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1136699

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Children: Day Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential merits of the Government providing upfront financial support for childcare to parents claiming universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	272776
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The Chancellor has regular discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on a range of topics.</p><p> </p><p>The government is committed to helping parents into work, and recognises that childcare costs can affect their decisions to take up work or increase their hours. That is why we are spending almost £6 billion in 2019-20 on childcare.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit claimants are able to claim up to 85% of their childcare costs, compared to 70% under the legacy benefit system. This can be claimed up to a month before starting a job, and is worth up to £13,000 a year for a family with two children. Where claimants face difficulty in paying their costs upfront, Jobcentres will use the Flexible Support Fund, which is a non-repayable award. Budgeting advances are also available for those already in work.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 08/07/2019 09:17:59 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1136700

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties have been procured by the new asylum accommodation provider Mears in the North East; how many service users can be accommodated in those properties; and how many service users there are in the North East for whom new accommodation has not yet been procured.
tabling member constituency	Stockton South
tabling member printed	Dr Paul Williams
uin	272938
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The provider of asylum accommodation under the forthcoming Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract (AASC) in the North East Yorkshire Humber region is working closely with local authorities to ensure there is suitable and sufficient accommodation available to ensure a smooth transition of services before the current COMPASS contracts end in September 2019.</p><p>Mears continue in commercial discussion with their potential supply chain, sub-contractors and landlords; including on planned upgrades to the existing estate alongside the provisional acquisition of potential new properties that may also be brought in use during the AASC contract.</p><p>Mears are working closely with the Home Office, COMPASS provider and local authorities in the region to ensure all parties are kept informed of progress and disruption to service users is minimised. Details regarding the number of new properties and service users moves will be communicated, pending the conclusion of ongoing commercial discussions and progression of property acquisition.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 08/07/2019 14:00:31 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4666 label Biography information for Dr Paul Williams

1136701

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contingency plans his Department has made in the event that the asylum accommodation provider in the North East is unable to procure sufficient housing stock to accommodate service-users in the region.
tabling member constituency	Stockton South
tabling member printed	Dr Paul Williams
uin	272939
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has dedicated staff managing the transition to the new Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract (AASC) which includes rigorous transition governance structures which tracks progress against provider plans. The new provider, Mears, in the North East region has undertaken due diligence activity across all current properties to assess their ongoing suitability and this activity continues to inform their commercial negotiations with their property supply chain.</p><p>Due to the on-going commercial sensitivities around these matters we will communicate details further in due course. The Home Office will continue to monitor and manage all Providers closely to ensure sufficient suitable accommodation is secured to deliver an effective transition of services.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 08/07/2019 14:02:24 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4666 label Biography information for Dr Paul Williams

1136702

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: Exhaust Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of emissions at train stations.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	272818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The department recognises that poor air quality is a major public health issue.</p><p> </p><p>We are funding ongoing research conducted by the Rail and Safety Standards Board (RSSB) into the effect of the rail industry on air quality. This includes recent research at King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverly.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has set out its aspiration to remove all diesel-only trains from the rail network by 2040. Moving the rail industry away from diesel will both reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Progress is already being made, with absolute carbon emissions from passenger services in 2017-18 6.6 per cent lower than in 2016-17.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 09/07/2019 14:33:10 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1136705

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Arctic: Navy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps her Department is taking to increase UK maritime capabilities in the Arctic and the High North.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	272789
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The Royal Navy has the capability to project force using a variety of assets in the High North and Arctic, dependent on the location, season and threat, including amphibious assets focused around 3 Commando Brigade and Commando Helicopter Force who have well-established expertise in cold weather warfare. It has one purpose-built Ice Patrol Ship (HMS Protector) and the UK will maintain an ability to operate under the Arctic ice. Given the changing nature of the Arctic, and in support of the UK Government Arctic Policy Framework, we are seeking to develop sustainable, modernised and proportionate Defence capability for the region, including investment in appropriate Defence research and commercial technology. All Royal Air Force operational aircraft are capable of performing in cold weather with appropriate preparation and maintenance. The Royal Air Force's fleet of nine P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as well as F35 Lightning II operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will further contribute to the UK's capabilities in the region. In the longer-term, the Ministry of Defence will explore opportunities offered by space and autonomous systems to meet future Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance requirements.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 09/07/2019 15:06:53 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1136706

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Fire and Rescue Services: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much the Government spent on legal costs on the court case on reforms to firefighters pensions.
tabling member constituency	Lincoln
tabling member printed	Karen Lee
uin	272935
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Following the Court of Appeal’s recent judgment which deemed transitional protection in the 2015 firefighters’ pension scheme to be unlawful, the claims will now be referred back to the Employment Tribunal for remedy. To date the legal costs for Government are in the region of £495,000.</p> answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd question first answered 08/07/2019 14:06:51 answering member 1561 label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd
tabling member	4664 label Biography information for Karen Lee

1136707

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Further Education and Secondary Education: Sanitary Products
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the Government's plans to provide free sanitary products in secondary schools and colleges from September 2019.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Diana Johnson
uin	272793
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>No-one should be held back from reaching their potential because of their gender or background. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Spring Statement on 13 March 2019 that the Department for Education will lead a scheme to provide access to free sanitary products in all secondary schools and colleges across England. On 16 April 2019, I announced that funding would be extended to cover need in primary schools and that national roll-out would take place in early 2020.</p><p>The department published an Invitation to Tender for the Period Products scheme on 15 June 2019, and we intend to award this contract in Autumn 2019. We are also working with stakeholders to develop guidance that will support institutions in embedding this scheme.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 08/07/2019 14:35:43 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1136708

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the electric vehicle charging infrastructure investment fund will open for applications.
tabling member constituency	Ilford North
tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
uin	272896
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund is a crucial step in accelerating the roll out of chargepoints and ensuring electric vehicle drivers have access to the right infrastructure. In February 2019, the Government entered into exclusive negotiations with a preferred bidder. We are in the final stages of negotiations and the fund is expected to begin investing shortly.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 08/07/2019 16:44:45 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1136709

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Public Sector: Redundancy Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment the Government has undertaken on the restriction of exit payments on public sector staff in (a) local authorities, (b) the Civil Service (c) the NHS, (d) the armed forces and (e) police forces.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	272909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The government has previously consulted and legislated on the policy for a cap of £95,000 on exit payments in the public sector. The consultation published on 10 April 2019 sought views on the draft regulations to implement this policy. An impact assessment was conducted and published in the 2016 consultation ahead of the primary legislation. Following the current consultation, a further equalities assessment will be conducted on the final version of the legislation.</p><p> </p><p>The government believes it is right to include all payments related to exit within the cap. The cap does not affect any pension that a person has earned through their years of service or have any impact on accrued pension rights. Instead the cap ensures that any additional contribution to that pension made by the employer to fund early access to a pension is limited to no more than £95,000, on account these costs are ultimately funded by the taxpayer.</p><p> </p><p>We accept that there will be some circumstances where it will be necessary or desirable to relax the cap. As such, a waiver system will be in place for use in exceptional situations, including where imposing the cap would cause genuine hardship.</p><p> </p><p>At the request of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), HM Treasury officials met with the TUC and their members during the consultation period. The government is currently considering responses to the consultation on the draft regulations to implement the public sector exit payment cap. The government will respond to the consultation and finalised regulations will be laid before Parliament in due course.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss grouped question UIN 272902 272903 272904 272905 272906 272907 272908 question first answered 08/07/2019 10:07:17 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1136710

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Entry Clearances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to take into account the skills and qualifications of non-EEA nationals applying for entry clearance under Appendix FM; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	North West Norfolk
tabling member printed	Sir Henry Bellingham
uin	272790
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Whilst skills and qualifications of non-EEA nationals applying for entry clearance under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules are generally not taken into account, there is provision within the Rules that they can be where there are exceptional circumstances.</p><p>Paragraph 21A of Appendix FM-SE, inserted by HC 290, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc290-20-july-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc290-20-july-2017</a>, sets out objective criteria by which decision makers will in such cases, assess an applicant’s relevant skills and qualifications within the context of previous or prospective employment or self-employment income.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 08/07/2019 14:08:13 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	1441 label Biography information for Lord Bellingham