Asked by: Tom Tugendhat (Conservative - Tonbridge and Malling)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what evidence there is on the transmission of covid-19 on golf courses.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus. That’s why we made sure that people could exercise at least once a day even during the height of lockdown - and why we opened up grassroots sport and leisure facilities as soon as it was safe to do so.
Nobody wanted to be in the position of having to introduce further National Restrictions. However as the Prime Minister said, with the virus spreading faster than expected we cannot allow our health system to be overwhelmed. Therefore, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December indoor and outdoor leisure will be closed. The National Restrictions are designed to get the R rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions.
In order for these measures to have the greatest impact, we will all need to sacrifice doing some things that we would otherwise like to do, for a short period of time. We have not introduced further exemptions because when you unpick at one activity the effectiveness of the whole package is compromised. As soon as we're in a position to start lifting restrictions, grassroots sports will be one of the first to return.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting (a) leisure centres, (b) gyms, (c) golf clubs, (d) tennis clubs and (e) other outdoor sports facilities from the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Chief Medical Officer is clear that being physically active is important to long-term health and crucial for keeping people healthy during the ongoing pandemic. Evidence suggests that regular physical activity can promote good physical health and help manage stress and anxiety.
The national restrictions are designed to get the ‘R’ rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions. People are still allowed to leave their homes for exercise and recreation outdoors, with their household or on their own, or with one person from another household or support bubble. However, the Government have not introduced further exemptions because it is important that the restrictions are simple to understand.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the evidential basis for (a) prohibiting two people playing golf on a public golf course and (b) allowing two people to walk a dog on a public footpath during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
Evidence is clear that action is needed on a national scale to suppress the spread of the virus. We have introduced national restrictions to reduce social contact across England. This includes the closure of most businesses and venues, except for essential retail. It is therefore necessary for sports facilities, such as golf courses, to close. Whilst these facilities are closed, it remains important for wellbeing to be able to exercise and enjoy outdoor recreation safely, and that is why individuals can continue to do this in public outdoor places under the new restrictions. However, people are advised to remain as local as possible, to act responsibly, and limit transmission risk wherever possible, including by ensuring social distancing with anyone they do not live with.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the closure of golf courses during the national covid-19 lockdown on the (a) the mental health and (b) physical wellbeing of people who regularly play golf.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Chief Medical Officer is clear that being physically active is important to long-term health and crucial for keeping people healthy during the ongoing pandemic. Evidence suggests that regular physical activity can promote good physical health and help manage stress and anxiety.
The national restrictions are designed to get the ‘R’ rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions. People are still allowed to leave their homes for exercise and recreation outdoors, with their household or on their own, or with one person from another household or support bubble.
Asked by: Adam Afriyie (Conservative - Windsor)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the evidential basis for the (a) closure of covid-secure outdoor sporting venues and (b) restriction of (i) tennis, (ii) golf and (ii) swimming lessons; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of those restrictions on the health and wellbing of people who use those facilities.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus. That’s why we made sure that people could exercise at least once a day even during the height of lockdown - and why we opened up grassroots sport and leisure facilities as soon as it was safe to do so.
Nobody wanted to be in the position of having to introduce further National Restrictions. However as the Prime Minister said, with the virus spreading faster than expected we cannot allow our health system to be overwhelmed. Therefore, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December indoor and outdoor leisure will need to close. The National Restrictions are designed to get the R rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions.
In order for these measures to have the greatest impact, we will all need to sacrifice doing some things that we would otherwise like to do, for a short period of time. We have not introduced further exemptions because when you unpick at one activity the effectiveness of the whole package is compromised. As soon as we're in a position to start lifting restrictions, grassroots sports will be one of the first to return.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of covid-19 spreading on golf courses where hygiene and social distancing measures are followed.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Sport and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus.
Nobody wanted to be in the position of having to introduce further National Restrictions. However as the Prime Minister said, with the virus spreading faster than expected we cannot allow our health system to be overwhelmed. Therefore, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December indoor and outdoor leisure will need to close. The National Restrictions are designed to get the R rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions.
In order for these measures to have the greatest impact, we will all need to sacrifice doing some things that we would otherwise like to do, for a short period of time. As soon as we're in a position to start lifting restrictions, grassroots sports will be one of the first to return.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the scientific evidential basis for the closure of leisure centres, gyms, golf clubs, tennis clubs and other outdoor sports facilities under the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
In recognition of the importance of transparency in these unprecedented times, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has been publishing the statements and the accompanying evidence it has reviewed to demonstrate how the scientific understanding of COVID-19 has continued to evolve as new data emerges, and how SAGE’s advice has quickly adapted to new findings that reflect a changing situation.
The Government has these restrictions constantly under review.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on community golf clubs of prohibiting the use of red diesel.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
At Budget 2020, the Chancellor announced that the Government will remove the entitlement to use red diesel from April 2022, except in agriculture, fish farming, rail and for non-commercial heating (including domestic heating). This change will ensure that most businesses using diesel in the UK pay the standard fuel duty rate on diesel, which more fairly reflects the harmful impact of the emissions they produce. These reforms are also designed to ensure that the tax system incentivises users of diesel to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives or use less fuel.
The Government recognises that this will be a significant change for some businesses. It launched a consultation in July to make sure it has not overlooked any exceptional reasons why other sectors should be allowed to continue to use red diesel beyond April 2022. As part of this, the Government is seeking information from affected users on the expected impact of these tax changes.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2020 to Questions 61611 on planning permission, if he will list each of the 27 decisions issued on called in planning applications and recovered appeals.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Since my answer to Question UIN 61611, a further two decisions have been issued. The 29 decisions on called in planning applications and recovered appeals are listed below, and all are published on the Gov.uk website.
Date | Case |
25/7/19 | N Worcs Golf Club (Birmingham CC) |
25/9/19 | 214 Tunnel Ave (LB Greenwich) |
31/10/19 | Harrow School (LB Harrow) |
4/11/19 | HS2 Phase One (LB Hillingdon) |
4/11/19 | Pale Lane Farm, Fleet (Hart DC) |
5/11/19 | The Long Shoot (Nuneaton & Bedworth BC) |
5/11/19 | Darnhall, School Lane, Winsford |
5/11/19 | Sun Lane, Burley-in-Wharfedale (Bradford MDC) |
14/1/20 | Westferry Printworks (LB Tower Hamlets) |
22/1/20 | Land at Fiddington, Ashchurch (Tewkesbury BC) |
22/1/20 | Former car park, Tesco Store SE13 (LB Lewisham) |
24/2/20 | N London Business Park (LB Barnet) |
12/3/20 | Hatchfield farm, Newmarket (W Suffolk) |
12/3/20 | 10 King Henry’s Rd NW3 (LB Camden) |
1/4/20 | Station Rd, Long Melford (Babergh DC) |
7/4/20 | Barbrook Lane, Tiptree (Colchester BC) |
9/4/20 | Vauxhall Bus station (LB Lambeth) |
9/4/20 | Land nr Whittlesford, Hinxton (S Cambs DC) |
22/4/20 | 160 Stanley Rd, Cheadle Hulme (Stockport MBC) |
24/4/20 | Oxford Brookes Uni, Wheatley (S Oxon DC) |
29/4/20 | Burgess Business Park, (LB Southwark) |
13/5/20 | Moor Lane, Woodthorpe, (City of York) |
14/5/20 | Hawthorns, Farnham, Surrey (Waverley BC) |
3/6/20 | Love Lane, Woolwich (LB Greenwich) |
3/6/20 | VIP Trading Estate, SE7 (Greater London Authority) |
3/6/20 | Wolborough Barton, Devon (Teignbridge DC) |
15/6/20 | Levitt’s Field, Cambs (Cambs County Council) |
25/6/20 | Newport Rd, Woburn Sands (Milton Keynes Council) |
25/6/20 | Newcombe House, Notting Hill Gate (GLA) |
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the planned timeframe for the reopening of children's rides, miniature golf, boating lakes and other similar outdoor leisure activities.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
We will look at opening the tourism sector and allowing more leisure activities in Step 3 of the Government’s recovery strategy, currently planned for 4 July at the earliest. This will be subject to the further scientific advice and the latest risk assessment at the time.
My Department has been working closely with the sector, through the Visitor Economy Working Group to produce guidance on the reopening of the tourism sector. We remain in regular contact with visitor attraction stakeholders through the Visitor Economy Working Group and the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group. The Government is committed to reopening leisure activity facilities as soon as it is safe to do so.
Many outdoor recreational areas, including outdoor play areas, remain closed in law as there is a higher risk of close contact and people touching surfaces. Over the coming months, the Government will introduce a range of adjustments to current social distancing controls. The Government will monitor closely the effect of each adjustment, using the effect on the epidemic to gauge the appropriate next step. Any changes to rules in relation to outdoor play areas will be widely communicated.