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1658732

registered interest
date	06/09/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Digital Technology
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to publish a revised Digital Inclusion Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	198196
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting the government’s commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. The 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy, and the four pillars it sets out, remains as relevant today as it was when published. These principles were further echoed in the Government’s UK<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#the-whole-uk-spreading-prosperity-and-levelling-up" target="_blank"> Digital Strategy</a> published in 2022, and our vision to enable everyone from across the UK to benefit from all that digital innovation can offer.</p><p>The Department has noted this recommendation in the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s report on digital exclusion and cost of living and will formally respond this month.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 11/09/2023 16:01:35 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658734

registered interest
date	06/09/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Digital Technology: Training
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to increase funding for digital inclusion and skills.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	198197
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p><strong>Digital Skills</strong></p><p>The Government recognises that digital skills are becoming ever more important in the economy. Last year, we launched the UK <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#s3:~:text=3.%20Digital%20skills%20and%20talent" target="_blank">Digital Strategy</a>, which set out our commitment to develop digital skills across the whole of the UK.</p><p> </p><p>To grow the digital workforce in the UK, the government has introduced a range of interventions across the digital skills pipeline and at all levels. This includes ensuring there is a range of flexible courses available for people already in the workforce. As part of Skills for Life, the government launched Skills Bootcamps, which offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview at the end. The Department for Education is increasing investment to up to £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p>To provide people with the opportunity to develop specialised AI and data skills, even for those who have no previous experience, the government has made a £30 million investment via two phases in AI and Data science conversion courses. The government is committed to ensuring the tech sector is diverse, which is why the government has funded scholarships for underrepresented groups to earn a masters degree on these courses, and has supported the Tech Talent Charter (TCC) since 2017.</p><p><strong>Digital Inclusion</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting our commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. This directly supports the UK’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy#the-whole-uk-spreading-prosperity-and-levelling-up" target="_blank">Digital Strategy </a>and its “vision to enable everyone, from every industry and across the UK, to benefit from all that digital innovation can offer.”</p><p> </p><p>Supporting people to engage in an increasingly digitalised world involves overcoming the barriers to access, skills, motivation and trust identified in the government’s digital inclusion strategy. A range of departments support the government’s approach to removing these barriers.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is tackling these issues by continuing to invest in digital infrastructure to broaden gigabit-capable and mobile-network coverage. To support low income households stay connected, the Government continues to work with telecoms providers to ensure market provision of low-cost broadband and mobile tariffs.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education are providing access to essential digital skills courses through the Essential Digital Entitlement and the Adult Education budget. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are leveraging our national network of libraries to serve as an alternative point of internet access with in-person support. Department for Work and Pensions are referring claimants to essential digital skills courses to improve their chances of securing employment and supporting eligible claimants with the provision of devices and connectivity connection. Cabinet Office is setting an example by monitoring the accessibility of all public sector websites to make sure that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments, can access public services.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 11/09/2023 16:41:19 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1658739

registered interest
date	06/09/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Broadband: Social Tariffs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to reduce VAT on broadband social tariffs.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	198199
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>VAT is the UK’s third largest tax forecast to raise £161 billion in 2023/24, helping to fund key spending priorities such as public services, including the NHS, education and defence. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.</p><p> </p><p>VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations. This request should be viewed in the context of over £50 billion of requests for relief from VAT received since the EU referendum.</p><p> </p><p>Although there are no current plans to reduce VAT on broadband social tariffs, the Government keeps all taxes under review.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 11/09/2023 13:37:03 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656729

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing adaptations for people with dyslexia sitting the driving theory test.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	196470
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA has worked with the British Dyslexia Association to implement changes to the theory test to make it more accessible for learners allowing them to have their knowledge and understanding checked, without putting them at an undue disadvantage.</p><p> </p><p>These changes include:</p><ul><li>removing continuation questions</li><li>adding more pictures</li><li>replacing words like “increase” and “decrease” with words like “faster” and “slower”</li><li>increasing the font size</li><li>removing red font</li></ul><p> </p><p>Candidates who have reading difficulties can request an English or Welsh voiceover. This provides candidates with headphones and enables them to listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as needed.</p><p> </p><p>Theory test slots are open to all candidates, but those needing extra support, such as candidates with dyslexia, can request other adaptions including:</p><ul><li>additional time to take the test (up to double time)</li><li>someone to read the questions out and record the answers for the candidate</li><li>using an oral language modifier, who will reword the questions making them easier to understand, changing non-technical words and phrases, and the order of a sentence</li><li>taking the test in a separate room</li></ul><p> </p><p>If a dyslexic candidate needs something more bespoke, such as certain colour overlays, the DVSA will aim to meet their need.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA will continue to look at ways in which it can further improve the theory test for candidates with learning difficulties.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden grouped question UIN 196471 question first answered 07/09/2023 08:11:09 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656731

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what percentage of driving theory test slots are allocated to learners with dyslexia.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	196471
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA has worked with the British Dyslexia Association to implement changes to the theory test to make it more accessible for learners allowing them to have their knowledge and understanding checked, without putting them at an undue disadvantage.</p><p> </p><p>These changes include:</p><ul><li>removing continuation questions</li><li>adding more pictures</li><li>replacing words like “increase” and “decrease” with words like “faster” and “slower”</li><li>increasing the font size</li><li>removing red font</li></ul><p> </p><p>Candidates who have reading difficulties can request an English or Welsh voiceover. This provides candidates with headphones and enables them to listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as needed.</p><p> </p><p>Theory test slots are open to all candidates, but those needing extra support, such as candidates with dyslexia, can request other adaptions including:</p><ul><li>additional time to take the test (up to double time)</li><li>someone to read the questions out and record the answers for the candidate</li><li>using an oral language modifier, who will reword the questions making them easier to understand, changing non-technical words and phrases, and the order of a sentence</li><li>taking the test in a separate room</li></ul><p> </p><p>If a dyslexic candidate needs something more bespoke, such as certain colour overlays, the DVSA will aim to meet their need.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA will continue to look at ways in which it can further improve the theory test for candidates with learning difficulties.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden grouped question UIN 196470 question first answered 07/09/2023 08:11:09 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1656732

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driving Tests: Dyslexia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there are differences in waiting times for driving theory tests for learners with dyslexia and those without.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	196472
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.</p><p> </p><p>There are no differences in waiting times for driving theory tests for learners with dyslexia and for those without.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 06/09/2023 11:35:30 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1657291

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy Bills Rebate: Travellers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the Energy Bills Support Scheme to gypsies and travellers living in roadside camps.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	196921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government has been unable to establish a robust method for households in caravans not on permanent sites to prove that their caravan is their main or sole residence, whilst protecting public funds against fraud. However, we recommend that these households should contact their local authority to apply for the Housing Support Fund. We also recommend that they visit the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view what other support they may be eligible to receive - <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary.PQ%40energysecurity.gov.uk%7C942135c2eb804d296e3b08dbaebc038b%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C638295894752566384%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2BtPpvg5BSKjbwWp8wF8LAZbV6NEvQZY%2BdvgAlGJPoCw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 07/09/2023 07:21:35 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1657292

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy Bills Rebate: Travellers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not including gypsies and travellers living in roadside camps from the Energy Bill Support Scheme on those people.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	196922
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government has been in contact with representatives of itinerant travellers to understand their concerns and seek to overcome barriers to accessing the EBSS Alternative Funding. We have been unable to establish a robust method for households in caravans not on permanent sites to prove that their caravan is their main or sole residence, whilst protecting public funds against fraud. We recommend that these households should contact their local authority to apply for the Housing Support Fund and also visit the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to view what other support they may be eligible to receive - <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary.PQ%40energysecurity.gov.uk%7C16d23bd93f574e00bfa808dbaebbd805%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C638295894020827178%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=l3PART7dChSulIMw%2BH2Oe%2F1Qpfzj3TEgb08RwHVe%2Fcs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 07/09/2023 07:20:13 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1652992

registered interest
date	13/07/2023
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	Food: Allergies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including pea protein as an allergen in food labelling.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	193951
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2023 answer text <p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy responsibility for food safety, including food allergen labelling, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Food Standards Scotland are responsible for food allergen labelling in Scotland.</p><p>The FSA is aware that pea protein allergies are an emerging area of concern and there are reports of adverse reactions to pea protein in the scientific literature. However, evidence on this is currently limited and the prevalence of pea protein allergies is unknown in the United Kingdom at present. As and when information is available, the FSA will assess the evidence, but have no current plans to amend the 14 allergens list. Any additions to this list would only be made based on relevant scientific evidence and views gathered through public consultation. The FSA continues to monitor the situation closely and is currently working with the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology on hidden and emerging food allergens.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien grouped question UIN 193952 question first answered 20/07/2023 08:14:50 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1652993

registered interest
date	13/07/2023
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	Food: Allergies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of widening the list of mandated common allergenic ingredients of public health concern.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
uin	193952
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2023 answer text <p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy responsibility for food safety, including food allergen labelling, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Food Standards Scotland are responsible for food allergen labelling in Scotland.</p><p>The FSA is aware that pea protein allergies are an emerging area of concern and there are reports of adverse reactions to pea protein in the scientific literature. However, evidence on this is currently limited and the prevalence of pea protein allergies is unknown in the United Kingdom at present. As and when information is available, the FSA will assess the evidence, but have no current plans to amend the 14 allergens list. Any additions to this list would only be made based on relevant scientific evidence and views gathered through public consultation. The FSA continues to monitor the situation closely and is currently working with the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology on hidden and emerging food allergens.</p> answering member constituency Harborough answering member printed Neil O'Brien grouped question UIN 193951 question first answered 20/07/2023 08:14:50 answering member 4679 label Biography information for Neil O'Brien
tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan