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1441007

registered interest
date	14/03/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ensure that all looked after children aged 16 and 17 live in accommodation that has carers and provides care.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	139340
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2022 answer text <p>This government firmly believes that every child in the care system deserves to live in a high quality home that meets their needs and keeps them safe. The vast majority of looked after children up to the age of 18 live with foster carers or in a children’s home. These placements are subject to robust regulatory checks and balances by Ofsted, to ensure that they meet the needs of children they accommodate and keep them safe.</p><p>When local authorities make a placement decision, they are responsible for ensuring the placement is suitable. This includes ensuring staff who will be looking after the child at the placement are appropriately trained and have the skills needed to meet the needs of the child and to keep them safe. It is not in accordance with the law to place a looked after child in a placement that does not meet their needs and keep them safe, and it is unacceptable for any child or young person to be placed in such a placement.</p><p>The government is clear that supported accommodation for young people, also referred to as unregulated provision, can be the right option for some older children. However, the government is equally clear that the support and accommodation provided in this provision must always be of high quality, and that the young person must be ready for the level of independence it promotes. That is why, in December 2021, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced that the government will invest over £142 million across the next three financial years to fund the introduction of new mandatory national standards, Ofsted registration, and inspection for these providers.</p><p>This means that all placements accommodating looked after children and care leavers up to age 18 will now be regulated by Ofsted, will ensure that local authorities can be confident when making placements in this provision, and strengthen our ability to take action against poor providers.</p><p>Further information on the government’s plans to reform this vital area is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformational-investment-in-childrens-social-care-placements" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformational-investment-in-childrens-social-care-placements</a>.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 17/03/2022 17:47:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1439728

registered interest
date	10/03/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Russia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many child student visa applications has her department received from Russian nationals since 1st February 2022.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	138024
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2022 answer text <p>The information requested is routinely published as part of UKVI Transparency data.</p><p>The most recent published data for child student visa applications can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/managed-migration-datasets#entry-clearance-visas-granted-outside-the-uk" target="_blank">Managed migration datasets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p>Information on how to use the tables in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/managed-migration-datasets" target="_blank">Managed migration datasets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 01/04/2022 10:22:16 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1439315

registered interest
date	09/03/2022
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	Aerials: Planning Permission
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 had discussions with local authorities on the matter of mobile network operators applying for pre-application advice for telecommunications masts but failing to pay the fee for that advice and subsequently stating in their consultation material that they applied for pre-application advice but the Council did not respond.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	137300
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2022 answer text <p>Local planning authorities may charge for providing discretionary services including pre-application advice under section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003. Authorities need to consider whether charging is appropriate in all cases, given the potential for pre-application engagement to save time and improve outcomes later in the process. Where possible, local planning authorities are strongly encouraged to provide at least a basic level of service without charge. Local planning authorities are best placed to deal with issues regarding the service they provide and any approach they may take where fees for discretionary services are not paid.</p><p>The specific issue of unpaid fees has not been raised through correspondence or responses to our technical consultation on amending permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure. However pre-application consultation has been considered in our joint work with local authorities, mobile network operators and other stakeholders to develop a new Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England. This Code, published in March 2022, encourages mobile network operators to engage with local planning authorities when deploying mobile infrastructure, including at the pre-application stage of the planning process.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 14/03/2022 17:32:08 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1433886

registered interest
date	21/02/2022
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	Aerials
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what representations he has received on ensuring that telecoms operators and providers carry out adequate consultation with elected members and communities prior to the installation of telecommunications masts.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	126622
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2022 answer text <p>The Government consulted last year on changes to nationally set permitted development rights. We will be responding to the consultation shortly, including on matters where representations were received on consultation with elected members and local communities, in relation to telecommunications infrastructure.</p><p>Mobile Network Operators have also committed to following the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Network Development in England, which sets out best practice on community engagement, when deploying equipment. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has developed a new Code of Practice which will provide updated guidance on consultation with local communities.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 24/02/2022 17:06:11 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1420700

registered interest
date	08/02/2022
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	Veterinary Medicine
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 he has made of the potential merits of amending the Veterinary Medicines Regulations for the purposes of (a) encouraging innovation and (b) reducing bureaucracy in the production of animal medicines in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	120747
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2022 answer text <p>The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is in the process of reviewing the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (VMR) to ensure that they are fit for purpose. The powers to amend and supplement the VMR are set out in the Medicines and Medical Devices Act.</p><p> </p><p>The Act mandates that, in considering changes to the VMR, we must have regard to the likelihood of the United Kingdom being seen as a favourable place in which to develop, manufacture or supply veterinary medicines. Using the powers in the Act we are able to take a proportionate, risk-based approach to regulation. We intend to, where possible, reduce administrative burdens on industry, whilst effectively ensuring safety for animals, humans and the environment, as well as supporting the availability of veterinary medicines and the UK as an attractive place for UK-based innovation.</p><p> </p><p>We will carry out a formal public consultation on the proposed changes to the VMR as they have effect in Great Britain. This consultation will include an assessment of the impact of those changes on UK businesses and provide the opportunity for all stakeholders to express their views.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 21/02/2022 17:46:55 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1418671

registered interest
date	01/02/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Absenteeism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has received representations on the impact of marking children as absent for illness during covid-19 isolation periods where the child is not unwell and is taking part in lessons at home on the attendance records of those children.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	115889
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2022 answer text <p>Schools are responsible for recording absence in the register using the most appropriate code in line with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 as amended. The attendance register is a legal record of why a pupil is not physically in school at any given time. We have advised schools throughout the COVID-19 outbreak that, where a pupil tests positive for COVID-19, they should be recorded as ill (Code I) in the register to reflect the fact that they were absent with an infectious illness. Schools should authorise absences due to illness unless they have genuine cause for concern about the veracity of an illness.</p><p>Schools may keep a record of and monitor engagement with remote education, but this does not need to be tracked in the attendance register.</p><p>Considering the disruption caused by COVID-19, last year we also amended the Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005, which meant that schools were not required to include attendance data in pupil end of year reports to parents. We are considering the position again for this academic year.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 04/02/2022 14:31:24 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1418749

registered interest
date	01/02/2022
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: Screening
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2022 to Question 98916 on Coronavirus: Screening, which body is responsible for the accreditation of businesses to supply covid-19 lateral flow tests to the NHS.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	115890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2022 answer text <p>There is no accreditation process which applies to the businesses supplying COVID-9 lateral flow device (LFD) tests to the National Health Service. However, COVID-19 tests must have either a CE-mark or UKCA mark and either approved under the Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 or listed on one of the temporary protocols. Where the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) or the devolved administrations procure LFD tests on behalf of the NHS, Coronavirus Test Device Approval is not required. However, the UKHSA evaluates these tests in a laboratory to ensure they display performance characteristics desirable for population testing. This evaluation is performed in advance of any procurement.</p> answering member constituency Erewash answering member printed Maggie Throup question first answered 21/04/2022 14:40:52 answering member 4447 label Biography information for Maggie Throup previous answer version 49113 answering member constituency Erewash answering member printed Maggie Throup answering member 4447 label Biography information for Maggie Throup
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1416799

registered interest
date	26/01/2022
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Park Retail
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money has been paid out of the public purse to Park Retail Ltd. since it was first accredited as a supplier.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	112542
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>Cabinet Office finance systems only record information from 2009 onwards. There have been no payments made to the supplier Park Retail Ltd by the Cabinet Office since 1st April 2009.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 31/01/2022 17:55:08 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1416802

registered interest
date	26/01/2022
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Appreciate Group
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money has been paid in total out of the public purse to Appreciate Group PLC since it was first accredited as a supplier.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	112543
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2022 answer text <p>Cabinet Office finance systems only record information from 2009 onwards. There have been no payments made to the supplier Appreciate Group PLC by the Cabinet Office since 1st April 2009.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 03/02/2022 17:55:05 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1416929

registered interest
date	26/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Adoption Support Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to rename the Adoption Support Fund, to make it clear that it is also available to special guardianship families.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	112544
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>The Adoption Support Fund (ASF) has had a significant and positive impact on the adoptive and special guardianship families that are able to access the important support it funds. Local authorities continue to promote the availability of the ASF to eligible families.</p><p>The department has worked with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations such as the Family Rights Group and Kinship, to promote the ASF amongst special guardians and we have seen an increase in the take up by these families over the past 2 years.</p><p>The department will be able to confirm more detailed plans for the ASF in due course but remains deeply committed to these families.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 31/01/2022 17:56:08 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson