Show Search Form

Search Results

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

Search

1216170

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
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	Joint Biosecurity Centre
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 49643 on Joint Biosecurity Centre: Staff and the Answer of 8 June to Question 49644 on Joint Biosecurity Centre, what progress he has made on the (a) establishment, (b) funding and (c) staffing of the new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) announced the appointment of its Director General Claire Gardiner on 5 June and is an integral part of the Test and Trace Service in the Department. It engages with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including other Government departments. Like the wider Test and Trace Service, we will be as transparent as possible in our work and, wherever we can, will publish our delivery figures and publications. Staffing levels currently stand at just under 200 people.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 02/07/2020 12:44:44 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216200

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Hospitality Industry and Tourism: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to reduce VAT on tourism and hospitality-related activities to 5 per cent.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62377
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2020 answer text <p>VAT raised £130 billion in 2019/2020. It is a major source of revenue for the Exchequer and plays an important part in funding the Government’s spending priorities including hospitals, schools and defence.</p><p> </p><p>Reducing VAT on tourism and hospitality-related activities would come at a considerable cost to the Exchequer. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review.</p><p> </p><p>In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has announced a range of measures to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and relief from business rates worth more than £300 billion.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 26/06/2020 15:15:44 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216263

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Prime Minister
answering dept id	23
answering dept short name	Prime Minister
answering dept sort name	Prime Minister
hansard heading	Prime Minister: Public Opinion
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2020 to Question 57942 whether he has undertaken (a) polling and (b) other evidence gathering of public opinion to underpin his statement that nobody in Number 10 has done anything to undermine the Government's covid-19 messaging.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to my Parliamentary statement of 23 June 2020, Official Report, Column 1167 onwards, which outlines how we are working with the public to combat the Covid-19 virus, and to trust in the common sense of the British people. That common sense and the public’s sacrifices have allowed us to get the virus under control and downgrade the Covid Alert Level.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Uxbridge and South Ruislip answering member printed Boris Johnson question first answered 30/06/2020 15:04:23 answering member 1423 label Biography information for Boris Johnson
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216274

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 9 June to Question 52251 on Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations, what policy on mandatory face-to-face assessments for benefit applications applied from 17 June 2020; what her timescale is for confirming next steps; if she will indefinitely suspend mandatory face-to-face assessments for benefit applications indefinitely; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>Under pre-existing arrangements for assessments for the health and disability benefits, we will always look to conduct a paper-based assessment where possible. Face-to-face assessments remain suspended while we review what activity we can gradually start reintroducing in line with the latest public health advice and we expect to announce our next steps shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 30/06/2020 15:08:04 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216275

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Press Conferences: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions has not lead a daily covid-19 briefing broadcast from Downing Street.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>The daily coronavirus press conferences have been led by the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary, and other Cabinet Ministers as required, reflecting the salient topics.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 29/06/2020 14:17:54 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216336

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Applications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 49637, if she will make it her policy to allow people who are making in-country claims for asylum to complete their applications virtually during the covid-19 pandemic; and what support her Department will provide to asylum seekers to complete those applications digitally.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not intend to change the current policy that asylum claims must be made in person. The Home Office has temporarily introduced additional locations to register asylum claims, with social distancing measures in place at these locations for the safety of claimants and Home Office staff. These are temporary arrangements which will be kept under review to align with HMG guidance. These changes do not represent a new operating model, they are contingency measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to ensure that asylum seekers are able to safely register their claims.<em> </em></p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 03/07/2020 13:12:43 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216339

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Youth Mobility Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the UK's points-based immigration system: policy statement on 19 February 2020, if she will make it her Department’s policy for EU citizens aged 18 to 30 to be eligible for the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>We have indicated our desire to negotiate a youth mobility arrangement with the EU, or with individual countries within it, ensuring that young people can continue to enjoy the social, cultural and educational benefits of living in the EU and the UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 02/07/2020 07:57:16 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216340

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department is providing to people outside of the UK who are unable to (a) provide their biometric information or (b) take an approved English language test for their immigration applications due to the closure of (i) UK Visa Application Centres and (ii) test centres during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62383
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office has already implemented a number of measures for visa applicants, including for those who are unable to take an English language tests due to the impact of Covid-19. Details of all published concessions are available at - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.</p><p> </p><p>Some specific concessions are in place on English language testing, for example for those applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life you can apply for an exemption if the test centre was closed or you couldn’t travel to it due to Covid-19. For students, Higher Education Providers (HEP) can self-assess the English ability of those studying at degree level or above and due to Covid-19, this provision has been temporarily extended to allow HEPs to self-assess the English ability of students undertaking pre-sessional courses.</p><p> </p><p>Secure English Language Testing (SELT) centres have started to reopen in England and in a number of overseas locations outside of the UK, where local restrictions have eased.</p><p> </p><p>In order to submit their biometric data, visa customers are required to attend a visa application centre (VAC). The decision to reopen each VAC location is taken in conjunction with our outsourced operators (commercial partners) and is subject to the easing of restrictions in each location. A number of centres have already reopened and details of which centres are open or will be opening are published on the relevant commercial partner websites. UKVI and its partners are ensuring that regular communications are issued to keep customers informed of re-opening dates and appointment availability</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 02/07/2020 08:01:38 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1216342

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Applications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the statistics relating to covid-19 and the immigration system, May 2020, published 28 May 2020, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the delays in decisions on immigration applications that have resulted from the covid-19 outbreak, and what the average timeframe is for an immigration decision on (a) a visa application, (b) an application to the EU Settlement Scheme and (c) an asylum application.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	62384
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>Immigrations case-working operations have been impacted by COVID-19 and we have continued to make decisions where we have been able to. The re-opening of case-working offices has commenced and all teams are committed to decide applications as quickly as possible. Information on processing times for visa applications is published as part of the Migration Transparency data, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data.</p><p> </p><p>Due to the digital nature of the EU Settlement Scheme, it has remained open throughout the pandemic for customers able to apply on line using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app.</p><p> </p><p>The current expected processing times are between 5 working days and a month but in some instances may take longer depending on the circumstances of the case and if we need to request further information from an applicant. The extent and length of time taken to complete these enquiries varies according to the prevailing circumstances of each particular application. The expected processing times are based upon current performance and can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-application-processing-times/eu-settlement-scheme-pilot-current-expected-processing-times-for-applications</p><p> </p><p>Additional support is available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online through Assisted Digital, which can offer assistance over the phone.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office takes the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously and has already put in place a range of measures to support asylum applicants affected by the covid-19 outbreak. In line with the Home Office’ commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of its staff and applicants as a top priority, Asylum Operations made the decision to cease face to face substantive asylum interviews with effect from Thursday 19th March 2020. Asylum Operations has continued to make decisions where there is enough information on file to allow a decision to be made.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office remains committed to delivering a fair and humane asylum system and minimising delays to decision making; our ability to interview applicants is critical that that. To keep people safe but allow the Home Office to gather relevant information needed to make a decision on their claim for protection, Asylum Operations have secured additional mobile digital and video interviewing kit that enables more applicants to be interviewed remotely. Substantive asylum interviews will restart as soon we can establish a process that allows the participants - applicants, representatives, interpreters and interviewers - to do so safely.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office is committed to ensuring that claims are considered without unnecessary delay, to ensure that individuals who need protection are granted asylum as soon as possible and can start to integrate and rebuild their lives, including those granted at appeal. All asylum claims lodged in the UK are care-fully considered on a case by case basis, based on their individual merits, against a background of relevant case law and up to date country information.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 02/07/2020 07:59:52 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1205672

registered interest
date	19/06/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Business: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the businesses that closed or partially closed because of lockdown he expects to be fully open and trading from 1st July; whether he is aware that HMRC have issued businesses with notices that VAT due after 30th June cannot be deferred and must be paid in full and on time; and whether he will make it his policy to extend coronavirus VAT deferral period.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	61711
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>The Prime Minister has already set out next steps on the Government’s response to COVID-19. In the publication “Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy”, the Government sets out which businesses can be expected to open when, and under what conditions.</p><p> </p><p>The VAT payments deferral scheme is ending on 30 June as planned. HMRC have reminded businesses of this so that they are better prepared and ready to reinstate payments with VAT returns due after this date. HMRC’s Time To Pay service is still available for businesses struggling to pay their tax bills.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 24/06/2020 07:42:09 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas