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1143850

registered interest
date	02/09/2019
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	Energy: Building Regulations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the July 2019 report of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy select committee on Energy efficiency: building towards net zero, what plans she has to bring forward proposals on the efficiency of new buildings.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
uin	284993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</p> answering member constituency Tatton answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 09/09/2019 16:46:12 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

1337845

registered interest
date	17/06/2021
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	UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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 the Government's policy is on ensuring that funding under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is comparable to the funding provided under EU Structural Funds.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	17840
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2021 answer text <p>The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to level up and create opportunity across the UK.</p><p>Funding for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will at least match receipts from EU structural funds, on average reaching around £1.5 billion per year. Its funding profile will be set out at the next Spending Review.</p><p>To help local areas prepare over 2021-22 for the introduction of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we are providing additional funding through the UK Community Renewal Fund to support our communities to pilot programmes and new approaches.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 25/06/2021 13:10:54 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1337846

registered interest
date	17/06/2021
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	Levelling Up Fund: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much and what proportion of funding under the Levelling Up Fund his Department has allocated to Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	17841
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2021 answer text <p>The Levelling Up Fund is a competitive fund, with funding distributed to places across the UK on the basis of successful project selection. The Fund will set aside at least £800 million across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over four years from 2021-2022 to 2024-2025.</p><p>For the first round of the Fund, at least 9% of total UK allocations will set aside for Scotland, as well as 5% for Wales, and 3% for Northern Ireland.</p><p>Further detail on future rounds of the Fund will operate from 2022-23 onward will be set out later this year. For these future rounds, the parameters of the Fund as set out in the prospectus will be kept under review, and updated where appropriate to reflect operational feedback and wider changes in Government policy.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 25/06/2021 13:11:26 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1580804

registered interest
date	25/01/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Confucius Institutes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential influence of Confucius Institutes on UK universities.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	132597
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2023 answer text <p>The government continuously assesses threats posed to the UK. As a matter of longstanding policy, we are unable to release information regarding threat assessments, on the grounds of national security.</p><p>The government is clear that any challenges to our core values, whatever their origin, will not be tolerated. Departmental officials will continue to work closely with their counterparts across government to strengthen protective measures.</p><p>The National Security Bill currently before Parliament brings together vital new measures to protect our national security. The new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) has now been added to the Bill, which has been created to tackle covert influence in the UK. The scheme is designed to strengthen the integrity of our politics and institutions, and protect the UK from state threats.</p><p>The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will ensure that lawful freedom of speech is fully supported in English higher education (HE), regardless of where the challenge comes from. It will require and empower registered HE providers, colleges and students’ unions to push back on freedom of speech related threats from overseas. The Bill will also address concerns about the possible influence of overseas money in English HE. These new measures will help the Office for Students (OfS) understand the possible impact of overseas income on freedom of speech and academic freedom, and monitor any trends and patterns of concern. The Bill will allow the OfS to take appropriate action, including issuing penalties, if there is evidence that an HE provider has breached its freedom of speech duties.</p><p>The department continuously strengthens protective measures, and expects universities to do the same. Universities UK, with government support, continues work to increase the understanding and awareness of the threat from interference within the HE sector. A key output of this is the publication of two sets of guidelines and a set of case studies, which can be found at the following links: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation</a>, <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/" target="_blank">https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/</a> and: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are</a>.</p><p>With regards to Confucius Institutes, like all similar bodies they should operate transparently, and with a full commitment to our values of openness and freedom of expression. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that any partnership with a Confucius Institute is managed appropriately, and the right due diligence is in place. The government encourages any providers with concerns to contact the government.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho grouped question UIN 132276 132278 132279 132598 132604 question first answered 03/02/2023 13:58:28 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1580805

registered interest
date	25/01/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Confucius Institutes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help counter the potential undue influence of Confucius Institutes on universities’ wider relationships with China.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	132598
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2023 answer text <p>The government continuously assesses threats posed to the UK. As a matter of longstanding policy, we are unable to release information regarding threat assessments, on the grounds of national security.</p><p>The government is clear that any challenges to our core values, whatever their origin, will not be tolerated. Departmental officials will continue to work closely with their counterparts across government to strengthen protective measures.</p><p>The National Security Bill currently before Parliament brings together vital new measures to protect our national security. The new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) has now been added to the Bill, which has been created to tackle covert influence in the UK. The scheme is designed to strengthen the integrity of our politics and institutions, and protect the UK from state threats.</p><p>The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will ensure that lawful freedom of speech is fully supported in English higher education (HE), regardless of where the challenge comes from. It will require and empower registered HE providers, colleges and students’ unions to push back on freedom of speech related threats from overseas. The Bill will also address concerns about the possible influence of overseas money in English HE. These new measures will help the Office for Students (OfS) understand the possible impact of overseas income on freedom of speech and academic freedom, and monitor any trends and patterns of concern. The Bill will allow the OfS to take appropriate action, including issuing penalties, if there is evidence that an HE provider has breached its freedom of speech duties.</p><p>The department continuously strengthens protective measures, and expects universities to do the same. Universities UK, with government support, continues work to increase the understanding and awareness of the threat from interference within the HE sector. A key output of this is the publication of two sets of guidelines and a set of case studies, which can be found at the following links: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation</a>, <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/" target="_blank">https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/</a> and: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are</a>.</p><p>With regards to Confucius Institutes, like all similar bodies they should operate transparently, and with a full commitment to our values of openness and freedom of expression. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that any partnership with a Confucius Institute is managed appropriately, and the right due diligence is in place. The government encourages any providers with concerns to contact the government.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho grouped question UIN 132276 132278 132279 132597 132604 question first answered 03/02/2023 13:58:29 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1580831

registered interest
date	25/01/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Confucius Institutes: National Security
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has taken steps with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle national security concerns arising from the work of the Confucius Institute in (a) British academia and (b) wider society.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	132604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2023 answer text <p>The government continuously assesses threats posed to the UK. As a matter of longstanding policy, we are unable to release information regarding threat assessments, on the grounds of national security.</p><p>The government is clear that any challenges to our core values, whatever their origin, will not be tolerated. Departmental officials will continue to work closely with their counterparts across government to strengthen protective measures.</p><p>The National Security Bill currently before Parliament brings together vital new measures to protect our national security. The new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) has now been added to the Bill, which has been created to tackle covert influence in the UK. The scheme is designed to strengthen the integrity of our politics and institutions, and protect the UK from state threats.</p><p>The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will ensure that lawful freedom of speech is fully supported in English higher education (HE), regardless of where the challenge comes from. It will require and empower registered HE providers, colleges and students’ unions to push back on freedom of speech related threats from overseas. The Bill will also address concerns about the possible influence of overseas money in English HE. These new measures will help the Office for Students (OfS) understand the possible impact of overseas income on freedom of speech and academic freedom, and monitor any trends and patterns of concern. The Bill will allow the OfS to take appropriate action, including issuing penalties, if there is evidence that an HE provider has breached its freedom of speech duties.</p><p>The department continuously strengthens protective measures, and expects universities to do the same. Universities UK, with government support, continues work to increase the understanding and awareness of the threat from interference within the HE sector. A key output of this is the publication of two sets of guidelines and a set of case studies, which can be found at the following links: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation</a>, <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/" target="_blank">https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-in-international-research-and-innovation/</a> and: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/universities-uk-international/insights-and-publications/uuki-insights/case-studies-how-universities-are</a>.</p><p>With regards to Confucius Institutes, like all similar bodies they should operate transparently, and with a full commitment to our values of openness and freedom of expression. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that any partnership with a Confucius Institute is managed appropriately, and the right due diligence is in place. The government encourages any providers with concerns to contact the government.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho grouped question UIN 132276 132278 132279 132597 132598 question first answered 03/02/2023 13:58:29 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1654514

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Education: Entry Clearances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of increases in visa costs for international students and researchers on the higher education sector.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	195288
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2023 answer text <p>The department has been successful in delivering the International Education Strategy ambition of hosting at least 600,000 students per year by 2030 for the last two years, and the government fully expects the UK to continue to be an attractive destination for international students.</p><p>We are increasing fees across a range of immigration routes, including for people coming here to live, work and study, at a time of record high migration numbers. It is the government’s policy that those who use and benefit most from the immigration system should contribute towards the cost of operating the system, reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer.</p><p>Our visa fees are competitive globally and there is little evidence that fee increases to date have significantly affected demand on work, study and tourism routes.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 05/09/2023 10:54:52 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1700555

registered interest
date	12/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Education: Overseas Students
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made in implementing the objectives of the International Education Strategy to increase the (a) value of education exports and (b) number of international higher education students studying in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	21440
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>The International Education Strategy (IES) is a UK wide strategy which commits to growing the value of education exports. An update to the department’s IES was published on 26 May 2023. This is the third annual progress update to the original 2019 IES. A link to the 2023 update can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-2023-update" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-2023-update</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has met the IES international student ambition of 600 thousand per year by 2030 for two years running in both 2020/21 and 2021/22. The department is on track and will continue working towards the IES education export ambition of £35 billion per year by 2030 with £27.9 billion revenue in 2021. Data used to track progress against these two ambitions is published annually.</p><p>As the International Education Champion, Professor Sir Steve Smith continues to promote UK education export growth and supports ministers to engage in strategic discussions on progress on implementing the strategy with the education sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall grouped question UIN 21441 question first answered 18/04/2024 16:40:37 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1700556

registered interest
date	12/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Education: Exports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) promote and (b) protect education exports.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	21441
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>The International Education Strategy (IES) is a UK wide strategy which commits to growing the value of education exports. An update to the department’s IES was published on 26 May 2023. This is the third annual progress update to the original 2019 IES. A link to the 2023 update can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-2023-update" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-2023-update</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has met the IES international student ambition of 600 thousand per year by 2030 for two years running in both 2020/21 and 2021/22. The department is on track and will continue working towards the IES education export ambition of £35 billion per year by 2030 with £27.9 billion revenue in 2021. Data used to track progress against these two ambitions is published annually.</p><p>As the International Education Champion, Professor Sir Steve Smith continues to promote UK education export growth and supports ministers to engage in strategic discussions on progress on implementing the strategy with the education sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall grouped question UIN 21440 question first answered 18/04/2024 16:40:37 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1168469

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	European Parliament Members: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will confirm the appointment of a new Member of the European Parliament for Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	244
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2020 answer text <p>The European Parliamentary Elections (EPE) Regulations 2004 set out the procedure to be followed when an MEP vacancy arises in the United Kingdom.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 09/01/2020 14:17:40 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1236607

registered interest
date	22/09/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Public Service: Russia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the UK Government holds data on the number of former senior crown servants who (a) have and (b) have had in the last five years business relationships with Russian state-backed organisations.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	93680
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2020 answer text <p>Some information on former senior officials taking up appointments is published by ACOBA and available online.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 27/10/2020 18:02:24 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1244922

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Stirling of 11 August 2020, ref: AL2637, on the procurement of PPE.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	106494
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2020 answer text <p>This letter was transferred to DHSC, who will be issuing a response as they are responsible for policy regarding PPE procurement. May I apologise for the delay in considering and responding to the issues the hon. Member has raised.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 03/11/2020 17:22:15 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1194420

registered interest
date	11/05/2020
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	Department for Work and Pensions: ICT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps have been taken to increase the server capacity for her Department during the covid-19 oubreak.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	45447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>We regularly monitor capacity of servers and storage and have not had any issues provisioning additional capacity due to COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 20/05/2020 14:17:04 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 22279 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1197185

registered interest
date	19/05/2020
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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional support her Department is providing to the Heath and Safety Executive to ensure effective regulation of SARS-CoV-2 in workplaces throughout the UK.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	49119
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2020 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is playing a crucial role in the Government’s response to covid-19, including its continued work with trade unions, employers and stakeholders to help ensure workplaces are safe environments.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has already announced it has made up to £14 million additional funding available to HSE for extra call centre employees, inspectors and equipment to support their work. HSE working with the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy published guidance on 11th May 2020 on working safely during the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>HSE is funded to deliver its wide-ranging regulatory functions and has also redirected resource to this activity as a priority. In addition, HSE continues to address reported workplace concerns with employers, including those relating to employees with a heighted risk from Covid-19.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/06/2020 12:07:01 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 25092 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1197187

registered interest
date	19/05/2020
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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many reports relating to covid-19 the Heath and Safety Executive has received in each of the last three months.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	49120
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>RIDDOR places duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the Responsible Person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses). Reports relate to incidents occurring within Great Britain.</p><p>Under RIDDOR, duty-holders are obliged to report cases of Covid-19 when:</p><ul><li>an unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to Covid-19 (reportable as a ‘biological agent’ dangerous occurrence under Regulation 7, Schedule 2 – Section 10);</li><li>a worker has been diagnosed as having Covid-19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work (reportable as an ‘exposure to a biological agent’ case of disease under Regulation 9(b));</li><li>a worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to Covid-19 and this is confirmed as the likely cause of death by a registered medical practitioner (reportable as a ‘death due to exposure to a biological agent’ case of disease under Regulation 6(2)).</li></ul><p> </p><p>The attached Tables 1 and 2 provide numbers of all Covid-19 related reports i.e. reports of incidents under the RIDDORs (Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) which fall to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities (LA) as enforcing authorities. Table 3 shows the number of Covid-19 workplace concerns reported to HSE.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 02/07/2020 14:07:22 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies attachment 1 file name 49120 HSE Attachment.docx title HSE Tables previous answer version 25094 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1197422

registered interest
date	20/05/2020
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	Health and Safety Executive
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many workplace spot checks the Heath and Safety Executive has carried out in each of the last six months.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	49843
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The numbers of workplace spot checks the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has carried out in each of the last six months is in the table below:</p><p /><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Month</p></td><td><p>No. of Proactive Inspections</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2019</em></p></td><td><p>Dec</p></td><td><p>624</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Jan</p></td><td><p>898</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Feb</p></td><td><p>1041</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Mar</p></td><td><p>587</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Apr</p></td><td><p>78</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>1<sup>st</sup> – 20<sup>th</sup> May</p></td><td><p>62</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The above data was extracted from HSE’s operational database on 21<sup>st </sup>May 2020 and is subject to change e.g. the administrative process of recording the information in the database can take up to 10 days.</p><p> </p><p>In March, HSE temporarily suspended proactive visits to sites to allow social distancing measures to be put in place to protect visiting staff. It has since developed plans for resuming proactive site inspections.</p><p> </p><p>The above data excludes investigations of workplace concerns including those relating to COVID-19, where checks have been made to ensure that measures have been put in place to comply with the law.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 02/06/2020 14:18:00 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1247406

registered interest
date	30/10/2020
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	National Insurance: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress the Government has made on implementing a digital solution to the process of issuing National Insurance numbers.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	109656
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2020 answer text <p>We started testing a partial digital solution, on a small scale, in mid-October, to support the issuing of National Insurance Numbers, which is still ongoing. This solution enables collection of the applicant’s data, but not the online verification of their identity.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2020 17:36:51 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1259753

registered interest
date	09/12/2020
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	National Insurance: EEA Nationals
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department may issue National Insurance numbers for (a) EU (b) EEA or (c) Swiss nationals who already have settled or pre-settled status.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	127650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2020 answer text <p>The department continues to allocate National Insurance Numbers, however, at present this service is currently limited to specific customer groups.</p><p>DWP started testing a partial digital solution, on a small scale, in mid-October, to support the issuing of National Insurance Numbers, which is still ongoing. This solution enables collection of the applicant’s data, but not the online verification of their identity.</p><p>For those customer groups, where a face to face identity check is required, we are developing and testing alternative identity verification solutions. We recently included EU/EAA and Swiss nationals, who have been granted settled or pre-settled status as part of their EU Settlement Scheme, into the test, as their identity will have been verified, through this process, by the Home Office.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/12/2020 13:01:48 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1342311

registered interest
date	30/06/2021
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	Child Maintenance Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will provide a definition of the term temporary as used by the Child Maintenance Service.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	25157
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2021 answer text <p>The Child Maintenance Service uses the term temporary as a definition of a measure which lasts for a limited time. This is opposed to something which is permanent.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 07/07/2021 12:22:42 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1346356

registered interest
date	13/07/2021
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	Child Maintenance Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2021 to Question 25157, for what reason a change in earnings for a period of two months is deemed a permanent change and a change in contact arrangements for 14 months is deemed a temporary change by the Child Maintenance Service; and what her Department’s policy is on the length of time that constitutes a (a) temporary and (b) permanent change for the purposes of the Child Maintenance Service.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	32514
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2021 answer text <p>There are multiple factors considered when taking into account a Paying Parent’s income for a Child Maintenance assessment. The scheme is designed so that liabilities remain consistent over the year, with limited changes to the assessment allowing both parents to budget. Time frames will vary depending on what is being assessed and legislation requires that factors which affect income should be expected to last for the “foreseeable future”.</p><p>The Child Maintenance Service follows guidance on when changes should be considered temporary or permanent. These decisions are discretionary and considered on a case by case basis. If a customer is unhappy with the outcome of the decision, they may appeal through a mandatory reconsideration.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 19/07/2021 13:59:55 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1645752

registered interest
date	19/06/2023
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	Pensions: Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of legislation on private pension schemes for (a) support for pensioners during the cost-of-living crisis and (b) introducing an ethics code in the decision of payments.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	190219
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2023 answer text <p>Employers have legal obligations to provide minimum levels of pension provision for certain groups of employees. As long as they comply with those obligations it is up to the individual employer to decide on the nature of the scheme and the exact benefits which are provided.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott question first answered 27/06/2023 12:48:33 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1645753

registered interest
date	19/06/2023
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	Pensions: EU Countries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the merits of pension regulatory regimes of EU member states.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Alyn Smith
uin	190220
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2023 answer text <p>We continually engage and learn from international work, including on the latest developments and findings on the pension regimes in EU member states. This routinely informs policy development in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott question first answered 27/06/2023 15:07:46 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
tabling member	4738 label Biography information for Alyn Smith

1123972

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the arrangements are for the governance and accountability of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; and what plans there are to review those arrangements.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
uin	249350
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has robust governance and accountability arrangements in place, which are published at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency/about/our-governance" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency/about/our-governance</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Cabinet Office is planning a tailored review of the DVSA’s control and governance arrangements, later this financial year. The review will ensure that the DVSA is complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance, and that it has the capacity to deliver its services effectively and efficiently.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/05/2019 15:27:28 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

1123973

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driving Tests: Rural Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what policies and guidance there are to ensure that people living in rural areas have adequate access to driving centres through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency network.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
uin	249351
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has policies and guidance in place to ensure that people living in rural areas where the population is equal to, or fewer than, 100 persons per square kilometre, should not have to travel more than 30 miles to take their test. The DVSA takes this travel distance criterion into account when deciding on locations for new driving test centres.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/05/2019 15:30:00 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

1140088

registered interest
date	18/07/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	London North Eastern Railway: Rolling Stock
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to help ensure the provision of new rolling stock on the east coast main line.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
uin	912039
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>LNER’s new Azuma trains entered service on their Hull and Leeds routes in May this year are due to launch on Edinburgh services from 1st August and will then be serving destinations North of Edinburgh by the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p>These state-of-the-art trains, delivered as part of the government-funded Intercity Express Programme, have more seats, better legroom and will be more reliable.</p><p> </p><p>The full fleet of 65 trains compared to 45 old trains will be in service from 2020 enabling additional services to be run increasing capacity further.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 18/07/2019 15:59:54 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr