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1224979

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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	Department of Health and Social Care: Apprentices
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 his Department is taking to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	74504
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department has taken a proactive approach to apprenticeships and is working to embed apprenticeships so that they are a core part of our learning and development offer. We continue to increase the take-up of apprenticeships year on year and apprentices currently make up 2.5% of the Department’s 1,808 workforce.</p><p>We are refreshing our apprenticeship strategy and working on our engagement strategy across the Department to continue raising awareness.</p><p>We are continuing with our proactive approach to align apprenticeships opportunities more closely with our recruitment activity.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 23/07/2020 17:19:02 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar previous answer version 38837 answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224981

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Cabinet Office: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to meet the public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	74505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office supports the use of apprenticeships as a means of building expertise, filling skills gaps and improving the diversity of our talent pool. The Department is in the final year of a three-year action plan to increase the number of apprenticeships in the Department. We run regular recruitment campaigns for apprentices.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/07/2020 14:35:09 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224982

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Department for Transport: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to meet the public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	74506
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department remains fully committed to the Government’s apprenticeship agenda and is actively encouraging both the recruitment of apprentices externally, through proactive outreach and the utilisation of apprenticeships to develop internal capability and strengthen talent pipelines.</p><p> </p><p>Due to the diverse work of the department, DfT core and each of its executive agencies (DfT Group) have developed localised strategies to support ongoing work against public-sector apprenticeship targets, and improve the overall quality of the apprentice experience.</p><p> </p><p>For mainstream recruitment, we have embedded a process standard across DfT Group requiring vacancy holders to consider recruiting apprentices as the default resourcing option to fill vacant roles. This is alongside work with the policy, HR, project delivery, finance and other technical operational professions to actively encourage apprenticeship uptake to support skills and capability growth and talent retention.</p><p> </p><p>From Autumn 2020 we plan to move to volume-based recruitment and apprenticeship management. Alongside this, we will continue to focus on developing our corporate support offer for apprentices and their line-managers, and strengthening supplier engagement to drive quality of provision.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 20/07/2020 14:14:55 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224053

registered interest
date	13/07/2020
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	Coronavirus: Contact Tracing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will provide further clarification on the criterion used to define close proximity for the purposes of Test and Trace.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	72872
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>Since NHS Test and Trace was launched, on 28 May 2020, it has reached more than 144,000 people who may have otherwise unknowingly spread the virus to others.</p><p>A contact is defined as someone who:</p><p>- has had close contact (for instance direct face-to-face contact) with someone with COVID-19; or</p><p>- spent more than one minute within one metre, or 15 minutes within two metres, of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.</p><p>We would also look to trace people who have travelled in a small vehicle with someone with COVID-19 or sat next to them on a plane.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 24/07/2020 15:04:07 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries previous answer version 37929 answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224054

registered interest
date	13/07/2020
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	Churches: 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, if he will publish the timeframe for people to be able to sing in churches as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	72873
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises that singing is a key part of our cultural and religious life. We have published Guidance for the Safe Use of Places of Worship during COVID-19 which provides advice on singing within places of worship: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july&amp;data=02%7C01%7CKamalpreet.Rana%40communities.gov.uk%7C5177ef58c88c424912f808d828922f2c%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637303955599823283&amp;sdata=fZXB2PfDODHTnzkFF6Qnbgfo4ttmJ3tqL9Kxbi7Dtsw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july</a> . The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also published guidance for people who work in performing arts, including organisations, venue operators and participants: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fworking-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19%2Fperforming-arts&amp;data=02%7C01%7CKamalpreet.Rana%40communities.gov.uk%7C5177ef58c88c424912f808d828922f2c%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637303955599823283&amp;sdata=SgggugFPOjxZ39nSRqDswO3q4tXah4aFA6GDP0jEiIw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/performing-arts</a> . Singing is a central element of many religious practices but poses a particular risk of spreading the virus. The Government and medical and scientific communities are urgently engaged in research around transmission risk and how activities such as singing and chanting can be managed safely indoors, by congregations and by amateurs.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 16/07/2020 14:11:17 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224057

registered interest
date	13/07/2020
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	Children's Play: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to allow soft play centres to reopen as covid-19 restrictions are eased.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	72874
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/08/2020 answer text <p>On 13 August, the Government announced that indoor play and indoor soft play venues can open from 15 August. We have also been working with BALPPA, the trade body that represents the industry to develop guidance that lays out detailed measures that should be taken by indoor play and indoor soft play operators to make venues COVID-secure. These include closing ball pits and sensory areas, reducing capacity of venues and soft play frames, regular deep cleaning, pre-bookable timed sessions, increased sanitation, and a rigorous process to support track and trace. Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so. Since 4 July other indoor facilities, including some indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues have reopened.</p><p><br>As with all aspects of the Government’s response to COVID-19, we continue to be guided by public health considerations to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston grouped question UIN 72997 73023 73079 73763 question first answered 20/08/2020 14:32:44 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1222674

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
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	Internet: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) representatives from telecommunication companies on whitelisting educational websites for children from lower income households.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	71732
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2020 answer text <p>It is essential that all children, regardless of their family circumstances, have the opportunity to continue to access high quality education throughout the COVID19 pandemic. Let me reassure you that the Government recognises the importance of both ensuring broadband connectivity and supporting children’s access to online learning during this time. My Department is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure vulnerable children have access to online educational resources. Furthermore my Department has previously agreed measures with telecoms providers to support vulnerable consumers more generally. These measures will also indirectly benefit children’s education. For example, as part of the voluntary commitments, the major telecoms providers committed to remove all data allowance caps on all current fixed broadband services.</p><p>The Department for Education has worked with major telecoms companies to zero rate (otherwise known as whitelisting) the Hungry Little Minds and EdenRed school meal voucher website. Zero-rating is a helpful way to provide families with support to access critical resources where the majority of content is held on one website. Most educational resources including Oak Academy, however, use content that is hosted elsewhere (such as on Youtube or Vimeo) meaning that they will still incur data charges.</p><p>The Department for Education is therefore working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families more widely than selected websites. For families who rely on a mobile internet connection, mobile network operators are working to provide access to free additional data offering them more flexibility to access the resources that they need the most. The Department for Education has also delivered or dispatched over 200,000 laptops and tablets and over 47,000 4G wireless routers to local authorities and academy trusts who are best placed to prioritise children and young people who need devices.</p><p>The Department for Education has also launched a service to provide children and young people free access to BT wifi hotspots. 10,000 families will initially be able to access the scheme. This offer is currently being piloted and will be rolled out across England in the coming months. The Department for Education is currently working with BT to expand this offer to allow more children to access the internet through their network of BT wifi hotspots.</p><p><strong><p><p><p></strong></p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 71733 71734 question first answered 17/07/2020 14:22:44 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1222676

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
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	Internet: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) telecommunication companies on improving digital access to online education resources, such as the Oak Academy, for children from low income households.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	71733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2020 answer text <p>It is essential that all children, regardless of their family circumstances, have the opportunity to continue to access high quality education throughout the COVID19 pandemic. Let me reassure you that the Government recognises the importance of both ensuring broadband connectivity and supporting children’s access to online learning during this time. My Department is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure vulnerable children have access to online educational resources. Furthermore my Department has previously agreed measures with telecoms providers to support vulnerable consumers more generally. These measures will also indirectly benefit children’s education. For example, as part of the voluntary commitments, the major telecoms providers committed to remove all data allowance caps on all current fixed broadband services.</p><p>The Department for Education has worked with major telecoms companies to zero rate (otherwise known as whitelisting) the Hungry Little Minds and EdenRed school meal voucher website. Zero-rating is a helpful way to provide families with support to access critical resources where the majority of content is held on one website. Most educational resources including Oak Academy, however, use content that is hosted elsewhere (such as on Youtube or Vimeo) meaning that they will still incur data charges.</p><p>The Department for Education is therefore working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families more widely than selected websites. For families who rely on a mobile internet connection, mobile network operators are working to provide access to free additional data offering them more flexibility to access the resources that they need the most. The Department for Education has also delivered or dispatched over 200,000 laptops and tablets and over 47,000 4G wireless routers to local authorities and academy trusts who are best placed to prioritise children and young people who need devices.</p><p>The Department for Education has also launched a service to provide children and young people free access to BT wifi hotspots. 10,000 families will initially be able to access the scheme. This offer is currently being piloted and will be rolled out across England in the coming months. The Department for Education is currently working with BT to expand this offer to allow more children to access the internet through their network of BT wifi hotspots.</p><p><strong><p><p><p></strong></p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 71732 71734 question first answered 17/07/2020 14:22:44 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1222677

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
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	Internet: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) telecommunication companies on reducing the cost of mobile data for families and children accessing online education resources, such as the Oak Academy.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	71734
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2020 answer text <p>It is essential that all children, regardless of their family circumstances, have the opportunity to continue to access high quality education throughout the COVID19 pandemic. Let me reassure you that the Government recognises the importance of both ensuring broadband connectivity and supporting children’s access to online learning during this time. My Department is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure vulnerable children have access to online educational resources. Furthermore my Department has previously agreed measures with telecoms providers to support vulnerable consumers more generally. These measures will also indirectly benefit children’s education. For example, as part of the voluntary commitments, the major telecoms providers committed to remove all data allowance caps on all current fixed broadband services.</p><p>The Department for Education has worked with major telecoms companies to zero rate (otherwise known as whitelisting) the Hungry Little Minds and EdenRed school meal voucher website. Zero-rating is a helpful way to provide families with support to access critical resources where the majority of content is held on one website. Most educational resources including Oak Academy, however, use content that is hosted elsewhere (such as on Youtube or Vimeo) meaning that they will still incur data charges.</p><p>The Department for Education is therefore working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families more widely than selected websites. For families who rely on a mobile internet connection, mobile network operators are working to provide access to free additional data offering them more flexibility to access the resources that they need the most. The Department for Education has also delivered or dispatched over 200,000 laptops and tablets and over 47,000 4G wireless routers to local authorities and academy trusts who are best placed to prioritise children and young people who need devices.</p><p>The Department for Education has also launched a service to provide children and young people free access to BT wifi hotspots. 10,000 families will initially be able to access the scheme. This offer is currently being piloted and will be rolled out across England in the coming months. The Department for Education is currently working with BT to expand this offer to allow more children to access the internet through their network of BT wifi hotspots.</p><p><strong><p><p><p></strong></p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 71732 71733 question first answered 17/07/2020 14:22:44 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1222057

registered interest
date	08/07/2020
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	Patients: Monitoring
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on a resolution to the remote monitoring of patients developed in Israel.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	71027
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any discussions with his Israeli counterparts on their approach to remote monitoring of patients. The Department and NHSX engages with its international counterparts on a wide range of issues, including those relating to COVID-19. As a Department, we are open to learn from innovations in any country round the world and within and outside of COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 24/07/2020 14:57:54 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries previous answer version 36911 answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon