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1202112

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Economic Situation: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic impact the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic has had on university cities and towns; and what financial assistance, if any, they intend to provide.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pendry
	uin	HL5472
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text We recognise that every region and community will be feeling the impacts of this crisis and we are working to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on local communities across the United Kingdom.<p> </p>In May, we announced measures to support students and universities. These included bringing forward £100m of research funding for vital research, and an estimated £2.6bn worth of tuition fee payments for providers to help manage cash flow.<p> </p><p>The Government has also confirmed that providers are eligible to apply for its support packages, including business loan support schemes, which the Office for Students (OfS) the regulator in England, estimates could be worth at least £700m to the sector, depending on eligibility and take up.</p><p> </p>We are working closely with local areas to make sure that individuals and businesses in all regions are directed to the right support during this difficult period. answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 23/06/2020 16:48:39 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	457 label Biography information for Lord Pendry

1202088

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Sleeping Rough: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making to provide all rough sleepers with face masks so that they can comply with the requirements to use such masks on public transport.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL5479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>£3.2 billion has been provided to support councils to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, including meeting the costs of accommodating some of the most vulnerable people in our society.</p><p>This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding for councils to support vulnerable rough sleepers. This funding is specifically to assist local authorities in dealing with the impacts of the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in society during this difficult time.</p><p>Local authorities are able to use this funding flexibly to ensure that the rough sleepers they are supporting are given the support they require. This includes supporting rough sleepers in a variety of ways, potentially including travel if necessary.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL5480 question first answered 22/06/2020 14:30:29 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1202089

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Homelessness: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they are taking to provide homeless people with free access to public transport to enable them to travel greater distances to access support services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL5480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>£3.2 billion has been provided to support councils to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, including meeting the costs of accommodating some of the most vulnerable people in our society.</p><p>This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding for councils to support vulnerable rough sleepers. This funding is specifically to assist local authorities in dealing with the impacts of the challenges faced by the most vulnerable in society during this difficult time.</p><p>Local authorities are able to use this funding flexibly to ensure that the rough sleepers they are supporting are given the support they require. This includes supporting rough sleepers in a variety of ways, potentially including travel if necessary.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL5479 question first answered 22/06/2020 14:30:29 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1202101

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Liverpool
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Liverpool City Council's decision for Year 6 pupils not to return to school on 1 June; and whether this means that local authorities can make their own decisions about when school pupils can return to school.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL5492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers.</p><p>Thanks to the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the scientific advice indicates the transmission rate of COVID-19 has decreased and, based on all the evidence, we have been able to begin our cautious and phased approach to the wider opening of schools. This includes asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6 from 1 June, alongside priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers).</p><p>However, we recognise that some primary schools will not have been able to open to additional children from 1 June for a number of practical reasons. We are working with local authorities and Regional Schools Commissioners across the country to identify and understand any local issues. If schools are facing particular challenges then we stand ready to support them to ensure they can open more widely as soon as possible.</p><p>In most cases the preparation for wider opening will be undertaken by the headteacher and senior colleagues of individual schools. However, relevant bodies (such as local authorities, academy trusts or governing bodies, depending on the school type) retain responsibility for key decisions and plans should be confirmed with them, particularly risk assessments of the school opening more widely, before pupils and staff return.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 23/06/2020 15:00:12 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1202082

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Prayer: Islam
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government which local authorities have authorised the broadcasting by loudspeaker of the Muslim call to prayer; and what assessment have they made of the effect of such broadcasts on community cohesion.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
	uin	HL5470
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>We understand that some Mosques across the country have been given permission to broadcast the call to prayer, particularly during Ramadan, due to the closure of all Places of Worship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Places of Worship play an important role in spiritual and mental health for many, and in bringing our communities together, which is why we want to reopen them as soon as we can. Local councils understand best the needs of their communities and it is a matter for them to work with their local community. We will continue to engage with stakeholders on matters relating to integration, and the Government remains committed to building strong integrated communities.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 22/06/2020 14:27:53 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1202067

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of a possible reduction in the number of international students attending universities in England in the next academic year; and what plans they have to encourage more home students into universities in England in the light of any such reduction.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL5456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>We have been working closely with the Higher Education (HE) sector to monitor the likely impacts of COVID-19 on international student numbers. We understand that the COVID-19 outbreak and a possible reduction in the number of international students poses significant challenges.</p><p>On Monday 4 May my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced a package of measures to stabilise university admissions this autumn and ensure sustainability in HE at a time of unprecedented uncertainty.</p><p>We have introduced temporary student number controls for domestic and EU students for the academic year 2020/21 to ensure a fair, structured distribution of students across providers. These measures mean that providers will be able to recruit students up to a temporary set level, based on provider forecasts, which allows additional growth of up to 5% in the next academic year. The Secretary of State for Education, will also have the discretion to allocate an additional 10,000 places, of which 5,000 will be allocated to students studying nursing or allied health courses, to ensure growing numbers that will support our vital public services. This measure will only apply to full-time undergraduate UK/EU domiciled students, with certain specified exemptions. These controls will not apply to international (non-EU) students.</p><p>The government has been clear that the UK HE sector is ‘open for business’, remains world class and is looking forward to welcoming both domestic and international students in the future. To support international student recruitment, we are taking steps to further promote the new Graduate route (due to be launched in Summer 2021) which will provide an opportunity for international students who have been awarded their degree to stay and work in the UK at any skill level for 2 years. This represents a significant improvement in our offer to international students and will help ensure our HE sector remains competitive internationally.</p><p>The government has been in close communication with partners in the HE sector, who are considering educational provision for the academic year 2020/2021 and how to best reopen campuses. HE providers are autonomous institutions and will make their own judgements based on the latest public health guidance, taking account of the need to minimise risk to staff and students.</p><p>To help providers make informed decisions about their provision, the government has issued guidance, which is complemented by the Universities UK’s principles for reopening of campuses to students and staff. We anticipate HE providers will be open for the autumn term with a blend of online teaching and in-person tuition that they consider appropriate and which minimises risk. HE providers will be flexible in accommodating applicants’ circumstances where possible, including if they are unable to travel to the UK in time for the start of the academic year.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 23/06/2020 16:24:06 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1202058

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks made to the International Relations and Defence Committee by General Sir Richard Barrons on 12 March that the UK's role with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission was "not in support of a strategy of any kind other than "We should do a bit more UN peacekeeping"."
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL5447
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>We do not recognise General Sir Richard Barrons' characterisation of the UK's forthcoming deployment to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA. The deployment, to one of the UN's largest and most complex Peacekeeping operations, supports UK priorities for peacekeeping reform. It also forms part of our strategic approach to the increasing instability in the Sahel region, which brings together our development, diplomacy and defence expertise to help tackle the underlying causes of poverty and conflict in the region. Fulfilling a capability gap communicated by the UN, UK troops will deliver a long-range reconnaissance capability that will provide greater awareness of possible threats. This will enable the mission to be more responsive and will contribute to the delivery of MINUSMA's mandate, including protection of civilians, as well as supporting the safety and security of UN peacekeepers. This deployment broadly maintains the UK's level of commitment to peacekeeping following the drawdown of the engineer task force from South Sudan earlier this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/06/2020 10:48:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1202061

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	North Korea: Humanitarian Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea following reports by the United Nations of food shortages and malnutrition; what steps they are taking to provide humanitarian assistance which reaches those in urgent need; and what discussions they have had with the government of that country to urge it to use its resources to prioritise the feeding of its people.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL5450
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>We assess that North Korea’s humanitarian need is likely increasing as a result of the country’s border lockdown in response to COVID-19. The lockdown has prevented most aid shipments from entering the country since January and restrictions on internal movement, including for UN agencies and NGOs, has severely impacted the distribution of aid and support. The UN estimates that 10.1 million people suffer from food insecurity and are in urgent need of food assistance.</p><p>DFID is providing multilateral funds to the UN and other international organisations providing humanitarian assistance in North Korea, including the Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) in response to COVID-19. As a country of concern in the GHRP, North Korea is receiving funds from this global appeal. We continue to make clear to the North Korean government that international support is available, and urge them to restore international access and monitoring for humanitarian assistance. The UK has also repeatedly called on North Korea to prioritise the well-being of its people over the development of illegal weapons programmes, through our bilateral relationship and in multilateral fora.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 23/06/2020 15:03:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1202070

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Sunday Trading
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to removing restrictions on Sunday trading in England and Wales; what assessment they have made of the impact of the removal of such restrictions on the (1) (a) physical, and (b) mental, health of retail workers, and (2) quality of the (a) environment, and (b) air.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL5458
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>We are currently examining Sunday trading laws in the light of covid-19, as we did with the 2012 Olympics. This work includes understanding the impact upon workers and other stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>We will keep measures like this under review as we find ways to support supermarkets and other large shops manage social distancing, and shoppers to buy food and goods more conveniently.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 23/06/2020 14:03:27 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1202103

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Biometrics: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to regulate the use of facial recognition technology to ensure that it is not discriminatory towards people from BAME communities.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL5494
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>Uses of facial recognition technology in the UK, both private and public, are regulated by the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 that set standards for protecting personal data. Organisations have an obligation to ensure that any personal data they hold is accurate and processed in a manner that is lawful, fair and transparent.</p><p> </p><p>Facial images, which constitute 'special category' data for the purposes of the legislation are subject to heightened safeguards and can only be processed if specific conditions in the legislation are met. Processing must be necessary, proportionate and justified. The legislation is enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office, which has shown a willingness to take action against commercial organisations that are acting unlawfully.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a safe use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in all sectors, the government tasked the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) to produce a Snapshot briefing paper looking at the uses and potential implications of facial recognition technology’s deployment in the UK. The paper was published on 28 May and we are considering its findings. The CDEI are currently working on a review into bias in algorithmic decision-making and will continue to examine the impacts of FRT and algorithms on society and provide recommendations on how to minimise bias.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL5495 question first answered 23/06/2020 09:55:19 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick