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1235544

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Treasury: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. HM Treasury Group has achieved 2.4% of the total staff employed within the department and those of its arms length bodies which are in scope for the target. We are also on track to meet our target in the current year 2020/21. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 22/09/2020 08:57:34 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235545

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>Following the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 2 September 2020, a new apprenticeship strategy is being planned. This will establish how the FCDO will achieve its new combined apprenticeship target, in support of the Civil Service's commitment to meeting the public sector apprenticeship target.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 22/09/2020 16:29:27 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235547

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Home Office: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress her Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when her Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p><p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021.</p><p>As of 31 March 2020, the Home Office had achieved 1.1 % of the total staff employed within the department at this time.</p> answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup answering member printed James Brokenshire question first answered 22/09/2020 14:43:57 answering member 1530 label Biography information for James Brokenshire
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235552

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91614
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. The Ministry of Justice has achieved 1.3% of the total staff employed within the department.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice’s Apprenticeship Strategy, designed to meet the allocated targets consists of 3 strands:</p><ol><li>Promoting the use of Cabinet Office approved apprenticeships programmes to develop professional skills;</li><li>Designing and delivering operational apprenticeship standards for specific operational roles; and</li><li>Promoting the use of apprenticeships as an entry route / development of career pathways for staff at all levels of the organisation.</li></ol><p>In March 2020 the MoJ reported a year on year increase in apprenticeships starts vs 2018-19 by 31%; and it was expected that this trend would continue into the new financial year, with the recruitment of c2,700 prison officer apprentices nationally throughout 2020-21.</p><p>Unfortunately, Covid-19 has significantly impacted the delivery of our apprenticeship strategy; particularly in the prison operational roles, with activity being paused in the short term. Plans are in place to rapidly re-start operational apprenticeships as soon as it is both safe and operationally viable to do so.</p><p>Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="http://gov.uk" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 22/09/2020 14:00:17 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235553

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is proud to be one of the largest deliverers of apprenticeships in the UK, with over 20,000 personnel engaged on a nationally recognised apprenticeship programme at any one time and over 90 per cent of our non-commissioned military recruits offered an apprenticeship relating to their trade. Public sector bodies with 250 or more staff have a target to employ an average of at least 2.3 per cent of their staff as new apprentice starts over the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2021. The Armed Forces are exceeding this target with an average of 8.3 per cent of employees starting an apprenticeship in 2017-2019.</p><p>The MOD's Civil Service is contributing towards the overall Civil Service public sector target. As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service had achieved a total of 2.1 per cent of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3 per cent by March 2021. This has increased from 1.6 per cent the year before. The MOD's Civil Service has achieved 1.5 per cent of the total staff employed within the Department as apprentices. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, making it challenging to predict when a Department will meet it. The data for 2018-19 can be found on the gov.uk website:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019.</p><p>The data for 2019-20 will be released on the gov.uk website by the end of September 2020.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3 per cent target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p><p>However, as a Department, between April 2015 and 31 March 2020, we have successfully committed to enrolling 50,000 apprenticeships, exceeding our target one year ahead of schedule.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 22/09/2020 15:45:46 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235563

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Department for Transport: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91623
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. Department for Transport (DfT) has currently achieved 1.3% of the total staff employed within the department for 2020/21. Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet it. The data for 2018/19 can be found <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.gov.uk_government_publications_civil-2Dservice-2Dapprenticeship-2Ddata-2D2018-2Dto-2D2019&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=troKkvwivNn_CddsvWCHHPiPoFoTgTGIbXJULvYU158&amp;r=JtgUEfFFpp_fia79x1lvcbuMW3hkWpSiV9N3TKlIv9A&amp;m=Usjg8zC7ZIzFit3NK2T00_XzQK-_qHBi2cQZx_WYcPk&amp;s=bj__HV6sMGxwd9frnCCuL68ATckJxqeGvSIs1jD6yAY&amp;e=" target="_blank">here</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__gov.uk&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=troKkvwivNn_CddsvWCHHPiPoFoTgTGIbXJULvYU158&amp;r=JtgUEfFFpp_fia79x1lvcbuMW3hkWpSiV9N3TKlIv9A&amp;m=Usjg8zC7ZIzFit3NK2T00_XzQK-_qHBi2cQZx_WYcPk&amp;s=KfmE2ihmiyHJHePQXtmTI3HdjgSxSODnH4iQGJxyiJs&amp;e=" target="_blank">gov.uk</a> by the end of September 2020. Due to the diverse nature of our work, the central department (DfTc) and our executive agencies (DfT Group) have developed localised strategies to allow us to continue towards the Government target. In September 2020 DfTc additionally transitioned to a cohort-based model of recruitment for apprenticeships; further strengthening our ambition for apprenticeship recruitment, and providing economies of scale to improve quality of provision and overall employee experience for the apprenticeship community.</p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 23/09/2020 09:14:41 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235036

registered interest
date	16/09/2020
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	Darts: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether darts games are exempted from the covid-19 social distancing rule of six.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91003
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>Organised sporting or licensed physical activity are allowed to continue in groups of more than six. This can be in any public place not under other public health restrictions</p><p>These activities either need to be organised by a national governing body, club, registered instructor/coach, business or charity; and/or involve someone who has received an official license to use equipment relevant to the activity. In all cases, the organiser must conduct a risk assessment and ensure compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance.</p><p>Each darts club should follow Covid guidance developed by the National Governing Body, the <a href="https://englanddarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">England Darts</a> Organisation to ensure a safe return to play.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 21/09/2020 13:34:29 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235040

registered interest
date	16/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Arab States: Israel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on helping Israel develop further diplomatic ties with Arab states following its normalisation agreements with the UAE and Bahrain.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91005
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>During his visit to Israel on 24 August, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs met Prime Minister Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gantz, and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi. They discussed normalisation of relations in the region, alongside a range of other bilateral, regional, security issues. We warmly welcome the agreement between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. This is an historic step which sees the normalisation of relations between three great friends of the UK.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 21/09/2020 13:25:47 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235042

registered interest
date	16/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Iran: Uranium
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his P5+1 counterparts on the report of 4 September 2020 from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran’s stockpile of uranium is over 10 times the limit agreed in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91006
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>Preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is critical for our collective security. The Government remains deeply concerned by Iran's growing uranium stockpile and by Iran's actions to break other Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action limits. This is why the UK, with France and Germany, triggered the deal's Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) on 14 January. E3 Foreign Ministers discuss this regularly, including most recently at their meeting on 10 September. The findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency's report of 4 September was discussed at the Board of Governors meeting on 15 September, where the UK, France and Germany set out our concerns about the size of Iran's stockpile. We remain committed to working with partners to use the DRM to find a diplomatic way forward.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 21/09/2020 13:27:33 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235246

registered interest
date	16/09/2020
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	Events Industry: Coronavirus
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 steps his Department is taking to further support the events industry during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91007
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.</p><p>The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to cultural venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.</p><p>From 15th August, and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, organisations can now put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing.</p><p>We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery. We recognise that the events industry and its supply chain has been severely impacted by Covid-19.</p><p>We are continuing to meet with stakeholders, including through the Events &amp; Entertainment and Visitor Economy working groups and the Events Industry Senior Leaders Advisory Panel, to discuss the specific issues facing the sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 21/09/2020 14:40:45 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon