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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

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

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

1123059

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Diplomatic Service: Public Appointments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the Government has in the appointment of ambassadors to the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	247663
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2019 answer text <p>​The appointment of Heads of Mission, both Ambassadors and High Commissioners, to the Court of St. James's is governed in international law by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) 1961. Article 4(1) of the VCDR requires that the sending State must ensure that agrément for the person it proposes to accredit as Head of Mission has been granted by the receiving State, before that person may be permitted by the receiving State to undertake the role. Under the VCDR a receiving State is not obliged to give reasons to the sending State for refusal of agrément.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office reviews all requests for agrément from sending States. On the recommendation of the Secretary of State, Her Majesty The Queen gives formal approval of appointments and grants their credentials in a formal ceremony.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 02/05/2019 15:16:19 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1123091

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences
	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 encourage victims of attempted rape to report that crime to the police.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	247665
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>Victims of sexual violence and abuse show immense bravery in coming forward, and we want them to have the confidence to report incidents knowing they will get the support they need and that everything will be done to bring offenders to justice.</p><p> </p><p>That is why we have nearly doubled funding for victim support services since 2013, as well as increasing the funding available to specialist rape and sexual abuse services by 10% - up to £24m over the next three years – to help provide advice, support and counselling to victims of these appalling crimes.</p><p> </p><p>We are also taking action through the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, backed by £100 million of funding, to support victims and prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. As part of this work we will undertake a review of the criminal justice system’s response to rape and sexual offences to ensure we support survivors through every stage of this process.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 03/05/2019 13:20:01 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1123093

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support is available to victims of attempted rape during the process of bringing their case to the police.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	247666
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>In accordance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code), a person is entitled to support if they have suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by a criminal offence. They are entitled to access victim support services at any time, whether they have reported a crime or not.</p><p>This year, the Government allocated £24m over the next three years to specialist sexual violence and abuse support services across England and Wales to provide advice, support and counselling to victims of these appalling crimes to help them cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of crime. Part of this funding will go towards Independent Sexual Violence Advisors to provide impartial advocacy for victims of sexual violence and abuse who have reported to the police or are considering reporting to the police.</p><p>In addition, in the cross-government Victims Strategy, which we published on 10 September 2018, we made a commitment to improve support for victims of crime, including by increasing the number of Registered Intermediaries, communication experts helping vulnerable victims and witnesses give their best evidence at police interview and at court.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 03/05/2019 13:22:19 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1128045

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Hospitals: Parking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	If she will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the abolition of hospital car parking charges in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	910963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The matter of hospital car parking is devolved in Northern Ireland and it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to intervene.</p><p><br>In the absence of devolved government it remains for NI Permanent Secretaries to take the decisions they believe necessary in line with the guidance the Secretary of State set out last November, to keep the country running.</p> answering member constituency Weston-super-Mare answering member printed John Penrose question first answered 22/05/2019 14:00:54 answering member 1584 label Biography information for John Penrose
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1128524

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2019
	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	Poultry: Animal Welfare
	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 help ensure that supermarkets which have committed to stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages by 2025 meet that target.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	257735
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2019 answer text <p>I am aware that all major supermarkets have committed to stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages by 2025. This is a voluntary initiative and as a result it is not necessary for the Government to take steps to help ensure they meet that target. The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and the welfare of our farmed livestock in all systems is protected by comprehensive and robust legislation.</p><p> </p><p>Consumers can make an informed choice as, under Commission Regulation (EC) 589/2008 laying down detailed rules as regards marketing standards for eggs, it is a requirement to include an indication of the farming method on the packs and the eggs themselves.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 257736 question first answered 10/06/2019 14:16:19 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1128525

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2019
	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	Poultry: Animal Welfare
	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 the Government is taking to encourage supermarkets to stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages before 2025.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	257736
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2019 answer text <p>I am aware that all major supermarkets have committed to stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages by 2025. This is a voluntary initiative and as a result it is not necessary for the Government to take steps to help ensure they meet that target. The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and the welfare of our farmed livestock in all systems is protected by comprehensive and robust legislation.</p><p> </p><p>Consumers can make an informed choice as, under Commission Regulation (EC) 589/2008 laying down detailed rules as regards marketing standards for eggs, it is a requirement to include an indication of the farming method on the packs and the eggs themselves.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 257735 question first answered 10/06/2019 14:16:19 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1130384

	registered interest
	date	06/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on the impartiality of Ofsted of that organisation being responsible for the inspection of the quality of apprenticeships.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	261188
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2019 answer text <p>Ofsted is a non-ministerial department, which reports directly to Parliament. It inspects services providing education and skills for learners of all ages and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people. Its role is to make sure that organisations providing education, training and care services in England for children and students do so to a high standard. Ofsted inspects a range of provider types and different types of provision, including apprenticeships. It does so impartially, as an independent body.</p><p>For more information on how Ofsted inspects apprenticeships, please see the current Further Education and Skills Inspection Handbook here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-inspection-handbook" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-inspection-handbook</a> An updated version of the Handbook, released under the new Education Inspection Framework, is due to take effect from September 2019 and can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-inspection-handbook-eif" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-and-skills-inspection-handbook-eif</a></p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 13/06/2019 13:17:14 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon