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1133564

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme: Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure victims of discrimination are able to access the legal representation they require.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267211
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>We have specifically protected legal aid, both for initial advice and representation, subject to the statutory means and merits tests, for civil legal services provided in relation to contravention of the Equality Act 2010.</p><p> </p><p>Publicly funded advice continues to be available for Employment Tribunal discrimination claims, and publicly funded advice and representation is available in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, and the civil courts more generally.</p><p> </p><p>Our Legal Aid Support Action Plan, published in February, has also committed to improving the access victims of discrimination have to state-funded legal representation. This includes reinstating immediate access to face-to-face legal advice in discrimination cases, reviewing legal aid means testing, and improving the Exceptional Case Funding scheme.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 25/06/2019 13:20:25 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133565

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Clothing: Waste
	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 progress the Government is making on implementing the amendments to the Waste Framework Directive which requires separate collection of clothing waste from households and increased re-use of textiles by 2025.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Latest information from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) indicates that 90 local authorities in England offer households a kerbside collection of textiles. Many more provide collection points at household waste recycling centres or at bring bank sites. These bring sites provide an important service where kerbside collections are not available or may not be practical. Charity shop outlets also play an important role in acting as collection points for textiles from members of the public. We want to increase the amount of textiles that are diverted from landfill and put into recycling or reuse, and will bring forward proposals as necessary to ensure separate collection of textiles by 2025.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy published in December 2018 sets out our plans to prevent textile waste and encourage greater circularity including reuse. These include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Reviewing and consulting on Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles and four other priority waste streams;</li><li>Developing regulatory measures for product standards that improve the durability, repairability, and recyclability of products such as clothing;</li><li>Improving consumer information and supporting a shift in the market;</li><li>Working with brands, manufacturers, charities and others through the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan to reduce the environmental footprint of clothing and encourage consumers to donate and reuse clothing.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month, we have also announced a multimillion pound grant scheme to support the development of textile recycling facilities in the UK. Further information on this is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fund-opens-to-reduce-waste-from-plastic-packaging-and-textiles" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fund-opens-to-reduce-waste-from-plastic-packaging-and-textiles</a> and applications for funding can be made through WRAP: <a href="http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/resource-action-fund" target="_blank">http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/resource-action-fund</a>.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/06/2019 15:26:30 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133683

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Noise: Pollution
	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 steps his Department is taking to minimize the effect of human-made noise pollution on animal habitats where it affects animals' ability to communicate.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Under the UK Marine Strategy, the UK Government is working to ensure underwater noise generating human activities do not pose a significant risk to marine ecosystems. We currently have a limited understanding of the distribution of noise in UK seas and its impact on vulnerable species. To address this in relation to sources of continuous noise such as shipping, the UK has established a noise monitoring network, consisting of long term monitoring stations deployed in coastal waters. The information from this monitoring network will be matched with species distributions and used to inform future policy.</p><p> </p><p>In order to reduce impacts, developments such as offshore wind farms are required to have pre and post consent monitoring plans which are managed by the Marine Management Organisation. For example, a Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan lists the appropriate mitigation measures that should be utilised during offshore activities that are likely to produce underwater noise and vibration levels capable of potentially causing injury and disturbance to marine mammals. Government departments including Defra and BEIS are working together to look at how underwater noise can be managed more strategically to reduce harm.</p><p> </p><p>On land, the Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed effectively in order to promote good health and quality of life. We have protections in place to avoid significant noise impacts through our planning system, our environmental permitting systems, in vehicle and product standards, and noise abatement legislation. Defra works with other Government departments whose policies could potentially impact on noise levels.</p><p> </p><p>National Planning Policy Guidance sets out requirements for noise to be considered for new developments with particular consideration given to development affecting designated sites. Our network of designated sites are afforded the highest level of protection. Planning authorities must consider the potential impact of activities and works on or near these sites before granting consent. Noise may also be considered for certain types of development requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/06/2019 15:35:21 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133313

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	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	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of providing free television licences to people over the age of 75 for qualifying residents in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire local authority area in (i) 2017-18 and (ii) 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	266802
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020.</p><p>The government and the BBC agreed this is a fair deal for the BBC - in return we closed the iPlayer loophole and committed to increase the licence fee in line with inflation. And to help with financial planning, we agreed to provide phased transitional funding over 2 years to gradually introduce the cost to the BBC.</p><p>This reform was subject to public discussion and debated extensively during the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017 through Parliament.</p><p>On 10 June 2019, the BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age-related-tv-licence-policy" target="_blank">announced</a> that the current scheme will end. From 1 June 2020, a free TV licence will only be available to a household with someone aged over 75 who receives Pension Credit.</p><p>The table below provides estimates of the costs for 2017/18 of providing free TV licences to people aged 75 and over in the geographical areas requested, in nominal prices. The figures for 2018/19 will be available in September.</p><p /><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Expenditure (£m) (Nominal)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017-18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency</strong></p></td><td><p>£0.98</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Staffordshire local authority area</strong></p></td><td><p>£9.66</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 25/06/2019 17:02:17 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 124930 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1132922

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Sustainable Development
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the timetable is for the publication of the Government's plan to achieve the sustainable development goals.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	266120
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s first Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the Sustainable Development Goals will be published in the UK on 26 June and presented to the UN High Level Political Forum in mid-July. The VNR will review UK action both domestically and internationally in support of the Goals. It will also outline key challenges and next steps, recognising that while progress is being made, there is more work to do on all 17 Goals.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 25/06/2019 15:32:44 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1132420

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	NHS: Digital Technology
	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 he is taking to ensure the NHS has access to faster digital technology systems to enable practices to be run more efficiently.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	265459
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to ensuring that all practices have access to faster digital technology systems to enable to high quality, effective healthcare services that are responsive to all patients’ needs.</p><p>We have rolled out National Health Service WiFi across 96.8% of general practitioner (GP) practices, benefiting the care of an estimated 57.8 million patients. The new Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) arrangements are enabling clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to obtain faster data network connections for GPs and all GP practices are expected to have migrated from their legacy connectivity to new HSCN services by the end of 2020.</p><p>The fourth edition of the GP IT Operating Model requires CCGs to adopt appropriately-sized HSCN connectivity capable of supporting their current and future GP business needs and states they should upgrade any existing copper-based asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) connections providing primary connectivity to practice premises to fibre-based connections such as Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) or Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) as a minimum.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 25/06/2019 16:00:29 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1132421

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Body Modification: Training
	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 he is taking to ensure that businesses offering tattooing or piercings possess the appropriate training and qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	265460
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities are responsible for regulating and monitoring businesses offering cosmetic body piercing, including ear piercing, permanent tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring (micropigmentation, semi-permanent make-up and temporary tattooing), electrolysis and acupuncture. Although there is no formal qualification needed for someone to practise in any of these vocations, all LAs require those providing tattooing or piercing to be licensed. Whilst the licensing process will not be dependent upon qualifications held by the operator, they would be required to be competent in methods of cleansing and sterilising of equipment.</p><p>We consider this is an area where progress can be most quickly and effectively made by practitioners, their organisations, industry bodies, training bodies and enforcement authorities working together to agree on suitable standards of good practice and competency.</p><p>Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, piercing and tattoo businesses have a legal duty to protect the health of employees and persons other than their employees, who may be affected by the practices. This information is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm</a></p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 25/06/2019 16:09:45 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1132426

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Greyhounds: Animal Welfare
	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 steps he is taking to improve welfare standards in greyhound racing.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	265461
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government takes the welfare of all racing animals very seriously. We are working closely with the main racing greyhound industry regulatory body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) to ensure it delivers on the commitments it made to the Government, following the Government’s Post Implementation Review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010. This includes the annual publication of injury and retirement data to improve transparency in the sport. The second set of annual figures were published on 12 June 2019.</p><p><a href="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gbgb-prod-assets/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/12085443/Final-2018-Stats.pdf" target="_blank">https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gbgb-prod-assets/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/12085443/Final-2018-Stats.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>The annual publication of the injury and retirement data was accompanied by an update on the progress made by the GBGB against their ‘Greyhound Commitment’. The Commitment sets out an eight point manifesto on how the GBGB is aiming to improve the welfare of racing greyhounds, and includes a commitment to ensure more greyhounds are successfully rehomed at the end of their racing lives. The GBGB have also delivered an independent welfare standard for trainers’ kennels and are also developing a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited trainers’ licensing scheme for GBGB trainers. The Government is also considering whether further regulatory changes are required to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds used by professional trainers not running greyhounds on GBGB tracks.</p><p> </p><p>To help ensure more funding for greyhound welfare, on 10 January 2019, the Government announced a new funding commitment from bookmakers worth an estimated additional £3 million this year to ensure the welfare of greyhounds is protected and improved. We expect thousands of racing greyhounds are to be better cared for as a result of this new deal. The commitment is set to increase the total amount of funding from bookmakers to the British Greyhound Racing Fund to an estimated £10 million this year.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/06/2019 10:44:28 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly