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1718751

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Unmanned Air Vehicles: Armed Forces and Police
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he has made an assessment of the potential merits of altering the legislation to enable the Civil Aviation Authority to allow drones to be operated out of the line of sight by the (a) police and (b) armed forces.
tabling member constituency	Don Valley
tabling member printed	Nick Fletcher
uin	26791
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>Legislation already allows for police to fly drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) when certain conditions are met. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council are considering developing a regulatory framework to support police drone use, and the Department for Transport will consider any recommendations they have, including whether any changes to legislation are appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>The armed forces’ use of drones is a matter for the Ministry of Defence to comment on, as it is outside of the remit of civil aviation<strong>.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 22/05/2024 13:42:59 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
tabling member	4832 label Biography information for Nick Fletcher

1718752

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Coroners
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the (a) practical and (b) emotional support provided to (i) families and (ii) other witnesses attending the Coroners’ Courts.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26765
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is grateful for the important and valuable work that the Coroners Courts Support Service (CCSS) does in providing practical and emotional support for bereaved families in many coroner areas across England and Wales. This work is key to the Government’s objective of ensuring that the bereaved are placed at the heart of the inquest process.</p><p>We are keen to see support services in every coroner’s court in England and Wales, subject to affordability. Following the Justice Committee’s recommendation in the 2021 report on its Inquiry into the Coroner Service, the Ministry of Justice is taking forward an engagement plan, including with the CCSS, to better understand the support services currently available in coroners’ courts in England and Wales, and what is needed going forward. We aim to complete this assessment in as soon as practicable.</p><p>We are also undertaking a factual update of our <strong><em>Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People</em></strong>, which will be followed by a more fundamental review to take account of forthcoming changes which will impact on coroner services, including implementation of the statutory Medical Examiner scheme and the Independent Public Advocate. The review will also look at ways of improving the accessibility of the Guide, so that bereaved people are better able to engage with it at what is inevitably a very difficult time in their lives.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer grouped question UIN 26766 26767 question first answered 23/05/2024 12:49:44 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718753

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Coroners
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the (a) practical and (b) emotional support provided to (i) families and (ii) other witnesses attending the Coroners’ Courts.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26766
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is grateful for the important and valuable work that the Coroners Courts Support Service (CCSS) does in providing practical and emotional support for bereaved families in many coroner areas across England and Wales. This work is key to the Government’s objective of ensuring that the bereaved are placed at the heart of the inquest process.</p><p>We are keen to see support services in every coroner’s court in England and Wales, subject to affordability. Following the Justice Committee’s recommendation in the 2021 report on its Inquiry into the Coroner Service, the Ministry of Justice is taking forward an engagement plan, including with the CCSS, to better understand the support services currently available in coroners’ courts in England and Wales, and what is needed going forward. We aim to complete this assessment in as soon as practicable.</p><p>We are also undertaking a factual update of our <strong><em>Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People</em></strong>, which will be followed by a more fundamental review to take account of forthcoming changes which will impact on coroner services, including implementation of the statutory Medical Examiner scheme and the Independent Public Advocate. The review will also look at ways of improving the accessibility of the Guide, so that bereaved people are better able to engage with it at what is inevitably a very difficult time in their lives.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer grouped question UIN 26765 26767 question first answered 23/05/2024 12:49:44 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718754

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Coroners
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Coroners Courts Support Service on taking steps to improve the (a) practical and (b) emotional support provided to (i) families and (ii) other witnesses attending the Coroners’ Courts.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26767
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is grateful for the important and valuable work that the Coroners Courts Support Service (CCSS) does in providing practical and emotional support for bereaved families in many coroner areas across England and Wales. This work is key to the Government’s objective of ensuring that the bereaved are placed at the heart of the inquest process.</p><p>We are keen to see support services in every coroner’s court in England and Wales, subject to affordability. Following the Justice Committee’s recommendation in the 2021 report on its Inquiry into the Coroner Service, the Ministry of Justice is taking forward an engagement plan, including with the CCSS, to better understand the support services currently available in coroners’ courts in England and Wales, and what is needed going forward. We aim to complete this assessment in as soon as practicable.</p><p>We are also undertaking a factual update of our <strong><em>Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People</em></strong>, which will be followed by a more fundamental review to take account of forthcoming changes which will impact on coroner services, including implementation of the statutory Medical Examiner scheme and the Independent Public Advocate. The review will also look at ways of improving the accessibility of the Guide, so that bereaved people are better able to engage with it at what is inevitably a very difficult time in their lives.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer grouped question UIN 26765 26766 question first answered 23/05/2024 12:49:44 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718755

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Coroners
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps his Department has taken to help tackle delays at Coroners’ Courts.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26768
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>It is important that the inquest process is as swift and efficient as possible to avoid additional distress for bereaved families at such a difficult time in their lives.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy, this Department does not have operational responsibility for coroner services as they are a local service, funded and administered by individual local authorities. However, we are keen to understand the factors underlying the length of time for the completion of inquests, and to provide support where possible and appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>To that end, we have introduced a raft of statutory measures to help streamline coroner processes, and intend to take forward further measures when Parliamentary time allows.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, on 9 September 2024, the Government is implementing the statutory Medical Examiner scheme which, by providing a more robust framework for the scrutiny of cause of death, is expected to decrease the number of deaths which are unnecessarily referred to the coroner, thereby reducing pressure on coroner services.</p><p> </p><p>I am also engaging with Ministerial colleagues to identify and implement an action plan to address the complex issues underlying the shortage of coronial pathology provision, which contributes significantly to inquest delays. As a first step, the Ministry of Justice is undertaking a review of the statutory fees for coronial pathology work.</p><p><br>I have recently discussed this and wider issues around inquest delay with the Justice Committee in the context of its follow up Inquiry into the Coroner Service and look forward to receiving its recommendations in due course.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer question first answered 23/05/2024 12:52:44 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718756

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tax Avoidance: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) promoters and (b) operators of schemes subject to the loan charge have been prosecuted.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26769
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member for Putney to the answer given on 8 February 2024 to Question UIN <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-01-31/12466" target="_blank">12466</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 22/05/2024 13:55:29 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718757

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tax Avoidance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of people who will need to sell their home to pay the loan charge.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26770
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>HMRC will not force anyone to sell their main home or access their pension funds early to pay their Loan Charge or disguised remuneration debts.</p><p>Anyone who is concerned about their ability to pay what they owe should contact HMRC as soon as possible. HMRC can agree an affordable and sustainable instalment plan based on taxpayers’ specific circumstances and for as long as they need. HMRC can also refer taxpayers for free debt advice that is independent from HMRC.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 22/05/2024 13:58:50 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718758

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Pancreatic Cancer: Research
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve (a) research into treatments for and (b) (i) emotional and (ii) financial support for people living with pancreatic cancer.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26771
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.3 billion per year in health research, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £121.8 million in 2022/23, and the NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group. <br> <br> The NIHR funded nine research projects on pancreatic cancer since 2018/19, with a committed funding value of £4.3 million. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including pancreatic cancer. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. <br> <br> The NIHR also supports delivery of research into pancreatic cancer in the health and care system, funded by research funding partners in the charity and public sectors. Since 2018/19 the NIHR supported 73 clinical research studies through the Clinical Research Network. <br> <br> Additionally, NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRC) and NIHR Clinical Research Facilities spent a further £6.5 million between 2018/19 and 2022/23, supporting an annual portfolio of approximately 85 early clinical studies into pancreatic cancer. NIHR BRCs are collaborations between world-leading universities and National Health Service organisations, that bring together academics and clinicians to translate discoveries from basic or discovery science into clinical research. <br> <br> For emotional and financial support, patient feedback is monitored through the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, with the latest results showing an overall experience of 8.88 out of 10. In areas such as support for health and wellbeing, and information on financial help, results were positive but showed room for improvement. NHS England continues to support trusts to take action to improve cancer patient support.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 23/05/2024 08:21:01 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718759

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Childcare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) improve the quality of and (b) increase the affordability of childcare in (i) Wandsworth and (ii) the UK.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26772
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The department is determined to support as many families as possible with access to high-quality, affordable childcare, which is why the 2023 Spring Budget announced significant new investments to expand the free early education entitlements from April 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The department is providing over £4.1 billion by 2027/28 to fund 30 hours of free childcare per week (38 weeks per year) for working parents with children aged nine months to three years in England. This will remove one of the biggest barriers to parents working by vastly increasing the amount of free childcare that working families can access. This is set to save working families using the fully-funded 30 hours up to £6,900 per year from when the child is nine months old until they are five years old by September next year.</p><p> </p><p>Already, over 200,000 two year olds are now confirmed to have places for 15 hours a week of free childcare, as part of the largest ever expansion of childcare in England. The take up nationwide for the validation codes already stands at 87.8%.</p><p>Funding will be key to delivering the existing and expanded childcare entitlements, so the department has substantially uplifted the hourly rate paid to local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers. In 2024/25 alone, the department expects to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers deliver the expansion to the early years entitlements. This is on top of over £400 million additional funding to deliver a significant uplift to the hourly rate paid to local authorities for the entitlements. The rates for the new entitlements have been independently confirmed by the Institute for Fiscal Studies to be well above market rates. For 2024/25, the department’s hourly funding rates for Wandsworth are: £15.21 for under twos, £11.17 for two year olds and £7.72 for three to four year olds.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, to ensure local authorities are fully supported in delivering the new entitlements, the department is funding local authorities an additional four weeks in 2024/25, at an estimated cost of £120 million, for the under twos working parent entitlement starting in September 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The quality of early years provision is a priority for the department. Evidence shows that high-quality early childhood education and care has a positive impact on children’s outcomes in the short and long term, particularly for the most disadvantaged children. Additionally, the department has invested up to £180 million in providing an early years education recovery package of workforce training, qualifications and support and guidance for the early years sector. This includes:</p><ul><li>Additional places for early years initial teacher training.</li><li>New level 3 qualifications criteria for early years educators to ensure higher-quality training and better care for children, which will come into effect from September 2024.</li></ul><p> </p><p>In addition to the expanded entitlements, the government has also taken action to support parents on Universal Credit with childcare costs upfront when they need it, rather than in arrears. The department has increased support for these parents by increasing the childcare cost maximum amounts to £950 for one child and £1629 for two children.</p><p> </p><p>Tax-Free Childcare remains available for working parents of children aged 0 to 11, or up to 17 for eligible disabled children. This can save parents up to £2,000 per year, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities and has the same income criteria as 30 hours free childcare.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 23/05/2024 16:52:02 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1718761

registered interest
date	16/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Low Incomes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to help support people on lower incomes.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	26773
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The government has supported people on lower incomes by increasing working age benefits by 6.7%; raising Local Housing Allowance to the 30<sup>th</sup> percentile of market rents with an average gain of £800, extending the Household Support Fund and increasing the National Living Wage by 9.8%.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also maintained the triple lock, frozen fuel duty, removed Debt Relief Order fees and doubled the Budgeting Advance Loan repayment period.</p><p> </p><p>Over 2022-23 and 2023-24, the government has provided support to help households with the cost of living totalling over £90 billion.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 23/05/2024 16:10:45 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson