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1195491

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether teachers in schools are allowed to wear face masks when teaching children during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46554
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools is not recommended. Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people from other households and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained (for example, on public transport or in some shops). This does not apply to schools, which should therefore not require staff, children and learners to wear face coverings. Cleaning and maintaining hygiene are important measures in controlling the spread of the virus.</p><p>Guidance for schools on how to implement protective measures can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 18/05/2020 16:18:49 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195492

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Child Arrangements Orders
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how Childcare Arrangement Orders are currently being enforced in respect of extended family members who have such an order in cases when access is being denied.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46555
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The President of the Family Division has issued guidance on compliance with Child Arrangements Orders. A parent who is required by such an order to facilitate contact between their child and the other parent, or with another person named in the order, should continue to do so where practicable and consistent with the Government’s updated guidance.</p><p> </p><p>Where coronavirus restrictions cause the letter of a court order to be varied, the spirit of the order should nevertheless be delivered by making safe alternative arrangements for the child. Where either parent is reasonably self-isolating or genuinely protecting someone vulnerable then remote technology offers temporary alternative means by which to facilitate contact via telephone, the internet or social media which should be used. The Government encourages parents to adopt a pragmatic approach.</p><p> </p><p>If an alleged breach of a Child Arrangements Order or other application is later brought to court then this will be a matter for judicial consideration.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 18/05/2020 16:25:54 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195493

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to reimburse schools that have bought school meal vouchers for pupils in cases where parents have been unable to access the Edenred voucher system.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>As both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have made clear, the government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID-19.</p><p>We are committed to ensuring that no child should go hungry as a result of the measures introduced by government during this period. This is why we have introduced a number of immediate measures to ensure children who usually receive free school meals still have access to this provision while they are not attending school.</p><p>During this period, we are asking schools to support children who are eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals, by providing meals or food parcels through their existing food providers wherever possible. However, we recognise that food parcel arrangements may not always be possible, and so at the end of March we launched a national voucher scheme to provide schools with additional flexibility to decide what is best for families in their schools. This was an unprecedented intervention to support eligible children during this period.</p><p>Voucher codes are being processed through the national scheme and many thousands of families are redeeming them. Edenred has reported that over 17,000 schools have placed orders for the scheme and as of Wednesday 20 May, Edenred reported that more than £96 million worth of voucher codes have been redeemed into supermarket e-gift cards by schools and families. We have been working closely with Edenred to improve the scheme, and we thank schools using the system for their patience while it has been upgraded to meet increased demand.</p><p>We understand that alternative approaches, such as providing food parcels or purchasing vouchers for shops not in the national scheme, may mean that schools incur additional costs. We have published guidance on the financial support available for schools who incur these additional costs in this way here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools</a>.</p><p>Schools will be able to claim up to a certain limit, depending on their number of pupils, and where they are unable to meet these additional costs from their existing resources, or which they could only meet by drawing down on reserves and undermining their long-term financial sustainability. In exceptional instances where individual schools face additional costs that are higher than the grant’s limits, schools will be able to apply to increase their limit.</p><p>Our latest guidance for schools on free school meals provision during this period is set out here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools</a>.</p><p>These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 22/05/2020 13:23:06 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195499

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Attendance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether parents who do not let their child return to school as covid-19 lockdown measures are eased will face fines for their child’s non-attendance.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46558
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>From the week commencing 1 June, at the earliest, we will be asking primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers). We will only do this provided that the five key tests set by government justify the changes at the time.</p><p>By returning pupils gradually, settings can initially reduce the number of children and young people in classrooms compared to usual and put protective measures in place to reduce risks.</p><p>Eligible children – including priority groups - are strongly encouraged to attend their education setting, unless they are self-isolating or they are clinically vulnerable. Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time and schools will not be held to account for attendance levels.</p><p>Further guidance for parents and carers can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 46521 question first answered 22/05/2020 12:43:34 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195617

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	NMC Healthcare: Insolvency
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support people affected by NMC Health Plc going into administration.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>NMC Health is a global organisation, with a large presence in the United Arab Emirates. However, its UK operational footprint is significantly smaller with few hospital beds and employees.</p><p> </p><p>As UK administrators have a statutory objective to consider rescuing the company as a going concern, administrators can and do keep employees on to better facilitate a business rescue, as has happened with NMC’s UK operations. To support people through this crisis, the Government has announced temporary increases to Universal Credit and Local Housing Allowance and will make sure it protects, as far as possible, people’s jobs and incomes.</p><p> </p><p>The circumstances leading up to NMC Health’s insolvency has triggered an investigation by the regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, so lessons can be learnt and appropriate action taken. However, it would not be appropriate for Government to comment on this ongoing investigation before its completion.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 20/05/2020 11:38:48 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195628

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Musicians: Visas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether it is Government policy to seek to negotiate an agreement on multi-entry touring visas for UK musicians wishing to perform in the EU as part of the future partnership negotiations.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46560
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>DCMS has engaged extensively with union bodies, companies, orchestras, individual musical practitioners and cultural organisations. We understand the importance of being able to tour. We recognise that this depends on musicians and crew being able to move quickly and easily between countries, taking necessary equipment with them.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We want a relationship with the EU based on friendly cooperation. On temporary entry for business purposes (mode 4), a reciprocal agreement based on best precedent will mean that UK citizens will be able to undertake some business activities in the EU without a work permit, on a short-term basis. The same would apply for EU citizens making business visits to the UK. The precise details, including range of activities, documentation needed, and the time limit, will be negotiated.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 20/05/2020 12:01:41 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1195498

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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	Gibraltar: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, what discussion he has had with the Government of Gibraltar on 14 day quarantine restrictions for people arriving in the UK from that territory.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	46557
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2020 answer text <p>We are in regular contact with the Government of Gibraltar to discuss these measures.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 19/05/2020 16:02:59 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton previous answer version 22243 answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1194621

registered interest
date	11/05/2020
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	Gibraltar: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, whether he plans to require travellers from Gibraltar to the UK to observe a 14-day quarantine period.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	44976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK plans a number of changes in arrangements at the UK border to protect the gains we have made in our fight against the virus. We will announce further details in due course.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 18/05/2020 15:37:31 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1192644

registered interest
date	04/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	EU Solidarity Fund: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the EU Solidarity Fund has made any payments to member states in response to the covid-19 pandemic; and whether the Government has applied for assistance from that fund.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	42903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government’s priority is to save lives and we are working with a range of international partners, including the EU, to that end. We are supporting the EU’s efforts to tackle the outbreak and fulfilling our obligations through the Financial Settlement.</p><p> </p><p>The EU have not yet budgeted payments from the Solidarity Fund to Member States in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Applications for funding through the fund are open until late June and the applications will be assessed after the deadline. Therefore, it is unlikely that payments will be made till the summer.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is considering the EU’s new use of the EU Solidarity Fund, and our decision to participate in any cooperation efforts or schemes with the European Commission, and other European and international partners, will always be made on the basis of public health requirements at the time.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 13/05/2020 14:54:00 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1192837

registered interest
date	04/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Weddings: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to allow marriage ceremonies to take place with social distancing after the covid-19 lockdown.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	42904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>Marriages and Civil Partnerships are not currently taking place. This position remains under review in line with any changes to Public Health guidelines.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 11/05/2020 15:45:16 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn