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1005694

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Applications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department will undertake a review of the length of time it takes for visa application decisions to be expedited for those experiencing financial hardship, and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	190505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>Applicants applying for leave to remain on the basis of their family life, private life or outside of the rules can, at the same time, apply for the application fee to be waived due to being destitute. Fee waiver applications are separated from fee paid ones and are assessed by a dedicated team. If the destitution claim is accepted, the application is considered as a priority. No review is planned.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/12/2018 16:56:04 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1005697

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Government Departments: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the level of compliance of Departments with their duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide accessible documents for disabled people.
tabling member constituency	Battersea
tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
uin	190516
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>Monitoring of compliance with the Equality Act 2010 is a matter for individual departments.</p><p> </p><p>The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) is working with external stakeholders to review and bring up to date guidance on accessible communications. The guidance will cover language, communications channels and accessible formats for publications, meetings and consultations. The guidance is aimed at supporting government communicators to help all parts of government improve their communications with disabled people. This updated guidance will be available by Spring 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The Government Digital Service (GDS) helps departments to ensure their online content and services are accessible. GDS sets standards, provides assurance around these (through spend control and service assessment processes), publishes guidance on how to meet the standard (e.g. service manual), develops tools to do this well and quickly (e.g. Government as a Platform components, toolkits and patterns), and supports the departments in using them, collating and curating lessons learned.</p><p> </p><p>New Regulations will enhance this activity through the introduction of a central monitoring system and increased guidance and support for public sector bodies. Cabinet Office introduced The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. These regulations build on existing equalities legislation by making it easier for users to report issues about the accessibility of public sector websites, backed up by proportionate monitoring and enforcement. GDS supports departmental compliance with the regulations and produces guidance and training, including on how to make documents accessible.</p><p> </p><p>Within the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the Minister for Disabled People also convenes a cross sector group on accessible communications.</p> answering member constituency Hertsmere answering member printed Oliver Dowden question first answered 18/12/2018 16:13:36 answering member 4441 label Biography information for Oliver Dowden
tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1005791

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Disability: Equality
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what impact assessments have been conducted by the Government on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the disabled community as a protected characteristic.
tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
uin	190485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>During the passage of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in the Commons the Government committed to providing a statement about the impact of all EU exit bills on equalities legislation (which includes provisions on disability as a protected characteristic). The Government’s commitment requires the relevant Minister to make and publish a statement for each EU exit bill indicating:</p><ol><li><p>a. whether the bill amends, repeals or revokes any part of the Equality Acts 2006 or 2010 or any secondary legislation made under those Acts and, if it does make such changes, an explanation of the effect of each change; and</p></li><li><p>b. that in relation to the policy which is given effect by the Bill, the relevant Minister “has had due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010.”</p></li><li><p>c. The Government will be making such a statement in respect of the WAB (which will be set out in the Explanatory Notes accompanying the Bill on its introduction); and this analysis has been carried out to inform decision-making on the Withdrawal Agreement and as preparation for the equality statement.</p></li></ol><p>The UK Government is committed to ensuring that there is no regression inequalities as we leave the EU. The Equality Act 2010 sets out wide-ranging equalities protections, and incorporates virtually all existing EU equalities law and Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) case law. In some areas, domestic legislation goes further than EU requirements - for example the public sector equality duty, which places a proactive duty on public authorities to consider how their policies or decisions would affect people who are protected under the Equality Act. There are also domestic requirements that ensure non-discrimination in access to goods and services on grounds of disability.</p><p>The Withdrawal Agreement also sets out a commitment to 'no diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity' in Northern Ireland, as set out in the Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity Chapter of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, results from the UK's withdrawal from the EU. A dedicated mechanism will be put in place to ensure this process.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 29/11/2018 17:11:20 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1005838

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asia Bibi
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions the Government has had with the family of Asia Bibi on granting them asylum following her release from prison in Pakistan.
tabling member constituency	Caerphilly
tabling member printed	Wayne David
uin	190374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister set out on 14 November, the release of Asia Bibi will be very welcome news to her family and to all those who have campaigned in Pakistan and around the world for her release. We welcome the assurances the Government of Pakistan has given on keeping her and her family safe and it is important that all countries seek to uphold the rule of law and afford security and protection for the rights of all citizens irrespective of faith or belief.</p><p>It is a longstanding Government policy not to comment on individual cases. In accordance with our duty of confidentiality, we cannot confirm whether an asylum claim has been received or the outcome of such a request. Departing from this policy may put individuals and their family members in danger.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 06/02/2019 15:13:29 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	1398 label Biography information for Wayne David

1005868

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Reoffenders: Community Orders
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to commence Section 151 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton North East
tabling member printed	Emma Reynolds
uin	190456
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>There are no current plans to commence Section 151 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which allows courts, in certain circumstances, to use community orders for repeat offenders who would normally receive fines.</p><p>Section 143(2) of that Act requires courts to treat previous convictions as an aggravating factor when sentencing. The Sentencing Council’s guideline on theft offences came into force in 2016. This guideline allows for the imposition of community sentences for shop theft in a wide range of circumstances. In cases involving significant persistent offending, the community and custodial thresholds may be crossed even though the offence otherwise warrants a lesser sentence.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 28/11/2018 11:22:38 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds

1003595

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
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 his Department’s announcement of 25 October 2018, New fund to support vulnerable EU citizens apply for settled status, whether that grant funding will be available to law firms.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	189673
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>The invitation to tender documents will describe any constraints on what the funding may be utilised for in order to ensure the grant funding is delivered for intended outcomes and any restrictions on which organisations may apply. <br>The grant scheme will enable organisations across the UK to apply for funding to support vulnerable EU citizens. Data modelling and sector engagement have been used to gauge potential geographical coverage and associated volumes that might be supported.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 06/02/2019 15:04:46 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1003645

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Internet: Harassment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the recommendations of the WebRoots Democracy report, Kinder, Gentler Politics: Tackling the rise of online abuse in political debate, published on 16 October 2018, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) creating an online abusers register and (b) commissioning research into the links between anonymity and online abuse.
tabling member constituency	Livingston
tabling member printed	Hannah Bardell
uin	189750
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government has made clear that more needs to done to tackle online abuse, including anonymous abuse. We will publish a joint DCMS-Home Office White Paper in the Winter, setting out a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, and establishing clear standards for tech companies to help keep UK citizens safe.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 28/11/2018 09:26:33 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
tabling member	4486 label Biography information for Hannah Bardell

1003648

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Bombings: Birmingham
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has been made on helping families affected by the Birmingham pub bombings in securing legal aid for the upcoming inquest.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	189725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>Legal aid for early legal advice and assistance is available, subject to means and a merits test. Funding for advocacy at inquests may also be available via the Exceptional Case Funding scheme, subject to means and legal criteria.</p><p> </p><p>In January last year, we changed the regulations around inquest funding, the effect of which meant the firm, KRW, representing the majority of the families seeking representation, could apply for funding in this case. Legal aid was provided to KRW, effective in the vast majority of those cases from February 2017.</p><p> </p><p>However, all firms seeking to undertake publicly-funded cases must be accredited. In this case, it was discovered that KRW had not obtained the accreditation, required as a condition of the firm being granted a legal aid contract. The firm’s contract was suspended until the accreditation was achieved.</p><p> </p><p>Accreditation was secured on the 7 December 2018 as a result the Contract suspension was lifted allowing KRW to once more receive public funding for the majority of the families.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 21/12/2018 14:38:27 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1003816

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Sports: Wales
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what spending on (a) Olympic legacy and (b) other programmes has resulted in consequential funding for Wales in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	189818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>The Block Grant Transparency publication (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-december-2017-publication) sets out details of all additions to the Devolved Administrations’ budgets since the 2015 Spending Review. The Barnett Formula will have been applied to all changes to the DCMS budget at both Spending Reviews and at Fiscal Events in the normal way as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.</p><p> </p><p>Companies from across the country have been directly engaged in legacy infrastructure and projects - for example, South Wales based Pro Steel were awarded contracts as part of the transformation of the Olympic Stadium roof post-2012 Games, they secured a £1m loan to enable them to compete for the work from Finance Wales. Pro Steel were also awarded a subcontract by BAM Nuttal for transformation work in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park post games consisting of re-purposing and construction of a bridge in the north of the Park near the Velodrome. They were also awarded the contract to make modifications and strengthening works to another bridge, and supply and installation of a third bridge.</p><p> </p><p>Last week I met with my counterparts in Wales and Scotland to discuss the many opportunities the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games presents to the whole of the UK. The department and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the devolved nations to ensure the many opportunities the Games presents - from hosting the Queen's Baton Relay to providing a base for athletes to train - are seized across the country.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 29/11/2018 11:30:15 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1003884

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Government Departments: ICT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what framework is used by Government when deciding whether digital projects should be completed in-house or contracted out.
tabling member constituency	Leigh
tabling member printed	Jo Platt
uin	189825
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <blockquote>There is no specific framework that government uses to decide whether a digital project should be completed in-house or contracted out.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>Government uses the principles of the HMT Green Book guidance, supplementary guidance (such as the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-green-book-appraisal-and-evaluation-in-central-governent/agile-digital-and-it-projects-clarification-of-business-case-guidance" target="_blank">Agile digital and IT projects</a>), and the 5 case model to scrutinise the costs and benefits of different options to deliver a particular project, including management, commercial and financial aspects. When relevant, some of these options may refer to in-house provision whereas others may refer to outsourcing.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>The preferred option will be selected on the basis of value for money and capacity to meet the project objectives.</blockquote> answering member constituency Hertsmere answering member printed Oliver Dowden question first answered 28/11/2018 14:28:44 answering member 4441 label Biography information for Oliver Dowden
tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt