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1259689

	registered interest
	date	09/12/2020
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Disease Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the ONS surveys of 30 October and 4 December 2020, whether he has made an assessment of (a) the reasons for the ONS downgrade of its estimate of covid-19 in England from 9.52 per 10,000 on 17 October to 4.89 per 10,000 on 17 October 2020 and (b) the effect of that revision on the Government’s decision to enter into a second national lockdown in November 2020; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that future covid-19 data published by the ONS will not require significant revision at a later date.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	127537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2021 answer text <p>The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published an extensive methodology document in relation to their COVID-19 Infection Survey, which states that:</p><p> </p><p>“All estimates presented in our bulletins are provisional results. As swabs are not necessarily analysed in date order by the laboratory, we have not yet received test results for all swabs taken on the dates included in this analysis. Estimates may therefore be revised as more test results are included”.</p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><p>The ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey is one of the many data sources the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies include in their scientific advice to Government used to inform decisions on COVID-19 restrictions. Other data sources include the REACT STUDY, Test and Trace data and COVID-19 deaths and hospital admissions. Collectively this data highlighted the need to tighten restrictions in November 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey is a pilot study developed at pace to help monitor the situation as it evolves and is therefore undergoing continual quality improvement.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 11/03/2021 17:32:53 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately previous answer version 69153 answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1259692

	registered interest
	date	09/12/2020
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Disease Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure peer review of the methods and independent verification of the results of ONS estimates of covid-19 cases.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	127538
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2020 answer text <p>The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 17/12/2020 16:57:27 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith attachment 1 file name PQ127538.pdf title UKSA response PQ127358
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1274693

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2021
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Licensed Premises
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason takeaway alcohol sales from pubs and restaurants are not permitted in the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown on the same basis as the previous lockdown; and if he will permit those sales.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	134421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2021 answer text <p>Throughout the pandemic, the Government has listened carefully to the views of the scientific community, the information from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its sub-groups when taking decisions on the best way to tackle the pandemic.</p><p>In recognition of the importance of transparency in these unprecedented times, SAGE has been publishing the statements and the accompanying evidence it has reviewed to demonstrate how the scientific understanding of COVID-19 has continued to evolve as new data emerges and how SAGE’s advice has quickly adapted to new findings that reflect a changing situation. Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close, with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway until 11pm, click-and-collect and drive-through. All food and drink including alcohol can continue to be provided by delivery.</p><p>The Government has these restrictions constantly under review.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 13/01/2021 14:33:34 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1276136

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress the Government has made on mass lateral flow testing of university students; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	137198
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2021 answer text <p>The Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care have worked in partnership with higher education (HE) institutions to deliver an asymptomatic mass testing programme to ensure that students could travel home from university in December and that students reading a subject listed within the guidance as essential in order to support the pipeline of future workers (as well as those with exemptions as outlined in guidance) can travel back to university safely and with confidence while protecting themselves, their friends, family and wider community.</p><p>Officials worked with the sector to ensure that almost all HE institutions were ready to provide 2 COVID-19 tests to students that returned in January 2021. I also wrote to Vice Chancellors on 21 January 2021, announcing that providers should commence regular ongoing lateral flow testing from 25 January 2021.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 28/01/2021 16:49:56 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1277438

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Bounce Back Loan Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential default rate for SMEs that took out loans under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme; and what steps he is taking to reduce that rate.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	138941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2021 answer text <p>The preliminary estimate of default rates was published in the BEIS Annual Report and Accounts for 19/20, is based on losses observed in previous programmes which are similar to the Scheme. However these estimates are highly uncertain.</p><p> </p><p>In order to reduce the potential default rate for SMEs, on 24th September my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Pay As You Grow measures. Under the measures, the Government will give all businesses that borrowed under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) the option to repay their loan over a period of up to ten years. This will reduce their average monthly repayments on the loan by almost half. UK businesses will also have the option to move temporarily to interest-only payments for periods of up to six months (an option which they can use up to three times), or to pause their repayments entirely for up to six months (an option they can use once and only after having made six payments).</p><p> </p><p>These changes will provide greater flexibility to repay these loans over a longer period and in a way that better suits businesses’ individual circumstances. A business which took out a £30,000 Bounce Back Loan would see their average monthly repayments fall from £532 to £309 (42% reduction) if they repaid the loan over 10 years rather than six. The same borrower could temporarily reduce their monthly repayments to just £63 if they switched to interest-only repayments.</p><p> </p><p>The first Bounce Back Loans repayments will begin in May 2021, and businesses will have the opportunity to request these Pay as you Grow measures before their first repayments fall due.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 21/01/2021 16:09:07 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1277439

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Business: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of setting up an equity finance scheme to support businesses through the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	138942
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2021 answer text As part of the government’s response to Covid-19, we developed the Future Fund, which provides equity finance for high growth, highly innovative companies. As of December, more than 900 firms have taken part in the scheme. answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 21/01/2021 14:34:00 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1277501

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Vaccination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to vaccinate partners of clinically extremely vulnerable persons at the same time that those persons are vaccinated to reduce risks to their care.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	138943
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/04/2021 answer text <p>The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are the independent experts who advise the Government on which vaccines the United Kingdom should use and provide advice on prioritisation at a population level, based on their assessments.</p><p>In line with current advice from the JCVI, adult members of a household that includes someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) are prioritised for vaccination according to their own age and clinical risk. They are not prioritised based on sharing a household with someone who is CEV, whether this person is an adult or a child, so will not be vaccinated at the same time.</p><p>Exceptions to this rule include those who are in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. These people should be offered vaccination in priority group six. Additionally, on 29 March 2021, the JCVI advised that household contacts of the immunosuppressed should be offered a COVID-19 vaccination alongside priority group six, and these people will be vaccinated accordingly.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 12/04/2021 14:02:06 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1278621

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Disease Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the financial effect of the extended duration of the covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions put in place in response to the covid-19 outbreak on (a) limited company directors, (b) the self-employed, (c) hospitality staff substantially remunerated through tronc payments and (d) others who have received no or limited Government support during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	140796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2021 answer text <p>The Government has provided substantial levels of support throughout this crisis to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods, and support businesses and public services across the UK. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has helped to pay the wages of people in 9.9 million jobs across the country and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has received claims from 2.7 million self-employed workers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has acknowledged that it has not been possible to support everyone as they might want and that the past months have been very difficult for many people.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has put in place a wide-ranging £280 billion package of support including over £65 billion in affordable finance to firms through business loan schemes, a temporary £8 billion increase to welfare, mortgage holidays, help with council tax payments, business loans, grants, a business rates holiday, and tax cuts and VAT deferrals.</p><p> </p><p>The resurgence of the virus has required further action to protect people’s health, while preserving the capacity of people to work and businesses to trade. The Government keeps the economic response to the pandemic under review.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 26/01/2021 14:22:21 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1278674

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2021
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Certificates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the iProov-Mvine vaccine passport, which was developed with Innovate UK funding, is undertaking a trial.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	140797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>At the time of the COVID-19 Fast Start competition, launched in April 2020, the path the pandemic would follow was unclear and the Government supported every project which could aid the response, including ‘vaccine passports’. Two British companies, Mvine and iProov, were funded by Innovate UK to develop a working prototype of a vaccine passport.</p><p>The Government will review whether COVID-19 status certification could play a role in reopening the economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety. This will include assessing to what extent certification would be effective in reducing risk, and the potential uses to enable access to settings or a relaxation of COVID-19 secure mitigations. The Government will also consider the ethical, equalities, privacy, legal and operational aspects of this approach and what limits, if any, should be placed on organisations using certification. It will draw on external advice to develop recommendations that take into account any social and economic impacts and implications for disproportionately impacted groups and individuals’ privacy and security.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 13/04/2021 15:20:54 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi previous answer version 77015 answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1280195

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2021
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	NHS: Mental Health
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the prevalence among hospital healthcare workers of (a) anxiety, (b) depression and (c) other clinically significant mental health symptoms (i) at the time of and (ii) subsequent to the first peak of the covid-19 outbreak; what steps he is taking to support those healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	142911
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2021 answer text <p>Assessments of staff mental health, which includes anxiety and depression, are routinely undertaken locally through analysis of sickness absence data and proactive engagement with staff to understand what support can be provided. A comprehensive package of health and wellbeing services are in place for National Health Service staff, including helplines for counselling and support and free access to well-being apps. £15 million is being invested to strengthen mental health support for NHS staff. This funding will be used to set up mental health hubs that will provide outreach and assessment services to help frontline staff receive rapid access to mental health services. Staff referred will be treated by local mental health specialists and those with the most severe needs will be referred to a specialist centre of excellence.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 03/02/2021 12:37:46 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker