Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1196373

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Charities: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What fiscal steps he is taking to support the charity sector during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	East Devon
tabling member printed	Simon Jupp
uin	902695
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>Alongside unprecedented support for individuals and businesses in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has announced a £750 million support package for charities.</p><p> </p><p>£360m of this will be allocated directly to charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people, including up to £200m for hospices across the next quarter.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 18/05/2020 15:09:16 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4862 label Biography information for Simon Jupp

1196374

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Business: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What plans he has to extend the (a) Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and (b) business rates holiday to businesses involved in the retail, hospitality and leisure supply chain during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Wimbledon
tabling member printed	Stephen Hammond
uin	902693
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The COVID-19 crisis has led to a steep decline in customer footfall on our high streets. <br></p><p>That is why the Government has provided funding for over £5 billion of grants for small retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, and over £9.5 billion of funding to provide a 12 month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.</p><p> </p><p>This business rates holiday along with the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund, are designed to support businesses which have been particularly hard hit by the crisis.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 18/05/2020 15:10:54 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond

1196375

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: Key Workers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What recent steps the Government has taken to help prevent key workers who (a) work on and (b) use the rail network contracting covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Norwich South
tabling member printed	Clive Lewis
uin	902645
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>Drivers and other public transport staff have been working hard to ensure that all those on the frontline can get to work. New safer transport guidance was published on 12 May, and we are working closely with transport operators across the sector on its implementation.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 18/05/2020 16:05:06 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4500 label Biography information for Clive Lewis

1196390

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Crimes against Humanity: Victims
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure accountability for victims of (a) war crimes and (b) crimes against humanity in (i) Sri Lanka and (b) overseas.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	48430
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The British Government regularly engages with international partners on the importance of truth, accountability and justice for all victims of the civil war in Sri Lanka. At the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the UK works closely with the Core Group on Sri Lanka, and made clear our continued support for justice for victims of conflict in a joint statement delivered at the UNHRC in February. While in Geneva in February, Minister of State for South Asia Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon met with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to underline this message, and the Foreign Secretary raised the importance of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka during a call with Foreign Minister Gunawardena in May.</p><p>The British High Commission in Colombo also regularly engages with international partners on this important issue. The UK has long supported Sri Lanka's accountability commitments made to the UNHRC through resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 as the best way to establish truth regarding alleged crimes committed by all sides during the Sri Lankan civil war, as well as to achieve accountability and reconciliation. We continue to underline the importance of accountability, justice and reconciliation in our engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka Supporting international criminal justice continues to be a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK is one of the foremost contributors to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international tribunals, which can play a key role in deterring future acts, supporting victims, and helping to establish accountability around the globe. The UK has provided both practical and financial support to the ICC, contributing £10.2 million, and working with the Court on sentence enforcement. The UK has also been at the forefront of international efforts to gather and analyse evidence of atrocities in conflict affected areas such as Myanmar, Syria, and Iraq.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 14:43:55 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1196391

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Emergency Powers: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he has taken to help coordinate an international response to the potential state misuse of emergency powers during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	48431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is aware of and concerned by reports of measures taken by some countries in response to the Coronavirus outbreak that may unduly restrict human rights or have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable or marginalised groups. All States must ensure they respect their human rights obligations in responding to Coronavirus.</p><p>Through our international engagement, we have made clear that any actions taken which may restrict certain human rights, for example freedom of assembly or association, must be lawful, non-discriminatory, targeted, time-limited, and subject to regular review to ensure they remain strictly necessary as a response to Coronavirus. The Foreign Secretary issued a statement with his French, German and Dutch counterparts to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, in which he emphasised the need to &quot;oppose all attempts by any state to use the pandemic to adopt restrictions on press freedom, silence debate, abuse journalists or spread information&quot;. On 20 May, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State with responsibility for Human Rights, discussed with Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the critical importance of working together to ensure everyone's human rights are protected in responding to COVID-19, and welcomed plans for the Human Rights Council to resume in June.</p><p>Our Ambassadors to multilateral institutions in New York, Geneva, Strasbourg and Vienna have all raised the importance of human rights in States' response to Coronavirus. We also support the call the UN Secretary-General made when launching his policy brief on COVID-19 and human rights on 22 April that human rights must be at the front and centre of the Coronavirus response and recovery. The UK Government remains committed to standing up for human rights and supports all efforts by the UN to minimise long-term damage to global economies, societies, politics and freedoms.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 14:38:00 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1196393

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Financial Services: Codes of Practice
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the pause in the Financial Conduct Authority's consultation on Guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers on (a) people living with cancer and (b) other vulnerable consumers; and what steps he is taking to support those people.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	48468
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to get our nation through this crisis and that includes supporting the most vulnerable in our society. To this end, the Government continues to work closely with financial services regulators as part of the economic response.</p><p> </p><p>The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has introduced measures supporting consumers in financial difficulty at this time, and requires firms to prioritise vulnerable consumers, including those with poor health.</p><p> </p><p>In response, firms across the financial services sector have announced a range of measures to support vulnerable customers and the Government is working with the FCA to ensure there is continued support. For example, many firms have methods for trusted third-parties to access cash for vulnerable/self-isolating people, as well as setting up dedicated phone lines to support them.</p><p> </p><p>Since the COVID-19 crisis has developed, the Government has also worked closely with the FCA on the introduction of payment deferral periods to provide support to consumers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the FCA consulted on draft guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable consumers in July 2019, which may be useful to firms at this time. This guidance focuses on firms’ considering and meeting the needs of vulnerable customers and embedding this thinking in their culture, practices, and processes throughout the whole consumer journey, from product design to customer service. The second consultation in March was postponed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The FCA are currently developing their understanding of how COVID-19 is impacting vulnerable consumers and how it should influence their policy approach. As part of this they are considering how and when to restart the vulnerability guidance consultation.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 02/06/2020 06:53:39 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1196394

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Charities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on charities of extending the length of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	48469
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>On 12 May the Government announced a major extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which will continue to the end of October, including more flexibility and employer contributions from August as people return to work. This will provide clarity for the coming months for all businesses, including charities. The flexibilities introduced will allow businesses and charities to move out of the scheme in a measured way that protects people’s incomes and helps support furloughed employees as they return to work. The Government has announced a £750 million support package for charities. £360m will be allocated directly to charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people. £310m will support smaller, local charities including through grants distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund. £60m will be allocated to the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula. The Government pledged to match whatever the public donated to the BBC Big Night In fundraiser on 23 April, with a minimum of £20m going to the National Emergencies Trust.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 22/05/2020 08:54:31 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1196395

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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 support his Department is providing to (a) schools and (b) local authorities to ensure that parents claim e-vouchers issued by them for free school meals.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	48408
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 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>Our latest guidance on national voucher scheme is set out below:<br><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>During this period, we are asking schools to speak to their catering team or food suppliers to arrange meals or food parcels for pupils who are eligible for free school meals while they are staying at home. Where this is not possible, the department has developed a national voucher scheme as an alternative to support schools with this provision.</p><p>We are working very closely with our national voucher scheme supplier, Edenred, to ensure schools, as administrators ordering the vouchers for families, receive regular updates and advice regarding the scheme. There are also a number of online resources specifically aimed at schools and parents, including the following:</p><ul><li>parent and carer FAQs, which are available here:<br> <a href="https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_ParentCarerFAQs.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_ParentCarerFAQs.pdf</a>;</li><li>a school user guide, which is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_AdminUserGuide.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_AdminUserGuide.pdf</a>; and</li><li>guidance from the department, which is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance</a>.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Edenred has reported that over £101.5 million worth of voucher codes has been redeemed into supermarket e-gift cards by schools and families through the scheme as of Friday 22 May.</p><p>These are rapidly developing circumstances. We continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 27/05/2020 15:08:25 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1196396

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Business Rates: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the £51,000 business rates limit for covid-19 support grants for businesses in line with the variation in property values in England.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	48653
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The business grants schemes have been designed to help small businesses. £51,000 is the accepted threshold in the business rates system for a “small” business, as only businesses which occupy properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 can benefit from the Small Business Multiplier rate. This threshold applies across England, thus providing a straightforward existing basis which Local Authorities can use to issue grants.</p><p> </p><p>Larger businesses may have access to other forms of support which the Government has announced, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. In addition, there is no rateable value limit on the business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to monitor the economic situation and is keeping support for businesses and other organisations under review.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 02/06/2020 06:56:47 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1196397

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Charities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to allow charity employees who would otherwise have been made redundant to continue working.
tabling member constituency	Worsley and Eccles South
tabling member printed	Barbara Keeley
uin	48370
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>Any employer using a PAYE scheme can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. <br> <br> To mitigate the risk of fraudulent claims and to protect individuals, the Government made it clear that individuals cannot work or volunteer for their organisation. If workers were allowed to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to work in an effectively full time way while only paying 80% of the wages</p><p><br> The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with other Government departments and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to identify areas where volunteers can contribute to the COVID-19 response.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 02/06/2020 06:47:04 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	1588 label Biography information for Barbara Keeley