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1438054

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Private Rented Housing: Sexual Offences
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to CPS guidance, Prostitution and Exploitation of Prostitution, revised on 4 January 2019, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ensure that a victim of a sex for rent offence is not defined as a prostitute by prosecuting authorities.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2022 answer text <p>The Government is clear that exploitation through ‘sex for rent’ has no place in our society. There are two offences in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which can, and have, been used to successfully prosecute this practice the section 52 offence of causing or inciting prostitution for gain and the section 53 offence of controlling prostitution for gain). In January 2021, the CPS authorised the first charge for ‘sex for rent’ allegations under section 52. The individual against whom these allegations were made pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting prostitution for gain earlier this year.</p><p>Anyone making a report to the police would benefit from the anonymity provisions within the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.</p><p>We recognise the need to stamp out this abhorrent practice and support those at risk of exploitation. We have already taken action around this to ensure prosecutors are clear on the law. In 2019 the CPS amended their guidance on ‘Prostitution and Exploitation of Prostitution’ to include specific reference to the potential availability of charges for offences under sections 52 and 53 for ‘sex for rent’ arrangements.</p><p>In addition, we recognise the importance of preventing individuals being exploited through this practice. To better protect tenants from rogue landlords who have been convicted of certain criminal offences, we introduced banning orders through the Housing and Planning Act 2016 – these orders prohibits named individuals from engaging in letting and property management work.</p><p>We are committed to ensuring we have the right measures in place to tackle this practice. As we made clear during the debate at Commons Consideration of Lords amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, we will be launching a consultation before summer recess on the issue of sex for rent, including the effectiveness of existing legislation. This would provide a useful opportunity to work with the police, CPS and others (including victims) to better understand this issue and the effectiveness of the current law, the case for a bespoke offence and whether further measures may be beneficial. It will also be important to ensure that any bespoke offence worked with both the Online Safety Bill provisions and the existing prostitution offences.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 09/03/2022 14:31:54 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1438072

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Refugees: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is making funds available to support the care and housing of refugees from Ukraine.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2022 answer text <p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection to the most vulnerable people. To support those fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Home Office has launched the Ukraine Family Scheme to allow thousands of families to be reunited in the UK. The Scheme allows immediate and extended family members of British nationals and people settled in the UK to come to the country. Those joining family through the Scheme will be granted leave for 3 years, giving them certainty and ensuring their future in the country. The Scheme is free, and does not include any salary or language requirements.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, a new sponsored humanitarian visa route will be established to allow communities, private sponsors, or local authorities to sponsor people to come the UK from Ukraine. The Treasury is working closely with departments across government on the design and funding of these new routes.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to these changes to the immigration system, the government has already committed around £400m to support the current crisis in Ukraine. This includes up to £220m in humanitarian aid, making the UK the largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Ukraine. This much-needed humanitarian assistance will help aid agencies respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, saving lives, protecting vulnerable people and creating a lifeline for Ukrainians with access to basic necessities. It also includes a commitment to match-fund the public’s first £20m of donations to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, our largest ever aid-match contribution. UK Government humanitarian experts have also been deployed to the region to bolster the UK's support to countries receiving those fleeing the violence in Ukraine.</p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke question first answered 09/03/2022 10:58:32 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1438073

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Refugees: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an estimate of the maximum number of refugees from Ukraine that the UK can accommodate.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134347
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2022 answer text <p>I refer the Hon Member to the answers given <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhansard.parliament.uk%2Fcommons%2F2022-03-08%2Fdebates%2FCD197E60-5E4C-472B-A099-26A88DDCCAB2%2FUkraineUrgentRefugeeApplications&amp;data=04%7C01%7CParliamentary%40levellingup.gov.uk%7Ccd8cc9a5857e4275b28708da01ef448e%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637824424393587881%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=w%2FW4DTHQhUewpmSX34jKmHm%2BmKnAO%2BSYhPbd1xtUlak%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Walsall North answering member printed Eddie Hughes question first answered 09/03/2022 17:35:33 answering member 4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1438074

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
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	Shavendra Silva
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 assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of information in the ITJP Submission to meet the required threshold to designate General Shavendra Silva under the Global Human Rights (GHR) Sanctions Regime established on 6 July 2020.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134348
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2022 answer text <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is grateful for the submission by the International Truth and Justice Project on General Shavendra Silva. We keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. However, it is not appropriate to speculate on future designations under the Global Human Rights Sanctions regime, as to do so could reduce their impact. Sanctions are one response among a number of tools we can deploy.</p><p>The UK Government, alongside our partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka including the US, has led international efforts to promote accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. This effort includes the passing of Resolution 46/1 in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to promote and protect human rights, and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. We will continue to seek increased accountability and respect for human rights, including through activities funded under our Conflict, Security and Stability Fund programmes.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 134349 question first answered 09/03/2022 17:32:57 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1438075

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
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	Shavendra Silva
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 discussions her Department has had with the US Administration on designating Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva under the Global Human Rights (GHR) Sanctions regime.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2022 answer text <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is grateful for the submission by the International Truth and Justice Project on General Shavendra Silva. We keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. However, it is not appropriate to speculate on future designations under the Global Human Rights Sanctions regime, as to do so could reduce their impact. Sanctions are one response among a number of tools we can deploy.</p><p>The UK Government, alongside our partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka including the US, has led international efforts to promote accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. This effort includes the passing of Resolution 46/1 in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to promote and protect human rights, and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. We will continue to seek increased accountability and respect for human rights, including through activities funded under our Conflict, Security and Stability Fund programmes.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 134348 question first answered 09/03/2022 17:32:57 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1438076

registered interest
date	04/03/2022
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	Agriculture Act 2020
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 assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding access to countryside provisions in the Agriculture Act 2020.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	134350
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2022 answer text <p>The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out the ambition to connect more people from all backgrounds with the natural environment for their health and well-being, and the commitment to supporting people to access and enjoy outdoor spaces. The priority is for this to happen in a way that is safe for people and animals, and in line with published regulations and guidance.</p><p> </p><p>Support for increasing access into the countryside will be made through existing schemes and support mechanisms already in place.</p><p> </p><p>Access is currently provided for under the Countryside Stewardship scheme’s Higher Tier and Mid Tier. The scheme funds land managers for both the instalment of capital items to promote access, such as gates and stiles, as well as providing educational visits which offer school pupils and care farming clients the opportunity to visit farms to learn, understand and engage with farming and the environment. This year we have introduced a new woodland supplement, Access for people, which aims to create alternative outdoor activities, encourage engagement with nature and create further educational opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>We are still considering our approach to support for increasing and maintaining access to the countryside in our future schemes including our environmental land management schemes.</p><p> </p><p>To boost investment in the meantime, we have launched a new Farming in Protected Landscapes programme in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this includes opportunities for farmers and land managers to provide new or easier access, links to the Public Rights of Way network, and interpretation of farming, nature and heritage.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 10/03/2022 12:14:13 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1436917

registered interest
date	01/03/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refugees her Department estimates will arrive from Ukraine; and whether her Department plans to limit the number of refugees that it will admit from Ukraine.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	132224
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>The Government has set no limit on the number of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion who can come to the UK and does not plan to.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 06/04/2022 11:44:58 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster previous answer version 55878 answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1436918

registered interest
date	01/03/2022
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	Ukraine: British Nationals Abroad
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 estimate her Department has made of the number of British citizens remaining in Ukraine.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	132225
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2022 answer text <p>We do not comment on our own internal planning assumptions, which are drawn from a variety of sources. We are advising British nationals to register their presence in Ukraine on gov.uk, which allows us to provide the latest information. The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority and therefore we are advising British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately if they judge it is safe to do so. British nationals who require consular assistance can call our 24 hour helpline: 44 (0) 1908 516666 or +380 44 490 3660.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 07/03/2022 16:39:18 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1436919

registered interest
date	01/03/2022
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	Russia: Sanctions
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 assessment her Department has made of (a) the impact on the Russian invasion of Ukraine of British sanctions and (b) potential options for future sanctions and actions that the UK Government may take against Russia.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	132226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2022 answer text <p>The Prime Minister has announced the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions Russia has ever seen. With our allies and partners, we have imposed the most punishing sanctions to inflict lasting impact. We will squeeze Putin's regime and all those close to him who are responsible for the appalling attack on Ukraine. The impact of sanctions has been significant. The big drop in the rouble in Russia suggests that investors expect the impact of sanctions on Russia to be huge. These sanctions send a clear message that nothing is off the table.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 07/03/2022 17:41:19 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1436920

registered interest
date	01/03/2022
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	Energy: Russia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the value of Russian energy imported to the UK for the latest twelve month period for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	132227
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2022 answer text <p>The UK and its international partners stand united in condemning the Russian state’s outrageous attack on Ukraine as a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is not dependent on Russian gas. In 2021, less than 4% of the UK’s gas supply was Russian gas, via liquified natural gas imports.</p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands question first answered 07/03/2022 17:39:04 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma