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1348952

registered interest
date	21/07/2021
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Terrorism: Social Media
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What discussions he has held with cabinet colleagues and social media platforms on tackling sectarian abuse and incitement online.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	902953
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>Online abuse is an issue that affects all four nations of the United Kingdom and it is important that we work together to keep people safe from such abuse.</p><p> </p><p>In May, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport published its draft Online Safety Bill. The Northern Ireland Department of Justice, who have lead responsibility in Northern Ireland for tackling sectarian abuse and incitement online, has been engaged in this work.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 902952 question first answered 21/07/2021 13:48:39 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1347641

registered interest
date	16/07/2021
answering body	House of Commons Commission
answering dept id	18
answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
hansard heading	Parliament: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the House of Commons Commission is taking to protect the safety of all Parliamentary staff from covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	34559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>The House of Commons Commission has ensured that the House Service has implemented the working safely during coronavirus guidance to ensure we remain a Covid-secure workplace.</p><p>At every stage of the Government roadmap, or when updated guidance has been published, the Parliamentary Covid risk assessment has been reviewed and updated to ensure the appropriate mitigations are put in place. The latest version of the risk assessment was published in the last week, incorporating Government guidance on ‘how to stay safe and help prevent the spread from 19 July’ and the sector specific guidance published on the 14th July.</p><p>The risk assessment has been made available to all and can be found at</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/transparency-publications--hoc-transparency-publications/health-and-safety/hop-v1-hop-covid-risk-assessment-issued.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/transparency-publications--hoc-transparency-publications/health-and-safety/hop-v1-hop-covid-risk-assessment-issued.pdf</a></p><p>To complement the Parliamentary Covid risk assessment the individual risk assessment tool has been in use since November 2020, to allow the House Service to identify those at higher risk and ensure appropriate measures are in place.</p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Sir Charles Walker question first answered 21/07/2021 14:11:06 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1347255

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when his Department plans to publish its plans for alternative student finance for students whose religion prohibits them from taking out a student loan payment.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	34011
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>The government has been considering Alternative Student Finance carefully, alongside its other priorities, as it concludes the Post-18 Review of Education and Funding and responds to the detailed recommendations of the independent panel chaired by Sir Philip Augar.</p><p>We will provide an update on this matter when we conclude the Post-18 Review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 21/07/2021 10:55:15 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1347292

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of UK and NATO military personnel from Afghanistan on the political stability of that nation.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	34012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>The UK continues to play a leading role as we transition to a new phase of international support for Afghanistan. As the Prime Minister said in his statement to the House on 8 July 2021, the international military presence in Afghanistan was never intended to be permanent.</p><p>We will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan, including its efforts to counter terrorism, through our diplomatic and development work and support to the security sector. We will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan to support a stable, peaceful future for the country. We are also supporting the international efforts to energise the Afghan peace process. For there to be any chance of a lasting peace, the Taliban must engage meaningfully in a dialogue with the Afghan government.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 21/07/2021 13:23:36 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1347416

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Fireworks: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the sale and use of fireworks on pets and other animals.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	34018
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>The Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously and we understand the concerns that some people have about the potential for distress to be caused to animals. That is why there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for fireworks, that aims to reduce the risks and disturbances to both people and animals.</p><p> </p><p>Through our public awareness campaign for the 2021 fireworks season, we will also be promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks to the general public, to ensure that those using them do so safely and considerately.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 20/07/2021 14:16:39 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1346830

registered interest
date	14/07/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Westbourne Communications: Contracts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Westbourne Communications has ever been awarded a contract by (a) his Department and (b) HS2 Ltd.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	33310
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2021 answer text <p>Westbourne Communications have previously been paid for works by both DfT and HS2 Ltd but that they are no longer working for either the Department or HS2 Ltd.</p><p> </p><p>Our financial records do not contain details of meetings held. Details of meetings with Ministers and Special Advisers are regularly published online.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 33311 question first answered 19/07/2021 14:37:14 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1346831

registered interest
date	14/07/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Westbourne Communications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has met with representatives from Westbourne Communications.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	33311
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2021 answer text <p>Westbourne Communications have previously been paid for works by both DfT and HS2 Ltd but that they are no longer working for either the Department or HS2 Ltd.</p><p> </p><p>Our financial records do not contain details of meetings held. Details of meetings with Ministers and Special Advisers are regularly published online.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 33310 question first answered 19/07/2021 14:37:14 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1346835

registered interest
date	14/07/2021
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	Universal Credit: Overpayments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to prevent (a) universal credit overpayments and (b) the subsequent debt caused by those overpayments.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	33312
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>DWP recognises that stopping fraud and error before is happens and preventing debt is the best approach, both for Government and claimants alike, and it should be noted that, during a period when we have faced the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, fraud and error in the benefits system remains low, with 95% of benefits, worth more than £200 billion, paid correctly in 2020/21.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to invest in fraud and error prevention, with the Chancellor announcing £44m at the Spring Budget to support the expansion of both our Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service and our new Enhanced Checking Service and the development of Transaction Risking as a means of identifying high risk claims.</p><p> </p><p>Our Annual Report and Accounts published 15 July 2021 provides more information on what we are doing to prevent overpayments occurring – <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021</a></p><p> </p><p>Where an overpayment does occur, the Department has a responsibility to recover the money without creating undue financial hardship. In Universal Credit, all overpayments are recoverable. Where recovery is made by deduction from Universal Credit, there is a limit placed on the overall amount that can be deducted. Formerly 40% of the Universal Credit Standard Allowance, this was reduced from 30% to 25% in April 2021.</p><p>Where requested deductions exceed the 25% maximum, or there is insufficient Universal Credit in payment for all deductions to be made, a priority order is applied, which determines the order in which items should be deducted. ‘Last resort’ deductions, such as rent or fuel costs, are at the top of the priority order, ensuring that claimant welfare is prioritised, followed by social obligation deductions, such as fines and child maintenance, and finally benefit debt, such as Social Fund loans and benefit overpayments.</p><p>Anyone with overpayment deductions who does experience financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Department’s Debt Management unit. Where a person cannot afford the proposed rate of these deductions repayment a lower amount can be negotiated.</p><p>DWP is also committed to HM Treasury’s Breathing Space policy, which provides citizens with problem debt the right to legal protections from creditor action for a period of time in order to enable them to receive debt advice and enter into an appropriate debt solution.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 33313 question first answered 21/07/2021 16:15:02 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1346890

registered interest
date	14/07/2021
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	Universal Credit: Overpayments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the support available to those required to repay overpayments of universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	33313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>DWP recognises that stopping fraud and error before is happens and preventing debt is the best approach, both for Government and claimants alike, and it should be noted that, during a period when we have faced the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, fraud and error in the benefits system remains low, with 95% of benefits, worth more than £200 billion, paid correctly in 2020/21.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to invest in fraud and error prevention, with the Chancellor announcing £44m at the Spring Budget to support the expansion of both our Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service and our new Enhanced Checking Service and the development of Transaction Risking as a means of identifying high risk claims.</p><p> </p><p>Our Annual Report and Accounts published 15 July 2021 provides more information on what we are doing to prevent overpayments occurring – <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021</a></p><p> </p><p>Where an overpayment does occur, the Department has a responsibility to recover the money without creating undue financial hardship. In Universal Credit, all overpayments are recoverable. Where recovery is made by deduction from Universal Credit, there is a limit placed on the overall amount that can be deducted. Formerly 40% of the Universal Credit Standard Allowance, this was reduced from 30% to 25% in April 2021.</p><p>Where requested deductions exceed the 25% maximum, or there is insufficient Universal Credit in payment for all deductions to be made, a priority order is applied, which determines the order in which items should be deducted. ‘Last resort’ deductions, such as rent or fuel costs, are at the top of the priority order, ensuring that claimant welfare is prioritised, followed by social obligation deductions, such as fines and child maintenance, and finally benefit debt, such as Social Fund loans and benefit overpayments.</p><p>Anyone with overpayment deductions who does experience financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Department’s Debt Management unit. Where a person cannot afford the proposed rate of these deductions repayment a lower amount can be negotiated.</p><p>DWP is also committed to HM Treasury’s Breathing Space policy, which provides citizens with problem debt the right to legal protections from creditor action for a period of time in order to enable them to receive debt advice and enter into an appropriate debt solution.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 33312 question first answered 21/07/2021 16:15:02 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1345783

registered interest
date	12/07/2021
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	Water Charges: Slough and Thames Valley
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 assessment he has made of the affordability of water bills for residents in (a) Slough and (b) Thames Valley.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	31523
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, is responsible for ensuring that water companies charge fair prices and deliver quality services, through a process called the Price Review. Ofwat has set spending budgets over the next five years - reducing the average household water bill. While there are systems in place to deliver value for money to consumers, we acknowledge that some households struggle with their water bills.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to ensuring all customers receive reliable water and waste services. All water companies offer reduced bills for eligible customers via the WaterSure scheme and social tariffs. In addition, water companies also offer a range of other financial support measures such as payment holidays, bill matching and advice on debt management and water efficiency.</p><p> </p><p>Each year the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) publishes its <a href="https://www.ccwater.org.uk/research/our-water-for-all-report-and-vulnerability-manifesto/" target="_blank">Water for All</a> report, which examines the efforts made by each water company in England and Wales to support customers who need financial help or other forms of assistance if they’re in vulnerable circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>Last October, Defra commissioned CCW to review the effectiveness of existing support schemes in water to ensure they are fit for purpose now and in the future. Their <a href="https://www.ccwater.org.uk/affordability-review/" target="_blank">report</a> sets out ten key recommendations that could result in better outcomes for the most vulnerable customers. Defra is working with CCW and industry to explore these recommendations further and a number of water companies have already established pilots to improve their support measures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 20/07/2021 16:26:32 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi