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1168285

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care: Self-employed
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason foster carers are classed as self-employed rather than employed.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	167
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>In England, the purpose of foster care is to provide children with the chance of a family life when they cannot be cared for by their birth parents.</p><p>Foster care is a devolved matter and the agreement that foster carers in England have with fostering service providers, including local authorities, sets out how they carry out their role. This is, however, not a contract of employment or a contract to perform work, which would be a necessary requirement for someone to be classed as either an employee or a worker.</p><p>The Children’s Act 1989 (Vol. 4: Fostering Services) and subsequent statutory guidance sets out strong safeguards to protect foster parents from unfair treatment, including the requirement for fostering services to have a complaints procedure, whistle blowing policy, and for foster parents to have the right to review by the Independent Review Mechanism. Fostering Better Outcomes (2018) sets out the government’s ambitions and commitments to improve the wider support available for foster parents in England. There are no plans to reclassify the employment status of foster carers to limb (b) workers.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 168 333 question first answered 07/01/2020 16:44:32 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1168286

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care: Conditions of Employment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will reclassify the employment status of foster carers to limb (b) workers.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>In England, the purpose of foster care is to provide children with the chance of a family life when they cannot be cared for by their birth parents.</p><p>Foster care is a devolved matter and the agreement that foster carers in England have with fostering service providers, including local authorities, sets out how they carry out their role. This is, however, not a contract of employment or a contract to perform work, which would be a necessary requirement for someone to be classed as either an employee or a worker.</p><p>The Children’s Act 1989 (Vol. 4: Fostering Services) and subsequent statutory guidance sets out strong safeguards to protect foster parents from unfair treatment, including the requirement for fostering services to have a complaints procedure, whistle blowing policy, and for foster parents to have the right to review by the Independent Review Mechanism. Fostering Better Outcomes (2018) sets out the government’s ambitions and commitments to improve the wider support available for foster parents in England. There are no plans to reclassify the employment status of foster carers to limb (b) workers.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 167 333 question first answered 07/01/2020 16:44:32 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1167805

registered interest
date	01/11/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: EU Action
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to review track-and-trace arrangements to ensure that they comply with the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products; and what steps he is taking to ensure that key roles in that system are not delegated to the tobacco industry after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	8600
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for implementing the track and trace system and ensuring compliance with the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. Since the system came into force on 20 May 2019 and there is a 12 month sell through period for unmarked stock, HMRC’s approach has been to educate and support businesses as they familiarise themselves and adapt to the new requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Strict criteria for determining independence from the tobacco industry is set out in Part 5 of the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019.</p><p> </p><p>If we leave the EU with a deal, the current arrangements will continue to apply for the duration of the implementation period. If we leave with no deal, we will suspend the current system while we develop a stand-alone system as quickly as possible and with the minimal changes necessary to the current system. This would include retaining the current independence criteria.</p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke question first answered 05/11/2019 08:39:48 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1167806

registered interest
date	01/11/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	UK Trade with EU: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what technologies will be used to monitor trade flows over the Irish border after the UK leaves the EU; and whether his Department plans to introduce track-and-trace technology for at-risk flows of goods.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	8601
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The new deal agreed with the EU ensures that there will be no infrastructure, controls or checks at the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland; goods in Northern Ireland will continue to move freely into Ireland and the rest of the EU without any customs processes. In respect of the rest of the UK, the Government will continue to consider the use of technology-based solutions where these support the administration of customs systems or support traders to meet their obligations.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 05/11/2019 08:35:36 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1167173

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of HMRC staff employed at Easter Inch Steading, Bathgate, that will transfer to the UK Government Hub in Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	7187
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>HMRC expect the majority of staff in Bathgate (Pyramids Business Centre) to relocate to the Edinburgh Regional Centre when the office closes in September 2020. One-to-one meetings between staff and managers, to discuss personal circumstances and support packages tailored to individual needs, commenced in September 2019 and are still in progress. The precise number of staff who can transfer will be known when the outcomes of these meetings have been collated.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC will support people who are unable to move to work through all possible options, including helping them to find another role and offering advice and training on applying for jobs. HMRC have regular conversations with the Scottish Government and have a close working relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions in the West Lothian area. HMRC will continue to scope redeployment opportunities for their staff, using a simplified application process where possible.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are committed to supporting their people and in July 2019 HMRC published a People and Equality Impact Assessment: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf</a>. The document sets out the actions HMRC are taking across the UK to minimise the impacts on their people.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 7188 question first answered 04/11/2019 08:35:36 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1167174

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) financial and (b) other support the Government plans to provide to staff made redundant by HMRC at Easter Inch Steading, Bathgate, to help them obtain alternative employment.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	7188
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>HMRC expect the majority of staff in Bathgate (Pyramids Business Centre) to relocate to the Edinburgh Regional Centre when the office closes in September 2020. One-to-one meetings between staff and managers, to discuss personal circumstances and support packages tailored to individual needs, commenced in September 2019 and are still in progress. The precise number of staff who can transfer will be known when the outcomes of these meetings have been collated.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC will support people who are unable to move to work through all possible options, including helping them to find another role and offering advice and training on applying for jobs. HMRC have regular conversations with the Scottish Government and have a close working relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions in the West Lothian area. HMRC will continue to scope redeployment opportunities for their staff, using a simplified application process where possible.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are committed to supporting their people and in July 2019 HMRC published a People and Equality Impact Assessment: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf</a>. The document sets out the actions HMRC are taking across the UK to minimise the impacts on their people.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 7187 question first answered 04/11/2019 08:35:36 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1156130

registered interest
date	24/10/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department defines what a reasonable chance of collection is before deciding to write-off arrears accrued under the Child Support Agency.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	5054
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>Where a receiving parent makes representations for the arrears to be collected, the Service will make every effort to trace the paying parent associated with the case and verify the arrears. The paying parent will also be given an opportunity to make representations as part of the process. Once the debt is moved to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) it will exhaust all available collection methods available in an attempt to secure a payment.</p><p> </p><p>Some of the collection options available to the CMS include imposing a deduction from earnings order and lump sum deduction orders. If all attempts are unsuccessful the debt may then be deemed uncollectable and write-off considered.</p><p /><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 29/10/2019 16:40:36 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1156131

registered interest
date	24/10/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of receiving parent's arrears accrued under the Child Support Agency that were written off while a Deduction from Earnings Order was in place.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	5055
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>Only cases with CSA debt that haven’t made payments for the last three months are in scope for selection as part of the Compliance &amp; Arrears Strategy. Cases with a paying Deduction from Earnings Order in Place will not be selected.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 29/10/2019 16:45:29 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1156132

registered interest
date	24/10/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason receiving parents were not compensated for the decision to write-off arrears for money they were owed which accrued under the Child Support Agency.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	5056
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>Writing off some historic Child Support Agency (CSA) arrears was not a quick or easy decision, and involved exhausting other approaches to deal with the debt, including using debt collection agencies without success. Much of the debt that accrued under the CSA is now old and generally uncollectable, and most parents accept this.</p><p> </p><p>It is a long-established principle of the child maintenance system that where non-resident parents do not pay the maintenance they are legally required to pay, the obligation on the government is to do its best to ensure collection – not for the taxpayer to pay the maintenance.</p><p> </p><p>We are making one last attempt to collect the debt, where it is cost effective to do so and there is a reasonable chance of collection. Debts of smaller amounts may be written off as part of the process.</p><p> </p><p>Attempting to collect would have cost around £1.5bn, and would have recovered between £0.1bn and £0.6bn. Had we not written off we would have needed to maintain the debt indefinitely at a cost of £30 million per year.</p><p> </p><p>Addressing these cases will enable us to close the CSA completely and focus on collecting money that will benefit today’s children, and avoid the build-up of arrears in the Child Maintenance Service.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 5057 question first answered 29/10/2019 16:49:20 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1156133

registered interest
date	24/10/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recourse is available to receiving parents whose arrears accrued under the Child Support Agency have been written off.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	5057
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>Writing off some historic Child Support Agency (CSA) arrears was not a quick or easy decision, and involved exhausting other approaches to deal with the debt, including using debt collection agencies without success. Much of the debt that accrued under the CSA is now old and generally uncollectable, and most parents accept this.</p><p> </p><p>It is a long-established principle of the child maintenance system that where non-resident parents do not pay the maintenance they are legally required to pay, the obligation on the government is to do its best to ensure collection – not for the taxpayer to pay the maintenance.</p><p> </p><p>We are making one last attempt to collect the debt, where it is cost effective to do so and there is a reasonable chance of collection. Debts of smaller amounts may be written off as part of the process.</p><p> </p><p>Attempting to collect would have cost around £1.5bn, and would have recovered between £0.1bn and £0.6bn. Had we not written off we would have needed to maintain the debt indefinitely at a cost of £30 million per year.</p><p> </p><p>Addressing these cases will enable us to close the CSA completely and focus on collecting money that will benefit today’s children, and avoid the build-up of arrears in the Child Maintenance Service.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 5056 question first answered 29/10/2019 16:49:20 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day