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1687728

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Churches: Security
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what funds the Commissioners allocate to churches for (a) cameras, (b) alarms and (c) other security equipment.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	13262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2024 answer text <p>All churches are eligible to apply for the Home Office hate crime scheme if they need support with new or upgrading equipment or facilities. <br> The <a href="https://benefacttrust.co.uk/" target="_blank">Benefact Trust</a> has funded alarms for churches. More details are available on the Church of England website about how to support parishes with resources and advice: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/security-and-crime-prevention" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/security-and-crime-prevention</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 08/02/2024 17:58:37 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1687729

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Veterans: Women
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support her Department provides to female veterans suffering PTSD and poor mental health due to sexual (a) assault and (b) trauma.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	13263
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2024 answer text <p>Health is a devolved matter across the United Kingdom, and it is for the devolved administrations to determine what support is made available in their respective jurisdictions. In England, the National Health Service, together with Police and Crime Commissioners, have commissioned Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). These centres provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, and are here for everyone, including female veterans.</p><p>SARCs offer specialist practical, medical and emotional support day and night. They offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor, as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.</p><p>In April 2023, NHS England commissioned Op COURAGE which is the veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service providing a comprehensive mental health treatment pathway to respond to veterans’ needs. We have increased investment in this area with the highest level to date in 2023/24 with planned spend of £23.5 million. Access to Op COURAGE is via referral or by direct contact from veterans. A campaign to raise awareness of Op COURAGE launched on 9 January 2024.</p><p>The Government is providing an additional £10 million to support the Veterans’ Places, People and Pathways Programme to increase support to a significant community of vulnerable veterans throughout the United Kingdom and enable it to become self-sustaining.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 14/02/2024 15:27:38 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1687730

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Afghanistan: British Nationals Abroad
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many UK nationals have remained in Afghanistan since August 2021.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	13264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2024 answer text <p>We do not hold formal data on the number of British nationals in Afghanistan, but we estimate that numbers are likely in the hundreds. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Afghanistan. Since April 2021, we have brought around 24,600 people out of Afghanistan, including 4,660 British Nationals and their families during Operation Pitting itself.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 20/02/2024 13:28:38 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1687731

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Bank Services: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland on rural banking services.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	13265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2024 answer text <p>The Treasury engages with a range of different stakeholders to discuss policy matters. We look forward to working with the restored Executive to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.</p><p>It is imperative that banks and building societies recognise the needs of all their customers, including those who need to use in-person services.</p><p>UK customers can access banking services through a number of different channels. This includes in branches, Post Offices or Banking Hubs, as well as via telephone banking and through digital means such as mobile or online banking.</p><p>The Post Office allows personal and business customers to carry out everyday banking services at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The Post Office is required by the Department for Business &amp; Trade to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office.</p><p>Moreover, Banking Hubs are an initiative which enable customers of participating banks to access cash and banking services in shared facilities. Over 100 Banking Hubs have been announced so far, and the Government hopes to see these Hubs open as soon as possible across all four nations of the United Kingdom. To date, 5 Hubs have been announced in Northern Ireland, with Kilkeel already open.</p> answering member constituency Hitchin and Harpenden answering member printed Bim Afolami question first answered 13/02/2024 15:03:45 answering member 4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1687732

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Electronic Cigarettes: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help tackle underage vaping.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	13266
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government is concerned about the worrying rise in vaping among children. Youth vaping has tripled in the last three years, and one in five children now use a vape. The health advice is clear: if you don’t smoke, don’t vape, and children should never vape.</p><p>The Government’s response to the recent smoking and vaping consultation sets out our plan to introduce powers to crack down on youth vaping by restricting flavours, point of sale and packaging for vaping products. We will introduce legislation as soon as possible. The consultation is available at the following link:<br> <br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping/outcome/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping-consultation-government-response" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping/outcome/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping-consultation-government-response</a></p><p>In the consultation response, we also announced that disposable vapes will be banned, due to their appeal to young people and environmental concerns. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs will be taking forward the ban and are looking to legislate as soon as possible.</p><p>We have also developed new training resources and support available for teachers and schools, working with the Department for Education to update the curriculum to include the health risks of vaping, and publish new online content on the potential risks of vaping for young people.</p><p>Finally, we will also introduce a £100 fixed penalty notice for underage sales of tobacco and vaping products. This will enable trading standards officers to take quicker and more proportionate enforcement action against the irresponsible retailers who allow underage sales.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 14/02/2024 15:40:30 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1687734

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Protective Clothing: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the PPE High Priority Lane during the covid-19 pandemic, what recent steps he has taken to pursue contractual remedies to recover funding in instances where contracts failed to deliver.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
uin	13267
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2024 answer text <p>The High Priority Lane prioritised offers of personal protective equipment (PPE), with all offers of PPE going through a structured, documented process regardless of the source of the offer.</p><p>The Department established a Contract Dissolution Team to maximise the value obtained from contracts for PPE. Where a contract has been found to have underperformed, or the PPE provided was not up to standard, the team will commence a process, up to and including legal action, to reach the best possible outcome for taxpayer’s money.</p><p>We cannot go into the detail of individual contracts at this stage while negotiations and other activities, including legal process, are on-going. Once all activity is complete, we will be able to release more information.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 13/02/2024 17:50:10 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

1687735

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Social Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the report entitled Relationship of Equals, published by the Housing Ombudsman on 23 January 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a Royal Commission to create a long-term plan for social housing.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	13327
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2024 answer text <p>We welcome the Housing Ombudsman’s spotlight report on attitudes, respect, and rights and we will consider its recommendations. We urge social landlords to do the same, and for them to reflect on how best to support vulnerable residents.</p><p>The Social Housing Regulation Act is bringing in a tough new regulatory regime to support this Government’s commitment to driving up standards in social housing and holding landlords accountable for providing residents with decent homes.</p><p>We are currently consulting on further changes that will improve social housing. These include Awaab’s Law, which will set strict time limits on fixing reported health hazards in social housing, and on Competence and Conduct standards, which will require senior managers and executives in organisations that provide social housing to have or be working towards a relevant qualification.</p> answering member constituency Redcar answering member printed Jacob Young question first answered 12/02/2024 16:31:08 answering member 4825 label Biography information for Jacob Young
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali

1687736

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	BBC: Gaza
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the BBC board on impartiality in its news coverage of the conflict in Gaza.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	13328
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Ministerial team regularly meets with BBC leadership, including members of the Board, to discuss a range of issues.</p><p>The BBC has a duty to provide accurate and impartial news and information. In delivering that duty, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent and decisions around its editorial policies and guidelines are a matter for the BBC. Ofcom is the external independent regulator responsible for ensuring BBC coverage is duly impartial and accurate under the Broadcasting Code and BBC Charter.</p><p>The Secretary of State has repeatedly made clear that the BBC’s accuracy and impartiality is critical to viewer trust. It is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive events, such as the terrorist acts committed in Israel on 7 October and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Secretary of State has regularly stated that point in meetings with the BBC.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 13/02/2024 11:52:29 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali

1687737

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
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	Unemployment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to tackle disproportionate levels of unemployment of (a) women, (b) disabled people and (c) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	13329
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pension’s Jobcentre offer provides a range of options to those seeking employment, including face-to-face time with work coaches and interview assistance. In addition, there is specific support targeted towards young people, people aged 50 plus, ethnic minorities and disabled people and people with health conditions. There is also support for those with childcare costs through Universal Credit. The DWP Jobhelp pages [https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/] provide fuller information of the help and support available. DWP also works in partnership with others, including working with the Department of Health and Social Care to provide support embedded within health systems, for example, Employment Advice in NHS Talking Therapies.</p><p> </p><p>Due to rising levels of inactivity due to long-term sickness, a new package of support, building upon existing provision and the £2 billion investment announced at the Spring Budget 2023, was announced in Autumn Statement 2023. This includes:</p><ul><li>Doubling the number of places on the Universal Support employment programme, to provide support for 100,000 people per year when fully rolled out;</li><li>Formally launching WorkWell, which will bring together the NHS, local authorities and other partners, in collaboration with jobcentres, to provide light touch work and health support in approximately 15 pilot areas;</li><li>Building on the extension of the certification of the fit notes to a wider range of healthcare professions, exploring new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to work and health support; and</li><li>Establishing an expert group to support the development of the voluntary national baseline for Occupational Health provision.</li></ul> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 14/02/2024 13:55:54 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali

1687738

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
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	Poverty: Birmingham
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Cities Outlook 2024, published on 22 January 2024 by the Centre for Cities, what steps his Department is taking to reduce child poverty in Birmingham.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	13330
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reducing poverty, including child poverty, and supporting low-income families. We will spend around £276bn through the welfare system in Great Britain in 2023/24 including around £124bn on people of working age and children.</p><p> </p><p>Working age benefits will increase by 6.7% from April 2024, subject to Parliamentary approval, following a 10.1% increase in 2023/24. To further support low-income households, we are also raising the Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents in April 2024, benefiting 1.6 million low-income households.</p><p> </p><p>With over 900,000 vacancies across the UK, our focus remains firmly on supporting parents to move into and progress in work. This approach is based on clear evidence about the importance of parental employment - particularly where it is full-time - in substantially reducing the risk of child poverty. The latest statistics show that children living in workless households were around 5 times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than those where all adults work.</p><p> </p><p>To further support parents into work, we increased the Universal Credit childcare costs cap to £951 a month for one child and £1630 a month for two or more children in June 2023. We will also increase the National Living Wage by 9.8% to £11.44 for workers aged 21 years and over from this April - an annual increase in gross earnings of over £1800 for someone working full-time on the National Living Wage.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 14/02/2024 11:44:17 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali