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1128930

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	European Parliament: Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of whether the Government's management of the 2019 European elections breached EU law.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	258879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government took all the legal steps necessary to prepare for the European Parliamentary<br>elections and put in place all the legislative and funding elements to enable Returning Officers to<br>make their preparations required for the polls on 23 May. The Government worked with Returning<br>Officers and the Electoral Commission and other agencies such as the Society of Local Authority<br>Chief Executives (SOLACE) and the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) to support the<br>smooth running of the polls.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 07/06/2019 11:31:07 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1127096

registered interest
date	16/05/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Press and Publications: VAT Zero Rating
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons VAT on (a) books, (b) newspapers and (c) magazines is zero-rated.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	255251
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>A zero rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) has applied to supplies of books, newspapers and magazines in the UK since the adoption of VAT in 1973.</p><p> </p><p>This served as a continuation of the exemption of those supplies from purchase tax, applied from its inception in 1940.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 24/05/2019 13:01:23 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1127098

registered interest
date	16/05/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Council of Europe
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reason the Government supported proposals to close the youth department of the Council of Europe.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	255253
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>​No decision has been taken to close the youth department of the Council of Europe. The suggestion to decouple the youth budget from the main budget is just one option proposed to manage the budget deficit in the organisation flowing from Russian non-payment and also as part of a wider drive for reforms and efficiency savings. It has yet to be discussed. The UK's priority is to protect the core functions of the organisation, including the court and the convention system.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 24/05/2019 13:28:54 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1127099

registered interest
date	16/05/2019
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	Council of Europe
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 funding the Government provides to representatives from the British Youth Council who sit on the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	255254
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>As a ‘major contributor’ to the Council of Europe, the UK pays over €32 million annually, which includes a contribution to the European Youth Foundation.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/05/2019 15:04:10 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126850

registered interest
date	15/05/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Based on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) human resources management system, 41 FCO UK-based staff took sick leave related to stress in 2018. This does not include staff who were absent but no sick leave reason is recorded against them. This accounts for 0.85 per cent of FCO UK-based staff using our headcount figure as of 31 December 2018 (4,839). Sick leave for reasons related to stress in 2018 accounted for 10.5 per cent of total recorded sick days, and equated to 0.3 Average Working Days Lost per person. The cost to the paybill of all sick leave taken by FCO UK-based staff in 2018 was £3,386,787. Of this, the cost of sick leave taken for stress-related reasons was £355,898.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 23/05/2019 15:51:37 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126555

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
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	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254064
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The number of employees in the Department for Business, Energy &amp; Industrial Strategy (BEIS) during the calendar year of 2018 who were absent due to mental health reasons, including stress was 59, this represented 1.5% of the total workforce. The proportion of sickness absence related to mental health reasons, including stress, was 23% of the overall sickness absence for the department for the same time period.</p><p> </p><p>The estimated cost to the department over this period for employees taking sickness absence, is estimated at £1,421,738.30.</p><p> </p><p>BEIS is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its staff, including helping them to manage stress in the workplace, and has a Wellbeing Strategy that includes a specific focus on supporting good mental health in its employees. This strategy is based in part on the Civil Service Health and Wellbeing Strategy that also includes the promotion of good mental health for all as one of its five priorities. Through a programme of wellbeing events and speakers, a growing cohort of mental health first aiders, promotion and signposting of the employee assistance programme, and e-learning packages for staff on stress, resilience and wellbeing, the Department has seen continued awareness and engagement on wellbeing and good mental health.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 22/05/2019 16:20:29 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126558

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254067
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The total number of staff<strong><em><sup>1</sup></em></strong> working days lost due to sickness<sup>2</sup>, and more specifically stress, between April 2018 and March 2019 is as follows</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Total Number of staff</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Working Days Lost</strong><strong><sup>3</sup></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total Staff (FTE) - average over 12 months</strong></p></td><td><p>69,783</p></td><td><p>N/A.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>All Sickness (Headcount)</strong></p></td><td><p>38,989</p></td><td><p>600,051</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Of which Stress (Headcount)</strong></p></td><td><p>2,764</p></td><td><p>83,918</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Stress as % of total staff</strong></p></td><td><p>4%</p></td><td><p>N/A.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Stress as % of all sickness</strong></p></td><td><p>7%</p></td><td><p>14%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><em>Notes</em></p><p><strong><em><sup>1 </sup></em></strong><em>This analysis covers MoJ and the Executive Agencies (including HMPPS and HMCTS).</em></p><p><strong><em><sup>2 </sup></em></strong><em>Absences are categorised according to International Classification of Diseases, which is an approach used across the civil service.</em></p><p><strong><em><sup>3</sup></em></strong><em>The cost to the Department is reflected in the total number of working days lost.</em></p><p> </p><p>The MoJ is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all its employees, and to reducing sickness absence levels including those which are stress-related. Staff can seek advice and support from our comprehensive occupational health service and employee assistance programme which offers 24/7 help.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 22/05/2019 16:38:48 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126559

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Department for International Trade: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254068
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>The number of employees in the Department for International Trade from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 who were absent due to mental health reasons including stress was 39. This represented approximately 1% of employees. The proportion of sickness absence related to stress related reasons was 8.6% of the overall sickness absence for the department for the same time period.</p><p> </p><p>Recorded sickness absence figures include employees working in the UK and overseas and for UK Export Finance. They do not include contractors, secondees from other organisations or military staff.</p><p> </p><p>The estimated cost to the department from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 for employees taking sickness absence due to mental health reasons, including stress is estimated at £116,920.</p><p> </p><p>DIT continues to recognise and take seriously the wellbeing of its employees. DIT has in place policies and processes to identify, prevent and manage stress. The DIT policies introduced the provision of mental health first aiders who can provide a range of support to both employees and managers including access to our Employee Counselling Service.</p> answering member constituency Meon Valley answering member printed George Hollingbery question first answered 23/05/2019 08:53:08 answering member 4016 label Biography information for Sir George Hollingbery
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126561

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Home Office: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>The number of staff in the Home Office who took sickness absence due to mental health issues in the 12 months to 30 April 2019; the proportion of the total sick absence that this comprises; and the cost to the Department of sick absence due to mental ill health during that period is set out in the accompanying table. These absences include those relating to stress, as well as other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can be triggered by various factors.</p><p>We are committed to breaking down barriers and reducing stigma for employees living with mental health conditions. We aim to equip managers to recognise and address stress in the workplace and encourage employees to talk to their managers about mental health issues so that they can access help and support at the earliest stage.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 24/05/2019 13:44:59 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins attachment 1 file name PQ 254070 data v2.xlsx title Table - PQ 254070
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1126562

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	Treasury: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The Treasury’s sickness absence data for ‘mental health and related issues includes stress related conditions. HM Treasury publishes data in the Annual report and Accounts. The data for January to December 2017 can be found in the 2017/18 report and accounts, and data for the period January to December 2018 will be reported in the 2018/19 annual report and accounts which is due to be published in July.</p><p> </p><p>For information I have attached a link below to the 2017/18 report.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-annual-report" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-annual-report</a></p><p> </p><p>We do not currently make an estimate of the cost of sick absence to the department.</p><p> </p><p>HM Treasury has the following support in place for those that are suffering due to stress or poor mental health including:</p><ul><li>Stress and Mental Health Awareness e-learning – which covers learning about stress, what the stressors can be and how to identify and lessen stress</li><li>Stress risk assessment used to identify stressors and implement controls to help reduce/eliminate the stress</li><li>Workplace Adjustments including flexible working</li><li>Stress Management guidance</li><li>Wellbeing Gateway</li><li>Mental Health Tips</li><li>Tips to help reduce stress</li><li>Mental Health First Aiders</li><li>Employee Assistance Programme - provides a number of confidential advisory, counselling and support services. Their helpline is available 24/7</li><li>Occupational Health provision</li><li>Mental Wellbeing Network</li><li>Treasury Supporters who are employees trained to help colleagues work through any concerns, however serious whatever their cause</li><li>Wellness Action Plans</li><li>Time to Talk Workshops</li><li>HR Advisers and Health, Safety &amp; Wellbeing Team</li><li>HSE Stress Talking Toolkit</li></ul> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 22/05/2019 16:38:48 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake