Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1179344

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the Government's policy is on supporting education throughout the world.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	18759
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2020 answer text <p>Supporting delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 4 by promoting 12 years of quality education for all children, especially girls, by 2030 is a top priority for the Prime Minister, and was a commitment in the Conservative Manifesto.</p><p>Girls’ education is central to the UK’s drive to tackle poverty, boost economic growth, improve stability, reduce conflict and to address climate change.</p><p>The UK is a leading donor and between 2015 and 2019 UK Aid supported 14.3 million children to gain a decent education.</p><p>DFID’s 2018 education policy sets UK priorities for global education to:</p><p>- Improve teaching: develop teacher’s skills and knowledge, boost motivation, retain and monitor performance,</p><p>- Back education reforms which deliver results in the classroom, to make systems more accountable, inclusive and effective,</p><p>- Step up targeted support for the most marginalised children (focusing on hard to reach girls, children affected by crises, children with disabilities).</p><p>We are delivering this by providing focused support in 20 countries and supporting education in a further 50 through global programmes such as the Girls’ Education Challenge and support to the Global Partnership for Education.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 02/03/2020 18:04:10 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1179346

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	EU Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans she has to reallocate Official Development Assistance previously allocated to the European Union following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	18760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>As a Member State, the UK spent approximately 10% of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the EU each year. Going forward we will be able to make our own decisions about where, when and how we invest that money. The UK will continue to play a leading role in tackling global development challenges in support of the national interest.</p><p>Under the Withdrawal Agreement the UK will honour its share of commitments made to the EU budget and off-budget funds during the period of our membership. For DFID, this means that we will meet our commitments to EU development programmes approved by 31 December 2020 until their closure. As these are multi-year programmes, this will result in a declining spending tail of ODA contributions that we expect to run until 2027.</p><p>Ministers will take decisions on reallocating ODA funding through normal departmental processes and DFID’s bid to the Spending Review, in line with the conclusions of the Integrated Review.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 28/02/2020 14:57:34 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180112

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Department for International Development: Civil Society
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the total amount of funding from the public purse given by her Department to (a) civil society and (b) campaigning bodies in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	19830
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2020 answer text <p>UK-based charitable organisations are critical policy and programme partners for DFID. They are vital to DFID’s delivery capability, humanitarian response and research effort, and they actively engage with DFID on the international agenda for development, across a range of policy and technical issues. Funding opportunities include the Small Charities Challenge Fund, UK Aid Direct and UK Aid Match. However, a full answer to how much public funding has been given to civil society organisations could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p>DFID does not fund campaigning, fundraising, or advocacy activities. These are listed as ineligible costs in our cost eligibility guidance for grants and contracts.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 02/03/2020 18:15:11 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

64867

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Homicide: Victim Support Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assistance his Department makes available to families bereaved by homicide.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	904584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that families bereaved by homicide get the necessary support. The Ministry of Justice grant funded national Homicide Service provides tailored and intensive support based on families' needs. We also fund a number of organisations that provide peer support and specialist counselling services to the bereaved.</p> answering member constituency Ashford answering member printed Damian Green question first answered 01/07/2014 12:51:13 answering member 76 label Biography information for Damian Green
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

65875

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many apprentices have been employed by contractors and sub-contractors to his Department in each year since 2010-11; and what proportion of the total workforce of such contractors is made up by apprentices.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	204064
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2014 answer text <p>Data on the number of Apprentices employed by Contractors and sub-contractors to the FCO is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 11/07/2014 14:22:09 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1188584

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2020
	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	Agriculture: Coronavirus
	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 plans he has to ensure that the seasonal demand for fruit pickers will be met during the covid-19 outbreak; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on how those positions can be filled.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	37597
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak have meant that there will be a shortfall in the numbers of workers who usually travel to the UK from Europe to work during the harvest season, with the demand for workers peaking from late May through the summer.</p><p>Farming leaders have already kick-started a recruitment drive for work on farms, with thousands of British people already expressing an interest in picking up seasonal agricultural work over the coming weeks and months. With many British workers furloughed from their jobs, and students having to put their summer plans on hold, the Government is supporting industry efforts to help farmers bring in this year’s harvest, working to build on these numbers.</p><p>The majority of roles for the early part of the harvest season have already been filled. We are closely monitoring the situation and we will shortly be launching a public- facing campaign to highlight the roles available from late May onwards and to encourage people to apply. The Government has confirmed that those who have been furloughed from their jobs due to coronavirus, and who are contractually allowed to work for another employer, can take on this seasonal work.</p><p>A new Government-industry digital hub for seasonal work information and job opportunities has been launched to provide guidance on getting into farm work and links to the available jobs and recruiters. The website can be found at pickforbritain.org.uk and will be updated regularly over the coming weeks to help match jobs to workers as the demand grows.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 28/04/2020 16:50:41 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1192568

	registered interest
	date	04/05/2020
	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	Animal Grooming: Coronavirus
	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 Cabinet colleagues on re-opening dog grooming parlours to ensure the welfare of animals during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	42989
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government's message to the public is clear: stay alert, control the virus and save lives. Dog grooming businesses play a key role in ensuring the welfare of the nation's pets and have been allowed to operate since advice to businesses was first published, within the strict advice on social distancing and hygiene.</p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group, which advises both the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and Defra Ministers, has issued its own guidance to pet businesses, including dog groomers, on how they can continue to operate under current restrictions and in line with guidance around social distancing and hygiene: <a href="http://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf" target="_blank">www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/05/2020 17:08:03 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224995

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2020
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Apprentices
	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 reach the public sector apprenticeship target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	74515
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>In Defra group, we have taken the following steps towards the public sector apprenticeship target.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has recently reactivated its ‘Early Talent’ Strategy for 2020/21 and is intending to increase our activities around the following four themes:</p><p> </p><p>a) Increasing the use of apprenticeships within external recruitment</p><p>b) Promoting the use of apprenticeships to support development of existing staff</p><p>c) Increasing and maximising the use of the levy</p><p>d) Using targeted apprenticeship recruitment to improve the diversity of our workforce</p><p> </p><p>We have identified a number of levers that can be used to achieve the above and these are actively being discussed within the business, for example by: building an apprenticeship option into all new external recruitment activity; identifying executive sponsors; establishing a robust approach to learning and development; the creation of apprenticeship networks; and seeking to convert other early talent pipelines such as internships into apprenticeships.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to enhance the information and tools available to line managers to improve understanding. For example, within recruitment processes we have introduced the use of Interactive Candidate Packs, appropriate selection processes such as Success Profiles, online advertising, case studies and trained selection panels.</p><p> </p><p>While there are a number of standards that we can actively use, given the unique nature and breadth of our activities in Defra group, we continue to explore and invest in trailblazer activity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has been focused on delivery against EU exit requirements and more recently COVID-19. Defra remains committed to the Civil Service Apprenticeship Strategy and is looking to increase our use of apprenticeships across Defra group over the next 12 months.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/11/2020 16:08:02 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235561

	registered interest
	date	17/09/2020
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	91621
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. Defra had achieved 1% of the total staff employed within the department.</p><p> </p><p>In Defra group, we have taken the following steps towards the public sector apprenticeship target.</p><p> </p><p>We have reactivated our ‘Early Talent’ Strategy for 2020/21 to focus on:</p><ul><li>increasing the use of apprenticeships within external recruitment;</li><li>promoting the use of apprenticeships to support development of existing staff;</li><li>increasing and maximising the use of the levy; and</li><li>using targeted apprenticeship recruitment to improve the diversity of our workforce.</li><li> </li></ul><p>We have identified a number of levers that can be used to achieve the above and these are actively being discussed within the business. We continue to enhance the information and tools available to line managers to improve understanding.</p><p> </p><p>While there are a number of standards that we can actively use, given the unique nature and breadth of our activities in Defra group, we continue to explore and invest in trailblazer activity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has been focused on delivery against EU exit requirements and more recently COVID-19. Defra remains committed to the Civil Service Apprenticeship Strategy and is looking to increase our use of apprenticeships across Defra group over the next 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet the target. The data for 2018/19 can be found on the GOV.UK website at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on GOV.UK by the end of September 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/09/2020 11:12:23 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243637

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2020
	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	Horses: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the practice of horse tethering.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	907600
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>People who tether their horses inappropriately risk causing their animals distress and suffering and could be liable to prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and their Hybrids provides keepers with information on how and when tethering may be used. We remain committed to tackling the issue of inappropriate horse tethering through effective partnership working, enforcement and dissemination of best practice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/10/2020 17:04:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon