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1010536

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Severn Beach Line: Electrification
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the electrification of the Severn Beach line.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>Network Rail have not currently considered electrification of the line. However, the upgrade work from Dr Days Junction to Filton Abbey Wood, recently completed successfully, will directly benefit the service on the Severn Beach line. In particular, the separation of local stopping services from the faster Intercity trains will relieve a bottleneck outside Bristol Temple Meads.</p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 28/11/2018 17:51:07 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010537

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Climate Change: EU Action
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to maintain alignment with EU climate change policy after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193484
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>UK government’s action to tackle climate change is framed by the Climate Change Act. This is domestic legislation and is therefore unaffected by exiting the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is committed to international cooperation, including with the EU, on issues of shared interest including climate change.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 28/11/2018 15:14:46 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010538

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Fracking: Carbon Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the level of UK carbon emissions of fugitive emissions from fracking.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>Management of fugitive emissions is covered by the Environment Agency permit. As part of the permit application, the operator will need to describe the management of fugitive emissions in an ‘emissions management plan’.</p><p>During operations the operator will be required to undertake environmental monitoring, including emissions monitoring, to demonstrate compliance with their permits. In some cases, depending on the risks presented by a site or community concerns, the Environment Agency may carry out extra monitoring themselves.</p><p>As a further safeguard, the Infrastructure Act 2015 makes it clear that hydraulic fracturing activities cannot take place unless appropriate arrangements have been made for monitoring emissions of methane into the air.</p><p>In addition, the Government is grant funding an environmental monitoring programme led by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in the Fylde (Lancashire) and Kirby Misperton (North Yorkshire), where applications for shale gas wells have been made.</p> answering member constituency Devizes answering member printed Claire Perry question first answered 29/11/2018 14:22:57 answering member 3974 label Biography information for Claire Perry
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010543

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Public Health: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the percentage change has been in (a) total funding for NHS England and (b) the local authority public health grant in each year since 2014.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The local authority public health grant provides funding for health services delivered through local authorities. However it is not the entirety of the funding nor spend for public health services. For example, in addition to the grant there is circa £1.2 billion ringfenced for NHS national public health services within the NHS mandate figures, as well as other Departmental expenditure on vaccines and on grant in aid to Public Health England.</p><p> </p><p>The following table shows the percentage change in total funding for NHS England and the local authority public health grant in each year since 2014:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>NHS England funding increase %</p></td><td><p>Public health grant increase %</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>3.6%</p></td><td><p>5.0%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>3.3%</p></td><td><p>24%*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>5.4%</p></td><td><p>-2.2%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>3.6%</p></td><td><p>-2.5%**</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>4.6%</p></td><td><p>-2.6%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>Notes:</p><p>* End year allocation for 2015-16 including the transfer in October 2015 of funding from NHS England to local authorities for commissioning services for children aged 0 - 5.</p><p>** Figures from 2017-18 includes funding retained by 10 Greater Manchester local authorities as part of a business rate pilot, not allocated via a grant.</p><p> </p><p>The total Department of Health and Social Care Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2018-19 was £128.4 billion. 2.5 % was allocated to the local authority public health grant in 2018-19.</p> answering member constituency Winchester answering member printed Steve Brine grouped question UIN 193487 question first answered 28/11/2018 17:38:47 answering member 4067 label Biography information for Steve Brine
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010544

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Public Health: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the health and social care budget was allocated to the local authority public health grant in 2018-19.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The local authority public health grant provides funding for health services delivered through local authorities. However it is not the entirety of the funding nor spend for public health services. For example, in addition to the grant there is circa £1.2 billion ringfenced for NHS national public health services within the NHS mandate figures, as well as other Departmental expenditure on vaccines and on grant in aid to Public Health England.</p><p> </p><p>The following table shows the percentage change in total funding for NHS England and the local authority public health grant in each year since 2014:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>NHS England funding increase %</p></td><td><p>Public health grant increase %</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>3.6%</p></td><td><p>5.0%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>3.3%</p></td><td><p>24%*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>5.4%</p></td><td><p>-2.2%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>3.6%</p></td><td><p>-2.5%**</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>4.6%</p></td><td><p>-2.6%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>Notes:</p><p>* End year allocation for 2015-16 including the transfer in October 2015 of funding from NHS England to local authorities for commissioning services for children aged 0 - 5.</p><p>** Figures from 2017-18 includes funding retained by 10 Greater Manchester local authorities as part of a business rate pilot, not allocated via a grant.</p><p> </p><p>The total Department of Health and Social Care Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2018-19 was £128.4 billion. 2.5 % was allocated to the local authority public health grant in 2018-19.</p> answering member constituency Winchester answering member printed Steve Brine grouped question UIN 193486 question first answered 28/11/2018 17:38:47 answering member 4067 label Biography information for Steve Brine
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010560

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Employment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effect of the restriction on asylum seekers' right to work on dependent children during the 12-month waiting period.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193493
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it and this Government is committed to delivering a fair and humane asylum system.</p><p>Whilst the Government has not made such an assessment, our current policy is consistent with EU law and permits asylum seekers to work, in jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, if they have been waiting for a decision on their claim for 12 months or more and the delay is through no fault of their own. We are tackling delays in decision-making and have plans in place to improve the speed at which outstanding claims are decided. <br> <br>The Government is considering recent calls to change the policy. However, our current approach aims to protect the resident labour market so that any employment meets our needs for skilled labour and distinguishes between those who need protection and those who want to work in the UK, who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules. We need to avoid creating further incentives for migrants, particularly children or those with children, to come here illegally, risking their lives in the process, instead of claiming asylum in the first safe country they reach.</p><p>It is also important to focus on providing support for those who are recognised as refugees, to help them to integrate and find employment, so that they can rebuild their lives here.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 27/11/2018 17:54:30 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010561

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Employment: Autism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on the autism employment gap of the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193494
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>We have made no assessment of the effect of Access to Work on the employment rate of people with autism.</p><p> </p><p>Data on people with Autism Spectrum Disorders is not routinely disaggregated within Access to Work statistics. The primary medical condition categories used in Access to Work are consistent with the categories used in the Labour Force Survey. This is so we can compare our data to the disability employment rate.</p><p> </p><p>When a person with autism applies to Access to Work for support, it will be for particular conditions, such as difficulty in speaking, learning difficulties, etc., rather than ‘autism’.</p><p> </p><p>This will be recorded as the individual’s primary medical condition in the Access to Work database, even if it’s linked to their autism</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work has a specialist Hidden Impairments team who receive upskilling and awareness from organisations who have expertise of autism to ensure that advisors have a broad understanding of the barriers individuals with autism face.</p><p> </p><p>The official statistics published on 30th October 2018 provide the latest information on the Access to Work scheme, including breakdowns by customer characteristics such as primary medical condition. They may be accessed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/access-to-work-statistics-april-2007-to-march-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/access-to-work-statistics-april-2007-to-march-2018</a></p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 27/11/2018 10:16:02 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010562

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Employment: Autism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has she made of the effect on the autism employment gap of the Disability Confident Autism and Neurodiversity Toolkit.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193495
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>We have not made any assessment of the effect the Disability Confident Autism and Neurodiversity Toolkit has had on the autism employment gap.</p><p> </p><p>The toolkit was developed with support from disabled people with neuro-diverse conditions, medical professionals and disability organisations such as Autism Alliance UK and Autism Plus. It is designed to help to raise awareness and understanding, within DWP and across the wider Civil Service, about Autism Spectrum Disorders and neuro-diverse conditions.</p><p> </p><p>Disability Confident promotes the many benefits of employing disabled people including individuals with autism and neuro-diverse conditions. The scheme provides free information, advice and guidance for employers.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 27/11/2018 17:34:05 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010563

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Employment: Autism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Disability Confident scheme on the gap between the number of people in employment (a) with autism and (b) in the general population.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>We have not made any assessment of Disability Confident on the autism employment gap.</p><p> </p><p>Disability Confident promotes to employers the many benefits of employing disabled people, including individuals with Autism and Neuro-diverse conditions. The scheme provides free information, advice and guidance to help them to do this. Over 10,000 businesses have signed up to the disability Confident scheme since it was launched in November 2016.</p><p> </p><p>The Disability Confident Autism and Neurodiversity Toolkit was developed with support from disabled people with neuro-diverse conditions, medical professionals and disability organisations such as Autism Alliance UK and Autism Plus. It is designed to help to raise awareness and understanding, within DWP and across the wider Civil Service, about Autism Spectrum Disorders and neuro-diverse conditions.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 28/11/2018 16:12:20 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1010564

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	Employment: Autism
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 to increase the rate of retention in employment of people with autism.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	193497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is strongly committed to increasing employment opportunities for disabled people, including those with autism, and improving employment retention rates. We are working across Government and with local authorities, voluntary organisations and employers in the public and private sectors to achieve this. Help and support for people with autism includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Disability Confident scheme, through which DWP is engaging with employers and helping to promote the skills, talents and abilities of people with autism and associated hidden impairment conditions. Disability Confident offers advice and support, to help employers feel more confident about employing disabled people. Over 10,000 businesses have signed up to the disability Confident scheme since it was launched in November 2016</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Access to Work, which has a Hidden Impairment Specialist Team that gives advice and guidance to help employers support employees with conditions such as Autism, Learning Disability and/or Mental Health conditions. It also offers eligible people an assessment to find out their needs at work and help to develop a support plan. <br></li><li>The Disability Passport ‘About Me’ which aims to encourage disabled claimants, including individuals with autism, to disclose their disability/ health conditions at the earliest stage to their Adviser, to improve communication and ensure reasonable adjustments are put in place. The passport is hosted on Autism Alliance’s website.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Civil Service has committed to support the Autism Exchange Programme, and my Department is working with Ambitious about Autism to provide work placement opportunities for young people.</p><p> </p><p>The number of working age disabled people in employment in the UK reached around 3.9 million in Q3 2018. This was an increase of 123,000 since Q3 2017, and an overall increase of 973,000 since Q3 2013, the earliest comparable figure.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 28/11/2018 14:36:25 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire