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1055791

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Overseas Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether he is taking steps to support a global initiative of Governments and businesses to ensure that workers in (a) cocoa and (b) other supply chains receive a living income; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	217632
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>One of the keys to driving poverty reduction is enabling workers in global supply chains to be paid a living wage. The UK works with Governments, businesses and other actors to advance this agenda. For example, the Department for International Development (DFID) supports the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), which works with companies such as the Body Shop, Co-op and Tesco, as well as trade unions. The UK also supports initiatives such as the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest business sustainability initiative, which focuses partly on labour rights and has over 12,000 signatories from over 160 countries.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 14/02/2019 16:12:42 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1055833

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
answering dept id	203
answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
hansard heading	Alternative Arrangements Working Group
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, under which section of the Civil Service Code is civil service support to the Alternative Arrangements Working Group permissible.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	217471
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>Ministers, including myself, have been meeting a wide range of MPs in various groups and other stakeholders to discuss the Government’s approach to EU Exit. This has included discussion of alternative arrangements to the backstop, following Parliament’s indication of support for such a position.</p><p>The Civil Service supports the Government in developing and implementing its policies. In this context, it is proper for civil servants to support Ministers in conducting these meetings. No support has been extended to backbench MPs, or other individuals or groups outwith Government.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Stephen Barclay question first answered 14/02/2019 13:11:22 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1058635

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	Whether her Department has plans to redesign the reassessment process for benefit recipients with severe mental or physical disabilities.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	909127
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to assessing people with health conditions and disabilities fairly and accurately, and helping people to access the right support. We made a clear commitment in <em>Improving Lives</em>: <em>The Future of Work, Health and Disability</em> to reform the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and recognise the importance of getting this right. We are therefore testing new approaches to build the evidence base for what works, and working with external stakeholders to inform future changes to the WCA.</p><p> </p><p>Over the last year we have introduced new guidance into Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC), as well as updated guidance for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to improve the service we provide for those with the most severe/lifelong conditions. For ESA/UC since September 2017 we have switched off routine reassessments for those who meet the Severe Conditions criteria, and since August 2018, those receiving the highest level of support in PIP, whose needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten year point.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 11/02/2019 17:02:14 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1058636

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	What recent assessment her Department has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) efficiency of contracted-out health assessments for (i) employment and support allowance and (ii) personal independence payment.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	909128
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to ensuring claimants receive high quality assessments. Providers are closely monitored against a range of measures including through independent audit to improve accuracy and decision making. We are seeing continuous improvement in PIP assessment quality and recent data shows both PIP providers meeting quality expectations. We continually look to improve the efficiency of the assessment process by working closely with health assessment providers and the disabled people the Department supports.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 11/02/2019 16:37:48 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1058637

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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: Poverty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of pensioner poverty; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	909129
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>This Government has seen the absolute poverty rate for pensioners fall to record lows, with over 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty before housing costs. Rates of material deprivation for pensioners are also at record lows.</p><p>We have reduced pensioner poverty close to historically low levels, lifting the incomes of millions of older people. Since 2009/10, material deprivation for pensioners has fallen from 10 per cent to 7 per cent in 2016/17 and since 2010 there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty, a record low.</p><p>The Government is committed to action that helps to alleviate levels of pensioner poverty. In 2018/19 we will spend £121.5 billion on benefits for pensioners, including £97 billion on the State Pension for this year.</p><p>The Government has also committed to up-rating the basic State Pension by the highest of the growth in earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent - the 'triple lock' guarantee. This will mean that the full basic State Pension will be around £1450 per year higher in 2018/19 than in 2010. The Government has committed to the triple lock for the remainder of this Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 11/02/2019 17:58:24 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1058688

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Stoats: Pest Control
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 his Department is taking to control stoat numbers.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	219436
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2019 answer text <p>While the Government regulates the management of wildlife it is not directly involved in the control of stoats. Responsibility for management lies with the landowner or occupier.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/02/2019 12:05:30 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1058691

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Salmon
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 his Department is taking to increase stocks of (a) wild and (b) farmed salmon in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	219439
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2019 answer text <p>The management of wild salmon populations, freshwater fisheries and salmon farming is devolved.</p><p> </p><p>In England, the Government is collaborating with industry on the “Salmon Five Point Approach” to address the pressures that cause salmon numbers to fall, such as water quality, migration barriers, marine survival and exploitation. In 2018, the Government introduced National Salmon and Sea Trout Protection byelaws which restrict recreational and net fisheries in England, to reduce exploitation and conserve adult salmon enabling them to spawn successfully.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 15/02/2019 12:35:14 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1058692

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Birds of Prey: Theft
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 his Department is taking to prevent birds of prey being stolen to order.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	219440
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government takes wildlife crime, including the illegal taking of birds of prey, seriously. All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with strong penalties for those committing offences against birds of prey including up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.</p><p> </p><p>Birds of prey are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which controls trade in endangered species through a permitting system. This protects species from the risk of extinction due to unsustainable trade. The Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018 means that anyone committing CITES offences, including trying to trade in birds of prey taken from the wild, could face up to five years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.</p><p> </p><p>Raptor persecution and CITES issues are two of six UK wildlife crime priorities. Local police and Border Force are responsible for wildlife crime enforcement. The National Wildlife Crime Unit, which is co-funded by Defra and the Home Office, provides intelligence to support police and Border Force enforcement activities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/02/2019 12:40:50 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1058695

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Poultry
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 information his Department holds on the numbers of geese that migrated to the UK in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	219442
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s Goose and Swan and Monitoring Programme assesses the number of geese which migrate here every year. The programme is jointly run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Scottish Natural Heritage.</p><p> </p><p>Data for the winter season 2017-2018 is available on the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust website: <a href="https://monitoring.wwt.org.uk/our-work/goose-swan-monitoring-programme/" target="_blank">https://monitoring.wwt.org.uk/our-work/goose-swan-monitoring-programme/</a>. As the 2018/19 winter season has yet to finish, data for this season will not be available until late summer 2019.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 14/02/2019 16:24:07 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1058696

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Agriculture: Young People
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 recent steps his Department has taken to encourage young people into farming.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	219443
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2019 answer text <p>Having a skilled workforce in place and attracting young talent into agricultural careers is vital for the future of UK food and farming. The Government is working with industry bodies, such as the Food and Drink Sector Council, to improve access to the talent and skills required by the industry and raise awareness of agriculture as an exciting and attractive career path.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is reforming post-16 technical education to provide clear routes to skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of new T levels programmes, which alongside apprenticeships, will sit within 15 routes, including an Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published a Policy Statement in September 2018, alongside its landmark Agriculture Bill. This sets out how we will help facilitate structural change to open up more opportunities for new entrants to farming by delinking Direct Payments from the land during the agricultural transition period. This will give farmers freedom over how they use funding from Direct Payments. Some may use the money to invest in their business. Others may choose to use the money to diversify their activities or decide to stop farming altogether and use the payment to contribute to their retirement. It should increase the ease with which new entrants, and those existing farmers wishing to expand, could acquire land.</p><p> </p><p>We are also exploring how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 15/02/2019 12:44:41 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon