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1361141

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2021
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme will be re-opened.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	58840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2021 answer text <p>The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not yet open. Officials are working urgently to stand up the remaining elements of the scheme, amid the complex and changing picture.</p><p>The Government will continue to work closely with other government departments, non-governmental organisations, charities, local authorities and other partners and relevant organisations in the development and implementation of the ACRS.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 27/10/2021 16:35:41 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1256551

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Coronavirus
	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 deliver of covid- secure teaching without the use of (a) facemasks and (b) social distancing at special educational needs and disability schools during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	122675
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2020 answer text <p>The guidance entitled ‘full opening: special schools and other specialist settings’ includes details on how settings should put in place proportionate ‘System of Control’ measures to minimise the risk of transmission, including advice on the use of face masks and managing social distancing. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings</a>. Relevant for all specialist settings, this guidance is informed by advice from Public Health England and is updated, as necessary, to reflect current advice. Based on current evidence and the measures that settings have already put in place, such as the system of controls and consistent bubbles, face coverings will not be necessary in the classroom even where full social distancing is not possible. Face coverings could have a negative impact on teaching and their use in the classroom should currently be avoided.</p><p>Mainstream and special schools that teach children in years 7 and above, and which are under tier 1 local restrictions, may decide to recommend the wearing of face coverings for pupils and adults in indoor communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. When an area moves to tier 2 or 3 local restrictions, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils in year 7 and above in communal areas, and when moving around the premises outside of classrooms. This does not apply to those of any age who are exempt, such as those who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical impairment or disability, illness or mental health difficulties.</p><p>Primary school head teachers have the discretion to require adults to wear face coverings in indoor situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Primary-aged school children do not need to wear a face covering.</p><p>We recognise that maintaining distance or forming bubbles could be particularly difficult in special schools, particularly given the need for staff to administer care and provide therapies to children and young people. However, the average number of pupils or students attending a special school is much lower than the average number in a mainstream school, and this, in itself, will help to limit the number of contacts for any individual.</p><p>Our guidance, entitled ’Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’ provides further support on preventing and controlling infection, including the use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#what-care-should-be-taken-in-residential-settings-including-residential-schools-residential-special-schools-and-childrens-care-homes" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#what-care-should-be-taken-in-residential-settings-including-residential-schools-residential-special-schools-and-childrens-care-homes</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 03/12/2020 11:46:15 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1170905

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2020
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	NHS: Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Welsh Government's administration of the NHS in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	900138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2020 answer text <p>I am grateful for this opportunity to emphasise our commitment to the NHS. In Wales it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to use their funding effectively. We are committed to working with the Welsh Government to ensure that a high standard of healthcare and access to services is available.</p> answering member constituency Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire answering member printed Simon Hart question first answered 15/01/2020 15:52:30 answering member 3944 label Biography information for Simon Hart
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1220932

	registered interest
	date	06/07/2020
	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: Licensing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps to implement the conclusions of the paper entitled, Wildlife Licencing in England: Chaos, Crisis and Cure, published by the Countryside Alliance, National Gamekeepers’ Association and the Moorland Association on 29 May 2020; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	69528
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2020 answer text <p>The paper calls for a feasibility study into Defra taking back control of individual licensing from Natural England (NE).</p><p> </p><p>Last spring, following a legal challenge by Wild Justice which led NE to revoke three general licences for the lethal control of wild birds, the then Secretary of State decided to take responsibility for granting the relevant general licences under s16(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. He considered it appropriate to take over this function, recognising the scale of interest and concern that had been generated by the decision to revoke. Defra issued new interim general licences on 14 June 2019, and launched a review to inform longer-term licensing arrangements. At the time, wild bird control on and near European sites and lethal control of gulls had to be excluded from those interim licences, and has been regulated since then via individual licence by NE.</p><p> </p><p>I appreciate the frustrations expressed in the report regarding individual licensing, and the Secretary of State is working closely with NE to ensure that these issues are resolved as quickly as possible. NE has received a very high number of applications for control of the two gull species and for control of other species on protected sites. NE has invested in its capacity to address the anticipated increase in licence applications. However, the information provided in a significant number (approximately 90%) of applications has not been sufficient to make informed decisions. The process of requesting and processing outstanding information from applicants has added considerably to the timescale needed to determine licence applications. We would expect this number to decrease in future years as applicants become better acquainted with the level of information required, and as wild bird control on European sites is brought back within the general licence following the review.</p><p> </p><p>Defra and NE are committed to achieving a licensing regime for wild birds which is both robust and workable for users. Our review is seeking to achieve this based on extensive evidence review and consultation with stakeholders.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 14/07/2020 14:57:17 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1249191

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2020
	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	Inland Waterways: Standards
	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 he is taking under the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill to improve the health of (a) rivers and (b) other inland waters.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	112040
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2020 answer text <p>The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill is a Private Members' Bill sponsored by my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Ludlow. The Government is very supportive of the intentions of the Bill. With regard to measures to improve the health of rivers and other inland waters, the Government remains committed to bringing at least three quarters of our waters to as close as possible to their natural state as soon as is practicable. In support of this, we will be bringing forward a further legally binding target as part of the targets setting processes set out in the Environment Bill.</p><p> </p><p>Sewage management by some water companies and diffuse pollution from agriculture are the two biggest sources of pollution affecting England's water environment. Through regulation, enforcement, financial incentives and educational schemes, we are improving poor farming practices which lead to water pollution. Our new Environmental Land Management scheme will be a critical part of that.</p><p> </p><p>With regard to sewage pollution, water companies are committed in the five-year business planning period (2020-2025) to a significant programme of improvements to the monitoring and management of storm overflows at a cost of around £1.2 billion. However, I recognise that there is more to do. I met water company CEOs in September and made clear that the volumes of sewage discharged into rivers and other waterways in extreme weather must be reduced. To achieve this, I have set up a new Taskforce bringing together the Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental NGOs. This Taskforce will set out clear proposals to address the volumes of sewage discharged into our rivers. The Taskforce is also exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 10/11/2020 15:07:30 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1338810

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Beverage Containers: Deposit Return Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will use the introduction of a UK Deposit Return Scheme to create a world-leading system that (a) covers all materials and (b) ensures higher (i) collection and (ii) recycle rates across all materials.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	20384
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing a world leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. We expect the introduction of a DRS to deter littering of in-scope containers; increase recycling of in-scope containers; provide higher quality recyclate for reprocessors; and influence consumer behaviours with potential knock-on effects to other environmental activities.</p><p>We have now consulted twice on introducing a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses to the second consultation, including those on scope and materials, with a view to publishing a government response later this year. An impact assessment for the introduction of the scheme will also be published alongside the Government response.</p><p>In developing proposals, the government have considered the inclusion of cartons in the scheme. However, the recent consultation proposed that cartons would not be captured by DRS and instead could be collected through kerbside collections. Cartons could be included in the core list of materials to be collected in the dry recyclable waste streams, and producers could pay for disposal of the packaging through the reformed packaging producer responsibility regime.</p><p>We continue to assess the implications of which materials are included and excluded from the DRS, including any possible confusion this could cause. This includes drawing on evidence and findings from international DRS schemes to inform the final design and scope of a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p><p>No specific assessment has been made by the Government on material substitution but it is something we will continue to consider in finalising the DRS scope.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 20385 20386 20387 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:45:20 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1338811

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Beverage Containers: Deposit Return Schemes
	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 assessment his Department has made of the environmental benefits of including carton packages in the proposed Deposit Return Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	20385
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing a world leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. We expect the introduction of a DRS to deter littering of in-scope containers; increase recycling of in-scope containers; provide higher quality recyclate for reprocessors; and influence consumer behaviours with potential knock-on effects to other environmental activities.</p><p>We have now consulted twice on introducing a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses to the second consultation, including those on scope and materials, with a view to publishing a government response later this year. An impact assessment for the introduction of the scheme will also be published alongside the Government response.</p><p>In developing proposals, the government have considered the inclusion of cartons in the scheme. However, the recent consultation proposed that cartons would not be captured by DRS and instead could be collected through kerbside collections. Cartons could be included in the core list of materials to be collected in the dry recyclable waste streams, and producers could pay for disposal of the packaging through the reformed packaging producer responsibility regime.</p><p>We continue to assess the implications of which materials are included and excluded from the DRS, including any possible confusion this could cause. This includes drawing on evidence and findings from international DRS schemes to inform the final design and scope of a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p><p>No specific assessment has been made by the Government on material substitution but it is something we will continue to consider in finalising the DRS scope.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 20384 20386 20387 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:45:20 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1338812

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Beverage Containers: Deposit Return Schemes
	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 assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of studies and trials undertaken in other countries which examine the feasibility of including carton packages in Deposit Return Schemes.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	20386
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing a world leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. We expect the introduction of a DRS to deter littering of in-scope containers; increase recycling of in-scope containers; provide higher quality recyclate for reprocessors; and influence consumer behaviours with potential knock-on effects to other environmental activities.</p><p>We have now consulted twice on introducing a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses to the second consultation, including those on scope and materials, with a view to publishing a government response later this year. An impact assessment for the introduction of the scheme will also be published alongside the Government response.</p><p>In developing proposals, the government have considered the inclusion of cartons in the scheme. However, the recent consultation proposed that cartons would not be captured by DRS and instead could be collected through kerbside collections. Cartons could be included in the core list of materials to be collected in the dry recyclable waste streams, and producers could pay for disposal of the packaging through the reformed packaging producer responsibility regime.</p><p>We continue to assess the implications of which materials are included and excluded from the DRS, including any possible confusion this could cause. This includes drawing on evidence and findings from international DRS schemes to inform the final design and scope of a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p><p>No specific assessment has been made by the Government on material substitution but it is something we will continue to consider in finalising the DRS scope.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 20384 20385 20387 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:45:20 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1338813

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Beverage Containers: Deposit Return Schemes
	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 assessment his Department has made of the potential for (a) consumer confusion, (b) material substitution and (c) other unintended consequences if a limited number of packaging materials are included in the proposed Deposit Return Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	20387
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing a world leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. We expect the introduction of a DRS to deter littering of in-scope containers; increase recycling of in-scope containers; provide higher quality recyclate for reprocessors; and influence consumer behaviours with potential knock-on effects to other environmental activities.</p><p>We have now consulted twice on introducing a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses to the second consultation, including those on scope and materials, with a view to publishing a government response later this year. An impact assessment for the introduction of the scheme will also be published alongside the Government response.</p><p>In developing proposals, the government have considered the inclusion of cartons in the scheme. However, the recent consultation proposed that cartons would not be captured by DRS and instead could be collected through kerbside collections. Cartons could be included in the core list of materials to be collected in the dry recyclable waste streams, and producers could pay for disposal of the packaging through the reformed packaging producer responsibility regime.</p><p>We continue to assess the implications of which materials are included and excluded from the DRS, including any possible confusion this could cause. This includes drawing on evidence and findings from international DRS schemes to inform the final design and scope of a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p><p>No specific assessment has been made by the Government on material substitution but it is something we will continue to consider in finalising the DRS scope.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 20384 20385 20386 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:45:20 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1195100

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2020
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bus Services: Private Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 exemption period for private school coaches from July 2020 to July 2025; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	46044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>Operators, local authorities and education establishments have had almost twenty years to comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000.</p><p> </p><p>Government has offered temporary exemptions for certain statutory and school procured services whilst compliant vehicles are procured, which will ensure that children are still able to get to and from their place of education.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently liaising with stakeholders to understand the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the ability of operators to comply and what further support might be required.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 20/05/2020 14:31:34 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker