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1386014

registered interest
date	08/12/2021
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Office: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprentices in the Northern Ireland Office.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	904556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2021 answer text <p>I am pleased to say that my Department is meeting the target of having 2.3% of new starts as apprentices this financial year. One is working in my Private Office and the other in our Communications team; both roles offer excellent opportunities to work at the heart of the department, developing a range of skills.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth West answering member printed Conor Burns question first answered 08/12/2021 15:54:47 answering member 3922 label Biography information for Sir Conor Burns
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1386203

registered interest
date	08/12/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Fuels: Excise Duties
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 financial effect of the freeze on fuel duty since 2010 for the average motorist.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	89548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2021 answer text <p>As a result of twelve consecutive years of frozen fuel duty rates, the average UK car driver will pay around £15 less per tank of fuel, and will have cumulatively saved around £1,900 since 2011, compared to what would have been paid under the pre-2010 escalator. The 2022-23 freeze represents a saving for consumers of nearly £8 billion over the next five years.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 14/12/2021 12:11:52 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1386204

registered interest
date	08/12/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	National Tutoring Programme: Randstad
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has carried out a review of the procurement process that led to Randstad being awarded the contract to run the National Tutoring Programme; and what plans he has to improve his Department’s oversight of Randstad’s delivery of that contract.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	89549
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2021 answer text <p>The National Tutoring Programme is on track to reach hundreds of thousands more pupils this year, as part of a significant expansion to give schools more flexibility to deliver tutoring that works for them and families, and ensure no child is left behind.</p><p>We have set high standards for the programme and feedback from schools shows the positive impact it is having in helping pupils to catch up.</p><p>Randstad Education was awarded the contract to run the Tutoring Partner and Academic Mentors element of the National Tutoring Programme for the 2021/22 academic year, following an open competition in line with government procurement regulations.</p><p>We are working closely with Randstad to build on the successes of year 1. The delivery and performance of the National Tutoring Programme is monitored closely through a comprehensive governance process.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 14/12/2021 09:52:50 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1386205

registered interest
date	08/12/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	National Tutoring Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Tuition Partners pillar of the National Tutoring Programme, how many pupils have (a) been enrolled against the target of 524,000 for 2021-22 and (b) had at least one tutoring session as of 8 December 2021; how many schools have booked in tutoring; and whether those figures are above, below or on target for this point in the academic year.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	89550
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2021 answer text <p>National Tutoring Programme participation data for last year has not yet been published.</p><p>We continue to collect data from schools for all three strands of the programme in the current year and will be publishing this in due course. This covers School-Led Tutoring, Tuition Partners and Academic Mentors.</p><p>The National Tutoring Programme aims to engage up to 2 million pupils this year, and to deliver up to 90 million <del class="ministerial">packages</del> <ins class="ministerial">hours</ins> of tuition by the 2024/25 academic year.</p><p><strong><br /> </strong></p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 14/12/2021 14:44:51 question first ministerially corrected 10/01/2022 12:52:15 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker previous answer version 38324 answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1384604

registered interest
date	03/12/2021
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	Horses: Animal Welfare
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 plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	86558
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2021 answer text <p>This Government is committed to upholding our high standards of animal welfare, including in relation to tethering. The welfare of all animals is protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. Defra has a series of statutory animal welfare codes, which encourage high standards of husbandry.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act) makes it an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of the animal. The Act is backed up by farmed animal welfare legislation which includes a prohibition on tethers for certain farmed species. All owners and keepers of animals must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids (the Code) provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse and other animals. The Code states that tethering is not a suitable method of long-term management of an animal, but may be useful as an exceptional short-term method of animal management.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone is concerned about the way a horse or other animal has been tethered, they should report the matter to the relevant local authority, the RSPCA or World Horse Welfare who can investigate. If a horse or other animal is found not to be tethered appropriately, it could lead to a prosecution under the 2006 Act.</p><p> </p><p>Defra considers that the current legislation and guidance provide the right safeguards and powers in respect of animal tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to promote best practice among horse owners and to optimise partnership working to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering. With the current Animal (Penalty Notice) Bill passing through the parliamentary process we are keen to work with key stakeholders to consider if the use of financial penalty notices will help redirect offenders away from the inappropriate use of tethering.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill grouped question UIN 86560 question first answered 10/12/2021 11:52:34 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1384605

registered interest
date	03/12/2021
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	Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory duty for local authorities to employ an Animal Welfare Officer.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	86559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2021 answer text <p>Local authorities are responsible for enforcing certain animal-related activities which are licensed, such as pet selling, dog breeding and selling, animal boarding, riding schools and the exhibiting of animals. Therefore, every local authority at district level will have access to officers who enforce animal welfare standards. Local authorities have powers, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare. Local authorities must be allowed to decide how to enforce the 2006 Act based upon local priorities and resources.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 13/12/2021 15:12:48 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1384606

registered interest
date	03/12/2021
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	Domestic Animals: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will introduce measures to ensure that a person is not permitted to keep an animal where the only method of doing so is through the use of a tether.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	86560
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2021 answer text <p>This Government is committed to upholding our high standards of animal welfare, including in relation to tethering. The welfare of all animals is protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. Defra has a series of statutory animal welfare codes, which encourage high standards of husbandry.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act) makes it an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of the animal. The Act is backed up by farmed animal welfare legislation which includes a prohibition on tethers for certain farmed species. All owners and keepers of animals must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids (the Code) provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse and other animals. The Code states that tethering is not a suitable method of long-term management of an animal, but may be useful as an exceptional short-term method of animal management.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone is concerned about the way a horse or other animal has been tethered, they should report the matter to the relevant local authority, the RSPCA or World Horse Welfare who can investigate. If a horse or other animal is found not to be tethered appropriately, it could lead to a prosecution under the 2006 Act.</p><p> </p><p>Defra considers that the current legislation and guidance provide the right safeguards and powers in respect of animal tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to promote best practice among horse owners and to optimise partnership working to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering. With the current Animal (Penalty Notice) Bill passing through the parliamentary process we are keen to work with key stakeholders to consider if the use of financial penalty notices will help redirect offenders away from the inappropriate use of tethering.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill grouped question UIN 86558 question first answered 10/12/2021 11:52:34 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1383113

registered interest
date	29/11/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Travel: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will announce the next round of successful bids to the Active Travel Fund.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	83314
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2021 answer text <p>My Department has been rigorously assessing the bids submitted by local authorities. I will be announcing the 2021/22 active travel capital allocations in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 06/12/2021 15:08:30 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1381790

registered interest
date	24/11/2021
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	Local Press: Archives
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 his Department is taking to support communities to access local newspaper archives; and whether funding is available for that.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	80964
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2021 answer text <p>Local newspapers provide insight on the events, large and small, which shape our communities, and improving and maintaining access to these resources for individuals and communities is vital.</p><p>The British Library has a statutory duty to collect physical newspapers and online news sites; it also aims to make newspapers as accessible as possible. This work includes working in partnership with Findmypast to produce the British Newspaper Archive (BNA). The BNA is an online subscription resource enabling online access to historic digitised newspapers. The BNA is free to access in British Library Reading Rooms and a number of local authorities, including Essex County Council, subscribe enabling free access to public library users and through records offices. Many local authority archives and local study services may also retain their own collections of local newspapers.</p><p>The British Library has also undertaken local newspaper digitisation projects with public and community libraries on a cost recovery only basis, using the British Library’s skills and expertise to support local libraries.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 01/12/2021 14:20:51 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1381858

registered interest
date	24/11/2021
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	Health Services
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 ensure that patients can access adequate healthcare services from (a) GPs and (b) local authorities.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	80965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2021 answer text <p>Local commissioners are responsible for the provision of medical services for the local population. On 14 October, we published ‘Our plan for improving access for patients and supporting general practice’. This included an additional investment of £250 million in a Winter Access Fund to improve the availability of general practitioner (GP) practices and increase the number of face-to-face appointments, while also investing in technology to make it easier for patients to see or speak to their GP.</p><p>The Department increased the Public Health Grant to £3.324 billion in 2021/22 and it will be maintained in real terms over the next three years. This will enable local authorities to deliver health services to improve the health and wellbeing of their local communities.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 29/11/2021 12:27:46 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon