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1286269

registered interest
date	11/02/2021
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: Slough
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 assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on news outlets in Slough.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	153347
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital role of local newspapers in supporting communities and local democracy through their provision of reliable, high-quality information. The government has been engaging closely with the sector, including publishers present in Slough, and with market experts to continue to inform our understanding of the financial pressures the industry has been facing, including with respect to the reduction in advertising revenues, and the impact of this on business continuity. Many local newspapers have been able to benefit from a unique and unprecedented government advertising partnership, designed to deliver important messages to UK citizens. Newspapers received up to £35 million additional government advertising revenue as part of the first phase of our coronavirus communications campaign. The campaign has subsequently been extended with at least 60% funding going to smaller regional and local titles.</p><p>We are aware that the pandemic has had a significant effect on many local newspapers and, in some cases, has led publishers to make difficult decisions with regard to title closures or suspensions and staff redundancies. We will maintain our dialogue with the sector as the situation continues to develop, ensuring that we have the information needed to inform the development of effective support measures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 25/02/2021 10:19:09 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285064

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Taxis: Slough
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps has he taken to support taxi drivers in Slough affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151801
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2021 answer text <p>The majority of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers are self-employed and can therefore apply for grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Over the first three rounds of the scheme a total of up to £21,570 has been made available. HMRC will announce details of the fourth grant on 3 March 2021. Owners, operators and drivers of taxis and PHVs may also be eligible for locally administered grant schemes aimed at supporting businesses which have been forced to close, or which have been badly affected, by the pandemic, and should contact the relevant local authority for more information. The Government has launched a ‘support finder’ tool to help businesses and self-employed workers quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the government has published guidance regarding actions that drivers, operators and owners of taxis or PHVs can take to protect against coronavirus. The government will shortly be publishing additional guidance on the use of screens to further improve safety for passengers and drivers.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 16/02/2021 11:09:36 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285065

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Taxis: Slough
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made on the effect of the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021 on the private hire taxi sector in Slough.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151802
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2021 answer text <p>The lockdown restrictions announced in January 2021 are necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Government is working with the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector, including the Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA), to understand the issues it is facing and explore how these can be addressed.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 16/02/2021 11:06:45 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285066

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Taxis: Slough
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial support the Government is providing for the taxi and private hire sector in Slough during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151803
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government has announced several measures available to UK businesses, including the taxi and private hire sector, to support them through this challenging time. The majority of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers are self-employed and can therefore apply for grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Over the first three rounds of the scheme, a total of up to £21,570 has been made available. HMRC will announce details of the fourth grant on 3 March 2021.</p><p> </p><p>Owners, operators and drivers of taxis and PHVs may also be eligible for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) or the coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS).</p><p> </p><p>In addition, some local authorities are using discretionary grants to support local businesses, including taxi and PHV businesses. Owners, operators and drivers of taxis and PHVs should contact the relevant local authority regarding these schemes.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has launched a ‘support finder’ tool to help businesses and self-employed workers quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them.</p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 16/02/2021 11:03:50 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285067

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
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: Coronavirus
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 information his Department holds on the effect of reduced advertising revenues during the covid-19 outbreak on local newspapers.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151804
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital role of local newspapers in supporting communities and local democracy through their provision of reliable, high-quality information. The government has been engaging closely with the sector, including publishers present in Slough, and with market experts to continue to inform our understanding of the financial pressures the industry has been facing, including with respect to the reduction in advertising revenues, and the impact of this on business continuity. Many local newspapers have been able to benefit from a unique and unprecedented government advertising partnership, designed to deliver important messages to UK citizens. Newspapers received up to £35 million additional government advertising revenue as part of the first phase of our coronavirus communications campaign. The campaign has subsequently been extended with at least 60% funding going to smaller regional and local titles.</p><p>We are aware that the pandemic has had a significant effect on many local newspapers and, in some cases, has led publishers to make difficult decisions with regard to title closures or suspensions and staff redundancies. We will maintain our dialogue with the sector as the situation continues to develop, ensuring that we have the information needed to inform the development of effective support measures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/02/2021 17:52:30 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285068

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
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	Press: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to introduce sector-specific financial support for (a) public interest journalism and (b) local newspapers affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151805
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The government recognises the vital role of newspapers in supporting communities and democracy at a local and national level through ensuring the provision of reliable, high-quality information.</p><p>We understand the acute financial pressures newspapers have been facing due to steep drops in advertising revenues and the particular implications of lockdowns on print circulation. To support news publishers to date, the government has introduced a series measures including the extension of business rates relief for local newspapers in England for an additional five years; and the zero-rating of VAT on e-newspapers, which was brought forward to May 2020 in response to the effects of the pandemic. The introduction of further Covid-19-related financial support is the responsibility of the Treasury.</p><p>Many newspapers have benefitted from a unique and unprecedented government advertising partnership, designed to deliver important messages to UK citizens. Newspapers received up to £35 million additional government advertising revenue as part of the first phase of our coronavirus communications campaign. The campaign has since been extended, with at least 60% funding going to smaller regional and local titles. Some publishers have also made use of wider government measures as well, such as the job-retention scheme which we have extended until the end of April 2021.</p><p>Longer term, we will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism, including pursuing options for financial support such as funding for innovation in the sector and tax reliefs.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/02/2021 12:09:58 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285069

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Advertising: Tax Allowances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing tax credits to encourage advertisers to use UK media.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151806
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government keeps all tax policy under review and regularly receives proposals for sector-specific tax reliefs. When considering any new tax reliefs, HM Treasury must ensure they provide support to businesses across the economy in a fair way and represent good value for money for the taxpayer.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 17/02/2021 15:23:10 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285070

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Local Press: Business Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend Business Rates Relief to local news publishers.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151807
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government recognises that local newspapers are at the heart of civic life for communities. In order to support them, at Budget 2020 the Government extended the duration of the £1,500 local newspaper office space discount for a further five years.</p><p> </p><p>This year the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, worth over £10 billion, and has frozen the business rates multiplier for all businesses for 2021-22.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has provided various schemes to support firms, including wholesalers, including Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, Bounce Back Loans, grants and VAT deferrals. The Budget will set out the next phase of the Government’s plans to tackle the virus, protect jobs and support business.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 17/02/2021 15:25:20 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285071

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
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: Coronavirus
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 recent assessment has he made of the effect of (a) suspension and (b) permanent closure of local newspapers during the covid-19 outbreak on local democracy.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151808
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital role of local newspapers in supporting communities and local democracy through their provision of reliable, high-quality information. On 6 October last year, the government published Research into Recent Dynamics of the Press Sector in the UK and Globally, a report on the importance of newspaper provision to local communities which explored the impact of suspensions and closures on local democracy. The research, which was conducted before the onset of Covid-19, found that changes in news provision and consumption over time had a direct impact on participation levels in local elections in England, underlining the vital importance of a sustainable local news industry to a properly functioning democracy.</p><p>Throughout the pandemic, I have kept in close contact with stakeholders from across the sector to understand the financial pressures they have been facing and how these are impacting business continuity. We do not hold comprehensive figures on the number of titles suspended or closed but are continuing to develop our understanding of the impact of Covid-19-related title closures and suspensions on local news provision and democratic engagement in the light of the findings of our research.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/02/2021 17:48:08 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1285072

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Housing: Insulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that disabled people living in buildings with dangerous cladding have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	151809
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government has taken major steps to ensure all residents in high-rise blocks are safe since Grenfell. Data on the number of vulnerable persons living in residential blocks with ACM cladding is not collected. However, the Government has announced an unprecedented level of investment of £3.5bn to protect leaseholders from the cost of replacing unsafe cladding in residential buildings 18 metres and over in England. Those in lower-rise buildings, between 11 and 18 metres, will also be protected from the costs of cladding removal with a generous new finance scheme which will mean they will not have to pay more than £50 per month towards this remediation.</p><p> </p><p>This Government’s commitment to implementing the Grenfell Inquiry’s recommendations remains undimmed and we are doing everything in our power to implement them in the most practical and effective way. It is important that we get this right and ensure the voice of residents and those likely to be affected by the proposals such as those with accessibility needs and disabilities, are heard. That is why we have decided to undertake a further consultation this spring on the complex issue of personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs).</p><p> </p><p>This new PEEPs consultation will build on the responses provided to the earlier consultation and will inform the Government’s final decisions on how to implement the PEEPs recommendations so that they are driven by effectiveness and ultimately, ensure that all people are safe from fire in high-rise multi-occupied buildings.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse grouped question UIN 151810 151811 151812 question first answered 17/02/2021 11:12:55 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi