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1127575

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the benefits freeze on the incomes of households with children.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	256366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/05/2019 answer text <p>An Impact Assessment of the benefit freeze was published in 2015, this is available in the link below.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Welfare Reforms such as the benefit freeze were designed to incentivise parents to choose to move into and progress in work. Evidence shows that work is the best route out of poverty. Children in workless households are five time more likely to be in poverty than those in households where all adults were working. Since 2007/08, the incomes of the poorest fifth have increased by over £850 above inflation, whereas the incomes of the richest fifth have increased by around £650.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 29/05/2019 12:21:19 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1130982

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the effect of universal credit on the level of rent arrears owed to Scottish local authorities; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	262433
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department has not made an assessment of this nature.</p><p> </p><p>Caution should be exercised when considering any assessment of arrears derived from local authority level data which seeks to compare the legacy and Universal Credit welfare systems. This is because they do not compare groups with the same characteristics; typically, the legacy benefit group have been on benefits for some time, where the arrears may be under long-term management. The Universal Credit group, on the other hand, are often new to benefits, and are likely to have experienced a change in their circumstances – for example, a debt-creating event like losing a job or separation. Any arrears for this group will not have been under management and had time to clear.</p><p> </p><p>The initial analytical work we have carried out with a housing provider suggests that many tenants are arriving on Universal Credit with pre-existing rent arrears, that their arrears tend to increase prior to making a claim for Universal Credit, and that Universal Credit actually appears to be helping to clear arrears over time. We are currently extending this analysis to include a number of other housing providers. It will be published when completed. Furthermore, according to latest figures in November 2018 about 8 per cent of social rented households were on Universal Credit; therefore, it is difficult to see how a national trend can be attributed to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>We have, however, responded to concerns in this area by putting a number of safeguards in place, such as 100% advances repayable over 12 months, increasing to 16 months in October 2021; a two-week Transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment; a new Help to Claim service to assist people to make their claim more easily; and Managed Payment to Landlord Arrangements, which allow for payments direct to the landlord if the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their rent payments, is unlikely to pay their rent or is in rent arrears equivalent to two months.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, in Scotland, the Department delivers Universal Credit Scottish choices on behalf of the Scottish Government, providing the option of Universal Credit being paid twice a month rather than monthly, and having Universal Credit housing element being paid directly to landlords.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 18/06/2019 15:28:46 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1134471

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Veterans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect of universal credit on armed forces veterans.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	269108
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department has put in place special arrangements under the Armed Forces Covenant to support veterans and to take account of their needs and circumstances, such as ensuring War Disablement Pensions and guaranteed income payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are not taken into account in the assessment of Universal Credit entitlement.</p><p>Universal Credit is a tailored service and it is important that we support those claimants, including veterans, who may find the application process for Universal Credit challenging. The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service offers tailored, practical support to help people to make their Universal Credit claim. This service is available online, over the phone and face-to-face, so that claimants can access support in the way that is most suitable for them.</p><p>Every Jobcentre Plus District has an Armed Forces Champion who ensures that any concerns and issues raised which affect Service Personnel and their families are integrated within the wider work of Jobcentre Plus. These Armed Forces Champions ensure that Work Coaches and other DWP staff can effectively support serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families.</p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/07/2019 11:24:44 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1144292

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	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	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the benefits freeze on the wellbeing of universal credit claimants.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	286335
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>An Impact Assessment of the benefit freeze was published in 2015, this is available in the link below.</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:35 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1147829

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the time taken for universal credit payments to be made to claimants on trends in the level of food bank use in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	293692
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not keep official statistics on food bank use, so no such assessment has been completed. Some food aid providers produce statistics on the number of food parcels distributed, but the Government has no plans to require individual food banks to keep records as this would place a significant burden on charitable and voluntary organisations.</p><p> </p><p>We have listened to feedback on how we can improve Universal Credit to support our claimants and acted quickly, making improvements such as extending advances, removing waiting days, and introducing housing benefit run on. These changes are giving support to vulnerable people who need it most, whilst at the same time helping people get into work faster.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, in Scotland, the Department delivers Universal Credit Scottish choices on behalf of the Scottish Government, providing the option of Universal Credit being paid twice a month rather than monthly, and having Universal Credit housing element being paid directly to landlords.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 08/10/2019 10:07:32 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1166806

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the length of the benefits freeze.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	6484
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State announced on 4<sup>th</sup> November 2019 that the freeze to working age benefits will come to an end in April 2020. This was following her statutory annual review of benefit and pension rates to determine whether they have retained their value to the general level of prices and earnings. See written ministerial statement -</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-11-04/HCWS74/" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-11-04/HCWS74/</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 05/11/2019 16:15:28 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1166808

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Bereavement Support Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that cohabiting couples with children can apply for bereavement support payments.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	6485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2019 answer text <p>Primary legislation provides that Bereavement Support Payment can only be paid to, and for the benefit of, a surviving spouse or civil partner. The Department is ensuring that Bereavement Support Payment is being paid in accordance with that law, as it is required to do.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 01/11/2019 11:14:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1166820

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Affordable Housing: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the affordability of the housing market in Scotland for families in receipt of benefits.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	6486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The Secretary of State is required to make an annual assessment of LHA rates, which will be completed by the end of 2019.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The proportion of Scottish private market rents that are at or below the LHA rate, by room entitlement, is set out below. This is based on rent officer data and the 2019/20 LHA rates published here <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2019-to-march-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2019-to-march-2020</a>.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">Shared room</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">1 bedroom</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2 bedroom</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">3 bedroom</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">4+ bedroom</ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">14%</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">22%</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">17%</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">18%</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">17%</ins></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 05/11/2019 16:57:02 question first ministerially corrected 05/11/2019 17:42:41 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 4444 answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1277793

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2021
	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	EU Countries: Borders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in EU member states and (b) the Secretary of State for Transport on the diplomatic implications of the operation of the UK's border with the EU from 1 January 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	910992
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>I continue to speak regularly to my counterparts in Europe.</p><p>The FCDO continues to work closely with colleagues across Government, including the Secretary of State for Transport, to maintain smooth operation of the UK's border with the EU for both freight and passengers.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 19/01/2021 15:19:05 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1134036

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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: Drugs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the availablity of (a) critical and (b) short shelf-life medicines in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	268516
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government fully understands that maintaining access to all medicines and medical products, including critical medicines and short shelf-life products, is vitally important to millions of people in this country. Ensuring unhindered supply of these products remains the Government’s top priority.</p><p> </p><p>As in preparation for 29 March and 12 April, our ‘no deal’ EU Exit contingency plans for 31 October will cover the NHS, social care and the independent sector and covers all medicines, medical devices and clinical consumables, supplies for clinical trials, vaccines and countermeasures, and organs and tissues for transplants.</p><p>The Department has continued to work closely with the Devolved Administrations, industry trade bodies and suppliers, the NHS and other key stakeholders. Prior to 29 March, the Department analysed the supply chains of 12,300 medicines, close to half a million product lines of medical devices and clinical consumables, vaccines used in national and local programmes, and essential non-clinical goods on which the health and care system relies. These analyses and assessments have been updated where necessary and will continue to be refined while a ‘no deal’ EU Exit remains a possibility. This work has informed our plans.</p><p>We are asking suppliers to analyse their supply chains and to make alternative plans if they anticipate disruption, including rerouting to alternative ports or using airfreight where necessary. Our contingency measures aim to support industry-led measures and, where required, act as a ‘last resort’ to be used only when a supplier’s alternative arrangements encounter difficulties, to ensure uninterrupted supply.</p><p>In the case of medicines that cannot be stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical radioisotopes, we are working closely with suppliers to make alternative arrangements using airfreight.</p><p>Further details can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans</a></p><p>While we never give guarantees, we are confident that, if everyone – including suppliers, freight companies, international partners and the health and care system – does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event of a no-deal EU Exit.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 02/07/2019 11:33:39 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1399694

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2022
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Crown Estate Commissioners: Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving control of the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	904908
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>Effective working relationships already exist between the Crown Estate and the Welsh Government.</p><p>There is no public appetite at all in Wales to devolve the Crown Estate, which would serve merely to fragment the market and delay the further development of key projects in Wales.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire answering member printed Simon Hart question first answered 05/01/2022 16:18:45 answering member 3944 label Biography information for Simon Hart
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1134462

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Alcoholic Drinks: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of the introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland on the level of alcohol consumption in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	269105
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>No assessment has been made. NHS Scotland publishes annual reports on the impact of the Scottish Government’s alcohol strategy, a core element of which is minimum unit pricing. However, the Scottish Government will not publish its statutory report on the impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) until five years post-implementation of the legislation, in 2023. The Government shall monitor the impact of MUP as robust evidence emerges.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 03/07/2019 13:24:47 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1671790

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Palestinians
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a resettlement scheme for Palestinian refugees.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	2982
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2023 answer text <p>Since 2015, over half a million people were offered safe and legal routes into the UK. This includes over 28.600 individuals resettled to the UK under our global resettlement schemes. We continue to provide the most vulnerable refugees in need of protection a route to safety directly from regions of conflict and instability through these schemes, which include the UK Resettlement Scheme, Community Sponsorship and the Mandate Resettlement scheme. This represents one of the most generous resettlement offers in the UK's history. However, the U.K. only has finite capacity. We cannot provide a safe and legal route for every conflict in the world.</p><p>There are no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region, and we are not considering establishing a separate route for Palestinians to come to the UK. Immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa, can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. The UK's efforts are focussed on ensuring aid reaches those who need in most. The Prime Minister announced on Monday 23 October that the UK will provide a further £20 million of humanitarian aid for civilians. This latest funding is in addition to the £10 million of aid announced by the Prime Minister last week.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 29/11/2023 17:31:44 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1688586

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2024
	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	Electronic Cigarettes
	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 has taken to develop a detailed timeline for the roll-out of a ban on disposable vapes.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	13826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>Defra is currently developing the timeline for the ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes and is engaging with devolved administrations across the UK as well as relevant enforcement agencies to ensure successful rollout. Any legislation taken forward will allow for an implementation period of at least six months, which takes into consideration concerns that industry will require time to adapt.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 19/02/2024 10:10:50 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1688587

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2024
	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	Electronic Cigarettes: Waste Disposal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the scale of the environmental impact of disposable vapes.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	13827
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>When littered, disposable vapes can introduce plastic, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into the natural environment. These items and substances contaminate waterways and soil, posing a risk to the environment and animal health. Defra commissioned external research to further understand the environmental harms of disposable vapes, which is published <a href="https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21447" target="_blank">online</a>. The objectives of this report included understanding the UK single-use vape market, disposal methods, environmental impacts and other international approaches to regulating vapes.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 19/02/2024 09:52:16 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1688588

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2024
	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	Electronic Cigarettes
	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 discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish and (b) Welsh governments on ensuring the interoperability of a ban on disposable vapes.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	13828
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>Following the consultation on creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping, the recently published government response confirmed that the UK Government intends to bring forward legislation as soon as possible to ban the supply and ban of disposable vapes in England. Scotland and Wales also confirmed they intend to bring forward similar legislation and Northern Ireland is considering next steps following the consultation. We are in regular discussions with the devolved administrations on these proposals.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 13324 question first answered 19/02/2024 09:55:07 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1697227

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Fluorinated Gases: Regulation
	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 with industry to develop policies on fluorinated gas regulation.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	19472
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 19473 19474 question first answered 25/03/2024 16:18:23 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1697228

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Fluorinated Gases: Regulation
	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 work with industry on fluorinated gas regulation.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	19473
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 19472 19474 question first answered 25/03/2024 16:18:23 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1697229

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Fluorinated Gases: Regulation
	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 assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on fluorinated gas in helping to reduce emissions leakage.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	19474
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 19472 19473 question first answered 25/03/2024 16:18:23 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1147849

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Low Pay: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to tackle low pay amongst workers aged 21 and below.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	293695
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>Each year the Government asks the Low Pay Commission to recommend minimum wage rates for younger people that are as high as possible without damaging their employment prospects. All the National Minimum Wage rates for younger workers saw above inflation increases in April 2019. The Low Pay Commission will make recommendations for the April 2020 rates later in the autumn. Alongside changes to the minimum wage, the Government is taking action to support young people to gain the skills they need to succeed in the labour market, including the rollout of T Levels from September 2020, which will provide students with clear pathways to a well-paid skilled job.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 07/10/2019 14:19:02 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1661362

	registered interest
	date	18/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	Rented Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what help he is taking to support renters.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	200079
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2023 answer text <p>This Government is committed to delivering the Renters (Reform) Bill which will deliver the government's commitment to a better deal for renters.</p><p>The government recognises the cost-of-living pressures that tenants are facing, and that paying rent is likely to be a tenant's biggest monthly expense. Individuals who need help to make their rent payments may be eligible for a range of financial support through the welfare system. We have maintained the Local Housing Allowance at its increased rate following a significant investment of almost £1 billion in 2020.</p><p>For those most in need, Discretionary Housing Payments are available to help meet a shortfall in housing costs and the Household Support Fund has been extended to help with the cost of essentials. Further decisive action has been taken to support households across the UK through cost-of-living challenges, and the government will continue to provide cost of living support in 2023-24, designed to target the most vulnerable households.</p><p>In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean grouped question UIN 200262 200430 question first answered 16/10/2023 15:09:49 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1146207

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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	Television Licences: Older People
	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 recent assessment she has made of the effect of the BBC's decision to change the eligibility criteria for free TV licences on the incomes of over-75s households in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	291147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2019 answer text <p>The future of the over 75 concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not Government. We are very disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the concession to only those aged over 75 in receipt of Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>The BBC published research from Frontier Economics in November 2018 which looked at the potential impact of changes to the concession on those aged 75 and over. This research is available here: <a href="https://www.frontier-economics.com/media/2896/bbc-licence-fee-report-nov-18.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.frontier-economics.com/media/2896/bbc-licence-fee-report-nov-18.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 01/10/2019 16:10:45 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1166822

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Television Licences: Older People
	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 recent discussions she has had with the Prime Minister on the BBC decision to change the eligibility criteria for free TV licences for people aged 75 and over.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	6487
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State frequently discuss a wide range of issues relating to the business of the Department, including television and the media.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has been clear that the future of the over 75s concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not Government. In the 2015 funding settlement, we agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020; this reform was then debated and agreed by Parliament in the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the over 75s concession to only those aged over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit. We recognise the importance of television to people of all ages, particularly for older people who value television as a way to stay connected with the world. The Secretary of State met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC, and asked them to do more to help those affected by its decision.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 05/11/2019 14:00:22 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1133886

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Climate Change: Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to promote learning about climate change in schools.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	267768
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Topics related to climate change are included in both the science and geography curricula and qualifications. Primary school science pupils are taught about how weather changes across the four seasons, and look at how environments can change as a result of human actions.</p><p>In secondary school, science pupils are taught about the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the effect this has on the climate. This is expanded on in GCSE science where pupils will consider the evidence for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. As part of GCSE geography pupils will look at the causes, consequences of and responses to extreme weather conditions and natural weather hazards.</p><p>In 2017, the Department also introduced a new environmental science A level. This will enable students to study topics that will support their understanding of climate change and how it can be tackled.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/06/2019 14:05:44 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1277266

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of education received by school pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
	uin	910873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>All primary and secondary schools in England are now expected to provide remote education for the majority of their pupils and students, with the exception of vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers, who can attend school or college in person. Where vulnerable children and young people and children of critical workers do not attend school or college, we expect schools and colleges to provide them with remote education.</p><p>We have updated the remote education guidance for schools to clarify and strengthen expectations while on-site attendance is restricted, drawing on our evolving understanding of best practice in remote education. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952443/210114_School_national_restrictions_guidance_FINAL_14012021.pdf#page=46&amp;zoom=100,72,76" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952443/210114_School_national_restrictions_guidance_FINAL_14012021.pdf#page=46&amp;zoom=100,72,76</a>.</p><p>To ensure all pupils continue to access high-quality education, we are securing 1.3 million laptops, investing over £400 million to support access to remote education. A comprehensive package of support continues to be available to schools and colleges which can be accessed via the Get Help with Remote Education page on gov.uk, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education</a>. As part of that support, we have published a ‘Review Your Remote Education Provision’ tool to help schools to understand their remote education strategies and signpost them towards packages of support to help them meet basic requirements and go further in their strategies, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-your-remote-education-provision?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=53522a25-c275-4777-996d-ade6d8f11bd5&amp;utm_content=immediately" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-your-remote-education-provision?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=53522a25-c275-4777-996d-ade6d8f11bd5&amp;utm_content=immediately</a>.</p><p>We have asked schools to publish information about their remote education provision on their websites by 25 January and published an optional template to support schools in setting out that information, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-information-to-parents-template" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-information-to-parents-template</a>.</p><p>During the spring term Ofsted will conduct monitoring inspections of schools most in need. These will have a strong focus on remote education and an emphasis on being supportive. In addition, Ofsted will inspect schools of any grade if it has any significant concerns about a school’s provision, including in relation to remote education. Where parents approach Ofsted with concerns, having first sought to resolve them with the school, Ofsted will consider and take action where appropriate. This could mean discussing the complaint with the school, or if necessary, inspecting the school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 18:32:37 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar