Asked by: Adam Afriyie (Conservative - Windsor)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the 14-day quarantine rules apply to farmers who are able safely and need urgently to harvest their crops.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
We recognise and appreciate our dedicated farmers who continue to work tirelessly during this challenging time to keep our nation fed.
Public health remains the UK's top priority, which is why we make changes to the Travel Corridor list as necessary.
Those arriving from countries not included on the flight corridor exemption list - except for those travellers exempt from UK border rules - must self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.
Farmers and farm workers are not included in this exemption list and must therefore self-isolate. However, there are special arrangements in place for seasonal horticultural workers that enables them to go straight to the farm where they are working and commence work immediately whilst self-isolating.
Relevant guidance outlining this advice can be found here:
Travel corridors:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
Travellers exempt from border rules in the UK:
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on farming in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
The UK Government is acutely aware of the pressures facing Welsh farmers as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. We are hugely grateful for the hard work they have done – and continue to do – to maintain vital food supply chains, and we know how essential farming is to rural communities in Wales. Whilst we are pleased to see business now returning as shops and restaurants reopen, this has been a challenging period for many farmers who have seen a significant reduction in demand following the temporary closure of the food service sector.
We want a profitable and resilient farming sector and we will always champion our farmers by supporting them to provide a sustainable food supply to consumers. Although agriculture is a devolved matter in Wales, the UK Government took several specific measures to support our farmers through the Covid-19 outbreak. For instance, we have temporarily relaxed certain elements of competition law to support the farming sector and have worked with the industry on promotional campaigns for beef and dairy. This is in addition to the package of UK Government-backed financial support schemes, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, which have provided vital support to Welsh farmers.
I have had several meetings with Welsh farming unions and other key industry stakeholders in Wales throughout this crisis. We remain in regular contact with representatives from across the sectors to help us assess specific challenges and identify how best to support their economic recovery in the months ahead.
Asked by: Graham Brady (Conservative - Altrincham and Sale West)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what covid-19 related provisions the Government has put in place since 1 March 2020; under what statutory powers each provision was put in place; on what date each provision was (a) announced and (b) laid before Parliament; and on what date each provision (i) came into force and (ii) was approved by Parliament.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
Since 1 March 2020, and as of Monday 20 July, the Government has laid 127 statutory instruments in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This has enabled the Government to swiftly put in place the legislation needed and we will continue to bring forward further SIs for Parliament to consider, as required. The table below provides a list of each SI, outlining the powers it was made under; the date it was laid before Parliament; the date the SI came into force; and, where applicable, the date it was approved by Parliament.
The Government continues to make every effort to ensure that announcements are made in good time ahead of the legislation being brought forward, while balancing the need for urgent action to deal with the pandemic.
Table of Statutory Instruments laid since 1 March 2020
Department | Title | Power it is made under | Procedure | Laying date | Coming into force date | Approved in Parliament |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 06/03/20 | 05/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance Amendment Regulations 2020 and their | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance Amendment (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) No.2 Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 16/03/20 | 17/03/20 | N/A |
HMT | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 | Negative | 20/03/20 | 23/03/20 | N/A |
Defra | Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Climate Change Act 2008 | Negative | 20/03/20 | 21/03/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 23/03/20 | 24/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 23/03/20 | 21/03/20 | The regulations were revoked before they could be approved. |
DfT | Street and Road Works (Amendments Relating to Electronic Communications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and The Traffic Management Act 2004 | Negative | 26/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The National Health Service (Amendments Relating to the Provision of Primary Care Services During a Pandemic etc.) Regulations 2020 | The National Health Service Act 2006 | Negative | 26/03/20 | 27/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 | The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 26/03/20 | 26/03/20 | 14/05/20 |
DWP | Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Revocation) Regulations 2020 | The Pensions Act 2004 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 31/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in England) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Groceries) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 26/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; the Jobseekers Act 1995; the Housing Act 1996; The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | NI Equivalent | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; the Jobseekers Act 1995; the Housing Act 1996; The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Suspension of Waiting Days and General Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | NI Equivalent | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Revocation) Regulations 2020 | The Pension Schemes Act 1993 | Negative | 27 March | 31/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Solent Maritime Crossings) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Police Act 1997 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Investigatory Powers (Temporary Judicial Commissioners and Modification of Time Limits) Regulations 2020 | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27 March | 27/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | The Energy Act 2008 | Negative | 30 March | 31/03/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Road Traffic Act 1988 | Negative | 30/03/20 | 31/03/20. | N/A |
DHSC | Nursing and Midwifery Council (Emergency Procedures) (Amendment) Rules 2020 Order of Council 2020 | The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 | Negative | 30/03/20 | 31/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Coronavirus (Retention of Fingerprints and DNA Profiles in the Interests of National Security) Regulations 2020 | Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 01/04/20 | 02/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 | The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 | Negative | 02/04/20 | 04/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Amendment Regulations 2020 | The Housing Act 1996 and the Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 3 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Amendment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 | The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 | Negative | 3 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 6 April | 07/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 6 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Offender Management Act 2007 (Coronavirus) (Approved Premises) Regulations 2020 | The Offender Management Act 2007 | Negative | 6 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 The Jobseekers Act 1995 The State Pension Credit Act 2002 The Welfare Reform Act 2007 The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 Northern Ireland | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 The Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 The State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 The Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 | Negative | 7 April | 30/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Coronavirus) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 08/04/20 | 09/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The National Health Service (Performers List) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The National Health Service Act 2006 | Negative | 08/04/20 | 09/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Criminal Procedure (Amendment No. 2) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 | The Courts Act 2003 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 14/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Electronic Monitoring (Responsible Persons) Order 2020 | The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Employment Appeals (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Employment Tribunals Act 1996 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 15/04/20 | 16/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Land Registry Amendment 2020 | The Land Registration Act 2002 | Negative | 15/04/20 | 16/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Structural Changes) (Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020. | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 16 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 | Negative | 17/04/20 | 17/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in Wales) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 20/04/20 | 21/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Coronavirus) (Amendments) 2020 | The European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 22/04/20 | 23/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 22/04/20 | 22/04/20 | 14/05/20 |
DfE | The Adoption and children (coronavirus) (amendment) Regulations 2020. | The Children Act 1989 The Care Standards Act 2000 The Adoption and Children Act 2002 The Children Act 2004 The Education and Inspections Act 2006 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Non-Domestic Rating (Transitional Protection Payments and Rates Retention) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Local Government Finance Act 1988 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 1(2)Subject to paragraph (3), these Regulations come into force on 15th May 2020. | N/A |
DfE | The School Admissions (Appeals Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020. | The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Early Years Foundation Stage (learning and development requirements) and (Welfare requirements) Miscellaneous provisions) (amendment) (coronavirus) Regulations 2020. | The Childcare Act 2006 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 24/04/20 | 25/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Normal Weekly Earnings etc.) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 24/04/20 | 25/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The State Pension Credit (Coronavirus) (Electronic Claims) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Administration Act 1992 | Negative | 27/04/20 | 04/05/20 | N/A |
DHSC | National Health Service (Quality Accounts) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | The Health Act 2009 | Negative | 28/04/20 | 29/05/20 | N/A |
HO | The Misuse of Drugs (Amendments) (Pandemic supply) Regulations 2020 | The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 | Negative | 29/04/20 | 29/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Children and Families Act 2014 The Education Act 1996 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Education (School Teachers' Qualifications and Induction Arrangements) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Education Act 2002 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Criminal Legal Aid (Coronavirus, Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
Defra | The Common Agricultural Policy (Control and Enforcement, Cross-Compliance, Scrutiny of Transactions and Appeals) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. | The European Communities Act 1972 Article 78(b) of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 01/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Dairy Produce) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 01/05/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
HMT | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 | Negative | 01/05/20 | 04/05/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 13/05/20 | 13/05/20 | 15/06/20 |
MHCLG | The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Coronavirus)(Amendment) Order 2020 | European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 13/05/20 | 14/05/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Individual Savings Account (Amendment No 3) Regulations 2020 | Finance Act 1993; Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005; Finance Act 2016 | Negative | 14/05/20 | 04/06/20 | N/A |
Defra | The Direct Payments (Application Deadlines) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 | Article 78(b)(1) of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 14/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2020 | Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 14/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Funding of Employers' Liabilities) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 15/05/20 | 26/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Funding of Employers' Liabilities) Northern Ireland Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 | Negative | 15/05/20 | 26/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 | Negative | 18/05/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Self-employed Claimants and Reclaims) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Administration Act 1992; Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 20/05/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Self-employed Claimants and Reclaims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 | Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 | Negative | 20/05/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Electricity Capacity (Amendment etc.) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Draft affirmative | 20/05/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
HMRC | The Income Tax (Exemption for Coronavirus Related Home Office Expenses) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Negative | 21/05/20 | 11/06/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Social Security Contributions (Disregarded Payments) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 21/05/20 | 11/06/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 | Tax Credits Act 2002 | Negative | 22/05/20 | 23/05/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Traffic Order Procedure (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 | Negative | 22/05/20 | 23/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 27/05/20 | 28/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | Independent Schools (DBS Checks) (Coronavirus) SI | Education and Skills Act 2008 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 18/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 1996 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 01/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The School Discipline (England) (Coronavirus) (Pupil Exclusions and Reviews) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 2002 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 01/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Schools Forums (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | School Standards and Framework Act 1998 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 18/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 01/06/20 | 01/06/20 | 25/06/20 |
AG | Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 | Negative | 02/06/20 | 02/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 01/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Passengers Travelling to England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Advice for Passengers) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Higher Education (Fee Limits and Student Support) (England) (Coronavirus) SI | Higher Education and Research Act 2017; Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 | Draft affirmative | 04/06/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
BEIS | Contracts for Difference (Electricity Supplier Obligations) | Energy Act 2013 | Draft affirmative | 04/06/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
Defra | Direct Payments to Farmers (Inspections) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2020 | Article 62(2)(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 09/06/20 | 30/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 12/06/20 | 13/06/20 | The regulations were revoked before they could be approved. |
DfT/DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 592) | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 15/06/21 | 15/06/20 | 08/07/20 |
DfE | The Education (Pupil Information) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 1996 | Negative | 18/06/20 | 09/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Business Tenancies (Restriction on Forfeiture: Relevant Period) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2020 | Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 19/06/20 | 29/06/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (No.2) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 19/06/20 | 24/06/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Competition Appeals Tribunal | Crime and Courts Act 2013 | Draft affirmative | 22/06/20 | N/A | 15/07/20 |
BEIS | Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2020 | Enterprise Act 2002 | Made affirmative | 22/06/20 | 23/06/20 | 15/07/20 |
HMRC | The Life Assurance Scheme (English and Welsh Schemes) (Excluded Benefits for Tax Purposes) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Negative | 22/06/20 | 13/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development and Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 24/06/20 | 25/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 | Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 | Negative | 26/06/20 | 26/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 Negative Procedure | Companies Act 2006; Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 | Negative | 26/06/20 | 27/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Patents, Trade Marks and Registered Designs (Fees) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | Trade Marks Act 1994; Registered Designs Act 1949 | Negative | 29/06/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
DfT | Electric Scooter (Trials) Regulations - (working title) | Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994; Road Traffic Act 1988; Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 | Negative | 30/06/20 | 04/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Childcare Payments (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 | Childcare Payments Act 2014 | Negative | 30/06/20 | 21/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Community Infrastructure Levy (Coronavirus) (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2020 | The Planning Act 2008 | Draft affirmative | 30/06/2020 | N/A | 14/07/20 |
MOJ | The Secure Training Centre (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 | Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 01/07/2020 | 02/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020 | Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994; Coronavirus Act 2020; Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 | Negative | 03/07/20 | 06/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No.2) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992; Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 03/07/20 | 06/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) Regulations 2020 | 06/07/20 | Made affirmative | 03/07/20 | 04/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 03/07/20 | 04/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Public Health Information) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 06/07/20 | 07/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | Pension Protection Fund (Moratorium and Arrangements and Reconstructions for Companies in Financial Difficulty) Regulations 2020 | The Insolvency Act 1986; The Companies Act 2006; Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 | Made affirmative | 06/07/20 | 07/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DCMS | Charitable Incorporated Organisations Moratorium Regulations 2020 | Charities Act 2011 | Made affirmative | 08/07/20 | 06/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
HMRC | The Value Added Tax (Zero Rate for Personal Protective Equipment) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Value Added Tax Act 1994 | Negative | 09/07/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Finance Act 2019 | Negative | 09/07/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Childcare (Coronavirus) (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Childcare Act 2016 | Negative | 10/07/20 | 31/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 10/07/20 | 11/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 10/07/20 | 11/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | Value Added Tax (Reduced Rate) (Hospitality and Tourism) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | the Value Added Tax Act 1994 | Negative | 14/07/20 | 15/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 | Negative | 15/07/20 | 16/07/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 | Negative | 15/07/20 | 16/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 17/07/20 | 18/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 20/07/20 | 18/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown measures on communities that are recovering from the 2019–20 winter floods.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Government recognises the impact of COVID-19 on flood-affected householders and businesses and sympathises with those affected.
Flood recovery is a devolved matter and in England the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is the lead Government department for recovery.
In response to the flood events of 2019 and 2020, the Government activated the Flood Recovery Framework in England. This framework aims to help people get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
This framework includes the Community Recovery Grant, a one-off £500 hardship grant, available to eligible flooded households and businesses. Those households are also able to receive a 100% council tax rebate (for a minimum of three months); rebates will apply to the flooded property and any temporary accommodation those households are required to move into.
In addition to the core framework led by MHCLG, Defra leads on two recovery schemes: the Property Flood Resilience Scheme and the Farming Recovery Fund. The Property Flood Resilience fund enables eligible flood-affected properties to receive up to £5,000 to improve their resilience to future flooding. Both the November 2019 and February 2020 schemes remain open despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Defra officials are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and provide support if necessary.
The Farming Recovery Fund was opened to support the recovery from the June and July 2019 floods in North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This was extended to cover the further flooding in parts of South Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and the Midlands in November 2019. The Farming Recovery Fund was subsequently further extended to support recovery for farmers most seriously affected by flooding in February 2020 to parts of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and North and East Yorkshire. Delivery is unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials are also in close contact with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to understand the progress insurers are making within the recovery process in light of COVID-19. In general, insurers are stepping up their use of technology to work around the need to be in properties in person. They have access to the required protective equipment where needed, and suitable accommodation is being found where required. The ABI has been active in providing customers with regular updates and keeping officials informed of the progress on the ground.
Last week the Government published its long-term plan to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. The plans include £200 million for innovative projects such as sustainable drainage systems and nature-based solutions like temporary or permanent water storage areas which also boost wildlife. These will support 25 areas at risk of flooding to test and demonstrate innovative actions to adapt to a changing climate and improve their resilience.
In addition, up to £170 million will be spent to accelerate work on shovel-ready flood defence schemes that will begin construction in 2020 or 2021. 22 areas across the country will benefit from this immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy as communities recover from the impact of coronavirus.
The Environment Agency (EA) has carried out approximately 20,000 post-incident inspections following the flooding events in November 2019 and February 2020. These inspections are now complete and the results have been used to plan projects for the EA’s recovery programme that will deliver asset repairs. Government provided £120 million of funding at the Budget in March to repair assets damaged in this winter’s floods, and it is expected that all assets will be restored by the end of October 2020, or the EA will have sufficient temporary measures in place to mitigate risks to communities while works complete over winter.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that the (a) planning and (b) regulatory frameworks support agri-food producers that want to increase the level of their exports.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The food sector is the UK's largest manufacturing industry, and a major contributor to the UK economy. UK food and drink exports play an important part of the success of the sector, and in 2019, UK food and drink exports were worth £23.7 billion - up 4.9% from 2018.
The Government highlights the importance of our agriculture and food production in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF requires local planning authorities to take into account all the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, planning authorities should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality. They should also consider the needs of the food production industry, and any barriers to investment that can be resolved by planning.
The NPPF states that, to promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood plans should promote the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses. Moreover, local planning authorities are asked to encourage the reuse of brownfield land, provided that it is not of high environmental value. This is to recognise the character and beauty of the countryside, and to maintain the strong protections in place for Green Belt and other designated countryside.
Further longstanding support for farmers is provided by the rights to carry out various types of agricultural development, as set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
Further demonstrating my department’s collaboration across Government, on 22 June 2020, we announced a ‘bounce back’ plan of trade measures for the agriculture, food and drink industry. These are designed to help support businesses that have been impacted by Coronavirus. These new strategic interventions were the product of joined up engagement between the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Defra.
The package offers immediate support to help businesses in the industry grow their trade activity overseas. The measures support producers and manufacturers throughout the food supply chain, from farm to fork, and has been developed with input from trade associations, businesses and DIT’s regional and international networks. They include the announcement of the first Defra Agri-Food Counsellor serving the United Arab Emirates and wider Gulf Region, who will aid in addressing regulatory barriers to export for our agri-food producers.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the CPRE report, Greener, better, faster: countryside solutions to the climate emergency and for a green recovery, published in July 2020.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I had the pleasure of speaking at the launch of the CPRE report, Greener, Better, Faster in which the countryside is at the heart of a green recovery and a source of climate change solutions.
While the world is rightly focused on tackling the immediate threat of coronavirus, other great global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss have not gone away. The Government remains committed to being a world leader on tackling the environmental crises we face.
As we develop our mitigation plans, we will need to manage trade-offs with our other objectives, for example, balancing land use change for mitigation purposes (e.g. planting trees) with enhancing the natural environment and improving food security.
Our Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme is the cornerstone of our new agricultural policy. Founded on the principle of “public money for public goods”, ELM is intended to provide a powerful vehicle for achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting our rural economy.
Farmers and other land managers may enter into agreements to be paid for delivering the following public goods: clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife; reduction in and protection from environmental hazards; beauty, heritage and engagement with the environment; mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.
Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change are important goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and important objectives of ELM. ELM could support this through providing funding for land management activities that reduce greenhouse gas emission and sequester carbon.
Adapting to the inevitable changes in our climate is also vital. While we continue to reduce our contribution to climate change, we are also taking robust action to improve the resilience of our people, economy and environment.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether British Wool is an arm's-length body of Government; and what plans he has to provide British Wool with support to help it tackle the effects of the covid-29 outbreak on that sector.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
British Wool is not an Arm’s-Length Body, it is a public corporation. As such, it is not eligible to access the full range of coronavirus support provided to private businesses.
However, sheep farmers remain eligible for a number of the business support schemes the Government has launched. These include the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan, Bounce Back Loans, Small Business Grant Funding and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Full details of the unprecedented support the Government has made available to businesses can be accessed on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why British Wool was not considered to be appropriately established as an organisation to qualify for support under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme; what assessment they have made of the impact of this decision on sheep farmers generally; and what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about the impact of this decision on the Welsh economy.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Decision-making on whether a business is eligible to access the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is fully delegated to the accredited lenders for the scheme, and individual lending decisions remain at the discretion of these accredited lenders. Information on eligibility criteria for the CBILS can be found on the British Business Bank’s website.
Businesses from most sectors can apply for the full amount of the facility under the CBILS. The scheme is demand-led and take up by a particular sector, or in a particular region, will depend upon application rates and the assessment of those applications by lenders. The schemes are accessible across the UK and lenders have been accredited across the UK’s nations and regions.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is part of a comprehensive package of support for businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, deferral of VAT and income tax payments, grant funding for small businesses, and more. Regular calls are held between UK Government Ministers and Ministers in the Devolved Administrations on the Covid-19 pandemic and economic impacts and responses.
Asked by: Darren Henry (Conservative - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers to adapt their business models during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government wants a profitable and resilient farming sector. We will always champion our farmers and growers by supporting them to produce more of our great British food and drink, providing a reliable and sustainable food supply to the British public.
At the outset of the pandemic, we introduced a number of measures to support our farming sectors through this difficult period. These included relaxing drivers’ hours, temporarily relaxing certain elements of competition law and a dairy response fund to help those dairy farmers most in need of support. We have also worked closely with the dairy and horticulture sectors to address supply chain and labour issues.
We have been in close discussion with banks to ensure the farming sector has access to financial support to ease cashflow problems during this period, including through the HMG backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL), and the Bounce Back Loan scheme.
The Agriculture Bill provides the legislative basis for longer term transition to support investment in a more productive and sustainable farming sector.
It will allow us to introduce ambitious new land management schemes in England, based on the principle of "public money for public goods", so that we can reward farmers and land managers who protect our environment, improve animal welfare and produce high quality food in a more sustainable way. The Bill will also help farmers to stay competitive, with measures to increase productivity and invest in new technology.
Last week, Defra and the Department for International Trade launched a package of support that will offer immediate support to help agriculture, food and drink businesses grow their trade activity overseas. This will help producers, manufacturers and agri-tech companies across the food supply chain, from farm to fork.
Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers have received support from the Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Dairy Farmers.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The new dairy response fund opened for applications on 18 June 2020. Full details of the application process can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/dairy-response-fund-2020. The funding will provide eligible dairy farmers in England with up to £10,000. Payments will commence from 6 July 2020. The scheme will help those dairy farmers most in need of support to sustain their businesses by maintaining production capacity without impacts on animal welfare.