The UK welcomed the creation of the Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders under the Aarhus Convention.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is considering the issues raised in the Special Rapporteur's two recent letters, in the context of the UK's obligations under the Aarhus Convention.<\/p>
<\/p>
We will respond in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1579", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Creagh"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mary Creagh"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-30T16:00:18.03Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Correspondence"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to respond to the letter from the UN Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders under the Aarhus Convention of 12 March 2024.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4088", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stella Creasy"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walthamstow"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Stella Creasy"} ], "uin" : "1672"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723567", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723567/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and to recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. We will announce further plans in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4359", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kinnock"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aberafan Maesteg"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Kinnock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-30T11:00:10.78Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Dental Services: Coastal Areas and Rural Areas"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to end the proposed use of NHS Dental Vans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "1695"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723323", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723323/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Under East Midlands Railway\u2019s plan, the new Class 810 \u2018Aurora\u2019 Bi-mode trains will commence passenger service operation during 2025, with phased introduction continuing into 2026.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4943", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Lightwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wakefield and Rothwell"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Lightwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T15:33:21.627Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for introducing new trains on the Midland Mainline between Sheffield and London.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/394", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Clive Betts"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield South East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Clive Betts"} ], "uin" : "1464"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723324", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723324/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State is committed to working closely with metro mayors, and understands the important relationship between them and the Department. This commitment to collaboration includes on projects such as Midland Main Line electrification. Discussions on transport issues with regional and local leaders have already begun.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T15:29:21.577Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with the metro mayors on the potential merits of electrifying the Midland Mainline.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/394", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Clive Betts"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield South East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Clive Betts"} ], "uin" : "1465"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722802", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722802/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1506", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Gwynne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gorton and Denton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Gwynne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Covid-19 Inquiry"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Prime Minister's Written Statement of 18 July 2024 on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 Report, HCWS11, whether the Prime Minister's personal commitment to each and every family who lost loved ones includes those who lost loved ones as a result of a Covid-19 vaccine.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/242", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Christchurch"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Christopher Chope"} ], "uin" : "1179"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722813", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722813/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As of 26 July 2024, we have issued 10 letters confirming to postmasters that their convictions have been quashed by the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Ministry of Justice, Northern Irish Executive and Scottish Government are taking all reasonable steps and are working at pace to identify those within scope of the legislation. To do this, the Government is examining data spanning multiple decades and from multiple sources, including but not limited to the Post Office, the Police National Record, and court files. It is necessary that this process is undertaken carefully.<\/p>
<\/p>
The previous Government said publicly that most letters confirming to individuals that their convictions have been quashed would be sent by the end of July. However, since then inconsistencies have been identified between the different datasets and the Government has therefore decided to conduct extra checks to ensure that all decisions on scope are correct.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4038", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Heidi Alexander"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Swindon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Heidi Alexander"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-30T09:44:35.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Horizon IT System: Convictions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many postmasters have been notified that their convictions have been quashed by the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kevin Hollinrake"} ], "uin" : "1307"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722824", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722824/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Civil Service advertises all SCS vacancies on the principle of External by Default.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> External by Default means that vacancies will be open to external candidates outside the Civil Service, as well as existing civil servants, unless an exception applies. Use of exemptions for any post must be approved by the Departmental Minister or Permanent Secretary in Non-Ministerial Departments.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> This policy applies to all Ministerial departments, Non-Ministerial departments, Executive Agencies and Crown Non-Departmental Public Bodies.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> This policy was applicable on 30 May 2024 and 23 July 2024.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> On the 30 May 2024, in accordance with the General Election Guidance 2024, any appointments that required approval by the Prime Minister, and other Civil Service and public appointments likely to prove sensitive (including those where Ministers have delegated decisions to officials or other authorities) were frozen until after the election, except in exceptional circumstances (General Election Guidance, Section H, para 1-4).<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> Where an appointment was required to be made, because the role was urgent or critical, and including where necessary sensitive SCS positions, the role could be filled on a temporary basis by exception. The principle of external by default for all SCS recruitment was maintained during the pre-election period. Any temporary appointments were subject to approval via the exemption process (Civil Service Recruitment Framework 2022). During the pre-election period, approval for urgent exemptions to external by default could be made by Permanent Secretaries where Ministerial availability was limited.<\/p> Responsibility for adhering to pre-election guidance in relation to recruitment sat with the hiring department.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5305", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Queen's Park and Maida Vale"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Georgia Gould"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-26T13:56:39.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Senior Civil Servants: Recruitment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Government's policy was on external by default for recruitment to senior civil service roles by (a) department and (b) organisation on (i) 30 May 2024 and (ii) 23 July 2024.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Barclay"}
], "uin" : "1260"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722873", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy Security and Net Zero"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722873/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government welcomes the CMA\u2019s work to investigate fuel prices and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5099", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Peckham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Miatta Fahnbulleh"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-26T11:43:59.813Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "215"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fuels: Retail Trade"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will introduce a statutory fuel finder scheme as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority's Road Fuel Market Study.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3973", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Grahame Morris"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Easington"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Grahame Morris"}
], "uin" : "1201"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722961", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722961/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential public services, including investing in the state education system.<\/p> <\/p> Further details on this policy will be set out in due course. The Government engaged with a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in Government policy as a matter of course, and this will include engagement with stakeholders with an interest in VAT being applied to private school fees.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4797", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Murray"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ealing North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Murray"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-26T07:05:01.527Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Private Education: VAT"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to consult stakeholders on her Department's proposed policy to implement VAT on private school fees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"}
], "uin" : "1290"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722997", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722997/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The process for access talks is set out in the Cabinet Manual. Access talks are initiated with permission from the Prime Minister of the day and are confidential.<\/p> <\/p> It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place between Cabinet ministers and officials is not shared publicly.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4621", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Darren Jones"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol North West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Darren Jones"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "1382"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-26T14:23:18.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information was provided to the Prime Minister on the public finances prior to taking office; whether he has received any additional information since taking office; and what his policy is on the provision of information to prospective future governments prior to elections.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4813", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Richard Holden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Basildon and Billericay"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Richard Holden"}
], "uin" : "1381"}
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}