness and wellbeing across the UK through taking part in and enjoying world-class cultural events, and help support the creative sector’s recovery from the pandemic through employment opportunities and new partnerships. It will demonstrate innovative uses of technology, drive up engagement with science and technology, and showcase the very best of the UK’s creativity to the world.

These benefits are already starting to be realised. For example, thousands of people have enjoyed ‘About Us’, a spectacular light and music production in Paisley, Londonderry, Caernarfon and Luton. Fifty young people are working on ‘Storytrails’, and hundreds of young people are contributing creative work to ‘Tour de Moon’. ‘Green Spaces Dark Skies’ has invited 20,000 people to carry lights in areas of outstanding natural beauty across the UK to create a magical light show. There is an extensive learning and participation programme which includes hundreds of lesson plans, workshops, school trips and other learning resources inspired by the ten projects.

The total budget for UNBOXED is £120 million, of which £98 million has been allocated to DCMS, and the remainder made available to the Devolved Administrations via the Barnett Formula (led by HM Treasury).

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the 25th anniversary of World Book Day.

We recognise the vital part that books, reading and public libraries play in the lives of so many people, and the pleasure they bring to people of all ages.

DCMS is supporting World Book Day through organisations that are in receipt of public funds provided by the department. Arts Council England provided funding of £94,360 to World Book Day in January 2021, to deliver a multi-year project - ‘Growing reading for pleasure for children & young people 2021-2022’. The project finishes in August 2022 and includes support for this year’s World Book Day event on 3 March.

In addition, Libraries Connected (the sector support organisation for libraries) has been encouraging public libraries to take part in the celebrations, to order publicity materials and to sign up and promote the £1 books. Libraries Connected is also highlighting World Book Day through its social media channels, website and other publicity, as will DCMS.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many of her Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

The following table includes the number of lost/stolen devices in DCMS in the last five years.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Laptops

No Data available

34

15

199

17

Mobile phones

No Data available

13

29

3

12

Memory sticks

No Data available

0

0

0

0

External hard drives

No Data available

0

0

0

0

All departmental IT has device encryption enabled, at rest is fully security encrypted.

The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely locked.

There has been no data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
15th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will make provisions to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the travel sector beyond 30 September 2021 when the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends.

The Government has provided over £35 billion in support to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors over the course of the pandemic and is committed to supporting the safe return of tourism to the UK, as set out in the Government's Tourism Recovery Plan published in June.

Businesses across the economy, including the travel industry, can draw on over £350 billion worth of loans, rates relief, VAT deferrals and the furlough scheme, the latter of which ended on 30 September. The Government continues to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review.

The Government is regularly engaging with travel industry bodies - such as UKInbound, the European Tour Operators Association and the Association of British Travel Agents - to monitor the pandemic’s impact and to support the sector’s recovery.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
15th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises within the travel sector.

The Government has provided over £35 billion in support to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors over the course of the pandemic and is committed to supporting the safe return of tourism to the UK, as set out in the Government's Tourism Recovery Plan published in June.

Businesses across the economy, including the travel industry, can draw on over £350 billion worth of loans, rates relief, VAT deferrals and the furlough scheme, the latter of which ended on 30 September. The Government continues to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review.

The Government is regularly engaging with travel industry bodies - such as UKInbound, the European Tour Operators Association and the Association of British Travel Agents - to monitor the pandemic’s impact and to support the sector’s recovery.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
15th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of providing further financial support to the travel sector.

The Government has provided over £35 billion in support to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors over the course of the pandemic and is committed to supporting the safe return of tourism to the UK, as set out in the Government's Tourism Recovery Plan published in June.

Businesses across the economy, including the travel industry, can draw on over £350 billion worth of loans, rates relief, VAT deferrals and the furlough scheme, the latter of which ended on 30 September. The Government continues to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review.

The Government is regularly engaging with travel industry bodies - such as UKInbound, the European Tour Operators Association and the Association of British Travel Agents - to monitor the pandemic’s impact and to support the sector’s recovery.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory police permits for street charity collectors who ask for direct debits.

Effective and responsible fundraising underpins the success of the charity sector, and is essential for charities’ independence. Face to face (direct debit) fundraising is self-regulated by the Fundraising Regulator and there are no national official figures on volumes. The Fundraising Regulator stands up for best practice in fundraising, in order to protect donors and support the vital work of fundraisers.

Direct Debit fundraising does not require licences or permits, however the fundraiser must meet Chartered Institute of Fundraising site management agreements that are in place with the local authority for regular face-to-face fundraising on the street. These Site Management Agreements (SMA) set controls on where and when fundraising can take place.

If members of the public are concerned that a group or individuals are acting fraudulently they should report this matter to their local police force. They can also complain to the Fundraising Regulator.

Government continues to encourage and support collaborative work between the charity sector, licensing and enforcement agencies in an effort to curb unlicensed or bogus collections.

5th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to expand the Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme to include urban areas with poor broadband connectivity.

The Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme closed on 31st March 2021. The programme sought to test ways in which the government could intervene to provide gigabit broadband coverage in rural areas which were unlikely to be covered through commercial roll-out. The experience of the RGC programme has helped shape Project Gigabit, which is aimed at all premises which are not likely to be covered commercially.

The government is working closely with telecoms providers through detailed market reviews to ensure that only premises which are not likely to get commercial gigabit coverage are in scope for Project Gigabit. This will include premises in urban areas if there are no commercial coverage plans in place.

Today, over two in five premises can access gigabit-capable networks, up from just one in ten in November 2019. By the end of the year, 60% will have access, and by 2025 the government is targeting a minimum of 85% gigabit-capable coverage, working with industry to reach as close to 100% as possible.

17th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to ensure that professional football clubs have at least 51 per cent fan ownership.

Fans are the beating heart of their clubs and it is vital they have their voices heard.

The Government has launched its fan-led review of football governance, which will be a root-and-branch examination of the big issues facing the national game.

I would not want to pre-judge the recommendations of the review but I can confirm that club ownership, including models found in other countries, will be examined as part of the review.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
15th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to support professional writers.

A thriving UK publishing industry is crucial to support the development of professional writers. We know that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to the publishing industry. The Government’s response has been one of the most generous and comprehensive in the world, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Bounceback Loan Scheme and business rates reliefs. The publishing sector has also benefited from the government's introduction of a zero rate of VAT to e-publications, which will make it clear e-publications are entitled to the same VAT treatment as their physical counterparts.

In terms of direct support for authors, Arts Council England’s (ACE) ‘time-to-write’ grants are a vital source of funding that allow authors to dedicate time to the completion of manuscripts. Authors also receive support via ACE's Developing Your Creative Practice Fund, which was designed with the expectation that writers would be among the beneficiaries.

In addition, over the course of the pandemic, ACE contributed £400,000 to the Society of Authors’ ‘Authors Emergency Fund’, in order to ensure that authors whose income had been decimated by the pandemic were able to remain active in their discipline.

The Government also maintains a strong legal framework to protect the rights and interests of writers, including through copyright and the Public Lending Right.

13th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the date by which OneWeb will be able to provide rural broadband for the whole of the UK.

The government is investing £5 billion to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest to reach 20% of premises in the UK. Our approach is technologically neutral but, at present, satellite broadband does not meet the technical specification for funding under the £5 billion programme.

OneWeb was acquired by a consortium led by the UK Government and the Bharti Group in October 2020: both investing $500 million for 42%, creating a $1 billion equity investment. This is not part of the government’s £5 billion investment to deliver gigabit-capable broadband. OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation will deliver high-speed, low latency internet both in the UK and internationally. This is an opportunity for the UK to promote its interests globally - with access to a global fleet of satellites that have the potential to connect people across the globe, providing broadband from the Shetlands to the Sahara and from Pole to Pole. OneWeb has launched a total fleet of 110 satellites in orbit and is currently scheduled to commence commercial services by the end of 2021, with global coverage planned for 2022.

13th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to use satellite technology to complete the UK high capacity broadband network.

The government is investing £5 billion to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest to reach 20% of premises in the UK. Our approach is technologically neutral but, at present, satellite broadband does not meet the technical specification for funding under the £5 billion programme.

Satellites are already providing commercial broadband services in the UK, and these services include the provision of backhaul.

The government recognises that the UK has some very remote places that may be too expensive to build a gigabit-capable broadband networks to, even with substantial public subsidy. Less than 0.3% of the country or less than 100,000 premises are likely to fall into this category. On 19 March, the government launched a call for evidence to explore the barriers to improving the broadband of these premises and how innovative new technologies (such as Low Earth Orbit satellites, high altitude platforms and new terrestrial wireless solutions) could help.

13th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential upload speeds to be attained using satellite enabled broadband in the UK.

The government is exploring new technologies that can provide improved broadband services in the UK. This includes the use of satellites, as well as innovative terrestrial wireless technologies. On 19 March, the government launched a call for evidence to explore the barriers to improving the broadband of very hard to reach premises and how innovative new technologies (including Low Earth Orbit satellites) could help.

24th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to support the tourism sector in line with climate objectives.

The tourism sector has an important role to play in reducing the UK's emissions and therefore ensuring the UK reaches its net zero emissions target.

My officials and I regularly engage with tourism stakeholders about environmental sustainability, which has been discussed at the Tourism Industry Council and at meetings between the G20 Tourism Ministers.

The £45m Discover England Fund has supported the development of a number of sustainable tourism products, including the The National Park Experience Collection.

DCMS continues to prioritise policies aimed at encouraging sustainable development to the benefit of local communities across the country. The Tourism Recovery Plan, which will be published in Spring, will set out how the Government will support the sector’s short and long term recovery from COVID-19.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department will take to support the reopening of the night-time economy.

Many businesses that operate within the nighttime economy, including nightclubs and music venues, have received support via the Government’s wider £280bn business support package, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and grants to businesses forced to close due to Covid-19.

In addition, the Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) has also provided support for venues that operate in the nighttime economy, such as nightclubs and music venues. So far, £170m has been awarded from the CRF to over 690 organisations classed as ‘music’. Within that over £54m has been awarded to over 300 music venues specifically. Examples of venues that have received CRF funding so far include Motion, Night People, Village Underground, Ministry of Sound and Fabric.

Additionally, a second round of CRF funding was announced in December 2020 with application portals closing on 26 January 2021. As in round one, night time economy businesses were eligible to apply and we know that many businesses have done so. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications by the end of March 2021.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the role of satellites is in the delivery of the hardest to reach gigabit connections.

The government is investing £5 billion to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest to reach 20% of premises in the UK. Our approach is technologically neutral but, at present, satellite broadband does not meet the technical specification for funding under the £5 billion programme.

However, the government recognises that the UK has some very remote places that may be too expensive to build a gigabit-capable broadband network to, even with substantial public subsidy. Less than 0.3% of the country or less than 100,000 premises are likely to fall into this category. On 19 March, the government launched a call for evidence to explore the barriers to improving the broadband of these premises and how innovative new technologies (such as Low Earth Orbit satellites) could help.

23rd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Covid19 Response, Spring 2021, published in February 2021, CP 398, whether the Government classifies outdoor riding schools as an outdoor sports facility; and whether outdoor riding schools will be allowed to reopen on 29 March 2021 as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Sports and physical activity providers and facilities are at the heart of our communities, and play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

On Monday 22 February, the Prime Minister announced a roadmap out of the current lockdown in England. As part of step 1, from 29 March outdoor sports facilities can reopen, broadening the options for outdoor exercise and recreation. These facilities, such as riding schools, can be used by people in line with the wider social contact limits.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on public health of Facebook Marketplace sales continuing as normal during the covid-19 lockdown period.

DCMS has made no such assessment.

17th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Government has to update UK international data transfer frameworks to enable onward transfers to other jurisdictions in future free trade agreements.

The UK does not intend for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a legal basis, as a matter of domestic law, for the cross border transfer of personal data. Our domestic adequacy process and international data protection frameworks are separate from, but complementary to, data provisions in FTAs.

The UK's International Transfer Regime (ITR) forms an integral part of our domestic data protection framework. The UK is committed to maintaining high personal data protection standards, including when it is transferred across borders.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
9th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when payments for all Culture Recovery Fund awards will be made.

Over £500m of the Culture Recovery Fund has been allocated. This is across capital and recovery grants and is in addition to £188m allocated to the devolved administrations as part of the Barnett formula, and £100m for the national cultural institutions and English Heritage Trust.

Repayable finance awards are currently under negotiation, with outcomes expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and part of the £120m capital funding is still to be allocated.

Successful applicants need to formally accept their offer, provide the relevant delivery body with their bank details and request their payment (this includes meeting any payment conditions). Once that’s done and there are no issues, payments take 10-15 working days to process.

9th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Government’s emergency funding package for people working in arts and culture is delivered as soon as possible.

Each Arms Length Body, Arts Council England, Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the British Film Institute, is responsible for delivering the Fund and were chosen due to their long established grant delivery role, and their expertise and understanding of the sectors in which they operate. This has enabled funding to be delivered at pace whilst still ensuring robust due diligence is conducted through the applications and distribution process.

In total, over £500m of the Culture Recovery Fund has been allocated. This is across capital and recovery grants and is in addition to £188m allocated to the devolved administrations as part of the Barnett formula, and £100m for the national cultural institutions and English Heritage Trust.

14th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the decision of the European Court of Justice of 6 October 2020 on the UK’s retention of data, what steps he is taking to secure a data-sharing agreement with the EU after the end of the transition period.

The European Court of Justice issued a ruling on 6 October on the UK’s bulk communications data regime operated by the UK’s intelligence services and its use for protecting national security.

The ruling relates to a previous power (in the Telecommunications Act 1984) that has since been replaced by provisions in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

The ruling has no immediate direct impact on the work of our security and intelligence agencies as it will now be referred back to the UK courts (the Investigatory Powers Tribunal) for them to consider its effect on the UK’s current bulk communications data regime.

Talks with the EU on our future data sharing relationship (“adequacy decisions”) continue and the process is moving forward. If agreed, these will permit the continued free flow of personal data from the EU/EEA to the UK.

The adequacy process involves the European Commission assessing the UK’s data protection framework to assure that we are at least “essentially equivalent” to EU standards. We are considering any implications of the ruling on this process.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the facilitation of an alternative deal that will see ARM become a publicly traded company listed in the London Stock Exchange.

The Government monitors acquisitions and mergers closely. When a takeover may have a significant impact on the UK we will not hesitate to investigate further and take appropriate action. We are examining this deal carefully to understand its impact on the UK.

8th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of placing a legal obligation on Nvidia to keep ARM’s headquarters in Cambridge if the planned sale of ARM to Nvidia goes ahead.

The Government monitors acquisitions and mergers closely. When a takeover may have a significant impact on the UK we will not hesitate to investigate further and take appropriate action. We are examining this deal carefully to understand its impact on the UK.

24th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK-EU data transfer can be undertaken legally from 1 January 2021.

The free flow of personal data between the EU and the UK is important to the UK economy and underpins our future trade and security cooperation.

To continue the free flow of data from the EU to the UK, we are seeking adequacy decisions from the EU under both the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED), before the end of the transition period. This process is moving forward and talks between the UK and EU have been underway since 11 March. The EU’s adequacy assessment is separate from other UK-EU negotiations.

To continue the free flow of data from the UK to the EU, we have legislated so that personal data for general processing can continue to flow freely, on a transitional basis, from the UK to the 30 EEA States and the EU Institutions after the end of the transition period. We have also ensured that personal data for law enforcement purposes can flow freely, on a transitional basis, to the 27 EU Member States to support cross-border cooperation in preventing crime.

We will keep these arrangements under review and will, in any event, conduct adequacy reviews within four years of them coming into effect (i.e. by 1 January 2025), as required by our law.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
16th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether meditation and yoga classes are defined as exercise and education under the rule of six covid-19 regulations.

Sports and physical activity such as yoga play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

Organised sporting or licensed physical activity is allowed to continue in groups of more than six. This can be in any public place – indoors or outdoors – or a private outdoor space like a garden; but not inside a private home. This includes exercise classes, including yoga classes, but social interaction with other participants must be limited.

These activities either need to be organised by a national governing body, club, registered instructor/coach, business or charity; and/or involve someone who has received an official license to use equipment relevant to the activity. In all cases, the organiser must conduct a risk assessment and ensure compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance.

Government advice showing the rules for sport and physical exercise can be found on the Gov.UK website on this page

If in doubt, yoga practitioners should ask their national governing body British Wheel of Yoga for any more detailed advice or guidance.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria he is using to assess when it will be safe to allow choirs to recommence rehearsing and performing.

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

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

  • Stage One - Rehearsal and training (no audiences)

  • Stage Two - Performances for broadcast and recording purposes

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

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

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

On 9 July we published guidance for people who work in performing arts, including arts organisations, venue operators and participants which will help people understand how they can work and take part in the performing arts safely, and keep their audiences safe. This guidance applies to training, rehearsal and pre-production activities, and performances which take place with or without a live audience, wherever these activities occur.

DCMS and PHE are supporting a study looking at C-19 transmission risks associated with singing and playing wind instruments. The PERFORM study involves leading scientists and is working with musicians and representatives from the Royal Opera House and the BBC. Its findings will inform our guidance and approach. that we want to get the performing arts industry fully up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.

29th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential effect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for older river boats on established river services on the River Thames between Kew and Richmond.

No DCMS ministers have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport regarding this matter. However, National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK, an independent advisory body reporting to DCMS), responded to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's 2019 consultations on behalf of the sector, and discussed the potential impacts of the new requirements on vessels on the National Historic Ships Register, which it maintains. NHS-UK praised the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s inclusive approach.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 26 October 2023 to Question 203895 Teachers: Recruitment, what estimate her Department has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of new teacher sign ups that is attributable to the Get Into Teaching advertising campaign.

Several methods are used to assess the Get Into Teaching campaign’s impact. They include regular brand tracking studies and other market research; econometric modelling to identify and quantify the factors affecting sign ups to the Get Into Teaching service; analysis of the flow of candidates between Get Into Teaching and the Find and Apply services; and tracking of site traffic to the Get Into Teaching website.

The teaching recruitment campaign tracks a number of behavioural and attitudinal metrics to give a rounded picture of campaign impact.

Key Performance Indicators for the teaching recruitment campaign are the consideration of teaching as a career amongst our target audience and the number of new, unique sign-ups to the Get Into Teaching service. The campaign also measures the proportion of sign-ups attributed to the advertising campaign, through econometric modelling. Recent econometric analysis shows that in July 2023, 42% of sign-ups to the Get Into Teaching website were attributable to paid advertising.

There are many factors affecting the number of teachers recruited in any given recruitment cycle, including levels of financial support, predicted demand for new teachers, the size of pool of new graduates and other economic factors.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support she provides to local authorities to help provide post-adoption support.

The department is committed to improving the support available to adopted children and their families to help them make the most of life’s opportunities.

Since 2015, the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) has provided funds to local authorities and Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs) to support eligible adoptive and special guardianship order families. The ASF helps children and their families access assessments to support understanding of their needs and a range of therapeutic interventions related to their attachment and trauma. The department has provided over £345 million in ASF funding to local authorities to provide post-adoption support to over 46,000 children since 2015.

The department is providing funding worth £5 million between 2023 to 2025 to support RAAs to develop Centres of Excellence with the aim of providing better wraparound care for adoptive children and their families. Centres of Excellence include teams of health, education and adoption support services, providing joint packages of care for adopted children. The funding is being used to develop new projects in seven RAA areas and participating local authorities will benefit from shared approaches to assessment and support.

The department is also committed to ensuring that adopted children are supported to succeed in education. Previously looked after children attract Pupil Premium Plus at a rate of £2,530 per year and they have top priority in school admissions. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to act as the central point of contact for adoptive families about their child’s progress in school. In addition, local authorities must appoint a virtual school head to give schools and adoptive families expert advice on the education needs of adopted children, including how best Pupil Premium Plus funding can be used to support them.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle bullying in schools.

The government has sent a clear message to schools that bullying, for whatever reason, is unacceptable. Bullying can have a devastating effect on individuals, harm their education and have serious and lasting consequences for their mental health.

All schools are legally required to have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying. Schools have the freedom to develop their own anti-bullying strategies that are appropriate to their environment and are held to account by Ofsted.

The department is providing over £3 million of funding, between 10 August 2021 and 31 March 2024, to five anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. This includes projects targeting bullying of particular groups, such as those who are victims of hate-related bullying and homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

In November 2018, the department published ‘Educate Against Hate’, a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole-school approach which promotes respect and discipline. This can combat bullying, harassment and prejudice of any kind, including sexual bullying and sexual harassment. It will help schools to identify the various elements that make up a whole school approach, consider gaps in their current practice, and get further support. ‘Educate Against Hate’ is available at: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/school-leaders/?filter=guidance-and-training-school-leaders.

​The department is also making sure that all children in England will learn about respectful relationships, in person and online, as part of new mandatory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). These subjects are designed to give pupils the knowledge they need to lead happy, safe and healthy lives, as well as to foster respect for other people and for difference. RSHE also includes teaching about online safety and harms.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to monitor unregistered schools.

Unregistered schools are settings that operate as an independent school without having registered with the department. It is a criminal offence under section 96 of the Education and Skills 2008 Act for a person to operate an unregistered independent school. Where the department finds evidence that a school is operating unlawfully, the department will seek to take action by working with Ofsted, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as necessary.

Since those responsible for conducting unregistered schools are committing an offence, they do not generally inform the department about the school’s operation, it is therefore not possible to monitor such settings.

However, the department and Ofsted continue to investigate any setting where there is evidence to suggest that an unregistered independent school is operating. Ofsted has powers under section 97 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 that allows for unannounced inspections of settings believed to be operating in breach of the registration requirement.

Ofsted publishes statistics on the number and outcomes of investigations carried out into unregistered schools. Statistics published for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2023, show that 767 inspections of suspected unregistered independent schools took place. Joint work between the department and Ofsted has led to 180 of these settings changing their provision to no longer operate unlawfully, in breach of the 2008 Act. In that time six successful prosecutions have been brought against those responsible for conducting illegal settings.

More information and a link to the Education and Skills Act 2008 can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of two hours of wraparound care for reception age children.

In the Spring Budget 2023, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a transformative set of childcare reforms aimed at increasing labour market participation. This included the largest ever investment in childcare, including expansions of early years entitlements and wraparound childcare.

The government is investing £289 million in a new wraparound childcare programme to support local authorities to work with primary schools and providers, including childminders, to set up and deliver more wraparound childcare before and after school in the term time. The government’s ambition is for all parents of primary school children, including reception age children, to be able to access childcare in their local area from 8am to 6pm when they need it.

Parents should expect to see an expansion in the availability of wraparound care from September 2024, with every parent who needs it able to access term-time wraparound childcare by September 2026. Programme funding allocations for local authorities were announced on 27 October 2023.

As part of the programme, local authorities will make an assessment of the supply and demand of wraparound care in their areas to ensure that there is adequate provision for the needs of parents.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department spent on advertising for teacher recruitment in each of the last five years.

The below table sets out total Departmental spend for teacher recruitment advertising campaigns for the past five financial years.

Get Into Teaching Advertising: Financial Year Spend

2022/23

£13,157,484.38

2021/22

£12,255,612.85

2020/21

£11,848,725.34

2019/20

£12,776,070.54

2018/19

£12,773,706.55

The objectives of the teaching advertising campaign are to raise the status of teaching and contribute to overall Initial Teacher Training (ITT) numbers. Due to the long candidate journey from initial consideration through to applying for, and starting ITT, several methods are used to assess campaign impact. They include regular brand tracking studies and other market research such as:

  • Econometric modelling to identify and quantify the factors affecting sign ups to the Get Into Teaching service.
  • Analysis of the flow of candidates between Get Into Teaching and the Find and Apply services.
  • Tracking of site traffic to the Get Into Teaching website.
  • The teaching recruitment campaign tracks a number of behavioural and attitudinal metrics to give a rounded picture of campaign impact.

Key performance indicators for the teaching recruitment campaign are consideration of teaching as a career amongst the Department’s target audience and the number of new, unique sign-ups to the Get Into Teaching service. The campaign also measures the proportion of sign-ups attributed to the advertising campaign, through econometric modelling and the proportion of ITT applicants who have interacted with the Get Into Teaching service.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what sum her Department spent on the recruitment of teachers in each of the past five years.

The Department funds a range of initiatives to support Initial Teacher Training (ITT) recruitment.

The Department has announced a financial incentives package worth up to £181 million for those starting initial ITT in the 2023/24 academic year. The Department is providing bursaries worth up to £27,000 and scholarships worth up to £29,000 to encourage trainees to apply to train in key secondary subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing.

As well as bursaries and scholarships, the ITT financial incentives budget includes grant funding for salaried ITT courses.

The Department recently announced that the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations for the 2023/24 pay award for teachers and head teachers have been accepted in full. This means that teachers and head teachers in maintained schools will receive a pay award of 6.5%. This is the highest pay award for teachers in over thirty years. The award also delivers the manifesto commitment of a minimum £30,000 starting salary for school teachers in all regions in England, with a pay award of up to 7.1% for new teachers outside London.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to respond to the report of the APPG on Youth Affairs entitled Empowering Youth for the Future of Work, published July 2023.

The department is aware of the APPG on Youth Affairs Report, Empowering Youth for the Future of Work. Much of the report covers important matters that match our aims and policies, such as ensuring education and training meet future skills needs, giving young people the opportunities to thrive, the value of work experience and careers advice, and the importance of apprenticeships.

The government is committed to creating a world-leading skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality and fit for the future. Departmental reforms are strengthening higher and further education to help more people get good jobs and upskill and retrain throughout their lives, and to improve national productivity and economic growth. The reforms are backed with an additional investment of £3.8 billion over the course of this Parliament to strengthen higher and further education.

The department has invested over £7 billion during the 2022/23 academic year, to ensure there was a place in education or training for every 16- to 18-year-old who wanted one.

The 2021 Spending Review made available an extra £1.6 billion in 2024/25 for 16-19 education compared with the 2021/22 financial year, which is the biggest increase in a decade.

In January 2023 the department announced a further £125 million funding available in 2023/24. In July further announcements were made of investments of £185 million in 2023/24 and £285 million in 2024/25 to help 16-19 providers address key priorities.

The department is investing over £90 million in the financial year 2023/24 to help young people and adults to get high-quality careers provision. The department is supporting schools and colleges, through the Careers & Enterprise Company, to make sustained progress in developing their careers programmes, in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks, which set out what good careers advice looks like. The department has strengthened legislation to ensure all secondary pupils have access to independent careers guidance and at least six encounters with providers of technical education or apprenticeships. Currently about two thirds (65%) of year 13 students have experiences of the workplace.

The department wants to support more young people to start and achieve apprenticeships that offer good earnings potential and career progression and funding for apprenticeships will be £2.7 billion by 2024/25. The department is also paying employers and providers £1,000 when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18 and covering 100 per cent of the training cost for smaller employers when they take on these younger apprentices.

T Levels will also equip more young people with the skills, knowledge and experience to access skilled employment or further study. They represent a real shift in the quality of technical education and the department has invested significantly to support providers in their implementation. From September 2023 18 T Levels will be available, being delivered through nearly 300 providers across all regions of the country.

In 2021/2022 the department engaged closely with the Education Select Committee on Youth Unemployment which covered similar matters to the APPG report, providing evidence and a government response, which can be found at https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/506/youth-unemployment-committee/publications/.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
14th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to grant an exemption to siblings of UK nationals living in Europe and studying at UK universities prior to 1 January 2028 to allow them to qualify for (a) home fee status for university tuition and (b) student finance for courses starting after 1 January 2028.

The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 define a family member of a UK national as either the person's spouse or civil partner, direct descendants of the person, or the person's spouse or civil partner who are either under the age of 21, or dependants. There are no plans to amend this definition to include siblings.

UK nationals and their family members who were living in the European Economic Area (EEA) (excluding the UK and Gibraltar) or Switzerland on 31 December 2020, or who returned to live in the UK on or after 1 January 2018 following a period of ordinary residence in the EEA or Switzerland, continue to be eligible for home fee status, tuition fee loans and maintenance support for courses commencing before 1 January 2028. This measure was introduced so as to ensure a substantial transition period for those UK nationals who had moved to the EEA or Switzerland prior to the end of the transition period. The department has no plans to extend this period further.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which consultations published by their Department are awaiting a response; and when each of those responses (a) were initially planned to and (b) will be published.

Policy teams across the Department consult regularly during the policy development and implementation cycle.

Information is available on GOV.UK on all open and closed consultations published by the Department, including the closing date for open consultations and, where available, the Government response.

The Cabinet Office has published best practice ‘consultation principles’ for government departments.

23rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the (a) number and (b) destinations of all domestic flights taken by officials in her Department in each of the last 5 years.

The Department makes quarterly transparency publications which includes the number of domestic flights and destinations. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-business-expenses-and-hospitality-for-senior-officials.

17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an estimate of the number of students in British universities who have opted to study abroad as a part of their degree in each of the last five years.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on higher education (HE) at UK Higher Education Providers (HEPs). Latest statistics refer to the 2021/22 academic year.

HESA has included a new table in their Open Data resources from this year, showing HE student enrolments by their location of study, which includes if the student was abroad for the whole or proportion of the year. This data item displays actual participation in a placement abroad rather than the students’ intent at the start of the course, and the information is available for individual HEPs.

The numbers of student enrolments studying abroad in the latest five years is provided in table 60, which can be found here:https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/table-60.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what was the total cost of orders of period products through the Period Products Scheme in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

In January 2020, the Department launched a new scheme to make free period products available for state funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. This scheme was extended in July 2022 for a further two years.

Since the scheme launched, 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post 16 colleges, and 68% of primary schools have signed up. This is an important step to ensure that period health does not present a barrier to education.

A full breakdown of the data for each year of the scheme to date is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-scheme-management-information.

The tables below provide a the number schools with multiple orders through the scheme, the number of schools who have ordered products through the scheme, and the total cost of orders through the scheme from 2020 to 2022.

Number of schools with multiple orders through the scheme

2020

2,499

2021

2,415

2022

2,303

Number of schools who have ordered period products through the scheme

2020

9,702

2021

10,213

2022

7,473

Total cost of orders through the scheme

2020

£3,192,000

2021

£3,915,000

2022

£2,862,000

7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools ordered period products through the Period Products Scheme in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

In January 2020, the Department launched a new scheme to make free period products available for state funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. This scheme was extended in July 2022 for a further two years.

Since the scheme launched, 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post 16 colleges, and 68% of primary schools have signed up. This is an important step to ensure that period health does not present a barrier to education.

A full breakdown of the data for each year of the scheme to date is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-scheme-management-information.

The tables below provide a the number schools with multiple orders through the scheme, the number of schools who have ordered products through the scheme, and the total cost of orders through the scheme from 2020 to 2022.

Number of schools with multiple orders through the scheme

2020

2,499

2021

2,415

2022

2,303

Number of schools who have ordered period products through the scheme

2020

9,702

2021

10,213

2022

7,473

Total cost of orders through the scheme

2020

£3,192,000

2021

£3,915,000

2022

£2,862,000

7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools made multiple orders through the Period Products Scheme in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

In January 2020, the Department launched a new scheme to make free period products available for state funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. This scheme was extended in July 2022 for a further two years.

Since the scheme launched, 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post 16 colleges, and 68% of primary schools have signed up. This is an important step to ensure that period health does not present a barrier to education.

A full breakdown of the data for each year of the scheme to date is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-scheme-management-information.

The tables below provide a the number schools with multiple orders through the scheme, the number of schools who have ordered products through the scheme, and the total cost of orders through the scheme from 2020 to 2022.

Number of schools with multiple orders through the scheme

2020

2,499

2021

2,415

2022

2,303

Number of schools who have ordered period products through the scheme

2020

9,702

2021

10,213

2022

7,473

Total cost of orders through the scheme

2020

£3,192,000

2021

£3,915,000

2022

£2,862,000

1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she has made an assessment of the suitability of the GCSE Chinese, Cantonese stream, syllabus on students from Hong Kong.

The Department’s published GCSE subject content for modern foreign languages (MFL) sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required for these GCSEs.

The MFL subject content does not set out the specific languages that exam boards can offer. Instead, exam boards decide which languages they wish to offer and develop detailed specifications in these languages that meet both the Department’s subject content requirements and Ofqual’s separate requirements for MFL qualifications. AQA offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin) and Pearson offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese).

Exam boards are responsible for setting out the specific grammar requirements in the specifications for each of the languages they offer. These grammar requirements should represent a level of challenge and breadth that is comparable to the grammar requirements for French, German, and Spanish. These requirements are set out in the Department’s subject content. The specification must be accredited by Ofqual before it can be taught in schools. Exam boards are also responsible for recruiting examiners.

1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of recruiting Chinese language teachers from Hong Kong to be GCSE examiners.

The Department’s published GCSE subject content for modern foreign languages (MFL) sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required for these GCSEs.

The MFL subject content does not set out the specific languages that exam boards can offer. Instead, exam boards decide which languages they wish to offer and develop detailed specifications in these languages that meet both the Department’s subject content requirements and Ofqual’s separate requirements for MFL qualifications. AQA offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin) and Pearson offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese).

Exam boards are responsible for setting out the specific grammar requirements in the specifications for each of the languages they offer. These grammar requirements should represent a level of challenge and breadth that is comparable to the grammar requirements for French, German, and Spanish. These requirements are set out in the Department’s subject content. The specification must be accredited by Ofqual before it can be taught in schools. Exam boards are also responsible for recruiting examiners.

1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the relevance of Putonghua's grammar in GCSE Cantonese oral assessment on its marking scheme.

The Department’s published GCSE subject content for modern foreign languages (MFL) sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required for these GCSEs.

The MFL subject content does not set out the specific languages that exam boards can offer. Instead, exam boards decide which languages they wish to offer and develop detailed specifications in these languages that meet both the Department’s subject content requirements and Ofqual’s separate requirements for MFL qualifications. AQA offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin) and Pearson offers a GCSE in Chinese (spoken Mandarin/spoken Cantonese).

Exam boards are responsible for setting out the specific grammar requirements in the specifications for each of the languages they offer. These grammar requirements should represent a level of challenge and breadth that is comparable to the grammar requirements for French, German, and Spanish. These requirements are set out in the Department’s subject content. The specification must be accredited by Ofqual before it can be taught in schools. Exam boards are also responsible for recruiting examiners.

10th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of childcare providers in each region of England in each of the last five years.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
6th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many of her Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

The following table includes the number of lost and/or stolen devices in the Department in the last five years.

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Laptops

66

42

25

16

24

Mobile phones

105

83

51

38

39

Memory sticks

0

3

1

5

1

External hard drives

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

All Department corporate IT is security encrypted.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately and remotely deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately and remotely disabled.

There has been no known data loss or compromise as a result of these losses.

28th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools had a school nurse in each region in each of the last five years.

Information on the state funded school workforce in England, including the number of support staff employed by schools each November, is published in the annual ‘School Workforce in England’ national statistics release at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

23rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what were the total funds raised through the Apprenticeship Levy that was reinvested in apprentice training in each of the last five years.

The apprenticeship levy is an important part of the government’s reforms to create a high-quality, employer-led apprenticeships system, and it supports employers of all sizes to invest in high-quality apprenticeship training

The apprenticeships budget is used to fund training and assessment for new apprenticeship starts in levy and non-levy paying employers, and to cover the ongoing costs of apprentices already in training and any additional payments made to employers and providers. The annual apprenticeship budget is set by HM Treasury (HMT) and although closely linked, it is distinct from the total levy income collected. The table below shows the Department for Education’s ring-fence apprenticeships budget against the ring-fenced apprenticeships spend (set by HMT) for the last five years.

FY 17/18

FY 18/19

FY 19/20

FY 20/21

FY 21/22

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

DfE Ring-fence Apprenticeships Budget

2,010

2,231

2,469

2,467

2,466

Total Ring-fence Apprenticeships Spend

1,586

1,738

1,919

1,863

2,455

The department does not anticipate that all employers who pay the levy will need or want to use all the funds available to them, but they are able to if they wish. As is usual practice, any underspends in overall departmental budgets by the end of the financial year are first returned to HMT as per the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
23rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the Apprenticeship Levy has been spent in each of the last five years.

The apprenticeship levy is an important part of the government’s reforms to create a high-quality, employer-led apprenticeships system, and it supports employers of all sizes to invest in high-quality apprenticeship training

The apprenticeships budget is used to fund training and assessment for new apprenticeship starts in levy and non-levy paying employers, and to cover the ongoing costs of apprentices already in training and any additional payments made to employers and providers. The annual apprenticeship budget is set by HM Treasury (HMT) and although closely linked, it is distinct from the total levy income collected. The table below shows the Department for Education’s ring-fence apprenticeships budget against the ring-fenced apprenticeships spend (set by HMT) for the last five years.

FY 17/18

FY 18/19

FY 19/20

FY 20/21

FY 21/22

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

DfE Ring-fence Apprenticeships Budget

2,010

2,231

2,469

2,467

2,466

Total Ring-fence Apprenticeships Spend

1,586

1,738

1,919

1,863

2,455

The department does not anticipate that all employers who pay the levy will need or want to use all the funds available to them, but they are able to if they wish. As is usual practice, any underspends in overall departmental budgets by the end of the financial year are first returned to HMT as per the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
15th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has she made of the current School Food Standards mandatory servings of meat and dairy and its impact on the (a) UK’s health goals, (b) climate science, and (c) modern dietary choices.

The Department wants pupils to be healthy and well nourished. The Department encourages a healthy balanced diet and healthy life choices. The standards for school food are set out in the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014 and are to ensure that schools provide children with healthy food and drink options, and to make sure that children get the energy and nutrition they need throughout the school day.

The requirement in the school food standards to serve meat and dairy products applies to all schools. The Department is aware that for some faith schools, vegetarianism is an important part of that faith. There may therefore be cases where there is no demand for meat and dairy products from any of the school’s parents or pupils, and in this scenario it would not be realistic to expect the school to produce meat or dairy based meals that will not be consumed.

The Department has committed to supporting schools to drive up their sustainable practices on food. Schools can voluntarily follow the Government buying standards if they so wish, which include advice around sustainable sourcing. The Department also recognises the importance of plant-based foods from a cultural and environmental point of view. The school food regulations already allow schools the freedom to provide plant-based meals as needed. Meat must be served on three or more days each week and beyond this, schools may provide a meal with any other type of protein every day if they choose to.

The Department’s school food standards regulate the food and drink provided at both lunchtime and at other times of the school day. Beyond this, the Department believes that head teachers, school governors and caterers are best placed to make decisions regarding their school food policies, taking into account local circumstances and the needs of their pupils. In doing so, the Department expects schools to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with particular requirements, for example to reflect dietary and cultural needs. School food policies work best when schools discuss them with parents and pupils, so that parents have the opportunity to raise pupils’ particular dietary needs.

1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a breakdown by local authority of the number of teachers in the state sector in each of the last five years.

Information on the state-funded school workforce in England and each local authority, including the number of teachers in each of the last five years, is published in the annual ‘School Workforce in England’ national statistics at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Local authority figures and time series can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/30c60a7f-1376-48b7-2d07-08dab0fa305d.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of public spending cuts on child social care.

HM Treasury are responsible for setting government departmental budgets. Children’s social care budgets are set by local authorities from their non-ringfenced core spending power to allow councils freedom to spend according to need and local priorities.

In 2022/23, councils have access to over £54 billion in core spending power for their services, including for children and young people. This is £3.7 billion more than in 2021/22. As part of this, the government has increased the social care grant, which has risen from £410 million in 2019 to £2.35 billion this year.

Local authorities have increased spending on children’s services over time. In 2020/21 councils spent £11.1 billion on children and young people’s services. This is 23% (£2.05bn) higher than spend in 2015-16.

As announced in May 2022, the department will consider the recommendations of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the National Panel Review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson, and the Competition and Market Authority study into Children’s Social Care Placements. Plans will be set out for children’s social care reform through an implementation strategy, including cost and funding implications, in due course

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
19th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were in local authority care in each of the last five years.

The number of children in local authority care is published annually. The latest information on the numbers of children in local authority care in each year between 1994 and 2021 is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/fast-track/119f2f49-9f37-43cd-91fe-b6c0b2ffc723.

Information for the 2022 reporting year will be published in November 2022.

2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many international students were accepted by British Universities in (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020, (d) 2021 and (e) 2022.

UCAS publish data on the number of international students accepted to UK higher education providers.

Data on acceptances at the end of the admission cycle is available here: https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-2021.

The 2022 admissions cycle is still in progress and latest available data is here: https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/statistical-releases-daily-clearing-analysis-2022.

Note that not all international students are accepted through UCAS. The Higher Education Statistics Agency publishes data on the total number of international student enrolments, with the latest data covering the 2020/21 academic year. This data is available here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he#numbers.

29th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department has spent on consultancy fees in each of the last five years.

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer the former Minister for Higher and Further Education gave on 1 July 2022 to Question 22552.

29th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) inflation, (b) rising fuel prices and (c) other increases in the cost of living on the cost of children's journeys to school.

The department understands that many people are worried about the impact of rising prices, with many households struggling to make their incomes stretch to cover the basics.

Although the department cannot insulate people from these cost rises completely, we are stepping up to provide support, as we did during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government is providing £37 billion of support this year, targeted at those who are most in need. The package will see millions of the most vulnerable households receive at least £1,200 of support in total this year to help with the cost of living, with all domestic electricity customers receiving at least £400 to help with their bills.

The government’s dedicated website provides more information about the broader cost of living support, which is available here: https://costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov.uk/.

The department’s home to school transport policy aims to ensure that no child is unable to access education because of a lack of transport. Local authorities must provide free home to school transport for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, because of their special educational needs or disability, or because the route is unsafe. There are additional rights to free transport for low-income families, aimed at helping them exercise school choice. Home to school travel and transport guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance.

27th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that SATs do not have a negative impact on the emotional wellbeing of primary school students.

​Assessment is a crucial part of a child’s schooling and fundamental in a high-performing education system. At primary school, statutory assessments are an essential part of ensuring that all pupils master the basics of reading, writing and maths to prepare them for secondary school. Assessment data also enables parents, schools and the department to understand the impact of lost time in education and recovery initiatives.

Schools should encourage pupils to work hard and achieve well, but the department does not recommend that they devote excessive preparation time to assessments, and certainly not at the expense of pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. We trust schools to administer assessments in the appropriate way.

Research conducted by UCL Institute of Education, published in 2021, found that there was ‘little evidence to changes in [pupil] wellbeing around the time of key stage 2 tests, or that children in England become happier - either in general or about school - once these tests are over’.

Nevertheless, the department knows that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people and will have an impact in the longer-term. Mental health and wellbeing are a priority for the government, and we remain committed to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges. In May 2021, the department announced an investment of over £17 million of mental health funding to improve mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges. This includes £9.5 million dedicated to training senior mental health leads in over 8,000 schools and colleges, with an additional £3 million announced this year to extend this training to even more schools and colleges. The training will equip leads with the skills and knowledge to develop a culture and ethos that promotes positive mental health wellbeing, as well as how to make the best use of local resources to support children and young people experiencing issues such as anxiety.

The department has also recently brought together all its sources of advice for schools and colleges into a single site on GOV.UK, which includes signposting to external sources of mental health and wellbeing support for teachers, school staff and school leaders. The site is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-in-schools-and-colleges#mental-health-and-wellbeing-resources. ​

26th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase the provision of (a) training programmes and (b) other support for people seeking to become qualified to fit retrofitting measures in homes.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
25th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many new schools built in England in each of the last 10 years have achieved net zero status.

Over the past ten years, the department has designed schools that are good quality, easy to manage and maintain, and deliver low energy solutions.

In November 2021, the department launched its first specification to deliver schools that are net zero carbon in operation. All schools that are procured under this specification will not only be net zero in operation but will also incorporate a wider range of measures to tackle climate change. The department’s full specification can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/school-design-and-construction#output-specification

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has held with the University and College Union about grievances of university staff relating to pensions, pay and working conditions.

Higher education providers are autonomous and responsible for the pay and pension provision of their staff.

While the government has no direct role in the disputes, we have been clear that we want this disagreement resolved in a way that avoids further disrupting students’ learning. We strongly encourage a resolution that delivers good value for students, staff, and providers.

The Pensions Regulator is currently working with the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), Universities UK and a range of other stakeholders as they work to find a long-term solution to the funding challenges faced by the USS.

The USS is a private pension scheme. It has more than 450,000 members, and sizable assets and liabilities. USS is one of the largest private pension schemes in the country, with assets worth over £80 billion in December 2020.

The Office for Students (OfS) has wide-ranging powers to ensure students’ interests are protected, and they expect providers to do all they can to avoid disruption to students. The OfS has written to universities to make their expectations clear: universities must abide by the conditions of registration and ensure they meet obligations under consumer protection law in relation to the impact of industrial action.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
30th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to ensure that the provision of free schools meals is extended to children from immigrant families.

The department will be extending free school meal (FSM) eligibility to children from all households with no recourse to public funds. Further information is available at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-03-24/hcws714.

This builds on the department’s existing benefits-related criteria which ensures 1.7 million children receive a free nutritious school meal each day, and the universal infant FSM policy which has been in place since 2014, benefitting a further 1.3 million infant children.

24th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of potential merits of deferring (a) Key Stage 1 SATs, (b) Key Stage 2 SATs and (c) other statutory primary school assessments during the academic year 2021-22 to enable teachers to focus on supporting children to catch-up on learning after the covid-19 outbreak.

The department is taking forward a full programme of primary assessments to take place in the 2021/22 academic year. The assessments will help parents, schools and the department to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pupils more clearly, and how this varies between different groups of pupils (for example, disadvantaged pupils compared with the wider population), schools and local authority areas. At a local level, the data will provide vital information to parents about their child’s attainment, support transition to secondary schools, and identify where additional support is best targeted to individuals. At a national level, the data will help inform policy decisions about support for schools, enable analysis to underpin education recovery initiatives and understand their effectiveness, and to track system progress as we emerge from the pandemic.

Although schools should encourage pupils to work hard and achieve well, the department does not recommend that they devote excessive preparation time to assessment. The department trusts schools to administer assessments in the appropriate way.

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to allocate additional funding to cover the costs of (a) sickness cover for teachers and (b) sanitation in schools incurred as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The department recognises that schools are facing pressures. Teachers and school leaders have contributed hugely to the nation’s efforts to respond to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are very grateful for their continued hard work.

School funding remains a key priority for the department. The government is increasing funding to deliver year on year, real terms per pupil increases to school funding. This is starting with a £7 billion increase in the core schools budget by the financial year 2024-25, compared with the financial year 2021-22, taking total funding to £56.8 billion by 2024-25.

Future increases in funding have been frontloaded to rapidly get money to schools. In the financial year 2022-23 alone, core schools funding will increase by £4 billion, compared to 2021-22. This represents a 5% increase in real terms per pupil boost. This will help schools rise to the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak, increase teacher pay, and meet the cost of the Health and Social Care Levy, while continuing their work to raise attainment.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, schools have continued to receive core funding, regardless of any periods of reduced attendance. Schools have the flexibility to make their own decisions on how to prioritise their spending to invest in a range of resources and activities that will best support their staff and pupils. Schools will be able to use their existing budgets to help with the costs associated with COVID-19 absences.

The department re-introduced the COVID-19 workforce fund in the autumn term to provide financial support to eligible schools and colleges. The fund has been extended until Easter to cover the cost of term-time staff absences experienced between 22 November 2021 and 8 April 2022. The fund is available to support schools and colleges facing the greatest staffing and funding pressures to continue to deliver face-to-face, high-quality education to all pupils.

All schools can access a range of school resource management tools to help them get the best value from their resources. Schools in financial difficulty should contact the Education and Skills Funding Agency or their local authority.

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an assessment of the impact of World Book Day on literacy rates.

The government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, including those of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. English is fundamental to learning and provides the skills and knowledge pupils need to communicate with others, both in school and in the wider world.

The department welcomes the important work of the World Book Day charity, an annual celebration of reading. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. World Book Day gifts free £1 vouchers to purchase special £1 editions of books, or to put towards purchasing another book. World Book Day, and other literacy charities such as the National Literacy Trust, organise events and partnerships to help ensure children have the opportunity to discover a love for reading.

The department has not undertaken any specific assessment of World Book Day, but note that the charity commissioned the National Literacy Trust to evaluate the impact of the work on children aged 8 to 11 in the UK. The 2021 impact report can be found here: https://www.worldbookday.com/resource/exploring-the-impact-of-world-book-day-on-childrens-reading/.

The department’s English Hubs regularly mark the day in several ways, including sharing best practice guidance, promoting reading for pleasure, and organising book talks for children. Ministers from the Department for Education will contribute to the celebrations this year.

10th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to introduce measures for the assessment of (a) GCSEs and (b) A-Levels for the 2021-22 academic year to reflect disruption from school absence due to covid-19 infection.

The department continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on education closely, including through attendance data. It remains the government’s firm intention that examinations and assessments should go ahead next year. The department and Ofqual consulted on and announced a range of adaptations to exams and assessments over this academic year. The package of measures includes:

  • Choice of topics in GCSE English literature, history, ancient history and choice of content in GCSE geography.
  • Provision of advance information by 7 February 2022 on the focus of the content of exams to be used as revision guidance in all GCSE subjects without optionality, and in AS and A levels.
  • Changes to the requirements for the delivery of practical activities in science subjects, and assessment in art and design.
  • Provision of support materials in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams.

The department engaged with a range of stakeholders, including students and parents, on these measures, and sought to ensure that students have breadth of knowledge, whilst also giving them support with focusing revision.  In the interests of fairness to students, Ofqual has also confirmed that 2022 will be a transition year for grading and has set out its plans for a mid-point between 2021 and pre-COVID-19 grades.

If there is significant further disruption to education, the government has the flexibility to bring forward advance information to support students further. Furthermore, the government understands that contingency arrangements are also needed to deal with the unlikely event that exams cannot go ahead fairly or safely.  Following a joint consultation with Ofqual, the department has confirmed that should exams not be able to go ahead, students will receive teacher assessed grades (TAGs) instead. The changes to the TAGs process for 2022 takes account of lessons learned from 2021 and minimises burdens on both teachers and students. Further information on plans for 2022 assessments can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/contingency-plans-confirmed-for-gcses-as-and-a-levels.

10th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue updated guidance on disapplication of the national curriculum.

The department recognises that teaching a broad and balanced curriculum is important to the academic, social, and personal development of children and young people. All schools should continue to teach a broad and balanced curriculum in all subjects.

In response to education catch-up, taking the planned, sequenced curriculum as a starting point, schools should prioritise teaching missed content that will allow pupils to make sense of later work in the curriculum. This includes key knowledge, skills, vocabulary, concepts, and the links between concepts. For schools that are required to follow it, these are outlined in the national curriculum.

Schools can use existing flexibilities to create time to cover the most important content in which pupils are not yet secure. Further information can be found in the non-statutory guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teaching-a-broad-and-balanced-curriculum-for-education-recovery.

Up to and including key stage 3, prioritisation within subjects of the most important components for progression is likely to be more effective than removing subjects. This avoids depriving pupils of the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

In exceptional circumstances, and where a subject is not one mandated, schools may consider it appropriate to suspend some subjects for some pupils. When this happens, schools are expected to be able to show that this is in the best interests of these pupils, and this should be in discussion with parents. Further guidance on disapplying aspects of the national curriculum can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disapplying-aspects-of-the-national-curriculum.

10th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make a comparative assessment of the (a) percentage of asylum seekers at a school and (b) applications for disapplication of the national curriculum.

The department does not collect data on the asylum seeker status of children and therefore cannot make an assessment of the percentage of asylum seekers at a school and applications for disapplication of the national curriculum.

The number of pupils recorded as not following the national curriculum is published at a school level in the file ‘School level underlying data.’ This is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics.

8th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many of his Department's (a) laptops, (b) mobile phones, (c) memory sticks and (d) external hard drives have been lost or stolen in each of the last five years.

The information is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
15th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of interest rate changes on student loans on graduate income.

The student loan system in England removes financial barriers for those hoping to study higher education, while sharing its costs between learners and the general taxpayer, which is fair. After finishing study, monthly student loan repayments are linked to income, not to interest rates or the amount borrowed. Repayments are made only on earnings above the repayment threshold, and borrowers are protected. If their income drops, so do their repayments. Any outstanding debt is written off after the loan term ends at no detriment to the borrower.

As part of the review of post-18 education and funding, we are carefully considering a range of options to ensure that student finance continues to deliver value for money for both students and the taxpayer. The interim conclusion of the review of post-18 education and funding was published on 21 January 2021, and we will conclude the review in full in due course.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
18th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much Government funding has been allocated to adult education in each region in each year since 2019.

The government supports adult education, outside of apprenticeships, through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), National Skills Fund, European Social Fund (ESF) and Advanced Learner Loans.

A complete regional breakdown of funding allocations across these funding streams is not available. However, the government does publish the following online at GOV.UK:

The amount of AEB allocated by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to providers is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/19-funding-allocations#supporting-documents and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-allocations-to-training-providers-2021-to-2022.

The figures from 2019/20 onwards, following AEB devolution, are in respect of funding allocated to providers for learners resident in non-devolved areas.

Starting this year, the government is investing £2.5 billion in the National Skills Fund. This is a new investment, which includes £375 million in the financial year 2021-22, exclusive of Barnett. This is broken down as follows:

  • £138 million to deliver on my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s skills speech (£95 million for Free Courses for Jobs offer and £43 million for Skills Bootcamps)
  • £127 million for measures announced in the Plan for Jobs (including apprenticeships, traineeships, and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes)
  • £110 million (including £50 million capital) for piloting skills reforms

ESF contract values from 2014 to 2020, covering rounds one and two, for contracts starting in 2016 and 2019 respectively, are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esf-2014-to-2020-programme-list-of-contracts.

The Department forecasts demand for Advanced Learner Loans with HM Treasury annually. These tuition fee loans are for provision across England in all areas. The total value of loans approved by the Student Loans Company in the 20219/20 academic year was £182.4 million.

The Department also publishes adult learner data, which includes a breakdown of how many learners are supported by region: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/further-education-and-skills.

18th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) apprenticeships and (b) traineeships were started in each month of 2021 in the (a) HGV driver, (b) nursing, (c) home and other types of carer, (d) nursery and primary education, (e) professional chef, (f) sales and retail assistant, (g) cleaners and (h) butcher and slaughter professions.

The attached table contains apprenticeship starts, reported to date, for the provisional 2020/21 full academic year for selected apprenticeship standards and frameworks. Please note that these reflect the subject of the apprenticeship and do not necessarily align with the profession of the apprentice. These are provisional figures and subject to change – finalised figures will be published in November 2021. Figures for all apprenticeship starts are published here: https://content.explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/api/releases/922d9d6b-8a91-428f-8133-0dc5425b9cd5/files/0785fe06-5be8-42b8-7aff-08d9826bde18.

For traineeships, whilst our data allows us to identify learners undertaking work experience, it is not possible for us to identify the profession involved. In the first three quarters of the 2020/21 academic year (August to April), reported to date, there were 13,600 traineeship starts in England, an increase of 23.8% from the equivalent point in 2019/20.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to (a) support the sustainability of the childcare sector and (b) facilitate access to affordable and high-quality early years providers.

Early years are a vital part of a child’s education, enabling them to develop the cognitive, social, and emotional skills that set them up for life.

To facilitate access to affordable and high-quality early years provision, we have spent over £3.5 billion in each of the past 3 years on the government’s early years entitlements. This financial year the department is investing £44 million for local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers.

The department is also investing £180 million on education recovery in the early years, to support the youngest children’s learning and development.

With regard to sustainability, despite the reduction in the number of children in the age range for early years provision, the number of childcare places on Ofsted’s early years register has remained broadly stable since August 2015, at around 1.3 million places.

Ofsted also has regard to the early years foundation stage framework in carrying out its inspections and reporting on the quality and standards of early years provision and, overall, quality in this sector is very high with 96% of all childcare providers on Ofsted’s early years register judged either Good or Outstanding at their most recent inspection, the highest level ever.

7th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make resources available to support the wide-scale roll-out of automated external defibrillators in schools across England.

All new and refurbished state funded schools are required to have at least one defibrillator installed on their premises. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, discussed this important issue in the House of Commons this week and said: ‘It was incredibly moving to speak to Mark King and listen to his tragic experience of losing his son, Oliver – he was joined by Jamie Carragher as well. It really does focus us on the need to do as much as possible to encourage schools to have defibrillators. That is why we will look at changing the regulations, which are underpinned by legislation, to ensure that all schools have defibrillators in the future and hopefully prevent such a tragedy visiting more families.’

Defibrillators are currently available for schools and other education providers in the UK to purchase through the NHS Supply Chain at a reduced cost. These arrangements are available to all UK schools, including academies and independent schools, sixth form colleges, further education institutions and early years settings, including holiday and out-of-school providers.

The department wants as many schools as possible to have this equipment and we are exploring all available options to see what more we can do.

22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding through the Government's long-term education recovery plan; and what recent representations he has received from stakeholders in the education sector on the extent to which that Government funding will ensure educational recovery for children who have lost learning as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department has invested £3 billion in education recovery to help tackle the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pupils, students, parents and staff have all experienced major disruption, and we realise that continuous action is required to ensure a strong recovery in nurseries, schools and colleges.

The Department has also invested more than £400 million to provide laptops, tablets and internet access to ensure that children could be taught remotely when required. Alongside this, we have supported the Oak National Academy, helping schools to provide high quality online lessons.

Ministers and officials have engaged extensively in recent months with a wide range of stakeholders on the approach to education recovery. The Department looks forward to continuing to engage with the sector and stakeholders on all aspects of the education recovery package, to ensure its effective implementation.

This Government has committed to an ambitious, long-term education recovery plan and the next stage will include a review of time spent in school and college and the impact this could have on helping children and young people to catch up. The findings of the review will be set out in the coming months to inform the Spending Review.

23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is his policy that schools are planned to be able to lift all covid-19 restrictions in September 2021.

The Department’s goal continues to be supporting children and young people to attend face-to-face education, and to reverse the long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their education, wellbeing and wider development. That is why the Government has prioritised education as it works through the steps of the roadmap to ease restrictions.

As the COVID-19 outbreak progresses, it remains important that the Government is able to respond to the evolving public health situation. Depending on COVID-19 measures in place at the time, and subject to Step 4 of the roadmap commencing on the revised date of 19 July, there may be a need for regional or local safety measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19, which could have an impact on education and childcare in the coming months. The road map is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021#roadmap.

Given the impact that restrictions on education can have on children and young people, any measures in schools should only ever be considered as a last resort, kept to the minimum number of schools or groups possible, and for the shortest amount of time possible. Any restrictions on attendance should only ever be considered as a last resort and should involve a ministerial decision.

Central Government may offer local areas of particular concern an enhanced response package to help limit increases in transmission. In enhanced response areas, Directors of Public Health may recommend some additional measures in any schools or nurseries.

These measures are detailed within the contingency framework for education and childcare, which describes how schools and nurseries should plan for spikes in infection in their local areas. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-restrictions-in-education-and-childcare-settings/contingency-framework-education-and-childcare-settings.

All schools and nurseries should have outbreak management plans outlining how they would operate if any of the measures described within the contingency framework were recommended in their setting or area, and this could include because their area is an enhanced response area.

10th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the catch-up and recovery plan being developed by Sir Kevan Collins is planned to be published.

Sir Kevan Collins, the Education Recovery Commissioner, was not asked to publish a plan but rather to advise the Government on developing its plan. This has been published, through announcements of significant investments in education recovery in June 2021.

The Department will continue to focus on education recovery to make sure that no child is left behind with their education, with over £3 billion committed for catch-up so far. As part of this, the Department recently announced an additional £1 billion for tutoring and £400 million for training to support great teaching, which were both key areas Sir Kevan recommended we pursue.

This comes on top of a £650 million universal catch-up premium for schools, £200 million for face-to-face summer schools this summer, a £302 million recovery premium which will go to schools in the coming year, £18 million to support language development in the early years from next year, and £550 million to fund small group tuition. The recovery premium alone will mean that the average primary school will receive around £6,000 extra funding, and the average secondary school around £22,000 extra funding to further support pupils to catch up.

Education recovery requires a long-term approach. The next step will be a review of the evidence on extending the school day to make sure that any investment here delivers the best education for children.

26th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to take steps in response to the recommendations of the National Secular Society's report entitled Religiosity inspections: the case against faith-based reviews of state schools, including repeal of section 48 of the Education Act 2005.

Section 48 of the Education Act 2005 places a duty on the governing body of maintained schools that are designated as having a religious character, to arrange for the inspection of any denominational education and collective worship. This requirement applies to maintained faith schools and academies (via the funding agreement). In arranging the inspection, the school must consult with the appropriate religious body, specified in regulations. This approach brings a consistency of approach and oversight to the inspections.

The Government greatly values the contribution that faith schools make to the education sector by providing high quality school places and choice for parents. Section 48 inspections provide assurance in relation to the religious education and collective worship provided in these schools. There are no plans to change the current arrangements for the inspection of designated faith schools.

13th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that young people receive teaching on the climate crisis.

It is important that young people are taught about climate change. For this reason, climate change and related topics such as sustainability are included throughout both the science and geography curricula and GCSEs. In primary science and geography, pupils are given a firm foundation for the further study of the environment in secondary school. For example, in primary science, pupils are taught about how environments can change as a result of human actions. They are taught about animals’ habitats, including that changes to the environment may pose dangers to living things. In primary geography, pupils are taught about seasonal and daily weather patterns, climate zones and human geography, including land use, economic activity, and the distribution of natural resources.

In secondary science, pupils are taught about the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the effect this has on the climate. This is expanded on in GCSE science where pupils consider the evidence for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. In secondary geography, pupils look at how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments and the climate. As part of GCSE geography, pupils look at the causes, consequences of and responses to extreme weather conditions and natural weather hazards.

In 2017, the Department introduced a new environmental science A level. This will enable students to study topics that will support their understanding of climate change and how it can be tackled. Schools and teachers can go beyond the topics set out in the National Curriculum, or do more in-depth teaching of these topic areas, if they so wish.

12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which member of the Cabinet has responsibility for representing the needs of babies and young children.

Members of the Cabinet have responsibility for representing the needs of babies and young children within their individual department remits. For example, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has responsibility for Childcare and Early Education and children’s social care.

11th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support children who have fallen behind in school as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises that extended school and college restrictions have had a substantial impact on children and young people’s education and are committed to helping pupils make up education lost due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

To address this challenge, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, committed to working with parents, teachers, and education providers to develop a long-term plan to help education settings to support pupils make up their education over the course of this Parliament.

In June 2020 we announced a £1 billion catch-up package including a National Tutoring Programme and a Catch-up Premium for this academic year. In February 2021 we committed to further funding of £700 million to fund summer schools, expansion of our tutoring programmes and a Recovery Premium for next academic year. Funding will support pupils across early years settings, schools, and providers of 16 to 19 education.

The Department has appointed Sir Kevan Collins as Education Recovery Commissioner to advise on the development of the long-term recovery plan. Sir Kevan will engage with parents, pupils, and teachers in the development of this broader approach and review how evidence-based interventions can be used to address the impact the COVID-19 outbreak has had on education. We will share further details in due course.

26th Apr 2021
What steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in delivering their statutory duty to lead the transition to sixth form process for 16- and 17-year olds in their area.

The department takes seriously its duty to support students during transition years and to assist them with progression to further education or training. We continue to support local authorities and monitor participation figures, with 94.4% of 16 and 17 year olds receiving an offer in education and training in 2020. Under the September Guarantee, all 16 and 17 year olds are entitled to an offer of a suitable place in education or training regardless of qualifications gained, and the government plans to invest over £7 billion during 2020/21, to ensure there is a place in education or training, including apprenticeships, for every 16 to 19 year old.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
24th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who will not receive pupil premium funding as a result of the eligibility dates changing from January 2021 to October 2020.

The January 2021 census will be used to determine pupil premium eligibility for alternative provision and pupil referral units for the financial year 2021-22. Pupil premium eligibility for mainstream and special schools will be based on the October 2020 census.

Per pupil funding rates will be the same as in 2020-21, which is expected to increase pupil premium funding from £2.4 billion in 2020-21 to more than £2.5 billion in 2021-22 as more children have become eligible for free school meals. In addition to this the Government announced a further £300 million for a one-off Recovery Premium which will be allocated to schools based on the same methodology as the pupil premium. In this way, schools with more disadvantaged pupils will receive larger amounts.

The Department will confirm pupil premium allocations for the financial year 2021-22 in June 2021. This will provide the public with information on the specific amounts that regions, local authorities, and schools are receiving through the pupil premium for 2021-22.

Data on the number of pupils who have become eligible for free school meals since 2 October 2020 is currently being collected in the spring school census and is not yet available.

The Department publishes information on pupil premium allocations and the number of pupils eligible annually. The most recent publicly available figures can be found via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2020-to-2021.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the evidential basis was for his Department's guidance on pupils in Year 7 and above wearing a face covering in classrooms and during activities during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department continues to work closely with other Government Departments throughout its response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as stakeholders across the sector. The Department is continuing to work to ensure that our policy is based on the latest scientific and medical advice, in order to develop comprehensive guidance based on the PHE-endorsed ‘system of controls’ and to understand the effect of these measures on staff, pupils and parents.

On 22 February 2021, the Department published “Evidence summary: COVID-19 - children, young people and education settings" which includes a section on face coverings. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evidence-summary-covid-19-children-young-people-and-education-settings.

The Department recently published updated guidance for schools to support the return to full attendance, which includes updated advice on face coverings. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.

In addition, the Department published updated guidance on the use of face coverings in education for schools and other education institutions that teach people in Year 7 and above in England. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education.

As the guidance outlines, where pupils in Year 7 and above are educated, we recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

Since 8 March 2021, we recommended that face coverings should also be worn by staff and pupils in classrooms and in other learning environments such as workshops and during activities, unless social distancing can be maintained.

The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of COVID-19 droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

We recognise that the wearing of face coverings may impact communication, but, on balance, increased use of face coverings will strengthen the current safety measures in place in education settings.

We are recommending these additional precautionary measures for a time limited period until Easter. As with all measures, we will keep this under review and update guidance as necessary.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the evidential basis is for the decision that students in Year 7 and above should wear a face covering in classrooms and during activities.

The Department continues to work closely with other Government Departments throughout its response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as stakeholders across the sector. The Department is continuing to work to ensure that our policy is based on the latest scientific and medical advice, in order to develop comprehensive guidance based on the PHE-endorsed ‘system of controls’ and to understand the effect of these measures on staff, pupils and parents.

On 22 February 2021, the Department published “Evidence summary: COVID-19 - children, young people and education settings" which includes a section on face coverings. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evidence-summary-covid-19-children-young-people-and-education-settings.

The Department recently published updated guidance for schools to support the return to full attendance, which includes updated advice on face coverings. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.

In addition, the Department published updated guidance on the use of face coverings in education for schools and other education institutions that teach people in Year 7 and above in England. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education.

As the guidance outlines, where pupils in Year 7 and above are educated, we recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

Since 8 March 2021, we recommended that face coverings should also be worn by staff and pupils in classrooms and in other learning environments such as workshops and during activities, unless social distancing can be maintained.

The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of COVID-19 droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

We recognise that the wearing of face coverings may impact communication, but, on balance, increased use of face coverings will strengthen the current safety measures in place in education settings.

We are recommending these additional precautionary measures for a time limited period until Easter. As with all measures, we will keep this under review and update guidance as necessary.

10th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of vulnerable children unable to attend wraparound care during the covid-19 outbreak.

We are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable children and young people. Work is being co-ordinated across the government to address the increased needs of vulnerable children and young people and their families. During the period of national lockdown which was announced on 4 January 2021, primary, secondary, alternative provision, special schools and further education providers have remained open to vulnerable children and young people.

Throughout all restrictions to date, children's social care services and early help services have continued to support vulnerable children and young people and their families. There are a range of exemptions to national restrictions which allow key services to operate for these children and young people including childcare, contact between birth parents and children in care, therapy or other forms of support, as well as essential youth services such as 1-1 youth work and support groups.

We recognise the value that the wraparound childcare sector offers to our children and young people, in terms of the enriching activities they provide and the valuable support they provide to our critical worker parents and vulnerable children. That is why we have ensured they have been able to open for all children eligible to attend school for on-site provision and encouraged all local authorities to consider how they could use local grants made available to them by the government to help bolster this part of the childcare sector in their areas, to safeguard sufficient childcare provision for children of critical workers and vulnerable children. This includes the expanded Holiday Activities and Food Programme, comprising of a £220 million fund to be delivered through grants to local authorities, to provide healthy food and enriching activities over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.

We are acutely aware of the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on young people and the vital role our youth services play. That is why more than £60 million of the unprecedented £750 million package for the voluntary and charity sector has been directed towards organisations supporting children and young people. More recently, a Youth COVID-19 Fund has been announced: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-165-million-youth-covid-19-support-fund. The fund will protect the immediate future of grassroots and national youth organisations across the country. This is on top of £200 million of government investment in early intervention and prevention support initiatives to support children and young people at risk of exploitation and involvement in serious violence, made available through the Youth Endowment Fund. This will provide a transformational investment in new and refurbished safe spaces for young people, so they can access support youth workers and positive activities out of school, including sport and culture.

10th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued to universities on the effect of face coverings on deaf students during the covid-19 outbreak.

The government expects all higher education (HE) providers to fulfil their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to be making reasonable adjustments for all disabled HE students. Wherever possible, disabled students should expect to have their needs met through inclusive learning practices and individual reasonable adjustments made by their HE providers.

On 22 February 2021, we published updated guidance on Students returning to, and starting higher education in Spring Term 2021, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/963446/HE_guidance_spring_term_220221_FINAL.pdf. This does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity. Face coverings do not need to be worn when outdoors on the premises.

Transparent face coverings, which may assist communication with someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate, can also be worn. There is currently very limited evidence regarding the effectiveness or safety of transparent face coverings.

Those who rely on visual signals for communication, or communicate with or provide support to such individuals, are currently exempt from any requirement to wear face coverings.

Face visors or shields should not be worn as an alternative to face coverings. They may protect against droplet spread in specific circumstances but are unlikely to be effective in reducing aerosol transmission when used without an additional face covering. They should only be used after carrying out a risk assessment for the specific situation and should always be cleaned appropriately.

We are now advising providers that they can resume in-person teaching and learning for students who are studying practical or practice-based subjects (including creative arts) and require specialist equipment and facilities from 8 March 2021. Providers should not ask students to return if their course can reasonably be continued online. The government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing of the return of remaining students. This review will take account of the latest data and will be a key part of the wider roadmap steps.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
3rd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the national school curriculum in (a) primary and (b) secondary school is dedicated to learning about food, cooking and nutrition.

The national curriculum is a framework setting out the content of what the Department expects schools to cover in each subject. The curriculum does not set out how curriculum subjects should be taught nor how much time should be spent on each subject. The Department believes teachers should be able to use their own knowledge and expertise to determine how they teach their pupils, and to make choices about what they teach.

Cooking and nutrition education is a discrete strand of the design and technology programme of study within the national curriculum. It is compulsory in state-maintained schools for all Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (for pupils aged 5 to 14) and can be used as an exemplar for free schools and academies. The curriculum aims to teach children how to cook and how to apply the principles of healthy eating and good nutrition. It recognises that cooking is an important life skill that will help children to feed themselves and others healthy and affordable food. By the end of Key Stage 3, pupils should be able to cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes and be competent in a range of cooking techniques. In September 2016, the Government also introduced a new GCSE in food preparation and nutrition. The new GCSE enables pupils to acquire a proper understanding of the scientific principles behind food and nutrition and use a number of practical techniques to prepare and cook food.

27th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made the profit made by private companies awarded contracts to deliver the free school meals voucher scheme throughout the covid-19 outbreak.

The department do not comment on the commercial arrangements of third parties. However, we can confirm that we have paid no more than the face value of goods received - in this case, vouchers.

27th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to encourage universities to deliver high quality learning for students throughout the covid-19 outbreak.

On 13 January, I wrote to the Office for Students (OfS), as regulator for English higher education (HE) providers, outlining the government’s expectations of the higher education sector. Following this, the OfS wrote to HE providers setting out the actions they are taking in connection with providers’ compliance to existing regulatory requirements.

The government’s clear and stated expectation is that universities should maintain the quality and quantity of tuition and seek to ensure that all students regardless of their background have the resources to study remotely. This is more important than ever at the moment, with the vast majority of students studying solely online. The OfS has made it clear that HE providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and academic standards, which set out requirements to ensure that courses are high quality, that students are supported and achieve good outcomes and that standards are protected, regardless of whether a provider is delivering its courses through face-to-face teaching, remote online learning, or a combination of both.

The OfS has published information for providers providing guidance on how best to ensure students continue to receive a high quality academic experience in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak. This sets out that providers should make all reasonable efforts to provide alternative teaching and support for students that is at least broadly equivalent to the provider’s usual arrangements. The OfS will keep this guidance under review to ensure it remains relevant to the developing circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The OfS is taking very seriously the potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on teaching and learning. The OfS is actively monitoring providers to ensure that they maintain the quality of their provision, that it is accessible for all, and that they have been clear in their communications with students about how arrangements for teaching and learning may change throughout the year. The OfS is also following up directly with providers where they receive notifications from students, parents or others raising concerns about the quality of teaching on offer and requiring providers to report to them when they are not able to deliver a course or award a qualification. If the OfS has concerns, it will investigate further.

Students have rights under consumer law that they may be able to rely on if they are dissatisfied with their provider’s response to COVID-19. In the first instance, students should speak to their provider to see if they can resolve their issue. We expect student complaints and appeals processes to be operated flexibly, accessibly and sympathetically by providers to resolve any concerns. If a student at a provider in England or Wales is not satisfied with their provider’s final response, they should go to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, which has published guidance on this issue.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will (a) require private schools to review their decision to proceed with International GCSEs this summer and (b) ensure that all pupils in England are awarded grades based on teacher assessment.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Government considers that exams cannot be held this summer in a fair way. The Government has therefore announced that exams for GCSEs, AS and A levels and for many other regulated qualifications should not go ahead this summer as planned.

Together with Ofqual, we launched a consultation on 15 January 2021 on our proposals that in summer 2021, students taking GCSE, AS and A levels regulated by Ofqual should be awarded grades based on teacher assessment. The landscape for other regulated qualifications is diverse and teacher assessment is not appropriate for all vocational, technical and other general qualifications that are not GCSEs, AS or A levels, particularly where the qualification demonstrates occupational competency. The approaches proposed for these other regulated qualifications are set out in the consultation.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has asked the interim chief regulator at Ofqual, Simon Lebus, to find a clear and accessible route for private candidates, and those not in school this year, to be assessed and receive a grade.

International GCSEs are not regulated by Ofqual and are not part of the arrangements we have put in place for summer 2021 for GCSEs and A/AS levels. We are in contact with the exam boards that provide international GCSEs and understand that they have not yet taken final decisions on whether or not exams should go ahead in England this summer.

25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support private candidates not affiliated with a school, during the covid-19 outbreak.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Government considers that exams cannot be held in a way which is fair. We have therefore announced that GCSE, AS and A level exams will not go ahead this summer as planned.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has asked the Chief Regulator at Ofqual to find a clear and accessible route for private candidates, and those not in school this year, to be assessed and receive a grade. The Department and Ofqual launched a two week consultation on how to fairly award all pupils a grade that supports them to progress to the next stage of their lives, including consulting specifically on four different approaches for private candidates to receive a grade.

The Department and Ofqual have strongly encouraged all our stakeholders, including private candidates and their parents, to respond. The Department will continue to engage with a range of relevant stakeholders when developing plans for our policy on GCSE, AS and A level assessments in 2021, as will the exams regulator Ofqual.

14th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) primary and (b) secondary schools will be required to remain open during the February half-term holiday for the children of key workers.

The Department is considering the arrangements for February half term and will give advance notice to schools and colleges.

14th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the cancellation of exams in summer 2021, what his guidance is on payments to exam invigilators employed on zero hour contracts; and if he will publish that guidance.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Government considers that examinations cannot be held in a way which is fair. We have, therefore, announced that GCSE, AS and A level examinations will not go ahead this summer as planned.

Schools will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year as usual, regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure. Schools have autonomy over these budgets and their employment arrangements and decisions on staffing are made at the local level. The Department is considering what further guidance may be helpful to schools with their workforce planning and schools should continue to check updates to our guidance on restricting attendance in the national lockdown: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952443/210114_School_national_restrictions_guidance_FINAL_14012021.pdf.

13th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will classify construction workers as key workers to allow them to send their children to school.

During this period of national lockdown, schools should allow only vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils should not attend and should learn remotely. The Department has resisted restrictions on attendance at schools since the first lockdown but, in the face of the rapidly rising numbers of cases across the country and intense pressure on the NHS, we now need to use every lever at our disposal to reduce all our social contacts wherever possible. Limiting attendance is about supporting the reduction of the overall number of social contacts in our communities.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors. The following guidance sets out who is able to attend school to receive face to face education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.

The document sets out the high-level role types, and the list in the guidance is not exhaustive, but it should offer sufficient information to help parents and carers to identify if their work falls under one of the umbrella groups.

The Department will continue to review the restrictions on schools and will ensure that children and young people return to face to face education as soon as possible.

14th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what resources he has made available to schools which have had to replace teachers who are absent, directly or indirectly due to covid-19.

Getting all children and young people back into school for this academic year has been a national priority, and schools have continued to receive their core funding allocations throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Following last year’s Spending Round, school budgets are rising by £2.6 billion in the 2020-21 financial year, £4.8 billion in 2021-22, and £7.1 billion in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20. On average, schools are attracting 4.2% more per pupil in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20. As stated in the Department’s guidance for schools on full opening, schools should use these existing resources when making arrangements for this term. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

The published guidance sets out the options available for schools seeking to manage staffing capacity and absences as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to using supply teachers and other temporary or peripatetic teachers, schools can also consider using existing staff more flexibly, including support staff and initial teacher training staff, or volunteers, as would usually be the case.

On 27 November 2020, the Government announced a new short-term COVID-19 workforce fund that will fund the costs of teacher absences over a threshold, for those schools with high staff absences that are also facing significant financial pressures: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-to-support-schools-and-colleges-during-covid-pandemic. This will help ensure that schools can remain open. The fund will help meet the cost of staff absences experienced during the period from the beginning of November until the end of this term. Guidance on the claims process will be published shortly so schools can have confidence in the costs they can incur and be eligible to reclaim.

Where schools do hire agency workers, we recommend they consider using the Department’s and Crown Commercial Service’s agency supply deal, as this offers a list of preferred suppliers that must be transparent about the rates they charge: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 9 November 2020 to Question 110928 on Union Learning Fund: Coronavirus, what additional steps his Department is taking to support adults who (a) need to reskill because of the covid-19 outbreak and (b) do not have have essential qualifications.

The department wants to ensure that a wide range of opportunities are available to people of all ages to meet their future skills needs.

We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), worth £1.34 billion in the 2020/21 financial year. The AEB fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship, or further learning. This includes; full funding for learners who need English and maths skills to undertake a range of courses in GCSEs; functional skills and other relevant qualifications from entry level to level 2; and support through courses and qualifications at pre-entry, entry level 1 to 3, level 1 and level 2 for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

More information about the AEB is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-education-budget-aeb-funding-rules-2019-to-2020.

The department has also introduced a number of additional measures this year as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, such as through the Plan for Jobs announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2020, and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, in September. More information about the Plan for Jobs is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/a-plan-for-jobs-2020.

The Lifetime Skills Guarantee is aimed at eligible adults, including those that have become unemployed. As part of this, adults who do not currently have a level 3 qualification will be fully funded for their first full level 3 course, enabling participants to access the valuable courses that will help them get ahead in the labour market. This offer will be funded from the National Skills Funding, established to help people learn new skills and prepare for the economy of the future. More information about the National Skills Funding, and other measures to help prepare adults for the economy of the future, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-expansion-of-post-18-education-and-training-to-level-up-and-prepare-workers-for-post-covid-economy.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has also announced skills bootcamps, which will be available in 6 areas across the country. The bootcamp training courses will provide valuable skills based on employer demand and are linked to real job opportunities, helping participants to get jobs, and employers to fill much-needed vacancies. We are planning to expand the bootcamps to more of the country from spring 2021, and we want to extend this model to include other technical skills training.

In addition, the recent expansion of The Skills Toolkit means that people can now choose from over 70 courses, covering digital, adult numeracy, employability and work readiness skills, which have been identified as the skills employers need the most. These courses will help people stay in work or take up new jobs and opportunities.

Through our lifelong loan entitlement, we will also make it easier for adults and young people to study more flexibly. This will allow them to space out their studies across their lifetime, transfer credits between colleges and universities, and enable more part-time study.

Apprenticeship opportunities will also be increased, with more funding for small and medium sized enterprises taking on apprentices, and greater flexibility in how their training is structured.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, regularly meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer but has not done so specifically to discuss the Union Learning Fund.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the economic merits of the Union Learning Fund.

The department wants to ensure that a wide range of opportunities are available to people of all ages to meet their future skills needs.

We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), worth £1.34 billion in the 2020/21 financial year. The AEB fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship, or further learning. This includes; full funding for learners who need English and maths skills to undertake a range of courses in GCSEs; functional skills and other relevant qualifications from entry level to level 2; and support through courses and qualifications at pre-entry, entry level 1 to 3, level 1 and level 2 for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

More information about the AEB is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-education-budget-aeb-funding-rules-2019-to-2020.

The department has also introduced a number of additional measures this year as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, such as through the Plan for Jobs announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2020, and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, in September. More information about the Plan for Jobs is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/a-plan-for-jobs-2020.

The Lifetime Skills Guarantee is aimed at eligible adults, including those that have become unemployed. As part of this, adults who do not currently have a level 3 qualification will be fully funded for their first full level 3 course, enabling participants to access the valuable courses that will help them get ahead in the labour market. This offer will be funded from the National Skills Funding, established to help people learn new skills and prepare for the economy of the future. More information about the National Skills Funding, and other measures to help prepare adults for the economy of the future, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-expansion-of-post-18-education-and-training-to-level-up-and-prepare-workers-for-post-covid-economy.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has also announced skills bootcamps, which will be available in 6 areas across the country. The bootcamp training courses will provide valuable skills based on employer demand and are linked to real job opportunities, helping participants to get jobs, and employers to fill much-needed vacancies. We are planning to expand the bootcamps to more of the country from spring 2021, and we want to extend this model to include other technical skills training.

In addition, the recent expansion of The Skills Toolkit means that people can now choose from over 70 courses, covering digital, adult numeracy, employability and work readiness skills, which have been identified as the skills employers need the most. These courses will help people stay in work or take up new jobs and opportunities.

Through our lifelong loan entitlement, we will also make it easier for adults and young people to study more flexibly. This will allow them to space out their studies across their lifetime, transfer credits between colleges and universities, and enable more part-time study.

Apprenticeship opportunities will also be increased, with more funding for small and medium sized enterprises taking on apprentices, and greater flexibility in how their training is structured.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, regularly meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer but has not done so specifically to discuss the Union Learning Fund.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
6th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling parents to remove their children from school without prosecution during the covid-19 outbreak.

It is vital that pupils continue to attend school for their education, wellbeing and long-term development. Time spent out of school is detrimental for children’s cognitive and academic development, particularly for disadvantaged children.

Parents have a duty to ensure that any of their children who are of compulsory school age receive a full-time education, either through regular attendance at school or through alternative arrangements, such as home schooling. Where a child is registered at a school, they must attend unless a statutory reason applies (for example, due to sickness, or where a leave of absence has been granted). Where children are not able to attend school as they are following clinical or public health advice related to the COVID-19 outbreak, the absence will not be penalised.

The usual powers to secure high levels of attendance continue to be available to schools and local authorities during the COVID-19 outbreak. These include schools’ and local authorities’ ability to use parental responsibility measures, such as fixed penalty notices, and local authorities’ ability to prosecute as a last resort. Schools should consider concerns from pupils, parents and households who may be reluctant or anxious about attending school, and put the right support in place to address this.

Parents may choose to educate their child at home (elective home education) rather than at a school. If they do so, they must provide a suitable full-time education if the child is of compulsory school age. Where a pupil is withdrawn from school for elective home education, there is no obligation for the school to keep that place open.

15th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to increase the accessibility of counselling and support services for students in higher education.

Protecting the mental health of higher education students is a priority for this government and we continue to work closely with the higher education sector to promote good practice in mental health and wellbeing.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has overall policy responsibility for young people’s mental health and we continue to work closely with them to take significant steps to support the mental health and wellbeing support for young people in higher education settings.

DHSC is committed, through the NHS Long Term Plan, to investing at least £2.3 billion of extra funding a year into mental health services by 2023-24. This will see an additional 345,000 children and young people, and adults, able to access support through NHS-funded services.

Higher education providers as autonomous bodies, independent from government, are responsible for their own decisions about how best to support their students. Whilst it is for providers to identify and address the needs of their student body, many providers have boosted their existing welfare and counselling services to ensure support services can be accessed, this is particularly important for those students having to self-isolate or who are affected by local restrictions.

The government has worked closely with Universities UK to embed the Step Change programme within the higher education sector. The strategic framework calls on higher education leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and embed good mental health practices beyond student service teams. The government expects all providers to engage actively with the guidance.

Student Space, funded with £3 million from the Office for Students, provides dedicated support services through a collaborative online platform to help students access vital mental health and wellbeing resources. The platform bridges gaps in support arising from the COVID-19 outbreak and is designed to work alongside existing services.

In addition, higher education providers have been asked to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of students, enabling them to use funding worth up to £23 million per month from April to July this year and £256 million for the academic year 2020-21, starting from August, to go towards student hardship funds and mental health support.

The government has provided over £9 million to leading mental health charities to help them expand and reach those most in need. Students struggling with their mental health can also access support via the NHS and online resources from Public Health England, alongside support from the mental health charity Mind.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
8th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring secondary school pupils to wear face coverings at all times on school premises.

At each stage of the Department’s response to the pandemic, we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice, and if we think that the guidance should be revised based on further evidence then we will not hesitate to act swiftly and decisively.

On 21 August, the World Health Organisation published a new statement advising that “children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a 1-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.” As a result, the Department revised its guidance on face coverings in schools and colleges, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education/face-coverings-in-education.

As the guidance outlines, in areas of national government intervention, face coverings should be worn by staff, visitors and pupils in secondary schools when moving around indoors, such as in corridors or communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. All schools nationwide, including primary schools, have the discretion to require the use of face coverings by adults and pupils in year 7 and above in indoor communal areas where social distancing cannot be safely managed. Children in primary school do not need to wear a face covering.

Based on current evidence, and in light of mitigation measures that schools will have put in place, face coverings are not necessary in the classroom. Face coverings can have a negative impact on teaching and their use in the classroom should be avoided.

28th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to prioritise policy on the mental health and wellbeing of children.

The government is committed to promoting and supporting the mental health of children and young people. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has policy responsibility for children and young people’s mental health. We are working closely with them and taking significant steps to support the mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people in education.

We have particularly prioritised children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Getting children and young people back into school and college is itself key to their wellbeing. We have worked hard to ensure that all pupils and learners were able to return to a full high-quality education programme in September. Our £1 billion COVID-19 catch-up package, with £650 million shared across schools over the 2020-21 academic year, is supporting education settings to put the right catch-up and pastoral support in place.

To ensure that staff are equipped to support wellbeing as children and young people returned to schools and colleges, we made it a central part of our guidance both on remote education and on the return to school. We supported this with a range of training and materials, including webinars which have been accessed by thousands of education staff and accelerating training on how to teach about mental health as part of the new relationships, sex and health curriculum, so that all pupils can benefit from this long-term requirement.

To continue this support we are investing £8 million in the Wellbeing for Education Return programme, which will provide schools and colleges all over England with the knowledge and practical skills they need to support teachers, students and parents, to help improve how they respond to the emotional impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The programme is funding expert advisers in every area of England to train and support schools and colleges during the autumn and spring terms. Further information about the Wellbeing for Education Return programme is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wellbeing-for-education-return-grant-s31-grant-determination-letter.

In further education, the department has provided £5.4 million of competitive grant funding through the College Collaboration Fund and 5 of the projects funded support student and staff mental health and wellbeing through online programmes and remote support.

In the long term, we remain committed to our major joint green paper delivery programme with DHSC and NHS England, including introducing new mental health support teams linked to schools and colleges, providing training for senior mental health leads in schools and colleges, and testing approaches to faster access to NHS specialist support. Mental health support teams are part of the commitment made in the NHS England Long Term Plan that funding for mental health services will grow faster than the overall NHS budget, creating a new ringfenced local investment fund for all ages worth at least £2.3 billion a year by 2023-24. This will mean that by 2023-24, at least an additional 345,000 children and young people aged 0-25 years will be able to access support via NHS England funded mental health services.

We are also continuing to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable children, including by supporting the £7 million ‘See, Hear, Respond service’ led by Barnardo’s, in partnership with national children’s charities and local organisations, to support vulnerable children at most risk of harm or having negative experiences on their health and wellbeing. Providing additional support through a £6.5 million COVID-19 Adoption Support Fund scheme to support 61,000 adoptive and special guardianship families and extending our £1 million mental health assessment pilots for looked-after children until March 2021. We will also be considering the issues around provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health issues as part of our special educational needs and disabilities review.

2nd Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people have access to education in a safe environment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Supporting all children and young people and keeping them safe is the highest priority for the government, especially at this time. That is why, throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, educational settings have been asked to ensure that children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans can continue to attend where appropriate and, following a risk assessment, where their needs can be safely met in the educational environment.

Returning to normal educational routines as quickly as possible will be critical for children and young people’s education and wellbeing. From 1 June, we asked special educational settings to welcome back as many children and young people as could be safely catered for in their setting, based on their risk assessment as the primary deciding factor. In mainstream settings, we asked that children and young people with EHC plans in eligible year groups experience the same return to settings as their peers without EHC plans in the same year group, informed by their risk assessments. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 has decreased and the balance of risk is now overwhelmingly in favour of all children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disability (SEND), returning to their educational setting so that they can receive high-quality teaching and specialist professional care.

On 2 July, the government published detailed plans for schools and colleges that set out what is needed to plan for a full return of their pupils and students in September, including for special education settings. We have also updated the guidance for higher education providers on reopening university campuses.

The guidance has been developed with medical experts from Public Health England and we continue to work closely with the country’s best scientific and medical experts to ensure that children, young people and staff are as safe as possible. The guidance provides specific advice on approaches for reducing the risk of transmission as well as other operational considerations for educational settings to follow as they prepare for welcoming back all pupils and students with SEND in both mainstream and specialist settings.

The guidance for special educational settings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings.

The guidance for mainstream settings is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

The guidance for further education settings is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/what-fe-colleges-and-providers-will-need-to-do-from-the-start-of-the-2020-autumn-term.

The guidance for higher education settings is available here: