The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to inspect industries associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and to respond to concerns about risk management reported to HSE.<\/p>
<\/p>
Adequate control measures for protecting workers from the risks of exposure to RCS are legally required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), including water suppression, equipment enclosure, extraction and personal protective equipment, such as respirator masks. COSHH also requires workers to be trained to effectively implement such controls.<\/p>
<\/p>
HSE works proactively with key stakeholders, trade associations and other industry bodies to raise awareness of the risks of exposure to RCS and to provide information and guidance on adequate control measures. This includes developing targeted communications to ensure that those at risk of exposure to silica dust from working with stone (including engineered stone) understand and are using the controls which can prevent exposure.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-06T15:48:01.953Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Silicosis: Composite Materials"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect workers from silicosis, in particular the risk posed by the installation of engineered stone countertops.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL488"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723946", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723946/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the regulation of biocidal products, such as aluminium phosphide. Aluminium phosphide is approved under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (assimilated Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) for use in pest control products against rodents and other vertebrates.<\/p>
<\/p>
These products are restricted to professional users holding specific accredited qualifications in the use of such products. These products are permitted only for a very limited number of uses and with strict control measures in place.<\/p>
<\/p>
Approval was granted following a detailed scientific assessment of the potential risks from the use of this chemical, which showed that there are no unacceptable risks to people, animals or the wider environment when products are used correctly in accordance with the restrictions and control measures placed on the products.<\/p>
<\/p>
Biocides are subject to periodic reviews to ensure risk assessments remain up to date. Aluminium phosphide is currently undergoing this process, and if the review identifies that any changes are required, suitable regulatory action will be taken by HSE to implement these.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-09T13:29:43.2Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pest Control: Aluminium Phosphide"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human, animal welfare, and environmental impacts of the use of aluminium phosphide in pest control, and whether they plan to further restrict its use.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL406"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723947", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723947/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The active substances difenacoum, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difethialone, collectively referred to as Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), are approved under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR) (assimilated Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) for use in pest control products against rodents.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the regulation of biocidal products, such as rodenticides, and undertakes rigorous scientific evaluation of biocidal products and active substances before allowing them to be placed on the market.<\/p>
Risk assessments carried out by regulators, including HSE, have shown that SGARs present a higher risk to non-target species than would normally be acceptable. However, it is recognised that alternative methods of rodent control may have limitations or may not always be suitable to tackle rodent infestations. Under GB BPR products with unacceptable levels of risk may still be authorised if it can be shown that the negative impact on society of not allowing their use would outweigh the risks of using them, as is the case with SGARs.<\/p>
An industry led stewardship scheme is in place in the UK for professional use of SGARs, with the key aim being to reduce the exposure of non-target wildlife to SGARs. Stewardship is overseen by a Government Oversight Group (GOG) led by HSE with representatives of other government stakeholders. The GOG receives annual reports on the residues of SGARs that are detected in barn owls (the sentinel species for rodenticide stewardship). The GOG keeps the rodenticide stewardship scheme under review, and one of the areas under consideration is extending the monitoring of SGAR residues to other species.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-09T12:45:46.52Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rats: Poisons"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on non-target species of the use of difenacoum, bromadioline, brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difethialone as rodenticides.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
], "uin" : "HL407"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723985", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723985/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government recognises the invaluable service provided by the millions of unpaid carers across the country who provide care and continuity of support for vulnerable people every day. It recognises the challenges they face and is determined to provide them with the support they deserve.<\/p> <\/p> The Government welcomes the report published by Carers UK, and is considering its findings. Ministers were pleased to meet with the organisation, and with carers, to discuss the issues raised shortly after publication of the report.<\/p> <\/p> More broadly, in respect of overpayments of Carer\u2019s Allowance, the Government is moving quickly to understand exactly what has gone wrong so that it can set out its plan to put things right.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-09T13:30:10.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Carer's Allowance: Overpayments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report, Carer\u2019s Allowance Overpayments, published by Carer\u2019s UK on 26 July.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4345", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Southwark"}
], "uin" : "HL463"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723986", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723986/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government recognises the challenges unpaid carers are facing and is determined to provide them with the help and support they need and deserve. It is looking closely at how the benefit system currently does this.<\/p> <\/p> Universal Credit provides support to carers on low incomes, whether they are in paid employment or not. Carer\u2019s Allowance, by contrast, is available to all unpaid carers, provided they are not in \u2018gainful employment\u2019. This is currently defined as having earnings not exceeding £151 a week net of allowable expenses. This level is reviewed annually alongside the Secretary of State\u2019s statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. Many Carer\u2019s Allowance recipients are in households also receiving Universal Credit, where the structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over \u2018gainful employment\u2019 test in Carer\u2019s Allowance.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> With respect to overpayments of Carer\u2019s Allowance due to the interaction with earnings, the Government is moving quickly to understand exactly what has gone wrong so that it can set out its plan to put things right.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-09T13:30:45.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Carer's Allowance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise (1) the limits on earnings and the number of hours that can be worked, and (2) the rate at which earnings above those limits can be reclaimed, for those in receipt of Carer\u2019s Allowance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4345", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Southwark"}
], "uin" : "HL464"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723770", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723770/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the honourable member to the answer to question UIN 500<\/a>, given on the 25 July 2024.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4979", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Western"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stretford and Urmston"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Western"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-02T11:26:04.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Compensation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will end the treatment of military compensation as income for the purpose of welfare benefit means tests.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1576", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Pritchard"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "The Wrekin"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Pritchard"}
], "uin" : "1911"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723784", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723784/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The DWP started sending Migration Notices to Housing Benefit only customers from 17 July 2024 and is committed to ensuring that the transition to Universal Credit works as smoothly as possible for all individuals.<\/p> <\/p> DWP has processes in place within Universal Credit to help reduce hardship, debt and risk of eviction. For example, people who receive Housing Benefit and then claim Universal Credit will receive a two-week run on of their housing payment while they transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment. Universal Credit customers who require support to adapt to Universal Credit can also have their housing costs paid directly to landlords through an Alternative Payment Arrangement.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-05T11:00:49.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing Benefit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on the transition from housing benefit to Universal Credit; and what steps she is taking to reduce (a) hardship, (b) debt and (c) eviction risks for households using housing benefit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4591", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Olney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond Park"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sarah Olney"}
], "uin" : "1966"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723785", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723785/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Official statistics for the number of people on Universal Credit<\/a> are published each month on Stat-Xplore<\/a>, with breakdowns available by Westminster Parliamentary Constituency<\/a>. The latest statistics are to June 2024, with a breakdown by employment indicator<\/a> available to May 2024.<\/p> <\/p> Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access general guidance<\/a> on how to extract the information required, with more detailed guidance available in the Universal Credit Official Statistics: Stat-Xplore user guide<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> Statistics on the number of people on Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, who are in employment, are not readily available and to provide them would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-05T10:55:27.597Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: High Peak"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people claiming in-work benefits in High Peak constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5115", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jon Pearce"}
], "uin" : "2000"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723786", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723786/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The requested information is published in the Move to Universal Credit statistics:<\/p>