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1244780

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Education: Disadvantaged
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on additional financial support in helping to close the disadvantage attainment gap.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	907789
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State on Education policy. We are committed to ensuring no child, whatever their background, falls behind as a result of this pandemic. Our £1 billion catch-up plan includes £350 million for a National Tutoring Programme targeted at disadvantaged children. We have also provided over £2.4 billion of Pupil Premium funding this year for the most disadvantaged.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 20/10/2020 14:55:10 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1245143

registered interest
date	20/10/2020
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	Iraq: Kurds
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 steps his Department has taken in response to the burning on 17 October 2020 in Baghdad of a Kurdish party office and the flag of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	106317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>We strongly condemned the attack on the Kurdistan Democratic Party's office in Baghdad and made clear that addressing political difference through dialogue not violence was a fundamental element of a functioning democracy. The UK has welcomed steps taken to hold those responsible to account. We continue to work with the Government of Iraq on enhancing security measures, including through discussions during the Iraqi Prime Minister's Guest of Government visit to the UK on 22 October.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 23/10/2020 11:16:39 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1244182

registered interest
date	16/10/2020
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	Coronavirus: Essex
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) beauty, (b) physiotherapy and (c) other businesses that operate from a person's home can continue to remain open and see clients under Tier 2 (High) covid-19 restrictions in Essex.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	104720
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>New local alert levels announced on 12 October set out three tiers of restrictions that aim to control the chain of transmission in an area based on specific local circumstances. The Local Alert Level: High restrictions (tier 2) are primarily aimed at targeting household to household transmission by placing restrictions on indoor gatherings, which is recognised as a significant route of transmission.</p><p>Businesses based in a person’s home may remain open at this level, provided they follow COVID-secure guidance and are not subject to other closure rules, e.g. closure of hospitality venues between 10pm and 5am. Close contact services must also follow relevant guidance, including mandatory use of face coverings.</p><p>Further guidance is available at the following links:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#business-and-venues" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#business-and-venues</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 22/10/2020 14:42:49 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries previous answer version 56050 answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243637

registered interest
date	15/10/2020
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	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	907600
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>People who tether their horses inappropriately risk causing their animals distress and suffering and could be liable to prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and their Hybrids provides keepers with information on how and when tethering may be used. We remain committed to tackling the issue of inappropriate horse tethering through effective partnership working, enforcement and dissemination of best practice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/10/2020 17:04:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243421

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of children in England without a laptop or tablet.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103486 103487 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243422

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what date his Department completed distribution of all laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers to eligible pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103485 103487 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243423

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many laptops, tablets and 4G routers the Government has distributed to eligible pupils during the coronavirus outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103485 103486 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1242837

registered interest
date	13/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Young People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of incentive payments for hiring new apprentices on the employment rate among 16-24 year old's since 1 August 2020.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	102761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2020 answer text <p>Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow. To help employers offer new apprenticeships, they are now able to claim £2,000 for every new apprentice they hire under the age of 25 before 31 January 2021, in recognition of the particular impacts of COVID-19 on the employment prospects of this group, and £1,500 for new apprentices aged 25 and over. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment we already provide for new 16-18-year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan. The new payment means it is a great time for employers to offer new apprenticeship opportunities and take advantage of existing flexibilities to train their apprentices in a way that suits their needs.</p><p>Employers have been able to register to claim the incentive since 1 September. We are monitoring the take-up of the new payments and will assess their impact on apprenticeship starts to ensure it is helping employers to meet their skills needs and working for people of all ages.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 16/10/2020 13:15:51 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1242898

registered interest
date	13/10/2020
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	General Practitioners: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when GP surgeries will resume face to face consultations.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	102762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>General practice is open and people should continue to access services by phone, online or in person.</p><p>On 31 August, NHS England and NHS Improvement issued guidance stating that general practitioner (GP) practices must offer face-to-face appointments at surgeries and continue to use remote triage, video, online and telephone consultations where appropriate – whilst also considering those unable to access or engage with digital services. On 14 September, NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to GPs and their commissioners reiterating the importance of providing face to face appointments for those who need them and shared a communications toolkit designed to support clear communication with patients about how they can access the right type of appointment.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 22/10/2020 14:21:43 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1242900

registered interest
date	13/10/2020
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	Coronavirus: Protective Clothing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the decision to require individuals to wear face coverings in places of worship during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	102763
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>Members of the public must wear a face covering in a range of indoor public settings in England, which includes places of worship.</p><p>The wearing of face covering does not replace or change existing advice on other measures – such as hand washing, social distancing and self-isolation – which remain more important (because of stronger evidence and larger effects).</p><p>The Government is committed to following the evidence and will keep reviewing evidence from around the world and update our position as and when needed.</p><p>Guidance around using places of worship safely during the pandemic can be found online at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july</a></p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 20/10/2020 11:45:55 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon