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1197795

registered interest
date	20/05/2020
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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Callanan on 14 May (HL Deb, cols 781–2), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, what plans they have to review their guidance Working Safely during COVID-19, published on 11 May, to ensure that it is compatible with the statutory duty to provide personal protection equipment to any employee who may be at risk. [T]
tabling member printed	Lord Hendy
uin	HL4773
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government continues to work with stakeholders on developing sensible guidance for businesses that will give UK workers the utmost confidence on their return to work. We will now focus on sectors that are not currently open to help them plan for when they can open. The Government is keen to stay in close contact with other business sectors so we have the right information ahead of any further guidance publications.</p><p> </p><p>We will keep the guidance under review and will consider updating it as circumstances change. We are being led by the science and we will make changes to the guidance when they are needed as determined by the science and as we learn best practices from businesses. We welcome views on the guidance. If there are specific points you would want to make about safer working, contact details can be found on the gov.uk/workingsafely webpages.</p><p> </p><p>The guidance outlines where an employer’s risk assessment identifies that certain steps need to be taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19, such as ensuring social distancing is maintained or providing additional handwashing facilities, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that these steps are taken. This is already an existing obligation for employers, which this guidance does not change. If an employer’s risk assessment does show that PPE is required, employers must provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it, and any PPE must fit properly.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 28/05/2020 14:09:51 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
tabling member	4723 label Biography information for Lord Hendy

1197816

registered interest
date	20/05/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Social Distancing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what preparations they have made for the easing of social distancing measures.
tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
uin	HL4794
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>Coronavirus is the biggest challenge the UK has faced in decades. That is why the Government put in place strict social distancing to slow the spread of the virus so that the NHS would not be overwhelmed, and lives could be saved. With thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the British people, the UK slowed the spread of Coronavirus.</p><p>As set out in Our Plan to Rebuild, the Government will introduce a range of adjustments to current social distancing controls, timing these carefully according to both the current transmission rate of the virus and the Government’s ability to ensure safety. The steps for modifying social distancing measures are set out in the plan, with strict conditions to safely move from each step to the next.</p><p>The Government continues to keep social distancing measures under constant review, with a statutory obligation to review progress every three weeks.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 28/05/2020 14:46:11 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1197203

registered interest
date	19/05/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	British Council: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to the British Council to respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL4672
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The FCO remains committed to the British Council, who are a key driver of our soft power overseas and a precious part of the FCO family. In order to help stabilise their immediate financial position following the impact of Covid-19 on their ability to operate, we agreed to provide the British Council with £26m of additional funding for the 2019-20 financial year. We have also provided some of their 2020-21 Grant-in-Aid funding upfront this month to further alleviate pressures.</p><p>The FCO have also supported the British Council in accessing wider government relief available through the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme and similar schemes in other countries. This will help them support many of their workforce, and those employed through its partners, funded through the commercial side of their business. We will continue to work closely with the British Council in the coming days and weeks to seek to address the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to operate.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 28/05/2020 14:20:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

1197248

registered interest
date	19/05/2020
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	Key Workers: Ethnic Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) support, and (2) protect, BAME (a) key workers, and (b) NHS staff, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The Department has commissioned Public Health England to complete a rapid review to understand disparities in COVID-19 infection across the population. This will include looking at the impact on different ethnic groups and occupations - as well as by deprivation, age, and sex. The report will suggest recommendations for further steps that should be taken to reduce disparities in risk and outcomes from COVID-19 on the population.</p><p>In advance of Public Health England’s review, and on a precautionary basis, NHS England and NHS Improvement have recommended that all National Health Service organisations undertake appropriate risk assessments for their black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and make appropriate arrangements to support and protect them. The Department is working to support the care sector to ensure the safety of all staff in social care.</p><p>All NHS and social care staff can access emotional, psychological and practical support.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 28/05/2020 11:28:46 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1196403

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Bromsgrove
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he is putting in place for three-tier school systems in Bromsgrove district as part of the phased wider opening of educational and childcare settings.
tabling member constituency	Bromsgrove
tabling member printed	Sajid Javid
uin	48385
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>From the week commencing 1 June, at the earliest, the Department will be asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, alongside priority groups. We will only do this provided that the five key tests set by the Government justify the changes at the time.</p><p>We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn. We know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers. The safety of children and staff is our utmost priority.</p><p>The Department’s guidance for schools and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020</a>.</p><p>The three year groups within mainstream primary have been prioritised because they are key transition years. Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and preparing for the transition to secondary school and, in many cases, the secondary curriculum and will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready. The Department expects all mainstream schools to follow the same approach and are asking middle schools to do the same and welcome back children in Year 6 to ensure a consistent approach across England.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/05/2020 11:05:59 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3945 label Biography information for Sir Sajid Javid

1196419

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has put in place to ensure social distancing is enforced on school buses to ensure safe travel when schools return during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	48607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>Parents and children should consider walking and cycling to school where possible, or driving if necessary. They should avoid the use of public transport where possible. The Department for Transport has published guidance on safer travel for the public. It is available here: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers</a>. Parents and children may wish to refer to this when planning their journeys, and to help them minimise risk where the use of public transport is unavoidable.</p><p> </p><p>Some children have their home to school transport arranged by their local authority or school. Local authorities and schools should put in place arrangements which fit local circumstances and minimise the risk of transmission, as far as is possible. This should include making sure transport providers follow hygiene rules. They may wish to refer to the Department for Transport’s guidance for transport operators here: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators</a>.</p><p>In addition, the phased wider opening of schools will limit the number of children travelling on home to school transport in the initial phase. Where transport capacity allows, local authorities could consider substituting smaller vehicles with larger ones, or running two vehicles rather than one, to reduce the number of passengers per vehicle and help passengers keep their distance.</p><p>We are in contact with local authorities to help resolve issues as they arise.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/05/2020 12:23:01 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1196420

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he take steps to ensure that all (a) announcements and (b) guidance on reopening schools during the covid-19 outbreak are made in good time to give headteachers adequate notice to implement that guidance.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	48608
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>From the week commencing 1 June, at the earliest, the Department will be asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, alongside priority groups. We will only do this provided that the five key tests set by the Government justify the changes at the time.</p><p>The Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy on 11 May, which confirmed that schools should prepare to begin to open for more children from 1 June – giving schools a three week notice period. On the same day, the Department for Education published guidance for schools to support planning for 1 June, including guidance on implementing protective measures.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/05/2020 11:14:52 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1196421

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had with headteachers on plans to safely reopen schools during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	48609
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The Department is currently working closely with the sector to determine the best way for schools to open for more pupils, in line with the five key tests set out by the Government. There continues to be extensive engagement with headteacher unions at both a ministerial and official level, as well as engagement with the Department for Education’s headteacher reference groups at an official level.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/05/2020 11:12:40 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1196422

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what scientific advice his Department received on the viability of reopening schools during the covid-19 outbreak on 1 June 2020.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	48610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its sub-group the Children’s Task and Finish Working Group have provided scientific health advice to the Government. This advice has been used, alongside other sources of information, to inform decision making on potential schools re-opening options.</p><p>The list of papers to be released to date are available by following the link below, including several schools-related papers. This list will be updated to reflect papers considered at future meetings:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response</a></p><p>The Government has also made clear that schools will only be opened more widely when the five key tests set by Government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing.</p><p>The Department has also engaged with Public Health England to devise a ‘hierarchy of controls’ which, when implemented, will create an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 48611 question first answered 28/05/2020 11:34:48 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1196423

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what scientific advice his Department received on reopening schools on 1 June 2020 for (a) nursery, (b) reception, (c) Year 1 and (d) Year 6 pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	48611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2020 answer text <p>The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its sub-group the Children’s Task and Finish Working Group have provided scientific health advice to the Government. This advice has been used, alongside other sources of information, to inform decision making on potential schools re-opening options.</p><p>The list of papers to be released to date are available by following the link below, including several schools-related papers. This list will be updated to reflect papers considered at future meetings:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response</a></p><p>The Government has also made clear that schools will only be opened more widely when the five key tests set by Government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing.</p><p>The Department has also engaged with Public Health England to devise a ‘hierarchy of controls’ which, when implemented, will create an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 48610 question first answered 28/05/2020 11:34:48 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan