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1379059

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Breakfast Clubs: Contracts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Government contracts for the provision of school breakfasts.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	75878
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2021 answer text <p>The government is committed to continuing support for school breakfast clubs in England and is further investing up to £24 million to continue our national programme for the next two years. This funding will support around 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas in England, including opportunity areas. This means that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.</p><p>The breakfast clubs programme is operated by our provider Family Action.</p><p>Throughout the current contract we will be working with this provider to monitor different aspects of the current programme and its effectiveness on school breakfast provisions. We will consider the best opportunities to share information as it progresses.</p><p>The department made a £38 million investment in the National School Breakfast Programme between March 2018 and July 2021. This has helped to set up or improve breakfast clubs in up to 2,450 schools in disadvantaged areas and to sustain them in the longer term.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/11/2021 17:06:11 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1401786

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2022
	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	Agriculture Act 2020
	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 progress he has made on delivering public payments for public goods since the passing of the Agriculture Act 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	101705
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2022 answer text <p>We are working in partnership with farmers to design our three future schemes that reward farmers and land managers for producing public goods: The Sustainable Farming Incentive; Local Nature Recovery; and Landscape Recovery.</p><p> </p><p>The Sustainable Farming Incentive will pay farmers for actions they take, going beyond regulatory requirements, to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way. In 2021 we launched the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot and received over 900 applications. The first agreements have started and will run until 2024. In 2022 we will start to roll-out the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme and intend to expand the scheme over the next 3 years. In December 2021 we published information on the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme - including indicative standards and payment rates. We are also continuing to develop the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway in partnership with farmers and experts, including surveying 300 farms to understand where animal welfare can be improved on farm. In 2022 we will start to roll-out core elements of the pathway and will launch the Annual Health and Welfare Review.</p><p> </p><p>The Local Nature Recovery scheme will pay for actions that support local nature recovery and deliver local environmental priorities; making sure the right things are delivered in the right places. We are currently developing the scheme and plan to make an early version of the scheme available to a limited number of people in 2023 as part of our plans for testing and rolling out the scheme. We will then roll out the scheme across the whole country by the end of 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Landscape Recovery will support the delivery of landscape and ecosystem recovery through long-term, large-scale projects, including projects to restore wilder landscapes in places where that's appropriate, large-scale tree planting and peatland restoration projects. We will pilot Landscape Recovery between 2022-24 through initiating at least 10 large-scale projects.</p><p> </p><p>We recently published a summary of what we’re learning from our programme of test and trials, where more than 3,000 people are leading projects to test ideas and are being used to develop the schemes.</p><p> </p><p>We have also launched the Farming Innovation Pathways competition for research and development within UK Research and Innovation’s Transforming Food Production programme to develop farm-focused innovations. We increased funding for the programme to £14.5 million due to high demand and quality research projects across farming sectors; projects started from October 2021.</p><p> </p><p>We have in addition:</p><ul><li>Launched the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme of grants.</li><li>Launched the Farming Investment Fund helping farmers invest in technology.</li><li>Begun offering free business planning advice to potentially 10,000 farmers through 19 bodies.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Throughout this time, we have been at the agricultural shows, taking part in Q&amp;A sessions with farmers, and engaging through our regular engagement groups as part of our ongoing dialogue with farmers and other interested parties.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 24/01/2022 15:53:17 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

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

1388716

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bus Services: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his Department's policy to publish the allocation of the Bus Recovery Grant in a timely manner to help ensure that travel companies can meet their relevant deadlines.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	94345
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>The allocation of Bus Recovery Grant funding to operators has been based on operator revenue and patronage projections. This data includes forecasts from operators which are not in the public domain. Each operator has been given their allocation and the funding received by each operator is commercially sensitive, therefore allocations will not be published.</p><p> </p><p>Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) are also allocated BRG funding and they have been informed of their own allocation along with all other LTAs. Grants received via Section 31 powers, such as the Bus Recovery Grant for Local Authorities, are routinely published by Local Authorities and are on gov.uk.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 05/01/2022 11:17:19 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1388717

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bus Services: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans announce allocations to local transport authorities for bus service improvement plans.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	94346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>At the Budget we announced £1.2 billion of dedicated funding for bus transformation deals, part of over £3 billion of new spend on buses over this Parliament. We will announce details of how that funding will be allocated in due course.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 05/01/2022 10:25:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	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

1383470

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Containers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to work with the shipping industry to reduce container shipping prices; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	84344
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2021 answer text <p>My Department is engaging with, and closely monitoring, the sector, along with other government departments. Shipping costs during 2021 have risen to a global high level in international freight markets as a result of unprecedented levels of demand driven by changed consumer behaviour during the pandemic.</p><p>Historical trends in the shipping sector shows pricing responds to supply and demand. Although industry estimates that high levels of demand and pricing are likely to continue into 2022, it is expected that pricing levels should similarly re-adjust when the current demand drivers change.</p><p>Nevertheless, Government continues to engage with the sector and will consider options to act in any helpful and appropriate way.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Witney answering member printed Robert Courts question first answered 03/12/2021 10:48:32 answering member 4589 label Biography information for Robert Courts
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1383471

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Containers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on reducing the cost of container shipping prices; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	84345
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2021 answer text <p>I refer my hon Friend the Member for Wycombe to the answer I gave on December 3, to Question UIN 84344 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-11-30/84344 where I noted that my Department is closely engaged with other government departments on this matters. This includes teams in the Secretary of State for International Trade’s Department.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Witney answering member printed Robert Courts question first answered 03/12/2021 11:13:38 answering member 4589 label Biography information for Robert Courts
	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