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1195283

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Polytechnics
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to convert some universities back to polytechnics.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4286
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>We currently have no plans to introduce legislation to convert some universities back to polytechnics.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 27/05/2020 14:42:14 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1195302

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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	Coronavirus: China
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of (1) reports that the government of China asked the World Health Organisation to delay issuing a global warning about the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the study by the University College London Genetics Institute Emergence of genomic diversity and recurrent mutations in SARS-CoV-2, published on 5 May, which found evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic started between 6 October 2019 and 11 December 2019; and whether they received any reports to suggest that there were COVID-19 cases in Wuhan in October 2019.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4305
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2020 answer text <p>To provide a more comprehensive response to a number of outstanding Written Questions, this has been answered by an information factsheet <em>Science of COVID-19 – note for House of Lords</em> which is attached, due to the size of the data. A copy has also been placed in the Library.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 28/07/2020 12:33:30 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell attachment 1 file name Science of Covid-19 note for House of Lords.pdf title Science of COVID-19 information factsheet
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1195303

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to impose sanctions on any teacher who does not (1) return to teach in schools once it has been deemed safe to do, and (2) teach children online from home if they cannot attend schools; and if so, whether such sanctions will include the suspension of pay and pension contributions.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4306
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2020 answer text <p>The department does not have any plans to impose sanctions on individual teachers regarding their attendance or performance, as these are employment matters for employees and their relevant employers to resolve on an individual case by case basis.</p><p>The Prime Minister announced on 10 May that as a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the transmission rate of COVID-19 has decreased. We anticipate that with further progress we may be able to welcome back more children to early years, school and further education settings from the week commencing 1 June, provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in the roadmap are operating effectively.</p><p>As a result, we are asking schools, colleges and childcare providers to plan on this basis, ahead of confirmation that these tests are met. Schools, colleges, and childcare providers should refer to our guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings, available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings</a>.</p><p>Any settings operating between now and 1 June should read that guidance in conjunction with Actions for schools during the COVID-19 outbreak, available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-school-closures/guidance-for-schools-about-temporarily-closing" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-school-closures/guidance-for-schools-about-temporarily-closing</a>.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 01/06/2020 10:48:20 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1195304

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Public Expenditure
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to suspend any additional HM Treasury funding provided to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, either through the Barnett Formula or other means, if those countries incur additional costs resulting from any longer period of lockdown than is in place in England.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4307
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>The government is focused on responding to Covid-19 across the UK, both through UK-wide measures and funding to the devolved administrations through the Barnett formula.</p><p> </p><p>We have so far announced almost £7 billion of additional funding to the devolved administrations to support people, business and public services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This means £3.5 billion for the Scottish Government, £2.1 billion for the Welsh Government and £1.2 billion for the Northern Ireland Executive.</p><p> </p><p>This is in addition to the UK-wide measures that the people and businesses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from, including the Job Retention Scheme, Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Business Interruption Loan Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>We are working closely with the devolved administrations and will continue to do so as we take steps out of lockdown.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 26/05/2020 12:54:28 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1195305

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Enforcement: Disease Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the means by which police forces are enforcing the lockdown, particularly in regard to police on horseback questioning people in parks; what representations they have received about the behaviour of the police when carrying out such enforcement; and what guidance they have provided to police to ensure adherence with Government guidelines.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4308
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>Our police forces face unprecedented challenges as they play the critical role of maintaining public order during this public health emergency. The police response has and will follow the four-step escalation principles – engaging, explaining, encouraging, and then enforcing as a last resort.</p><p>I welcome the conclusions of the Home Affairs Select Committee report on police preparedness, which was published on 17 April. The report concluded that the overall police response to the current crisis has been proportionate and effective.</p><p>We have and will continue to work closely with our policing partners to ensure there is clear guidance to officers on any changes to the Health Protection Regulations and the powers available to them.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 27/05/2020 15:31:01 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1195306

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the National Education Union has instructed teachers not to provide online lessons from home.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4309
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>On its website, the National Education Union has highlighted the importance of any school which carries out online lessons having protocols in place to protect staff and safeguard pupils. They also advise teachers against live streaming lessons from home and say that any contact between pupils and teachers should only be through a platform provided by the school and not through personalised accounts open to public viewing.</p><p>We know that school leaders, teachers and pupils are all having to adjust to remote education strategies. While this is happening, it is more important than ever that schools continue to follow safeguarding procedures. The department has published guidance on safeguarding and remote education during COVID-19 at:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p>This recognises that teaching from home is different from teaching in the classroom and confirms that ‘there is no expectation that teachers should live stream or provide pre-recorded videos. Schools should consider the approaches that best suit the needs of their pupils and staff.’</p><p>All schools and colleges should be considering the safety of their children when they are asked to work online. The starting point for online teaching should be that the same principles as set out in the school’s or college’s staff behaviour policy (sometimes known as a code of conduct) should be followed. This policy should amongst other things include acceptable use of technologies. The policy should apply equally to any existing or new online and distance learning arrangements which are introduced.</p><p>Further guidance for schools and colleges to support them keeping children safe, including online, during the COVID-19 outbreak is also available at:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers</a>.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 22/05/2020 13:50:38 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1193912

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to mandate that all company accounts must include (1) the amount of taxpayer loans received, (2) the amount received through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and (3) how many employees were made redundant, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4104
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>Annual company accounts are prepared and filed on the basis of material items and in line with accounting standards governed by the Companies Act 2006. As part of this, companies are required to make disclosure on all matters that will enable their shareholders to gain a proper understanding of the company’s assets, liabilities and shareholder equity. In order to help companies ensure accounts give a true and fair view, the law allows companies to provide additional information where this is material.</p><p> </p><p>At the present time we have no plans to change the requirements in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government wishes to avoid placing additional burdens on management at a time when their focus should be on maintaining the well-being of their businesses and employees. Directors will be required to record items material to the company’s finances within their accounts. This would include any Covid-19 financial support measures that are material to the company’s finances.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 20/05/2020 13:00:55 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1193913

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Airlines: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which airlines have applied for financial help in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and for each such airline to give (1) the amount of financial support requested, (2) the recipients of any support given and the amount they received.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>We do not comment on the commercial or financial matters of specific private firms, because this information is commercially sensitive. As has been reported in the media, a number of aviation companies have accessed the unprecedented package of economic measures Government has put in place during this time. These schemes include the Job Retention Scheme, the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 21/05/2020 15:03:14 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1193914

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Ryanair: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Ryanair that it may take up to six months for customers to receive a refund for flights aborted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, what plans they have to (1) initiate proceedings against Ryanair to ensure customers are refunded in a timely manner, or (2) withdraw Ryanair's licence to operate.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL4106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>It is for the Civil Aviation Authority as the independent regulator to determine whether to initiate proceedings against individual airlines who are in breach of their obligations.</p><p>Government recognises the challenges businesses and consumers are experiencing with processing large volumes of refunds. In particular, we appreciate the frustration consumers may be experiencing. The government’s position is clear - if a customer asks for a refund, that refund needs to be paid.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 21/05/2020 15:08:50 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1193379

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Public Transport: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that any plans to increase public transport after the COVID-19 pandemic are based on the needs of the entire country; and what steps they are taking to ensure that any such plans reflect regional differences in transport use, as well as differences between urban and rural use.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL3919
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>Officials are working closely with the rail and bus industry on what a resumption of services would mean both nationally and for different regions of the country. The Department is taking account of Public Health England guidance, and are considering regional differences in all modelling. We will ensure that the transport sector continues to keep the whole of Britain moving once restrictions are lifted.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 20/05/2020 13:19:22 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra