32 APPG memberships (as of 6 Oct 2021)
Antisemitism, Beer, Cameroon, Cancer, Dark Skies, Eggs, Pigs and Poultry, Equipment for Disabled Children, Equitable Life Policyholders, Fair Business Banking, Financial Resilience, Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, HIV and AIDS, Hospitality, Events and Major Food and Drink Businesses in Wales, Italy, Learning Disability, Medical Cannabis under Prescription, Modern Languages, Parkinson's, Parkrun, Pension Clawback, Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse, Personal Banking and Fairer Financial Services, Public Legal Education and Pro Bono, Roadside Rescue and Recovery, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union Football Club, Single Parent Families, Tennis, Timber Industries, Wales in the World, Wrestling10 Former APPG memberships
Air Passenger Duty Reform, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Erasmus, Esports, Frozen British Pensions, Homelessness, Netball, Oracy, Road Freight and Logistics, Rugby Union09:15
Subject: Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales
28 Oct 2021, 9:15 a.m.
At 10.00am: Oral evidence
Rt Hon Simon Hart MP - Secretary of State for Wales at Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
David TC Davies MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales at Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
View calendar
09:30
What steps he is taking to help ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and inland waterways.
Save to Calendar
voted No - in line with the party majority
One of 114 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 3 Noes - 336
I would like to commend the hon. Lady for her speech and to commend my hon. Friend the Member for …
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference Sports Councils Equality Group report entitled, …
That this House expresses its concern at the continued dispute of staff represented by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) …
16:35
Name of donor: Heineken UK Ltd
Address of donor: 3-4 Broadway Park, South Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh EH12 9JZ
Amount of …
That this House is delighted, amazed and inspired by the performances of Emma Raducanu in winning the US Open without …
A Bill to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.
Division Voting information
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
(24 debate interactions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(13 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(41 debate contributions)
(22 debate contributions)
(17 debate contributions)
(10 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(749 words contributed)
(747 words contributed)
(735 words contributed)
(672 words contributed)
Gower 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).
of 23,975 signatures (0.61%)
of 32,538 signatures (0.32%)
of 105,453 signatures (0.22%)
of 53,483 signatures (0.20%)
of 100,332 signatures (0.20%)
of 105,453 signatures (0.22%)
of 100,332 signatures (0.20%)
of 126,432 signatures (0.14%)
of 164,458 signatures (0.11%)
of 388,380 signatures (0.04%)
Petition Closed
FIONA'S LAW - Women should be allowed a yearly Cervical screening
closed 7 months, 2 weeks ago
Cervical screening needs to be every year.
This is because women are dying, mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters and sisters are dying.
Petition Closed
Hold a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during Covid-19
Gov Responded - 5 Jan 2021 Debated on - 21 Jun 2021 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 7 months, 3 weeks ago
There should be a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during Covid-19. Many contracts have been granted without full and open procurement processes. A public inquiry would be able to ascertain whether contracts had been procured fairly and represent value for money for tax payers.
Petition Closed
Prioritise teachers, school and childcare staff for Covid-19 vaccination
Gov Responded - 23 Feb 2021 Debated on - 11 Jan 2021 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 6 months ago
Advice from the JCVI on the priority groups for a Covid-19 vaccine does not include school/childcare workers. This petition calls for these workers, who cannot distance or use PPE, to be kept safe at work by being put on the vaccine priority list when such a list is adopted into government policy.
Petition Closed
Give government workers a fair pay rise
Gov Responded - 16 Oct 2020 Debated on - 14 Dec 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 9 months ago
During the pandemic government workers have delivered vital public services and kept our country safe and secure. After ten years in which the real value of civil service pay has fallen, many face hardship. The Government must start to restore the real value of their pay with a 10% increase in 2020.
Petition Closed
Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis
Gov Responded - 27 Apr 2020 Debated on - 14 Dec 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year ago
The government is helping private firms to protect jobs by paying up to 80% of staff wages through this crisis. If it can do this why can it not help key workers who will be putting themselves/their families at risk and working extra hard under extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances.
Petition Closed
Fund research for childhood cancers with the worst survival rates
Gov Responded - 24 Mar 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year, 1 month ago
12 kids in the UK are diagnosed with cancer daily. 1 in 5 will die within 5 years, often of the deadliest types like DIPG (brainstem cancer) - fatal on diagnosis & other cancers on relapse. Yet there has been little, or no, funding for research into these cancers and little, or no, progress.
Petition Closed
Ban fireworks for general sale to the public.
Gov Responded - 5 Nov 2019 Debated on - 2 Nov 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year, 6 months ago
Every year more and more people, animals and wildlife get hurt by fireworks. It’s time something was fine to stop this. There are enough organised firework groups around for us to still enjoy fireworks safely so please help me stop the needless sale of them to the public!
Petition Closed
Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021.
Gov Responded - 30 Jul 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 10 months, 3 weeks ago
A significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations. The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced.
Petition Closed
Review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades
Gov Responded - 4 Sep 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year ago
We want the Education Secretary and the Government to step in and review the exam board’s decision on how GCSE and A-Level grades will be calculated and awarded due to the current coronavirus crisis. We want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade.
Petition Closed
Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work
Gov Responded - 4 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year, 1 month ago
I would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.
Petition Closed
We would like the government to consider social care as equally important to NHS
Gov Responded - 20 Apr 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year ago
We would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.
Petition Closed
Reduce or scrap the immigration health surcharge for overseas NHS Staff.
Gov Responded - 29 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year, 1 month ago
To revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.
Petition Closed
Give non-British citizens who are NHS workers automatic citizenship
Gov Responded - 6 May 2020 Debated on - 25 Jun 2020 View Tonia Antoniazzi's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year ago
Give NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.
Latest EDMs signed by Tonia Antoniazzi
Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open women's champion
Tabled by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)That this House is delighted, amazed and inspired by the performances of Emma Raducanu in winning the US Open without losing a set; notes that she is the first qualifier in the history of tennis to win a grand slam event; congratulates Emma and all those involved in her success; …
(Most recent: 23 Sep 2021)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 7
Scottish National Party: 5
Conservative: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Protection of seals
Tabled by: Tracey Crouch (Conservative - Chatham and Aylesford)That this House calls on the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 to make it an offence committed if a person (or a third party controlled by the person, including but not limited to; dogs, drones or vessels) intentionally or recklessly kills, injures, …
(Most recent: 6 Sep 2021)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 10
Conservative: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Tonia Antoniazzi, 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.
Tonia Antoniazzi has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Tonia Antoniazzi has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Tonia Antoniazzi has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
3 Bills co-sponsored by Tonia Antoniazzi
Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LDEM)
Counsellors and Psychotherapists (Regulation) and Conversion Therapy Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Karen Lee (LAB)
Gender-based Pricing (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LDEM)
91 Written Questions in the current parliament
(View all written questions)3 Other Department Questions
We will publish the new cross-government Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy this year. We are currently analysing over 180,000 responses to the first-ever Violence Against Women and Girls Call for Evidence we ran, which will help inform the Strategy.
This was a significant response and we are working closely with all government departments to ensure the development of the Strategy takes into account those views.
Minister for Equalities
Our schools and teachers are committed to supporting all pupils to thrive and reach their potential in a safe and respectful environment.
The Department for Education is also rolling out new inclusive statutory Relationships Education in all primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education in all secondary schools, so that children leave school prepared for life in modern, diverse, Britain.
As the Equality and Human Rights Commission is a non-departmental public body, it is for them to comment on any guidance they plan to publish. We are not able to provide further information on this.
Minister for Equalities
Covid-19 is particularly challenging for those in vulnerable groups, including pregnant women.
Pregnant women can be furloughed if the employer and employee agree to this. Where this happens, the Government has amended the law to ensure they do not lose out on maternity and parental pay.
Employers should review their risk assessments for pregnant women, considering also the risk of severe illness for the shielding group. In some circumstances, medically suspending the woman may be appropriate.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
2 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions
(View all Tonia Antoniazzi's BEIS questions)Post Office Ltd has admitted it got things wrong in relation to Horizon and has apologised. I have announced an Independent Inquiry to ensure that we understand fully what went wrong and that this situation will never be repeated.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
Officials within BEIS have regular engagement with National Grid to discuss issues around the increased uptake of electric vehicles, most recently in the context of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles’ (OLEV) recent consultation on the phase out of internal combustion engine cars and vans.
BEIS officials also engage with National Grid over their production of the annual Future Energy Scenarios (FES), looking ahead to 2050 to show what the future of energy in GB might look like. The latest FES includes projections of increase in annual electricity demand due to a combination of emerging technologies, including electric vehicles, and highlights the key impact of flexibility services associated with electric vehicles in meeting this future required demand.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
17 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Questions
(View all Tonia Antoniazzi's DCMS questions)The government is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as safety and fairness across all levels of sport. This is at the heart of our strategy ‘Sporting Future’. Sports governing bodies each have their own rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right position for their own sport.
The Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG) transgender guidance is a carefully considered report which addresses the complexities of transgender inclusion in sport. The report has concluded that there is an inherent tension between delivering inclusion, fairness and safety when including transgender women into the women’s sport category due to retained physiological differences.
The guidance advises the national governing bodies (NGBs) of each sport to define the best options for their sport, subject to their assessment of inclusion, fairness and safety. It also includes a decision making framework to help sports undertake such an assessment and if appropriate consider options to modify or adapt their offer to facilitate participation.
Our arm’s length bodies Sport England and UK Sport will continue to support NGBs to undertake the necessary assessment for their sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as safety and fairness across all levels of sport. This is at the heart of our strategy ‘Sporting Future’. Sports governing bodies each have their own rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right position for their own sport.
The Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG) transgender guidance is a carefully considered report which addresses the complexities of transgender inclusion in sport. The report has concluded that there is an inherent tension between delivering inclusion, fairness and safety when including transgender women into the women’s sport category due to retained physiological differences.
The guidance advises the national governing bodies (NGBs) of each sport to define the best options for their sport, subject to their assessment of inclusion, fairness and safety. It also includes a decision making framework to help sports undertake such an assessment and if appropriate consider options to modify or adapt their offer to facilitate participation.
Our arm’s length bodies Sport England and UK Sport will continue to support NGBs to undertake the necessary assessment for their sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as the safety and fairness across all levels of sport. This is at the heart of our strategy ‘Sporting Future’. However, sports governing bodies each have their own rules on transgender issues and it is appropriate that they can determine the right position for their own sport.
The Sports Councils' Equality Group (SCEG) is in the process of reviewing Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport in the UK, commissioned in 2020. Subsequently a wide-ranging consultation has taken place. They are now processing the information they have collected as they work towards a carefully considered outcome in this complex environment. It is anticipated that the revised guidance on trans participation in sport will be released later this year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
To tackle the digital divide and support connectivity we have worked with providers on social tariffs meaning low cost landline and broadband services for those on means-tested benefits.
DCMS has also launched the Digital Lifeline fund to provide devices, data and support to 5000 adults with learning disabilities. In addition, to boost skills, we have made digital qualifications to level 1 for adults free of charge.
The Government recognises the importance of the live music sector to the UK economy and that it has been significantly affected by the impacts of Covid-19. No assessment is currently available regarding the potential effects of stage 5 reopening taking place after April 2021.
From 2 December, in Tier 1 and 2 areas, socially distanced indoor audiences are permitted provided capacity in a venue is maintained at maximum 50% capacity or 1000 people, whichever is lower. Outdoor events can take place in line with Covid secure guidance with a capacity limit of the lower of 50% or 4000 in Tier 1 and 50% or 2000 in Tier 2.
DCMS has established a Venues Steering Group and a sector-led sub-group on Outdoor Events and Festivals looking at how music venues and festivals can reopen with fuller audiences, in line with stage 5 of the Performing Arts roadmap.
The Government has always been clear that moving forward with the performing arts roadmap is dependent on the prevalence of COVID-19, and that the measures that are in place are to ensure the safety of the public.
We are committed to continue working with the live music sector to understand the challenges they face and to work towards reopening events with fuller audiences.
Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion across all sports, including transgender and non-binary participation, and the overarching guidance that Sport England is involved in providing to the grassroots sport sector. These discussions are general and do not focus on specific types of sport, such as contact sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works with the Governments Equalities Office to discuss issues of equality in sport, but have not had specific discussions on the participation of trangsender and non-binary players in contact sport. Government’s overriding sporting objective is and remains the guarantee of fair and safe competition - it is therefore right that sports bodies have their own rules on trans issues and can determine the right position for their own sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
No one in either my department or the Government Equalities Unit has had discussions on this topic with either World Rugby or the Rugby Football Union.
Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion across all sports, including transgender and non-binary participation, and the overarching guidance that Sport England is involved in providing to the grassroots sport sector. These discussions are general and do not focus on specific types of sport, such as contact sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
No one in either my department or the Government Equalities Unit has had discussions on this topic with either World Rugby or the Rugby Football Union.
Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion across all sports, including transgender and non-binary participation, and the overarching guidance that Sport England is involved in providing to the grassroots sport sector. These discussions are general and do not focus on specific types of sport, such as contact sport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
My department has not had discussions on this topic with either World Rugby or the England Rugby Football Union. Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion in sport, including transgender and non-binary participation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
My department has not had discussions on this topic with either World Rugby or the England Rugby Football Union. Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion in sport, including transgender and non-binary participation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
My department has not had discussions on this topic with either World Rugby or the England Rugby Football Union. Officials in my department meet regularly with Sport England to discuss a range of issues related to diversity and inclusion in sport, including transgender and non-binary participation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government’s vaccines portfolio ensures we have the best chance of accessing a safe and effective vaccine for people in the UK as soon as one becomes available. We are also working on deployment plans in the event that a safe, effective vaccine is discovered.
We are vigorously pursuing efforts on vaccines, therapeutics and mass testing to return conditions to normal as soon as possible. In terms of a vaccine, there are several encouraging trials but it is likely to be well into 2021 until one can be widely deployed. Our strategy will continue to be shaped by the work of our brilliant scientists.
We know this is a challenging period for all sports and the Government remains committed to supporting our elite athletes. Olympic and Paralympic sport is not immune from the impact of Covid-19 and we will continue to work with UK Sport and other sports bodies in ensuring that our elite athletes are well supported in this difficult period to ensure that Team GB and ParalympicsGB are ready for the Tokyo Games and other world wide sporting events when they do take place in 2021.
The English Institute of Sport’s world-class support for our athletes has been maintained during the current epidemic. Team GB’s historic medal haul in Rio was an amazing achievement and our athletes made the country incredibly proud. I am confident that this success will continue through to Tokyo next summer.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government’s vaccines portfolio ensures we have the best chance of accessing a safe and effective vaccine for people in the UK as soon as one becomes available. We are also working on deployment plans in the event that a safe, effective vaccine is discovered.
We are vigorously pursuing efforts on vaccines, therapeutics and mass testing to return conditions to normal as soon as possible. In terms of a vaccine, there are several encouraging trials but it is likely to be well into 2021 until one can be widely deployed. Our strategy will continue to be shaped by the work of our brilliant scientists.
We know this is a challenging period for all sports and the Government remains committed to supporting our elite athletes. Olympic and Paralympic sport is not immune from the impact of Covid-19 and we will continue to work with UK Sport and other sports bodies in ensuring that our elite athletes are well supported in this difficult period to ensure that Team GB and ParalympicsGB are ready for the Tokyo Games and other world wide sporting events when they do take place in 2021.
The English Institute of Sport’s world-class support for our athletes has been maintained during the current epidemic. Team GB’s historic medal haul in Rio was an amazing achievement and our athletes made the country incredibly proud. I am confident that this success will continue through to Tokyo next summer.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government’s vaccines portfolio ensures we have the best chance of accessing a safe and effective vaccine for people in the UK as soon as one becomes available. We are also working on deployment plans in the event that a safe, effective vaccine is discovered.
We are vigorously pursuing efforts on vaccines, therapeutics and mass testing to return conditions to normal as soon as possible. In terms of a vaccine, there are several encouraging trials but it is likely to be well into 2021 until one can be widely deployed. Our strategy will continue to be shaped by the work of our brilliant scientists.
We know this is a challenging period for all sports and the Government remains committed to supporting our elite athletes. Olympic and Paralympic sport is not immune from the impact of Covid-19 and we will continue to work with UK Sport and other sports bodies in ensuring that our elite athletes are well supported in this difficult period to ensure that Team GB and ParalympicsGB are ready for the Tokyo Games and other world wide sporting events when they do take place in 2021.
The English Institute of Sport’s world-class support for our athletes has been maintained during the current epidemic. Team GB’s historic medal haul in Rio was an amazing achievement and our athletes made the country incredibly proud. I am confident that this success will continue through to Tokyo next summer.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to working with the whole of sport to ensure it is diverse and inclusive, and discusses equality as part of regular engagement with the sector
As announced in July 2020, UK Sport and Sport England are carrying out a review of the Code for Sports Governance to look at areas where it would benefit from further development, including around equality, diversity and inclusion.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
We believe all children should be supported whilst growing up so they can thrive and reach their potential in a safe and respectful environment. Schools are best placed to work with pupils, parents and professional services to decide what is best for individual children.
Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against a pupil because of a characteristic protected by the Act. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Department has published guidance to support schools to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/315587/Equality_Act_Advice_Final.pdf.
Our statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education is clear that all pupils should receive teaching on LGBT content, at a timely point, during their school years: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.
To gather views on how the National Plan for Music Education could be refreshed and strengthened, the Department launched a Call for Evidence on 9 February 2020, which then closed on 13 March 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, analysis of the Call for Evidence and the refresh of the National Plan is currently on hold. The results of the Call for Evidence, the Department’s response to it, and the refreshed Plan will be published in due course.
From 1 March to 20 November 2020, the Department spent £13.3 million on paid-for communications and campaigns activity, including spend on creative, production, agency fees and paid-for media. Of this, a total of £8.42 million was spent specifically on advertising media buying. It is not possible to break down spend separately by i) communications or iii) marketing as these definitions include several areas of overlapping activity.
Of the £13.3 million spent between 1 March and 20 November 2020, an estimated £526,924 was spent on consultancy services to help plan and deliver communication, advertising, marketing campaigns and to inform media buying. It is not possible to provide separate costs for each category requested as these services inform a range of activity delivered as part of broader campaign strategies.
This activity includes vital work to recruit 30,000 teachers a year and drive the uptake of apprenticeships and the new T level qualification. All our paid-for campaigns are agreed with and regularly assessed by the Cabinet Office to ensure effectiveness.
The Department’s work covers a number of manifesto commitments and is central to my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s levelling up agenda, in addition to the Government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak including the continuity of education as a national priority. With almost a million staff working in state funded schools in England, 66,000 staff in the further education sector, and 4.2 million households across the country with primary school aged children, the Department must explain policy to our key audiences, influence attitudes and change behaviour through targeted external communications, advertising and marketing campaigns to achieve publicly stated policy objectives.
2 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Tonia Antoniazzi's Defra questions)In 2019 the Government carried out a consultation on measures to reduce personal water consumption, which sought views on households being charged by the volume of water they consume. The Government’s response to the consultation was published in a Written Ministerial Statement on 1 July 2021.
Responses to the consultation and call for evidence are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/water-conservation-measures-to-reduce-personal-water-use
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In our 2019 manifesto we promised to maintain the current annual budget to farmers for the lifetime of this parliament. When we made this commitment in 2019, the total farm support provided to Welsh farmers that year was £337 million. For 2021/22, the UK government have therefore provided new exchequer funding on top of the remaining £95 million of EU funding to ensure that £337 million of support continues to go to Welsh farmers this year.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Communications activity spend by the Department’s Group Communications directorate for the period 1 March 2020 to 31 October 2020 was £3,729,428.
This figure includes communications, marketing and advertising costs for communications campaigns: THINK! Road Safety, EU Transition, Engineering Take a Closer Look and Covid-19 related campaigns Safer Transport and Enjoy Summer Safely.
Covid-19 and the UK's preparations for the end of the EU transition period are two of the biggest issues currently facing the country. It is vital people receive the information they need on these important areas, and we're using a range of channels including TV, radio, print and social media to reach as many people as we can.
Information for the wider department and executive agencies for the two part financial years requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Transport with the Welsh Government on this subject. The Welsh Government and its partners in the project have approached a number of UK Government Departments for support, including the Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The proposal will be considered alongside other options in the context of the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department of Work and Pensions works closely with employers participating in the Kickstart Scheme to ensure that jobs are created for young people as quickly as possible. A Kickstart job can start at any time over the lifetime of the scheme and some employers choose to delay the commencement of roles for a variety of reasons.
Our data indicates that between the 27/07/2021 and 08/09/2021 the average time between receipt of an application by DWP to confirmation of its approval was 14 days. Within the same period the average time between receipt of an application and the job being made available for young people to apply for was 43 days. A significant portion of this time includes engagement with employers to return grant funding agreements and job description templates promptly so that applications can be progressed.
Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly.
The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department of Work and Pensions works closely with employers participating in the Kickstart Scheme to ensure that jobs are created for young people as quickly as possible. A Kickstart job can start at any time over the lifetime of the scheme and some employers choose to delay the commencement of roles for a variety of reasons.
Our data indicates that between the 27/07/2021 and 08/09/2021 the average time between receipt of an application by DWP to confirmation of its approval was 14 days. Within the same period the average time between receipt of an application and the job being made available for young people to apply for was 43 days. A significant portion of this time includes engagement with employers to return grant funding agreements and job description templates promptly so that applications can be progressed.
Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly.
The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department of Work and Pensions continues to work closely with employers participating in the Kickstart Scheme. We are pleased that as of 08/09/2021 we have made over 188,000 jobs available for young people to apply to.
Officials continue to assess the effectiveness of this process and have developed a suite of products to support employers during the application process. These products are regularly reviewed and updated to provide the most up to date advice and guidance.
In addition, we have established a network of Kickstart District Account Managers (KDAMs) in every Jobcentre Plus district to support employers and who act as points of contact. Our KDAM network complements our existing National Employer Partnership managers who engage with a wide portfolio of employers to provide support on Kickstart and the Government’s Plan for Jobs initiatives.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pension’s Kickstart is creating valuable jobs for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. To ensure that as many young people across Great Britain can access a Kickstart opportunity, jobs that require a young person to work from home are listed as ‘national’ roles. This also supports the employer with a wider range of candidates. Any requirement for a young person to attend a workplace in person is made clear in the job advert and as such would be allocated to the appropriate geographical location.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pension’s Kickstart Scheme is having a positive impact on both national and local labour markets by providing young people at risk of long-term unemployment with the experience they need to find sustainable work.
As of 08/09/2021 over 10,600 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for in Wales and over 3,390 have started. We are currently not able to publish a breakdown below the regional and national level although expect to be able to do so in due course, to do so now would be at a disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The DS1500 can be completed by a terminally ill patient’s doctor or other healthcare professional and returned to DWP. The doctor or healthcare professional provides information about their patient’s condition, including its clinical features and ongoing or planned treatment on the DS1500. The DS1500 is not a claim form in itself and is not a requirement to support a claim under the special rules for terminal illness.
A DS1500 can be completed during the claim process for various benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The DS1500 can be completed by a terminally ill patient’s doctor or other healthcare professional and returned to DWP. The doctor or healthcare professional provides information about their patient’s condition, including its clinical features and ongoing or planned treatment on the DS1500. The DS1500 is not a claim form in itself and is not a requirement to support a claim under the special rules for terminal illness.
A DS1500 can be completed during the claim process for various benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The DS1500 can be completed by a terminally ill patient’s doctor or other healthcare professional and returned to DWP. The doctor or healthcare professional provides information about their patient’s condition, including its clinical features and ongoing or planned treatment on the DS1500. The DS1500 is not a claim form in itself and is not a requirement to support a claim under the special rules for terminal illness.
A DS1500 can be completed during the claim process for various benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The latest available information on the number of people on Universal Credit who are in employment in Great Britain, by country, is published and can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The latest available information on the number of people on Universal Credit who are in employment in Great Britain, by country, is published and can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The latest available information on the number of people on Universal Credit who are in employment in Great Britain, by country, is published and can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Universal Credit statistics for Northern Ireland are published by the Department for Communities here:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/universal-credit-statistics
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
NHS England and NHS Improvement and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are developing proposals for the operation of the Fund and expect to engage with stakeholders on detailed plans later this year. Timescales for implementation of the Fund will be confirmed in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received five new drug applications and three new indication applications via Project Orbis since Jan 2021. At this time, these applications are still pending.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Information on cancer drugs currently being considered under Project Orbis is considered commercially confidential.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 30 December 2020, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published its advice on phase one of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. In this advice it stated that consideration had been given to vaccination of household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals. However, at that time there was no data on the size of the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on transmission.
The JCVI is keeping its advice under review, including with regard to emerging evidence on the impact of vaccination on asymptomatic infection and whether this may indicate an impact on transmission. This was last considered at the JCVI’s COVID-19 sub-committee on 4 March 2020 and a position is being agreed with the JCVI’s main committee members.
Secretary of State for Education
From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.
The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.
The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.
The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.
The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.
The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Health Service and the Department do not routinely collect data on the number of people who sought medical intervention to reverse or undo a previous medical intervention for the alleviation of gender dysphoria.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Department has spent £9,000 on consultancy fees since 1 March 2020 in respect of communications related activities. This cost reflects the consultancy spend recorded on the digital, engagement and content cost centre. It is possible further communications related consultancy costs have been incurred in other areas of Departmental business however these are not separately identifiable.
In terms of media buying, the Department has spent £10.7 million since 1 March 2020. For spend on communications, advertising and marketing, the information is not collected in the format requested.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has spent £9,000 on consultancy fees since 1 March 2020 in respect of communications related activities. This cost reflects the consultancy spend recorded on the digital, engagement and content cost centre. It is possible further communications related consultancy costs have been incurred in other areas of Departmental business however these are not separately identifiable.
In terms of media buying, the Department has spent £10.7 million since 1 March 2020. For spend on communications, advertising and marketing, the information is not collected in the format requested.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not made such an assessment.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Health Service published the interim NHS People Plan on 3 June 2019. It sets out the long-term vision and immediate actions to meet the challenges of supply, reform, culture and leadership.
The final NHS People Plan will be published shortly and will set out a clear framework for collective action on workforce priorities, with a focus on growing and retaining a well-skilled workforce across the whole NHS.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
NHS England and NHS Improvement have asked all Cancer Alliances to help more patients and families manage the impact of cancer and its treatment on psychological and physical health over the next five years. It is the responsibility of individual Cancer Alliances to publish their plans on their websites.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Over the next five years, Cancer Alliances will be embedding personalised care interventions, which will identify and address the changing needs of cancer patients from diagnosis onwards, including psychological needs. People with long term conditions, such as cancer, have been identified as priority patients for accessing Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. These services are being integrated with physical health services, to better align psychological therapies for mental illness within primary and secondary care pathways.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Over the next five years, Cancer Alliances will be embedding personalised care interventions, which will identify and address the changing needs of cancer patients from diagnosis onwards, including psychological needs. People with long term conditions, such as cancer, have been identified as priority patients for accessing Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. These services are being integrated with physical health services, to better align psychological therapies for mental illness within primary and secondary care pathways.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Over the next five years, Cancer Alliances will be embedding personalised care interventions, which will identify and address the changing needs of cancer patients from diagnosis onwards, including psychological needs. People with long term conditions, such as cancer, have been identified as priority patients for accessing Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. These services are being integrated with physical health services, to better align psychological therapies for mental illness within primary and secondary care pathways.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Department recognises that the annual allowance may contribute to decisions from National Health Service consultants to retire early or limit their NHS commitment. The Government is listening carefully to concerns raised by senior doctors and NHS employers about the tapered annual allowance.
In September 2019 guidance was issued by NHS Employers informing employers of the short-term approaches that they could take to mitigate the effect of pension tax on their workforce this tax year. The NHS has also implemented an immediate measure to preserve clinical capacity amid the increased pressure on services during the winter period. This will compensate NHS clinicians for the effect on their pensions of annual allowance charged incurred in 2019-20.
The Department has consulted on introducing flexibility within the NHS Pension Scheme from 2019/20 to allow clinicians affected by annual allowance tax charges to reduce their pension accrual in deciles in order to manage any potential annual allowance tax charges.
As part of a wider drive to ensure the NHS has the staff it needs to meet demand and transform care, the Government is carrying out an urgent review of the pensions annual allowance taper problem that has caused some doctors to turn down extra shifts for fear of high tax bills. On 13 January, Ministers held a roundtable with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association and other representative organisations as part of this review to find a long-term solution.
The review will consider the findings from the Department’s consultation on pension flexibility and will report at the Budget on 11 March.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that the annual allowance may contribute to decisions from National Health Service consultants to retire early or limit their NHS commitment. The Government is listening carefully to concerns raised by senior doctors and NHS employers about the tapered annual allowance.
In September 2019 guidance was issued by NHS Employers informing employers of the short-term approaches that they could take to mitigate the effect of pension tax on their workforce this tax year. The NHS has also implemented an immediate measure to preserve clinical capacity amid the increased pressure on services during the winter period. This will compensate NHS clinicians for the effect on their pensions of annual allowance charged incurred in 2019-20.
The Department has consulted on introducing flexibility within the NHS Pension Scheme from 2019/20 to allow clinicians affected by annual allowance tax charges to reduce their pension accrual in deciles in order to manage any potential annual allowance tax charges.
As part of a wider drive to ensure the NHS has the staff it needs to meet demand and transform care, the Government is carrying out an urgent review of the pensions annual allowance taper problem that has caused some doctors to turn down extra shifts for fear of high tax bills. On 13 January, Ministers held a roundtable with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association and other representative organisations as part of this review to find a long-term solution.
The review will consider the findings from the Department’s consultation on pension flexibility and will report at the Budget on 11 March.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that the annual allowance may contribute to decisions from National Health Service consultants to retire early or limit their NHS commitments, although a precise estimate of the change in staffing levels as a result of pension tax is not available. The Government is listening carefully to concerns raised by senior doctors and NHS employers about the tapered annual allowance.
In September 2019 guidance was issued by NHS Employers informing employers of the short-term approaches that they could take to mitigate the effect of pension tax on their workforce this tax year. The NHS has also implemented an immediate measure to preserve clinical capacity amid the increased pressure on services during the winter period. This will compensate NHS clinicians for the effect on their pensions of annual allowance charges incurred in 2019-20.
The Department has consulted on introducing flexibility within the NHS Pension Scheme from 2019/20 to allow clinicians affected by annual allowance tax charges to reduce their pension accrual in deciles in order to manage any potential annual allowance tax charges.
As part of a wider drive to ensure the NHS has the staff it needs to meet demand and transform care, the Government is carrying out an urgent review of the pensions annual allowance taper problem that has caused some doctors to turn down extra shifts for fear of high tax bills. On 13 January, Ministers held a roundtable with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association and other representative organisations as part of this review to find a long-term solution.
The review will consider the findings from the Department’s consultation on pension flexibility and will report at the Budget on 11 March.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The information requested is provided in the table below:
Beer Duty Returns | ||
Month | (a) Received by HMRC | (b) Nil returns |
August 2019 | 2,100 | 415 |
September 2019 | 1,991 | 441 |
October 2019 | 1,602 | 489 |
November 2019 | 2,051 | 448 |
December 2019 | 2,009 | 453 |
January 2020 | 2,020 | 482 |
February 2020 | 2,039 | 457 |
March 2020 | 2,011 | 521 |
April 2020 | 1,610 | 756 |
May 2020 | 1,607 | 687 |
June 2020 | 1,785 | 596 |
July 2020 | 1,337 | 491 |
August 2020 | 1,675 | 468 |
September 2020 | 1,547 | 455 |
October 2020 | 1,472 | 468 |
November 2020 | 1,520 | 546 |
December 2020 | 1,520 | 523 |
January 2021 | 1,706 | 556 |
The Office for National Statistic’s ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings’ (ASHE) shows that median basic weekly pay for the public sector is £504. This suggests that just under half of the public sector have basic weekly pay of £460 (whole economy median weekly basic pay) and less.
Since the uplift will be applied on a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) basis, we have used ASHE microdata to also exclude those earning less than the median but not on an hourly basis. This showed that 38% of the public sector earn less than £24,000 on an FTE basis.
The Office for National Statistics estimate that public sector employment was 5.51 million in June 2020. This includes: The National Health Service, central government and local government.
Sources: Table 13.a at https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/publicandprivatesectorashetable13
ONS Public sector employment, UK: June 2020: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/june2020
The £24,000 earnings floor is taken from the Office for National Statistic’s ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings’. This data gives whole economy median basic weekly earnings for all employees of £460. The equivalent annually is £23,985 (calculated by dividing by 7 days a week, and multiplying by 365 days a year).
Source: Table 1.3a at https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/allemployeesashetable1
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Office for National Statistic’s ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings’ (ASHE) shows that median basic weekly pay for the public sector is £504. This suggests that just under half of the public sector have basic weekly pay of £460 (whole economy median weekly basic pay) and less.
Since the uplift will be applied on a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) basis, we have used ASHE microdata to also exclude those earning less than the median but not on an hourly basis. This showed that 38% of the public sector earn less than £24,000 on an FTE basis.
The Office for National Statistics estimate that public sector employment was 5.51 million in June 2020. This includes: The National Health Service, central government and local government.
Sources: Table 13.a at https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/publicandprivatesectorashetable13
ONS Public sector employment, UK: June 2020: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/june2020
The £24,000 earnings floor is taken from the Office for National Statistic’s ‘Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings’. This data gives whole economy median basic weekly earnings for all employees of £460. The equivalent annually is £23,985 (calculated by dividing by 7 days a week, and multiplying by 365 days a year).
Source: Table 1.3a at https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/allemployeesashetable1
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Manufacturers of hand sanitiser do not need a licence, although anybody that uses alcohol or alcohol waste within a manufacturing process must be authorised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
To meet the additional demand for hand sanitiser, the Government has been supporting manufacturers by ensuring they have access to the denatured alcohol they need. Since the beginning of March, HMRC has fast-tracked the authorisation of over 3 million additional litres of denatured alcohol for hand sanitiser production.
However, in light of continuing high demand for duty free alcohol in these products, HMRC have now announced several easements to their current requirements. Under these new measures alcohol or alcohol waste held within an excise warehouse may be used, without HMRC’s prior approval, to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty, provided that the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub.
Further information on all the measures introduced by HMRC to support hand sanitiser production can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses.
As announced earlier this week, the devolved administrations will receive at least £1.5 billion to provide support to people, businesses and public services affected by COVID-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes at least £475 million for the Welsh Government.
Funding being provided this week is in addition to UK-wide support to tackle the impact of COVID-19, such as extending Statutory Sick Pay, making it easier and quicker to access benefits, and providing a Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Tragically a very small number of Border Force colleagues have passed away from suspected COVID-19 causes. They were valued colleagues and Border Force would like to pay tribute to their service. Border Force is not prepared to provide additional details given the very small number of colleagues involved and the risk of identification of individuals and their grieving families.
Border Force do not hold records of the number of staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Tragically a very small number of Border Force colleagues have passed away from suspected COVID-19 causes. They were valued colleagues and Border Force would like to pay tribute to their service. Border Force is not prepared to provide additional details given the very small number of colleagues involved and the risk of identification of individuals and their grieving families.
Border Force do not hold records of the number of staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Data on expenditure categories are published within the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts (ARA). However, this data is only published once the accounts are closed and the figures have been audited by the National Audit Office (NAO).
The NAO’s role is to inspect and agree with the accounts and this data may be subject to change, therefore due to the risks of releasing current year data that is yet to go through the typical due diligence conducted by the NAO may result in us misleading Parliament.
Information on the above expenditure categories for the current financial year will be collated and made available in the 2020/21 Home Office Statement of Accounts.
1 Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Questions
(View all Tonia Antoniazzi's DLUHC questions)The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government holds no data on the number of councillors in England who have received a DBS check. It is a matter for the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland if they choose to collect and hold such data.
There is currently no legal requirement on councillors to undergo a DBS check either to stand for office or after they are elected. The law specifies that a council is entitled but not required to undertake checks for Councillors who discharge Education and Social Service functions.
The data HMPPS hold on transgender prisoners (published in the annual HMPPS Offender Equalities Report) is snapshot data and importantly has not historically included prisoners who have a Gender Recognition Certificate, due to legal restrictions. There was no data gathering exercise in 2020 due to the pandemic. HMPPS are actively working on ways to improve the scope and quality of data held on transgender prisoners while still respecting their rights and privacy.
Analysis of accredited programme participation for each year’s transgender offender cohort requires a data matching exercise as these pieces of information are held in separate data sets. A response could only be obtained at disproportionate costs as the analyses would be new and require significant resource to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
HMP Downview’s E Wing currently provides separate accommodation in the women’s estate specifically for transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRC) who pose, or face, too high a risk to be located in the general women’s population. Decisions on allocation of this nature can only be made via a Complex Case Board, chaired by a senior prison manager, as detailed in ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ policy framework
It is not Ministry of Justice and HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) policy to place women on E Wing who do not hold a GRC. In exceptional circumstances, such as those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains open to HMPPS to utilise accommodation differently where it is considered operationally necessary. However, any women placed on E Wing in such circumstances would always be held separately from others on the unit.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not commissioned any relevant research since the current version of the policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ was published in 2019. However, this policy was formulated following consultation with a range of stakeholders including staff and external groups representing the interests of prisoners, and after consideration of the existing evidence on transgender people in prison, including internal data. Decisions regarding transgender prisoners continue to be made on a case-by-case basis, and all known risk factors (including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of self-harm) are thoroughly assessed in each case.
The MoJ recognises the importance of good quality data and evidence and this will continue to be considered, as part of the ongoing implementation review, where evidence gaps are highlighted.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not commissioned any relevant research since the current version of the policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ was published in 2019. However, this policy was formulated following consultation with a range of stakeholders including staff and external groups representing the interests of prisoners, and after consideration of the existing evidence on transgender people in prison, including internal data. Decisions regarding transgender prisoners continue to be made on a case-by-case basis, and all known risk factors (including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of self-harm) are thoroughly assessed in each case.
The MoJ recognises the importance of good quality data and evidence and this will continue to be considered, as part of the ongoing implementation review, where evidence gaps are highlighted.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not commissioned any relevant research since the current version of the policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ was published in 2019. However, this policy was formulated following consultation with a range of stakeholders including staff and external groups representing the interests of prisoners, and after consideration of the existing evidence on transgender people in prison, including internal data. Decisions regarding transgender prisoners continue to be made on a case-by-case basis, and all known risk factors (including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of self-harm) are thoroughly assessed in each case.
The MoJ recognises the importance of good quality data and evidence and this will continue to be considered, as part of the ongoing implementation review, where evidence gaps are highlighted.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMP Downview’s E Wing provides separate accommodation in the women’s estate for transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRC) who pose, or face, too high a risk to be located in the general women’s population. The circumstances in which a transgender woman with a GRC may be considered for placement in separate accommodation is detailed in ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ policy framework. A planned review of the implementation of this policy is underway.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Accredited sexual offender (SO) programmes are not currently available in the women’s estate. However, bespoke interventions are provided where required to ensure that we properly manage the risk posed by all offenders.
In the male estate, the accredited SO programmes are open to individuals who are legally male but identify as female.
A strategic review of all HMPPS designed accredited programmes is underway and will include consideration of the interventions available for transgender individuals.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Accredited sexual offender (SO) programmes are not currently available in the women’s estate. However, bespoke interventions are provided where required to ensure that we properly manage the risk posed by all offenders.
In the male estate, the accredited SO programmes are open to individuals who are legally male but identify as female.
A strategic review of all HMPPS designed accredited programmes is underway and will include consideration of the interventions available for transgender individuals.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Local policies (such as HMP Downview ‘E Wing Policy) must be consistent with the policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender,’ which is available here: The care and management of individuals who are transgender - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
HMP Downview’s ‘E Wing Policy’ is a local prison policy and, as is usual practice for such a policy, it is not published more widely. This is because local policies like this one are subject to change at short notice at the discretion of prison governors. Like all local policies this policy remains under regular review.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Local policies (such as HMP Downview ‘E Wing Policy) must be consistent with the policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender,’ which is available here: The care and management of individuals who are transgender - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
HMP Downview’s ‘E Wing Policy’ is a local prison policy and, as is usual practice for such a policy, it is not published more widely. This is because local policies like this one are subject to change at short notice at the discretion of prison governors. Like all local policies this policy remains under regular review.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Government is considering the case for reforming the law on corporate criminal liability for economic crime and will publish a response to the Call for Evidence in due course.
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The UK Government continues to work with the Scottish Government and provide support where it is needed.
In addition to the six drive-in sites, and eighteen mobile units, the recently opened walk-in testing centre in St Andrews is also helping to provide significant support and resource for testing capacity in Scotland, in addition to NHS Scotland’s own capacity.
It is for the Scottish Government to decide policy for the use of that capacity.
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including fiscal policy. There are currently no plans to change Air Passenger Duty policy in relation to Wales. As with all taxes, HM Treasury will keep this under review.
Secretary of State for Wales
The First Minister, his ministerial team, and I regularly discuss our governments’ response to the covid-19 outbreak. Last week we both attended meetings between all four administrations, including COBR(M) and a meeting chaired by my Rt. hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to discuss the UK-wide approach to social distancing.
Secretary of State for Wales