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1148180

registered interest
date	03/10/2019
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	State Retirement Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the 2016 changes to the state pension system on the household income of people who have been recently bereaved.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	294230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government published an impact assessment ‘<em>New State pension: impact on an individual's pension entitlement longer term effects’</em> in January 2016. This included impacts on derived entitlement to the State Pension. The estimates show around 2 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women reaching State Pension age between 2016-2020 were expected to receive less State Pension due to the withdrawal of derived entitlement. The proportion affected falls over the first two decades of the new State Pension. Further information on the impact of new State Pension reform on derived entitlement is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the overall costs of the new State Pension (formerly the Single Tier) is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311316/pensions-act-ia-annex-a-single-tier-state-pension.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311316/pensions-act-ia-annex-a-single-tier-state-pension.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>The cost estimates of the new State Pension do not provide a specific breakdown of savings from the inheritance of spouses’ State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>The new State Pension was introduced for people reaching State Pension age from 6 April 2016 onwards to provide a clearer, simpler and sustainable system for the future and is based on an individual’s own National Insurance record. This both reflects changes in society where individuals are able to build a State Pension in their own right and a wider crediting regime that rewards periods of caring when people are away from the labour market. There is transitional protection of the old derived basic State Pension for women whose own contribution history was affected by taking the option to pay reduced-rate National Insurance contributions. Transitional arrangements also enable widowed people in certain circumstances to inherit all, or part, of the additional State Pension or Graduated Retirement Benefit they could have inherited under the old State Pension system.</p><p> </p><p>A step-by-step guide to the changes to the rules on deriving and inheriting State Pension is available on the Government website at <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a> using the search term 'state pension through partner'.</p><p> </p><p>The transitional arrangements for the new State Pension have been designed to be to fair to the greatest number of people possible and to ensure that the vast majority of people have at least the full amount of new State Pension as quickly possible.</p><p>The new State Pension will benefit many women, carers and self-employed people, who historically often did less well under previous systems. For example, over three million women stand to receive an average of £550 more per year by 2030 as a result of the recent reforms.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we are committed to the triple lock for the duration of this Parliament. In April 2019, full amounts of the basic and new State Pensions increased by 2.6%, in line with average earnings growth. The full yearly rate of the basic State Pension is worth over £1,600 more in cash terms 2019/20 than it was in 2010.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, Pension Credit provides a top up means-tested benefit for pensioners to protect those who are most in need.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 294231 question first answered 08/10/2019 10:26:05 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1148181

registered interest
date	03/10/2019
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	State Retirement Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the savings accrued to the public purse by the 2016 changes to the state pension system, specifically in relation to the inheritance of spouses’ state pension.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	294231
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government published an impact assessment ‘<em>New State pension: impact on an individual's pension entitlement longer term effects’</em> in January 2016. This included impacts on derived entitlement to the State Pension. The estimates show around 2 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women reaching State Pension age between 2016-2020 were expected to receive less State Pension due to the withdrawal of derived entitlement. The proportion affected falls over the first two decades of the new State Pension. Further information on the impact of new State Pension reform on derived entitlement is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the overall costs of the new State Pension (formerly the Single Tier) is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311316/pensions-act-ia-annex-a-single-tier-state-pension.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311316/pensions-act-ia-annex-a-single-tier-state-pension.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>The cost estimates of the new State Pension do not provide a specific breakdown of savings from the inheritance of spouses’ State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>The new State Pension was introduced for people reaching State Pension age from 6 April 2016 onwards to provide a clearer, simpler and sustainable system for the future and is based on an individual’s own National Insurance record. This both reflects changes in society where individuals are able to build a State Pension in their own right and a wider crediting regime that rewards periods of caring when people are away from the labour market. There is transitional protection of the old derived basic State Pension for women whose own contribution history was affected by taking the option to pay reduced-rate National Insurance contributions. Transitional arrangements also enable widowed people in certain circumstances to inherit all, or part, of the additional State Pension or Graduated Retirement Benefit they could have inherited under the old State Pension system.</p><p> </p><p>A step-by-step guide to the changes to the rules on deriving and inheriting State Pension is available on the Government website at <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a> using the search term 'state pension through partner'.</p><p> </p><p>The transitional arrangements for the new State Pension have been designed to be to fair to the greatest number of people possible and to ensure that the vast majority of people have at least the full amount of new State Pension as quickly possible.</p><p>The new State Pension will benefit many women, carers and self-employed people, who historically often did less well under previous systems. For example, over three million women stand to receive an average of £550 more per year by 2030 as a result of the recent reforms.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we are committed to the triple lock for the duration of this Parliament. In April 2019, full amounts of the basic and new State Pensions increased by 2.6%, in line with average earnings growth. The full yearly rate of the basic State Pension is worth over £1,600 more in cash terms 2019/20 than it was in 2010.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, Pension Credit provides a top up means-tested benefit for pensioners to protect those who are most in need.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 294230 question first answered 08/10/2019 10:26:05 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1147805

registered interest
date	02/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Wines: Excise Duties
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of a reduction in the level of excise duty for wine on the Welsh wine industry.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	293700
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to wine and spirits duty is considered at each fiscal event, including their effect on specific industries and the wider economy.</p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke grouped question UIN 293701 question first answered 07/10/2019 08:26:57 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1147806

registered interest
date	02/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of a reduction on excise duty for (a) gin, (b) rum and (c) whisky on the Welsh drinks industry.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	293701
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to wine and spirits duty is considered at each fiscal event, including their effect on specific industries and the wider economy.</p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke grouped question UIN 293700 question first answered 07/10/2019 08:26:57 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1140176

registered interest
date	18/07/2019
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	Tourism: Beer
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 recent assessment he has made of the effect of the sale of beer brewed by small independent breweries in pubs on tourism in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	279135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>While we have made no assessment into the effect of the sale of beer brewed by independent breweries on tourism in the UK, VisitBritain research shows that 42% of international visits include at least one visit to a pub, and pubs are key to our international offer. The recently published Tourism Sector Deal aims to support the tourism and hospitality sector, from pubs to hotels to accommodation providers.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/07/2019 14:03:26 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1139752

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
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	Environment Protection: UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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 discussions he has had with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on ensuring the UK Shared Prosperity Fund contributes to the achievement of the goals set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	278577
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>The previous Secretary of State had regular discussions on a range of issues with those ministers. Officials are working closely together on the design of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to ensure it supports a range of Government priorities.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 30/07/2019 09:00:06 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1139868

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Defence Medical Services: Training
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on participation of military surgeons in overseas training exercises involving animals that have been shot or otherwise injured with offensive weapons for the purpose of that exercise.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	278578
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence takes very seriously its obligation to provide the best possible medical treatment for Service personnel wounded on operational service. The quality of care delivered by the Defence Medical Services (DMS) is directly related to the thoroughness with which we prepare our deployed surgical teams for the sorts of serious injuries they will encounter.</p><p>This training is delivered through a range of different courses and exercises, many of which employ complex simulation models such as programmable mannequins. However, simulators are currently unable to replace all trauma training. Even the most sophisticated of them are not technologically advanced enough to respond physiologically to complex surgical procedures. At present, the only means for our surgical teams to get the necessary training in the control of real-time internal haemorrhage from combat injury is through live tissue training (LTT).</p><p>Up to twice a year, members of the DMS attend surgical training exercises in Denmark, during which live but fully anaesthetised pigs are given bullet and blast wounds which are then treated in real-time exercises by surgical teams. The animals are unconscious during the entire exercise, and feel no pain. They are attended at all times by veterinary staff, who may withdraw them at any time for any reason, and the animals are humanely put down at the end of the training procedures without recovering consciousness.</p><p>The DMS have collaborated on a number of research programmes into simulator technology, and constantly monitors the latest developments, especially where they might in future offer an alternative means of delivering this specialised but vital training.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:09:59 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1139869

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Dstl: Animal Experiments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 3,865 animals used in scientific procedures at DSTL Porton Down in 2017 were experimented upon under a multiple generic licence.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	278579
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's in-house research involving the use of animals.</p><p>In 2017 and 2018, no animals were used in scientific procedures at Dstl Porton Down under a multiple generic licence. Dstl does not hold licences of this type.</p><p>Animals are used in experiments to develop new vaccines, therapies and treatments that save the lives of UK military and can benefit civilians. Chemical and biological weapons are a real and present threat. That is why Dstl continues its vital work in providing better protection against the use of these agents and against conventional threats.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 278580 question first answered 22/07/2019 16:19:42 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1139870

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Dstl: Animal Experiments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 1,941 animals used in scientific procedures at DSTL Porton Down in 2018 were experimented upon under a multiple generic licence.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	278580
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's in-house research involving the use of animals.</p><p>In 2017 and 2018, no animals were used in scientific procedures at Dstl Porton Down under a multiple generic licence. Dstl does not hold licences of this type.</p><p>Animals are used in experiments to develop new vaccines, therapies and treatments that save the lives of UK military and can benefit civilians. Chemical and biological weapons are a real and present threat. That is why Dstl continues its vital work in providing better protection against the use of these agents and against conventional threats.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 278579 question first answered 22/07/2019 16:19:42 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1136243

registered interest
date	02/07/2019
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	Radioisotopes: Imports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives of suppliers of medical radioisotopes on the feasibility of using air freight to import their products in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	272239
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government maintains that leaving the European Union with a deal is the best exit outcome and has strongly expressed its opposition to leaving without a deal, in line with the position consistently expressed by Parliament. However, leaving without a deal on 31 October 2019 remains the legal default at the end of the Article 50 extension period if no withdrawal agreement is agreed. Therefore, as a responsible Government, we will continue to prepare to minimise any disruption to the supply of medicines and medical products in a ‘no deal’ scenario.</p><p>The Department continues to work closely with the devolved administrations, industry trade bodies and suppliers, the National Health Service and our other main stakeholders to ensure that we are prepared for leaving the EU without a deal in October.</p><p>On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the United Kingdom from or via the EU or wider European Economic Area (EEA) setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to ensure the continuity of supply of all medicines and medical products in a potential ‘no deal’ exit scenario on 31 October. Further details can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans</a></p><p>We recognise that some medical radioisotopes have a short shelf life and cannot be stockpiled. Therefore, as part of the Department’s contingency planning ahead of a possible March/April 2019 ‘no deal’ scenario, where medical radioisotope products were imported to the UK from the EU or EEA via road haulage and roll-on, roll-off sea, road and rail routes, we asked suppliers to ensure that they had plans in place to air freight those products to avoid any border delays that may have arisen in a no-deal scenario. We worked extensively with these suppliers to ensure plans were in place and are continuing to do so, to ensure that robust contingency arrangements continue to be in place ahead of a possible ‘no deal’ EU exit on 31 October.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not had discussions with the Civil Aviation Agency in relation to this issue as they are the Government’s expert arm’s length body for the safety, security and economic regulation of civil aviation in the UK. We are, however, working very closely with the Department for Transport.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond grouped question UIN 272240 272241 question first answered 10/07/2019 16:43:03 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake