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1659079

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Paternity Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the level of paternity pay.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198360
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2023 answer text <p>We recently published our response to the consultation on parental leave and pay. This detailed our planned reforms to make Paternity Leave and Pay more flexible and easier to take, including increasing the period of time within which leave can be taken and allowing it to be taken in non-consecutive blocks. In line with other parental pay entitlements, Paternity Pay is paid at the statutory rate.</p><p>The standard rate of Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay is reviewed annually and from April 2023, it increased by September's CPI figure of 10.1 per cent to £172.48.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake grouped question UIN 198359 198363 question first answered 14/09/2023 15:38:19 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1659082

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Paternity Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing (a) the length of time for which paternity pay is awarded and (b) the level of paternity pay when the mother is not working.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2023 answer text <p>We recently published our response to the consultation on parental leave and pay. This detailed our planned reforms to make Paternity Leave and Pay more flexible and easier to take, including increasing the period of time within which leave can be taken and allowing it to be taken in non-consecutive blocks. In line with other parental pay entitlements, Paternity Pay is paid at the statutory rate.</p><p>The standard rate of Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay is reviewed annually and from April 2023, it increased by September's CPI figure of 10.1 per cent to £172.48.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake grouped question UIN 198359 198360 question first answered 14/09/2023 15:38:19 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1659093

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Electronic equipment: Government Departments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to encourage Departments to donate electronic devices that are no longer in use the National Device Bank.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting the government’s commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. Reflecting the four key pillars set out in the government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, we recognise that access to safe and suitable devices remains a key barrier facing digitally excluded people. Device donation initiatives are a significant and valuable contribution to supporting people to overcome this obstacle and I would encourage all private and public sector organisations to consider the feasibility of doing this.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has noted this particular recommendation in the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s report on digital exclusion and cost of living and will formally respond later this month.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 14/09/2023 15:08:38 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658732

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Digital Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to publish a revised Digital Inclusion Strategy.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198196
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting the government’s commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. The 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy, and the four pillars it sets out, remains as relevant today as it was when published. These principles were further echoed in the Government’s UK<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#the-whole-uk-spreading-prosperity-and-levelling-up" target="_blank"> Digital Strategy</a> published in 2022, and our vision to enable everyone from across the UK to benefit from all that digital innovation can offer.</p><p>The Department has noted this recommendation in the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s report on digital exclusion and cost of living and will formally respond this month.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 11/09/2023 16:01:35 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658734

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Digital Technology: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to increase funding for digital inclusion and skills.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198197
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p><strong>Digital Skills</strong></p><p>The Government recognises that digital skills are becoming ever more important in the economy. Last year, we launched the UK <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#s3:~:text=3.%20Digital%20skills%20and%20talent" target="_blank">Digital Strategy</a>, which set out our commitment to develop digital skills across the whole of the UK.</p><p> </p><p>To grow the digital workforce in the UK, the government has introduced a range of interventions across the digital skills pipeline and at all levels. This includes ensuring there is a range of flexible courses available for people already in the workforce. As part of Skills for Life, the government launched Skills Bootcamps, which offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview at the end. The Department for Education is increasing investment to up to £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p>To provide people with the opportunity to develop specialised AI and data skills, even for those who have no previous experience, the government has made a £30 million investment via two phases in AI and Data science conversion courses. The government is committed to ensuring the tech sector is diverse, which is why the government has funded scholarships for underrepresented groups to earn a masters degree on these courses, and has supported the Tech Talent Charter (TCC) since 2017.</p><p><strong>Digital Inclusion</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting our commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. This directly supports the UK’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#the-whole-uk-spreading-prosperity-and-levelling-up" target="_blank">Digital Strategy </a>and its “vision to enable everyone, from every industry and across the UK, to benefit from all that digital innovation can offer.”</p><p> </p><p>Supporting people to engage in an increasingly digitalised world involves overcoming the barriers to access, skills, motivation and trust identified in the government’s digital inclusion strategy. A range of departments support the government’s approach to removing these barriers.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is tackling these issues by continuing to invest in digital infrastructure to broaden gigabit-capable and mobile-network coverage. To support low income households stay connected, the Government continues to work with telecoms providers to ensure market provision of low-cost broadband and mobile tariffs.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education are providing access to essential digital skills courses through the Essential Digital Entitlement and the Adult Education budget. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are leveraging our national network of libraries to serve as an alternative point of internet access with in-person support. Department for Work and Pensions are referring claimants to essential digital skills courses to improve their chances of securing employment and supporting eligible claimants with the provision of devices and connectivity connection. Cabinet Office is setting an example by monitoring the accessibility of all public sector websites to make sure that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments, can access public services.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 11/09/2023 16:41:19 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658736

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Broadband: Social Tariffs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is taking steps to increase public awareness of broadband social tariffs.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198198
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>Information about social tariffs continues to be promoted through the Government’s <a href="https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/housing-support/" target="_blank">Help for Households</a> webpage and other promotional materials. We are also taking advantage of existing cross-government channels - including libraries, the school networks and jobcentre work coaches, to highlight social tariffs to eligible people directly.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continues to work closely with Ofcom - who have a regulatory duty to monitor affordability in the telecoms market - to push operators to do more to promote their social tariff offers. On 7 July 2023, Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, wrote to industry leaders to set out the regulator’s expectation that they take practical action to increase awareness.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Sir John Whittingdale question first answered 11/09/2023 16:53:04 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658739

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Broadband: Social Tariffs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to reduce VAT on broadband social tariffs.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	198199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>VAT is the UK’s third largest tax forecast to raise £161 billion in 2023/24, helping to fund key spending priorities such as public services, including the NHS, education and defence. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.</p><p> </p><p>VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations. This request should be viewed in the context of over £50 billion of requests for relief from VAT received since the EU referendum.</p><p> </p><p>Although there are no current plans to reduce VAT on broadband social tariffs, the Government keeps all taxes under review.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 11/09/2023 13:37:03 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656729

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing adaptations for people with dyslexia sitting the driving theory test.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	196470
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA has worked with the British Dyslexia Association to implement changes to the theory test to make it more accessible for learners allowing them to have their knowledge and understanding checked, without putting them at an undue disadvantage.</p><p> </p><p>These changes include:</p><ul><li>removing continuation questions</li><li>adding more pictures</li><li>replacing words like “increase” and “decrease” with words like “faster” and “slower”</li><li>increasing the font size</li><li>removing red font</li></ul><p> </p><p>Candidates who have reading difficulties can request an English or Welsh voiceover. This provides candidates with headphones and enables them to listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as needed.</p><p> </p><p>Theory test slots are open to all candidates, but those needing extra support, such as candidates with dyslexia, can request other adaptions including:</p><ul><li>additional time to take the test (up to double time)</li><li>someone to read the questions out and record the answers for the candidate</li><li>using an oral language modifier, who will reword the questions making them easier to understand, changing non-technical words and phrases, and the order of a sentence</li><li>taking the test in a separate room</li></ul><p> </p><p>If a dyslexic candidate needs something more bespoke, such as certain colour overlays, the DVSA will aim to meet their need.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA will continue to look at ways in which it can further improve the theory test for candidates with learning difficulties.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden grouped question UIN 196471 question first answered 07/09/2023 08:11:09 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656731

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what percentage of driving theory test slots are allocated to learners with dyslexia.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	196471
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA has worked with the British Dyslexia Association to implement changes to the theory test to make it more accessible for learners allowing them to have their knowledge and understanding checked, without putting them at an undue disadvantage.</p><p> </p><p>These changes include:</p><ul><li>removing continuation questions</li><li>adding more pictures</li><li>replacing words like “increase” and “decrease” with words like “faster” and “slower”</li><li>increasing the font size</li><li>removing red font</li></ul><p> </p><p>Candidates who have reading difficulties can request an English or Welsh voiceover. This provides candidates with headphones and enables them to listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as needed.</p><p> </p><p>Theory test slots are open to all candidates, but those needing extra support, such as candidates with dyslexia, can request other adaptions including:</p><ul><li>additional time to take the test (up to double time)</li><li>someone to read the questions out and record the answers for the candidate</li><li>using an oral language modifier, who will reword the questions making them easier to understand, changing non-technical words and phrases, and the order of a sentence</li><li>taking the test in a separate room</li></ul><p> </p><p>If a dyslexic candidate needs something more bespoke, such as certain colour overlays, the DVSA will aim to meet their need.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA will continue to look at ways in which it can further improve the theory test for candidates with learning difficulties.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden grouped question UIN 196470 question first answered 07/09/2023 08:11:09 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656732

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there are differences in waiting times for driving theory tests for learners with dyslexia and those without.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	uin	196472
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>There are no differences in waiting times for driving theory tests for learners with dyslexia and for those without.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 06/09/2023 11:35:30 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan