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1215984

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
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	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart on the composition of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s appointment of a new presidential task force which has the stated aim of building a secure country, disciplined, virtuous and lawful society.
tabling member constituency	Aberavon
tabling member printed	Stephen Kinnock
uin	62442
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>We are monitoring political and human rights developments in Sri Lanka very closely and have active discussions with the government on a range of issues, including the link between democratic values and international standing. The UK is a member of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and has long supported Sri Lanka's commitments under UNHRC resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 on accountability and reconciliation. The UK will lead the core group again at the upcoming Human Rights Session in June.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 25/06/2020 16:04:45 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4359 label Biography information for Stephen Kinnock

1215985

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Gender Dysphoria: Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on reducing waiting times for NHS gender identity services.
tabling member constituency	Worsley and Eccles South
tabling member printed	Barbara Keeley
uin	62358
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>As with many issues, the Government Equalities Office and Department for Health and Social Care continue to engage on this matter.</p><p>We are aware that waiting times for Gender Identity Services are currently very long and we are working with NHS England to help address this. In 2019, NHS England began work on changing services to establish a more modern, flexible care model to support adult transgender people. Procurement is underway and clinics meeting new service specifications will be in place in this year, subject to changes caused by the COVID-19 response. The intention is to move routine gender identity service away from specialist centres, to more local provision.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 25/06/2020 16:35:38 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	1588 label Biography information for Barbara Keeley

1215987

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	House of Commons Commission
answering dept id	18
answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
hansard heading	Parliamentary Estate: Police
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will publish the (a) dates and (b) changes that have been made to policing arrangements in the vicinity of the parliamentary estate in the last 10 years in relation to (i) demonstrations and (ii) the (A) obstruction, (B) abuse and (C) intimidation of hon. Members at entrances to the Palace of Westminster; and what steps the Commission plans to take with (1) City of Westminster local authority, (2) the Greater London Authority and (3) the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safety of (x) hon. Members, (y) parliamentary staff and (z) other people entering and exiting the parliamentary estate.
tabling member constituency	New Forest East
tabling member printed	Dr Julian Lewis
uin	62245
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) has a Special Services Agreement for provision of policing on the Parliamentary Estate; external policing is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The House of Commons Commission cannot therefore provide the requested information pertaining to policing arrangements in the vicinity of the Parliamentary Estate in the last 10 years.</p><p>PSD is in frequent communication with the MPS to assess expected protest activity and other events in the surrounding area that may impact access to and/or the safety of Parliament and those working or visiting here. During extended and heightened protest activity, for example around the debates on Brexit, PSD has worked with the MPS and with other parties such as broadcasters to protect Members, staff and the public. PSD also issues advice to Members and other passholders around personal security, including any specific guidance around ongoing events.</p><p>PSD and other Parliamentary officials also liaise with Westminster City Council (WCC), the Greater London Authority (GLA), the MPS and others on issues of safety and security in the nearby area. Parliament has supported the Parliament Square Streetscape Project, which is led jointly by the GLA and WCC and with the involvement of the MPS, to consider the feasibility of improvements to the Streetscape around the Palace of Westminster.</p> answering member constituency Perth and North Perthshire answering member printed Pete Wishart question first answered 25/06/2020 18:47:56 answering member 1440 label Biography information for Pete Wishart
tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1215989

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
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	Universal Credit: Fraud
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, at what stage his Department's investigations into cases of universal credit scams for claimants in Halton constituency are; and when those claimants will have their benefits restored.
tabling member constituency	Halton
tabling member printed	Derek Twigg
uin	62300
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>The Department does not hold this data by constituency and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 25/06/2020 15:26:58 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	429 label Biography information for Derek Twigg

1215990

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
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	Child Maintenance Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with the Child Maintenance Service to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are protected from financial control.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Yardley
tabling member printed	Jess Phillips
uin	62443
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring that victims and survivors of domestic abuse get the support they need to use the CMS safely.</p><p>Parents who have experienced domestic abuse are exempt from paying the application fee. There are no ongoing charges for using Direct Pay, which is designed to be a safe service for victims of domestic abuse.</p><p>The CMS provides advice and support to help parents use the Service, without needing to have contact with an abusive ex-partner. This includes acting as an intermediary and providing information to parents about how to set up non-traceable payment methods. In addition, all CMS caseworkers have received specific training, developed with input from Women’s Aid, on domestic abuse so they can quickly identify parents who need additional support.</p><p> </p><p>Those found to be abusing the system are subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers and the Child Maintenance Service will pursue these, where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/07/2020 17:06:12 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 32175 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4370 label Biography information for Jess Phillips

1216014

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Bullying
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the KiVa anti-bullying programme on tackling (a) bullying and (b) racist bullying.
tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
tabling member printed	Layla Moran
uin	62572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>We have not made an assessment of the KiVa anti-bullying programme. All schools are legally required to have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying. They also have the freedom to develop their own anti-bullying strategies and monitoring approaches to best suit their environment.</p><p>Our Preventing and Tackling Bullying guidance sets out that schools should develop a consistent approach to monitoring bullying incidents and evaluating the effectiveness of their approaches. It also directs schools to organisations who can provide support with tackling bullying related to race, religion and nationality. The guidance is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying</a>.</p><p>On 7 June, we announced more than £750,000 for the Diana Award, the Anti-Bullying Alliance and the Anne Frank Trust – to help hundreds of schools and colleges build relationships between pupils, boost their resilience, and continue to tackle bullying both in person and online. More information is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-mental-health-support-for-pupils-and-teachers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-mental-health-support-for-pupils-and-teachers</a>.</p><p>The department has also made resources available through the Educate Against Hate website. This website provides teachers, school leaders and parents with the information, guidance and support they need to challenge radical views, including racist and discriminatory beliefs, and is available here:<br> <a href="https://educateagainsthate.com/" target="_blank">https://educateagainsthate.com/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 25/06/2020 12:43:54 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1216019

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department made of the social intake of higher education institutions and the communities they serve when setting the specific values of the continuation rate and the skilled employment/further study rate as minimum qualifying thresholds for institutions to bid for funding for 5,000 non-health care places.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
uin	62570
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2020 answer text <p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, gave consideration to a wide range of factors when setting out the eligibility criteria for the extra non-healthcare places. This included the need to ensure that these places lead to completed qualifications and entry into the professions in which we need more people so we can support our vital public services and add value to the economy. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, had due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and the other equality aims under the Equality Act (2010) when formulating the policy on student number controls (SNCs). Admitting students, including disadvantaged students, to low quality courses which do not give them the support they need to complete their degree, or do not give them good access to graduate employment, is not in the interest of students.</p><p> </p><p>Overall, SNCs allow for substantial growth across the sector – they allow for all provider forecasts of growth and another 5% growth above this. Every individual provider in the country can recruit at least 6.5% more students than in the last academic year. The extra places that my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education can award, are in addition to this already generous allowance.</p><p> </p><p>SNCs will, however, re-distribute students more equally across different higher education providers compared to what would likely occur in the absence of any quantitative limits on student numbers at individual providers. Providers in the medium and low tariff groups are expected to be the main beneficiaries from SNCs as they are most likely to feel the greatest pressure on recruitment.</p><p> </p><p>Our overarching aim is to protect students and to allow all students who want to go to university, and who meet their entry requirements, to access higher education.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 62571 question first answered 03/07/2020 12:13:00 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1216022

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Homelessness: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to allocate additional funding to local housing authorities to help those authorities procure accommodation for (a) rough sleepers and (b) homeless people and families as part of the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	62362
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>On 24 May we announced radical plans to provide thousands of long-term, safe homes for vulnerable rough sleepers taken off the streets during this pandemic. This commitment will be backed by £160 million this year through accelerating plans for the £381 million announced for rough sleeping services at Budget, bringing the total to £433 million over the lifetime of this parliament. The Government is increasing the revenue support of the total programme by 37 per cent to make sure that the rough sleepers have the support they need to stay off the streets for good. This funding will support up to 6,000 rough sleepers into longer term accommodation, with 3,300 units of this accommodation becoming available in the next 12 months. Homes England, in partnership with MHCLG, have pledged to work hand-in-hand with leading housing associations and local authorities to deliver this.</p><p>On 24 June an additional £105 million was announced for local authorities to enable them to best support the c15,000 people placed into emergency accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is on top of the £433 million announced on the 24 May. Together, these funding streams will enable us to deliver a comprehensive Next Steps and Recover Strategy which will support thousands of individuals to stay safe during the pandemic and ultimately to turn their lives around. Further detailed information on the process to allocate funding is being co-produced with partners and will be published in due course.</p><p>Both before and during the pandemic the Government has also put in place significant funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over 2020/21, including:</p><ul><li>£112 million was allocated this year for the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI), an increase of £26 million on 2019/20 funding. We will work with areas to consider how the RSI work will change to reflect the different levels of need and response needed as a result of COVID-19.</li><li>£3.2 billion has been provided to support councils to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, which includes providing support for vulnerable rough sleepers.</li><li>This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding for councils to support vulnerable rough sleepers.</li></ul><p>For those who require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments are available. There is already £180 million in Discretionary Housing Payments available for local authorities to distribute for supporting renters with housing costs in 2020/21 including an additional £40 million to tackle affordability pressures in the private rented sector. We have increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents. This is an important policy that will benefit 1.6 million people.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 25/06/2020 14:17:04 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1216023

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) potential number and (b) redundancies to date in the residential construction sector due to the reduction in housebuilding during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	62363
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>The ONS publishes survey data on a fortnightly basis on the proportion of the construction workforce that has been furloughed, off sick owing to coronavirus, or made redundant. Data for the housing construction subsector is not available.</p><p><a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ons.gov.uk%2Feconomy%2Feconomicoutputandproductivity%2Foutput%2Fdatasets%2Fbusinessimpactofcovid19surveybicsresults&amp;data=02%7C01%7CCharlotte.Taylor-Philip%40communities.gov.uk%7C1c5ff1779f264e1a2a5f08d8182553b9%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637285895888466111&amp;sdata=D80MCp4F4vj1e%2FJ54iZnkhy2nsOvLz8ADnqqoUf%2FF%2F8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/datasets/businessimpactofcovid19surveybicsresults</a></p><p>The Government has put in place a number of measures to support the construction industry during the response to COVID-19. Many construction firms have made use of the Job Retention Scheme for their employees and apprentices, alongside Government-backed loans and tax holidays.</p><p>It remains as important as ever to invest in the skilled workforce to build the homes this country needs. My department is working with the Department for Business, Energy and the Industrial Strategy, the Department for Education, and the Construction Industry Training Board to support the industry to continue to recruit and train during this time.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 25/06/2020 16:05:49 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1216024

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Rented Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the construction of social housing to the economic recovery of the UK after the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	62364
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>The delivery of new social housing will contribute to economic recovery, in particular by supporting construction activity. The Government is committed to increasing the supply of social housing in view of the social and economic benefits this will generate. We have made £9 billion available through the Affordable Homes Programme to March 2022 to deliver approximately 250,000 new affordable homes in a wide range of tenures, including Social Rent, Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy. We announced at Budget that we will invest £12 billion to build affordable homes between 2021/22 and 2025/26 – the biggest cash investment in affordable housing for a decade.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 25/06/2020 16:06:20 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron