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1092226

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	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	Supported Housing: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities have a statutory obligation to put in place detailed planning guidance on the provision of specialist housing for older people.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	234831
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>In the revised National Planning Policy Framework, published in July 2018, we strengthened policy to create a clear expectation that all local authorities have policies in place for addressing the housing needs of older people. The number of authorities with detailed planning guidance on the provision of specialist housing for older people is not recorded.</p><p>We will publish further planning guidance, to assist councils to put these policies in place, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Act commitment. We have undertaken extensive engagement in relation to the guidance, including discussions with a range of local authorities, charities and house builder representatives to identify and discuss the key issues. We will publish the guidance in due course.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse grouped question UIN 234644 234645 234646 question first answered 28/03/2019 13:40:13 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1092227

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	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	Supported Housing: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of UK provision of housing-with-care for older people compared with that of other countries; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	234832
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>MHCLG has not carried out such an assessment. Housing-with-care is able to react flexibly to fluctuating, or increasing, care and support needs. There is evidence to suggest that living in a housing-with-care setting can reduce the overall amount of care older people might need, whilst also having the potential to reduce loneliness levels.</p><p>In the UK only 0.7 per cent of over-65s live in a housing-with-care setting. This figure stands at more than 5 per cent in countries such as the United States, New Zealand or Australia.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 26/03/2019 15:03:10 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1086661

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Film: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme in helping domestic film production companies raise funding.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	230892
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2019 answer text <p>The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme was introduced in 2012 to support investment in very early-stage companies, which often struggle to access growth capital.</p><p> </p><p>As a non-sectoral scheme, no assessment has been made of the application of the SEIS to specific industries or sectors. Since its introduction, the scheme has helped over 8,000 companies from a range of industries to raise around £800 million in investment.</p><p> </p><p>The government recognises the importance of the film industry to the UK economy, which is why it offers specific support for the production of culturally British films. Last year alone the film tax relief provided support worth £469 million, in addition to nearly £70 million in direct funding.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 19/03/2019 16:54:33 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1083542

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Social Services: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.16 of Budget 2018, what proportion of the £410 million for adult and children's social care will be allocated to children’s social care.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	229732
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2019 answer text <p>Autumn Budget 2018 provided a further £410 million in 2019-20 for adults and children’s social care. Where necessary, local councils should use this funding to ensure that adult social care pressures do not create additional demand on the NHS. Local councils can also use it to improve their social care offer for older people, people with disabilities and children.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 13/03/2019 14:08:19 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1083543

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Social Services
	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 in advance of the Spending Review to ensure that children’s services departments are adequately funded.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	229733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2019 answer text <p>The government will consider long-term children’s services funding as part of the Spending Review which my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced will take place this year. We are working closely with local authorities and the wider sector to build a robust evidence base on the levels of children’s services costs and pressures.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/03/2019 08:34:40 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1081909

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Racial Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many incidents of racism were reported in schools in (a) England, (b) Essex, (c) Tendring and (d) Clacton constituency in (i) 2017 and (ii) 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	228160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally.</p><p>Schools are not required to report centrally on racist incidents or to publish figures. Schools have the freedom to develop their own approaches for monitoring behaviour, including racist incidents, and to exercise their own judgement as to what will work best for their pupils and the communities they serve. They are required to publish a behaviour policy that outlines measures to encourage good behaviour and to prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils, including racist bullying, and are held to account by Ofsted. Where schools feel that an incident might constitute a crime, guidance makes it clear that they should report it to the police.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 12/03/2019 17:09:59 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1081910

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Racial Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to encourage anti-racism initiatives in schools.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	228161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2019 answer text <p>All schools are required to actively promote our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. Schools are also required to promote equality and respect for others, with particular regard to the protected characteristics. Promotion of these values is part of Ofsted’s inspection framework and the department has published guidance to schools on promoting these important values as part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.</p><p>In 2016, the department also launched the Educate Against Hate website which provides resources for teachers and school leaders to support their promotion of these values. This includes the department’s Respectful Schools Communities toolkit; a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole-school approach which promotes respect and discipline.</p><p>Additionally, subject to the passage of regulations through parliament, schools will be required to teach relationships education to all primary pupils and relationships and sex education to all secondary pupils from September 2020. The focus is on building positive, respectful relationships, including online, and understanding the impact of harmful stereotypes and bullying.</p><p>The department also supports a number of specific initiatives in schools to combat bullying. The department is providing over £2.8 million of funding, between September 2016 and March 2020, to 4 anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. This includes projects targeting bullying of particular groups, such as those who are victims of hate-related bullying, along with a project to report bullying online. These projects contribute towards the government’s Hate Crime Action plan.</p><p>Finally, as part of our commitments in the government’s Integrated Communities Action Plan, the department has funded an expanded national school linking programme. This seeks to encourage meaningful social mixing between different types of schools and foster understanding of those with different backgrounds, faiths and beliefs. Last year, the Linking Network worked with over 400 schools leading to 17,635 pupils taking part in activities supporting integration.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 12/03/2019 16:59:19 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1063982

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Film: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to support domestic film production companies to raise funding.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	223175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK film industry is a great success story, contributing an estimated £4 billion a year to the economy and supporting nearly 70,000 jobs. Last year the government provided £469 million worth of support through the film tax relief and almost £70 million in grant in aid and national lottery funding through the British Film Institute.</p><p> </p><p>The film tax relief supports the production of culturally British films. 2,420 films have benefitted from the film tax relief since it was introduced in 2007.</p><p> </p><p>The British Film Institute supports UK film production companies through the BFI Film Fund, investing in the production of films from adventurous storytellers, the BFI Locked Box initiative, enabling production companies to benefit from the success of their films, and the BFI Vision Awards, supporting new film producers to build their companies.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 27/02/2019 10:12:14 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1052198

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Animal Breeding
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many licensed dog breeders there are in the (a) UK and (b) Clacton constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	215236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 October 2018. These regulations replace outdated Acts, and are based on modern welfare standards. The Regulations include a requirement for local authorities to submit data to Defra each year on the number of licences in force for each licensable activity. The first submission will be required to be submitted to Defra by 31 May 2019 covering the period October 2018 to March 2019 inclusive. Therefore, the Department does not currently hold data on the number of licensed dog breeders under these regulations. Under the previous legislation, there were an estimated 4,950 licensed dog breeders in England.</p><p> </p><p>Breeders of animals other than dogs are not subject to licensing requirements, unless they are in the business of selling the animals as pets. Under the previous legislation there were an estimated 2,300 licensed pet sellers in England, but this includes sellers that do not breed the animals themselves.</p><p> </p><p>Defra does not hold data on the whole of the UK or for individual Parliamentary constituencies. This information is held by Local Authorities.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 215237 question first answered 07/02/2019 14:35:42 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1052199

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Breeding
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many licensed animal breeders there are in the (a) United Kingdom and (b) Clacton constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	215237
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 October 2018. These regulations replace outdated Acts, and are based on modern welfare standards. The Regulations include a requirement for local authorities to submit data to Defra each year on the number of licences in force for each licensable activity. The first submission will be required to be submitted to Defra by 31 May 2019 covering the period October 2018 to March 2019 inclusive. Therefore, the Department does not currently hold data on the number of licensed dog breeders under these regulations. Under the previous legislation, there were an estimated 4,950 licensed dog breeders in England.</p><p> </p><p>Breeders of animals other than dogs are not subject to licensing requirements, unless they are in the business of selling the animals as pets. Under the previous legislation there were an estimated 2,300 licensed pet sellers in England, but this includes sellers that do not breed the animals themselves.</p><p> </p><p>Defra does not hold data on the whole of the UK or for individual Parliamentary constituencies. This information is held by Local Authorities.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 215236 question first answered 07/02/2019 14:35:42 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1050400

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Antisocial Behaviour: Public Places
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has plans to prohibit the use of sound-producing anti-loitering devices without a licence.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	214050
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>The safety of anti-loitering devices is already regulated under the General Product Safety Regulation 2005 (GPSR). This requires all products intended for or likely to be used by consumers to be safe for normal or reasonably foreseeable use.</p><p>It is for local agencies dealing with anti-social behaviour to determine how to best tackle issues in their area, and to ensure any devices they use comply with the relevant legislation.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/02/2019 16:44:59 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1050480

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Sharia Law Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government plans to publish its response to the recommendations of the independent review into the application of sharia law in England and Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	214073
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>On 1 February 2018 the Government published the independent Sharia review and confirmed it would not be taking forward the recommendation to regulate Sharia Councils in a Written Ministerial Statement. <br>The Government’s commitments in response to the review can be found in the Integrated Communities Strategy green paper, published on 14 March 2018 and available on gov.uk:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/integrated-communities-strategy-green-paper." target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/integrated-communities-strategy-green-paper.</a></p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/02/2019 16:47:01 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1043711

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Education: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress her Department has made on improving girls’ access to education throughout the world.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	210047
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK is a global leader on girls’ education and DFID spearheads the UK Governments global campaign, Leave No Girl Behind, which promotes 12 years of quality education and learning for all girls.</p><p> </p><p>Between 2015 and 2018, UKAid provided by DFID has supported 5.6 million girls to gain a decent education.</p><p> </p><p>Through our investment in this area, we are supporting the most marginalised girls to attend school, learn whilst they are there, and help ensure the critical transition from primary to secondary education.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is also leading by example, building evidence of what works in DFID’s flagship Girls’ Education Challenge. Our largest single programme anywhere, reaching 18 countries and up to 1.5 million girls. In the coming months it will reach 250,000 highly marginalised girls who have never attended or dropped out of school due to poverty, motherhood, disability or conflict.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 24/01/2019 15:30:13 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1027450

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Candidates: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to encourage women to participate in politics.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	908346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>One of our aims for the Women’s Suffrage Centenary was to ensure more women participate in politics and decision-making. Whether that is to vote, to campaign or to stand for election, women must be there making the decisions.</p><p>Over the course of this year, the Centenary Fund has supported nearly 320 small and large projects. Many of them are designed to encourage participation by offering women across the country information and training to take part in civic society at all levels.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/12/2018 16:02:47 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1020669

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2018
	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	Housing: Young People
	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 his Department is taking to help young people get on the housing ladder.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	199925
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2018 answer text <p>Government-backed schemes have supported over half a million households into home ownership since 2010. The Help to Buy: Equity Loan has helped nearly 184,000 households purchase a new-build home from its launch in 2013 until June 2018 and 81 per cent of sales were to first time buyers. The recent Evaluation of Help to Buy: Equity Loan from 2015 to 2017 found that 63 percent of first-time buyers were under 35 years old. Our reforms to Stamp Duty, introduced at Budget 2017, have already benefited 180,500 people who pay the tax.</p><p>But we understand there is more to do. The revised the National Planning Policy Framework places an expectation on local authorities that on major sites, 10 per cent of affordable housing provision should be dedicated to home ownership products, such as shared ownership, rent to buy or starter homes.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 14/12/2018 14:39:57 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1017328

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2018
	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	International Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to strengthen the rules-based international order.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	197482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2018 answer text <p>The rules-based international system has made the world collectively more prosperous and safe than ever before. Today, upholding and strengthening this system is a priority for the government. We are reinvigorating and expanding the UK's diplomatic network in order to reinforce our friendships and alliances, to defend the values of democracy and human rights, to reform the multilateral architecture where needed, and to reach agreement on new rules in evolving policy areas. This will allow the UK to play a leading role in shaping a rules-based international system fit for the future.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 06/12/2018 14:20:13 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1011540

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to open military roles to women.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	194248
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State confirmed on 25 October that the Infantry and Royal Marines are being opened up to women. Those already serving in the Army can apply to transfer into infantry roles from December, and from January 2019 the Infantry and Royal Marines will be open to external applications from women.</p><p>This fulfils the Government commitment to open up all combat roles to women and reflects an Armed Forces that is a modern and inclusive employer which maximises the talent of every individual Service person.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/11/2018 15:43:46 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1010601

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2018
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Trade Promotion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to promote trade for development.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	193609
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department for International Development is working with the Department for International Trade to ensure our trade policy benefits developing countries as well as the UK. We aim to deliver continuity in our trading arrangements with developing countries as we leave the EU, provide support to help countries trade, and explore options to expand our relationships in the future.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 26/11/2018 14:18:04 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1006906

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Self-employed
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government has taken in Budget 2018 to support self-employed people in receipt of universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	191446
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2018 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-11-01/187028/" target="_blank">187028</a> on 6 November.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 23/11/2018 12:37:08 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1005722

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Administration of Justice: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking help older people maintain access to services in a modernising court system.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	190522
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Ensuring access to justice is a fundamental principle of the Government and judiciary’s £1bn reform programme to transform our courts and tribunals system. The reform programme aims to expand the ways users can resolve their justice needs, while maintaining and improving traditional methods for those who need them. We are designing the reformed services to be accessible for all, including older users, and to provide users with options on how they can interact with our services as well as access appropriate support, should they need to do so.</p><p> </p><p>Many users will be able to benefit from new digital services and, if needed, will be able to seek telephone or face to face support to help them to use these. This ‘assisted digital’ support is currently in place for the ‘Application’ stage for our reformed services for Divorce, Civil Money Claims, Social Security &amp; Child Support Tribunal, Probate and the Single Justice Service. Where assisted digital support is not appropriate or sufficient, users will continue to be able to use traditional methods, such as paper forms, which are also being improved and made more accessible.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 19/11/2018 15:38:06 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1005723

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, what plans the Government has to use the centenary of the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 to encourage more women to stand for public office.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	190523
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government Equalities Office is providing financial assistance to ensure every MP in this House can invite a woman constituent to parliament for the day. Campaign group 50:50 Parliament’s #AskHerToStand event asks MPs to mentor a woman from their constituency for the day.</p><p>The Government Equalities Office is also hosting a conference to celebrate the centenary of the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act on 21 November 2018. The conference will celebrate and learn from women law-makers who have made a difference to the country.</p><p>The women attending have been involved in the Suffrage Centenary year including grant recipients, grassroots groups, gender equality organisations, and aspiring politicians.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/11/2018 15:00:30 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

999629

	registered interest
	date	01/11/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Infrastructure: Clacton
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps he has taking to invest in infrastructure in the Clacton region.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	187158
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>We are committed to making sure every area of the country has modern and efficient infrastructure. By the end of the parliament, public capital investment will reach levels not sustained in 40 years.</p><p> </p><p>Essex will receive £19 million for local roads maintenance in 2018/19, and DfT has provided £4 million to Essex County Council for development funding for improvements to the A120. In the last 5 years access to Superfast Broadband in Clacton has risen from 77% to 98%.</p><p>The Budget announced new programmes delivered at the local level to address barriers to productivity and increased funding for existing programmes, including an additional £420 million in 2018/19 to tackle potholes, repair damaged roads, and invest in keeping bridges open and safe. The £675 million Future High Streets Fund will support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future, and the Budget also announced £150 million funding pot for a new competition for small improvements projects such as roundabouts.</p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 12/11/2018 17:47:02 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

999266

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2018
	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	Cultural Relations
	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 steps his Department is taking to promote cultural diplomacy.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	186440
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/11/2018 answer text <p>We are taking a number of steps to promote cultural diplomacy, working very closely with FCO, the British Council and DIT to ensure that culture is fully integrated into the UK’s diplomatic activities, both at home and in our embassies around the world.</p><p> </p><p>This includes the GREAT campaign, annual Seasons of Culture, formal cultural agreements with other governments, the Cultural Protection Fund and UNESCO cultural conventions. Ministers also undertake regular international visits and hold frequent dialogues with foreign counterparts to strengthen our cultural diplomacy with key partner countries.</p><p> </p><p>DCMS is a leading contributor to the government’s forthcoming Soft Power Strategy, of which culture will be a core part.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 07/11/2018 12:07:02 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

994564

	registered interest
	date	25/10/2018
	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	China: Foreign Relations
	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 on improving relations between the UK and China.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	183960
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2018 answer text <p><strong><em>The Prime Minister’s visit to China in January opened a new chapter in what has become known as the ‘Golden Era’ in UK-China relations.</em></strong><strong> <em>The recent meeting between the Prime Minister and Premier Li at the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in October emphasised the broad mutual benefit from the relationship. Our aim is to maintain a strong partnership which supports economic growth for both countries and helps to tackle global challenges. This stronger partnership should mean we can have frank discussions on issues where we disagree.</em></strong></p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 01/11/2018 16:37:24 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

990332

	registered interest
	date	18/10/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Older People: Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make elder abuse an aggravated offence.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	181315
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2018 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has asked the Law Commission to carry out an independent review into hate crime legislation to consider whether existing legislation is consistent and effective. This will include whether crimes motivated by, or demonstrating hatred of older people or other potential protected characteristics should be hate crimes.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 23/10/2018 15:29:06 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

984762

	registered interest
	date	10/10/2018
	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: Young People
	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 trends in the level of youth employment since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	177823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2018 answer text <p>The youth labour market is performing well, according to data recently released by the independent Office for National Statistics.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The number of 16-24 years olds in employment level is currently 3.833 million (June-August 2018), this is an increase of 120,000 since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>The youth unemployment is currently at a new record low of 10.8% - with the number of young people who are unemployed down by over 50% since 2010.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/10/2018 08:49:26 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

984763

	registered interest
	date	10/10/2018
	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	Cancer
	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 take steps to ensure that the NHS cancer dashboard offers disaggregated data on (a) liver, (b) brain, (c) oesophageal, (d) pancreatic and (e) stomach cancer.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	177824
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2018 answer text <p>Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England developed the first iteration of the cancer dashboard in response to recommendations in the Independent Cancer Taskforce report ‘Achieving world-class cancer outcomes: a strategy for England 2015-2020’. This includes data on breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. Further cancer sites were not included because of the risk of making patients identifiable when viewing data for individual hospitals or clinical commissioning groups</p><p> </p><p>PHE is working with NHS England’s Cancer Strategy Team on the next phase of the dashboard development. The types of cancer to be included on the cancer dashboard will be informed by the needs of key stakeholders including cancer charities.</p> answering member constituency Winchester answering member printed Steve Brine question first answered 17/10/2018 13:52:39 answering member 4067 label Biography information for Steve Brine
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

980100

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2018
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps he is taking to improve the condition of local roads.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	906933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2018 answer text <p>The Government has committed investment of more than £6 billion to highways maintenance between 2015 and 2021. This funding includes an action fund to help combat potholes totalling £296 million between 2016 and 2021. The Department published its latest statistics on road conditions in England in January 2018, which showed that at that time local classified roads had been improving overall, with fewer local roads to be considered for maintenance. The Department recognises, however, that the severe frosts of 2018 are likely to have affected local road quality.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 11/10/2018 13:13:19 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

972433

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2018
	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: Digital Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the risks of mobile applications are assessed by NHS Digital for inclusion in the NHS Apps Library.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	174159
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2018 answer text <p>Mobile applications are assessed initially via a clinical review within NHS England to establish whether the app fits with National Health Service values and can evidence benefit to the users of the app. Following this, apps are taken through a comprehensive assessment which takes into account relevant regulation, legislation, national standards and best practice to ensure that developers of apps understand their obligations and can evidence that their products conform with these.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matt Hancock question first answered 15/10/2018 16:43:39 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

972434

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2018
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the letters of 17 May 2018 and 3 July 2018 from the hon. Member for Clacton regarding infrastructure improvements in Essex.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	174160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2018 answer text <p>I apologise for the delay in responding to your letters. I understand that my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting with you shortly to discuss the specific issues you raised in your letters.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 15/10/2018 14:07:15 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

972435

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2018
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Overseas Trade: China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions he has had on trade and investment with the Government of China.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	174161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2018 answer text <p>On 23-24 August 2018, my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade visited Beijing for the 13<sup>th</sup> UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO), this was his 4<sup>th</sup> visit to China and he will visit again in November for the China International Import Expo (CIIE). During the JETCO, he had discussions with Co-Chair Commerce Minister Zhong Shan and Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua, China’s top leader covering trade.</p><p> </p><p>On this visit, he met with ministerial level contacts from China Atomic Energy Authority, the State Radio and Television Administration and General Administration of Customs, securing market access for UK products using dairy ingredients sourced from outside the UK, worth £240m over five years. Additionally, he signed a protocol allowing the export of seed potatoes to China (the world’s largest consumer of potatoes).</p><p> </p><p>Total trade in goods and services between the UK and China was £65.1bn in year to end 2018 Q2, a 1.2% increase from year to end 2017 Q2.</p><p> </p><p>In year to end 2018 Q2, UK exports to China amounted to £21.7bn (a 7.5% increase from year to end 2017 Q2) while UK imports from China were £43.4bn (a 1.7% decrease from year to end 2017 Q2).This means the UK reported a trade deficit with China of £21.7bn, compared to a trade deficit of £23.9bn in year to end 2017 Q2.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 16/10/2018 12:43:39 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

972436

	registered interest
	date	12/09/2018
	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	New Businesses: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Growth Hubs in supporting women who want to start and grow a business; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	174162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2018 answer text <p>There are currently 38 Growth Hubs across England, led and governed by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), providing free and impartial advice and support to anyone wishing to start and a grow a business. At March 2018, Local Enterprise Partnerships have self-reported that since 2015 their Growth Hubs have helped over 26,000 entrepreneurs start their own business.</p><p> </p><p>There are now 1.1 million women-led small and medium-sized businesses in the UK and I want to see that number grow. Access to finance is key area that can support that aim and I am pleased to report that the government-supported Start-Up Loans Company has provided loans worth nearly £436 million to those wishing to start a business, of which nearly 40% have been given to female entrepreneurs at March 2018.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 09/10/2018 13:48:35 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

971394

	registered interest
	date	10/09/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Candidates: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to encourage more women to stand for public office.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	172552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2018 answer text <p>Further to my previous answer on 2 July 2018, I can confirm that this year the Government Equalities Office has been funding several projects, through the Government’s £5m Suffrage Centenary Fund, that help deliver our aim to increase women’s participation in politics across the country. Some of these projects are providing practical training to women who want an active role in politics. For example, we are supporting a political leadership programme for women in Bradford and Birmingham, and a project training women in the East Midlands, West Midlands and London in public speaking and media relations. <strong><em> </em></strong></p><p>Also, in July this year the Centenary Fund supported an Ask Her to Stand event in London where 350 women interested in elected office heard from women politicians across the political spectrum encouraging them to stand, engaged with women’s political organisations and took part in workshops providing practical advice on getting into politics and public life.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/09/2018 15:59:52 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

938541

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2018
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Marine Protected Areas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is he taking to expand the size of UK’s Blue Belt.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	163224
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2018 answer text <p>The Government is currently consulting on the Third Tranche of Marine Conservation Zones which closes on 20 July. In this consultation we are proposing 41 new sites, covering an area of 11,700 km<sup>2</sup>. If all 41 new sites are designated then a total of 218,000 km<sup>2 </sup>will be protected in the UK’s Blue Belt.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 17/07/2018 16:54:49 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

935266

	registered interest
	date	06/07/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	NATO
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the importance of NATO members’ financial and capability commitments to that organisation.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	161595
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2018 answer text <p>US Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis, and I agree that all NATO members must fulfil their commitment to the the Defence Investment Pledge, contribute to the Alliance's operations and missions, and support its work to adapt its structures and ways of working. In this way we can achieve a modern, united Alliance, fit to face the challenges of today and the future, that delivers on the commitments that Allies have made. This will be discussed again at the NATO Summit on 11-12 July.</p> answering member constituency South Staffordshire answering member printed Gavin Williamson question first answered 10/07/2018 15:13:47 answering member 4108 label Biography information for Sir Gavin Williamson
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

933908

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2018
	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	Culture: Marketing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to promote UK arts and culture overseas.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	159722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2018 answer text <p>We are taking a number of steps to promote UK arts and culture overseas, including through the GREAT campaign, annual Seasons of Culture, formal cultural agreements with other governments and through our membership of UNESCO. Ministers also undertake regular international visits to champion British arts organisations working in other countries and hold frequent dialogues with counterparts from key partner countries.</p><p> </p><p>The department works in close partnership with FCO, the British Council and DIT to ensure the UK culture sector is well supported and promoted by our embassies in countries around the world. DCMS is also a leading contributor to the government’s forthcoming Soft Power Strategy, which is due to be published later this year.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 10/07/2018 10:13:42 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

931094

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Candidates: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps she has taken to encourage more women to stand for public office.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	157254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2018 answer text <p>There are more women in Parliament than ever before – 208-won seats in the 2017 election. Women now make up 32% of all MPs - up from 22% in 2010. While we cannot be complacent, the percentage of women MPs elected has increased at every general election since 2001, so the direction is positive.</p><p>The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has commissioned qualitative research with women and men in Parliament, to demonstrate the range of experiences, career paths and skills that Members bring to their role, and to understand the information and opportunities that enabled MPs to stand as Parliamentary candidates so that we can identify the factors involved in their success. We will publish this work in 2018.</p><p>The GEO supports a range of projects through the £5m suffrage centenary fund, which encourage more women to participate in politics so that they have an equal voice in democracy. The fund will help build a legacy for the future while also celebrating the many inspiring people who campaigned for women’s suffrage.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/07/2018 16:19:06 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

928679

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to make apprenticeships more affordable for apprentices.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	156505
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2018 answer text <p>Apprenticeships are paid jobs with training - they benefit people of all ages and backgrounds, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn without having to pay for training or qualifications.</p><p>We provide funding so that employers and providers can support their apprentices with some of the costs of their apprenticeships. We provide up to £600 to training providers to support apprentices from the 27 per cent most disadvantaged postcode areas when they train on a framework, and £150 a month where an apprentice requires further learning support as a result of conditions such as dyslexia or other learning difficulties and disabilities. We also provide a £1,000 payment to providers and employers when they take on a 16-18 year old apprentice. The funding we provide ensures that any additional costs are not passed on to employers or providers.</p><p>A young person on an apprenticeship will receive at least the apprentice national minimum wage, which increased to £3.70 per hour in April 2018. This represents a 5.7 per cent increase and means the Apprentice rate is at a record high in nominal and real terms. The Low Pay Commission estimates that the increase will benefit up to 34,000 apprentices. In England, the mean pay rate for level 2 apprentices is £6.69; the level 2 median is £6.35. The mean pay rate for level 3 apprentices is £7.38; the level 3 median is £7.10.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, from August 2018, we are introducing a £1,000 bursary to eligible care leavers aged 16-24 starting an apprenticeship. We understand that care leavers face particular financial disadvantage and government has a responsibility to support them as they transition into the world of work through an apprenticeship.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 29/06/2018 13:21:54 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

928680

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2018
	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	Arts and Culture
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to promote UK arts and culture.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	156506
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2018 answer text <p>The arts help individuals and communities by bringing people together, encouraging creativity and removing social barriers. This government is committed to supporting and promoting our world class arts and culture to ensure that everyone can engage and participate in them, make places better for people to live,work and visit, and boost the economy.</p><p> </p><p>Government support for arts and culture is primarily provided via the Arts Council England. Government also promotes art and culture through direct support such as the recently launched £20 million Cultural Development Fund, which aims to support towns and cities to grow their local economy through investment in arts, heritage and the creative industries; and the Great Exhibition of the North, a three month event that will will celebrate the great art, culture and design of the North of England, which government has invested over £6 million in.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 28/06/2018 09:10:14 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

923037

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2018
	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	Local Government Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to ensure fairness in the allocation of funding to local government.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	905895
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2018 answer text <p>We are undertaking a Fair Funding Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources to address concerns about the fairness of the current system.</p><p>We are making good progress, in collaboration with the sector, in order to introduce a simpler, fair and transparent funding formula.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/06/2018 14:40:11 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

923280

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	UK Membership of EU: Referendums
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on the level of division in society of a second referendum on the UK leaving the EU. .
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	153439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2018 answer text <p>There will not be a second referendum and we are leaving the EU. The people of the UK have delivered a firm mandate and the Government is committed to delivering on it.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Our focus now is on getting the best deal for every person in the UK by bringing all sides together and reaching agreement on a deep and special partnership with the EU.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 19/06/2018 11:25:23 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

917241

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Cats and Dogs: Sales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	When his Department plans to publish its response to the evidence that it received on banning third party sales of puppies and kittens in England.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	905706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2018 answer text <p>We will set out the results of our call for evidence in due course.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 07/06/2018 10:46:12 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

914752

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Antisocial Behaviour
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps he has taken to tackle anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	149084
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2018 answer text <p>The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of flexible powers that they can use to tackle anti-social behaviour. It is for local agencies to decide when it is appropriate to make use of these powers.</p><p>On 24 December 2017, the Home Office published refreshed statutory guidance on the use of the statutory powers to assist local agencies in addressing anti-social behaviour.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 08/06/2018 12:02:54 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

914753

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2018
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is she taking to enable women and children to access education in developing countries.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	149085
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2018 answer text <p>DFID’s new Education Policy, Get Children Learning, sets out how we will reach the most marginalised children, including the hardest to reach girls, children with disabilities and children caught up in emergencies and conflict. DFID does this through significant investments both bilaterally and multilaterally. In 2016 the UK spent £964 million bilaterally on education, whilst remaining the largest bilateral donor to the Education Cannot Wait and Global Partnership for Education programmes. In addition, the UK is a global leader on girls’ education, with our Girls’ Education Challenge programme helping a million marginalised girls access a quality education since 2012.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 07/06/2018 14:52:24 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

909366

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Females: Voting Rights
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2018 to Question 124453, what further plans there are to celebrate the centenary of women being allowed to vote.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	146983
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2018 answer text <p>The government’s £5 million suffrage centenary fund supports a whole range of projects throughout 2018.</p><p> </p><p>In December 2017, the Women’s Votes Centenary Grant Scheme opened and has funded 94 projects awarding around £750,000, including in Essex. More information regarding the application process and criteria can be found online: <a href="http://www.womensvotecentenaryfund.co.uk" target="_blank">www.womensvotecentenaryfund.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>April 24th marked the unveiling of the first female statue in Parliament Square, honouring leading suffragist Millicent Fawcett. The funding for the statue came from the £5 million centenary fund.</p><p> </p><p>Projects are ongoing in the seven centenary towns and cities that received a share of £1.2 million from the fund- Bolton, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester and Nottingham.</p><p> </p><p>The fund has contributed to PROCESSIONS, a public artwork by Artichoke and 1418Now who are working with a range of collaborators. On 10 June, the procession will see crowds of people dressed in green, white and violet moving as a live suffragette flag through the streets of the four capital cities.</p><p> </p><p>More information on future events across the country can be found on the events hub here: <a href="https://celebratingvotesforwomen.campaign.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://celebratingvotesforwomen.campaign.gov.uk/</a></p><p> </p><p>The Centenary fund is supporting a suite of education projects to increase young people's knowledge of UK democracy and its importance, and increase their democratic participation.</p><p>The remainder of the £5m will fund projects including:</p><ul><li>A programme to help develop the leadership potential of young women</li><li>The closing ceremony for the 3-month festival of The Great Exhibition of the North, which will commemorate the centenary and encourage more women to participate in politics</li></ul> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 24/05/2018 15:19:39 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

906370

	registered interest
	date	17/05/2018
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	A120: Clacton
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the local economy in Clacton of dualling the A120.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	145410
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2018 answer text <p>The Department has contributed funding to Essex County Council’s work to assess the benefits and costs of options for dualling the A120 between Braintree and the A12. The findings from this work are due to be concluded later this year.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 25/05/2018 10:03:57 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

901342

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Child Benefit: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to allow low income families to continue claiming child benefit if their child undertakes an apprenticeship.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	142930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2018 answer text <p>Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit support parents with the extra costs of raising a child. Both are payable for children until 31st August following their 16th birthday. After this, the young person must satisfy additional conditions: they must remain in full-time, non-advanced education up to and including A-level/GNVQ level 3, or equivalent, or they must be undertaking a course of approved training. If a young person is undertaking a paid apprenticeship, or they are in training or education by virtue of a contract of employment, the family is no longer eligible.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss grouped question UIN 142931 question first answered 16/05/2018 13:13:20 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

901343

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Child Tax Credits: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to make low income families eligible for child tax credits if their child undertakes an apprenticeship.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	142931
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2018 answer text <p>Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit support parents with the extra costs of raising a child. Both are payable for children until 31st August following their 16th birthday. After this, the young person must satisfy additional conditions: they must remain in full-time, non-advanced education up to and including A-level/GNVQ level 3, or equivalent, or they must be undertaking a course of approved training. If a young person is undertaking a paid apprenticeship, or they are in training or education by virtue of a contract of employment, the family is no longer eligible.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss grouped question UIN 142930 question first answered 16/05/2018 13:13:20 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

901344

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Apprentices: Low Incomes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to make low income apprentices with children eligible for the (a) Care to Learn Scheme and (b) Childcare Grant.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	142932
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2018 answer text <p>One of the core principles of an apprenticeship is that it is a paid job with training, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn, and it is treated accordingly in the benefit system. Apprentices are not required to pay for their training or assessment.</p><p> </p><p>A young person on an apprenticeship will receive at least the apprentice national minimum wage, which increased to £3.70 per hour in April 2018. In England, the mean pay for level 2 apprentices is £6.69; the level 2 median pay is £6.35. The mean pay rate for level 3 apprentices is £7.38; the level 3 median pay is £7.10.</p><p> </p><p>We are not currently considering extending the scope of Care to Learn, student financial support including the 16-19 Bursary Fund or the Childcare Grant to apprenticeships as they are classed as paid contractual employment with training.</p><p> </p><p>We are creating an apprenticeship system that is open to a wide range of people. As we continue to reform the apprenticeships system we will keep our funding for apprentices with additional needs under review.</p><p> </p><p>For apprentices claiming benefits in their own right, financial support is available for those on low incomes. Eligible apprentices may be able to claim Universal Credit or Tax Credits to help with living costs. Universal Credit is also an in-work benefit, so claimants in work on low wages, including apprentices under contract, can continue to claim support for housing. Parents of apprentices are not, however, eligible to claim Child Benefit, as apprentices, like other employees, earn a wage.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, an apprentice may be entitled to the usual in-work benefits, such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credits. If an apprentice has children, is aged 16 or over and does paid work of at least 16 hours a week then they could qualify for tax credits, unless they are already earning £25,000 per year or more. Statutory Sick Pay is paid on the basis of the level of earnings in the relevant period. Disabled apprentices may be entitled to Access to Work payments to help with any support needed to do their job such as assistive technology or an assistant.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton grouped question UIN 142933 142934 question first answered 18/05/2018 13:52:42 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

901345

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Apprentices: Low Incomes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to make low income apprentices eligible for (a) student bursaries and (b) income support.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	142933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2018 answer text <p>One of the core principles of an apprenticeship is that it is a paid job with training, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn, and it is treated accordingly in the benefit system. Apprentices are not required to pay for their training or assessment.</p><p> </p><p>A young person on an apprenticeship will receive at least the apprentice national minimum wage, which increased to £3.70 per hour in April 2018. In England, the mean pay for level 2 apprentices is £6.69; the level 2 median pay is £6.35. The mean pay rate for level 3 apprentices is £7.38; the level 3 median pay is £7.10.</p><p> </p><p>We are not currently considering extending the scope of Care to Learn, student financial support including the 16-19 Bursary Fund or the Childcare Grant to apprenticeships as they are classed as paid contractual employment with training.</p><p> </p><p>We are creating an apprenticeship system that is open to a wide range of people. As we continue to reform the apprenticeships system we will keep our funding for apprentices with additional needs under review.</p><p> </p><p>For apprentices claiming benefits in their own right, financial support is available for those on low incomes. Eligible apprentices may be able to claim Universal Credit or Tax Credits to help with living costs. Universal Credit is also an in-work benefit, so claimants in work on low wages, including apprentices under contract, can continue to claim support for housing. Parents of apprentices are not, however, eligible to claim Child Benefit, as apprentices, like other employees, earn a wage.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, an apprentice may be entitled to the usual in-work benefits, such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credits. If an apprentice has children, is aged 16 or over and does paid work of at least 16 hours a week then they could qualify for tax credits, unless they are already earning £25,000 per year or more. Statutory Sick Pay is paid on the basis of the level of earnings in the relevant period. Disabled apprentices may be entitled to Access to Work payments to help with any support needed to do their job such as assistive technology or an assistant.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton grouped question UIN 142932 142934 question first answered 18/05/2018 13:52:42 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling