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1522764

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2022
	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	Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of an exemption from payments for new active substances from that scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	64035
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2022 answer text <p>The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access includes a 36 month exemption from payments for drugs containing a new active substance, starting once the marketing authorisation has been granted. Treatment of new active substances under a future voluntary scheme is subject to negotiation.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 25/10/2022 16:47:32 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521739

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	T-levels: Harlow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people have completed a T Level qualification in Harlow constituency as of 13 October 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62783
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2022 answer text <p>T Levels are a two year programme and were first taught in a modest number of providers from September 2020. No T Levels were delivered in Harlow constituency in 2020 and so no students there have yet completed a T Level.</p><p>Harlow College has been offering T Levels in the constituency since 2021 and the first students will complete their course in 2023.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Morley and Outwood answering member printed Andrea Jenkyns question first answered 20/10/2022 15:51:01 answering member 4490 label Biography information for Dame Andrea Jenkyns
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521740

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	T-levels: Harlow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people are enrolled on a T Level qualification in Harlow constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62784
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2022 answer text <p>There were 106 students funded for T Levels in the 2021/22 academic year at Harlow College, the only provider offering T Levels in the constituency in 2021. The department has not published any figures for T Level student numbers in the 2022/23 academic year. We would expect to publish figures at institution level in spring 2023.</p> answering member constituency Morley and Outwood answering member printed Andrea Jenkyns question first answered 24/10/2022 16:18:34 answering member 4490 label Biography information for Dame Andrea Jenkyns
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521742

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	T-levels
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the conclusions of the Education Select Committee on the availability of industry placements to support T Level qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62785
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2022 answer text <p>The department will consider any recommendations that come out of the Education Select Committee’s review. We will continue to listen to key stakeholders to ensure high-quality industry placements can be delivered, in all subjects, throughout England.</p><p>The department has invested more than £200 million over the past 4 years to help T Level providers build their capacity for placements and develop relationships with local employers. We have put in place bespoke support for both providers and employers which includes direct, hands-on support. We also have a T Level Ambassador Network that is continuing to recruit T Level advocates across key industries to inspire engagement in the T Level programme.</p> answering member constituency Morley and Outwood answering member printed Andrea Jenkyns question first answered 20/10/2022 14:54:42 answering member 4490 label Biography information for Dame Andrea Jenkyns
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521743

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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	Telecommunications: Infrastructure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill on the individual property rights of site providers of telecommunications equipment.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2022 answer text <p>The 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code were intended to make it easier for digital communications operators to deploy and maintain their networks. Those changes included the introduction of a statutory valuation regime, which reflected the government’s view that the cost of acquiring rights to install digital infrastructure on private land prior to 2017 was too high and needed to be addressed. The valuation regime introduced in 2017 is more closely aligned to those for utilities such as water and electricity and reflects the fact that access to good quality digital services is an increasingly critical part of daily life for residents across the UK.</p><p>The Government continues to believe that the framework strikes the correct balance between ensuring individual landowners receive fair payments for allowing their land to be used and encouraging the industry investment needed for consumers across the UK to have access to fast, reliable digital services. Data provided to DCMS shows that so far this year agreements have been reached on 107 new sites, with heads of terms being agreed on a further 66. In relation to existing sites, 533 renewal agreements have been concluded so far this year, with heads of terms agreed on a further 119 sites. The data also shows that there has been a year on year increase in the number of concluded agreements since 2020. We think this reflects informal feedback we have received from all stakeholders suggesting that the market is adapting to the valuation framework.</p><p>Since the introduction of the reforms in 2017 we have engaged with and listened to stakeholders to understand the impact of the reforms in practice. This has included a formal consultation on further changes to the Code, which led to the provisions in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, as well as ongoing (and continuing) engagement with stakeholders throughout the passage of the Bill.</p><p>In parallel, DCMS officials have convened monthly Access to Land Workshops over the last 12-18 months, which cover a number of workstreams and attract attendance from stakeholders across the telecommunications industry, including site provider representatives. I am pleased to say that these workshops have made excellent progress and one of the outputs of this work is the creation of a new industry body, the National Connectivity Alliance, which in time will continue this work independently of DCMS.</p><p>Any impacts on the rights of individual property owners have been carefully considered and balanced against the public benefits of improved connectivity. In particular, where measures in the Bill have the potential to be applied retrospectively, the rights of landowners were given careful consideration.</p><p>The Government does not intend to separately or specifically review the Electronic Communications Code rental payments market. However, the government will continue to carefully monitor the effectiveness of this legislation. For example, officials will continue to engage with stakeholders in the period leading up to the Bill’s implementation and subsequently, to understand how the new provisions are working in practice.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 62787 62999 question first answered 21/10/2022 12:35:34 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521744

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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	Telecommunications: Infrastructure
	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 metrics her Department uses to assess the functioning of the rental payments market within the Electronic Communications Code; and if she will undertake a review of the effectiveness of the functioning of this market.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2022 answer text <p>The 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code were intended to make it easier for digital communications operators to deploy and maintain their networks. Those changes included the introduction of a statutory valuation regime, which reflected the government’s view that the cost of acquiring rights to install digital infrastructure on private land prior to 2017 was too high and needed to be addressed. The valuation regime introduced in 2017 is more closely aligned to those for utilities such as water and electricity and reflects the fact that access to good quality digital services is an increasingly critical part of daily life for residents across the UK.</p><p>The Government continues to believe that the framework strikes the correct balance between ensuring individual landowners receive fair payments for allowing their land to be used and encouraging the industry investment needed for consumers across the UK to have access to fast, reliable digital services. Data provided to DCMS shows that so far this year agreements have been reached on 107 new sites, with heads of terms being agreed on a further 66. In relation to existing sites, 533 renewal agreements have been concluded so far this year, with heads of terms agreed on a further 119 sites. The data also shows that there has been a year on year increase in the number of concluded agreements since 2020. We think this reflects informal feedback we have received from all stakeholders suggesting that the market is adapting to the valuation framework.</p><p>Since the introduction of the reforms in 2017 we have engaged with and listened to stakeholders to understand the impact of the reforms in practice. This has included a formal consultation on further changes to the Code, which led to the provisions in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, as well as ongoing (and continuing) engagement with stakeholders throughout the passage of the Bill.</p><p>In parallel, DCMS officials have convened monthly Access to Land Workshops over the last 12-18 months, which cover a number of workstreams and attract attendance from stakeholders across the telecommunications industry, including site provider representatives. I am pleased to say that these workshops have made excellent progress and one of the outputs of this work is the creation of a new industry body, the National Connectivity Alliance, which in time will continue this work independently of DCMS.</p><p>Any impacts on the rights of individual property owners have been carefully considered and balanced against the public benefits of improved connectivity. In particular, where measures in the Bill have the potential to be applied retrospectively, the rights of landowners were given careful consideration.</p><p>The Government does not intend to separately or specifically review the Electronic Communications Code rental payments market. However, the government will continue to carefully monitor the effectiveness of this legislation. For example, officials will continue to engage with stakeholders in the period leading up to the Bill’s implementation and subsequently, to understand how the new provisions are working in practice.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 62786 62999 question first answered 21/10/2022 12:35:34 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521745

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Upper Tribunal: Land
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which Departments have been party to cases in the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber involving disputes under the Electronic Communications Code in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62788
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2022 answer text <p>This information relating to which Departments have been party to cases in the Upper Tribunals Lands Chamber involving disputes under the Electronic Communications Code is not centrally recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Dartford answering member printed Gareth Johnson question first answered 20/10/2022 10:41:35 answering member 3970 label Biography information for Gareth Johnson
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521780

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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, how many medicine by presentations included within the Voluntary Patient Access Scheme have had NHS List Price increase approved by their Department since 1 January 2020; and what was the average percentage increase for any such increases.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62789
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2022 answer text <p>Between 1 January 2020 and 14 October 2022, members of the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access have received approval for an increase to the National Health Service list price for 35 medicines, for 120 presentations. The majority of price increases have been concentrated in specific market segments particularly impacted by global cost increases in the active pharmaceutical ingredient.</p><p>Price increase requests are assessed in line with Scheme’s rules, which ensure companies cannot make excess profits by setting a return on sales target of 6% for standard price increase requests.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/11/2022 13:28:21 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521782

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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 plans her Department has to carry out an impact assessment on the effect of an increased voluntary scheme for branded medicine rate to a projected 23.7 per cent in 2023 upon the supply of medicines to the NHS.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62790
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>The Department has no plans to carry out an impact assessment on the 2023 payment percentage. The Department’s standard practice is to set the payment percentage based on measured sales. The payment percentage projected for 2023 is in line with Department projections shared with industry when the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) was agreed.</p><p>We have seen no evidence that increased VPAS payments have or will impact on the supply of medicines to the National Health Service. Where payment rates may put pressure on the profitability of individual products, there are provisions in the scheme for companies to apply for a price increase.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 01/11/2022 12:16:12 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521787

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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, if she will make it her policy to publish data comparing the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access repayments against leading European countries with similar access or rebate schemes in each year since 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62791
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2022 answer text <p>We have no plans to do so.</p><p>Prices paid for medicines internationally are generally confidential. It is therefore not possible to make an accurate comparison of the net price of medicines between the UK and other countries, with or without rebate rates.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 25/10/2022 14:51:43 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521788

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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, for what reason her Department included branded (a) generic and (b) biosimilar medicines that delivered savings to the NHS within the current voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>Medicines which are required to be prescribed by brand name, including some branded generics and biosimilars, are not interchangeable. Therefore, competitive forces will not act in the same way as for generic medicines and price regulation is justified. The inclusion of these medicines in the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access was agreed with industry in 2019.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 01/11/2022 12:23:25 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1521789

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2022
	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, if she will make a comparative estimate of the annual savings that (a) unbranded generic, (b) branded generic and (c) biosimilar medicines have contributed to the NHS drug bill compared to branded prices had those medicines not been available for each year since 2012 for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	62793
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2022 answer text <p>The current Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access expenditure forecast assumes that average spend at patent expiry will decrease by 70% for a non-biologic medicine or 45% for a biologic medicine. The Secretary of State has also commissioned further policy advice on this matter. These assumptions will be reviewed ahead of the negotiation of a new Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 25/10/2022 14:44:42 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1507694

	registered interest
	date	22/09/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Buildings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools and colleges in England fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	54505
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2022 answer text <p>The Department has sent a questionnaire on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) to all responsible bodies, asking them to complete the information on RAAC for all their schools. The questionnaire asks whether RAAC is present in any buildings on their school estates, and how responsible bodies are managing it. The purpose of the questionnaire is to allow the Department to better understand the prevalence of RAAC across the school estate and ensure the correct support is in place to meet the responsible bodies’ needs. The questionnaire has been sent to responsible bodies of schools and does not include colleges.</p><p>The questionnaire remains open. At present, the Department only has partial data and is not yet able to provide an estimate of the number of schools fitted with RAAC.</p><p>Depending upon the survey uptake in the next 6 months, an initial estimate may be issued in April 2023.</p><p>The Department has also previously issued guidance on identifying and managing RAAC, which it will be updating later this year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stoke-on-Trent North answering member printed Jonathan Gullis question first answered 11/10/2022 11:39:43 answering member 4814 label Biography information for Jonathan Gullis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1506318

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2022
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Harlow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers are designated to cover Harlow and the surrounding villages.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	49611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2022 answer text <p>The Beating Crime Plan sets out the government’s commitment to driving down crime, protecting the public and increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system. This includes the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers through the Police Uplift Programme. We are working with policing partners to deliver this plan. It is for Chief Constables and elected Police and Crime Commissioners to target their resources (including the deployment of additional officers) to tackle local priorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of officers recruited as part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme on a quarterly basis. The latest data, covering the situation to 30 June 2022, are available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics</a>. These data are published at Police Force Area level in the supplementary tables accompanying the bulletin.</p><p> </p><p>Essex police has been allocated a total of 449 additional officers for the three year uplift programme. As at 30 June 2022, Essex police has recruited 345 additional officers.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales" target="_blank">Police workforce England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>. These data are collected by Police Force Area only. Data on the number of police officers in Essex Police, on both a full-time equivalent (FTE) and a headcount basis are available in the Open Data Tables that accompany the release:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods</a></p><p> </p><p>The deployment of officers across a police force area is a decision for operationally independent Chief Constables.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin grouped question UIN 49612 49613 question first answered 22/09/2022 08:42:24 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1506321

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2022
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Harlow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she will take to (a) increase policing and (b) reduce crime in Harlow.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	49612
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2022 answer text <p>The Beating Crime Plan sets out the government’s commitment to driving down crime, protecting the public and increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system. This includes the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers through the Police Uplift Programme. We are working with policing partners to deliver this plan. It is for Chief Constables and elected Police and Crime Commissioners to target their resources (including the deployment of additional officers) to tackle local priorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of officers recruited as part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme on a quarterly basis. The latest data, covering the situation to 30 June 2022, are available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics</a>. These data are published at Police Force Area level in the supplementary tables accompanying the bulletin.</p><p> </p><p>Essex police has been allocated a total of 449 additional officers for the three year uplift programme. As at 30 June 2022, Essex police has recruited 345 additional officers.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales" target="_blank">Police workforce England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>. These data are collected by Police Force Area only. Data on the number of police officers in Essex Police, on both a full-time equivalent (FTE) and a headcount basis are available in the Open Data Tables that accompany the release:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods</a></p><p> </p><p>The deployment of officers across a police force area is a decision for operationally independent Chief Constables.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin grouped question UIN 49611 49613 question first answered 22/09/2022 08:42:24 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1506322

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2022
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Harlow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of the promised 20000 new police officers committed to by the Government will be deployed in Harlow.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	49613
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2022 answer text <p>The Beating Crime Plan sets out the government’s commitment to driving down crime, protecting the public and increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system. This includes the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers through the Police Uplift Programme. We are working with policing partners to deliver this plan. It is for Chief Constables and elected Police and Crime Commissioners to target their resources (including the deployment of additional officers) to tackle local priorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of officers recruited as part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme on a quarterly basis. The latest data, covering the situation to 30 June 2022, are available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-officer-uplift-statistics</a>. These data are published at Police Force Area level in the supplementary tables accompanying the bulletin.</p><p> </p><p>Essex police has been allocated a total of 449 additional officers for the three year uplift programme. As at 30 June 2022, Essex police has recruited 345 additional officers.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales" target="_blank">Police workforce England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>. These data are collected by Police Force Area only. Data on the number of police officers in Essex Police, on both a full-time equivalent (FTE) and a headcount basis are available in the Open Data Tables that accompany the release:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005761/open-data-table-police-workforce-280721.ods</a></p><p> </p><p>The deployment of officers across a police force area is a decision for operationally independent Chief Constables.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin grouped question UIN 49611 49612 question first answered 22/09/2022 08:42:24 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1505430

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2022
	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	Horticulture: Heating
	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 plans to help support glasshouse growers to heat their greenhouses in the context of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	48312
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/10/2022 answer text <p>HM Government Food Strategy published in June this year acknowledges the important role of industrial horticulture, including the contribution of glasshouse crop production in ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of fresh produce throughout the year. Growth of this sector would boost home-grown fruit and vegetable production, help future-proof the sector in a warming climate and create new skilled job opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>HM Government Food Strategy explains that industrial horticulture will be considered alongside other manufacturing sectors in decisions on industrial energy policy and that we will also incentivise the sector to make use of surplus heat and CO2 from industrial processes, and renewable sources of energy. HM Government is developing a Horticulture Strategy for England which will explore how controlled environment horticulture can be supported.</p><p> </p><p>In recognition of significant increases in energy costs, we have recently announced that businesses, charities and public sector organisations will be protected through HM Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme from October over the next six months. This support discounts price per unit of gas and electricity, meaning businesses and others will pay wholesale energy costs well below half of expected prices this winter.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 04/10/2022 08:51:55 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1466112

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for (a) sexual assault and (b) rape offences.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	900270
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to increase the number of rape and sexual assault cases going to court.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS is undertaking extensive work to drive up and improve prosecutions through its Joint National RASSO Action Plan with the police, the Rape Strategy, and the Operation Soteria Path Finders, which are testing methods for best practice in six CPS Areas.</p><p> </p><p>Since publication of its strategy, the CPS has continued to see increases in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 26/05/2022 15:53:54 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1459823

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of school children that do not have a personal laptop or tablet.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	157561
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2022 answer text <p>Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has delivered over 1.95 million laptops and tablets to schools, trusts, local authorities, and further education providers for disadvantaged children and young people. This is part of a £520 million government investment to support access to remote education and online social care services.</p><p>The laptops and tablets distributed through the department are owned by schools, trusts, local authorities, or further education providers who can lend these to children and young people who need them the most. These laptops and tablets are an injection of support on top of an estimated 2.9 million already owned by schools before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These devices are intended to give schools the flexibility to provide remote education support and can continue to be used in the longer term either in the classroom or from home.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 27/04/2022 11:39:36 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1457318

	registered interest
	date	14/04/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	National Union of Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much grant funding has been allocated to the National Union for Students over the past five years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	153900
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2022 answer text <p>The department has not made any grant payments to the National Union for Students over the last five years.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 26/04/2022 12:48:57 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1452117

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Speech and Language Disorders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of how the Recovery Premium benefit children with a speech and language difficulty or whose development in speaking and understanding language has been adversely affected as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and associated schools closures.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	141962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2022 answer text <p>The £300 million Recovery Premium for this academic year is additional funding to help schools deliver evidence-based approaches to support education recovery. In October 2021, as part of our broader Spending Review settlement, we announced an extension to the Recovery Premium, worth £1 billion for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years.</p><p>Recovery Premium eligibility builds on that of pupil premium, but school leaders have flexibility to use the funding to support any pupil where a need is identified, including those with speech and language difficulties.</p><p> </p><p>Schools are expected to spend their Recovery Premium, alongside their pupil premium, in line with the Education Endowment Foundation’s recommendation to fund activities that support high quality teaching, provide targeted academic support, and address non-academic barriers to success in school, such as attendance, behaviour, and social and emotional support.</p><p>Schools should therefore use their funding to assess and address immediate needs, such as those relating to speech and language difficulties, as well as longer-term strategic improvements, such as boosting the quality of oracy teaching.</p><p>We are also investing up to £180 million of recovery support in the early years sector, with new programmes focusing on key areas such as speech and language development for the youngest children. This includes:</p><ul><li>an expansion of the professional development programme, which has a focus on early language and mathematics, as well as personal, social, and emotional development</li><li>a significant expansion in the number of staff in group-based providers, and childminders, with an accredited level 3 Special Educational Needs Coordinator qualification</li><li>programmes to train early years practitioners to support parents with the home learning environment, and improve children’s early language, social and emotional development, and</li><li>the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme, aimed at reception aged children needing extra support with their speech and language development.</li></ul><p>The NELI programme includes training for staff on identifying speech and language difficulties, and is proven to help children make around 3 months of additional progress.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 141964 question first answered 25/03/2022 14:50:37 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1452118

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the upcoming SEND Review and Green Paper, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of revising the Initial Teacher Training framework to ensure that all teachers are equipped to teach children with (a) speech, language and communication needs and (b) other special educational needs.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	141963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2022 answer text <p>Since September 2020, all courses offered by initial teacher training (ITT) providers have been aligned to a mandatory core content framework (CCF), which was published in November 2019. The framework sets out a minimum entitlement for all trainee teachers.</p><p>Evidence shows that teacher quality is the most important factor within schools in improving outcomes for all children, particularly those from a disadvantaged background, or for those with additional needs. The CCF is therefore key to the government’s plans to improve school standards for all.</p><p>The CCF is based on the best peer-reviewed evidence about what works and is designed to emphasis the importance of high quality teaching. The framework therefore deliberately does not detail approaches specific to particular needs, but what makes the most effective teaching. The department expects ITT providers and their partners to continue to tailor their curricula to the needs of their trainees and the children in the schools where they train and will work, which may include pupils with specific speech, language and communication needs.</p><p>Additionally, courses must continue to be designed so that trainee teachers can demonstrate that they meet the Teachers’ Standards at the end of their course, including standard 5, which is clear that teachers must have an understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs.</p><p>In July 2021 we published the government response to the ITT Review which set out new quality requirements for all ITT from September 2024 and the government's aim to ensure that all trainee teachers experience consistently high-quality ITT that incorporates the ITT Core Content Framework in full.</p><p>This week, the department published the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Green Paper for full public consultation. These proposals set out a system that offers children and young people the opportunity to thrive, with access to the right support, in the right place, and at the right time, so they can fulfil their potential and lead happy, healthy and productive adult lives.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 01/04/2022 15:36:55 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1452119

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Speech and Language Disorders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how the £1 billion allocated to schools as part of the Recovery Premium will be spent to help children’s speech and language.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	141964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2022 answer text <p>The £300 million Recovery Premium for this academic year is additional funding to help schools deliver evidence-based approaches to support education recovery. In October 2021, as part of our broader Spending Review settlement, we announced an extension to the Recovery Premium, worth £1 billion for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years.</p><p>Recovery Premium eligibility builds on that of pupil premium, but school leaders have flexibility to use the funding to support any pupil where a need is identified, including those with speech and language difficulties.</p><p> </p><p>Schools are expected to spend their Recovery Premium, alongside their pupil premium, in line with the Education Endowment Foundation’s recommendation to fund activities that support high quality teaching, provide targeted academic support, and address non-academic barriers to success in school, such as attendance, behaviour, and social and emotional support.</p><p>Schools should therefore use their funding to assess and address immediate needs, such as those relating to speech and language difficulties, as well as longer-term strategic improvements, such as boosting the quality of oracy teaching.</p><p>We are also investing up to £180 million of recovery support in the early years sector, with new programmes focusing on key areas such as speech and language development for the youngest children. This includes:</p><ul><li>an expansion of the professional development programme, which has a focus on early language and mathematics, as well as personal, social, and emotional development</li><li>a significant expansion in the number of staff in group-based providers, and childminders, with an accredited level 3 Special Educational Needs Coordinator qualification</li><li>programmes to train early years practitioners to support parents with the home learning environment, and improve children’s early language, social and emotional development, and</li><li>the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme, aimed at reception aged children needing extra support with their speech and language development.</li></ul><p>The NELI programme includes training for staff on identifying speech and language difficulties, and is proven to help children make around 3 months of additional progress.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 141962 question first answered 25/03/2022 14:50:37 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1451752

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the revenue that will accrue to the Exchequer from the loan charge.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	141179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2022 answer text <p>The Loan Charge was announced at Budget 2016 as part of a package of measures to tackle Disguised Remuneration (DR) tax avoidance. The forecast was last revised at Spring Budget 2021. There was an estimated overall Exchequer yield of £3.3 billion for the entire package, including the Loan Charge.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2019, the Government commissioned an Independent Review into the Loan Charge which was led by Lord Morse. The Government accepted 19 of the 20 recommendations made by the review. Changes to the Loan Charge were estimated to reduce the forecast yield. At Budget 2020, the changes were costed as a separate measure, with an estimated reduction to the Exchequer yield of £745 million.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC is committed to continuing to tackle promoters and operators of tax avoidance schemes. This includes challenging the entities and individuals who promote disguised remuneration loan schemes.</p><p> </p><p>Promotion or operation of mass marketed tax avoidance schemes is not in and of itself a criminal offence. However, there are a range of offences which might be committed by those who promote tax avoidance schemes or advise on their use.</p><p> </p><p>On that basis, while to date there have been no prosecutions of individuals directly related to the promotion of schemes subject to the Loan Charge, a number of individuals are currently under criminal investigation by HMRC for offences linked to schemes subject to the Loan Charge.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to schemes subject to the Loan Charge, since 1 April 2016, more than 20 individuals have been convicted for offences relating to arrangements which have been promoted and marketed as tax avoidance, including offences related to DR. These have resulted in over 100 years of custodial sentences, the majority of which relate to promoters.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer grouped question UIN 141180 question first answered 22/03/2022 17:34:37 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1451753

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many promoters and operators of schemes subject to the loan charge have been prosecuted for promoting and operating those schemes.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	141180
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2022 answer text <p>The Loan Charge was announced at Budget 2016 as part of a package of measures to tackle Disguised Remuneration (DR) tax avoidance. The forecast was last revised at Spring Budget 2021. There was an estimated overall Exchequer yield of £3.3 billion for the entire package, including the Loan Charge.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2019, the Government commissioned an Independent Review into the Loan Charge which was led by Lord Morse. The Government accepted 19 of the 20 recommendations made by the review. Changes to the Loan Charge were estimated to reduce the forecast yield. At Budget 2020, the changes were costed as a separate measure, with an estimated reduction to the Exchequer yield of £745 million.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC is committed to continuing to tackle promoters and operators of tax avoidance schemes. This includes challenging the entities and individuals who promote disguised remuneration loan schemes.</p><p> </p><p>Promotion or operation of mass marketed tax avoidance schemes is not in and of itself a criminal offence. However, there are a range of offences which might be committed by those who promote tax avoidance schemes or advise on their use.</p><p> </p><p>On that basis, while to date there have been no prosecutions of individuals directly related to the promotion of schemes subject to the Loan Charge, a number of individuals are currently under criminal investigation by HMRC for offences linked to schemes subject to the Loan Charge.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to schemes subject to the Loan Charge, since 1 April 2016, more than 20 individuals have been convicted for offences relating to arrangements which have been promoted and marketed as tax avoidance, including offences related to DR. These have resulted in over 100 years of custodial sentences, the majority of which relate to promoters.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer grouped question UIN 141179 question first answered 22/03/2022 17:34:37 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1437005

	registered interest
	date	01/03/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Energy Bills Rebate
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason local authorities are not able to make the £150 council tax rebate via residents' council tax bills rather than making a direct payment to council tax payers.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	132237
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2022 answer text <p>In most cases the rebate will be delivered as a direct payment. This allows support to be provided up front rather than spread across the usual council tax instalments and means that households that don’t pay council tax are not disadvantaged.</p><p> </p><p>Councils can, however, offer the option of a credit to council tax accounts to non-direct debit holders as part of the claims process. This is intended to help speed up the claims process (and limit the administrative burden on local authorities), and in recognition that not all taxpayers will want to provide payment details where not already held.</p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke question first answered 15/03/2022 14:21:08 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434137

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Energy Bills Rebate
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance is available to local authorities on the £150 Council Tax rebate.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2022 answer text <p>The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published guidance to local authorities on administering the council tax rebate. This can be found in the link below:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance" target="_blank">The council tax rebate 2022-23 – billing authority guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke grouped question UIN 127362 question first answered 28/02/2022 14:40:05 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434138

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Energy Bills Rebate
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what method local authorities will use to distribute the Council Tax Rebate.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2022 answer text <p>The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published guidance to local authorities on administering the council tax rebate. This can be found in the link below:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance" target="_blank">The council tax rebate 2022-23 – billing authority guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke grouped question UIN 127361 question first answered 28/02/2022 14:40:05 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434139

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	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	Social Rented Housing: Carbon Emissions
	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 steps his Department is taking to help support local authorities with encouraging the building of net zero social housing.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2022 answer text <p>The Government has given councils a comprehensive range of tools to deliver a new generation of council housing. Alongside these ambitions, the Government remains committed to meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2050; we must ensure that the energy efficiency standards we set through the Building Regulations for new homes put us on track to meet the 2050 target.</p><p>From 2025, the Future Homes Standard will ensure that new homes produce at least 75% fewer CO<sub>2</sub> emissions compared to those built to the 2013 standards. These homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency.</p><p>In December 2021, we introduced an uplift in energy efficiency standards that provides a stepping-stone to the Future Homes Standard. Once the uplift comes into force, in June 2022, new homes will be expected to produce around 30% fewer CO<sub>2</sub> emissions compared to the previous 2013 standards, marking an important step on our journey towards a cleaner, greener built environment and net zero by 2050.</p> answering member constituency Walsall North answering member printed Eddie Hughes question first answered 02/03/2022 17:34:23 answering member 4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434140

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	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	Derelict Land: Regeneration
	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 support his Department provides to local authorities to help regenerate derelict land.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2022 answer text <p>At Spending Review 2021, the Government announced £1.5 billion to regenerate underused land and deliver transport links and community facilities. This funding will help to unlock sites across the country that the private sector alone will not deliver, alongside a further £300 million locally led grant funding that will be distributed to Mayoral Combined Authorities and local authorities to help unlock smaller brownfield sites</p><p><br>These announcements build on our existing, extensive support for growth and regeneration, including the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund that has funded town and city centre regeneration schemes in places across the UK. Future rounds of the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will build on this investment and the billions of pounds of investment made through the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund, Getting Building Fund and Brownfield Housing Fund.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 02/03/2022 17:45:33 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434144

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	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	Housing Estates: Regeneration
	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 support his Department provides to local authorities for the regeneration of existing housing estates.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2022 answer text <p>£100 million for the Brownfield Land Release Fund includes support for local authorities for estate Regeneration. In 2021 / 2022 £14.2 million of capital grants has been allocated to 14 existing social housing estates across England.</p><p>The Levelling Up White Paper sets out the importance of regeneration on the economic and social missions of Levelling Up and we will be exploring with local leaders how we can support places further.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 02/03/2022 17:34:56 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434146

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	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	Public Houses: Closures
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department provides support to local community groups that seek to purchase closed pubs in their local areas.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2022 answer text <p>We recognise the central role that pubs play in our towns and villages and welcome more applications. Our Community Ownership Fund helps community groups to buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost. Across the first bidding round we have funded 5 pubs valued at £990,696 and will support many more in future rounds.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien question first answered 03/03/2022 08:21:54 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1434150

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2022
	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	Derelict Land: Regeneration
	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 powers local authorities posses to purchase derelict buildings and land for regeneration purposes.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	127367
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2022 answer text <p>Local authorities have various compulsory purchase powers which they can use to acquire and develop derelict buildings and land, including for regeneration purposes. These include powers under Part 9 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to compulsorily purchase land for development and other planning purposes. As announced in the recent Levelling Up White Paper, we intend to bring forward improvements to compulsory purchase powers to enable more effective land assembly and support regeneration. Further details will be announced in due course.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 02/03/2022 17:36:49 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1423145

	registered interest
	date	18/02/2022
	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	Hospices: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) is planning to take to encourage hospices to access Apprenticeship Levy funding.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	125102
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2022 answer text <p>We are increasing funding for apprenticeships to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. This will support apprenticeships in non-levy employers, such as hospices, where the Government will continue to pay 95% of training costs.</p><p>Since 1 April 2021, all non-levy paying employers, including hospices, arranging new apprenticeships must do so through the apprenticeship service. This provides more control over apprenticeship choices and the ability to reserve funds before choosing the appropriate apprenticeship provider. All small and medium-sized enterprises, such as hospices, have been able to reserve funding for up to 10 new apprenticeships in 2021/22.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 125103 question first answered 23/02/2022 14:42:37 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1423146

	registered interest
	date	18/02/2022
	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	Hospices: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the extent of apprenticeship opportunities in the hospice sector.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	125103
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2022 answer text <p>We are increasing funding for apprenticeships to £2.7 billion by 2024/25. This will support apprenticeships in non-levy employers, such as hospices, where the Government will continue to pay 95% of training costs.</p><p>Since 1 April 2021, all non-levy paying employers, including hospices, arranging new apprenticeships must do so through the apprenticeship service. This provides more control over apprenticeship choices and the ability to reserve funds before choosing the appropriate apprenticeship provider. All small and medium-sized enterprises, such as hospices, have been able to reserve funding for up to 10 new apprenticeships in 2021/22.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 125102 question first answered 23/02/2022 14:42:37 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421196

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	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	Regional Planning and Development
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting (a) Levelling Up Essex and (b) other local levelling up strategies as part of his plan to level up the country.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>The Levelling Up White Paper sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally across all parts of the UK, including Essex. The government’s plan is underpinned by 12 ambitious missions that will serve as an anchor for policy across government, as well as catalysing innovation and action by local partners.</p><p>On ‘Levelling Up Essex’, ‘Everyone’s Essex’, and other local strategies, the government recognises that levelling up is a collective endeavour. Success in closing spatial disparities across Essex will rely on input, buy-in and partnership with local stakeholders.</p><p>The White Paper highlights how Essex is already benefiting from investments to boost living standards, spread opportunity, restore local pride and empower local leaders. These include the government’s commitment to develop a new integrated, high-tech healthcare campus to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, as well as providing a new Institute of Technology at South Essex College. Basildon, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea will also receive expert support from the High Street Task Force.</p><p>To date, Essex has also benefited from £19.9 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the fishing industry at Leigh-on-Sea and to enhance the visitor offer along Southend seafront. Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council have also received a combined £5.6 million from the Community Renewal Fund to help support local areas to pilot imaginative new approaches, including a pilot with Harlow College to support economically inactive, unemployed and employed adults, and a project to develop the capacity of Harlow-based organisations through the Harlow Local Procurement Portal.</p><p>Communities in the East of England are set to benefit from the Thames Freeport and Freeport East, and government is also backing the Thames Estuary Growth Board. Government has invested £23.7 million through the Towns Fund to regenerate Harlow and address transport connectivity challenges within the town, with a further £60.9 million from the Fund awarded to Colchester, Grays and Tilbury.</p><p>Going forwards, local authorities in Essex will also be able to bid for further funding through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund and use the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to further support Levelling Up priorities in the region. Finally, the White Paper sets out for the first time a clear framework for devolution in England, supporting areas to develop devolution proposals which demonstrate effective leadership and sensible geography.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien grouped question UIN 121723 121725 question first answered 25/02/2022 14:40:57 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421197

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	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	Regional Planning and Development: Essex
	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 steps the Government plans to take to ensure that deprived areas of Essex will be supported through proposals in the Levelling Up White Paper.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>The Levelling Up White Paper sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally across all parts of the UK, including Essex. The government’s plan is underpinned by 12 ambitious missions that will serve as an anchor for policy across government, as well as catalysing innovation and action by local partners.</p><p>On ‘Levelling Up Essex’, ‘Everyone’s Essex’, and other local strategies, the government recognises that levelling up is a collective endeavour. Success in closing spatial disparities across Essex will rely on input, buy-in and partnership with local stakeholders.</p><p>The White Paper highlights how Essex is already benefiting from investments to boost living standards, spread opportunity, restore local pride and empower local leaders. These include the government’s commitment to develop a new integrated, high-tech healthcare campus to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, as well as providing a new Institute of Technology at South Essex College. Basildon, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea will also receive expert support from the High Street Task Force.</p><p>To date, Essex has also benefited from £19.9 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the fishing industry at Leigh-on-Sea and to enhance the visitor offer along Southend seafront. Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council have also received a combined £5.6 million from the Community Renewal Fund to help support local areas to pilot imaginative new approaches, including a pilot with Harlow College to support economically inactive, unemployed and employed adults, and a project to develop the capacity of Harlow-based organisations through the Harlow Local Procurement Portal.</p><p>Communities in the East of England are set to benefit from the Thames Freeport and Freeport East, and government is also backing the Thames Estuary Growth Board. Government has invested £23.7 million through the Towns Fund to regenerate Harlow and address transport connectivity challenges within the town, with a further £60.9 million from the Fund awarded to Colchester, Grays and Tilbury.</p><p>Going forwards, local authorities in Essex will also be able to bid for further funding through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund and use the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to further support Levelling Up priorities in the region. Finally, the White Paper sets out for the first time a clear framework for devolution in England, supporting areas to develop devolution proposals which demonstrate effective leadership and sensible geography.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien grouped question UIN 121722 121725 question first answered 25/02/2022 14:40:57 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421198

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	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	Regional Planning and Development
	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 steps he has taken to (a) assess and (b) take account of the level of need in local communities when determining the areas of focus in the Government's Levelling Up White Paper.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>The<em> Levelling Up the United Kingdom</em> White Paper provides a clear plan to level up every corner of the UK, by addressing the spatial disparities that exist within and between regions. The White Paper sets out a detailed policy programme to deliver on the 12 levelling up missions and wider levelling up objectives, particularly in those places that have been left behind.</p><p>Essex will benefit from a number of policies targeted at local communities, as set out in the White Paper. For example, Basildon, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea are part of the next group of local authorities to receive expert support from the High Streets Task Force to regenerate their high streets. Essex is also one of the areas set to benefit from the greatest uplift in funding compared with 2021-22 from the updated allocation formula for the Supporting Families programme. A new Institute of Technology, specialising in delivering higher technical education, will be developed in partnership with South Essex College.</p><p>Additionally, the ONS is making publicly available a Levelling Up Subnational Data Explorer aimed at local users and decision makers, making it easier for them to extract insight from a wide range of local authority level data on economic and social outcomes in their area. This will ensure future policies continue to be targeted at areas with the highest need.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien question first answered 25/02/2022 14:42:08 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421199

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	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	Regional Planning and Development: Essex
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether the Government's levelling up agenda will support local plans for levelling up including those set out in Everyone’s Essex.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>The Levelling Up White Paper sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally across all parts of the UK, including Essex. The government’s plan is underpinned by 12 ambitious missions that will serve as an anchor for policy across government, as well as catalysing innovation and action by local partners.</p><p>On ‘Levelling Up Essex’, ‘Everyone’s Essex’, and other local strategies, the government recognises that levelling up is a collective endeavour. Success in closing spatial disparities across Essex will rely on input, buy-in and partnership with local stakeholders.</p><p>The White Paper highlights how Essex is already benefiting from investments to boost living standards, spread opportunity, restore local pride and empower local leaders. These include the government’s commitment to develop a new integrated, high-tech healthcare campus to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, as well as providing a new Institute of Technology at South Essex College. Basildon, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea will also receive expert support from the High Street Task Force.</p><p>To date, Essex has also benefited from £19.9 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the fishing industry at Leigh-on-Sea and to enhance the visitor offer along Southend seafront. Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council have also received a combined £5.6 million from the Community Renewal Fund to help support local areas to pilot imaginative new approaches, including a pilot with Harlow College to support economically inactive, unemployed and employed adults, and a project to develop the capacity of Harlow-based organisations through the Harlow Local Procurement Portal.</p><p>Communities in the East of England are set to benefit from the Thames Freeport and Freeport East, and government is also backing the Thames Estuary Growth Board. Government has invested £23.7 million through the Towns Fund to regenerate Harlow and address transport connectivity challenges within the town, with a further £60.9 million from the Fund awarded to Colchester, Grays and Tilbury.</p><p>Going forwards, local authorities in Essex will also be able to bid for further funding through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund and use the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to further support Levelling Up priorities in the region. Finally, the White Paper sets out for the first time a clear framework for devolution in England, supporting areas to develop devolution proposals which demonstrate effective leadership and sensible geography.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien grouped question UIN 121722 121723 question first answered 25/02/2022 14:40:57 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421200

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	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	Regional Planning and Development
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving specific powers or funds to county councils outside of a formal devolution deal, where requested, as part of the Government's levelling up agenda.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121726
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>Devolving specific powers or funds to an individual local authority is dependent on agreeing a devolution deal with government, informed by the devolution framework published in the Levelling Up White Paper. As well as those which establish new institutions, all devolution deals which establish new institutions or confer new powers will be subject to Parliamentary approval to the necessary secondary legislation in order to be implemented; and deal implementation will need to be prioritised and scheduled accordingly.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien question first answered 25/02/2022 14:43:35 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1421201

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Energy: Prices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether consumers are able to opt out of receiving the £200 upfront discount on energy bills.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	121727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>Domestic energy customers in Great Britain will receive a £200 reduction on their bills this Autumn. The Government will provide funding to all suppliers for them to pass on to their domestic energy customers from October 2022. The Department will consult on the detail of the scheme in the spring</p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands question first answered 25/02/2022 14:06:15 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1418677

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Housing: Energy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to financially assist those people living in listed and older properties to insulate their homes to be energy efficient.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	115875
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2022 answer text <p>The Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy set out a comprehensive package of measures to retrofit the nation’s buildings. Alongside this the Government announced more than £3.9 billion of new funding for decarbonising heat and buildings<strong>, </strong>bringing the total commitment in this Parliament to £6.6billion.</p><p> </p><p>As part of this, the Government has a number of grant schemes to support people on low incomes to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These schemes include the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, the Home Upgrade Grant and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. In addition, the Government has committed to extending the Energy Company Obligation from 2022 to 2026, boosting its value from £640 million to £1 billion a year. This will help an extra 305,000 households with green measures such as insulation.</p><p> </p><p>Measures delivered through Government schemes must meet independent installation standards; these standards ensure that measures are installed correctly in different types of homes.</p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands question first answered 09/02/2022 18:01:38 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1416968

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2022
	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	Local Government: Local Press
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to ensure that local authorities can place statutory notices with digital-only news outlets, particularly in communities that do not have printed news outlets.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	112537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2022 answer text <p>The Government is mindful of the potential effect that any changes to the existing publicity requirements for statutory notices might have on transparency and local democracy, as well as the potential effect on the sustainability of the local news sector as a whole. We recognise the continued importance of print local newspapers to the communities they serve and that there will continue to be a need to reach out to people who cannot digitally access information. We currently have no plans to change the statutory duty to publish statutory notices.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 03/02/2022 17:50:39 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1416309

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2022
	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	Coronavirus: Israel
	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 discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers have had with their Israeli counterparts on tackling covid-19.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	111550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>We have had no recent discussions.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 31/01/2022 14:05:41 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1416310

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Protection
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Bill proposals on joint working between local authorities, the police and health authorities on safeguarding children.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	111551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2022 answer text <p>Safeguarding children requires strong multi-agency arrangements. This statutory duty is equally shared between local authorities, health and police. The department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, the Home Office and key sector stakeholders to ensure that safeguarding remains a priority under the Health and Social Care Bill. We are also working to assure that the needs of children and young people stay central to decision-making within these new multi-agency arrangements.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 02/02/2022 12:38:30 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1416311

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Home Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Government’s response to the Education Committee’s Third Report on Strengthening Home Education, published on 26 October 2021, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to create a statutory register including home educated children, based on the Government's response to the Committee’s report.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	111552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2022 answer text <p>The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we intend to legislate for it at a suitable opportunity. We will set out further details in the government response to the ‘Children Not in School’ consultation, which we will publish in coming weeks.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 02/02/2022 16:36:09 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1415811

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2022
	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	Schools: Food and Nutrition
	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 his Department has to work with the Department for Education to ensure that the nutrition and quality of food provided in schools is actively monitored to help prevent obesity in children.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	110321
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>The forthcoming Government Food Strategy is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a food system that feeds our nation today and protects it for tomorrow. It will build upon work already underway in the Agriculture Act, Fisheries Act, and Environment Act as well as docking into wider Government priorities, such as the obesity strategy.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is fully committed to ensuring children get the best start in life. The Department for Education (DfE) encourages all schools to promote healthy eating and provide healthy, tasty, and nutritious food and drink, and as part of the upcoming Food Strategy, DfE is looking at options for driving adherence with the school food standards. The Government is also supporting the health and nutrition of children through initiatives such as the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme which provides a free piece of fruit or vegetable to every child in Key Stage 1 at state-funded primary schools on every school day.</p><p> </p><p>Defra will continue to work closely with DfE and all other relevant Departments across Whitehall to develop a plan to ensure the food system is sustainable and accessible, supporting people, families, and our future generations to live healthy lives. I am looking forward to meeting colleagues across various departments in the run up to publication.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/01/2022 16:27:24 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1415812

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the increase in the number of people using buy now, pay later services.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	110322
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>HM Treasury regularly monitors changes in the consumer credit market as part of the normal process of policy development.</p><p> </p><p>The Woolard Review into the unsecured credit market found several potential risks of consumer detriment from interest-free Buy-Now Pay-Later products, including the absence of information given to consumers about features of Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. The Government recognises those risks, but also notes that as an interest-free product, Buy-Now Pay-Later can often be lower-risk than other forms of borrowing and a useful tool to help consumers manage their finances. That is why, on 2 February 2021, the Government announced its intention to regulate Buy-Now Pay-Later products in a proportionate manner.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published a consultation on policy proposals for the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later on 21 October 2021, which closed on 6 January. The consultation included proposals to apply Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules on pre-contract disclosure and adequate explanations to Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. These rules require firms to make adequate pre-contractual explanation to ensure the customer is in a position to assess whether the agreement is suitable for their needs and financial situation.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is now reviewing responses to this consultation and considering next steps and intends to publish a consultation response in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>HMT does not hold information regarding the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who have been referred to debt collection agencies by Buy-Now Pay-Later in the last 12 months, or the amount collected in late payment fees by the Buy-Now Pay-Later sector in each of the last three years. Instead, HMT draws on the research of various stakeholders including consumer groups and the wider financial services industry.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 110323 110324 110325 110326 110647 question first answered 31/01/2022 16:29:27 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1415813

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Credit: Public Consultation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish a response to the consultation on the regulation of buy now pay later products which closed on 6 January 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	110323
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>HM Treasury regularly monitors changes in the consumer credit market as part of the normal process of policy development.</p><p> </p><p>The Woolard Review into the unsecured credit market found several potential risks of consumer detriment from interest-free Buy-Now Pay-Later products, including the absence of information given to consumers about features of Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. The Government recognises those risks, but also notes that as an interest-free product, Buy-Now Pay-Later can often be lower-risk than other forms of borrowing and a useful tool to help consumers manage their finances. That is why, on 2 February 2021, the Government announced its intention to regulate Buy-Now Pay-Later products in a proportionate manner.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published a consultation on policy proposals for the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later on 21 October 2021, which closed on 6 January. The consultation included proposals to apply Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules on pre-contract disclosure and adequate explanations to Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. These rules require firms to make adequate pre-contractual explanation to ensure the customer is in a position to assess whether the agreement is suitable for their needs and financial situation.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is now reviewing responses to this consultation and considering next steps and intends to publish a consultation response in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>HMT does not hold information regarding the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who have been referred to debt collection agencies by Buy-Now Pay-Later in the last 12 months, or the amount collected in late payment fees by the Buy-Now Pay-Later sector in each of the last three years. Instead, HMT draws on the research of various stakeholders including consumer groups and the wider financial services industry.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 110322 110324 110325 110326 110647 question first answered 31/01/2022 16:29:27 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1415814

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Credit: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of 18 to 24 year olds who have been referred to debt collection agencies by buy now, pay later firms in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	110324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>HM Treasury regularly monitors changes in the consumer credit market as part of the normal process of policy development.</p><p> </p><p>The Woolard Review into the unsecured credit market found several potential risks of consumer detriment from interest-free Buy-Now Pay-Later products, including the absence of information given to consumers about features of Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. The Government recognises those risks, but also notes that as an interest-free product, Buy-Now Pay-Later can often be lower-risk than other forms of borrowing and a useful tool to help consumers manage their finances. That is why, on 2 February 2021, the Government announced its intention to regulate Buy-Now Pay-Later products in a proportionate manner.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published a consultation on policy proposals for the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later on 21 October 2021, which closed on 6 January. The consultation included proposals to apply Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules on pre-contract disclosure and adequate explanations to Buy-Now Pay-Later agreements. These rules require firms to make adequate pre-contractual explanation to ensure the customer is in a position to assess whether the agreement is suitable for their needs and financial situation.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is now reviewing responses to this consultation and considering next steps and intends to publish a consultation response in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>HMT does not hold information regarding the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who have been referred to debt collection agencies by Buy-Now Pay-Later in the last 12 months, or the amount collected in late payment fees by the Buy-Now Pay-Later sector in each of the last three years. Instead, HMT draws on the research of various stakeholders including consumer groups and the wider financial services industry.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 110322 110323 110325 110326 110647 question first answered 31/01/2022 16:29:27 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon