Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK Nationals being able to stay in the Schengen Zone for only 90 in every 180 days.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
HMG officials and Ministers regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to include (a) a youth mobility scheme and (b) measures to support the English Language Teaching sector in the UK in future trade deals with EU countries.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I apologise to the Honourable Member for the delay in responding to his question of 10 September.
The Government set out clear priorities for the reset with the EU in the manifesto. There are no plans for a Youth Mobility Scheme.
The UK generally seeks provisions in trade agreements to expand opportunities and enhance certainty for UK businesses seeking to export services. The UK’s English Language Training sector is considered and consulted where necessary to ensure that their interests are supported.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide disability awareness training to all civil servants in public-facing roles.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Due to the delegated nature of the Civil Service, departments as individual employers are able to set the learning requirements for their employees.
However, Civil Service Expectations training is available to all Civil Servants. This provides an introduction to the Civil Service code and values; the legislation around diversity and inclusion; the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy; why diversity and inclusion matters and what it means to Civil Servants and the support that is available to them such as workplace adjustments, mental health and wellbeing support.