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1173894

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2020
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the timeframe is to enable access to the DVLA database of licences to private sector identity organisations that are not part of the Gov.verify project.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	9131
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Digital Identity call for evidence, published in July 2019, sought views on how the government can support the development and secure use of digital identities across the public and private sector. A government response and next steps will be published in Spring 2020.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 03/02/2020 17:27:50 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1141969

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	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 Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps he is taking to prevent animal cruelty.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	912197
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p>This Government is leading the way in promoting animal welfare by bringing forward legislation that will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty in England from 6 months’ to 5 years’ imprisonment. We have also made it a requirement for all slaughterhouses to have CCTV; updated and improved the laws regulating dog breeding and pet sales; and banned the third party sale of puppies and kittens.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 912192 question first answered 25/07/2019 15:37:14 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	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

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

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

1654592

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2023
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Arts: Artificial Intelligence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of creative industries on the impact of AI on that sector.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	906080
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2023 answer text <p>The Government recognises the opportunities presented by AI to enable growth in a range of sectors, including our creative industries. As set out in the recent AI white paper, our goal is to ensure that the UK becomes an AI superpower. However, it is important that while we harness the benefits of AI, we also manage the risks. This includes particular risks to creative sectors and copyright holders.</p><p>The Department has held a number of meetings with the sector on this issue, including with members of the Creative Industries Council earlier this week, and with music, press and publishing stakeholders over recent weeks. The Secretary of State also met with the Minister for AI and Intellectual Property this week, together with the Intellectual Property Office.</p><p>The Secretary of State intends to convene roundtable discussions in September with media stakeholders to discuss the particular impact of AI on journalism.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Sir John Whittingdale question first answered 20/07/2023 16:05:02 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1650707

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2023
	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	Pets: Theft
	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 she is taking to reduce pet theft.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	905838
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2023 answer text <p>While stealing a pet is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968, we understand the devastating impact that the theft of a pet can have. That is why we intend to legislate to make pet abduction a specific offence, building on the recent work of the Pet Theft Taskforce to clamp down on this heartless crime.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 07/07/2023 10:55:11 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1628730

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce barriers to global trade for British businesses.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	905007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2023 answer text <p>We are targeting a global ‘hit list’ of barriers whose removal would deliver massive new opportunities for UK business throughout the country, estimated to be worth over £20 billion over five years.</p><p> </p><p>Latest available figures show that in the year to March 2022, the Department resolved 192 trade barriers in 79 countries; 45 of these alone are estimated to be worth around £5 billion to businesses across the UK over the next five years.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 18/05/2023 15:40:54 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1611023

	registered interest
	date	30/03/2023
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Performing Arts: North of England
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a specialist school for music, film and digital design in the north of England.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	904517
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/04/2023 answer text <p>All pupils are entitled to a broad and ambitious cultural education, irrespective of where they live. The Department is currently assessing a number of applications for new free schools, including one in Bradford, linked to the BRIT school in London. This is a competitive process and the Department will announce approved schools later this year.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 17/04/2023 15:51:19 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1686557

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2024
	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	Flood Control
	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 support his Department is providing to improve flood defences.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	901281
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government is investing a record £5.2 billion over six years in flood and coastal erosion schemes to better protect communities across England.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, at the last spending review the Government increased funding for maintaining existing flood defences by £22 million per year, bringing the total to over £200 million per year.</p><p> </p><p>Our investment in flood defences has seen over 600,000 properties better protected from flooding since 2010, including over 71,000 since 2021.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 01/02/2024 16:56:54 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1173627

	registered interest
	date	27/01/2020
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Electronic Government: Proof of Identity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the (a) terms of reference, (b) membership and (c) minutes of the meetings of the Digital Identity Unit.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	8440
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Digital Identity Unit is a collaboration between DCMS and Cabinet Office. Further information on the work of the Unit will be published in the government’s response to the Digital Identity Call for Evidence in Spring 2020. Any additional information will be released in line with DCMS and Cabinet Office publication schemes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 03/02/2020 17:26:28 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1167651

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupil Referral Units: Walsall
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the timescale is for the completion of the proposed rebuild project of New Leaf Pupil Referral Unit in Walsall.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	8270
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The New Leaf Centre is a local authority maintained Pupil Referral Unit. Walsall local authority is responsible for the building project, so the department is unable to confirm timescales.</p><p> </p><p>Ofsted judged the school as inadequate following an inspection in April 2018. As a result, an Academy Order was issued by the Regional School’s Commissioner (RSC) on 28 June 2018. The Forward Education Trust were approved as sponsor of the school by the RSC in April 2019. The department is working closely with the local authority and the Forward Education Trust regarding the site issue.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 05/11/2019 15:00:22 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1167650

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's press release, Prime Minister boosts schools with £14 billion package, published on 30 August 2019, when the £700 million for children with special educational needs will be allocated; and whether that funding will be ring-fenced.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	8269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>On 11 October 2019 we notified local authorities of their provisional allocations of high needs funding for the next financial year 2020-21, which included an additional £780 million, compared to their 2019-20 allocations. This additional £780 million will not be ring-fenced within the total high needs funding allocations to local authorities, which will rise to over £7 billion next year. The high needs allocations will form part of the dedicated schools grant to local authorities, and can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-tables-for-schools-and-high-needs-2020-to-2021" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-tables-for-schools-and-high-needs-2020-to-2021</a>.</p><p>The dedicated schools grant is ring-fenced and has to be spent by local authorities on education in accordance with the regulations and conditions of the grant.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 05/11/2019 09:04:47 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1167649

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Truancy: Fines
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the (a) effect of the £60 fine per child or young person for unauthorised absences on the level of those absences and (b) potential effect of an increase in that fine on the level of absences.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	8268
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Parents have a duty, under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, to ensure that their child of compulsory school age (5-16) receives an efficient full-time education either by attendance at school or otherwise.</p><p>If parents register their child at school, the law places a duty on parents to ensure their child of compulsory school age attends school regularly.</p><p>A penalty notice is a fine issued to parents for failing to secure their child’s regular attendance at school. The Parental Responsibility Measures Attendance census collects data from local authorities annually on parental responsibility measures issued to address poor attendance in state-funded schools. It is a matter for schools and local authorities to decide whether to issue a penalty notice for unauthorised term time absence.</p><p>The Department has not formally assessed the impact of penalty notices, but comparable data shows overall absence rates have remained fairly stable across recent years, following a generally downward trend since 2006/07 (4.8% in 2017/18, compared to 6.5% in 2006/07).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 05/11/2019 16:50:53 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1149514

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2019
	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	Charities: Pay
	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 assessment she has made of trends in the level of remuneration for chief executives in the charity sector in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	745
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>Setting executive pay is a matter for a charity’s trustees to determine, acting in the best interests of their charity. In doing so the charity trustees need to consider a number of factors, including securing value for money for the charity, and the impact of their decisions on public trust. The Charity Commission for England and Wales requires charities to include information on the number of staff receiving remuneration in excess of £60,000, in their Annual Return. This information will be published in income bands on the charity register. The Charity Commission also requires charities to include information on the remuneration of their highest paid staff member. It will use this data to make a study of pay in charities and will publish its findings, once that work is complete.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Loughborough answering member printed Nicky Morgan grouped question UIN 1088 question first answered 22/10/2019 18:16:52 answering member 4027 label Biography information for Baroness Morgan of Cotes
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1156169

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Government: Personal Records
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date funding for gov.verify stops.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	5083
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>In October 2018, the Cabinet Office announced that government funding would stop in March 2020. GOV.UK Verify provides secure access to 21 government services and has over 5.2 million accounts. The government is committed to ensuring that services are able to access the identity services they need beyond April 2020 and has set out plans for how it will support the creation of a thriving digital ID market.</p> answering member constituency Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire answering member printed Simon Hart question first answered 29/10/2019 16:36:29 answering member 3944 label Biography information for Simon Hart
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147986

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	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	Charities: Pay
	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 assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of remuneration for chief executives in the charity sector in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	293706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</p> answering member constituency Loughborough answering member printed Nicky Morgan question first answered 08/10/2019 16:07:20 answering member 4027 label Biography information for Baroness Morgan of Cotes
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147979

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	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	Sepsis: Babies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress (a) his Department and (b) the NHS has made since February 2017 on preventing and reducing neonatal sepsis.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	293705
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The NHS England and NHS Improvement Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme works with every NHS maternity and neonatal service in England, to support a culture of continuous learning and better multi-professional working.</p><p>The programme provides structured support for local teams to develop innovative plans for measurable improvements. This includes improving the early recognition and management of deterioration with suspected sepsis in mothers and babies, during or soon after birth.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 08/10/2019 14:56:33 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147968

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians; what progress he has been made on naming the phenomenon of Christian discrimination and persecution.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	293704
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>​Rehman Chishti MP, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro’s Review. Work has begun to implement the recommendations in a way that will bring real improvements in the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief. On naming the phenomenon of Christian discrimination and persecution, we believe that a definition is best agreed upon by the Christian communities themselves. If a term is agreed, we will consider how it might add value to our work on freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/10/2019 15:07:46 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147955

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public Appointments
	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 his Department has made on appointing a director-general level champion for freedom of religious belief.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	293703
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>​Rehman Chishti MP, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro’s Review. Work has begun to implement the recommendations in a way that will bring real improvements in the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief. We are considering how to take forward the recommendation to appoint a Director General champion for freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/10/2019 15:02:26 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147719

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Finance
	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 review the 3000 pupil threshold for academy capital funding; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	293702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>Schools and those responsible for school buildings receive condition funding through different routes depending on their size and type. All schools receive funding to spend on their capital priorities through an annual Devolved Formula Capital allocation. In addition, local authorities and larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) receive a School Condition Allocation (SCA) to invest in their priorities across the schools for which they are responsible. MATs are eligible for SCA if they have five or more academies and at least 3,000 pupils. The Department also offers an allocation to academy chains (groups of more than one trust) where they meet the size criteria as a group and have opted in. Smaller or stand-alone academy trusts and sixth form colleges can bid for funding to the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). The funding available through CIF and SCA is calculated on the same basis per pupil.</p><p>For financial year 2020-21, condition allocations, the eligibility threshold for SCA will remain the same. The Department keeps funding policy under review, and we are undertaking a new school Condition Data Collection (CDC), due to complete later this year. The CDC will provide a high-level assessment of the condition of state funded schools in England and will help inform future capital funding policy.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 07/10/2019 16:29:25 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147425

	registered interest
	date	01/10/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Cabinet plans to discuss the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	292977
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>​Work has begun to implement the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro's Review in a way that will bring real improvements in the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief. In accordance with the Bishop's recommendation, the former Foreign Secretary wrote to Ministerial counterparts to ask them to take note of the Review's recommendations. We are now considering how we might best take forward a Cabinet discussion of Freedom of Religion or Belief in a way that galvanises cross-governmental action on this issue.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/10/2019 15:35:49 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147424

	registered interest
	date	01/10/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians, what progress he has made with his counterparts at the UN on enhancing the protections afforded to (a) Christians and (b) other minority religions in the Middle East.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	292976
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2019 answer text <p>The persecution of Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East, remains of profound concern to us. The British Government is strongly committed to standing up for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) all over the world, including the Middle East. This commitment was reiterated by the Prime Minister in a statement Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon delivered on his behalf on 22 August, as well as by the UK Delegation to the OSCE on 19 September, and most recently in Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon's statement on 27 September at the UN General Assembly.</p><p>Bishop Philip’s report has identified specific steps the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and Rehman Chishti, MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, is overseeing their implementation. This work will include exploring how best to deliver a new UN Security Council Resolution on protecting Christians and other minorities in North Africa and the Middle East.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/10/2019 11:54:25 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1147166

	registered interest
	date	30/09/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Government: Proof of Identity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal from the Verify scheme of service providers on people in (a) Walsall North constituency that have enrolled with that service and are required to re-enrol with another service provider.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	292335
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/10/2019 answer text <p>Under the current GOV.UK Verify contracts, no users will have to re-enroll with a different identity provider to create a new GOV.UK Verify account.</p> answering member constituency Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire answering member printed Simon Hart question first answered 04/10/2019 15:39:14 answering member 3944 label Biography information for Simon Hart
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1146195

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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	West Africa: Religious Freedom
	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 his Department is taking to help tackle religious oppression against (a) Christians and (b) other religious groups in (i) Burkina Faso and (ii) other parts of West Africa.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	291144
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>​The UK is deeply concerned about the security deterioration in Burkina Faso and the Sahel, including attacks in recent months against religious minorities. We are committed to working with all partners, including Burkina Faso and other countries in West Africa, to protect freedom of religion and belief for all. As the UK increases its work to encourage stability and prosperity in the Sahel, we will continue being vocal champions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 30/09/2019 14:46:04 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1146193

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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: Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his Department is playing in promoting religious diversity in Iraq.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	291143
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>​The UK is committed to promoting and protecting the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief across Iraq. The importance of religious tolerance and diversity was a major subject of discussion during the visit of Iraqi President, Barham Salih, to the UK in June, and in my meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim on 25 June. To support the return of displaced members of Iraq's Christian communities, we have committed £23.15 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation which is helping Iraq to rebuild territory, including predominately Christian areas, liberated from Daesh.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 30/09/2019 14:44:13 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1146191

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians are being prioritised; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	291142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK’s support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler grouped question UIN 291141 question first answered 30/09/2019 12:26:20 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1146190

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	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 his Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	291141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK’s support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler grouped question UIN 291142 question first answered 30/09/2019 12:26:20 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1138872

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	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	Housing: Repairs and Maintenance
	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 meet the Chancellor to discuss the potential cost benefits of reducing VAT on the (a) building products and (b) low-carbon technologies used to retrofit homes to improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency and the health of occupants.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	277276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>I regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s carbon reduction policies.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 23/07/2019 15:20:11 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1138608

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2019
	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 recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on the time taken to conduct the trial of Jagtar Singh Johal in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	276588
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>​We regularly make representations on Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s behalf, including raising his right to a fair trial. Our High Commissioner in India raised this with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK most recently on 10 June.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:41:27 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1138607

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Multi-academy Trusts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to help ensure that schools take the leading role in deciding whether to (a) form and (b) join a multi-academy trust.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	276587
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The process to become an academy is school led, with schools’ Local Governing Bodies taking the initiative to apply to their Regional School Commissioners’ office on whether to join an existing academy trust, or form one with partner schools. The only exception to this, where the department takes a leading role, is where a school is judged as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted, as the law requires the Secretary of State to make an order enabling the school to become an academy.</p><p> </p><p>The department aims to ensure that all schools considering becoming academies are able to join strong academy trusts, and this has historically been supported through trust capacity funding. Ultimately, our ambition is for every school that wants to, to benefit from the autonomy and freedom to innovate that academy status offers, and for schools to collaborate through strong academy trusts.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 17/07/2019 14:43:33 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1137860

	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	Academies : Finance
	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 review the 3,000 pupil threshold for academy capital funding; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
	uin	275237
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>Condition funding is allocated each year to those responsible for school buildings to improve and maintain the condition of the school estate. Schools and those responsible for school buildings receive condition funding through different routes depending on their size and type.</p><p>Local authorities and larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) receive a school condition allocation to invest in condition priorities across their schools. School condition allocations for 2019-20 are available online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding</a>.</p><p>MATs and opted in academy chains currently receive school condition allocations if they have 5 or more academies and at least 3,000 pupils. Smaller and stand-alone academy trusts instead apply for capital funding to the Condition Improvement Fund. All schools also receive an allocation of devolved formula capital to invest in smaller capital projects to meet their own priorities.</p><p>The department keeps condition funding policy under review and plans to publish the methodology for school condition allocations for the 2020-21 financial year in autumn 2019. The eligibility for school condition allocations in 2020-21 will remain consistent with previous years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 17/07/2019 16:52:03 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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