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1148768

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Business: Crawley
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps her Department has taken to support businesses in Crawley.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	165
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to making the UK the best place to start and grow a business, ensuring all businesses have access to the advice and support they need<del class="ministerial"> to succeed to start, grow, and scale up their businesses</del>.</p><p> </p><p>All businesses can access core services, information and guidance on starting up and running a business, as well as their statutory rights and obligations, on our GOV.UK sites and <a href="http://www.gov.uk/browse/business" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/browse/business</a>. The Business Finance and Support Finder tool on the website provides information on how to access a wide range of Government-backed financial support for start-up businesses, such as funding and grant schemes. The Government backed British Business Bank (BBB), as of July 2019, has provided funding of £6.6bn to over 89,000 businesses. In addition, since 2012, the Start-Up Loans Company (now part of BBB) has delivered over 67,000 loans worth over £534m. In Crawley they have issued 99 loans since 2012, worth over £680,000.</p><p> </p><p>This Government continues to work with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to drive forward local growth. Through three rounds of competitive Growth Deals, Government has invested over £9 billion of funding, including £304.3 million to Coast to Capital LEP, which covers Crawley, to empower local areas to reach their potential, boosting national productivity and growth.</p><p> </p><p>We have also supported and invested in the creation of a network of 38 Growth Hubs. Businesses in the Crawley constituency can access business advice through the Coast to Capital Growth Hub. Led and governed by the Coast to Capital LEP, the Growth Hub provides a free, impartial, ‘single point of contact’ to help businesses in the area identify and access the right support for them at the right time no matter their size or sector. This support includes helping businesses prepare for Brexit. In 2018-19 the Coast to Capital Growth Hub supported over 1,503 businesses and helped more than 313 individuals start a business.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/10/2019 16:11:37 question first ministerially corrected 22/10/2019 15:30:10 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 620 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1179302

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Young People: Carers
	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 help ensure that young carers and their families are (a) identified and (b) adequately supported so that those young people can be helped to achieve at school.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	18575
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>The government is committed to supporting young carers so that they are properly protected from excessive or inappropriate caring responsibilities and are supported to achieve their full potential. Consistent identification remains challenging, with many being ‘hidden’ and therefore unrecognised and/or unsupported.</p><p>Changes through the Children and Families Act 2014 simplified the legislation relating to young adult carers’ assessments, making rights and duties clearer to both young people and practitioners. This included promoting whole family approaches which triggers both and adult support services into action – assessing why a child is caring, what needs to change and what would help the family to prevent children or young people from taking on this responsibility in the first place.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education also provides schools with £2.4 billion each year in additional funding through the pupil premium to support disadvantaged pupils. We expect schools to make effective use of their pupil premium budgets. Schools know their pupils best and will spend the grant accordingly to meet pupil needs, which includes where needs are based on a parent’s health issues or disability.</p><p> </p><p>We published the Children in Need Review conclusion in 2019. This sets out our approach to helping schools and children’s social care improve the educational outcomes of children in need, including those young carers assessed as being in need of help and protection.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 28/02/2020 16:33:46 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1669518

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	World Radiocommunication Conference
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to (a) prepare for the World radiocommunication conference and (b) protect the UK's interests in space at that conference.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	1524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>I recognise the importance of the decisions of the World Radiocommunications Conference to UK industry, especially the space sector.</p><p> </p><p>Government and Ofcom have developed our negotiating positions since the last conference in 2019, balancing the interests of multiple operators, networks and services in both space and terrestrial environments. UK stakeholders have been given the opportunity to influence our approach and Ofcom consulted in 2022.</p><p> </p><p>At the conference, Ofcom will lead the UK delegation which will include officials from departments and agencies with spectrum interests. This includes DSIT, the Ministry of Defence, UK Space Agency, and the Met Office.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Sir John Whittingdale question first answered 21/11/2023 10:35:50 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1188601

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	World Health Organization: Development Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what information her Department holds on how the World Health Organisation plans to spend funding granted to that organisation by the UK Government in the next 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	37585
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government provides funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) through a number of specific health programmes and through core funding. In the next 12 months, our core funding will support WHO deliver its 13<sup>th</sup> General Programme of Work that seeks to protect 1 billion people from health emergencies, provide 1 billion more people with access to universal health coverage, and enable 1 billion more people to live healthier lives. Our health programme support addresses specific UK priorities within the 13<sup>th</sup> General Programme of Work, for example, health systems strengthening, global health security and work to end the preventable deaths of mothers, children and new-borns.</p><p>The UK is the second largest Member State funder to WHO overall; this amount varies year upon year based on need – this was around 10% of WHO’s income over the last two years. The UK’s contribution to WHO for COVID-19 response is world-leading and will likely significantly increase UK’s share.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 27/04/2020 16:05:59 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1190805

	registered interest
	date	27/04/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	World Health Organization: Development Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to Answer of 27 April 2020 to Question 37585 on World Health Organisation: Overseas Aid, what reforms to the World Health Organisation her Department is seeking as a result of that agency's response to the covid-19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	40582
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>DFID expects WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), established in 2016, to continuously improve and develop its critical work.</p><p>As an example, in our annual reviews of performance, we have noted the need for WHE to continue to develop its capabilities around human resources – to ensure it can get the right people, in the right place at the right time.</p><p>Any review of WHE’s should come after the world has successfully addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and should consider the whole global response across countries and the international system, as well as WHO. The UK will engage on any review with a detailed position when this is forthcoming.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 04/05/2020 14:52:35 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1195535

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2020
	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	Wildlife: Smuggling
	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 reports he has received on the increase in (a) the international trade in tigers and tiger body parts and (b) captive breeding of wild animals; and what steps he is taking to ban trophy imports to the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	46605
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK is a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which places strict controls on international trade in tigers. We are aware of concerns raised in relation to the illegal trade in tigers and tiger farms and remain fully committed to working with our international partners, including through CITES, to ensure strong protection is in place and to bring an end to the illegal trade in wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>A consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies to and from the UK was undertaken between 2 November 2019 and 25 February 2020. The outcome of the consultation, and the accompanying call for evidence, will inform our next steps and we are continuing to work on this important area.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 21/05/2020 15:21:47 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

797469

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2017
	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	Wildlife: Smuggling
	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 recent steps his Department has taken to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	116432
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2017 answer text <p>Combatting the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a priority for the UK government. This is why we are investing £26 million globally, and working with international partners, to tackle the systemic issues driving IWT. This includes funding initiatives directly and through Defra’s IWT Challenge Fund to reduce demand, strengthen enforcement, ensure effective legal frameworks and develop sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by IWT.</p><p> </p><p>The UK government is committed to taking action as part of global efforts to assure the future of elephants. That is why we are currently consulting on proposals to ban all UK sales of ivory which contribute directly or indirectly to the poaching of elephants.</p><p> </p><p>Following the success of the inaugural international conference on IWT in London in 2014, and subsequent successful conferences in Kasane in 2015 and Hanoi in 2016, the UK will bring global leaders back to London in October 2018 for a fourth high-level international meeting. This meeting will ensure that IWT stays at the top of the political agenda and that all participants deliver on the commitments they have made.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 06/12/2017 09:54:51 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1250008

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Wholesale Trade: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on extending business rates relief to wholesale distributors.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	91868
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>The Government has provided Local Authorities with £1.1billion across England via the Additional Restrictions Grant, for businesses which are not legally closed, but which are severely affected by local or national restrictions.</p><p>Local Authorities have discretion on how to use this funding to support businesses in their areas, but the Government encourages them to set up discretionary grant schemes to support businesses such as wholesalers which can remain open, but which are nonetheless severely affected by the enhanced COVID-19 restrictions.</p><p>All business rates reliefs in England will be considered through the business rates review.</p><p>In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not normally disclosed.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 91871 question first answered 16/11/2020 16:54:24 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1250009

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Wholesale Trade: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to financially support wholesale distributors in localities where local authorities do not include them in eligibility for five per cent discretionary grant funding announced as part of the Plan for Jobs.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	91869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>During this difficult time for the country, I absolutely recognise the extreme disruption to people’s lives, jobs, and businesses due to the necessary actions to tackle COVID-19. This includes those in the wholesale sector who play a critical role in supporting our food supply chain.</p><p>The Government recognises that businesses which are legally required to close due to national or local restrictions will need additional support. This is why we have announced the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) scheme, which will provide businesses in England which are legally required to close with grants of up to £3,000 per four-week closure period, depending on their rateable value.</p><p>For businesses which are not legally closed, but which are nonetheless severely impacted by local or national restrictions, we have provided Local Authorities with a further £1.1billion across England via the Additional Restrictions Grant.</p><p>Local Authorities have discretion on how to use this funding to support businesses in their areas, but we encourage them to set up discretionary grant schemes to support businesses such as wholesalers which can remain open, but which are nonetheless severely affected by the enhanced COVID-19 restrictions.</p><p>Businesses across the country, including wholesale distributors, should also be able to benefit from others measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for businesses, including:</p><p>• The extension to 31 March of the CJRS, through which employees will receive up to 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500 per month; <br>• Support for the self-employed via the SEISS, which will provide the self-employed with grants worth up to 80% of trading profits, covering November to January; <br>• The extension of the application deadline for loan guarantee schemes to the end of January 2021; <br>• An adjustment to the Bounce Back Loan Scheme rules to allow those businesses who have borrowed less than their maximum (i.e. less than 25% of their turnover) to top-up their existing loan; and <br>• Help for businesses in repaying loans from Government-backed schemes through the Pay as you Grow scheme and allowing lenders to extend the terms of CBILS loans to up to 10 years.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 16/11/2020 14:38:45 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1313027

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Wholesale Trade: Business Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to include wholesalers in the guidance for local authorities on the administration of the new Business Rates Relief Fund.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	206
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2021 answer text <p>The Government has announced a £1.5 billion pot of additional business rates relief for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that have not otherwise been eligible for existing reliefs. The statement by the Minister of State for Regional Growth and Local Government of 25 March 2021 explained the relief will be allocated to local authorities based on the stock of properties in the area and the sector-specific economic impacts of COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>Formal guidance will follow in due course, setting out the specific considerations that Local Authorities (LAs) should have regard for when providing relief. Relief will be for LAs to award on a discretionary basis. Funding will be available once the legislation relating to material change in circumstance provisions has passed and LAs have established their own local relief schemes. The Government will support LAs to do this as quickly as possible, including through new burdens funding.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 19/05/2021 13:22:33 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith