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1038324

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:24:41
	answering body	Department for Transport
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:25:10 17/01/2019 15:11:01
	hansard heading	Department for Transport: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206831
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 14:39:46
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the level of social exclusion is in rural areas; and what assessment his Department has made of the link between social exclusion and access to public transport in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206831
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206831
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>In December 2018 the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published their annual digest of statistics on a range of social and economic subject areas. This survey also shows that levels of belonging are, in fact, 10% higher in rural areas.</p><p> </p><p>However, we acknowledge that for some, a lack of public transport can prevent people from having the social connections that they want, particularly in rural areas. The Department for Transport is one of five government departments to have loneliness added to the ministerial portfolio, and sits on the cross-government group which takes responsibility for driving action on social exclusion.</p><p> </p><p> </p> question first answered 17/01/2019 14:39:46 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038325

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:24:44
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:25:13 16/01/2019 15:58:01
	hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206832
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	16/01/2019 15:26:29
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the level of social exclusion is in rural areas; and what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206832
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206832
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p><strong> </strong>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they feel they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-government team on tackling loneliness are working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies from the earliest stages so that they take account of the needs and circumstances of rural areas. Defra supports this through the provision of guidance and statistical information.</p><p>DWP undertakes analytical research through a range of trials and proof of concept, which considers claimants in rural and urban settings. To ensure DWP services are relevant to the needs of the individual and locality, JCP staff monitor local developments, with a focus on overcoming barriers to gain employment. Where there is a perceived gap, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to provide additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>In delivering a personalised service, claimant needs are taken into account when arranging any attendance. Work coaches personalise the support they provide for each claimant based on individual need and circumstance, including the offer of home visits or postal signing where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p> question first answered 16/01/2019 15:26:29 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038327

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:24:46
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:25:16 17/01/2019 13:03:10
	hansard heading	Department of Health and Social Care: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206833
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 12:33:01
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206833
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206833
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Public Health England (PHE) and the Local Government Association jointly published ‘Health and Wellbeing in Rural Areas’ in March 2017, which describes the inequality experienced by some rural communities; gives a steer for local authorities on issues to consider in meeting the needs of rural communities and provides examples of case studies of how local areas are addressing this. The report is available to view at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-rural-areas" target="_blank">https://www.local.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-rural-areas</a></p><p> </p><p>Last October, the Government published England’s first Loneliness Strategy which lays the foundation for people to build better and more meaningful connections. The practical measures to reduce loneliness set out in the strategy can also help to address social exclusion across the country.</p><p> </p><p>The Department welcomed the opportunity to draw on its own policies and programmes and its arm’s length bodies, including on primary care, public health, carers, mental health, social care and technology and digital support to inform the Loneliness Strategy, and remains committed to working alongside businesses, healthcare professionals, charities, community groups and local authorities to have a real and lasting impact on loneliness.</p> question first answered 17/01/2019 12:33:01 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038341

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:25:19
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:35:26 17/01/2019 16:53:06
	hansard heading	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206841
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 16:21:01
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206841
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206841
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>In order to inform delivery of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the Department regularly reviews data and assessments relating to our cities, towns and rural areas, to understand both the challenges they face and the competitive advantages they hold. Our Ageing Society Grand Challenge includes £98 million of Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund investment into a ‘healthy ageing programme’, which will drive the development of new products and services to help people live in their homes longer, tackle loneliness and increase independence and wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>BEIS is also supporting economic development and tackling regional disparities across the UK through the Strength in Places Fund, which received an additional £120 million of funding in Autumn Budget 2018. The programme supports businesses across the UK to adopt new technologies and to drive innovation-led growth, driving economic prosperity across all areas of the UK.</p> question first answered 17/01/2019 16:21:01 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038343

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:25:23
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:35:28 17/01/2019 15:10:02
	hansard heading	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206842
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 14:38:09
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206842
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206842
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-government loneliness team, based in DCMS, is overseeing the implementation of England’s first Loneliness Strategy, with policies for both rural and urban areas. Government has also unlocked £20 million to tackle loneliness across England including the £11.5m Building Connections Fund, from which evidence will be gathered on what interventions work in different places, including rural areas. Guidance has also been published with the Office for National Statistics to establish a consistent way of measuring loneliness.</p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies. DCMS supports this through engagement with rural stakeholders and utilising Defra guidance and statistical information.</p><p> </p> question first answered 17/01/2019 14:38:09 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038344

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:25:26
	answering body	Department for Education
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:35:31 14/01/2019 17:26:05
	hansard heading	Department for Education: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206843
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	14/01/2019 16:54:39
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206843
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206843
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The department aims to provide every child and young person with world-class education, training and care regardless of their background or where they come from.</p><p>Opportunity Areas (OAs) in England are at the heart of our work to learn what works best in areas with entrenched social mobility barriers so that we can roll out successful approaches across the country. We chose these 12 areas to make sure that there was a geographical spread, allowing us to test approaches in a rural context as well as in urban and coastal locations.</p><p>Outside of the work undertaken in OAs, the department has made no assessment of social exclusion in rural areas. However, we are aware of the contribution that schools make to rural communities, which is why we support the presumption against the closure of rural schools in England.</p><p> </p><p> </p> question first answered 14/01/2019 16:54:39 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038345

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:25:29
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:35:33 17/01/2019 17:52:01
	hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206844
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 17:20:45
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206844
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206844
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the below refers to England only.</p><p> </p><p>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they feel they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-Government team on tackling loneliness is working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p><p> </p><p>Defra publishes the Statistical Digest of Rural England, a collection of statistics on a range of social and economic themes including poverty and well-being. The Digest allows for comparisons between rural and urban areas and is updated throughout the year. The Digest is available on gov.uk at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistical-digest-of-rural-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistical-digest-of-rural-england</a> <strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the Government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies from the earliest stages so that they take account of the needs and circumstances of rural areas. Defra supports this through the provision of guidance and statistical information.</p> question first answered 17/01/2019 17:20:45 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038346

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:25:31
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	ddp modified	10/01/2019 14:45:05 16/01/2019 15:58:04
	hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206845
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	16/01/2019 15:26:29
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of her Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206845
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206845
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p><strong> </strong>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they feel they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-government team on tackling loneliness are working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies from the earliest stages so that they take account of the needs and circumstances of rural areas. Defra supports this through the provision of guidance and statistical information.</p><p>DWP undertakes analytical research through a range of trials and proof of concept, which considers claimants in rural and urban settings. To ensure DWP services are relevant to the needs of the individual and locality, JCP staff monitor local developments, with a focus on overcoming barriers to gain employment. Where there is a perceived gap, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to provide additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>In delivering a personalised service, claimant needs are taken into account when arranging any attendance. Work coaches personalise the support they provide for each claimant based on individual need and circumstance, including the offer of home visits or postal signing where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p> question first answered 16/01/2019 15:26:29 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038398

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:27:17
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:37:08 21/01/2019 10:22:02
	hansard heading	Exports
	house id	1
	identifier	206862
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	21/01/2019 09:50:52
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the value is of exports of goods and services from the UK which are currently governed by WTO rules.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206862
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206862
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Based on the latest estimates, in 2017 the UK exported £613.4bn in goods and services to WTO members (including special member state territories of the European Union). This trade is subject to both WTO and potentially other preferential trade agreement rules. This accounts for 99.3% of the UK’s total exports of goods and services.</p><p> </p><p>Of this total, £101.2bn worth of goods and services were exported to countries that are WTO members but do not, at the time of writing, benefit from any form of preferential or non-MFN trade in any goods or services with the EU-28. This accounts for 16.4% of the UK’s total exports of goods and services.</p><p> </p><p>Source: ONS UK trade in services April to June 2018 (NSA) and ONS Monthly UK Trade Statistics, October 2018.</p> question first answered 21/01/2019 09:50:52 answering member 4016 label Biography information for Sir George Hollingbery
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038399

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:27:19
	answering body	Scotland Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:37:10 17/01/2019 13:08:01
	hansard heading	Exports: Scotland
	house id	1
	identifier	206863
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 12:36:11
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the value is of exports of goods and services from Scotland which are currently governed by WTO rules.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206863
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206863
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Official figures show that total international and rest of the UK exports in 2016 (excluding oil and gas) were estimated at £75.6 billion. Exports to the rest of the UK accounted for 61 per cent of this total (or £45.8bn) and international exports accounted for 39 per cent (or £29.8bn).</p><p> </p><p>Both the European Union (EU) and the individual EU countries are members of the WTO. The EU has bilateral trade and investment relationships with a great number of countries, including Scotland’s top international export destination valued at £4.8bn, the USA.</p><p> </p> question first answered 17/01/2019 12:36:11 answering member 1512 label Biography information for David Mundell
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1038401

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	11/01/2019
	date	09/01/2019
	date tabled	09/01/2019
	ddp created	09/01/2019 21:27:22
	answering body	Scotland Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	ddp modified	09/01/2019 21:37:13 17/01/2019 13:06:01
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	identifier	206864
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	17/01/2019 12:34:58
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of his Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 206864
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	206864
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The main levers by which to address social exclusion in Scotland lie within the devolved competence of the Scottish parliament. However, my office regularly discuss these matters with other government departments, devolved bodies and stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the cross-government team on tackling loneliness are working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p> question first answered 17/01/2019 12:34:58 answering member 1512 label Biography information for David Mundell
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047725

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	24/01/2019
	date tabled	24/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:02
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	28/01/2019 11:15:09 01/02/2019 15:03:01
	hansard heading	Low Pay: Rural Areas
	house id	1
	identifier	212428
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	01/02/2019 14:31:50
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to tackle low pay in rural areas.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212428
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212428
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Government is committed to delivering an economy that works for all. Through the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, the Government is ensuring the lowest paid across the UK are fairly rewarded for their contribution to the economy. For example, 3,100 workers in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk are currently on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.</p><p>The Government has committed to increase the National Living Wage to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020, subject to sustained economic growth. To meet this target, we will increase the National Living Wage rate by 4.9% to £8.21 in April 2019, benefiting 1.8 million workers directly. This increase will mean that a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be over £2,750 better off over the course of the year, compared to when the policy was introduced. Furthermore, inflation-beating increases in the National Minimum Wage rates are expected to benefit 350,000 young workers from April 2019.</p> question first answered 01/02/2019 14:31:50 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047727

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	24/01/2019
	date tabled	24/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:07
	answering body	Treasury
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	ddp modified	24/01/2019 19:19:02 01/02/2019 09:01:02
	hansard heading	Soft Drinks: Taxation
	house id	1
	identifier	212429
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	01/02/2019 08:29:44
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money has accrued to the public purse from the soft drinks levy in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) England.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212429
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212429
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Total receipts from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy duty are published here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/soft-drinks-industry-levy-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/soft-drinks-industry-levy-statistics</a></p><p>Year-to-date, to April to December 2018, the total raised was £155m.</p><p> </p><p>A breakdown of revenue for Soft Drinks Industry Levy by country is not available.</p> question first answered 01/02/2019 08:29:44 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047728

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	24/01/2019
	date tabled	24/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:09
	answering body	Department for Transport
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	ddp modified	24/01/2019 19:19:05 31/01/2019 14:47:04
	hansard heading	Aviation: Scotland
	house id	1
	identifier	212430
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	31/01/2019 14:15:29
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage the creation of international connections to and from Scotland from other UK airports.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212430
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212430
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Government is supportive of all airports including those in Scotland, in creating new international connections. The Government believes that air passengers are best served by a commercial airline market which is able to operate in a competitive environment. It is solely a matter for airlines to determine which airports they operate based on their own assessment of costs and passenger demand.</p> question first answered 31/01/2019 14:15:29 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047729

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	24/01/2019
	date tabled	24/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:12
	answering body	Department for Transport
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	ddp modified	24/01/2019 19:19:07 30/01/2019 16:01:03
	hansard heading	Cycling: Safety
	house id	1
	identifier	212431
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	30/01/2019 15:29:25
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve cycle safety on roads.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212431
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212431
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Government is focused on making cycling and walking safer and easier, and to that end the Department for Transport undertook a major cycling and walking safety review in 2018. Following an extensive public consultation, the Department published its full response and a detailed two year action plan on 22 November 2018, which is available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/governments-response-to-the-cycling-walking-investment-strategy-safety-review" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/governments-response-to-the-cycling-walking-investment-strategy-safety-review</a></p> question first answered 30/01/2019 15:29:25 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047730

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	24/01/2019
	date tabled	24/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:14
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	ddp modified	24/01/2019 19:19:09 01/02/2019 16:27:01
	hansard heading	Food: Scotland
	house id	1
	identifier	212432
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	01/02/2019 15:55:25
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase food and drink exports from Scotland to (a) Asia (b) South America and (c) Africa.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212432
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212432
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Department for International Trade (DIT) supports companies in Scotland and the rest of the UK to trade globally through initiatives including the GREAT campaign, Export Campaigns, the Tradeshow Access Programme and financial support offered by UK Export Finance. The Department’s Export Strategy sets out how we will put in place the right practical, promotional and financial support to help businesses to grow sustainably by exporting. This also includes support from dedicated food and drink teams working for Her Majesty's Trade Commissioners across Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa.</p><p> </p><p>DIT also supports the Government’s work to gain overseas market access for produce from the UK. In China, we have secured market access for seed potatoes, a huge boon to the Scottish farming industry which delivers about 70% of the UK seed potato export volume, alongside access for beef, where UK exports are expected to be worth £250m over 5 years.</p> question first answered 01/02/2019 15:55:25 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1047732

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	28/01/2019
	date	25/01/2019
	date tabled	25/01/2019
	ddp created	24/01/2019 19:13:19
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	ddp modified	25/01/2019 15:45:27 31/01/2019 13:51:02
	hansard heading	Polar Regions and Seas and Oceans: Waste
	house id	1
	identifier	212433
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	31/01/2019 13:19:59
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what international representations are being made to reduce waste in the oceans in international waters and the Polar Regions.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 212433
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	212433
	version	3
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The UK is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 – preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds. Marine litter is a global issue affecting every region of the world’s oceans and therefore needs global action. To achieve this goal we are working through a number of organisations and multilateral organisations.</p><p>We played a leading role within the G7 to drive ambitious action under the Ocean Plastics Charter in 2018 which has secured support from 16 governments and 20 businesses and organisations.</p><p>In April 2018 the Prime Minister launched the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, an action group under the Commonwealth Blue Charter that takes action on marine plastic pollution. Led by the UK and Vanuatu, 24 Commonwealth country members of the CCOA have pledged ambitious action to tackle plastic pollution. The CCOA is supported by a package of UK aid of up to £66.4m, which will provide technical assistance and boost much needed research and innovation to stop plastic entering the marine environment in the first place.</p><p>In the Polar Regions, the UK has maintained strong involvement in finalising the environmental aspects of the Polar Code, through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Protection of the Marine Environment Working Group (PAME). The Polar Code includes mandatory measures covering pollution prevention from various wastes. The dumping of plastic waste in Antarctica is prohibited and UK fishing operators are leading action to reduce plastic pollution released into Antarctic waters.</p> question first answered 31/01/2019 13:19:59 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1054596

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	06/02/2019
	date	04/02/2019
	date tabled	04/02/2019
	ddp created	04/02/2019 23:10:41
	answering body	Treasury
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	ddp modified	04/02/2019 23:17:04 07/02/2019 13:41:02
	hansard heading	Gift Aid: Scotland
	house id	1
	identifier	216364
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	07/02/2019 13:09:11
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much gift aid have charities based in Scotland received in each of the last three years.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 216364
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	216364
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The amount of Gift Aid paid to charities that have indicated to HMRC that they are registered in Scotland is £80 million in each of 2016, 2017 and 2018. Some of these charities may also be registered in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.</p> question first answered 07/02/2019 13:09:11 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1054597

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	06/02/2019
	date	04/02/2019
	date tabled	04/02/2019
	ddp created	04/02/2019 23:10:43
	answering body	Department for International Development
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	ddp modified	04/02/2019 23:17:06 11/02/2019 18:17:04
	hansard heading	Department for International Development: Scotland
	house id	1
	identifier	216365
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	11/02/2019 17:45:45
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress she has made on expanding administrative operations for her Department in Scotland.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 216365
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	216365
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>DFID has continued to increase the number of staff based in its office in East Kilbride, Scotland. The number of Home Civil Servants employees based in Abercrombie House has increased from 600 in January 2015 to 904 in January 2019, and we continuously look to maximise the use of space in this office.</p><p> </p> question first answered 11/02/2019 17:45:45 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1058703

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	13/02/2019
	date	11/02/2019
	date tabled	11/02/2019
	ddp created	11/02/2019 21:10:06
	answering body	Department for Transport
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	ddp modified	11/02/2019 21:26:34 19/02/2019 18:19:03
	hansard heading	Railways: Electrification
	house id	1
	identifier	219526
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	19/02/2019 17:45:20
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) geographic and (b) track miles of train tracks have been electrified in each year since 1997.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 219526
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	219526
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The information requested is provided in the table below, covering England and Wales:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar year in which electrification infrastructure completed and testing completed to make ready for passenger use (Note 1)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Approximate total route miles in the year (Note 2)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Secretary of State for Transport</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1997</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1998</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1999</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2000</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2001</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2002</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2003</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>Alistair Darling</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>Sir Patrick McLoughlin</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>32</p></td><td><p>Sir Patrick McLoughlin</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>42</p></td><td><p>Chris Grayling</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>107</p></td><td><p>Chris Grayling</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>49</p></td><td><p>Chris Grayling</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>TOTAL</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>258</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p><em>Note 1</em> – this date is not necessarily the date when the infrastructure is first used in timetabled passenger service.</p><p> </p><p><em>Note 2</em> – the route mileage figures are approximate. The figures are for the ‘traditional’ / existing railway only, so exclude the 67 miles of HS1 completed before 2010.</p> question first answered 19/02/2019 17:45:20 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1058904

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	13/02/2019
	date	11/02/2019
	date tabled	11/02/2019
	ddp created	11/02/2019 21:22:29
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	ddp modified	13/02/2019 15:15:12 19/02/2019 16:59:18
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Children
	house id	1
	identifier	219527
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	19/02/2019 16:24:51
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, what programmes his Department (a) promotes and (b) funds to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers into their communities.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 219527
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	219527
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>​The UK is firmly committed to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers and to protecting all children affected by armed conflict.</p><p>The UK is an active member of the United Nations Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which leads the international response to the issue of child soldiers and child protection. This includes pressing those parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's annual report on CAAC to enter into concrete action plans with the UN to verify and release any child soldiers associated with armed groups and forces and to prevent re-recruitment. We apply diplomatic pressure to listed governments and armed groups, and fund projects to help protect and rehabilitate vulnerable children. We also press for the inclusion of child protection in peacekeeping responses through UN mandate renewals and resolutions.</p><p>The UK is the largest single financial contributor to the office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for CAAC contributing £800,000 in the last five years. We have shown our support for the SRSG's recently launched Global Coalition for Reintegration (GCR) by joining the 'Friends of Reintegration' group, a forum to generate new ideas for supporting reintegration programmes for children formerly associated with armed groups. The GCR is working to provide more reliable funding to ensure higher quality, longer-term reintegration programming and prevention of re-recruitment for all children formerly recruited and used by armed groups and forces. The UK has confirmed that it will be increasing its funding to the office of the SRSG for CAAC to £450,000 for the FY19/20 to continue assisting the SRSG with her current mandate, and will be giving an additional £50,000 to fund extended activities pertaining to the GCR.</p><p>In 2018, the UK endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, a political commitment to reduce the impact of conflict on education, and the Vancouver Principles, a political commitment to ensure that child protection and preventing the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups are operational priorities during the conduct of United Nations peace operations. As a member of the Group of Friends of CAAC in Geneva, we also participated in a joint statement to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2018, in which we reiterated our strong support for the mandate of the SRSG for CAAC. We worked very closely with Sweden and others to agree Resolution 2427 adopted by the UN Security Council in July 2018, to strengthen protection mechanisms for children in armed conflict.</p> question first answered 19/02/2019 16:24:51 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1058905

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	13/02/2019
	date	11/02/2019
	date tabled	11/02/2019
	ddp created	11/02/2019 21:22:32
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	ddp modified	13/02/2019 15:15:15 19/02/2019 17:03:11
	hansard heading	Central African Republic: Armed Conflict
	house id	1
	identifier	219528
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	19/02/2019 16:30:16
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the recruitment of children by (a) armed forces and (b) groups in the Central African Republic.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 219528
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	219528
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>​The UK recognises the recruitment of children by armed groups is a significant problem in the Central African Republic (CAR). Partners of the Department for International Development (DFID) based in CAR integrate child protection principles throughout all programmes, ensuring that the dignity and safety of children is paramount in all services. We were the fourth largest donor to the CAR Humanitarian Response in 2018 and the largest donor to the CAR Humanitarian Fund. Through the CAR Humanitarian Fund, 59,318 (16,000 DFID attributable) girls and boys were supported with protection focussed activities, including 11,420 (3,083 DFID attributable) children with identification, documentation, tracing and reunification support. 31,309 (8,453 DFID attributable) children also benefitted from psychological support activities, protection mechanism and life-saving message training while 176 teachers and parents were trained on psychosocial support.</p><p>UNICEF has reported that since 2014 approximately 13,000 children have been released from armed groups in CAR. The UK is also funding War Child UK to reach conflict-affected boys and girls in CAR and help them to receive education and psychosocial support, integral services for facilitating recruitment prevention. Through our humanitarian partners in CAR, we will continue to monitor the situation on the ground to prevent more children from being recruited into armed groups.</p> question first answered 19/02/2019 16:30:16 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1058906

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	13/02/2019
	date	11/02/2019
	date tabled	11/02/2019
	ddp created	11/02/2019 21:22:35
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	ddp modified	13/02/2019 15:15:18 19/02/2019 16:59:14
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Children
	house id	1
	identifier	219529
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	19/02/2019 16:24:52
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office , what funding his Department has allocated to programmes to prevent the recruitment of children by armed forces and groups.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 219529
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	219529
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>​The UK is firmly committed to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers and to protecting all children affected by armed conflict.</p><p>The UK is an active member of the United Nations Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which leads the international response to the issue of child soldiers and child protection. This includes pressing those parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's annual report on CAAC to enter into concrete action plans with the UN to verify and release any child soldiers associated with armed groups and forces and to prevent re-recruitment. We apply diplomatic pressure to listed governments and armed groups, and fund projects to help protect and rehabilitate vulnerable children. We also press for the inclusion of child protection in peacekeeping responses through UN mandate renewals and resolutions.</p><p>The UK is the largest single financial contributor to the office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for CAAC contributing £800,000 in the last five years. We have shown our support for the SRSG's recently launched Global Coalition for Reintegration (GCR) by joining the 'Friends of Reintegration' group, a forum to generate new ideas for supporting reintegration programmes for children formerly associated with armed groups. The GCR is working to provide more reliable funding to ensure higher quality, longer-term reintegration programming and prevention of re-recruitment for all children formerly recruited and used by armed groups and forces. The UK has confirmed that it will be increasing its funding to the office of the SRSG for CAAC to £450,000 for the FY19/20 to continue assisting the SRSG with her current mandate, and will be giving an additional £50,000 to fund extended activities pertaining to the GCR.</p><p>In 2018, the UK endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, a political commitment to reduce the impact of conflict on education, and the Vancouver Principles, a political commitment to ensure that child protection and preventing the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups are operational priorities during the conduct of United Nations peace operations. As a member of the Group of Friends of CAAC in Geneva, we also participated in a joint statement to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2018, in which we reiterated our strong support for the mandate of the SRSG for CAAC. We worked very closely with Sweden and others to agree Resolution 2427 adopted by the UN Security Council in July 2018, to strengthen protection mechanisms for children in armed conflict.</p> question first answered 19/02/2019 16:24:52 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1058907

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	13/02/2019
	date	11/02/2019
	date tabled	11/02/2019
	ddp created	11/02/2019 21:22:38
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	ddp modified	13/02/2019 15:15:21 19/02/2019 17:12:01
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Children
	house id	1
	identifier	219530
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	19/02/2019 16:40:02
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, what assessment his Department has made on the effectiveness of steps by the international community to reintegrate and rehabilitate children previously recruited by armed forces and groups.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 219530
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	219530
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The UK is firmly committed to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers and to protecting all children affected by armed conflict.</p><p>To mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers (Red Hand Day), the UK took part in an UN Security Council (UNSC) Arria meeting on protecting children in shrinking humanitarian spaces. The UK called for better integration of the Children and Armed Conflict portfolio into UNSC country specific discussions and for all states to sign up to the key international commitments traversing this CAAC portfolio: the Paris Principles, the Vancouver Principles and the Safe Schools Declaration. The UK also highlighted the importance of mainstreaming child protection in peacekeeping missions and the need to consider whether denial of humanitarian access should be a violation which triggers a listing in the Secretary-General's annual report on CAAC. Sharing experiences on UK engagement on the CAAC agenda with other states serves to open up the humanitarian space and understand how collaborative engagement can strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon also met youth participants in the newly launched World Vision campaign '<em>It takes a World…to end violence against children</em>' to discuss their views and recommendations for the UK government regarding children in armed forces and groups, including how the UK can galvanise the international community to better support this agenda.</p><p>The UK can see a strong case in principle for re-galvanising our approach to reintegration and remains committed to supporting the valuable work of the SRSG's office in this respect. The UK has shown its support for the SRSG's recently launched Global Coalition for Reintegration (GCR) by joining the 'Friends of Reintegration' group, a forum to generate new ideas for supporting reintegration programmes for children formerly associated with armed groups and sharing best practice and lesson learnt with key member states. The GCR is working to provide more reliable funding to ensure higher quality, longer-term reintegration programming and prevention of re-recruitment for all children formerly recruited and used by armed groups and forces. The UK has confirmed that it will be increasing its funding to the office of the SRSG for CAAC to £450,000 for FY19/20 to continue assisting the SRSG with her current mandate and will be giving an additional £50,000 to fund extended activities pertaining to the GCR.</p> question first answered 19/02/2019 16:40:02 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1061016

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	18/02/2019
	date	14/02/2019
	date tabled	14/02/2019
	ddp created	14/02/2019 19:09:36
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	ddp modified	18/02/2019 14:17:56 20/02/2019 17:13:02
	hansard heading	Armed Conflict: Children
	house id	1
	identifier	221786
	legislature	25259
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	20/02/2019 16:39:47
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will assess the merits of the conclusions and recommendations of the report entitled, No Choice: It takes a world to end the use of child soldiers, published by World Vision International in February 2019; and what steps his Department is taking to protect children at risk of recruitment by armed forces and his groups.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 221786
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	221786
	version	3
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>​The UK government actively engages with civil society organisations, recognising that collaborative engagement can strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict. On 12 February 2019, the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon met four youth participants from World Vision UK's newly launched campaign entitled '<em>It takes a World...To End Violence Against Children'</em>, to discuss their views and recommendations for government action regarding the use of children in armed forces and groups. The UK government recognises the importance of amplifying young people's voices and the powerful impact this can have in raising the profile of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Agenda. The UK government therefore continues to engage with World Vision on this agenda. An invitation has been extended to World Vision to present at the newly established cross-government Working Group on CAAC.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is an active member of the United Nations Working Group on CAAC, which leads the international response to the issue of child soldiers and child protection. This includes pressing those parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's annual report on CAAC to enter into concrete action plans with the UN to verify and release any child soldiers associated with armed groups and forces and to prevent re-recruitment. The UK is the largest single financial contributor to the office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for CAAC, contributing £800,000 in the last five years. We have shown our support for the SRSG's recently launched Global Coalition for Reintegration (GCR) by joining the 'Friends of Reintegration' group, a forum to generate new ideas for supporting reintegration programmes and prevention of re-recruitment for children formerly associated with armed groups. The UK has confirmed it will be increasing its funding to the office of the SRSG for CAAC to £450,000 for the FY19/20 to continue assisting the SRSG with her current mandate and will be giving an additional £50,000 to fund extended activities pertaining to the GCR.</p> question first answered 20/02/2019 16:39:47 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	creator	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	publisher	25259
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont