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1250355

registered interest
date	10/11/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Driving Tests: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the DVSA on temporarily extending the validity period for test theory certificates following the introduction of additional covid-19 restrictions.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	113641
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2020 answer text <p>The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation and the Government has taken the decision not to lay further legislation to extend it. The primary reason is that the two-year validity is in place to ensure that a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point they drive on their own for the first time. Extending the validity would provide less reassurance that this is the case. Those whose certificate previously expired and have since passed the theory test will now have a further two years in which to pass the practical test.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 17/11/2020 17:05:42 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1250357

registered interest
date	10/11/2020
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	Fireworks
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 steps his Department is taking to (a) limit the effect of fireworks on pets and livestock, (b) prohibit the illegal import of unsafe fireworks, (c) make an assessment of the adequacy of existing legislation on the sale of safe fireworks and (d) control the use of fireworks between the hours as set out in the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	113642
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>There is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for fireworks to reduce the risks to people and disturbance to animals. Existing legislation controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit.</p><p> </p><p>Using fireworks outside the curfew hours is a criminal offence, enforced by the police and can lead to imprisonment and a substantial fine. Local Authority Trading Standards work with retailers to ensure fireworks sold are safe, and they have powers to enforce against those who place non-compliant fireworks on the market, including those imported illegally or via the internet.</p><p> </p><p>It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, including through the misuse of fireworks, and is enforced by authorities including the police and Local Authority Trading Standards.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We remain committed to promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks through the effective legislative framework and through non-legislative measures.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 18/11/2020 17:51:18 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1242554

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Financial Services: Advisory Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the effect of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme levy on client-focused independent financial advisers.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	102169
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) both share the objective to ensure that the market for financial advice works well and are in regular discussions with one another about relevant developments in the market. We are aware of concerns about the effect of the increased Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) levy on financial advisers. We are working closely with the FCA, who are monitoring the issue and engaging with the financial advice sector to understand their concerns.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 20/10/2020 09:25:44 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1241184

registered interest
date	07/10/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Monuments: Conservation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting locally elected politicians greater powers to protect objects and monuments of local significance to their area that are in public ownership.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	100545
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>The Government believes it is important that local planning authorities are able to protect objects and monuments of local significance to their area. Our planning practice guidance encourages local planning authorities to create lists for local heritage assets which should have greater protection under the planning system. In September, building on this, the Secretary of State appointed an independent adviser to drive forward a campaign to mobilise communities across England to nominate heritage assets for inclusion in these local heritage lists. MHCLG is also providing £700,000 of funding to support this initiative.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 15/10/2020 17:02:04 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1240071

registered interest
date	01/10/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Freeports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of free ports on the level of international trade.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	907223
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2020 answer text <p>The government plans to establish Freeports across the UK. These will be national hubs for trade, innovation and commerce, regenerating communities across the UK. They can attract new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.</p><p> </p><p>Our Freeports consultation response, published on Wednesday 7 October, sets out in more detail how Freeports will unleash the potential of ports across the country.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 08/10/2020 11:37:50 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1237823

registered interest
date	25/09/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Royal Military Academy: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on the upper age limit for applicants to that Academy during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	95747
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2020 answer text <p>Candidates seeking a commission in the Regular Army should generally be over 17 years and 9 months and under 30 years on entry to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Anyone over 30 is considered on a case by case basis and age waivers can be supported. Officer recruitment is very healthy with the supply of high-quality candidates consistently meeting the demand for places. Places are filled well in advance of the intake date and due to the unique accommodation arrangements at the Academy social distancing measures are less complex to implement, meaning it continues to operate at full capacity. Covid 19 restrictions have not affected the application inflow and there has been no discussion regarding the upper age limit for applicants to the Academy during the covid-19 outbreak.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 01/10/2020 07:34:25 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1237905

registered interest
date	25/09/2020
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	Bereavement Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will review the threshold at which statutory bereavement leave is provided for parents that lose a child during the second trimester.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	95748
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay was introduced earlier this year, in April 2020, and applies to parents who lose a child under the age of 18, including individuals whose child is stillborn from 24 weeks of pregnancy. ‘Parent’ is broadly defined and employees have 56 weeks from the date of their child’s death or stillbirth to take their leave and pay.</p><p> </p><p>Where a mother experiences a miscarriage before 24 weeks, it is often the case that a GP will sign her off work. The duration of this leave will depend on her personal circumstances, and the pay she is entitled to will be dictated by her standard workplace sick leave policy (for which there is a statutory minimum).</p><p> </p><p>A partner will also be entitled to time off for dependents under the Employment Rights Act. Many employers will also have an existing compassionate leave policy or will operate one on a discretionary basis following such loss.</p><p> </p><p>We strongly encourage employers to be sensitive and considerate at such a time.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 05/10/2020 16:41:26 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1235137

registered interest
date	16/09/2020
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	Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what strategy his Department has to tackle Foetal Alcohol Syndrome; and what steps his Department is taking to make pregnant mothers aware of the risks to their unborn child of the consumption of alcohol.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	91158
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines published in 2016 provide clear advice to women not to drink alcohol if they are planning for a pregnancy or are pregnant.</p><p>Public Health England, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and local commissioners continue to raise awareness and provide education on the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant; for example, the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership ‘Drymester’ campaign to raise awareness of drinking alcohol when pregnant.</p><p>Midwives and health visitors have a central role in providing clear, consistent advice and early identification and support.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 01/10/2020 16:19:03 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1234612

registered interest
date	15/09/2020
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	Dental Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 lockdown measures on child oral health in the North East; and what steps he is taking to improve levels of child oral health in that area.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	90248
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2021 answer text <p>No such assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to increase levels of service as fast as possible, taking into account the ongoing infection prevention and control and social distancing requirements. Of paramount importance must continue to be the safety of dentists, their teams and patients.</p><p> </p><p>Children living in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and North Tyneside continue to benefit from the existing fluoridation of local water supplies. Water fluoridation is known to reduce the prevalence and severity of tooth decay and reduce dental health inequalities.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 14/01/2021 16:09:27 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1233351

registered interest
date	10/09/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Darlington
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support people transitioning from legacy benefits to universal credit in Darlington constituency.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	88398
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/09/2020 answer text <p>We currently spend over £95 billion a year on working age benefits including Universal Credit and remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society.</p><p> </p><p>Recent changes to Universal Credit include temporarily increasing the standard allowance by up to £1,040 per year and increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates, including the Shared Accommodation element, so that it covers the lowest 30% of local market rents benefiting over one million households by £600 a year on average.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Department has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit on to Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. Since July 2020, an additional two-week run has been introduced to assist eligible claimants moving from Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (IR) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (IB). Advance payments are available so nobody has to wait five weeks for payment.</p><p> </p><p>We are also doubling the number of work coaches across our network of jobcentres, from 13,500 to 27,000, so that every jobseeker receives tailored support to get back on their feet, build skills and move into work</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that some people will need extra help to successfully establish a claim to Universal Credit. Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, have supported in excess of 250,000 individuals through ‘Help to Claim’ since April 2019, offering tailored and practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim and up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. ‘Help to Claim’ is funded by the Department and is available online, on the phone and face-to-face in locations including Jobcentres and Citizen’s Advice offices.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 17/09/2020 16:08:07 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson