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1186422

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Zero Hours Contracts: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department is providing to people on zero-hours contracts whose employment has been terminated as a result of covid-19 and do not qualify for Statutory Sick Pay because they are not self-isolating.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	32138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances and we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government has been clear in its commitment to support those affected in these difficult times and we have made a number of changes to the welfare system in the past fortnight to ensure people are supported in doing this. These changes include:</ins><br /></p><ul><li><ins class="ministerial">making it easier to access benefits. Those applying for Contributory ESA will be able to claim from day 1 – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessment. Both Universal Credit and Contributory ESA can now be claimed by phone or online;</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">increasing the standard allowance of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by around £1000 per year;</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">temporarily relaxing the application of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for all self-employed claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 to ensure that the self-employed can access UC at a more generous rate; and</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">increasing in the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</ins></li></ul><p><ins class="ministerial">Together, these measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Chancellor has also confirmed that, depending on their status, workers on zero hours contracts may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and we would urge people to explore this avenue too.</ins></p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/03/2020 11:57:37 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 15:01:33 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson previous answer version 14226 answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1226586

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2020
	answering body	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	209
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Weddings: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will review the limit of 30 people attending wedding ceremonies as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	76667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government is working closely with stakeholders in the wedding industry, the Places of Worship Taskforce, and the National Panel for Registration to keep our COVID-19 secure marriages and civil partnerships policies and guidance under review.</p><p>From 15 August 2020 receptions and other celebrations for weddings and civil partnerships can take place in a COVID-19 secure venue, however, this does not apply in areas under local restrictions. Capacity at wedding or civil partnership ceremonies (including the couple, guests, and third-party suppliers, but not venue staff or third-party catering staff) should be no more than 30 and safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue. We will reassess guidance in relation to larger wedding receptions in line with the development of the scientific advice. Further guidance on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 76668 question first answered 01/09/2020 12:05:04 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1226587

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2020
	answering body	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	209
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Weddings: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his timescale is for further updating the policy on restrictions on the number of guests at wedding ceremonies as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	76668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government is working closely with stakeholders in the wedding industry, the Places of Worship Taskforce, and the National Panel for Registration to keep our COVID-19 secure marriages and civil partnerships policies and guidance under review.</p><p>From 15 August 2020 receptions and other celebrations for weddings and civil partnerships can take place in a COVID-19 secure venue, however, this does not apply in areas under local restrictions. Capacity at wedding or civil partnership ceremonies (including the couple, guests, and third-party suppliers, but not venue staff or third-party catering staff) should be no more than 30 and safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue. We will reassess guidance in relation to larger wedding receptions in line with the development of the scientific advice. Further guidance on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 76667 question first answered 01/09/2020 12:05:04 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172901

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Waste Management: Veolia Environment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many local authorities hold contracts for waste management services with Veolia.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	7193
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>Defra does not retain a list of Veolia’s contracts with local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>All companies that collect waste for local authorities must be registered waste carriers with the Environment Agency and must take that waste to a permitted or registered exempt site. The Environment Agency will hold registration details for these carriers.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 28/01/2020 11:26:45 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1191074

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Waste Disposal: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance he has issued to local authorities about the re-opening of rubbish tips; and if he will make it his policy that rubbish tips can remain open on condition that social distancing can be adhered to.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	41030
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>We published guidance on 7 April to help local authorities prioritise waste services at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-to-local-authorities-on-prioritising-waste-collections/guidance-on-prioritising-waste-collection-services-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-to-local-authorities-on-prioritising-waste-collections/guidance-on-prioritising-waste-collection-services-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic</a>. This recommends keeping household waste recycling centres open if it is safe to do so.</p><p>The Government is working closely with local authorities and the waste industry to see how we can re-open these sites in the coming weeks, whilst observing social distancing and other requirements, to make sure collections are prioritised appropriately and that all parts of the waste system continue to run as smoothly as possible. We expect to publish further guidance shortly.</p><p>Local authorities should maintain black bag collections and prevent waste from building up to protect the environment and public health.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 04/05/2020 12:33:26 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180339

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2020
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Wales Office: Civil Society
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding he has allocated to civil society and campaigning bodies in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	20460
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has not allocated any funding to civil society and campaigning bodies in the last three years.</p> answering member constituency Monmouth answering member printed David T C Davies question first answered 28/02/2020 10:56:52 answering member 1545 label Biography information for David T C Davies
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

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

1360279

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Vocational Guidance: Hospitality Industry
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to encourage young people to take up careers in the hospitality sector.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	56982
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2021 answer text <p>The Department is working across our Jobcentre Plus (JCP) network to encourage all suitable candidates into the hospitality sector. We are supporting our Work Coaches to help them identify new talent for employers through our Plan for Jobs programmes.</p><p> </p><p>Through the DWP Youth Offer, Work Coaches are helping young people access local skills, training and jobs. This may include Kickstart placements, Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, traineeships, work experience or apprenticeships.</p><p> </p><p>Our Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provides opportunities in sectors with high volumes of current local vacancies, such as hospitality, allowing people to learn the skills and behaviours that employers need. DWP is increasing the number of SWAPs opportunities to 80,000 in 2021/22.</p><p> </p><p>Our National Employer and Partnership Team (NEPT) ran a series of Spotlight Calls for work coaches and employer engagement colleagues to ensure that they promote and maximise every opportunity available in these sectors to our customers. They have been joined on these calls by representatives from UK Hospitality and Springboard, as well as employers who spoke about the opportunities they have available.</p><p> </p><p>We have made changes to our Job Help website which now includes an article on hospitality and encourages customers to consider a job in the sector, by highlighting the reasons to work in hospitality and the range of roles available. It also points jobseekers to training through the Careers Scope website and recommends jobseekers consider the key sector job boards (Caterer, Leisure Jobs, Jobsite, Hospitality UK) and the Find a Job website.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 26/10/2021 13:31:44 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1288177

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Vocational Education: Qualifications
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent progress has been made on the Government's consultation on the future of newly-reformed Applied General Qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	156339
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department has consulted in 2 stages on proposals for the review of post-16 qualifications at level 3, which includes Applied General qualifications. The second stage of consultation ran from 23 October 2020 to 31 January 2021 and asked for views on the range of qualifications that will sit alongside A levels and T Levels in future.</p><p>No decisions have been made yet. The responses to the consultation are informing our thinking and we intend to publish a full response in due course.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 02/03/2021 10:28:04 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172572

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Iraq
	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 people from the Kurdistan Region in Iraq were refused an entry visa to the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	6653
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not publish the information requested. Available information on entry clearance visa applications can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019</a>.</p><p>Our commercial partner, TLS Contact, operates the User Pay application point in Erbil which operates five days a week (Sundays to Thursdays) between 0900 and 1600 and offers 42 appointment slots each day. The operating frequency of our outsourced operations are dictated by demand.</p><p>The UK keeps its visa system under regular review. Decisions on changes are always taken in the round and reflect key facets of the bilateral relationship with the country concerned. These will vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns, reciprocal arrangements for UK nationals, logistics and prosperity.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 6654 question first answered 03/02/2020 17:42:02 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon