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1692530

registered interest
date	28/02/2024
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Disabled Facilities Grants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what the average turnaround time is for the (a) approval and (b) completion of works under the Disabled Facilities Grant by local authority in England.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	16172
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to helping older and disabled people to live independently and safely. Government funding for Disabled Facilities Grant has more than doubled, rising from £220 million in 2015-16 to £623 million for 2023-24.</p><p>Local areas already have discretion in how they manage the grant, for example, they can provide grants above the £30,000 cap on a case-by-case basis or in line with a locally published housing assistance policy. In 2022, Government published guidance for local authorities on the Disabled Facilities Grant, which includes information on using discretion in local delivery of the grant. The guidance can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disabled-facilities-grant-dfg-delivery-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england/disabled-facilities-grant-dfg-delivery-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england#chapter-1-introduction" target="_blank">here</a>. <br> <br> As with all aspects of the Disabled Facilities Grant, the Government will continue to keep the upper limit under review.</p><p>Unaudited data provided voluntarily by local authorities suggests that the average time for approval of a DFG application in 2021/22 was 29 working days. The average completion time was 88 days.</p><p>Local areas already have the power to include in their housing assistance policies a fast-track route for applicants with an urgent need for adaptations, including those with progressive health conditions. Government DFG delivery guidance provides information to local authorities on how to design housing assistance policies. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities also funds an organisation called Foundations to support local authorities with the effective delivery of the grant, and they can assist authorities in drafting policies that address local need.</p> answering member constituency Kensington answering member printed Felicity Buchan grouped question UIN 16171 16173 question first answered 05/03/2024 16:11:22 answering member 4821 label Biography information for Felicity Buchan
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1691991

registered interest
date	27/02/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Voluntary Organisations: VAT Exemptions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of making not-for-profit organisations that provide welfare services VAT exempt.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	15832
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2024 answer text <p>VAT has been designed as a broad-based tax on consumption, and the twenty per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Whilst there are exceptions to the standard rate, these have always been strictly limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.</p><p> </p><p>Welfare services provided by local authorities and similar bodies and charities are exempt from VAT, meaning no VAT is charged to the final consumer.</p><p> </p><p>Welfare services provided by state regulated private welfare organisations are also exempt from VAT. State regulated suppliers are those that are registered with the Care Quality Commission, and are eligible for the VAT exemption where they are providing services that are state regulated.</p><p>The regulation requirement ensures that VAT relief is limited to providers certified as offering safe and high-quality welfare services. This is a long-standing requirement, and there are no plans to make changes to these rules.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 04/03/2024 15:23:38 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

1692044

registered interest
date	27/02/2024
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Antisemitism and Islamophobia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to support victims of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism following the events since 7 October 2023 in Israel and Gaza.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	16003
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the Hon Member to my oral answer of 4 March 2024 (<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-03-04/debates/25338D67-1AE6-4DDA-99CE-1D08B53EF20D/Islamophobia#contribution-9417679F-9ED8-4A8C-A3A9-C1FC34E65F4F" target="_blank">Official Report, HC Volume 746, Column 628</a>).</p> answering member constituency Kensington answering member printed Felicity Buchan grouped question UIN 16001 question first answered 06/03/2024 17:46:21 answering member 4821 label Biography information for Felicity Buchan
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1691556

registered interest
date	26/02/2024
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	Scoliosis
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to include scoliosis as a reportable condition under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	15631
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2024 answer text <p>The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) are made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and apply to all sectors and workplaces in Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>The 2013 regulations clarified and simplified the list of reportable ill-health conditions (occupational diseases), as a result of a recommendation made by Professor Löfstedt in his report “<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reclaiming-health-and-safety-for-all-lofstedt-report" target="_blank">Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety (legislation</a>,” published in 2011.</p><p> </p><p>Under the regulations, HSE is required to review RIDDOR every five years. A review has recently been completed and its recommendations <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2023/127/pdfs/ukia_20230127_en.pdf" target="_blank">published</a>. One of these recommendations was to review the list of reportable occupational diseases. HSE is currently considering how best to take this forward.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 05/03/2024 16:39:48 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1691561

registered interest
date	26/02/2024
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	Disabled Facilities Grants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it remains his Department's policy to increase the total sum of money eligible per person via the disabled facilities grant.
tabling member constituency	Blackburn
tabling member printed	Kate Hollern
uin	15650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>Local areas already have the discretion to make grants above the current upper limit on a case-by-case basis, or in line with a locally published housing assistance policy. As with all aspects of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), the Government will continue to keep the upper limit under review.</p><p>The Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care plan announced a further £102 million for housing adaptation support, £50 million in 2023/24 and £52 million in 2024/25. This is in addition to the £573 million per year which is already available for the DFG. The increase will enable local areas to fund minor home adaptations and other supplementary services that will help people stay independent, and support hospital discharge.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 29/02/2024 11:21:36 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4363 label Biography information for Kate Hollern

1691200

registered interest
date	22/02/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Buildings: VAT
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 with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the level of VAT applied to (a) building refurbishment and renovations and (b) new build projects on resource efficiency in the construction sector.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	15252
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The construction of certain new-build properties, including residential buildings, is subject to a VAT zero rate to encourage the construction of new homes. A reduced rate of VAT at five per cent is also maintained, subject to certain conditions, for residential renovations. This includes conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two years or more.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 27/02/2024 16:39:53 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1691310

registered interest
date	22/02/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Carbon Emissions: Government Departments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to monitor the effectiveness of the work undertaken by each department on helping to achieve the Government's net zero targets.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	901721
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>Delivering net zero is a cross-government effort as evidenced by publication of strategies such as the Carbon Budgets Delivery Plan.</p><p> </p><p>Ministers and officials in the Department for Energy Security &amp; Net Zero regularly meet with counterparts across Government to coordinate action and manage risks. The Domestic and Economic Affairs (Energy, Climate and Net Zero) Committee ensures a coordinated approach to delivering net zero across Government. The sector specific commitments in the Net Zero Growth Plan also help to drive accountability for achieving net zero.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 29/02/2024 07:20:29 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1690735

registered interest
date	21/02/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Biodiversity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill on the global biodiversity framework.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	15055
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2024 answer text <p>The UK is committed to implementing the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which aims to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss and contains a target to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a comprehensive legal framework of environmental protection measures for offshore oil and gas activities. Section 12 of the Impact Assessment published alongside the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill sets out how the environmental principles of the Environment Act have been considered in the development of this Bill.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 28/02/2024 12:17:00 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1690939

registered interest
date	21/02/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Employment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is the number of (1) farmers, and (2) their direct employees, for the latest date for which figures are available.
tabling member printed	Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
uin	HL2658
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text <p>Farmers are defined here as full time and part time principal farmers, business partners, directors and spouses. All other agricultural workers are defined here as regular employees, salaried managers and casual workers who were working on the holding on 1 June 2023.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Agricultural workforce in England in 2023</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2023</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Farmers</p></td><td><p>178,696</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>All other agricultural workers</p></td><td><p>113,705</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total agricultural workforce</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>292,401</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Notes</p><p>(a) Commercial holdings are those registered with the Rural Payments Agency for payments or livestock purposes and with significant levels of farming activity (as recorded in responses to the Defra June Survey of Agriculture or the Cattle Tracing System). Holdings are only included if they have more than five hectares of agricultural land, one hectare of orchards, 0.5 hectares of vegetables or 0.1 hectares of protected crops, or more than 10 cows, 50 pigs, 20 sheep, 20 goats or 1,000 poultry.</p><p> </p><p>Full data series for agricultural workforce are published <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agricultural-workforce-in-england-at-1-june" target="_blank">here</a> for England. A copy is attached to this answer.</p><p> </p><p>Similar figures for the UK are available at gov.uk.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 06/03/2024 17:43:55 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller attachment 1 file name PQ HL2658 attachment Agricultural Workforce in England.xlsx title Agricultural Workforce, England
tabling member	1651 label Biography information for Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

1690345

registered interest
date	20/02/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Further Education: Care Leavers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken to support care leavers move into (a) further and (b) tertiary education.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	14966
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2024 answer text <p>In 'Stable Homes, Built on Love', the strategy for the reform of children’s social care, the department gave a commitment to improve the education, employment and training outcomes of children in care and care leavers by 2027. This can be found here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/650966a322a783001343e844/Children_s_Social_Care_Stable_Homes__Built_on_Love_consultation_response.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/650966a322a783001343e844/Children_s_Social_Care_Stable_Homes__Built_on_Love_consultation_response.pdf</a>.</p><p>The department set out a number of actions to take this forward, including:</p><ul><li>The national rollout of £24 million of Pupil Premium Plus-style funding to looked-after children and care leavers in 16-19 education, building on an initial £8 million pilot that launched in October 2021. £10 million was allocated to local authorities in the 2023/24 financial year, with a further £14 million to be allocated in 2024/25.</li><li>Developing an accreditation scheme for higher and further education providers that will set core standards for the support offered to care experienced students, helping increase participation and improve outcomes for this cohort. The department has previously published guidance for higher education providers on how they can ensure care leavers have the support they need to access, and succeed at, university. This can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/principles-to-guide-he-providers-on-improving-care-leavers-access-and-participation-in-he/principles-to-guide-higher-education-providers-on-improving-care-leavers-access-and-participation-in-he" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/principles-to-guide-he-providers-on-improving-care-leavers-access-and-participation-in-he/principles-to-guide-higher-education-providers-on-improving-care-leavers-access-and-participation-in-he</a>.</li><li>Increasing the Apprenticeships Care Leavers’ Bursary from £1,000 to £3,000, from August 2023, to provide greater financial security for care leavers choosing apprenticeships. This recognises that care leavers face higher living costs than their peers as they often live independently at a younger age and may not have a wider familial network for support.</li><li>Increasing funding for the care leaver covenant by 30% in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to extend its reach and impact. Over 450 organisations have now signed the covenant, including John Lewis, Amazon and Sky, offering employment and other opportunities to support care leavers’ transition to independent living.</li></ul><p>In addition to the bursary, the department pays businesses and training providers £1,000 for every care leaver apprentice they employ or train. Employers and providers are free to use their additional funding wherever needed to support their apprentices, including contributions to travel or childcare costs, or the provision of additional mentoring.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 28/02/2024 11:44:10 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson