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1329394

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Males: Equality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Minister responsible for male-specific issues.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	10324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2021 answer text <p>The Equality Act requires the interests of both sexes to be considered when assessing equality impacts. The Government is focussed on delivering genuine equality of opportunity by addressing the real problems people, whatever their sex, face in their everyday lives using evidence and data.</p><p>That is why we recently announced the Equality Data Programme, a comprehensive project to improve equality data, enhance our understanding of equality, and get to the heart of the barriers all people face.</p><p>As ministerial appointments are made by the Prime Minister, any changes to ministerial titles would be a matter for him to consider. However, all Equalities Ministers have a responsibility to carefully consider issues affecting men and boys as part of their remit even where this is not necessarily indicated in their job title.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 17/06/2021 13:16:59 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1669504

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2023
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Veganism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to page 22 of the Vegan Society’s report entitled, Catering for Everyone: How far are councils catering to vegans, published in September 2023, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the report's findings on the level of recognition by local authorities of veganism as a protected characteristic.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	1516
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>Ethical veganism has previously been found to be a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 by an employment tribunal, in an employment context. While this is not binding in other cases, all employers and service providers, including local authorities, should have regard to the differing dietary needs of people who they provide meals to, whether these are determined by health considerations, religious or philosophical belief. They should be aware that employees or service users may bring claims under the Act, where they consider they have been treated less favourably because of their belief in ethical veganism.</p><p>In addition, councils are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty which requires them, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:</p><p>(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Specific duties, set out in regulations, ensure transparency, and assist in the performance of this duty.</p><p>A person who believes that they have experienced discrimination because of a philosophical belief can take their case to a tribunal or court. Before doing so, they may wish to contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), a Government-funded helpline, which is the initial point of contact for anyone with discrimination concerns. The EASS provides free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns. The EASS also supports individuals to resolve issues using alternative informal dispute resolution and can advise you on what are the next steps to take when you feel you have been discriminated against. The EASS can also advise people on their options and can be contacted through their website at www.equalityadvisoryservice.com, by telephone on 0808 800 0082 or text phone on 0808 800 0084.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 21/11/2023 14:25:01 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1685249

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2024
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Veganism and Vegetarianism: Care Homes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) legal and (b) other protections for the right of vegans and vegetarians to manifest their beliefs in care settings.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	11598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2024 answer text <p>Ethical veganism has previously been found to be a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 by an employment tribunal, in an employment context. While this is not binding in other cases, all employers and service providers, including those who administer care homes and hospitals, should have regard to the differing dietary needs of people who they provide meals to, whether these are determined by health considerations, religious or philosophical belief. Providers should also recognise that food is not the only aspect of how ethical vegans conduct their lives and where possible should ensure that these other aspects are catered for.</p><p> </p><p>Care providers should be aware that service users such as care home residents and ward patients may bring claims under the Act, where they consider they have been treated less favourably because of their belief in ethical veganism. In addition, public sector providers are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty which requires them, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:</p><p>(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Specific duties, set out in regulations, ensure transparency, and assist in the performance of this duty.</p><p>The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulate care homes as well as other health and care providers. One of the fundamental standards is on nutritional and hydration needs. Please see the link below.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations/regulation-14-meeting-nutritional-hydration-needs" target="_blank">https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations/regulation-14-meeting-nutritional-hydration-needs</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 05/02/2024 17:13:47 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1169002

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Off-payroll Working
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	Whether he has plans to undertake a review of HMRC's IR35 Tax Regulations.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	900051
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government has announced today further details about the review of the off-payroll working rules reform. As set out at Budget 2018, the reform is due to be extended to all sectors from April 2020. The review will address any remaining concerns from businesses and individuals about how the upcoming reform will be implemented, and will focus on steps the Government can take to ensure smooth and successful implementation. The self-employed are not in scope of the rules; and the review will consider whether any additional support for businesses is needed to ensure that the self-employed are not affected.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 900052 question first answered 07/01/2020 17:27:30 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1174352

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will still be eligible for the 2019 Loan Charge after the Government has implemented the recommendations of Sir Amyas Morse's review of the Loan Charge.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	9651
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2020 answer text <p>Of the estimated 50,000 individuals affected by the loan charge, the Government currently estimates that about 11,000 will be taken out of the loan charge altogether. In addition, individuals who have settled or are settling their tax liability with HMRC will be out of scope of the charge. There is not yet a firm estimate of the number who will choose to settle and so be out of scope of the loan charge.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 07/02/2020 10:11:36 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1186088

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bank Cards: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to credit and debit card companies and retail banks on raising the £30 limit on contactless payments to reduce physical interaction in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	31475
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p>Industry will increase the cap on the value of contactless transactions from 1 April, and shops will begin accepting payments up to £45.</p><p> </p><p>The Treasury is working closely with industry and the financial regulators to ensure the steps they take are properly coordinated with Government’s wider economic response to COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 27/03/2020 11:58:02 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1191680

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Charities
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the staff of charities can participate in voluntary fundraising activities for their employer while furloughed under the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	41426
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The purpose of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to support people who would otherwise have been made redundant. To prevent fraudulent claims, the Government has made it clear that individuals cannot work or volunteer for their organisation.</p><p>This is to protect individuals too; if workers were allowed to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to work in an effectively full time way while only paying them 80% of the wages. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with other government departments and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to identify areas where volunteers can contribute to the COVID-19 response.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 41427 question first answered 11/05/2020 14:23:10 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1191681

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Charities
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if employees of charities furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can participate in fundraising activities.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	41427
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The purpose of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to support people who would otherwise have been made redundant. To prevent fraudulent claims, the Government has made it clear that individuals cannot work or volunteer for their organisation.</p><p>This is to protect individuals too; if workers were allowed to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to work in an effectively full time way while only paying them 80% of the wages. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with other government departments and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to identify areas where volunteers can contribute to the COVID-19 response.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 41426 question first answered 11/05/2020 14:23:10 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1191819

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Veterinary Services: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support veterinary practices affected by the covid-19 lockdown through business rate relief.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	41429
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>Business rates are devolved in Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In England, the Government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through business rates relief given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.</p><p> </p><p>A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as veterinary practices, has also been made available. For example, the Government has launched the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank backed by an 80% Government guarantee, and the deferral of VAT payments for this quarter.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will consider any further financial assistance necessary to help businesses get through this period.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 41010 question first answered 04/05/2020 15:26:21 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1193624

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to support workers employed on or before 19 March 2020 who had not been added to their employer’s payroll via RTI submission.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	43879
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2020 answer text <p>The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020 and for whom HMRC received an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before the 19 March 2020. Processing claims for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where HMRC did not have RTI data by 19 March would significantly slow down the system while risking substantial levels of fraud. It would also require greater resource for HMRC when they are already under significant pressure to deliver the system designed.</p><p> </p><p>Those not eligible for the scheme may have access to other support which the Government is providing, including a package of temporary welfare measures and up to three months’ mortgage payment holidays for those who may be in difficulty with mortgage payments.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 43970 question first answered 15/05/2020 12:16:33 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith