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1701581

registered interest
date	16/04/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Grants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing non-repayable maintenance grants for higher education students from the least advantaged backgrounds.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	22095
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>The government believes that income contingent student loans are a fair and sensible way of financing higher education (HE). It is only right that those who benefit from the system should make a fair contribution to its costs. The government have continued to increase maximum loans and grants for living and other costs for undergraduate and postgraduate students each year, with a 2.8% increase for the 2023/24 academic year and a further 2.5% increase announced for 2024/25.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the government have frozen maximum tuition fees for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years. By 2024/25, maximum fees will have been frozen for seven successive years. The department believe that the current fee freeze achieves the best balance between ensuring that the system remains financially sustainable, offering good value for the taxpayer, and reducing debt levels for students in real terms.</p><p> </p><p>The government understands the pressures people have been facing with the cost of living and has taken action to help. The government have already made £276 million of student premium and mental health funding available for the 2023/24 academic year to support successful outcomes for students including disadvantaged students.</p><p> </p><p>The government have also made a further £10 million of support available to help student mental health and hardship funding for the 2023/24 academic year. This funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes. For the 2024/25 financial year, the government have increased the Student Premium (full-time, part-time, and disabled premium) by £5 million to reflect high demand for hardship support. Further details of this allocation for the academic year 2024/25 will be announced by the Office for Students in the summer.</p><p> </p><p>Overall, support to households to help with the high cost of living is worth £108 billion over 2022/23 to 2024/25, which is an average of £3,800 per UK household. The government believes this will have eased the pressure on family budgets, which will in turn enable many families to provide additional support to their children in HE to help them meet increased living costs.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 19/04/2024 10:24:10 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1659790

registered interest
date	11/09/2023
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	Hornets
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 steps she is taking to help ensure councils have the necessary funding to tackle the presence of Asian hornets.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	198930
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2023 answer text <p>Asian hornet is a Non-Native Invasive Species which could have a significant impact on honey bees and wild pollinators if it were to become established in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>For this reason Defra and Welsh Government developed the <a href="http://chrome-extension/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/2_Diseases_and_Pests/Asian-Hornet/2023-01-03_Asian_hornet_contingency_plan_Public_version_English-AC.pdf" target="_blank">Asian hornet contingency plan</a> which outlines the government response and what actions will be taken when incursions of Asian hornet occur.</p><p> </p><p>The response to Asian hornet is delivered by the National Bee Unit (NBU) - part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency.</p><p> </p><p>We have taken contingency action against all credible sightings of Asian hornet that have been reported in the UK since the first occurred in 2016. As of 12<sup>th</sup> September 2023, the NBU have located 43 Asian hornet nests this year.</p><p> </p><p>So currently there is no requirement for local councils to take action against Asian hornets. Nevertheless raising awareness is a key aspect of the response so if local councils are made aware of Asian hornets in their area we would ask them to report it through the Asian hornet app or online. By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 19/09/2023 10:49:42 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1656569

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
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	Sewers
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 estimate her Department has made of the adoption rate of private sewers.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	196382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>Current adoption rates of newly constructed sewerage vary.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 11/09/2023 13:39:29 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1645726

registered interest
date	19/06/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Animal Welfare: Dogs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to protect the welfare of beagles bred for sale to animal testing facilities.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	190193
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2023 answer text <p>The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) provides protections for animals bred in the UK for use in scientific procedures.</p><p>All establishments licensed to breed protected animals under ASPA are required to comply with the published Code of Practice, which sets out standards for the appropriate care and accommodation of animals, including dogs.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 26/06/2023 11:08:57 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1627136

registered interest
date	11/05/2023
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: Elections
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 conduct an equality impact assessment on the requirement of voter ID following the local elections on 4 May 2023.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	184709
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2023 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave to Questions UIN <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2023-04-27%2F183152&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary%40levellingup.gov.uk%7C5d5746396c0542ba864f08db56c64594%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C638199181786237528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=tXJZ64zcUG4Ae1zyxx5gtglu9UjXN6E9GzsAw8NyCkw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">183152</a>, <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2023-05-05%2F183999&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary%40levellingup.gov.uk%7C5d5746396c0542ba864f08db56c64594%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C638199181786237528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=V6ZRHbfct7w1gjlEn3gKlUIq1AntHOCm%2Ff4mtI34lmM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">183999</a> and <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2023-05-05%2F183968&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary%40levellingup.gov.uk%7C5d5746396c0542ba864f08db56c64594%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C638199181786237528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=4nVvhWwjCIkVXBg3%2BZosTMNMyjat%2F8nHfMoWsXvCx9Y%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">183968</a> on 9, 11 and 16 May 2023</p> answering member constituency Bishop Auckland answering member printed Dehenna Davison grouped question UIN 184710 question first answered 18/05/2023 10:36:09 answering member 4737 label Biography information for Dehenna Davison
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1623329

registered interest
date	24/04/2023
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Employment: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of legal protection for disabled people when (a) applying for work and (b) having their employment terminated.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	182395
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2023 answer text <p>There is long-standing legal protection for disabled people under the Equality Act 2010 (the Act). The Act makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a disabled job applicant or employee because of their disability, provided the Act’s definition of disability is met.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Specifically, the Act requires employers to make reasonable adjustments in relation to the disabled job applicant’s assessment and interview process and, once employed, the disabled employee’s job and decisions made in relation to it. These adjustments ensure that disabled applicants or employees are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. The failure of an employer to make reasonable adjustments for a disabled employee or job seeker, or discounting a job application simply because the applicant is disabled could amount to direct disability discrimination under the Act. Similarly, where an employer is looking to reduce their staff, choosing someone for redundancy simply because they are disabled, may amount to unlawful discrimination.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>However, the Act also recognises the need to strike a balance between the needs of disabled employees and the circumstances of their employers. What is ‘reasonable’ will therefore vary from one employer to another because of factors such as the practicality of making the adjustment, the cost of the adjustment to the employer and the resources available to different employers. In the event of a claim of alleged disability discrimination, it will ultimately be for the courts to decide on a case-by-case basis, what reasonable adjustments should be made for a particular disabled service-user, taking into account all relevant circumstances of the case.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In terms of employment law, should a person be unfairly dismissed because they have a disability, they can seek redress under the Act for being discriminated against by their employer. Where an employer treats a worker with a disability or life-limiting illness so badly that the worker is forced to resign from their job, the constructive dismissal provisions in employment law may apply.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 03/05/2023 16:07:42 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1609213

registered interest
date	30/03/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Childcare: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason the extension of free childcare will not commence until 2024.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	177792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2023 answer text <p>The government announced in the Spring Budget 2023 that there will be a number of transformative reforms to childcare for parents, children and the economy. By 2027/28, this government will expect to be spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education, helping working families with their childcare costs. This announcement represents the single biggest investment in childcare in England.</p><p>Currently, eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks a year. From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks a year. From September 2024, this will be extended to parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds, and from September 2025, working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds will be able to access 30 free hours per week, over 38 weeks a year.</p><p>This is a large expansion in the 30 hours offer and will take some time to implement and rollout. The department wants to make sure that taxpayers’ money is used efficiently, and the new offer is delivered in the best way. The department is ensuring a phased implementation of the expansion to the offer to allow the market to develop the necessary capacity, and we are working closely with the sector on the implementation of these reforms.</p><p>The department has already spent more than £20 billion over the past five years to support families with the cost of childcare. In the last decade, we have doubled the free childcare entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds to 30 hours and introduced 15 free hours a week for disadvantaged 2-year-olds.</p><p>The reforms announced build on our current early education entitlements which continue to support parents, including a universal 15-hour offer for all 3 and 4-year-olds, the 15-hour offer for the most disadvantaged 2-year-olds, and the existing 30 hours offer, as well as Tax Free Childcare and Universal Childcare.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho grouped question UIN 176667 question first answered 20/04/2023 11:01:19 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1601425

registered interest
date	06/03/2023
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	State Retirement Pensions: Widowed People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of financial support for widows and widowers who do not receive their late spouse's state pension following the introduction of the bereavement support payment.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	159046
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2023 answer text <p>No assessment has been made, however, the Department has a wide range of financial support available to those affected by bereavement.</p><p> </p><p>Funeral Expense Payments contribute to the cost of a funeral arranged by someone in receipt of income-related benefits, and Budgeting Loans and Budgeting Advances are interest-free loans available to claimants of income-related benefits. Bereavement Support Payment helps working age people through the difficult period following bereavement when their spouse, civil partner (or cohabiting partner if there are children) dies. Further support for day to day living expenses is available via Universal Credit.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 14/03/2023 17:59:44 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1601563

registered interest
date	06/03/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy: Supported Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on disabled tenants in supported housing paying bills at domestic rates rather than business rates.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	159095
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has regular discussions with Ofgem on a wide range of issues in relation to energy retail markets.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>On 28 February Ofgem published a call for input on the non-domestic gas and electricity market. This included seeking inputs about the arrangements whereby some domestic customers have their energy supply collectively arranged for them by a managing entity that agrees a non-domestic energy contract, such as mobile park residents, care home residents, and residents of managed flats. Ofgem’s call for input is open until 31 March.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 14/03/2023 14:36:20 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield

1599359

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
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	Pensioners: Carers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a benefit for people over the age of retirement who are caring for relatives and do not qualify for carer's allowance.
tabling member constituency	Canterbury
tabling member printed	Rosie Duffield
uin	153921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2023 answer text <p>Carer’s Allowance aims to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment, in order to provide regular and substantial care for a severely disabled person.</p><p> </p><p>For those over the age of retirement, the State Pension is intended to replace income when work ceases. It has been a long-held feature of the UK’s benefit system under successive governments that, where someone is entitled to two benefits for the same contingency, then whilst there may be entitlement to both benefits, only one will be paid to prevent duplicate financial provision for the same need.</p><p> </p><p>Where underlying entitlement of Carer’s Allowance occurs (all entitlement conditions are met, but the overlapping benefit rule prevents payment), additional support may be available through Pension Credit, notably including the additional amount payable to carers in Pension Credit. This additional amount is currently £38.85 a week, but will increase to £42.75 a week from April. It is paid to recognise the additional contribution and responsibilities associated with caring and means that lower income pensioners with caring responsibilities can receive more than other lower income recipients of Pension Credit. If a pensioner’s income is above the limit for Pension Credit, he or she may still be able to receive Housing Benefit.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 06/03/2023 15:36:40 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4616 label Biography information for Rosie Duffield