The Government is investing across the justice system and has invested £85m in the CPS up to 2021. This will enable the CPS to respond effectively to the expected increase in caseload resulting from the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers; to better meet its disclosure obligations; to work with investigators to pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry; and to deliver much needed changes to external counsel fees. Investing in the CPS, to support it to respond to these pressures, demonstrates this Government\u2019s commitment to ensuring that justice is served.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4116", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Northampton North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Michael Ellis"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T09:22:37.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crown Prosecution Service: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, what plans she has for the allocation of the £80 million CPS budget increase announced in the Spending Round 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4739", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jerome Mayhew"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broadland"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jerome Mayhew"} ], "uin" : "901773"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187474", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187474/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Transport is determined to help keep supply chains moving up and down the country despite COVID-19. That is why we authorised a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers\u2019 hours rules for the whole haulage industry; which began on Monday 23 March 2020 and will run until Sunday 31 May 2020. This was done on the understanding that driver welfare and road safety must not be compromised. Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their employees and other road users.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have not relaxed the drivers\u2019 hours rules in the passenger transport sector.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T15:30:51.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Driving: Working Hours"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether statutory minimum safety standard and maximum driving times for drivers of (a) HGVs and (b) passenger vehicles will be revised to support logistical operations for the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"} ], "uin" : "34404"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187475", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187475/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom\u2019s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity into the system.<\/p>
We are making provision to secure testing kits both to meet current demand and scale our capacity. This includes securing testing kits from a variety of sources. The identities of suppliers are subject to confidential commercial agreements.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nadine Dorries"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-05-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187475/answer/previousversion/16322", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-05-05T16:31:48.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coronavirus: Screening"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) his Department and (b) NHS Trusts have ordered covid-19 testing kits from Novacyt; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"} ], "uin" : "34405"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187477", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187477/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
COVID-19 presents a unique set of challenges that we must address in order to maintain the provision of services in custody. As ever, the safety of our staff and those in our care remains of primary concern, and we are doing all that we can to protect them. Prisons have existing, well-developed policies and procedures in place to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases. We have also been working closely with Public Health and NHS services to put robust contingency plans in place in response to the specific risks posed by COVID-19.<\/p>
Prisons are currently operating under temporarily restricted regimes so we can implement the Government\u2019s measures to encourage the public to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Staff are being re-deployed, where appropriate, from headquarters into operational roles. The Government also recently announced an extension of testing to prison and probation staff. Staff who had been self-isolating because they or a member of their household have symptoms of coronavirus will be able to return to work where they test negative.<\/p>
In recognition of the importance of continued contact with family and to ensure stability in our jails, the Government has moved quickly to keep prisoners in touch with their family members. Around 60% of the prison estate now has access to in-cell telephony and for those that do not, we have rolled out 900 locked mobile phone handsets.<\/p>
We have also worked with Prison Education Framework providers and local prison teams to collate distraction packs and in-cell activities.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-27T13:14:45.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure security in prisons in the event that prison staff become infected with covid-19.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "34330"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187478", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187478/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
Our latest guidance on financial support for education, early years and children\u2019s social care is set out below:<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care<\/a><\/p> These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4674", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Ford"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelmsford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Vicky Ford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T16:46:59.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nurseries: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on flexibility for private nurseries that have been mandated to stay open during the covid-19 outbreak to allow their staff to go on furlough and then to bring them back into work should demand require it.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4616", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Duffield"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Canterbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Duffield"}
], "uin" : "34393"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187479", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187479/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The judiciary has agreed that magistrates\u2019 courts should focus on only the highest priority cases for hearings in open court, and on work that can be dealt with remotely. This has greatly reduced the number of people entering what would otherwise be busy magistrates\u2019 courts. Guidance has been issued to courts to make sure that the advice on observing social distance requirements is observed as far as is practicable. The judiciary continue to review the prioritisation of work in the magistrates\u2019 courts, with the need for courts to be able to operate safely being paramount.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T15:53:04.887Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Magistrates' Courts: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of the continuation of priority cases in the Magistrates courts on efforts to reduce transmission of covid-19; what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with the two metre social distancing advice for those involved in any continued proceedings; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
], "uin" : "34322"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187480", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187480/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rate Relief on or before the 11th<\/sup> March 2020 are eligible for the Small Business Grants Fund. Where currency exchange kiosks have their own business rating and meet the eligibility criteria, they are eligible for the Small Business grant of £10,000.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-27T10:41:58.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Small Businesses: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether currency exchange kiosks are eligible to apply for covid-19 small business support.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "34344"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187481", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187481/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The administration of the tax system is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who have indicated that they are in dialogue with the taxpayer. It would not be appropriate for Treasury ministers to become involved in the administration of the tax system in specific cases.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T15:46:32.61Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Roadchef: Employee Benefit Trusts"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department been made on the dispute between HMRC and the Roadchef Employee Benefits Trust since the meeting between the Financial Secretary, the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts and the Chairman of the Trust; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"}
], "uin" : "34353"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187482", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187482/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the Honourable Member to my written answer of 24 March 2020:<\/p> <\/p>