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1013157

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Telecommunications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the UK telecoms industry.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
uin	195120
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2018 answer text <p>In the event of a deal there should be no changes during the implementation period. Telecoms is one of the most liberalised services internationally. The UK benefits from the World Trade Organisation's General Agreement on Trade in Services which makes clear that governments and regulators should not discriminate against telecoms companies of other countries and should ensure fair and equal access to public telecoms networks and services. The UK and the EU are committed to these rules and the government therefore does not anticipate any major changes for UK companies operating in the EU.</p><p> </p><p>In the unlikely event of no deal, the government has published two technical notices on telecoms. More information can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-telecoms-businesses-should-do-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/what-telecoms-businesses-should-do-if-theres-no-brexit-deal" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-telecoms-businesses-should-do-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/what-telecoms-businesses-should-do-if-theres-no-brexit-deal</a></p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 30/11/2018 10:43:11 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

1013158

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Farmers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the farming community on start-ups and co-operatives.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	195030
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>Ministers and officials have regular discussions with farming stakeholders about a range of topics, including matters relating to start-ups and co-operatives.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In September 2018 the government published a Policy Statement, alongside the introduction of the Agriculture Bill. This statement included a series of proposals to create more opportunities for new farmers, and plans for continuing to encourage collaboration between agricultural producers after we have left the Common Agricultural Policy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 29/11/2018 17:03:55 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1013159

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Retail Trade: Urban Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available to social enterprises, start-ups, and co-operatives in town centres to provide suitable premises for manufacturing and retail.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	195031
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government announced Our Plan for the High Street at the Autumn Budget, a package of support for high streets and town centres. To provide upfront support for high streets we are cutting business rates by a third for up to 90 per cent of retail properties for two years, subject to state aid limits. We have also created a £675 million Future High Streets Fund to help local areas make their high streets and town centres fit for the future.</p><p>As part of this package for high streets and town centres we will trial a register of empty commercial properties to help prospective retailers to find empty properties and help local stakeholders tackle fragmented ownership on their high street. We have also announced an ‘Open Doors’ pilot scheme to help match empty properties to community groups looking for space and announced a consultation on modernising planning rules to ensure that they support the transformation of the high street</p> answering member constituency Rossendale and Darwen answering member printed Jake Berry question first answered 28/11/2018 15:42:18 answering member 4060 label Biography information for Sir Jake Berry
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1013160

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Police
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to bring forward proposals to give local communities greater involvement in allocating police resources and setting local priorities.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	195032
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The Government believes in local policing, accountable to local communities. That is why we put local people in charge by introducing directly elected and accountable Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).</p><p>PCCs are responsible for determining their force’s budget and policing precept, as well as obtaining the views of local people on police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan.</p><p>Decisions on the composition and deployment of officers and staff are an operational decision for Chief Constables.</p> answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd question first answered 03/12/2018 17:30:54 answering member 1561 label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1013161

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Cooperatives and Social Enterprises
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what resources are available through Jobcentre Plus for people planning to set up social enterprises and co-operatives.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	195033
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2018 answer text <p>The New Enterprise Allowance supports people to start their own business or develop their business if they are already self-employed. Businesses may include social enterprises or cooperatives.</p><p> </p><p>Since its launch in April 2011 up to the end of June 2018, there have been over 120,520 businesses set up through the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Work Coaches are also aware of local provision to which they can signpost people as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 30/11/2018 15:12:48 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1013163

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Wales Office
answering dept id	28
answering dept short name	Wales
answering dept sort name	Wales
hansard heading	Wales Office: Nurseries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many of his Department's offices have childcare facilities onsite.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	195048
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>There are no on-site childcare facilities provided by the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales on its estate. However, the Department recognises that staff need flexible pre-school and out-of-school childcare of a type and in a location most convenient to them.</p><p> </p><p>The Office is not an employer, with all staff employed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ offers a salary sacrifice scheme for childcare vouchers which enables staff to choose their own childcare provider (subject to meeting eligibility requirements) and have their childcare costs reduced by taking part of their salary in the form of childcare vouchers, which are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions. We also follow MoJ polices by offering a range of flexible working options to staff, including term-time working, job shares and compressed hours, to allow staff with caring responsibilities to work in the way that best suits them.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 29/11/2018 11:19:57 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1013166

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dogs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many reports of illegally imported puppies the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out to in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	195121
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>Enforcement action regarding illegally imported puppies is not within APHA’s remit, but is carried out by Local Authorities.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out 44 times following referrals by carriers or border officials, eight of these related to the importation of puppies.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 10:39:07 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013167

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Pets: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seizures have taken place in relation to abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	195122
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>Since December 2015 APHA has been taking an intelligence-led approach at Dover aimed at disrupting the illegal importation of puppies and abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme, which is yielding positive results. As part of this activity APHA is working with the Dogs Trust and Kent County Council to quarantine underage dogs intercepted at both Dover Port and Eurotunnel.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 281 animals have been quarantined due to non-compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme. This figure may include commercial dog imports.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Enforcement action regarding illegally imported puppies is under the remit of Local Authorities. APHA are not able to provide data regarding seizures by local authorities in relation to abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 10:31:13 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013168

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Pet Travel Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the newly-established intelligence-led approach to the enforcement of the Pet Travel Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	195123
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK carries out more checks of pets at the border than most other EU member states. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in partnership with Dogs Trust, enforcement bodies and transport carriers to identify non-compliant animals destined for Dover and Folkestone ports. This partnership in collaboration with the intelligence-led Task Force has led to over 800 puppies being seized since 2015.</p><p> </p><p>Demand drives the illegal trafficking of puppies. Defra works with stakeholders to drive up standards for advertising, and to educate potential owners on how to responsibly buy a pet. Defra has published guidance on buying a pet. We have recently consulted on a ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens, and are completing the analysis of the results.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 16:51:43 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1013169

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tax Avoidance: Aberdeen South
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in the Aberdeen South constituency affected by the 2019 Loan Charge.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	195124
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The 2019 loan charge is targeted at disguised remuneration (DR) schemes. These are artificial tax avoidance schemes where earnings are paid in the form of non-repayable loans made by a third party.</p><p> </p><p>DR schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions. When taking into account the loan they received, loan scheme users have on average twice as much income as the average UK taxpayer.</p><p> </p><p>Since the announcement of the 2019 loan charge at Budget 2016, HMRC has agreed settlements on disguised remuneration schemes with employers and individuals of over 650 million pounds. More than 90% of this amount was collected from employers, with less than 10% from individuals.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC have also simplified the process for those who choose to settle their use of avoidance schemes before the charge arises, so that those earning less than £50,000 a year and no longer engaging in tax avoidance can agree a payment plan of up to five years without the need for detailed supporting information. There is no maximum period within which an overall settlement can be agreed, and HMRC will deal with individual cases appropriately and sympathetically.</p><p> </p><p>50,000 individuals are estimated to be affected by the introduction of the DR loan charge across the UK. Information is not held at constituency level.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 03/12/2018 15:44:00 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson