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1195061

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Probate: Coronavirus
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 potential merits of extending probate for people who have experienced bereavement during the covid-19 lockdown and who therefore cannot meet the six month deadline for inheritance tax submission.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Hallam
tabling member printed	Olivia Blake
uin	46200
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text While there is no statutory deadline for making probate applications, the Government is aware of concerns about the six-month deadline for paying inheritance tax and the twelve-month deadline for filing a return. Where a taxpayer is unable to file their return on time because of COVID-19, HMRC will consider that within the scope of a reasonable excuse and as grounds for appeal against late filing penalties. The Government continues to explore all avenues to help those affected. answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 18/05/2020 15:57:22 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4864 label Biography information for Olivia Blake

1195057

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	English Language: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide financial support to English Language Teaching centres in the form of (a) a business rates holiday or (b) grants.
tabling member constituency	Twickenham
tabling member printed	Munira Wilson
uin	46168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text The government is making sure that people and businesses have access to the support they need as quickly as possible. The English language teaching sector can apply for additional support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme where they meet the criteria for these schemes. The government has provided enhanced support to other sectors under exceptional circumstances through business rates relief and grants given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors. answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 18/05/2020 15:21:35 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	4776 label Biography information for Munira Wilson

1195058

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Small Businesses: Government Assistance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend Government financial support for (a) English Language Teaching centres and (b) other seasonal industries after the covid-10 lockdown has ended.
tabling member constituency	Twickenham
tabling member printed	Munira Wilson
uin	46169
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2020 answer text The government is making sure that people and businesses have access to the support they need as quickly as possible. The English language teaching sector and other seasonal industries can apply for additional support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme where they meet the criteria for these schemes. On 12 May, the Government announced that the CJRS will continue to the end of October. The Chancellor has been clear that getting people back to work will be introduced in a measured way, avoiding a cliff edge. answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 19/05/2020 07:53:27 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
tabling member	4776 label Biography information for Munira Wilson

1195131

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Maternity Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide financial support to self-employed mothers whose average earnings will be less as a result of taking maternity leave during the timeframe for eligibility for accessing the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mhairi Black
uin	46095
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme has been designed to deliver support as quickly and effectively as possible to millions of individuals. The Government understands the challenges faced by those with periods of maternity leave and the existing averaging calculation takes account of periods of reduced profits. The Government will continue to work with stakeholders to make sure funding reaches those who need it most, keeping all policies under review, while ensuring that any potential changes do not risk the wider delivery of Government schemes. answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 21/05/2020 19:34:16 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4421 label Biography information for Mhairi Black

1194957

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Reserve Forces
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of armed forces reservists.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Mr Stephen Morgan
uin	46142
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>With regard to the operational capability of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust processes and measures in place to conduct capability assessment, compare data sets and metrics, and identify trends in order to inform decisions. These processes have been dynamically and routinely used throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect and prioritise critical and essential outputs, such as our permanent tasks.</p><p>To aid in delivery of these, non-essential commitments and activity has been minimised, postponed or cancelled. The MOD continues to assess which essential commitments and activity have required to protect all priority outputs, adapting accordingly.</p><p>Recruitment, retention, and morale of Reserve Forces is the purview of the single Services and therefore there will be differences in approaches.</p><p>Armed Forces recruitment, including for Reserves, continues online while in-person interviews and assessments have been paused in order to comply with current health and safety guidelines. At this early stage of the pandemic we are unable to make any firm pronouncement on trends or conclusions. A fuller assessment will only be possible much later in the year.</p><p>At this stage there is no evidence of a significant downturn in the recruitment of Reserve Forces, with the operational capability of the UK Armed Forces being as robust as ever, bolstered by augmentation in the form of our committed and highly skilled Reservists.</p><p>Far from seeing a retention issue, we have seen the re-engagement of many Reservists whilst morale remains high, evidenced by significant numbers of Reserve personnel both currently mobilised and on stand-by for future requirements. COVID-19 has actually proved a galvanising factor in giving Reservists the opportunity to step forward to support the nation in a time of need.</p><p>The Maritime Reserves (MR) are still receiving applications, albeit at a reduced rate. Virtual interactions and assessment processes are being developed to accommodate the requirement for social distancing. These should be trialled soon and will be supported with specific marketing to reignite the attraction of high calibre candidates. MR have not experienced any voluntary outflow because of COVID-19, and at present no additional specific retention action has been necessary. A continuous assessment of people, morale and wellbeing has been undertaken within MR units, using virtual methods to engage with personnel. Effect on morale is judged minimal overall.</p><p>Morale amongst Army Reservists is reviewed formally through the Reserve Continuous Attitude Survey and evidenced more informally through the levels of participation in Defence's contribution to fighting the pandemic. 1750 Army Reserves are currently mobilised, with many more volunteering and hoping to be utilised. That their service was engaged quickly and efficiently, and at scale, is indication of good morale. Innovative use of virtual training and communications (such as Defence Connect) has enabled units to maintain contact with their Reserve Soldiers on a weekly basis during the lockdown. This commitment, initiative, and shared purpose has been critical in enabling the maintenance of the morale of the Army Reserve.</p><p>No comprehensive assessment has been made of the morale amongst Royal Air Force (RAF) Reservists, however they are proud of their contribution to Defence's response to pandemic. This is evidenced by the initial trawl for Reservist Personnel yielding over 800 volunteers, many of whom, with the consent of their employer, waived the 28-day notice period.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey grouped question UIN 46143 question first answered 18/05/2020 11:25:48 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1194958

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Reserve Forces
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has he made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on morale among armed forces reservists.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Mr Stephen Morgan
uin	46143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>With regard to the operational capability of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust processes and measures in place to conduct capability assessment, compare data sets and metrics, and identify trends in order to inform decisions. These processes have been dynamically and routinely used throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect and prioritise critical and essential outputs, such as our permanent tasks.</p><p>To aid in delivery of these, non-essential commitments and activity has been minimised, postponed or cancelled. The MOD continues to assess which essential commitments and activity have required to protect all priority outputs, adapting accordingly.</p><p>Recruitment, retention, and morale of Reserve Forces is the purview of the single Services and therefore there will be differences in approaches.</p><p>Armed Forces recruitment, including for Reserves, continues online while in-person interviews and assessments have been paused in order to comply with current health and safety guidelines. At this early stage of the pandemic we are unable to make any firm pronouncement on trends or conclusions. A fuller assessment will only be possible much later in the year.</p><p>At this stage there is no evidence of a significant downturn in the recruitment of Reserve Forces, with the operational capability of the UK Armed Forces being as robust as ever, bolstered by augmentation in the form of our committed and highly skilled Reservists.</p><p>Far from seeing a retention issue, we have seen the re-engagement of many Reservists whilst morale remains high, evidenced by significant numbers of Reserve personnel both currently mobilised and on stand-by for future requirements. COVID-19 has actually proved a galvanising factor in giving Reservists the opportunity to step forward to support the nation in a time of need.</p><p>The Maritime Reserves (MR) are still receiving applications, albeit at a reduced rate. Virtual interactions and assessment processes are being developed to accommodate the requirement for social distancing. These should be trialled soon and will be supported with specific marketing to reignite the attraction of high calibre candidates. MR have not experienced any voluntary outflow because of COVID-19, and at present no additional specific retention action has been necessary. A continuous assessment of people, morale and wellbeing has been undertaken within MR units, using virtual methods to engage with personnel. Effect on morale is judged minimal overall.</p><p>Morale amongst Army Reservists is reviewed formally through the Reserve Continuous Attitude Survey and evidenced more informally through the levels of participation in Defence's contribution to fighting the pandemic. 1750 Army Reserves are currently mobilised, with many more volunteering and hoping to be utilised. That their service was engaged quickly and efficiently, and at scale, is indication of good morale. Innovative use of virtual training and communications (such as Defence Connect) has enabled units to maintain contact with their Reserve Soldiers on a weekly basis during the lockdown. This commitment, initiative, and shared purpose has been critical in enabling the maintenance of the morale of the Army Reserve.</p><p>No comprehensive assessment has been made of the morale amongst Royal Air Force (RAF) Reservists, however they are proud of their contribution to Defence's response to pandemic. This is evidenced by the initial trawl for Reservist Personnel yielding over 800 volunteers, many of whom, with the consent of their employer, waived the 28-day notice period.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey grouped question UIN 46142 question first answered 18/05/2020 11:25:48 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1194959

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Reserve Forces: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent comparative assessment has he made of trends in armed forces reserve recruitment and operational capability of the armed forces during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Mr Stephen Morgan
uin	46144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>With regard to the operational capability of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust processes and measures in place to conduct capability assessment, compare data sets and metrics, and identify trends in order to inform decisions. These processes have been dynamically and routinely used throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect and prioritise critical and essential outputs, such as our permanent tasks.</p><p>To aid in delivery of these, non-essential commitments and activity has been minimised, postponed or cancelled. The MOD continues to assess which essential commitments and activity have required to protect all priority outputs, adapting accordingly.</p><p>Recruitment, retention, and morale of Reserve Forces is the purview of the single Services and therefore there will be differences in approaches.</p><p>Armed Forces recruitment, including for Reserves, continues online while in-person interviews and assessments have been paused in order to comply with current health and safety guidelines. At this early stage of the pandemic we are unable to make any firm pronouncement on trends or conclusions. A fuller assessment will only be possible much later in the year.</p><p>At this stage there is no evidence of a significant downturn in the recruitment of Reserve Forces, with the operational capability of the UK Armed Forces being as robust as ever, bolstered by augmentation in the form of our committed and highly skilled Reservists.</p><p>Far from seeing a retention issue, we have seen the re-engagement of many Reservists whilst morale remains high, evidenced by significant numbers of Reserve personnel both currently mobilised and on stand-by for future requirements. COVID-19 has actually proved a galvanising factor in giving Reservists the opportunity to step forward to support the nation in a time of need.</p><p>The Maritime Reserves (MR) are still receiving applications, albeit at a reduced rate. Virtual interactions and assessment processes are being developed to accommodate the requirement for social distancing. These should be trialled soon and will be supported with specific marketing to reignite the attraction of high calibre candidates. MR have not experienced any voluntary outflow because of COVID-19, and at present no additional specific retention action has been necessary. A continuous assessment of people, morale and wellbeing has been undertaken within MR units, using virtual methods to engage with personnel. Effect on morale is judged minimal overall.</p><p>Morale amongst Army Reservists is reviewed formally through the Reserve Continuous Attitude Survey and evidenced more informally through the levels of participation in Defence's contribution to fighting the pandemic. 1750 Army Reserves are currently mobilised, with many more volunteering and hoping to be utilised. That their service was engaged quickly and efficiently, and at scale, is indication of good morale. Innovative use of virtual training and communications (such as Defence Connect) has enabled units to maintain contact with their Reserve Soldiers on a weekly basis during the lockdown. This commitment, initiative, and shared purpose has been critical in enabling the maintenance of the morale of the Army Reserve.</p><p>No comprehensive assessment has been made of the morale amongst Royal Air Force (RAF) Reservists, however they are proud of their contribution to Defence's response to pandemic. This is evidenced by the initial trawl for Reservist Personnel yielding over 800 volunteers, many of whom, with the consent of their employer, waived the 28-day notice period.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 18/05/2020 11:00:47 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1195006

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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	Markets: Disease Control
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking as part of the international response to the continued existence of wet markets in (a) China and (b) other countries throughout the world.
tabling member constituency	Wansbeck
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	46069
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>Whilst the sale of wildlife in “wet markets” has been suspected as the source of the current COVID-19 pandemic, conclusive evidence is not yet available. Research into the origin of the virus causing COVID-19 is ongoing, and the UK is working with the international scientific community to determine the source of the outbreak. When we have sound evidence, we will support the delivery of swift and effective policy interventions where needed.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise however that ‘wet markets’ selling live animals and meat are a high risk environment for the transmission of disease from animals to other animals, and from animals to humans, if they are not subject to high standards of biosecurity and hygiene. It is essential that strict food hygiene and health standards are met, and we agree with the WHO that markets should close if these standards are not met.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, the UK continues to provide leadership in the efforts to combat and end the illegal wildlife trade, which not only increases the risk of zoonosis, but contributes to loss of biodiversity and increased corruption.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 22/05/2020 09:31:44 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1195219

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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	Contact Tracing: Software
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the organisers of the King's College London and ZOE COVID-19 symptom tracking application about the provision of financial support.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL4222
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>Whilst NHSX has been approached by a number of symptom trackers and products with regards to funding we do not fund products in this space. Any trackers that we do work with are providing their data for free through project OASIS, a project between NHSX and the jHub.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 20/05/2020 13:13:44 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1195227

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	Israel: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports that settlers are building a road on Palestinian land near Dura in the West Bank.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL4230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>While we have not made representations on these reports, we continue to oppose settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our policy is clear: settlements are illegal under international law and damaging to renewed efforts to launch peace negotiations.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/05/2020 10:53:55 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge