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1235563

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Department for Transport: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. Department for Transport (DfT) has currently achieved 1.3% of the total staff employed within the department for 2020/21. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.gov.uk_government_publications_civil-2Dservice-2Dapprenticeship-2Ddata-2D2018-2Dto-2D2019&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=troKkvwivNn_CddsvWCHHPiPoFoTgTGIbXJULvYU158&amp;r=JtgUEfFFpp_fia79x1lvcbuMW3hkWpSiV9N3TKlIv9A&amp;m=Usjg8zC7ZIzFit3NK2T00_XzQK-_qHBi2cQZx_WYcPk&amp;s=bj__HV6sMGxwd9frnCCuL68ATckJxqeGvSIs1jD6yAY&amp;e=" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__gov.uk&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=troKkvwivNn_CddsvWCHHPiPoFoTgTGIbXJULvYU158&amp;r=JtgUEfFFpp_fia79x1lvcbuMW3hkWpSiV9N3TKlIv9A&amp;m=Usjg8zC7ZIzFit3NK2T00_XzQK-_qHBi2cQZx_WYcPk&amp;s=KfmE2ihmiyHJHePQXtmTI3HdjgSxSODnH4iQGJxyiJs&amp;e=" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020. Due to the diverse nature of our work, the central department (DfTc) and our executive agencies (DfT Group) have developed localised strategies to allow us to continue towards the Government target. In September 2020 DfTc additionally transitioned to a cohort-based model of recruitment for apprenticeships; further strengthening our ambition for apprenticeship recruitment, and providing economies of scale to improve quality of provision and overall employee experience for the apprenticeship community.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 23/09/2020 09:14:41 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235553

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91615
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is proud to be one of the largest deliverers of apprenticeships in the UK, with over 20,000 personnel engaged on a nationally recognised apprenticeship programme at any one time and over 90 per cent of our non-commissioned military recruits offered an apprenticeship relating to their trade. Public sector bodies with 250 or more staff have a target to employ an average of at least 2.3 per cent of their staff as new apprentice starts over the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2021. The Armed Forces are exceeding this target with an average of 8.3 per cent of employees starting an apprenticeship in 2017-2019.</p><p>The MOD's Civil Service is contributing towards the overall Civil Service public sector target. As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service had achieved a total of 2.1 per cent of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3 per cent by March 2021. This has increased from 1.6 per cent the year before. The MOD's Civil Service has achieved 1.5 per cent of the total staff employed within the Department as apprentices. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, making it challenging to predict when a Department will meet it. The data for 2018-19 can be found on the gov.uk website:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019.</p><p>The data for 2019-20 will be released on the gov.uk website by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3 per cent target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p><p>However, as a Department, between April 2015 and 31 March 2020, we have successfully committed to enrolling 50,000 apprenticeships, exceeding our target one year ahead of schedule.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 22/09/2020 15:45:46 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235552

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91614
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. The Ministry of Justice has achieved 1.3% of the total staff employed within the department.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice’s Apprenticeship Strategy, designed to meet the allocated targets consists of 3 strands:</p><ol><li>Promoting the use of Cabinet Office approved apprenticeships programmes to develop professional skills;</li><li>Designing and delivering operational apprenticeship standards for specific operational roles; and</li><li>Promoting the use of apprenticeships as an entry route / development of career pathways for staff at all levels of the organisation.</li></ol><p>In March 2020 the MoJ reported a year on year increase in apprenticeships starts vs 2018-19 by 31%; and it was expected that this trend would continue into the new financial year, with the recruitment of c2,700 prison officer apprentices nationally throughout 2020-21.</p><p>Unfortunately, Covid-19 has significantly impacted the delivery of our apprenticeship strategy; particularly in the prison operational roles, with activity being paused in the short term. Plans are in place to rapidly re-start operational apprenticeships as soon as it is both safe and operationally viable to do so.</p><p>Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="http://gov.uk" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 22/09/2020 14:00:17 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235547

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Home Office: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress her Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when her Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91612
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p><p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021.</p><p>As of 31 March 2020, the Home Office had achieved 1.1 % of the total staff employed within the department at this time.</p> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 22/09/2020 14:43:57 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235545

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	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	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>Following the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 2 September 2020, a new apprenticeship strategy is being planned. This will establish how the FCDO will achieve its new combined apprenticeship target, in support of the Civil Service's commitment to meeting the public sector apprenticeship target.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 22/09/2020 16:29:27 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235544

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Treasury: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91610
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. HM Treasury Group has achieved 2.4% of the total staff employed within the department and those of its arms length bodies which are in scope for the target. We are also on track to meet our target in the current year 2020/21. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 22/09/2020 08:57:34 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1141967

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	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	Climate Change
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps the Government is taking to ensure that domestic climate change adaptation policy does not disproportionately affect low-income households.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	912194
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government considers the distributional impact of its interventions on different groups, including low income households, and our National Adaptation Programme sets out the steps the Government will be taking, until the next five year plan in 2023, to further adapt to climate change. Its central aim is to build resilience across the economy, and draws from across a large body of cross-Government work. To take just one example, the Government’s capital investment programme in flooding and coastal erosion is expected to provide over a ten-fold economic return on the initial outlay.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/07/2019 15:47:59 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1140761

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	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	Homelessness: Families
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent representations he has received on the effect of the out-of-area placement of families by borough councils on receiving local authorities.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	912093
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>I have received representation on this matter from a number of local authorities, including that of my Hon Friend, during my recent visit to Harlow. I was also delighted to meet Streets2Homes, a local homelessness organisation, and hear about the excellent work they are doing on homelessness and rough sleeping.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 22/07/2019 16:07:31 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1128045

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Hospitals: Parking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	If she will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the abolition of hospital car parking charges in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	910963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The matter of hospital car parking is devolved in Northern Ireland and it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to intervene.</p><p><br>In the absence of devolved government it remains for NI Permanent Secretaries to take the decisions they believe necessary in line with the guidance the Secretary of State set out last November, to keep the country running.</p> answering member constituency Weston-super-Mare answering member printed John Penrose question first answered 22/05/2019 14:00:54 answering member 1584 label Biography information for John Penrose
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235246

	registered interest
	date	16/09/2020
	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	Events Industry: Coronavirus
	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 steps his Department is taking to further support the events industry during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.</p><p>The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to cultural venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.</p><p>From 15th August, and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, organisations can now put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing.</p><p>We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery. We recognise that the events industry and its supply chain has been severely impacted by Covid-19.</p><p>We are continuing to meet with stakeholders, including through the Events &amp; Entertainment and Visitor Economy working groups and the Events Industry Senior Leaders Advisory Panel, to discuss the specific issues facing the sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 21/09/2020 14:40:45 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon