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1305895

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	UK Government Union Capability Independent Review
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking in response to the Dunlop Review on relations between the UK Government and the Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Harwich and North Essex
tabling member printed	Sir Bernard Jenkin
uin	913910
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>This government is a government for the whole of the United Kingdom.</p><p>Yesterday, my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster updated the House on the significant progress we’ve made in implementing Lord Dunlop's recommendations, alongside a progress update on the intergovernmental relations review and our first IGR transparency report.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 25/03/2021 15:12:47 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	40 label Biography information for Sir Bernard Jenkin

1305896

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Civil Servants: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to improve the quality of civil service apprenticeships.
tabling member constituency	South Derbyshire
tabling member printed	Mrs Heather Wheeler
uin	913912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The Civil Service will be launching a new Apprenticeships Strategy in the new financial year. The first phase will have delivered 30,000 apprenticeships by April. In this strategy we will focus not just on numbers but on the quality of training on offer to ensure that departments are better equipped to nurture talent in house and in plugging skills gaps</p><p>To this end, we recently published the &quot;Curriculum and Campus for Government Skills&quot;, with the goal of setting the highest standard in vocational training for all Civil Servants, including apprentices.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 25/03/2021 15:18:29 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler

1305897

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Electronic Government: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of GOV.UK Verify.
tabling member constituency	Cambridge
tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
uin	913913
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>Verify continues to work well, in support of 22 government services. Over 8 million people have used Verify, with 2 million added in the last year as citizens accessed critical online services during the pandemic.</p><p>Building on the lessons and experiences of Verify, and as we announced in last year's Spending Review, the Government Digital Service is collaborating with other departments to develop a new login and identity assurance system that will make it easier for more people to use online services safely.</p><p>For example, we know that extra data sources will be needed for a more inclusive service, so we are also working with the Home Office on its digitisation of birth, marriage and death records.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 25/03/2021 15:19:51 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1305898

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Internet: Safety
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of the Defending Democracy programme as part of its plans to bring forward legislative proposals on online harms.
tabling member constituency	Folkestone and Hythe
tabling member printed	Damian Collins
uin	913916
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The Defending Democracy programme coordinates work and expertise across government work to safeguard the integrity and security of our democratic processes.</p><p>Through the Online Harms legislative proposals, the programme is making good progress against two of its strategic objectives: to encourage respect for open, fair and safe democratic participation; and to promote fact-based discourse.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 25/03/2021 15:16:03 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	3986 label Biography information for Damian Collins

1305899

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Northern Ireland Protocol
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What progress has been made by the UK-EU Joint Committee on revising the Northern Ireland Protocol.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Gavin Robinson
uin	913920
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The Joint Committee has been working on the many difficulties presented to the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol by the EU’s decision to activate Article 16 on 29 January. There are outstanding issues to be resolved and we have taken temporary operational steps to avoid disruption to everyday life. We remain committed to working within the Joint Committee process to find solutions.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 25/03/2021 17:16:20 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4360 label Biography information for Gavin Robinson

1305900

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Public Sector: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in procurement in its response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Salford and Eccles
tabling member printed	Rebecca Long Bailey
uin	913904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The government recognises the importance of maintaining public confidence in how we manage taxpayers’ money and I have set out before the challenges we faced in our response to the covid 19 outbreak. We are taking steps to improve the processes already in place and ensure public spending is fair and transparent.</p><p>Proposals in the Green Paper aim to improve transparency in procurement across the public sector and include specific measures to strengthen transparency through the commercial lifecycle from planning through to procurement, contract award, performance and completion.</p><p>We are also taking forward all 28 recommendations from the independent Boardman report to set out areas for improvement within the Cabinet Office’s own internal contracting procedures.</p><p>We have also made KPI data on 379 contracts available to the public, as a further step towards greater transparency.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 25/03/2021 15:17:24 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4396 label Biography information for Rebecca Long Bailey

1306239

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	East Coast Main Line
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of re-purposing the eastern arm of the East Coast Main Line, such as for direct travel from Bristol to east of the Pennines, after the opening of HS2.
tabling member constituency	Bristol South
tabling member printed	Karin Smyth
uin	175914
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands is considering how best to deliver schemes such as HS2 Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Engine Rail in the North and Midlands.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, under its current franchise agreement, CrossCountry, which operates InterCity services between south-west England, Bristol, the north of England and Scotland, is required to develop proposals for timetable and capacity improvements to deliver for expected future passenger demand over the next few years.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 13/04/2021 07:24:18 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4444 label Biography information for Karin Smyth

1306245

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
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	Americas: Democracy
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 steps his Department is taking to increase the level of democracy in countries in the Americas categorised as Not Free by the Freedom House index for 2020.
tabling member constituency	Wakefield
tabling member printed	Imran Ahmad Khan
uin	176103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>Promoting democracy and defending democratic freedoms is a fundamental part of the UK's foreign policy. We believe that strong democratic institutions and accountable government, which uphold universal rights and the rule of law, are key building blocks for secure and prosperous states. The way we act to support democracy in each country is different, and dependent on the context and needs of the country concerned. Our approach is practical, based on an understanding of where and how we can affect positive change.</p><p>In the Americas, we support a wide range of democracy-building initiatives, including funding NGOs that increase citizen participation, promoting inclusion of marginalised groups, providing training for legal professionals, promoting freedom of expression, and strengthening political parties and parliaments. As a 'force for good,' the UK will continue to work with its allies, including championing and strengthening democracy through international bodies like the UN.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 13/04/2021 07:26:24 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4841 label Biography information for Imran Ahmad Khan

1306246

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
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	Americas: Democracy
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 steps his Department is taking to increase the level of democracy in countries in the Americas categorised as Partly Free by the Freedom House index for 2020.
tabling member constituency	Wakefield
tabling member printed	Imran Ahmad Khan
uin	176104
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>Promoting democracy and defending democratic freedoms is a fundamental part of the UK's foreign policy. We believe that strong democratic institutions and accountable government, which uphold universal rights and the rule of law, are key building blocks for secure and prosperous states. The way we act to support democracy in each country is different, and dependent on the context and needs of the country concerned. Our approach is practical, based on an understanding of where and how we can affect positive change.</p><p>In the Americas, we support a wide range of democracy-building initiatives, including funding NGOs that increase citizen participation, promoting inclusion of marginalised groups, providing training for legal professionals, promoting freedom of expression, and strengthening political parties and parliaments. As a 'force for good,' the UK will continue to work with its allies, including championing and strengthening democracy through international bodies like the UN.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 13/04/2021 07:29:39 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4841 label Biography information for Imran Ahmad Khan

1306338

registered interest
date	25/03/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Retail Trade: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the effect of changes to VAT-free shopping on jobs across different sectors and parts of the country.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	175951
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>On 11 September 2020, the Government announced the VAT and excise duty treatment of goods purchased by individuals for personal use and carried in their luggage arriving from or going overseas (passengers) following the transition period. The following rules were implemented on 1 January 2021:</p><p>- Passengers travelling from Great Britain to any destination outside the United Kingdom (UK) can purchase duty-free excise goods once they have passed security controls at ports, airports, and international rail stations.</p><p>- Personal allowances apply to passengers entering Great Britain from any destination outside of the UK, with alcohol allowances significantly increased.</p><p>- The VAT Retail Export Scheme (RES) in Great Britain has not been extended to EU residents and has been withdrawn for all passengers.</p><p>- The concessionary treatment on tax-free sales for non-excise goods has been removed across the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published a consultation which ran from 11 March to 20 May 2020. During this time the Government held a number of virtual meetings with industry stakeholders to hear their views and received 73 responses to the consultation. The Government has also met and discussed these changes with many stakeholders following the announcement of these policies.</p><p> </p><p>The detailed rationale for these changes are included in the written ministerial statement and summary of responses to the recent consultation: <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2020-09-11/hcws448" target="_blank">https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2020-09-11/hcws448</a> and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-consultation-on-duty-free-and-tax-free-goods-carried-by-passengers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-consultation-on-duty-free-and-tax-free-goods-carried-by-passengers</a>. A technical note has also been issued to stakeholders to expand on this document and to respond to issues raised by stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>On 25 November 2020 the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) set out their assessment of the fiscal impact of the withdrawal of the VAT RES.</p><p> </p><p>Factoring in a higher-than-usual elasticity of 1.9 to account for spending on luxury goods, the OBR estimate that the withdrawal of the VAT RES will result in a significant direct Exchequer saving of around £400 million per year, once passenger numbers recover from the impacts of Covid-19. Based on the 1.2 million users of the scheme who received a refund in 2019, this includes an assumption that approximately 20,000 – 30,000 fewer tourists visit Great Britain a year. That is 0.07% of the 40 million visitors to the UK in 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The OBR also looked at this package in the round when assessing the indirect impact on the economy – including the effects of extending duty-free sales – alongside the substantial support provided to the economy and retail industry.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 13/04/2021 07:23:35 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq