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1137812

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Multi-academy Trusts: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence his Department holds on the effectiveness of Multi Academy Trusts in improving educational outcomes for pupils.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	275234
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Performance data illustrates how disadvantaged pupils in academy trusts are making more progress at GCSE level than the equivalent national average. Data for key stage 4 and academy trust performance in 2018 is available here:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774014/2018_KS4_main_text.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774014/2018_KS4_main_text.pdf</a>.</p><p>In primary schools within academy trusts, disadvantaged pupils performed significantly better than the equivalent national average in writing and maths. Data for key stage 2 and academy trust performance is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774446/KS2_Revised_2018_text_MATS_20190130.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774446/KS2_Revised</a>.</p><p>The department has also conducted a series of assessments into the effectiveness of academy trusts in improving educational outcomes for pupils. In 2019, we published internal analysis of the performance of sponsored academies, which typically converted to academy status due to underperformance. Our analysis concluded that pupil outcomes in sponsored academies have typically improved since their formation in comparison with sets of similar schools. The analysis is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsored-academy-performance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsored-academy-performance</a>. Evidence shows there are now more than 550,000 pupils in good or outstanding sponsored academies, which typically replaced underperforming local authority schools.</p><p>In addition to our own internal analysis, we also hold evidence produced by external organisations, such as the one produced by the Institute of Education, available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/763796/School_Improvement_in_Multi-School_groups_-_FINAL_10122018.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/763796/School_Improvement_in_Multi-School_groups_-_FINAL_10122018.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/07/2019 12:40:41 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1137821

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Multi-academy Trusts: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to incentivise multi-academy trusts to deliver effective school improvements; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a mechanism for schools to decide to move between multi-academy trusts.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	275235
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Academy trusts operate under a strict system of oversight and accountability for the quality of education they provide, which informs decisions about targeted support or intervention. Regional School Commissioners work to support academy trusts within their regions and, where appropriate, encourage academies and trusts to apply for funding to support school improvement, such as The Multi-academy trust Development and Improvement Fund.</p><p>Where a school wishes to leave a trust of which it is already a part of, this is possible with the consent of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, providing both the school and the trust are in favour; that it can be demonstrated there will be greater benefits for the school from joining another trust; and that the capacity of the existing trust is not diminished.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/07/2019 12:55:59 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1137826

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Multi-academy Trusts: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the five growth checks for multi-academy trusts.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	275236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The department has conducted an assessment of the multi-academy trust (MAT) development programme, previously referred to as growth checks. A summary of the assessment will be published in due course.</p><p>The materials for the MAT development programme can be found at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/722985/MAT_Development_Programme_2018_resource.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/722985/MAT_Development_Programme_2018_resource.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/07/2019 12:44:17 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1136943

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Regional Schools Commissioners: West Midlands
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to update the April 2016 Regional Vision Statement for the West Midlands and publish a new statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	273482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>In light of changes over time to how Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) interact with the school system, we are reviewing the published Regional Vision Statements, and expect to decide on any replacements or revisions shortly.</p><p>The RSC for the West Midlands will be meeting my hon. Friend, the Member for Walsall North, on 22 July 2019 at which time he will be able to discuss the regional vision for the West Midlands RSC area.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 09/07/2019 16:51:54 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1136093

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Digital Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What fiscal steps he is taking to grow the digital economy.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	911693
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK's digital economy is thriving - growing ten times as fast as the wider economy - and we are pursuing a range of measures to reinforce its world-leading position. These include:</p><ul><li>Implementing a 10-year action plan to unlock over £20 billion to finance growth in innovative firms;</li><li>Committing a further £7 billion for research and development since 2016, with major investments in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies; and</li><li>Providing internationally competitive research and development tax reliefs to support investment.</li></ul><p>We are also embracing the opportunities presented by Distributed Ledger Technologies, including by:</p><ul><li>Investing over £10 million through Innovate UK and the research councils; and</li><li>Creating the £20 million GovTech Catalyst Fund, to explore technology-based solutions for public sector challenges.</li></ul> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 02/07/2019 15:33:01 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1136080

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Jagtar Singh Johal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) reassurances about the health of Jagtar Singh Johal and (b) information on when he will (i) stand trial or (ii) be released his Department has received from the Indian Government.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	271575
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>​Our consular staff in India visit Mr Johal regularly to monitor his welfare and ensure he is able to access his legal representatives. They last visited Mr Johal on 27 June. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial processes of other countries any more than we would accept interference in our own judicial system. However, we can consider approaching the authorities if there are concerns that a trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases. In our representations to the Government of India on Mr Johal's behalf, we have raised his right to a fair trial.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 09/07/2019 15:06:04 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134838

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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	Jagtar Singh Johal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress he has made with his Indian counterpart on securing the release of Jagtar Singh Johal.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269756
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>We make frequent representations on Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s behalf. Most recently, the British High Commissioner to India raised Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 10 May, and with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK on 10 June. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific also raised Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 12 March. The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met with Mr Johal's family and their MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes on 24 April. Our consular staff in India continue to regularly visit Mr <strong>Johal</strong>.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 01/07/2019 16:42:11 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134844

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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	Carbon Monoxide: Alarms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 30 April 2018, HCWS657 on Carbon Monoxide Detection and Safety, when the review of the requirements and the evidence base for improving carbon monoxide detection and safety will be concluded; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government carried out a review of carbon monoxide alarm requirements in 2018. The findings of this review are being considered alongside responses to the Social Housing Green Paper. We will set out the findings of the review and next steps in the Government response to the Green Paper in September 2019.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 15:19:53 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134504

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Abortion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Court of Appeal hearing on 24 June 2019, how many women have been forced to have an abortion, as decided in their best interests, by NHS trusts in each of the last ten years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>This information is not collected centrally.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 01/07/2019 13:25:48 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134505

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Abortion: Trials
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS trust was involved in the case on forced abortion heard at the Court of Appeal on 24 June 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not hold this information. An order was made by the Court of Protection and upheld by the Court of Appeal which prevents the naming of the National Health Service trust involved in this case.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price grouped question UIN 269117 question first answered 01/07/2019 13:18:35 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134506

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Abortion: Trials
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the case heard at the Court of Protection on 21 June 2019 and Court of Appeal on 24 June 2019 on forced abortion, what the total cost of that case was to the NHS trust.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269117
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not hold this information. An order was made by the Court of Protection and upheld by the Court of Appeal which prevents the naming of the National Health Service trust involved in this case.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price grouped question UIN 269116 question first answered 01/07/2019 13:18:35 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134507

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	NHS Trusts: Legal Opinion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the case heard at the Court of Protection on 21 June 2019 and Court of Appeal on 24 June 2019 on forced abortion, what guidance is provided to NHS trusts on deciding whether to take legal action in the best interests of patients.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	269118
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>National Health Service guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment, is available on the NHS website at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/making-decisions-for-someone-else/mental-capacity-act/" target="_blank">https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/making-decisions-for-someone-else/mental-capacity-act/</a></p><p>The Mental Capacity Act is supported by an accompanying statutory Code of Practice, to which people making decisions under the Act must have regard. The Code provides guidance to anyone working with and or caring for adults who may lack capacity to make particular decisions. The Code of Practice is available on the GOV.UK website at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice</a></p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 01/07/2019 13:12:17 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134057

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free Schools: Walsall
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information he holds on the progress that LocatED has made on finding and purchasing a site for the Swift Secondary Academy in Walsall North in partnership with Windsor Academy Trust.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268519
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Despite extensive site searches, the department has so far been unable to secure a viable site for Swift Secondary Academy in its proposed location of Blakenall in Walsall.</p><p>The Walsall Local Plan does not allocate land for educational use and the council has previously indicated that it would not support the delivery of the school.</p><p>The funding for the school remains available, but given the lack of available sites and uncertainty over the future demographic need for additional school places in the area, we are currently reviewing the project's future.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi grouped question UIN 268520 question first answered 02/07/2019 16:16:29 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134058

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free Schools: Walsall
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the funding allocated to build the Swift Secondary Academy in Blakenall ward in partnership with Windsor Academy Trust remains in place.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268520
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Despite extensive site searches, the department has so far been unable to secure a viable site for Swift Secondary Academy in its proposed location of Blakenall in Walsall.</p><p>The Walsall Local Plan does not allocate land for educational use and the council has previously indicated that it would not support the delivery of the school.</p><p>The funding for the school remains available, but given the lack of available sites and uncertainty over the future demographic need for additional school places in the area, we are currently reviewing the project's future.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi grouped question UIN 268519 question first answered 02/07/2019 16:16:29 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134059

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Derelict Land
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to make it easier and quicker for (a) local and (b) combined authorities to take ownership of unused brownfield sites through compulsory purchase with adequate compensation for owners to bring them back into economic use for (i) homes and (ii) employment and remove derelict properties from local communities.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Local and combined authorities already have broad compulsory purchase powers, which can be used to bring brownfield land back into use. We have recently introduced wide-ranging reforms to make the Compulsory Purchase Order process clearer, fairer and faster. Our reforms in the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 and Housing and Planning Act 2016 include clarification of the ‘no scheme principle’ which underpins compensation for compulsory purchase, making it easier and quicker to establish the fair market value of sites. We are keen to let these important reforms bed-in, but will keep the operation of the system under review.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 16:16:54 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134060

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Derelict Land: Walsall
	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 introducing in Walsall a pilot scheme to streamline the process of bringing unused brownfield sites back into public use.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268522
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Walsall has provided an excellent example of land remediation, involving many partners in enterprise, so that a large derelict and contaminated site can be brought back into employment use. Our revised National Planning Policy Framework expects local authorities to give substantial weight to the value of re-using suitable brownfield land, and to prioritise its redevelopment wherever possible. The Government has a toolkit of support for this work, including loan funding for site preparation, infrastructure and land assembly; tax relief for land remediation; and Permission in Principle to speed housing-led development at sites on local Registers of brownfield land. Where appropriate, local authorities should seek the interest and support of development partners such as Homes England.</p><p>Each brownfield site is different and often requires a tailored solution. It is therefore right that local solutions are also explored to find the best approach to brownfield redevelopment for that area, utilising local and national procedures, planning and practice.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 16:19:18 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134061

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Shared Ownership Schemes: Greater London
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that shared home ownership is affordable in London.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268523
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>We believe that Shared Ownership has an important role to play, as part of a diverse and thriving housing market, in helping those who aspire to home ownership but may be otherwise unable to afford it. The combination of rent and mortgage will often be lower than the cost of outright purchase and in many areas lower than the cost of private renting.</p><p>We have made changes to Guidance for grant funded Shared Ownership, including raising the income cap on Shared Ownership in England from £60,000 to £80,000 and up to £90,000 in London - allowing 175,000 more households to have access Shared Ownership.</p><p>Between 2015 and 2018 - 6,041 shared ownership homes were completed in London.</p><p>The Mayor has overall responsibility for housing policy and delivery in London, but we are all agreed that London needs to build many more homes to meet its need. That is why we have agreed that London will receive £4.8 billion of the Affordable Homes Programme funding (including £1.67 billion announced at Spring Statement 2018) to deliver at least 116,000 affordable housing starts by March 2022.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 16:20:55 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134062

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Shared Ownership Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Starter Homes programme on levels of shared ownership.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Since 2010, we have delivered over 430,000 additional affordable homes to rent and buy. Starter Homes, as defined in Chapter 1 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, require secondary legislation to further define the product before they are brought to the market. As the Government's Starter Homes programme is not yet in operation, it will have had no effect on the levels of Shared Ownership. In fact, Shared Ownership completions were over 11,000 in 2018 and have increased every year since we started collecting this data</p><p><br> We have been engaging with the industry to ensure the regulations to define Starter Homes are sound and that the product works for all concerned. We intend to lay these regulations before the House later this year.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 16:22:18 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134063

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Shared Ownership Schemes: Consumers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of what consumer protections are required as private providers enter the shared ownership market.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268525
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The vast majority of private shared ownership providers are Registered Providers, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing. In England, all registered providers of social housing must comply with the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing.</p><p>Shared ownership leaseholders with private landlords who are not Registered Providers will have the same rights as other private leaseholders.</p><p>By law, residential managing agents are required to belong to one of the following two redress schemes: The Property Redress Scheme and The Property Ombudsman. Further information can be found at <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Flettings-agents-and-property-managers-redress-schemes&amp;data=02%7C01%7CDeji.Ishola%40communities.gov.uk%7Ca6a0cd8a244040d2ada508d6fae8501d%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C636972273013434847&amp;sdata=y60nhv3Af7oMbOT1vEwd%2F2l13%2BoKue4Qi2nQaCHTLBw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/lettings-agents-and-property-managers-redress-schemes</a>.</p><p>Outside of this framework, Government is also committed to exemplary consumer protection across all areas of the housing market. We have established the Regulation of Property Agents Working Group – chaired by Lord Best – to advise on a new regulatory structure for property agents (including letting, managing and sales agents) with an independent regulator and a mandatory code of practice. We expect the group to make their recommendations in July.</p><p>As new private sector products are developed we will keep the regulatory framework under review to ensure that consumer protections are maintained and enhanced.</p><p>We also know more needs to be done to strengthen consumer redress for purchasers of new build homes, which is why we have announced our intention for there to be a New Homes Ombudsman to protect the rights of all homebuyers and hold developers to account.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 01/07/2019 16:18:25 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134065

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Belt and Road Initiative: China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Chartered Institute of Building's report entitled from China Road to Silicon Road, published May 2019, and its finding that China’s Belt and Road Initiative could deliver a $178 billion boost to UK GDP, what assessment he has made of the potential merits for the UK of formally joining the Belt and Road Initiative.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268527
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s engagement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is focused on practical cooperation on infrastructure projects, including pragmatic steps and collaboration to help ensure that projects are delivered in line with the highest economic, environmental, social and financial standards in order to deliver sustainable development outcomes and opportunities for UK and international businesses.</p><p> </p><p>UK firms have a global reputation for ensuring long-term efficiency and sustainability are built into infrastructure projects, making them natural partners for Chinese firms’ extensive project delivery capacity.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has no plans formally to join the BRI. But the UK is keen to work closely with China to deliver practical cooperation on the potential opportunities from the BRI.</p><p> </p><p>At the 10<sup>th</sup> UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue in June, I, as the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade (DIT), signed a Departmental Memorandum of Understanding with China’s National Development and Reform Commission on Infrastructure Cooperation in Third Countries. It is a technical agreement that focuses on facilitating collaboration between UK and Chinese firms on projects overseas. Such infrastructure projects offer potential for UK companies across a number of sectors, including the construction sector, and the UK Government will provide support to UK companies as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart grouped question UIN 268528 268529 question first answered 01/07/2019 10:28:16 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134066

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Belt and Road Initiative: China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential benefit to the UK construction sector of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268528
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s engagement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is focused on practical cooperation on infrastructure projects, including pragmatic steps and collaboration to help ensure that projects are delivered in line with the highest economic, environmental, social and financial standards in order to deliver sustainable development outcomes and opportunities for UK and international businesses.</p><p> </p><p>UK firms have a global reputation for ensuring long-term efficiency and sustainability are built into infrastructure projects, making them natural partners for Chinese firms’ extensive project delivery capacity.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has no plans formally to join the BRI. But the UK is keen to work closely with China to deliver practical cooperation on the potential opportunities from the BRI.</p><p> </p><p>At the 10<sup>th</sup> UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue in June, I, as the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade (DIT), signed a Departmental Memorandum of Understanding with China’s National Development and Reform Commission on Infrastructure Cooperation in Third Countries. It is a technical agreement that focuses on facilitating collaboration between UK and Chinese firms on projects overseas. Such infrastructure projects offer potential for UK companies across a number of sectors, including the construction sector, and the UK Government will provide support to UK companies as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart grouped question UIN 268527 268529 question first answered 01/07/2019 10:28:16 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134067

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Belt and Road Initiative: China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the UK construction sector on the skills that sector can provide to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); and what assessment he has made of the importance of the BRI to future UK-China international partnerships.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268529
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s engagement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is focused on practical cooperation on infrastructure projects, including pragmatic steps and collaboration to help ensure that projects are delivered in line with the highest economic, environmental, social and financial standards in order to deliver sustainable development outcomes and opportunities for UK and international businesses.</p><p> </p><p>UK firms have a global reputation for ensuring long-term efficiency and sustainability are built into infrastructure projects, making them natural partners for Chinese firms’ extensive project delivery capacity.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has no plans formally to join the BRI. But the UK is keen to work closely with China to deliver practical cooperation on the potential opportunities from the BRI.</p><p> </p><p>At the 10<sup>th</sup> UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue in June, I, as the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade (DIT), signed a Departmental Memorandum of Understanding with China’s National Development and Reform Commission on Infrastructure Cooperation in Third Countries. It is a technical agreement that focuses on facilitating collaboration between UK and Chinese firms on projects overseas. Such infrastructure projects offer potential for UK companies across a number of sectors, including the construction sector, and the UK Government will provide support to UK companies as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart grouped question UIN 268527 268528 question first answered 01/07/2019 10:28:16 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1134078

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Employment: Disability and Health
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employers have signed up to the Government’s voluntary reporting framework on disability, mental health and wellbeing since it was launched in November 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	268535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The voluntary reporting framework was developed by the Government in partnership with employers and expert partners to support organisations to record and voluntarily report information on disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. This approach recognises the potential power of transparency, both for employees within organisations and for external audiences. The Government continues to work with employers (including the Civil Service and the NHS) and expert partners to encourage sign up, but there is no requirement for them to notify the Government of how they are using it.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 02/07/2019 15:45:24 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1133661

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Smoking: Regulation
	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 the Government has made of the merits of a regulatory environment in which (a) advertising rules, (b) taxes and (c) other regulations reflect the relative health impacts of (i) e-cigarettes, (ii) heat-not-burn tobacco and (iii) other reduced harm smoking products.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	267301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government seeks to ensure that the regulatory and environment reflects the relative harms of different tobacco and nicotine products. The European Union Tobacco Products Directive 2014 placed limits on the sale and merchandising of tobacco and tobacco related products. This was transposed in to United Kingdom law through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) 2016 and forms part of comprehensive regulatory framework to reduce public health harms caused by smoking. This framework acknowledges e-cigarettes are not tobacco products and has fewer restrictions than them.</p><p>To reduce the affordability of tobacco, HM Treasury continue to apply the Tobacco Duty Escalator to cigarettes at 2% above inflation as outlined in the Budget 2018, with hand rolling tobacco increasing by an additional 1%.</p><p>The Government has a statutory obligation to conduct a Post Implementation Review of the TRPR by May 2021. The Government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers opportunities to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 25/06/2019 16:07:48 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1133662

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Tobacco: Packaging
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward the commencement date to before 2021, of the review of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	267302
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>There are no plans to do so. The Government remains committed to undertake the post implementation review of the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 by May 2021 in accordance with its legal duties.</p> answering member constituency South Ribble answering member printed Seema Kennedy question first answered 25/06/2019 16:08:37 answering member 4455 label Biography information for Seema Kennedy
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1131365

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if it is Government policy that well performing schools shall not be made to convert to academies.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	263245
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The government believes that all schools can benefit from becoming an academy as part of an academy trust. The department’s policy remains that maintained schools are only required to become sponsored academies, due to educational underperformance, if they are judged inadequate by Ofsted.</p><p>Many well performing schools are voluntarily choosing to convert to become academies. As a result, thousands of pupils are benefiting from higher standards in their schools. As of June 2019, there are 8,157 academies. Over two thirds of these academies, 5,861, are converter academies, and many of those have become system leaders within academy trusts by helping other schools to improve. We encourage any collaboration between schools that improves outcomes for pupils.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 19/06/2019 15:36:24 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1131369

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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	Affordable Housing and Social Rented Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the price of land on affordable housing provision; and what steps he will take to reduce the cost of land to support social home builders.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	263246
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>My Department has recently introduced planning reforms to make it clear that under no circumstances will the price paid for land be a relevant justification for failing to meet affordable housing requirements. Between 2015-16 and 2017-18, we delivered over 122,000 affordable homes, of which over 53,000 units were delivered through section 106 agreements - not including housing delivered through London Affordable Rent or where tenure was unknown.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 20/06/2019 14:36:00 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1131370

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) increased data sharing with social landlords and (b) other enhancements of the Trusted Partner Status programme with housing associations.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	263247
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department is continuing to consider how they can develop its Trusted Partner Status programme. This requires careful consideration and evaluation surrounding how we manage data security, whilst realising the advantages that data sharing with partner organisations brings to our claimants.</p><p> </p><p>We are working with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders to design any future processes.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/06/2019 16:38:17 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1128113

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2019
	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	Youth Organisations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent assessment his Department has made of the value of youth organisations to local areas.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	911080
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises the transformational impact that youth services can have, especially for young people facing multiple barriers or disadvantage.</p><p>We are working across Government and with young people to develop a new Youth Charter setting out Government’s clear vision and offer for young people.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/05/2019 11:46:26 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1088797

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2019
	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	Internet: Proof of Identity
	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 plans his Department has to develop a strong market for age and identity verification products to (a) protect young people against internet harms and (b) to reduce online fraud.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	232638
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2019 answer text <p>The government is supporting the development of a standards based digital identity market in the UK. The Minister for Implementation made a written statement on the future of Gov.uk Verify programme on 9 October 2018 setting out next steps. Discussions continue within government and with industry as we develop our proposals, which we will set out further in due course.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 22/03/2019 12:07:31 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1088798

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2019
	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	Proof of Identity: Digital Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that digital ID has carries the same age proofing weight as a passport or other physical ID document.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	232639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>The evidential requirements to authenticate identity attributes vary depending on the nature of the goods or services being sought. Usually relying parties determine the necessary level of authentication they require, though this is sometimes prescribed in regulation. There are no current legislative proposals on this matter but regulation is kept under review.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 27/03/2019 14:59:07 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1077394

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2019
	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	Iraq: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to support peace and stability in Iraq.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	909450
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2019 answer text <p>I visited Iraq last month and held useful discussions with leaders from the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Governemnt. We discussed how the UK and Iraq could cooperate together to promote peace and stability in Iraq. I announced a further £30 million in funding to help rebuild Iraq and reinvigorate the economy.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 26/02/2019 17:33:08 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1060792

	registered interest
	date	13/02/2019
	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	Land Registry: Cybercrime
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to Answer of 15 June 2018 to Question 151096 on Land Registry: Cybercrime, what the outcomes relating to the use of (a) blockchain and (b) artificial intelligence are of the HM Land Registry's Digital Street project.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	221007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2019 answer text <p>The HM Land Registry’s research and development ‘Digital Street’ project is ongoing. The findings of the project are incorporated into HM Land Registry’s forward strategy on a continuing basis.</p> answering member constituency Watford answering member printed Richard Harrington question first answered 18/02/2019 15:26:12 answering member 4068 label Biography information for Lord Harrington of Watford
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1060793

	registered interest
	date	13/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Automation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when small businesses will be able to automate the payment to HMRC of National Insurance and PAYE for employees.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	221008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2019 answer text <p>HMRC currently enables employers to pay their PAYE/NIC liability by Direct Debit. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the gov.uk website at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pay-paye-tax/direct-debit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pay-paye-tax/direct-debit</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Employers can currently only make single Direct Debit payments, meaning they must set up a payment each time they pay. This is because the amount owed can include elements which do not have to be reported to HMRC until too close to the payment deadline to allow us to automatically collect by Direct Debit.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC recognises the benefits of payment by Direct Debit and will continue to look at how to enable customers to set up ongoing Direct Debit arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 22/02/2019 12:14:15 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1059830

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2019
	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	Natural Gas: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Annual Report of the Cross Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide will be published on the HSE website.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	220319
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2019 answer text <p>HSE aims to publish the Annual Report of the Cross Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide on its website by the end of March 2019.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 18/02/2019 14:39:34 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1059831

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Walsall
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding his Department has allocated to Walsall Council to support children with SEND needs in each of the last eight years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	220320
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities are required to provide schools with sufficient funds to enable mainstream schools to meet the additional cost of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities, up to the value of £6,000. This funding comes from the schools block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). While authorities will identify a notional SEN budget for each school within the school’s overall budget, that notional budget is not ring-fenced, and schools are expected to manage their overall budget to best meet the need of all their pupils, including pupils with SEN.</p><p>When the costs of additional support required for a pupil with SEN exceed £6,000, the local authority should also allocate additional top-up funding to cover the excess costs. This top-up funding, and all funding for special schools comes from the local authority’s high needs budget. In December 2018, we announced an additional £250 million in high needs funding across the current financial year and the next, bringing Walsall’s total high needs funding to £31.5 million in 2018-19.</p><p>In 2013, the schools and high needs budgets within the DSG were created. As the DSG includes other budgets such as the early years budget, the department is unable to provide comparable figures before 2013-14.</p><p> </p><p>The schools and high needs allocations for Solihull since 2013-14 are as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Schools</p></td><td><p>High Needs</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>£181.5 million</p></td><td><p>£27.3 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>£183.4 million</p></td><td><p>£28.3 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>£191.0 million</p></td><td><p>£28.4 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>£195.0 million</p></td><td><p>£28.8 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>£199.5 million</p></td><td><p>£29.9 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>£204.8 million</p></td><td><p>£31.5 million</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 19/02/2019 17:56:09 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1059832

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Walsall North
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in the Walsall North constituency will receive a cash increase in their budget per pupil for 2019-20.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	220321
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities continue to be responsible for distributing funding to schools in their local area in 2019-20. School allocations for 2019-20 are yet to be confirmed by local authorities. They will be published in due course.</p><p>The table attached shows notional allocations through the national funding formula (NFF) for schools in Walsall North in 2019-20, and compares these to the 2017-18 baselines. The notional NFF figures are based on 2018-19 pupil data.</p><p>Total funding per pupil, which includes both pupil-led and school-led funding, may decrease when the number of pupils increases because school-led funding, which does not vary with pupil numbers, is divided by a greater number of pupils. The attached table shows both changes in total funding per pupil and changes in pupil-led funding per pupil.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 20/02/2019 16:43:51 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb attachment 1 file name 220321_Allocations_through_NFF_in_Walsall_North.pdf title 220321_Allocations_Through_NFF_in_Walsall_North
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1059835

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Social Mobility: Walsall North
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much of the £100 million investment through the social mobility action plan, entitled Unlocking talent, fulfilling potential (a) will be and (b) has been allocated to Walsall North to support social mobility in early years education.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	220322
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>Information on funding at constituency level is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p>Walsall local authority currently receives funding for the 2-year-old offer, and take-up is currently at 62%. Walsall has bid for the schools nursery capital fund and is a partner to Wolverhampton’s bid to the early outcomes fund, both of which are currently being assessed. The outcomes will be announced in due course.</p><p>In addition, the department has commissioned an early years special educational needs and disability (SEND) partnership led by the National Children's Bureau. This project aims to improve the quality of provision for children with SEND in the early years by building the confidence, knowledge and ability of the workforce to identify and support children with SEND. The West Midlands is one of the regions that the National Children’s Bureau will be working with.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 19/02/2019 17:42:04 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1055781

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Clergy and Religious Orders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of (a) current and (b) future visa requirements and processes for Catholic clergy and members of religious orders.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	217629
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government values the role of faith in public life and recognises the contributions made by faith groups to our communities in the UK. This is reflected in our existing bespoke visa arrangements for religious workers and Ministers of Religion.</p><p><br>On 19 December 2018, the Government’s published its White Paper on the future immigration system. We want to continue to attract those who make valuable contributions to the practicing of faith and to our communities across the UK and will continue to offer arrangements for religious groups.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 11/02/2019 16:56:56 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1051295

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Ministers of Religion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Minister of Religion visas have been granted (a) within and (b) outside of the three week timescale target time in each of the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	214615
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>The published quarterly transparency data does not separate the sub-categories within the wider Tier 2 route. We have therefore provided the published data for all Tier 2 subcategories which includes General, Intra Company Transfers, Minister of Religion and Sportspeople.</p><p><br>Link to the latest published data:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration</a></p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 06/02/2019 14:53:08 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1051410

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Distributed Ledger Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2018 to Question 133516 on Public Sector: Blockchain, what progress has been made on the potential use of distributed ledger technologies and blockchain; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	214642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>In August 2018, the government released the “Technology innovation in government survey”, which highlighted potential uses of distributed ledger technologies (DLT).</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Innovation Strategy will be launched in spring 2019. This strategy will address barriers to departments trialling emerging technologies, which may include DLT, in order to improve public services and drive public sector innovation.</p> answering member constituency Hertsmere answering member printed Oliver Dowden question first answered 05/02/2019 11:38:22 answering member 4441 label Biography information for Oliver Dowden
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1051412

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Customs: Distributed Ledger Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2018 to Question 128296 on Brexit, if he will provide an update on (a) the potential use of distributed ledger technology for any new customs system after the UK leaves the EU and (b) the outcome of the proof of concept trials referenced in the Answer.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	214643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>The pilot focussed on building a single ‘permissioned’ Blockchain that could be used to inform a trader’s ‘Authorised Economic Operator’ status. The proof of concept ran for six weeks, and established that government could use Blockchain to securely share the results of sensitive risk checks to improve the efficiencies of certain customs processes.</p><p> </p><p>Any significant implementation of Blockchain would require significant further work by HMRC. Further work on the application of Blockchain to ‘Authorised Economic Operator’ status is deferred until after the UK leaves the EU when timescales and cost will be revisited.</p><p> </p><p>We are working with the cross government Future Borders Programme to progress the pilot as part of their Trusted Trader initiative</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 07/02/2019 15:01:12 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1051413

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Equipment and Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is given to police forces on the provision of improved equipment and technology to assist frontline officers with capability, safety and welfare.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	214644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing the physical violence that is sometimes directed against them. Decisions about the selection and purchase of police equip-ment are primarily for chief officers of police. The Government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory provides scientific and technical advice to support the police, including the development and management of pro-tective equipment standards, such as body armour and personal defence sprays.</p> answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd question first answered 07/02/2019 12:08:53 answering member 1561 label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1051414

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	West Midlands Police
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) current and (b) future (i) efficiency, (ii) capability and (iii) capacity of West Midlands Police force.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	214645
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>Assessments of forces current efficiency and effectiveness at managing their resources and tackling crime are primarily the responsibility of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The results of HMICFRSs most recent inspections of West Midlands Police are available on the Inspectorate’s website. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/peel-assessments/peel-2017/west-midlands/ <br> <br>Decisions regarding how resources are allocated including the capability and capacity needs of forces are a matter for PCCs and Chief Constables, who are best placed to understand how to meet the needs of local communities. <br> <br>For 2019/20 we are proposing the biggest increase in funding since 2010 - total funding of up to £14 billion for 2019-20, an increase of up to £970m compared to 2018/19, including council tax, pensions funding and national investment. If the PCC for West Midlands chooses to raise their council tax precept by £24 a year, this would translate to a potential increase in funding of up to £34m for West Midlands Police</p><p><br>I have been clear that I will prioritise police funding at the next Spending Review. My Department is working closely with policing colleagues – including the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police - to understand their future capability and capacity needs, and what future efficiency gains may be possible.</p> answering member constituency Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner answering member printed Mr Nick Hurd question first answered 07/02/2019 12:11:28 answering member 1561 label Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1049380

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	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	Carbon Monoxide: Alarms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What progress his Department has made in its review of the rules that require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted in homes across England.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	908853
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2019 answer text <p>We are making good progress with the review of carbon monoxide alarms. This has included constructive engagement with industry to gather new evidence and information. We are now considering this updated evidence and will set out the Government response in due course.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 28/01/2019 16:58:05 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1047007

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	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	Timber: Construction
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much timber used for structural construction purposes in (a) England and (b) Great Britain in each year from 2010 was (i) imported and (ii) domestically grown.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	211876
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2019 answer text <p>Sales by UK manufacturers have seen particularly large increases in the last two years of the period. The Department does not hold information about domestically grown timber. The information is not available for England or Great Britain. The following table provides aggregate information for the value of sawn wood, densified wood, particle board, laminated wood and fibreboard (i) imported into the UK and (ii) sold by UK manufacturers.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>£m, current prices</p></td><td><p>Imports into UK</p></td><td><p>UK Manufacturers Sales</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>939.3</p></td><td><p>646.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>852.5</p></td><td><p>652.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>835.7</p></td><td><p>719.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>937.5</p></td><td><p>733.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>1,097.7</p></td><td><p>769.2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>1,043.5</p></td><td><p>777.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>1,249.7</p></td><td><p>861.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>1,371.1</p></td><td><p>1,219.5</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Sources:</p><p>UK Manufacturers Sales – Office for National Statistics <em>UK Manufacturers' Sales by Product (PRODCOM)</em></p><p>Imports into UK – Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy <em>Monthly Statistics of Building Materials and Components</em></p> answering member constituency Watford answering member printed Richard Harrington question first answered 28/01/2019 15:35:43 answering member 4068 label Biography information for Lord Harrington of Watford
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1047009

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	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	Timber: Enforcement
	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 proportion of enforcement action by the Office for Product Safety and Standards related to illegally sourced timber in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	211877
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) uses a variety of tools to improve compliance with technical and environmental regulations including those governing trade in timber. A significant amount of this activity is focussed on working with businesses to improve their compliance systems. Where appropriate statutory notices and other formal actions are used and a summary of all those issued by OPSS is published on gov.uk every six months.</p><p> </p><p>In the last two years, OPSS has taken two prosecutions and issued 26 notices of remedial action and 37 warning letters under the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 211878 question first answered 29/01/2019 13:29:42 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 97878 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1047010

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	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	Timber: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many breaches there have been under the UK’s implementation of the EU Timber Regulation for placing illegal timber products on the UK market in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	211878
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) uses a variety of tools to improve compliance with technical and environmental regulations including those governing trade in timber. A significant amount of this activity is focussed on working with businesses to improve their compliance systems. Where appropriate statutory notices and other formal actions are used and a summary of all those issued by OPSS is published on gov.uk every six months.</p><p> </p><p>In the last two years, OPSS has taken two prosecutions and issued 26 notices of remedial action and 37 warning letters under the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 211877 question first answered 29/01/2019 13:29:42 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 97880 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1037836

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Distributed Ledger Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) fiscal and (b) regulatory steps his Department is taking to (i) support UK and (ii) encourage overseas blockchain and crypto-based companies establish themselves in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	206446
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government has invested over £10 million through Innovate UK and the research councils to support a wide variety of DLT related projects. The Government has also created a £20 million GovTech Catalyst Fund to explore technology-based solutions for public sector challenges, potentially including the use of DLT.</p><p> </p><p>The Government set out its approach to cryptoassets and the underlying distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the report of the Cryptoassets Taskforce<sub><sub>[1]</sub></sub>. The Government wants to encourage responsible development of legitimate distributed ledger technology (DLT) and cryptoasset-related activity in the UK, while also mitigating risks.</p><p> </p><p>The financial regulators continue to provide a platform that facilitates innovation and the development of new technologies in the financial system. For example, the Financial Conduct Authority has accepted a significant number of DLT-based projects into its Regulatory Sandbox. The Bank of England has also committed to ensure that its new RTGS service will be compatible with DLT-based payment systems.</p><p>[1] The full report of the HM Treasury/Financial Conduct Authority/Bank of England Cryptoassets Taskforce is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752070/cryptoassets_taskforce_final_report_final_web.pdf</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 11/01/2019 11:18:43 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1024606

	registered interest
	date	13/12/2018
	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	Artificial Intelligence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK remains a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	908181
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK is a world leader in AI and this government is committed to retaining this position.</p><p> </p><p>Our AI and Data Grand Challenge is a major collaboration with industry and academia to this end. It includes up to £0.95bn Sector Deal package with industry that will strengthen the UK’s position as a global AI leader.</p><p> </p><p>We are establishing an AI Council, an expert committee, to provide high-level leadership on implementing the AI Sector Deal.</p><p> </p><p>We are also working with partners including the Turing Institute and UKRI to encourage retention and attract new, diverse talent from abroad.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 13/12/2018 17:53:28 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes