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1127626

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Females: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to encourage more women into apprenticeships.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	256297
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>Women are well-represented in terms of overall apprenticeship starts. In the first half of 2018/19, 47% of apprenticeship starts were by women, which is an increase from 45.8% for the equivalent period in 2017/18.</p><p>However, we also want to make sure that more women are able to access apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated fields as well as in fields that offer the highest returns. Starts by women in the construction, planning and the built environment sector increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2018/19, compared to the same period in 2017/18, from 790 starts to 1,080 starts.</p><p>Through the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN), we are championing gender representation in apprenticeships amongst employers in industries where improvement is needed. This includes making sure that more women can access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeships and it is encouraging to see the progress that is being made. For example, ADCN member GlaxoSmithKline are well ahead of their aim to achieve 25% of women representation in their STEM apprenticeships. Women now make up 47% of their UK intake. The ADCN has recently published an update on its work which can be found at the following link: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802200/ADCN-Report-2019-LR-v2.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802200/ADCN-Report-2019-LR-v2.pdf</a>.</p><p>Furthermore, we are working to raise awareness of apprenticeships and the benefits that they bring to people of all backgrounds. Our ‘Fire It Up’ communication campaign seeks to change the way that people think about apprenticeships and to demonstrate that they are an aspirational choice for anyone. ‘Fire It Up’ advertising features apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds and showcases female apprentices in STEM occupations.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 24/05/2019 14:17:06 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1127627

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Overseas Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to ensure businesses have increased access to international procurement markets after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	256298
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>We have taken measures to safeguard the UK’s ability to continue to participate in the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. This means that British businesses will be able to continue to bid for government contracts worth an estimated £1.3 trillion annually in a range of sectors on substantially the same terms as they do now.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also seeking continuity of existing EU trade agreements. Many of these agreements contain public procurement obligations that we will retain, including the recently signed agreements with Switzerland, Israel, Chile, the Andean Community and the Caribbean countries. This will provide guaranteed access for UK suppliers to public procurement opportunities in our global trade partners.</p><p><br> As we pursue our independent trade policy after EU exit, we will seek ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, including opportunities to increase access for UK suppliers to international procurement markets.</p> answering member constituency Meon Valley answering member printed George Hollingbery question first answered 23/05/2019 14:13:34 answering member 4016 label Biography information for Sir George Hollingbery
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1126488

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Low Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase take-home pay for low-paid workers.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	254189
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The government is committed to making work pay and keeping more money in people’s pockets.</p><p> </p><p>On 1 April we saw another above inflation increase to our National Living Wage, meaning a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be earning £690 more over the coming year. And the personal allowance has increased to £12,500, meaning a typical basic rate taxpayer will pay £130 less tax than in 2018-19 and £1,205 less tax than in 2010-11.</p><p> </p><p>Economic growth is key to growing wages. That’s why we’re investing record amounts in infrastructure, supporting businesses to grow and keeping taxes low. Wages are growing strongly, at 3.2% in the latest data and have outstripped inflation for 12 consecutive months.</p><p> </p><p>The government has an aspiration to end low pay and will set a new remit for the Low Pay Commission, for the years beyond 2020, later this year.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 21/05/2019 11:53:21 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1126503

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
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	Internet: Offensive Weapons
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 is he taking to ensure that social media companies tackle the advertising of online sales of knives and other weapons used in violent crime.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	254190
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>Tackling serious violence is a top priority for the government through measures set out in the Serious Violence Strategy and further initiatives to tackle knife crime and serious violence more generally, including the Offensive Weapons Act which received Royal Assent on 16 May.</p><p> </p><p>The Online Harms White Paper, published in April, sets out plans for a regulatory framework to further ensure companies take action to address online harmful behaviour, including the sale of weapons and other illegal goods and services. A new statutory duty of care will require companies to take more responsibility for harm caused by content or activity on their services. Compliance with this duty of care will be overseen and enforced by an independent regulator. The regulator will issue codes of practice on what companies need to do to fulfil their duty of care, working with law enforcement for codes of practice on illegal harms to ensure they adequately keep pace with the threat.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 22/05/2019 15:52:08 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1125373

registered interest
date	08/05/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Pensioners: Stamp Duty Land Tax
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to exempt pensioners from Stamp Duty when they downsize their homes.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	252059
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>Most owners wishing to downsize are likely to have equity in their current property, and are already exempt from Capital Gains Tax on any gain made on their main residence. For most of those looking to downsize, the SDLT due on the move-in property will be small, and in most cases, it will be lower than estate agent’s fees.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no current plans for a further relief for those looking to downsize. The Government’s priority is to support first time buyers, which is why the Autumn Budget 2017 announced the introduction of First-Time Buyers’ Relief. Since its introduction, 288,300 households have benefitted from First-Time Buyers’ Relief, saving around £2,360 on average.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 16/05/2019 15:05:16 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1124720

registered interest
date	03/05/2019
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	Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve (a) early diagnosis and (b) treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	250788
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>The United Kingdom Rare Disease Strategy, published in 2013, sets out our commitment to raising awareness about all rare diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and our strategic vision for improving the lives of all those affected. The Strategy promotes improvements to ensure that people living with a rare disease receive high-quality care.</p><p>The Government recognizes the need for awareness raising and training of health care professionals for rare diseases. This is being taken forward through the work of the UK Rare Diseases Policy Board and NHS England’s Rare Diseases Implementation plan, which commits NHS England to engaging with the Royal College of General Practitioners (GPs) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council on opportunities for GPs and health visitors to recognise and facilitate earlier diagnosis of rare diseases.</p><p>There are limited drug treatment options for IPF and two drugs, Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, are commissioned following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Technology Appraisals. Alongside this, the Department funds research into rare diseases such as IPF through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).</p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 15/05/2019 16:35:47 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1123882

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the outcomes of children with special educational needs and disability.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	249268
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The department is taking steps to ensure every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can achieve highly in education, find employment and lead happy and fulfilled lives.</p><p>We have established a SEND System Leadership Board that will focus on improving how local health, education and social care partners can plan better, commission strategically and work jointly to provide services and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.</p><p>Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission continue to inspect local areas to identify strengths and weaknesses in relation to children and young people with SEND. Where there are concerns, the local area is required to produce a Written Statement of Action. The area will be revisited within 18 months to ensure improvements have been made.</p><p>To support local authorities, we have provided an additional £250 million in high needs funding up to 2020 on top of the funding increases we had already committed. This brings the total allocation for high needs in 2019-20 to £6.3 billion and will help local authorities to manage the significant pressures on their high needs budgets.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 08/05/2019 07:48:18 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1123883

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that schools receive equitable levels of funding under the national funding formula.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	249269
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>The national funding formula (NFF) will mean that, for the first time, school funding will be distributed based on the specific characteristics of every school and pupil in the country. It is directing money where it is most needed – not accidents of geography or history.</p><p>Schools are already benefitting from the gains delivered by the NFF. This year, all schools are attracting an increase of at least 1% per pupil compared to their 2017-18 baselines. Those schools that have been historically underfunded will attract up to 6% more per pupil compared to 2017-18, as we continue to address historic unfairness. Details of the NFF beyond 2019-20 are subject to the next Spending Review.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities continue to have some flexibility on how this funding is distributed locally, in consultation with schools. Flexibility allows local authorities, in consultation with their schools, to smooth the transition toward the NFF, where this represents a significant change.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 09/05/2019 14:44:22 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1123884

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Electronic Warfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase the effectiveness of the UK’s offensive cyber capabilities.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	249270
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence works in partnership with the Government Communications Headquarters to deliver the National Offensive Cyber Programme, harnessing the expertise of both organisations to establish a world-class offensive cyber capability delivered through a &quot;Joint Mission&quot; construct.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 08/05/2019 13:34:44 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1123885

registered interest
date	30/04/2019
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	Employment and Social Security Benefits: Learning Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to support people with learning disabilities access (a) benefits and (b) employment opportunities.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	249271
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit provides enhanced personalised support for all claimants. All claimants receive continuous tailored support managed through personal work coaches, who know each person. Our work coaches receive extensive training to ensure they can offer effective support to different claimant groups, including those with learning disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland are delivering the new <strong>‘</strong>Help to Claim’ support to claimants making a new Universal Credit (UC) claim or moving from a legacy benefit to UC because of a change of circumstances. The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service offers tailored, practical support to help people make a UC claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. It is available online, through web-chat, through a Freephone number and face to face through local Citizens Advice services.</p><p> </p><p>Telephony support is also available through the Universal Credit Freephone line for claimants who cannot make or maintain their claim online. Where a claimant is unable to manage their own affairs, an appointee can act on their behalf, taking responsibility for making and maintaining a claim.</p><p> </p><p>Personal Independence Payment can be paid to disabled people irrespective of their employment status. Claimants with a severe mental health or behavioural condition, learning disability, developmental disorder or cognitive problems, who may have difficulty engaging with the claims process, and with no support network in place can be provided with additional support during the claims process if they need it. This support can include help filling in the form or the questionnaire and additional protections for failing to return the questionnaire or for failing to attend a face-to-face assessment.</p><p> </p><p>We are supporting disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, to prepare for employment, enter and retain work through a range of initiatives, for example: Access to Work; the Local Supported Employment proof of concept; and the new Intensive Personalised Employment Support scheme, which is expected to be running by the end of 2019.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 07/05/2019 13:18:09 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland