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1386205

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	National Tutoring Programme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Tuition Partners pillar of the National Tutoring Programme, how many pupils have (a) been enrolled against the target of 524,000 for 2021-22 and (b) had at least one tutoring session as of 8 December 2021; how many schools have booked in tutoring; and whether those figures are above, below or on target for this point in the academic year.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	89550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2021 answer text <p>National Tutoring Programme participation data for last year has not yet been published.</p><p>We continue to collect data from schools for all three strands of the programme in the current year and will be publishing this in due course. This covers School-Led Tutoring, Tuition Partners and Academic Mentors.</p><p>The National Tutoring Programme aims to engage up to 2 million pupils this year, and to deliver up to 90 million <del class="ministerial">packages</del> <ins class="ministerial">hours</ins> of tuition by the 2024/25 academic year.</p><p><strong><br /> </strong></p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 14/12/2021 14:44:51 question first ministerially corrected 10/01/2022 12:52:15 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker previous answer version 38324 answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1327821

	registered interest
	date	25/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Family Courts: Disclosure of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in the Family Court process.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	7149
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Ensuring that decisions made in family proceedings are open and transparent to the public is something to which this Government<del class="ministerial"> has</del> give<ins class="ministerial">s</ins><del class="ministerial">n</del> careful consideration. We recognise that there is a delicate balance to be struck between ensuring that family proceedings are open and transparent to ensure adequate public scrutiny and the principle of public justice, whilst also ensuring that <del class="ministerial">the</del> we protect the privacy of vulnerable children and families who are party to such proceedings.</p><p><ins class="ministerial">In terms of attendance at hearings, most family proceedings are held in private. However, ‘accredited media representatives’ have been permitted to attend most types of hearings in family proceedings for several years. In addition, a pilot scheme to allow duly authorised lawyers, attending for journalistic, research or public legal educational purposes (colloquially referred to as 'legal bloggers') access to those same types of hearings was initiated in October 2018. That pilot scheme is scheduled to end in December 2021, but it is intended that it should be replaced by permanent provision in court rules, before that end date.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In terms of disclosure of information from family proceedings, for example by reporting it in the press or online, there are various legal provisions which determine if and when it is possible to disclose such information. These include laws on reporting restrictions and contempt of court. Judges dealing with cases have discretion to allow publication of information from family proceedings. In addition, court rules include provision about when it is possible to make disclosures of information without this being a potential contempt of court.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">This Government has taken several steps to increase transparency in family proceedings where appropriate. This has included continuing to support a pilot which allows accredited representatives of media outlets to have access to proceedings. The pilot allows legal bloggers access to proceedings with permission of the presiding judge. It also allows the blogger to write about their experiences at court but requires that names and personal information are kept anonymous.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The livestreaming of some Court of Appeal family proceedings is also now possible as a result of amendments made by the Court of Appeal (Recording and Broadcasting) (Amendment) Order 2020, which extended the existing livestreaming provision to cover family proceedings. Under this scheme, members of the public may view selected Court of Appeal family cases on the internet. Members of the judiciary select suitable cases for livestreaming, having taken into account the public interest. Proceedings involving litigants in person, and those with specific reporting restrictions, will not be selected. Participants in all selected hearings will be given the opportunity beforehand to object or to obtain further information.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">We have also allowed the livestreaming of Court of Appeal family proceedings. This became a permanent arrangement in June 2020 through the Live Streaming Court of Appeal SI 2020 and allows anyone to view a Court of Appeal family case on the internet (again, whilst protecting the anonymity of the parties involved).</del></p><p>Further recommendations for increasing transparency will be carefully considered to ensure that the children and families who use the family courts continue to be protected, whilst also ensuring adequate scrutiny is given to the family courts.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 07/06/2021 16:18:44 question first ministerially corrected 29/07/2021 08:31:40 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp previous answer version 4558 answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1186422

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Zero Hours Contracts: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department is providing to people on zero-hours contracts whose employment has been terminated as a result of covid-19 and do not qualify for Statutory Sick Pay because they are not self-isolating.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	32138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances and we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government has been clear in its commitment to support those affected in these difficult times and we have made a number of changes to the welfare system in the past fortnight to ensure people are supported in doing this. These changes include:</ins><br /></p><ul><li><ins class="ministerial">making it easier to access benefits. Those applying for Contributory ESA will be able to claim from day 1 – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessment. Both Universal Credit and Contributory ESA can now be claimed by phone or online;</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">increasing the standard allowance of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by around £1000 per year;</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">temporarily relaxing the application of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for all self-employed claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 to ensure that the self-employed can access UC at a more generous rate; and</ins></li><li><ins class="ministerial">increasing in the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</ins></li></ul><p><ins class="ministerial">Together, these measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Chancellor has also confirmed that, depending on their status, workers on zero hours contracts may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and we would urge people to explore this avenue too.</ins></p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/03/2020 11:57:37 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 15:01:33 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson previous answer version 14226 answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1466112

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2022
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to increase prosecution rates for (a) sexual assault and (b) rape offences.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	900270
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to increase the number of rape and sexual assault cases going to court.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS is undertaking extensive work to drive up and improve prosecutions through its Joint National RASSO Action Plan with the police, the Rape Strategy, and the Operation Soteria Path Finders, which are testing methods for best practice in six CPS Areas.</p><p> </p><p>Since publication of its strategy, the CPS has continued to see increases in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 26/05/2022 15:53:54 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1187084

	registered interest
	date	23/03/2020
	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	Personal Care Services: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the social distancing measures require (a) beauty salons, (b) nail parlours and (c) hairdressers to close to the public.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	33508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes.</p><p> </p><p>That is why, on 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced increased measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that should close immediately to include hairdressers, beauty and nail Salons.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 21/04/2020 08:49:22 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1204399

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2020
	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	Personal Care Services: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department will publish guidance on the safe reopening and operation of tanning and beauty salons that operate from home.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	59740
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>On 13 May, five ministerial-led taskforces were set up to develop plans for how closed sectors could reopen safely, including Close Contact Services such as tanning and beauty salons.</p><p> </p><p>As part of this work, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is engaging constructively with the Close Contact Services industry to develop guidance for them to reopen safely, given the higher risk of transmission in these environments where long periods of person to person contact is required. This work is progressing well.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 22/06/2020 15:26:26 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1216969

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2020
	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	Sunbeds: Coronavirus
	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 plans he has to reopen tanning salons as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	63313
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>We have been taking a phased, cautious approach to reopening our economy, so that we do not risk a second peak of the virus. On 23 June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced details of businesses which would be allowed to reopen on 4 July, provided they are COVID-secure.</p><p> </p><p>For those close contact businesses not opening on 4 July, such as tanning salons, we will be working closely to support those sectors and will set out further information in due course.</p><p> </p><p>On 23 June, we published COVID-19 secure guidance for businesses in close contact services which will help businesses such as tanning salons prepare for reopening.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 29/06/2020 10:35:08 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1218657

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2020
	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	Personal Care Services: Coronavirus
	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 plans the Government has for the reopening of (a) beauty and (b) tanning salons as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	66021
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government has published safer working guidance on 23 June for close contact services, including beauty and tanning salons. Following my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s announcement, hairdressers and barbers in England will be able to reopen from 4 July, to offer hairdressing services, once they are following the COVID-secure guidelines. Other close contact services, like beauty and tanning salons, remain closed until further notice.</p><p> </p><p>We are taking a phased, cautious approach to reopening our economy, working with businesses, trade associations and medical experts on the safest way to reopen close contact services like beauty and tanning salons where there is often greater risk of transmission due to prolonged periods of face-to-face contact and close proximity between staff and customers. We intend to allow close contact services to re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 02/07/2020 09:09:59 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224983

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2020
	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	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Apprentices
	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 steps his Department is taking to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	74507
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department gives full regard to the public sector apprenticeship target. The Department, and each of the Executive Agencies that contributes to the Department’s target, have apprenticeship plans that focus on their specific capability needs and skills.</p><p> </p><p>Together, we are promoting apprenticeships as a means of recruiting new and diverse talent. This includes exploring which roles are suitable for apprentices, and broadening our reach by advertising apprentice vacancies on the Government’s ‘Recruit an Apprentice’ service. The Department also promotes and encourages apprenticeships as a route for existing staff to build capability and develop new skills.</p><p> </p><p>The Department, our Executive Agencies, and our wider public sector Partner Organisations, share our ideas and experience of delivering against the apprenticeship agenda, to build our apprentice numbers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department offers a wide range of apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7. This week, our Permanent Secretary held a virtual “Meet and Greet” with apprentices, celebrating the great work that they do for the Department. We also celebrate the work of our apprentices and promote further use of apprenticeships through an annual Apprenticeship Awards ceremony.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 20/07/2020 14:03:23 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1227374

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2020
	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	Green Homes Grant 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, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing retrospective claims for the green homes grant scheme to support businesses that will have work delayed until the scheme is introduced.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	78623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2020 answer text <p>The Green Homes Grant scheme will be available from the 30<sup>th</sup> September. The scheme has been designed to encourage homeowners to consider improving the energy efficiency of their homes (something we know lots of households put at the bottom of their list of priorities because of the cost), and focus on those measures which give greatest thermal benefits and carbon reductions, but which consumers are typically less likely to install on their own. Therefore, retrospective claims will not be eligible.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 01/09/2020 14:31:14 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon