Taylor Tabled

Questions Asked 19 December 2023

Treasury

Carbon Emissions: Taxation HL1367 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the new carbon import levy scheduled for 2027 (1) balances the protection of domestic businesses against cheaper imports; and (2) fosters international cooperation to address global emissions.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homelessness: HL1366 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the rise in homelessness.

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay: HL1368 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) mitigate pay gaps, and (2) promote fair compensation practices, within large companies.

Questions Asked 18 December 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Prices HL1307 To ask His Majesty’s Government what measures they are implementing to alleviate the financial burden of energy bills on struggling households, while ensuring the energy market stays resilient.

Treasury

Economic Situation: HL1308 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of increasing consumer confidence and economic recovery in the coming months, as indicated by (1) the S&P Global/Cips Flash UK PMI composite output index, and (2) GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index, both published on 15 December; and what steps they are taking to support this.

Cabinet Office

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland HL1306 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to secure an agreement with parties in Northern Ireland regarding trading arrangements between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, and what assessment they have made of the consequential impact for the United Kingdom as a whole.

Questions Asked 15 December 2023

Treasury

Economic Growth: Brexit HL1614 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the report by Cambridge Econometrics London’s Economy After Brexit: Impacts and Implications, published on 11 January, which estimated that economic growth was “2–3 per cent lower in 2023 than had Brexit not occurred … and is expected to gradually increase to 5–6 per cent by 2035”, what steps they are taking to support the resilience and growth of industries affected by any economic challenges that have arisen as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU.

Questions Asked 14 December 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: Cost of Living HL1237 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current rental market; and what steps they are taking to support tenants facing financial challenges.

Treasury

Overseas Trade: HL1239 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether to align new rules on reducing settlement times for trades with the United States or the European Union.

Treasury

Economic Growth: HL1238 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to data released by the Office for National Statistics on 13 December showing that the economy shrank by more than expected in October, what steps they are taking to boost economic activity.

Questions Asked 13 December 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Electricity Generation: Renewable Energy HL1192 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Eastern Green Link 1 project has maximum economic benefits, including job creation as mentioned in the National Grid’s report Building the Net Zero Energy Workforce, published in January 2020.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Flood Control: HL1194 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare for potential flooding in homes and business across the UK.

Treasury

Mortgages: Arrears HL1193 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to recent data from the Bank of England which showed that mortgage arrears are at their highest rate in six years, what steps they are taking to mitigate the negative impact on homeowners in light of the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 12 December 2023

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: EU Countries HL1120 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the provisional EU plan on the use of artificial intelligence; and how, if at all, this will affect the UK’s development of regulations.

Treasury

Housing: Prices HL1122 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following reports that house prices rose for a second consecutive month in November, what steps they are taking to balance the impact of stabilising housing prices for consumers against challenges posed by the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 11 December 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Business: Recruitment HL1083 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following recent reports that starting salaries in Britain have risen at their slowest pace in nearly three years, what steps they are taking to support businesses in maintaining competitive compensation to attract new employees.

Home Office

Police: Finance HL1084 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that police forces across the UK have sufficient funding to meet the needs of their communities.

Treasury

Small Businesses: Bank Services HL1085 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure a fair balance between banks’ risk management practices and the impact on small business growth, particularly concerning the use of personal guarantees for business loans.

Questions Asked 7 December 2023

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Charities and Food Banks: Government Assistance HL1006 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support local charities and food banks during the increased cost of living.

Department for Transport

Railways: Strikes HL1007 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the economic impact that rail worker strikes will have on affected businesses and individuals.

Treasury

UK Trade with EU HL1005 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist businesses in overcoming challenges with customs bureaucracy and logistics issues in trade with the EU.

Questions Asked 6 December 2023

Treasury

Mortgages: Interest Rates HL951 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the financial pressure faced by mortgage holders due to inflation rising interest payments.

Home Office

Asylum: Rwanda HL952 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK–Rwanda treaty for the provision of an asylum partnership aligns with the UK’s international human rights commitments, including safeguarding the rights of asylum seekers.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Flood Control: HL953 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the potential financial impact of flooding in communities across the UK.

Questions Asked 5 December 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Economic Growth: HL886 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to alter trade policy to enhance economic growth, further to the recommendations made in the final report of the Economy 2030 inquiry, Ending Stagnation: A New Economic Strategy for Britain, published by the Resolution Foundation on 4 December.

Department for Business and Trade

Business: Artificial Intelligence HL887 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assess the benefits, challenges and regulatory considerations of the potential integration of artificial intelligence in auditing practice within firms.

Home Office

Visas: Skilled Workers HL885 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the decision to raise the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas does not harm businesses and the broader economy.

Questions Asked 4 December 2023

Treasury

Central Bank Digital Currencies: Bank of England HL847 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks and benefits of introducing the digital pound, including on financial stability.

Treasury

Rents: Inflation HL845 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address challenges that may arise from the new methodology for assessing rental prices in inflation data.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Energy: Meters HL846 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate financial burdens to households which arise from malfunctioning smart meters leading to an inaccurate energy bill.

Questions Asked 30 November 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries HL782 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to facilitate knowledge transfer between academia and the automotive industry to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream vehicle manufacturing.

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay: Ethnic Groups HL781 To ask His Majesty’s Government, with reference to the ethnicity pay gap data published by the Office for National Statistics on 29 November, what steps they are taking to combat ethnicity pay gaps in the UK.

Department for Business and Trade

Supermarkets: Prices HL780 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of supermarket loyalty schemes on price transparency and affordability for consumers.

Questions Asked 29 November 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: HL742 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following reports that the average tenant household spends 35.3 per cent of their income on rent, what steps they are taking to alleviate financial strain on tenants in the private rental sector.

Treasury 

Debts: HL731 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of an increase in unaffordable consumer debt, including credit-card debt, in the new year.

Department for Business and Trade

Retail Trade: Inflation HL740 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support retailers in continuing the downward path of inflation.

Questions Asked 28 November 2023

Department for Transport 

Public Transport: Sexual Harassment HL684 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the recent survey conducted by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, which found that 40 per cent of women public transport workers have been sexually harassed at work, what steps they are taking to combat sexual harassment in the transport sector and prevent it from worsening.

Treasury 

Economic Situation: HL683 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to sustain and increase economic confidence among consumers.

Department for Education

Employment: Artificial Intelligence HL682 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any potential benefits of using artificial intelligence to develop skills for the workplace.

Questions Asked 27 November 2023

Treasury 

Lloyds Bank: Redundancy HL635 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to recent reports concerning job cuts at Lloyd’s Bank, what steps they are taking to address challenges in the financial sector and mitigate the impact on employees.

Home Office

Hate Crime: Ethnic Groups HL636 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the demonstration against antisemitism which took place in London on 26 November, what steps they are taking to (1) combat hate crimes, and (2) ensure safety for minority communities.

Questions Asked 23 November 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport: Small Businesses HL574 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that the Plymouth Freeport project contributes to creating a favourable environment for small businesses to access finance opportunities.

Treasury 

Cost of Living: HL575 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the Autumn Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22 November (HC Deb cols 325–57), what assessment they have made of impact of the level of taxation on individuals struggling with the increased cost of living.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Multiple Occupation: Licensing HL576 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to reduce the number of unlicensed houses in multiple occupation, and (2) to promote safe and uncrowded living conditions for those affected.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Chronic Illnesses and Disability HL577 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the Autumn Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22 November where he stated that if jobseekers “choose not to engage with the work search process for six months, we will close their case and stop their benefits” (HC Deb col 336), what steps they are taking to support individuals with health conditions and disabilities in finding employment.

Questions Asked 22 November 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homelessness: HL530 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address homelessness and alleviate the financial strain on affected councils.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Inflation HL529 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to small businesses experiencing financial pressure as a result of customers being unable to afford items or services because of inflation.

Questions Asked 21 November 2023

Department for Work and Pensions

Food Poverty: Government Assistance HL494 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the rise in demand for food banks, what steps they are taking to support families experiencing food poverty.

Department for Transport

Unmanned Air Vehicles: Community First Responders HL496 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the (1) benefits, and (2) risks, associated with deploying drones as first responders; and what steps they will take to ensure the (a) secure, and (b) ethical, use of this technology.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Cybersecurity: Cheltenham HL495 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they took before committing funding to the Golden Valley Cyber Centre in Cheltenham to ensure that job opportunities arising from the creation of that centre are accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Questions Asked 20 November 2023

Treasury

Inflation: HL441 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to maintain consistency in the recent downward trajectory of inflation.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Prices HL440 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to their recent decision to increase payment amounts to offshore windfarms by more than 50 per cent, what plans they have to mitigate the impact on consumer energy bills.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Retail Trade HL439 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the effects on small businesses caused by recent declines in retail sales across the UK.

Questions Asked 15 November 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: Evictions HL370 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support, if any, they intend to provide to tenants who are evicted from their homes under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 before a ban on such evictions comes into effect.

Treasury 

Industry: Investment HL369 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the letter from the Capital Markets Industry Taskforce to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as reported by Sky News on 14 November, which stated that Britain has lower domestic investments than other G7 countries; and what steps they are taking in response.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Affordable Housing:HL368 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote affordable housing and appropriate support services to prevent a rise in homelessness.

Questions Asked 14 November 2023

Cabinet Office 

Storms: HL330 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the effects and damage across the country of Storm Debi.

Treasury 

Cost of Living: HL329 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support people struggling to pay their bills given the increased cost of living.

Home Office

Retail Trade: Crimes of Violence HL331 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address abuse faced by retail employees and ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Questions Asked 13 November 2023

Treasury 

Interest Rates: Property HL260 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to mitigate the impact of increased interest rates on the residential property market.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Audio Recordings: Disinformation HL258 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat the creation and spread of digitally generated fake audios.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Fuels: Prices HL259 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to implement legislation on the statutory fuel price transparency scheme.

Questions Asked 9 November 2023

Department for Transport

Motor Vehicles: Insurance HL195 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent rise in car insurance premiums; and what assessment they have made of the impact of this rise on motorists.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: Racial Discrimination HL194 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat racial discrimination in the rental market and ensure fair and equal access to housing for all.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Gaza: British Nationals Abroad HL196 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the safe evacuation of British nationals who are facing challenges trying to leave Gaza.

Questions Asked 8 November 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Electric Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries HL148 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the effects of impending export regulations as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU on the manufacturing costs of electric vehicles and their market accessibility in the EU.

Treasury

Food: Prices HL147 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that food inflation is set to reduce next year; and what assessment they have made of the impact this will have on consumers following the increased cost of living.

Department for Business and Trade

Construction: Credit HL146 To ask His Majesty’s Government what additional steps they are taking to address increasing borrowing costs which are impacting the construction sector.

Questions Asked 7 November 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Freehold: Service Charges HL75 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce new legislation to grant homeowners greater controls over the fees they pay to estate management companies.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Supply: Surrey HL74 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the restoration of water supply in areas of Surrey left without water following Storm Ciarán; and to ensure that the impact of similar future incidents is minimised.

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Violence HL76 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce concerns about violence and personal safety for prison officers and prisoners in England and Wales.

Questions Asked 25 October 2023

Treasury

Economic Situation: Interest Rates HL10817 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to minimise the impact of changing interest rates on the economic climate.

Treasury

Public Sector: Borrowing HL10816 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost of UK state borrowing; and what steps they are taking in response to any challenges arising from those costs.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Public Sector: Borrowing HL10816 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost of UK state borrowing; and what steps they are taking in response to any challenges arising from those costs.

Questions Asked 24 October 2023

Department for Health and Social Care

Viral Diseases: Artificial Intelligence HL10792 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the Nature article Learning from prepandemic data to forecast viral escape, published on 11 October, about the use of artificial intelligence as a tool to predict virus variants and aid in vaccine developments.

Home Office

Airports: Racial Discrimination HL10794 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent racial profiling in airports.

Treasury

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: HL10793 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the mortgage guarantee scheme for first-time buyers.

Questions Asked 23 October 2023

Department for Transport

Cars: Diesel and Petrol HL10751 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure they are prepared to implement the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: South Korea HL10750 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to strengthen the UK’s trade deal with South Korea; and what steps they intend to take to maximise the benefits of that deal.

Department for Business and Trade

Foreign Investment in UK: HL10752 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support and guidance they are providing to businesses investing in the UK to inform their long-term planning.

Questions Asked 19 October 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food Supply: HL10702 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Sustainability journal article ‘Scoping Potential Routes to UK Civil Unrest via the Food System: Results of a Structured Expert Elicitation’, published on 12 October, which found that 45 per cent of people surveyed believed civil unrest was possible in the future due to climate-induced food shortages; and what steps they are taking in response.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Carbon Emissions: HL10703 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to update their policies ensuring that the UK meets its future carbon budgets and its legal obligation to achieve net zero by 2050.To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to update their policies ensuring that the UK meets its future carbon budgets and its legal obligation to achieve net zero by 2050.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Services: Rural Areas HL10701 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the provision of employability services in rural areas.

Questions Asked 18 October 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Prices HL10669 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to help households struggling to pay their energy bills this winter if they fail to make an application for financial support.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

National Grid: HL10668 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards establishing the Future System Operator; and when they expect it to be fully operational.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Innovation and Research HL10670 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to their announcement on 14 June pledging £31 million to create a UK and international research and innovation ecosystem for responsible and trustworthy AI, what progress they have made in this area.

Questions Asked 17 October 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Electric Vehicles: UK Trade with EU HL10640 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following any negotiations with the EU concerning the implementation of tariffs on electric vehicles, what support they are providing to the industry in relation to any possible changes to tariffs.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Finance HL10639 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to provide additional funding for the development of AI.

Department for Business and Trade

Electric Vehicles: Batteries HL10638 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to boost UK battery production for electric cars.

Questions Asked 16 October 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Social Tariffs HL10589 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent research from the energy provider EDF which found that 77 per cent of the British public support the introduction of a social tariff for vulnerable energy customers; and whether they have any plans to introduce it.

Department for Health and Social Care

Cost of Living: Life Expectancy HL10588 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the increased cost of living on life expectancy.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security: HL10590 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to rebuild the social security system.

Questions Asked 21 September 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Natural Gas: Infrastructure HL10433 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to provide information on different options for the future of the gas network as part of the next National Infrastructure Assessment in October.

Department for Transport

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions HL10429 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the RAC Foundation Is it necessary to reduce car mileage to meet our carbon emission goals?, published in February; in particular, the finding that at least 37 per cent of all miles driven by cars, taxis and vans will need to be zero emission by 2030.

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: India HL10431 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they are making in regards to a UK–India free trade agreement; and when they anticipate completion.

Department for Health and Social Care

Chronic Illnesses: Genetics HL10430 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the AlphaMissense model by Google, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse the effects of DNA mutations in causing health conditions.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Closures HL10432 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the current economic climate on small businesses; whether they expect any to close in the near future; and if so, (1) how many, and (2) over what timescale.

Questions Asked 20 September 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Charges: Social Tariffs HL10386 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce a universal social tariff for water to keep water bills affordable for all customers irrespective of income.

Department for Work and Pensions

Young People: Cost of Living and Mental Health HL10385 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by The Prince’s Trust and LADbible Gen Z: Redefining Dream Jobs, published on 19 September; in particular, the finding that 57 per cent of young people surveyed had lowered their long-term aspirations over the last two years due to concerns about mental health and the increased cost of living.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 

Artificial Intelligence: HL10383 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help the Frontier AI Taskforce build safe and reliable frontier AI models.

Questions Asked 19 September 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Sizewell C Power Station: Investment HL10328 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that prospective investors in the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant undergo strict national security checks.

Department for Business and Trade

Manufacturing Industries: HL10329 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Make UK Manufacturing Outlook 2023 Quarter 3, published on 14 September; and in particular, the findings that there has been a (1) “slowdown in employment growth”, and (2) “a decline in output performance which is also mirrored by the performance of orders which have sunk into negative territory”.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Electricity Generation: HL10330 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Power Responsive project that has been launched by the Electricity System Operator.

Questions Asked 14 September 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homelessness: Families HL10207 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support homeless families affected by problems in the housing market.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Carbon Emissions: Business HL10205 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support businesses and organisations that are struggling to implement their decarbonisation plans.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Billing HL10206 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the SME Insights Report, published in July, which found that UK businesses are owed £32.1 billion in late payments.

Questions Asked 13 September 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Import Controls: HL10167 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with Irish exporters concerning new UK import controls.

Department for Education

Free Schools: Construction HL10168 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to provide detailed surveys to identify issues such as asbestos and unstable concrete before purchasing sites for free schools.

Department for Business and Trade

UK Trade with EU: Small Businesses HL10169 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises prepare for new EU (1) regulations, and (2) taxes.

Questions Asked 12 September 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Seasonal Workers HL10086 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support farmers experiencing seasonal worker shortages.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Carbon Emissions HL10087 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support energy firms to meet emissions reduction plans.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Retail Trade: Urban Areas HL10091 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to establish a royal commission to address the closure of high street stores.

Questions Asked 11 September 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Billing HL10055 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent research published by Intuit QuickBooks this month on the impact of late payments on small and medium-sized enterprises, which found that 41 per cent believe their businesses are at risk of shutting down within the next year if late payments persist.

Treasury

Housing: Costs HL10054 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help homeowners who are struggling with rising housing costs.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Training HL10056 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Thomson Reuters Future of Professionals Report: How AI is the Catalyst for Transforming Every Aspect of Work, published in August; and in particular the finding that “just under 90 per cent of professionals expect basic mandatory AI training for all professionals over the next five years”.

Questions Asked 07 September 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance HL10005 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the findings in the S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI survey, published on 1 September, which found that manufacturing industry has experienced “slower market conditions” and “declining new order intakes”, what steps they are taking to provide support to that industry.

Treasury

Property: Prices HL10003 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to mitigate any decrease in property prices.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Africa: Climate Change HL10004 To ask His Majesty’s Government what financial support they are providing to countries in Africa to help combat climate change on that continent.

Questions Asked 06 September 2023

Department for Education

Schools: Buildings HL9957 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential risks of schools in England that have been built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Carbon Emissions: Small Businesses HL9959 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help small and medium sized enterprises reduce their carbon footprint.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Broadband: Digital Technology HL9958 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to evaluate the impact of full fibre roll-out on digital poverty levels.

Questions Asked 05 September 2023

Treasury

Business Rates: HL9917 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the business rate multiplier in England and Wales.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Artificial Intelligence HL9915 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the response to requests for transparency over the use of artificial intelligence to verify welfare claims.

Department for Business and Trade

Artificial Intelligence: Finance HL9916 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage investment in artificial intelligence to improve productivity.

Questions Asked 04 September 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy Bills Rebate HL9853 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to reintroduce a £400 energy bill rebate to help households cope with rising energy costs and the increased cost of living.

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: USA HL9852 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with business groups in the United States of America with regard to any potential digital deal with the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Department for Business and Trade

Entry Clearances: India HL9854 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for making thousands of student visas available to Indian citizens to help secure a trade deal.

Questions Asked 25 July 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment HL9721 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that gig economy workers (1) rights, and (2) job security, are protected during technological advancement in that sector.

Treasury

Economic Situation HL9722 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to enhance the UK’s economic competitiveness and resilience.

Treasury

Interest Rates: Companies HL9720 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial support to companies affected by rising interest rates.

Questions Asked 24 July 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Retail Trade: Urban Areas HL9641 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support (1) business organisations, and (2) community stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of new high street stores.

Department for Energy Security and New Zero

Renewable Energy: HL9642 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to explore strategies to diversify energy sources in renewable energy technologies.

Treasury

UK Trade with EU: Small Businesses HL9643 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to small and medium-sized factories in England and Wales to support them with extra costs from customs checks as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU.

Questions Asked 20 July 2023

Treasury

Cost of Living: Government Assistance HL9579 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support vulnerable individuals and families facing financial strain due to the increased prices of essential items.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: India HL9580 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support mid-sized UK businesses in their efforts to expand into the Indian market.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: HL9578 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the adoption of AI technologies in business does not lead to the loss of employment opportunities.

Questions Asked 19 July 2023

Department for Transport

Aviation: Electric Vehicles HL9523 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the (1) development, and (2) adoption, of electric aviation technologies in the UK.

Department for Business and Trade

Food: Industry HL9522 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce financial assistance programmes to aid in the (1) recovery, and (2) sustainability, of food and beverage businesses.

Questions Asked 18 July 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: HL9471 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises are taken into account in policymaking discussions and decisions.

Department for Business and Trade

New Businesses: Government Assistance HL9470 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the growth of start-up businesses.

Department for Energy Security and New Zero

Fossil Fuels: Investment HL9469 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage investors to support (1) climate resolutions, and (2) sustainable investment practices, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Questions Asked 17 July 2023

Ministry of Justice

Legal Profession: Artificial Intelligence HL9418 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce regulations to help legal professionals, including those working in both in-house legal teams and law firms, adapt to the influence of generative artificial intelligence in the legal profession.

Home Office

Retail Trade: Artificial Intelligence HL9417 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage the adoption of systems based on artificial intelligence to (1) enhance security, and (2) reduce shoplifting incidents, in retail settings across the UK.

Department for Business and Trade

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership HL9419 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement aligns with the UK’s commitment to environmental protection.

Questions Asked 13 July 2023

Treasury

Financial Services: Fraud HL9346 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce new (1) legislation, or (2) regulatory guidelines, addressing AI-driven fraud in the financial sector.

Treasury

Business: Taxation HL9348 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of existing tax-efficient schemes on (1) supporting small businesses, and (2) attracting investment.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Billing HL9347 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce additional legislative measures to encourage large companies to pay their small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) suppliers promptly.

Questions Asked 12 July 2023

Treasury

Mortgages: Government Assistance HL9303 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support individuals and families facing difficulties in accessing affordable mortgages due to elevated interest rates.

Home Office

Migrant Workers: Digital Technology HL9304 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage skilled digital migrants to choose the UK as their preferred work destination.

Department for Business and Trade

Companies: Loans HL9302 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to implement stricter regulatory frameworks to discourage the formation and support of “zombie” companies that avoid bankruptcy only through cheap borrowing.

Questions Asked 11 July 2023

Treasury

Bank Services: Defence HL9263 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support military companies who have been refused banking services as a result of the nature of their work.

Department for Business and Trade

Recruitment: HL9265 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage businesses to increase recruitment during the current hiring downturn.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Broadband and Mobile Phones: Social Tariffs HL9264 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an industry-wide social tariff for mobile and broadband services for low-income households.

Questions Asked 10 July 2023

Treasury

First Time Buyers: HL9225 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support first-time house buyers.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Manufacturing Industries: Energy HL9226 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide (1) stable, and (2) affordable, energy supply for manufacturers.

Questions Asked 06 July 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Retail Trade: Urban Areas HL9151 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist local retailers in adapting to a changing high street environment, including rising costs and an increase in online shopping.

Department for Business and Trade

Economic Cooperation: Saudi Arabia HL9150 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for promoting economic cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: USA HL9149 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the likely timing of a free trade agreement with the USA.

Questions Asked 05 July 2023

Treasury

Interest Rates: HL9082 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the disparity between rising mortgage rates and lower interest rates on savings.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Business: Cybersecurity HL9083 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help businesses improve their cybersecurity.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy Supply: Finance HL9084 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect customers’ interests by ensuring financial stability in the energy market.

Questions Asked 04 July 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Digital Technology HL9044 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to equip small and medium-sized enterprises with digital skills to help facilitate their growth.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Billing HL9043 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address late payments made by large businesses to their smaller suppliers.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Telecommunications: Costs HL9042 To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with Ofcom about how the telecoms industry could ease financial pressure on consumers, given the increased cost of living; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

Questions Asked 03 July 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Elections: Artificial Intelligence HL9009 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect upcoming UK elections from being influenced by AI-driven content.

Treasury

Companies: Profits HL9010 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of companies seeking excessive profits from households during the increased cost of living.

Department for Business and Trade

Business: Inflation HL9011 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to boost the confidence of UK businesses during the current period of increased inflation.

Questions Asked 29 June 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Retail Trade: Staff HL8952 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to protect the labour workforce as more retail stores transition to online sales and services.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Companies: Standards HL8953 To ask His Majesty’s Government, given their increasing debts, what steps they are taking to ensure UK water companies fulfil their legal duty (1) to provide clean water to customers, and (2) to treat their sewage.

Treasury

Small Businesses: Insurance HL8954 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that small businesses receive pay-outs on their COVID-19 business interruption insurance claims.

Questions Asked 28 June 2023

Treasury

Tourism: VAT HL8896 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential economic impact of the return of tax-free shopping for tourists.

Department for Business and Trade

Electric Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries HL8895 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to protect the growth of electric car production in Britain.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Broadband and Mobile Phones: Prices HL8894 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of recent significant increases in the prices of mobile phone and internet services on inflation; and what plans, if any, they have to address these rises with the providers of such services.

Questions Asked 27 June 2023

Home Office

Trade Agreements: India HL8853 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create a mutually beneficial immigration policy to improve the ongoing trade negotiations between India and the UK.

Treasury

Companies: Prices HL8854 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to consult with industry regulators to investigate firms that are exploiting inflation by increasing prices.

Questions Asked 26 June 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Social Workers: Recruitment HL8783 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to develop a robust national workforce plan for social workers by the end of 2023.

Home Office

Immigration: Staff HL8782 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any increase in the number of immigration staff that are being investigated and suspended as a result of violence and racism towards the detainees.

Treasury

Small Businesses: Tax Avoidance HL8781 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding by HMRC that small businesses are now responsible for 56 per cent of the UK’s ‘tax gap’.

Questions Asked 22 June 2023

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Research HL8739 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create guardrails for safe AI development by the end of 2023.

Questions Asked 21 June 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Business: Environment Protection HL8705 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce legislation to hold businesses accountable for their publicised environmental policies.

Questions Asked 20 June 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: HL8669 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) inequalities in health, and (2) any increase in structural racism, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and what steps they are taking in response.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Businesses: Fees and Charges HL8668 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the policy paper by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Charging arrangements at government-run Border Control Posts – Consultation, published on 12 June, what assessment they have made of the impact of the introduction of the Common User Charge on UK businesses; and what steps they are taking to support those businesses.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: HL8670 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that regulations placed on AI integration will not hinder the growth of AI in UK sectors.

Questions Asked 19 June 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Infrastructure: Biodiversity HL8627 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all nationally significant infrastructure projects deliver a net biodiversity gain. 

Ministry of Defence

Defence: Artificial Intelligence HL8626 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the signed memorandum of understanding between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Google Cloud to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the UK defence sector.

Department for Business and Trade

UK Trade with EU: Trade Barriers HL8625 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce new barriers to EU–UK trade.

Questions Asked 16 June 2023

Cabinet Office

Artificial Intelligence: HL8575 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to manage the risks posed by their use of artificial intelligence with regards to (1) social security, (2) immigration, and (3) housing.

Department for Business and Trade

British Business Bank: Northern Ireland HL8576 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland to be delivered by the British Business Bank is equally accessible to (1) existing, and (2) new, small businesses.

Questions Asked 15 June 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Foreign Investment in UK: USA HL8557 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that US companies gain confidence in the UK as a place to invest.

Questions Asked 14 June 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: India HL8517 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to secure a free trade agreement with India.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fires: Climate Change HL8518 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any increase in the risk of wildfires attributable to the impacts of climate change.

Department for Business and Trade

Employment: Bullying HL8519 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support those affected by workplace bullying.

Questions Asked 13 June 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: USA HL8454 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they still intend to make a free trade agreement with the United States as envisaged in the Conservative Party Manifesto of 2019.

Department for Business and Trade

Equal Pay: HL8453 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to make reporting on ethnicity pay gaps mandatory for the purposes of tackling racism.

Questions Asked 12 June 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Government Assistance HL8421 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small companies with (1) skills, (2) funding, and (3) policy, so they can reach their strategic development.

Treasury

Mortgages: Interest Rates HL8420 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of recent increases in fixed-term mortgage interest rates.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Public Sector HL8419 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the announcement by the Prime Minister on 7 June regarding plans for the UK to host the first major global summit on AI safety, what steps they are taking to ensure that the conference includes appropriate representation from civil society, academia, and those who have experienced algorithmic harm.

Questions Asked 8 June 2023

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Economic Situation HL8367 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to carry out a statistical analysis of the economic contribution of football clubs to the UK economy.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Regulation HL8369 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to promote the UK AI Regulatory Model to other governments.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy Price Guarantee: HL8368 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to extend the Energy Price Guarantee beyond June 2023.

Questions Asked 7 June 2023

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Cybercrime: HL8321 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting vulnerabilities in UK firms’ cybersecurity software.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Affordable Housing: HL8323 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the development of affordable homes in order to address the decline in home ownership.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Takeovers HL8322 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect smaller UK firms from being taken over by foreign companies as a result of rising interest rates.

Questions Asked 6 June 2023

Department for Education

Students: Fees and Charges HL8258 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to review the cost of tuition fees.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensions: Women HL8256 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent finding that women’s private pensions in Great Britain are worth 35 per cent less than men’s by the time they reach age 55; and what steps they intend to take to address that gap.

Treasury

Children: Disability HL8257 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support disabled children going without electricity or heating due to their families being impacted by the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 5 June 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: Planning Permission HL8232 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reform the planning system to increase the supply of houses.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Help to Buy Scheme: HL8233 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to relaunch the Help to Buy scheme.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Housing: Energy HL8231 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to retrofit (1) homes, and (2) commercial buildings, to improve energy efficiency.

Questions Asked 25 May 2023

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Cost of Living HL8169 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on 24 May that “almost 9 in 10 families on Universal Credit cannot afford basic items like food and clothing”; and what steps they are taking to ensure that benefits always cover the cost of essentials.

Department for Transport

Public Transport: Rural Areas HL8170 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop public transport infrastructure in rural areas; and what assessment they have made of the impact this will have on the mental health of people living in rural communities.

Questions Asked 24 May 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: HL8112 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to strengthen the long-term (1) resilience, and (2) sustainability, of the agricultural sector in the UK.

Department for Health and Social Care

Dentistry: Vacancies HL8113 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address staff shortages within NHS dentistry.

Treasury

Consumers: Protection HL8114 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to strengthen consumer protection measures, particularly for loans, for the 2023–24 financial year.

Questions Asked 23 May 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

North Sea Transition Authority: Carbon Capture and Storage HL8064 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to amend the Energy Bill to give further powers to the North Sea Transition Authority in relation to carbon capture and storage.

Department for Education

Artificial Intelligence: HL8062 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect students from the risks of artificial intelligence.

Department for Women and Equalities

Ethnic Groups: Equality HL8063 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) encourage, and (2) normalise, racial equality by the end of 2023.

Questions Asked 22 May 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Prices HL8023 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce an energy price guarantee for the average household to replace Ofgem’s energy price cap.

Department for Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Administrative Delays HL8024 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle the reported backlog of people requiring urgent mental health support.

Questions Asked 18 May 2023

Treasury

Enterprise Investment Scheme HL7961 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to update the Enterprise Investment Scheme for the 2023/24 tax year, in order to support new businesses and start-ups.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Infant Foods: Prices HL7962 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the increase in the price of baby formula.

Questions Asked 17 May 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Healthy Start Scheme: HL7925 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to expand the Healthy Start voucher scheme.

Department of Business and Trade

Trade Agreements: Agriculture HL7926 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to put greater emphasis on farmers’ interests in future trade deals.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: HL7924 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to renegotiate part of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement given reports of threats to (1) export businesses, and (2) the sustainability of manufacturing operations in the UK.

Questions Asked 16 May 2023

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Broadband: Rural Areas HL7883 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the (1) availability, and (2) reliability, of broadband in rural communities.

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles: Changing Points HL7884 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much they have spent expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure in each year since 2018.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Schemes HL7885 To ask His Majesty’s Government how national employment support is (1) targeted, and (2) funded.

Questions Asked 15 May 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Nurses: Vacancies HL7846 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address shortages in the nursing sector, with particular regard to specialist roles.

Home Office

Racial Violence: Government Assistance HL7845 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support people experiencing racist assault.

Treasury

Financial Services: Trade Competitiveness HL7844 To ask His Majesty’s Government in what ways the secondary competitiveness and economic growth objective under the Financial Services and Markets Bill will support the financial sector.

Questions Asked 11 May 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Rural Areas: Poverty HL7802 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the rural economy to tackle rural poverty.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Inland Waterways and Rivers: Chemicals HL7800 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any damage to waterways and rivers caused by chemical pollutants.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Inland Waterways and Rivers: Chemicals HL7800 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any damage to waterways and rivers caused by chemical pollutants.

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay: Gender HL7801 To ask His Majesty’s Government what was the average gender pay gap for each of the past five years.

Questions Asked 10 May 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Community Wealth Funds: HL7759 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to provide guidance to local authorities about implementing community wealth building in order to drive economic development.

Department for Business and Trade

Trade Unions: HL7760 To ask His Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the levels of (1) collective bargaining coverage, and (2) trade union membership, in the UK; and what steps they are taking, if any, to increase those levels.

Department for Business and Trade

Companies: Closures HL7758 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to reports of a decline in the total number of registered businesses in the UK.

Questions Asked 9 May 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Iron and Steel: Government Assistance HL7716 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist the steel industry with increased trade and energy costs.

Department for Transport

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance HL7715 To ask His Majesty’s Government what financial support they are providing to local authorities to improve road surfaces.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Conservation HL7717 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the accessibility of energy efficiency support schemes.

Questions Asked 3 May 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Health HL7660 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small business owners struggling with low levels of wellbeing.

Department for Education

Educational Institutions: Strikes HL7661 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide additional support to educational institutions to prevent strikes in pay dispute in summer 2023.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Prices HL7662 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide additional support to households struggling with high energy costs.

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty: HL7659 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prediction by the Resolution Foundation in their report The Living Standards Outlook 2023, published in January, that between 2021–22 and 2023–24, an additional 800,000 people will be in absolute poverty.

Questions Asked 2 May 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Waste Management: Climate Change HL7607 To ask His Majesty’s Government what further plans they have for new waste management strategies to address the effects of climate change.

Treasury

Plastics: Taxation HL7609 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the Plastic Packaging Tax to encourage investment in chemical recycling.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Business Improvement Districts: HL7551 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much revenue was raised in Business Improvement District levies in each of the past five years.

Questions Asked 27 April 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Business Improvement Districts: HL7551 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much revenue was raised in Business Improvement District levies in each of the past five years.

Treasury

Food: Prices HL7550 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the Office for National Statistics that inflation for food and non-alcoholic drinks is at the highest level in 45 years, having risen by over 19 per cent in the year to March; and what steps they are taking in response to that finding. 

Department for Business and Trade

HL7552 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any instances where companies are raising consumer prices above the rate of inflation in order to increase their profits.

Questions Asked 26 April 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Affordable Housing: Rural Areas HL7483 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage more affordable homes to be built in remote and rural areas.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Arts Festivals: Cost of Living HL7484 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of impact of the increased cost of living on arts and music festivals in the UK in 2023.

Department for Business and Trade

Hospitality Industry: Vacancies HL7485 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address staff shortages in the hospitality sector.

Questions Asked 25 April 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Nuclear Reactors and Wind Power HL7454 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide an update on their target (1) to increase offshore wind capacity five-fold by 2030, and (2) to approve eight new nuclear reactors.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Great British Insulation Scheme: HL7456 To ask His Majesty’s Government (1) what steps they are taking to increase the rate at which homes are insulated under the Great British Insulation Scheme, and (2) what consideration they have given to placing the targets under the Scheme on a statutory footing.

Department for Business and Trade

Electricians: Regulation HL7455 To ask His Majesty’s Government (1) what assessment they have made of the responses to the Scottish Government’s recent consultation on the regulation of electricians, and (2) whether they will consider conducting a similar consultation in England.

Questions Asked 24 April 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Leasehold: Reform HL7416 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in relation to leasehold reform since the enactment of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022.

Cabinet Office

Industrial Disputes: HL7417 To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the Prime Minister’s discussions with trade unions in January regarding industrial action, what further engagement they have had with trade unions across all sectors to prevent any further industrial action.

Questions Asked 20 April 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: Rents HL7358 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce a system of nationwide rent controls.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Marine Environment: HL7359 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) protect, and (2) enhance, the marine environment through (a) no-take zones, and (b) marine protected areas.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Environment Protection: Technology HL7360 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support companies investing in green technologies.

Questions Asked 19 April 2023

Department for Transport

Public Transport: Disability HL7301 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make public transport more accessible for disabled children who require it to attend school.

Treasury

First Time Buyers: Government Assistance HL7302 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide support to first-time buyers by the end of 2023.

Department for Business and Trade

Business: Women HL7300 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage more women into business, entrepreneurship and the labour market; and what support they will provide to facilitate that.

Questions Asked 18 April 2023

Department for Health and Social Care

Prescriptions: Digital Technology HL7241 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a digital prescription scheme for patients who have repeat prescriptions.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Wind Power: HL7240 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address any reduction in the amount of energy produced by onshore wind caused by changing weather patterns.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Animal Experiments: HL7242 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support alternatives to the use of animals in research and testing.

Questions Asked 17 April 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Heat Pumps: Costs HL7175 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address public concerns about the cost of replacing household gas or electric heating systems with air source heat pumps.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Buildings: Electrical Safety HL7173 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with relevant (1) professional, and (2) trade, bodies about improving the (a) quality, and (b) safety, of electrical installations in buildings.

Department for Business and Trade

Cooperatives: Government Assistance HL7174 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that eligibility criteria for business support provides accessibility for co-operative business models.

Questions Asked 30 March 2023

Ministry of Justice

Community Orders: HL7093 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the use of community sentencing.

Treasury

Debts: Advisory Services HL7091 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to promote debt (1) advice, and (2) management, services across public services.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Fuel Oil: Rural Areas HL7092 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help people with oil-based heating systems, who primarily live in rural areas without main gas supplies, with the cost of energy.

Questions Asked 29 March 2023

Department for Transport

Public Transport: Key Workers HL7031 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make special public transport arrangements to enable key workers to travel to work in the event that the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) pay negotiation collapses.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Heat Pumps: Housing HL7032 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much they plan to invest in the installation of energy efficient heat pumps in homes as a replacement for gas boilers.

Treasury

Digital Technology: Taxation HL7030 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a new digital services tax.

Questions Asked 28 March 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Recycling: HL6955 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to consult on (1) policy, and (2) legislative changes, to help establish a circular economy in the UK.

Department for Education

Training: HL6956 To ask His Majesty’s Government what programmes they have in place to support the retraining of workers to enable them to access work in new sectors.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Buildings HL6957 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that older buildings, which may be subject to stricter planning regulations, can become energy neutral.

Questions Asked 27 March 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Government Assistance HL6878 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much they have spent on supporting vertical farming in each year since 2018.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment: Disability HL6880 To ask His Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish their employment action plan for disabled people.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Heating: Renewable Energy HL6879 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the percentage of non-electrical heat demand that is met by renewable technologies.

Questions Asked 23 March 2023

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points HL6814 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the infrastructure required to meet their goal for all new cars sold from 2030 to be electric vehicles.

Department for Transport

Bus Services: Rural Areas HL6815 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support sustainable rural bus services.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Renewable Energy: Housing HL6816 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that green incentives and loans for renewable energy efficiency measures for domestic properties are easy to understand and apply.

Questions Asked 22 March 2023

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Aquaponics: Expenditure HL6771 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much they have spent supporting aquaponics in each year since 2018.

Department for Transport

HL6769 To ask His Majesty’s Government how many electric vehicle charging points have been installed across the UK in each year since 2010.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

HL6770 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to pursue further planning reforms to speed up approvals for infrastructure projects that are critical to the UK’s economic transformation.

Questions Asked 21 March 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: Pay HL6707 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether differentials in salary bands will be maintained between care staff and senior care staff within the Cost of Care model.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

HL6708 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that landlords undertake the necessary repairs to their properties when problems are identified by their tenants.

Department for Business and Trade

HL6706 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide guidance to public bodies regarding the use of court action in response to strikes.

Questions Asked 20 March 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Energy: Rented Housing HL6650 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that home energy efficiency targets are delivered in both the (1) private, and (2) social, rented sectors.

Department for Business and Trade 

Manufacturing Industries: Digital Technology HL6648 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create strategic investment plans for automation and digitalisation to help UK manufacturing businesses.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero  

Carbon Emissions: Public Sector HL6649 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards reducing emissions from public sector buildings by 75 per cent by 2037, as set out in their Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, published on 19 October 2021.

Questions Asked 16 March 2023

Department of Health and Social Care 

Social Services: Finance HL6586 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide a fully funded plan (1) to meet the needs of (a) older, and (b) disabled, people and their carers, and (2) to address the staffing crisis in social care.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Childcare and Occupation Health HL6585 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expand the workforce by improving access to (1) affordable childcare, and (2) occupational health services.

Questions Asked 15 March 2023

Department of Energy Security and Net Zero 

Renewable Energy: HL6543 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage the transition away from fossil fuels to more sustainable energy sources through further investment in new technologies.

Women and Equalities

Equality: Ethnic Groups HL6544 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Inclusive Equal Rights UK 3.0 A Snapshot View of Racial Disparity in the City of York, published on 28 February; and what steps they are taking to address reports of inequalities experienced by ethnic minority communities.

Treasury

Banks: Insolvency HL6545 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of international banking failures on the UK economy.

Department of Energy Security and Net Zero 

Offshore Industry: North Sea HL6546 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of the decline in the size of the North Sea oil sector on the UK economy.

Questions Asked 14 March 2023

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Carbon Emissions HL6488 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the agriculture sectors to play a leading role in delivering net zero.

Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

First Time Buyers: Government Assistance HL6486 To ask His Majesty’s Government how many first-time buyers they have offered financial support to in each year since 2008, broken down by local authority area.

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Equality HL6487 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether all staff working in mental health services are given equality and diversity training.

Questions Asked 13 March 2023

Department of Energy Security and Net Zero 

Solar Power: Housing HL6431 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide aid schemes to encourage more households to install solar power.

Department of Education 

Students: Loans HL6430 To ask His Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to reintroducing maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged students; and what plans they have to review the parental threshold for maximum loan support given the increased cost of living.

Department of Health and Social Care

Junior Doctors: Strikes HL6432 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that medical care is not disrupted during the junior doctor strikes.

Questions Asked 9 March 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Paramedical Staff: Mental Health HL6326 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the mental wellbeing of paramedics.

Woman and Equalities

Women: Employment HL6325 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to improve the wellbeing of women in the workplace.

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Fisheries: HL6328 To ask His Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the health of the fishing industry in England.

Department of Education

Schools: Sports HL6327 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to give girls equal access to sport in schools, particularly football.

Questions Asked 8 March 2023

Department of Health and Social Care

Health: Disadvantaged HL6283 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce poverty-related health inequalities.

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Forests: HL6282 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reverse the reported historic deforestation of native woodland ecosystems; and what funding they are providing for that.

Questions Asked 7 March 2023

Ministry of Justice

Advisory Service: Finance HL6226 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fund free (1) advice, and (2) law, centres; and how long any such funding will be available.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Heating: Housing HL6228 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make the installation of heating systems, such as heat pumps, more accessible to people with less technical literacy.

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Government Assistance HL6227 To ask His Majesty’s Government what business expansion grants are available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Questions Asked 6 March 2023

Department for Health and Social Care

Pharmacy: Finance HL6166 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to directly invest in the work of community pharmacies and further increase the benefit they have to local communities.

Department for Education

Agriculture: Education HL6167 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote agriculture in the (1) primary, and (2) secondary, school curriculum; and how much funding they have allocated for this purpose since 2007.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Carbon Emissions: Small Businesses HL6165 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them transition to net zero.

Questions Asked 2 March 2023

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Culture: Finance HL6101 To ask His Majesty’s Government what investment they are making in the UK’s cultural infrastructure.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Carbon Emissions: HL6102 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to community heat and power networks to assist them in delivering net zero targets.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Gas Fired Power Stations: Carbon Emissions HL6100 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much carbon dioxide each operational gas-fired power station has emitted in each year of production.

Questions Asked 1 March 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Fuel Poverty: Rural Areas HL6061 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to propose changes to the electricity levy schemes in order to address fuel poverty for people living in rural areas.

Department for Education

Students: Assessments HL6063 To ask His Majesty’s Government what resources they are providing to students to ensure equitable access to revision support prior to them taking exams.

Department for Business and Trade

Leisure and Service Industries: Government Assistance HL6062 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to (1) retail, (2) hospitality, and (3) leisure, businesses.

Questions Asked 28 February 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Small Businesses: Rural Areas HL6010 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small rural businesses.

Department for Education

Environment Protection: Training HL6011 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that opportunities for retraining in green skills are available to workers currently employed in the oil and gas sector.

Questions Asked 27 February 2023

Department for Health and Social Care

Social Services: Pay HL5956 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the difference in the pay scales for adult and children’s social care staff.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Regulation HL5954 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the establishment of the new independent football regulator; and what assessment they have made of the impact the regulator will have on the financial stability of English football.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Sports: Racial Discrimination HL5955 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to implement anti-discrimination legislation to help tackle racism in sports.

Questions Asked 23 February 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Holiday Accommodation: HL5871 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with local authorities regarding plans to regulate short-term lets; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Fuel Poverty: HL5869 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address fuel poverty.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Carbon Emissions: Land Use HL5870 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce measures to protect communities and ecosystems from land speculation associated with carbon offsetting.

Questions Asked 22 February 2023

Department for Business and Trade

Vacancies: HL5810 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address labour shortages.

Department for Health and Social Care 

Social Service: Protective Clothing HL5811 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce financial support for PPE costs in the social care sector.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Homelessness: Rural Areas HL5812 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide accommodation for homeless people in rural communities. 

Questions Asked 21 February 2023

Department for Health and Social Care 

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People HL5782 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Government Assistance HL5781 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support (1) new farmers, and (2) new farming businesses, into agriculture.

Questions Asked 20 February 2023

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Carbon Emissions: Small Businesses HL5715 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them transition to low carbon ways of working.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Carbon Emissions: Local Government HL5716 To ask His Majesty’s Government what financial assistance they are providing to local authorities to help them meet net zero targets.

Department for Health and Social Care 

Nurses: Industrial Disputes HL5717 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent further disruption to the NHS given the industrial action taken by nurses.

Questions Asked 9 February 2023

Cabinet Office

Civil Servants: Strikes HL5631 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent further strike action by civil servants.

Department for Business and Trade

Hospitality Industry: Conditions of Employment HL5632 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect the (1) pay, (2) conditions, and (3) employment rights, of workers in the hospitality sector, given the wage inflation seen in that sector over the past year.

Ministry of Defence

Employment: Veterans HL5633 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that qualifications gained by servicemen and women in the military are recognised by civilian employers.

Questions Asked 8 February 2023

Treasury

Central Bank Digital Currencies HL5574 To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with the Bank of England regarding the development of a “digital pound”; and what assessment they have made of the impact of a digital pound on the financial system in the UK.

Department for Transport

Railway Network: HL5573 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce reforms to the railway network.

 

Questions Asked 7 February 2023

Department for Work and Pensions

Workplace Pensions HL5528 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to automatically enrol workers who are (1) low paid, or (2) aged under 22, into a workplace pension scheme, given the increased cost of living.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Planning Permission: Climate Change HL5529 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to write to all local authorities in England asking them to consider climate change in making planning decisions, including major developments.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Energy Price Guarantee HL5527 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the rise of the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG); and whether they will meet these costs by increasing the energy price levy.

Questions Asked 6 February 2023

Treasury

Public Sector: Carbon Emissions HL5475 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enforce the incorporation of whole-life carbon into the costing of all public sector investment and spending decisions.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Energy: Meters HL5476 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they had with Ofgem regarding their proposal to all energy companies to suspend the forced installation of prepayment meters.

Questions Asked 2 February 2023

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Developing Countries: Climate Change HL5373 To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with international partners regarding how the international development programme can help to support less developed countries that are at the forefront of climate change-related damage.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Energy: Conservation HL5372 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much has been claimed in energy efficiency grants for energy retrofit programmes by each local authority in each year since 2008.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Heating: Non-Ionizing Radiation HL5371 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of infrared panels as a low carbon heating technology for (1) new homes, and (2) off-gas-grid homes.

Questions Asked 1 February 2023

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Buildings: Energy HL5343 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce new energy performance standards; and when they expect them to be introduced.

Department for Health and Social Care 

NHS: Brexit HL5342 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of the UK’s departure from the EU on the National Health Service.

Department for Business and Trade 

Business: Investment HL5344 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit on investment in businesses.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 

Local Government: Carbon Emissions HL5341 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to put finance rules in place to support the requirement for local authorities to account for their carbon emissions.

Questions Asked 31 January 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Homelessness: HL5285 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to help tackle homelessness.

Department for Education

Young People: Vocational Guidance HL5284 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the careers information, advice and guidance available to young people.

Questions Asked 30 January 2023

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Innovation HL5232 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support farms to be at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Local Government: Carbon Emissions HL5231 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support local authorities to de-risk net zero projects.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Cost of Living: HL5230 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support households facing hardship and debt as a result of the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 26 January 2023

Department for International Trade

UK Trade with EU: HL5160 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit on exports from the UK to the European Union.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Cost of Living Payments: HL5159 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to those most in need to assist with the increased cost of living.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food: Waste HL5158 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce any adverse effects of food waste on climate change.

Questions Asked 25 January 2023

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Renewable Energy: Finance HL5113 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support (1) community energy, and (2) local energy development; and what funds they make available for such schemes.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Tourism: HL5115 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support businesses in the outbound travel industry in rebuilding their customer base in 2023.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Housing: Solar Power HL5114 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of on-site solar generation on reducing energy bills for households. 

Questions Asked 24 January 2023

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Heating: Rural Areas HL5047 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support rural households in the transition to net zero heating.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Rented Housing: HL5045 To ask His Majesty’s Government what (1) equality impact assessment, and (2) business and regulatory impact assessment, they have conducted in relation to the build-to-rent sector.

Questions Asked 23 January 2023

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Climate Change: Local Government HL4997 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that local authorities are (1) resourced, and (2) supported, to tackle climate change.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Small Businesses: Finance HL4996 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide further support to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) experiencing a shortage of financial resources to help them survive in the current economic conditions.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Employment: Environment Protection HL4995 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of jobs in (1) offshore wind, and (2) the wider green economy.

Questions Asked 19 January 2023

Ministry of Justice 

Reparation by Offenders: HL4926 To ask His Majesty’s Government how many restorative justice services they plan to have set up by the end of 2023, broken down by the location of those services.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Prices HL4927 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of efforts by Ofgem to reduce consumer energy prices following the recent fall in inflation.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 

Digital Technology: Disadvantaged HL4925 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of digital poverty on young people and their households.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 

Holiday Accommodations: HL4924 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the resources available to local authorities to process short-term lets licensing and applications.

Questions Asked 18 January 2023

Cabinet Office 

Foreign Investment in UK: China HL4889 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the amount of Chinese investment in infrastructure in the UK.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Development Aid: HL4888 To ask His Majesty’s Government what development programmes they are considering as part of their Official Development Assistance spending.

Department for International Trade 

Trade Agreements: India HL4886 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they are making in regard to a free trade agreement with India.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Crofting: Environmental Land Management Schemes HL4887 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support crofters to increase their participation in agri-environmental climate funding schemes.

Questions Asked 17 January 2023

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Construction: Standards HL4836 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve standards within the construction industry.

Questions Asked 16 January 2023

Department for Education

Students: Housing HL4810 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to university students struggling to find accommodation due to high demand.

Treasury 

Banks and Insurance: Standards HL4809 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of weaknesses in the (1) banking, and (2) insurance, sectors.

Treasury 

Capital Investment and Intellectual Property: Tax Allowances HL4808 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to offer tax credits on (1) a broader range of intellectual property, and (2) capital spending.

Questions Asked 12 January 2023

Cabinet Office 

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review: HL4747 To ask His Majesty’s Government when they plan to update their Global Britain in a Competitive Age: The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy command paper, published in March 2021.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Natural Gas: Prices HL4748 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of volatile gas prices.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Prices HL4749 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made as to whether a mix of energy sources, including renewables, could facilitate a reduction in energy prices for consumers.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Rented Housing: Regulation HL4750 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to regulate the build-to-rent sector.

Questions Asked 11 January 2023

Ministry of Justice 

Courts: Remote Hearing HL4689 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the use of online court sittings.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Conveyancing: HL4690 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to review (1) the conveyancing system, and (2) associated legislation.

Questions Asked 10 January 2023

Treasury 

Mortgages: Government Assistance HL4638 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support households with mortgages from the increased cost of living due to interest rate rises.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Business: Energy Bills Discount Scheme HL4639 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to implement the upcoming reduction in energy bill support for businesses.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Council Tax: Increases HL4637 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support households facing rising council tax bills in 2023.

Questions Asked 9 January 2023

Department for Work and Pensions

Low Income: Government Assistance HL4598 To ask His Majesty’s Government what further steps they are taking to provide cash support for low-income households.

Department for Education

Apprentices: Living Wage HL4596 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that apprentices are paid the real Living Wage in 2023.

Treasury 

Small Businesses: Business Rates HL4587 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of removing rates relief on small businesses after the first quarter of 2023.

Questions Asked 21 December 2022

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty: Older People HL4509 To ask His Majesty’s Government how many older people they estimate are currently living in (1) relative, and (2) absolute, poverty.

Ministry of Defence

Military Aid: HL4508 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to involve the military in replacing the nurses, paramedics and border force during the strike action.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund: HL4507 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to confirm the budget allocated to the Energy Investment Fund in (1) 2021–22, and (2) 2022–23.

Questions Asked 20 December 2022

Department for Health and Social Care

Nurses: Strikes HL4462 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to involve the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to resolve the nurses’ strike.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Council Tax: HL4464 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the system under which council tax bandings are designated. 

Department for Education

Childcare: Fees and Charges HL4463 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to (1) parents, and (2) charities, facing high childcare fees.

Questions Asked 19 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Housing: Heating HL4427 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a home heating support fund.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Business: Inflation and Interest Rates HL4426 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support companies facing financial pressures due to the impact of inflation and interest rate increases.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Renewable Energy: Seas and Oceans HL4425 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to remove barriers experienced by offshore oil and gas workers when seeking to transition to green jobs in the offshore energy sector.

Questions Asked 15 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Hospitality Industry: Small Businesses: HL4348 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to provide a breakdown of grant support options for SME hospitality businesses seeking to fund expansion and growth projects.

Department for Health and Social Care

Social Services: Vacancies HL4349 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current levels of unmet need and staff vacancies in social care.

Questions Asked 14 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: HL4313 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to strengthen Britain’s reputation as an international partner in the energy industry.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Housing: Energy HL4314 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that building standards on construction of new housing developments maximise energy efficiency.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Small Businesses: Urban Areas HL4316 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage local small businesses to set up on the high street.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Local Government: Audit HL4315 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve audit procedures for local authorities.

Questions Asked 13 December 2022

Cabinet Office

Public Expenditure: HL4270 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Minister for Constitution) has had with other ministers regarding the post-Brexit funding arrangements. 

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Charities: Rents and Utilities HL4269 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help small charities with increases in (1) rent, and (2) utility, bills.

Questions Asked 12 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Emergency Services: Industrial Disputes HL4240 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce new anti-strike laws to prevent walkouts by emergency service workers.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Foreign Relations: HL4241 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to form long-lasting partnerships with (1) Latin American, (2) Asian, and (3) African, countries.

Home Office

Visas: Seasonal Workers HL4242 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to mitigate any shortages of foreign workers caused by the operation of the seasonal farm worker visa scheme.

Questions Asked 8 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Prices HL4183 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce energy bills for households.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food: Prices HL4182 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of food inflation in supermarkets, given the increased cost of living.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Agriculture: Civil Service Agencies HL4184 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that agricultural expertise is represented in government agencies.

Questions Asked 7 December 2022

Ministry of Justice

Offenders: Rehabilitation HL4127 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support greater use of early interventions for those in the criminal justice system to prevent recidivism.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Business: Working Hours HL4128 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of feedback from businesses that are making use of financial support to trial a four-day working week.

Questions Asked 5 December 2022

Cabinet Office

Foreign Investment in UK: China HL4040 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current overall level of financial investment from China to the UK.

Treasury

Personal Income: National Insurance Contributions HL4041 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial support to those experiencing a decrease in income as a result of an increase in National Insurance contributions.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Age HL4042 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a requirement for age blocks for social media sites.

Questions Asked 1 December 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Fuel poverty: HL3958 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to people experiencing fuel poverty as a result of increased energy bills.

Department for Work and Pensions

Office for Budget Responsibility: Vacancies HL3959 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) regarding vacancies in the labour market, what assessment they have made of the level of vacancies in relation to unemployment.

Department for International Trade

UK Trade with EU: HL3960 To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with their EU counterparts regarding new trade deals.

Questions Asked 30 November 2022

Treasury

Income Tax: HL3922 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of income tax for the next five financial years; and what assessment they have made of how state pensions will be affected by that tax.

Treasury

Public Sector: Energy HL3923 To ask His Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the financial impact on the public sector in 2022/23 as a result of the increasing prices of (1) fuel, and (2) energy.

Questions Asked 29 November 2022

Treasury

Economic Situation: HL3862 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support households using a wellbeing economy approach given the increased cost of living.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Carbon Emissions: Local Government HL3863 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to local authorities to enable them to reduce scope 3 emissions in 2023.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Energy Bills Rebate: Council Tax HL3864 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide alternative support to people whose residence is not in a council tax band that qualifies for a council tax rebate.

Questions Asked 28 November 2022

Treasury

Standard of Living: HL3821 To ask His Majesty’s Government, given the projection by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that the UK will be the second weakest performer of the world’s big economies in 2023, what assessment they have made of the impact of this economic downturn on standards of living for people in the UK.

Treasury

Banks: Closures HL3822 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support communities affected by recent bank branch closures; and what representations they are making to banks.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Living Wage: HL3823 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of Living Wage employers.

Questions Asked 24 November 2022

Department for Education

Students: Finance HL3778 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support (1) college, and (2) university, students affected by the increased cost of living.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Social Security Benefits: HL3779 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made with the roll-out of changes to social security benefits.

Questions Asked 23 November 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Renewable Energy: Supply Chains HL3728 To ask His Majesty’s Government what further support they are giving to the renewable energy supply chain.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Council Tax: Debts HL3729 To ask His Majesty’s Government, given the increases in council tax, (1) whether they are monitoring the level of council tax debt, and (2) what support they are providing to people in arrears.

Department for Education

Further Education: Finance HL3730 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that real-terms cuts to funding for further education are having on colleges.

Questions Asked 22 November 2022

Treasury 

Retail Trade: HL3672 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK economy of any decline in trading businesses.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Technology HL3673 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they will provide an update on how they are supporting farmers to adapt to new technologies to improve efficiency of agri-tech businesses.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Household Support Fund: Low Pay HL3674 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the wages of low-paid workers through the Household Support Fund.

Questions Asked 21 November 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Conservation HL3622 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the (1) consistency, and (2) reliability, of data on (a) delivery, and (b) funding, of energy efficiency measures.

Department for Work and Pensions 

Carers: Finance HL3623 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial support to unpaid carers in response to the impact of the increased cost of living.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Living Wage: HL3624 To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in encouraging employers to pay the real Living Wage.

Questions Asked 17 November 2022

Treasury 

Home Shopping: Taxation HL3530 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce (1) a financial support mechanism, and (2) an online sales tax, for small and medium sized supply chain businesses.

Treasury 

Economic Situation: Brexit HL3531 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit on the UK economy.

Questions Asked 16 November 2022

Treasury 

Pay: Inflation HL3487 To ask His Majesty’s Government what economic assessment they (1) have undertaken, and (2) plan to undertake, regarding the decline in real wages, given the increase in inflation.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Small Businesses: Billing HL3485 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on small businesses of early payment schemes.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pension Funds: HL3486 To ask His Majesty’s Government what update they can provide on the implementation of their pension funds plan for 2023.

Questions Asked 15 November 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Manufacturing Industries: Skilled Workers HL3437 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that more skilled workers are employed in the infrastructure sectors by the end of 2022.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Vacancies: Migrant Workers HL3438 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address reported labour shortages; and what assessment they have made of the impact of current immigration rules on workforce levels.

Department for Work and Pensions

Cost of Living: Low Incomes HL3439 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support low income families with the increased cost of living this winter.

Treasury 

Financial Markets: Government Assistance HL3440 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the financial markets this winter.

Questions Asked 14 November 2022

Treasury 

Economic Recession: HL3389 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the forecast by the Bank of England that the UK economy will enter recession, what steps they plan to take to support (1) high street businesses, and (2) the voluntary sector.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Manufacturing Industries: HL3390 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to support the UK manufacturing industry, and (2) to introduce a new post-Brexit industrial policy.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

EU Law: HL3391 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to review all retained EU law on the UK statute book, by the end of 2023. 

Questions Asked 9 November 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Conservation HL3328 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce new energy efficiency standards; and when they expect those standards to be introduced.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Electronic Commerce: HL3329 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL] would have, if enacted, broken down by local authority area.

Treasury

Mortgages: Cost of Living HL3330 To ask His Majesty’s Government what meetings they have held with this year with representatives from the mortgage lending industry regarding the increased cost of living and its impact.

Questions Asked 8 November 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Energy: Conservation HL3301 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much has been claimed in energy efficiency grants for energy retrofit programmes by each local authority in each year since 2008.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Hospitality Sector: Conditions of Employment HL3302 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect the (1) pay, (2) conditions, and (3) employment rights, of workers in the hospitality sector, given increasing energy costs.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Planning Permission: Climate Change HL3300 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to send letters to local authorities emphasising the importance of addressing climate change in all planning decisions.

Questions Asked 7 November 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Ethnic Groups and Migrants: Digital Technology HL3264 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the voluntary and community sector to (1) support access, and (2) provide digital skills, for (a) migrant communities, and (b) ethnic minorities.

Treasury

National Income: Cost of Living HL3265 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to return GDP to the level it was at prior to the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 3 November 2022

Treasury

Corporation Tax: HL3217 To ask His Majesty’s Government what forecast they have made of the impact of stabilising corporation tax levels on the UK’s economic forecast.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Council Tax: Cost of Living HL3219 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to change the single person’s council tax discount to assist with the increased cost of living.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Space Technology: Small Businesses HL3218 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on small businesses of introducing the Accelerator Programme Grants provided by Westcott Accelerator and Incubation Programme.

Questions Asked 2 November 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Housing: Constructions HL3173 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are they taking to provide local authorities with additional funding for housebuilding projects.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Council Tax: HL3172 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much has been spent on (1) council tax reduction, and (2) council tax rebate schemes, in each year since 2008.

Home Office

Immigration Controls: HL3171 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the forecast by the Office for Budget responsibility that higher net migration reduces pressure on government debt over time, what plans they have to introduce changes to the UK immigration rules.

Questions Asked 1 November 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Third Sector: Finance HL3125 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much money they have spent in the last 12 months on funding third-sector organisations that help (1) children, and (2) vulnerable groups.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Heating: Government Assistance HL3126 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with local authorities to facilitate warm banks, given the increased cost of living and the need for winter preparedness.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Young People HL3127 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support young people with additional support needs through transitions in their education.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Minimum Wage and Statutory Sick Pay: HL3128 To ask His Majesty’s Government whether it is still their intention to update employment law to amend the rates for national minimum wages and statutory pay; and if so, when they intend to do so.

Questions Asked 31 October 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

New Businesses: Finance HL3071 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the current funding system for start-up companies.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Windrush Generation: Finance HL3070 To ask His Majesty’s Government how many organisations (1) applied for, and (2) received funding from, the 2022 Windrush Day Grant Scheme in 2022.

Questions Asked 26 October 2022

Treasury

Office for Budget Responsibility: HL2936 To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Office for Budget Responsibility regarding the upcoming fiscal statement.

Treasury

Business: Government HL2937 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce new business support packages; and what financial resources they will make available.

Department for Education

Pupils: Internet HL2938 To ask His Majesty’s Government which authority pays for the cost of providing a free internet connection for school pupils.

Department for Health and Social Care

Social Services: Finance HL2939 To ask His Majesty’s Government how much funding they allocated for adult social care for 2021-22.

Questions Asked 25 October 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Conditions of Employment and Living Wage: HL2896 To ask His Majesty’s Government what is their policy for ensuring that their funding promotes (1) fair work, and (2) paying people a real living wage.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Small Businesses: Government Assistance HL2897 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide economic support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) this winter, given the increase in inflation. 

Department for Education

Adult Education: HL2898 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support adults who wish to return to education.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: HL2899 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) tackle climate change, and (2) reduce emissions.

Questions Asked 24 October 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

Small Businesses: Employment and Energy HL2854 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of rising (1) energy, and (2) staff, costs on small businesses.

Department for Education

History: Curriculum HL2855 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that black history is taught in schools and becomes part of the broader curriculum.

Treasury

Cost of Living HL2856 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce emergency legislation to deal with the rising cost of living.

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty: Parents HL2857 To ask His Majesty’s Government what additional financial support they will provide to parents facing poverty, given the increased cost of living.

Questions Asked 20 October 2022

Department for Health and Social Care

Respiratory System: Infectious Diseases HL2771 To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to NHS England warning that up to half of hospital beds could be occupied by people with respiratory infections this winter, what steps they expect NHS Boards to take to respond to this challenge.

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment: Chronic Illnesses HL2772 To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports by the Office for National Statistics that record numbers of people are not looking for work due to long-term illness.

Department for Health and Social Care

Health Services: Low Income HL2773 To ask His Majesty’s Government, given waiting times for NHS treatment have reached a record 6.8 million, what plans they have to provide additional support to low-income earners to enable them to fund private healthcare.

Department for Work and Pensions

Medical Equipment: Energy HL2774 To ask His Majesty’s Government, due to the recent increases in energy costs, what plans they have to provide additional financial support to people who need to use medical equipment in their homes.

Questions Asked 19 October 2022

Department for Education

Teachers: Training HL2744 To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to facilitate diversity and anti-racist professional learning for school teachers.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensioners: Government Assistance HL2742 To ask His Majesty’s Government what further support they will provide to pensioners this winter given the increase in the rate of inflation.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment: Menopause HL2743 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support people who are experiencing menopause symptoms to return to the workplace.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: HL2741 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish local climate resilience funds to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Questions Asked 12 October 2022

Department for Transport

Aviation: Cost of Living HL2567 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the aviation industry due to the rising cost of living.

Treasury

Bank of England: Government Securities HL2568 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure market confidence in response to the Bank of England’s announcement that its emergency bond-buying intervention will end on Friday 14 October.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy: Profits HL2569 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the planned cap on renewable energy revenues does not deter investment into the UK.

Department for Education

Free School Meals: HL2570 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer free school meals to all children from households receiving Universal Credit.

Questions Asked 10 October 2022

Treasury

Mortgages: Interest Rates HL2456 To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support working families given rising mortgage rates.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Power Failures HL2455 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare for winter electricity blackouts.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Businesses: HL2453 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses experiencing consumer growth slowdowns.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hospitality Industry: Older Workers HL2454 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support older workers filling the hospitality labour gap.

Questions Asked 7 September 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Power Failures HL2286 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare for electricity blackouts this winter.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Fracking: HL2285 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to lift the ban on fracking.

Treasury

Hospitality Industry: Finance HL2287 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an emergency financial support package for the hospitality sector.

Treasury

Small Businesses: National Insurance Contributions HL2288 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to temporarily reverse national insurance contributions for small and medium sized enterprises.

Questions Asked 6 September 2022

Department for Education

Students: Finance HL2258 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that financial support given to university students is protected from inflation.

Department for Education

Students: Finance HL2259 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce targeted hardship funding for university students in England and Wales.

Home Office

Knives: Crime HL2256 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce knife crime in London.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Pakistan: Floods HL2257 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide support to Pakistan during the recent floods.

Questions Asked 5 September 2022

Treasury

Energy: Housing HL2189 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to remove the VAT on household energy bills.

Treasury

Energy: Business HL2190 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to remove the VAT on business energy bills.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Energy HL2188 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase regulation of the energy market for businesses.

Department for Health and Social Care

Prostate Cancer: Screening HL2187 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an NHS national screening programme for prostate cancer.

Questions Asked 20 July 2022

Department for Transport

Airports: Weather HL1985 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure airports are resilient to rising temperatures in the UK.

Treasury

Cryptoassets: Regulations HL1986 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to discuss an approach to crypto-asset regulation with other countries and international bodies.

Treasury

Inflation: HL1984 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to slow inflation in the short-term.

Questions Asked 19 July 2022

Department for Transport

Railways: Temperature HL1943 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure railways are resilient to future heatwaves.

Treasury

Food: VAT HL1944 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce VAT in response to rising grocery bills.

Treasury

Central Bank Digital Currencies HL1945 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide an update on the progress of evaluating the potential benefits of a UK Central Bank Digital Currency.

Treasury

Education and Health Services: Finance HL1946 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase budgets for regions in England as a result of pressures on the (1) health service, and (2) education sector.

Questions Asked 18 July 2022

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Infrastructure: Weather HL1883 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that infrastructure is resistant to high temperatures.

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies: Regulation HL1885 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a bespoke regulatory framework for the UK cryptoasset sector.

Department for Work and Pensions

Working Conditions: Temperature HL1886 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to set upper-temperature limits for workplaces.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Ghana: Marburg Virus HL1884 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to monitor the re-emergence of the Marburg virus in Ghana.

Questions Asked 13 July 2022

Treasury

Finance Act 1986: HL1753 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the reference of the “recognised stock exchange” with “multilateral trading facility” in section 99A(5) of the Finance Act 1986.

Treasury

Stamp Duty Reserve Tax: HL1754 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to remove stamp duty on purchases of (1) shares in investment trusts, (2) real estate investment trusts, and (3) venture capital trusts.

Women and Equalities

Vacancies: Advertising HL1755 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require salaries to be published on job advertisements.

Questions Asked 12 July 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Sales HL1715 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address falling retail sales.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Prices HL1716 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle rising energy prices.

Treasury

Small Businesses: VAT HL1717 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce VAT relief for small businesses until the end of the tax year.

Department for Health and Social Care

Hospitals: Protective Clothing HL1718 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce mandatory mask-wearing in hospitals.

Questions Asked 11 July 2022

Department for Transport

Bus Services: Industrial Disputes HL1653 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare for bus workers going on strike this month.

Home Office

Cybersecurity: HL1654 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to stop cyber criminals.

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points HL1655 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer incentives for companies to invest in a nationwide system of public electric vehicle charging stations.

Department for Education

Universities: HL1656 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage universities to advertise (1) subject drop-out, and (2) employment, rates for courses.

Questions Asked 6 July 2022

Department for Education

Schools: Sports HL1540 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase sports funding for schools.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Fertilisers: HL1541 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to keep fertiliser plants open amidst rising gas prices.

Home Office

Visas: Seasonal Workers HL1542 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide advance notice for the 2023 allocation of seasonal worker visas.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow Schemes: HL1543 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a Help to Grow Scheme for the third sector.

Questions Asked 5 July 2022

Treasury

Renewable Energy: Finance HL1513 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to update the investment allowance to support lower-carbon technologies.

Treasury

Fuels: Excise Duties HL1510 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce fuel duty in response to rising prices.

Home Office

Environment Protection: HL1511 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent environmental protests that endanger the lives of others.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Price Caps HL1512 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a relative price cap on energy bills.

Questions Asked 4 July 2022

Cabinet Office

Government Departments: Social Media HL1461 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect government accounts on social media from hacks and cyberattacks.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Public Houses HL1462 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the pub industry in England.

Treasury

Energy: Taxation HL1463 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to build a review mechanism into the energy profits levy.

Department for Work and Pensions

Jobcentres: Training HL1464 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow Jobcentre Plus to use the expansion of work coach capacity to introduce specialist single parent advisers.

Questions Asked 29 June 2022

Treasury

Hospitality Industry: Investment and Taxation HL1368 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a new tax and investment regime for the hospitality sector.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Motor Vehicles: Energy Intensive Industries HL1367 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to grant the automotive sector energy-intensive status.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Children HL1369 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include a statutory watchdog to advocate for children as users of online services, funded by a levy on the tech industry, in the Online Safety Bill.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Motor Sports: Racial Discrimination HL1366 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take, alongside sporting bodies and associations, to address racism in motorsport.

Questions Asked 28 June 2022

Northern Ireland Office 

Northern Ireland Protocol: HL1327 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure continued peace amid plans to discard parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Department for Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL1329 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow all employers to use their apprenticeship levy funds to tackle labour shortages.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Affordable Housing: Construction HL1328 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure factory-made modular homes maintain standards of high quality.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans HL1330 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to cut approval times for new offshore wind farms from four years to one year.

Questions Asked 27 June 2022

Ministry of Justice

Barristers: Strikes HL1294 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure barrister strikes do not delay the administration of justice.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Regional Planning and Development: HL1293 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Resolution Foundation report Income outcomes: Assessing income gaps between places across the UK, published on 27 June; and what plans they have to re-evaluate the feasibility of the Levelling Up programme.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Recovery Loan Scheme: HL1296 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a permanent replacement to the Recovery Loan Scheme to support cashflow.

Department for Work and Pensions

Workplace Pensions: Young People HL1295 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the eligibility age for auto-enrolment pensions to 18.

Questions Asked 22 June 2022

Treasury

Inflation: Young People HL1214 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce additional measures aimed at helping young people deal with inflationary pressures.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Prices HL1215 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect Britons from the effects of rising energy bills.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Apprentices: Minimum Wage HL1216 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the current national minimum wage for apprentices.

Department for Education

16 – 19 Bursary Fund: Apprentices HL1217 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund to apprentices.

Questions Asked 21 June 2022

Department for Transport

Railways: Automation HL1172 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fully automate train lines; and what discussions they have had with (1) local mayors, and (2) transport authorities, about automating tube and metro services.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Farms: Renewable Energy HL1173 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to (1) incentivise, and (2) reward, farmers contributing to reductions in carbon emissions through renewable energy production.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy: Farms HL1174 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the cost of connecting viable schemes to the national grid in order to increase levels of renewable energy production on farms.

Department for Education

Recruitment: Young People HL1175 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial incentives for (1) training providers, and (2) employers, to encourage them to take on young people who have not already achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths.

Questions Asked 20 June 2022

Department for Transport

Railways: Strikes HL1121 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat further railway strikes across England.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Cricket: Racial Discrimination HL1122 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take, alongside sporting bodies and associations, to tackle racism in cricket.

Treasury

Manufacturing Industries: Business Rates HL1124 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce business rates for UK manufacturers over the next 12 months.

Department for Education

Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes HL1123 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow use of the meal voucher scheme during the summer holidays.

Questions Asked 15 June 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Broadcasting: Racial Discrimination HL1016 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish an independent racism reporting body for the broadcasting industry.

Department for Education

Universities: Admissions HL1017 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require the Office for Students to (1) monitor trends in international student recruitment, and (2) impose regulatory conditions on universities that have low diversity rates among their student body.

Department for Education

Pupils: Assessments HL1018 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish a British Baccalaureate which offers a mix of (1) academic, and (2) vocational, qualifications at age 18.

Questions Asked 14 June 2022

Department for Education

Adult Education: Publicity HL968 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to run a national campaign for adult education explaining (1) what opportunities are free to access, and (2) how to access courses.

Department for Education

Prisoners: Apprentices HL969 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow businesses to direct the apprenticeship levy towards prison rehabilitation schemes.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans HL970 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people to enter the offshore wind industry.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans HL971 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to meet their target of women making up at least one third of the offshore wind workforce by 2030.

Questions Asked 13 June 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Companies: Fraud HL926 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require large corporations to report their anti-fraud procedures.

Department for Education

Adult Education: HL929 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish a branded adult education centre in every town which supports adults into learning and throughout their education journey.

Treasury

Food: Taxation HL928 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use a sugar and salt tax to fund healthy food options for those living in poverty.

Questions Asked 8 June 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Directors: Females HL804 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a quota ensuring that women have at least 40 per cent of the seats on corporate boards.

Department of Health and Social Care 

Social Services: Standards HL803 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support local authorities to improve the capacity of community support in the social care sector.

Department of Health and Social Care 

Local Government and Social Services: Recruitment HL802 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest in a national recruitment and workforce development campaign for (1) local authorities, and (2) providers in the social care sector.

Questions Asked 7 June 2022

Department for Transport

Aviation: Vetting HL741 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to temporarily reduce the length of the employment history which is subject to background checks for potential new employees in the aviation industry.

Department for Education

Pre-School Education HL742 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer early learning and childcare spaces for children under the age of six.

Questions Asked 6 June 2022

Treasury

Fuels: Excise Duties HL687 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce fuel duty. 

Home Office

Aviation: Migrant Workers HL688 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to give EU aviation workers special visas.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Manufacturing Industries: Electricity HL686 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make (1) steelmakers, and (2) other industrial manufacturers, exempt from network charges to ensure continued production.

Department for Education

Schools: Racial Discrimination HL685 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require schools to implement anti-racist policies.

Questions Asked 25 May 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Ethnic Groups HL555 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require companies with more than 50 employees to publish their ethnicity pay gap data.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy: HL556 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the overall limit on the capacity of renewable energy generation at auctions.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Transport: Electricity HL557 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that energy infrastructure is sufficient in all regions to support the uptake of electrified transport.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Carbon Emissions: Local Government HL558 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to mandate the creation of net-zero transition plans from councils.

Questions Asked 24 May 2022

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Agriculture: Tax Allowances HL507 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce tax incentives for farmers that redistribute food.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food Poverty: Ministers HL508 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to appoint a Food Poverty Minister.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food: HL509 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish a new Food Strategy.

Ministry of Justice

Legal Aid Scheme: Fees and Charges HL510 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an immediate 25 per cent increase in legal aid fees.

Questions Asked 23 May 2022

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: HL455 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a quarterly welfare assessment for those in receipt of benefits.

Department for Education

Schools: Energy HL456 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to decrease energy costs in schools.

Ministry of Justice

Powers of Attorney: HL457 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent people from taking advantage of vulnerable people by obtaining Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

Department for Health and Social Care

Maternity Services: Ethnic Groups HL458 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve maternity (1) curriculums, and (2) guidance, in order to better assess women and babies from (a) black, and (b) ethnic minority, communities.

Questions Asked 18 May 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Dormant Assets Schemes: HL354 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide more capital via the Dormant Assets Act 2022.

Department for Education

Free School Meals: HL355 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the eligibility for free school meals.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Coronavirus HL356 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that local authorities are co-operating on calculating the level of (1) fraud, and (2) error, in business support grants administered.

Department for Health and Social Care

General Practitioner: Migrant Workers HL357 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to permit overseas-born trainee GPs to stay in Britain at the end of their training.

Questions Asked 17 May 2022

Department for Education

Free School Meals: HL325 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that funding for free school meals is extended through to secondary school.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Low Incomes HL326 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reinstate the £20 a week uplift in universal credit to help those on low incomes.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Meters HL327 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a deficit fund to remove £1,000 off the annual bills of struggling households on pre-payment meters.

Department for Transport 

Great British Railways: HL328 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage private investment to the Great British Railways.

Questions Asked 16 May 2022

Treasury

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties HL280 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the fuel duty with a levy that charges motorists based on the miles they drive.

Treasury

Energy: Taxation HL281 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producers’ profits.

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies: HL282 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to lay regulations that (1) define what a stable coin is, and (2) require particular (a) forms, and (b) levels, of collateral for such coins.

Department for International Trade

Supply Chains: HL283 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a cross-industry and government-backed task force to assess the resilience of the UK’s supply chains.

Questions Asked 11 May 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Tenancy Deposit Schemes HL179 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include the lifetime deposit scheme in the Renters’ Reform Bill.

Department for Health and Social Care

Mental Illness: Community Care HL180 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support seriously mentally ill people so that they avoid going to prison.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

UK Trade with EU: Agricultural Products HL181 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce checks on EU agri-food products imported to the UK.

Department of Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL182 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require that companies spend over half of their apprenticeship levy on young people.

Questions Asked 10 May 2022

Department of Education

Social Media: Children HL109 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address the gap in UK child labour and performance regulation which leaves child influencers without protection.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Investment HL111 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage investment in businesses based in the (1) North East, (2) East Midlands, and (3) North West of England.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Warm Home Discount Scheme: HL110 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help families with higher than average bills due to disabilities.

Department of Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL112 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the apprenticeship levy to include more qualifications.

Questions Asked 27 April 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Training: Rural Areas HL8014 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce training vouchers for rural enterprises.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Planning: Rural Areas HL8015 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce planning measures that prioritise small-scale developments in the countryside.

Treasury

Loan: Fraud HL8016 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to identify what anti-fraud measures are needed at the start of any new emergency loan scheme.

Treasury

Taxation: Domicil HL8017 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the non-domicile individual status with a form of temporary resident tax status for people living in the UK for short periods of time.

Questions Asked 26 April 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Social Tariffs: Disability HL7995 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage companies to introduce social tariffs for disabled households.

Department of Education

Special Educational Needs: Employment HL7996 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop a scheme to enable school leavers with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) into the workforce.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Farms: Renewable Energy HL7994 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the development of vertical, low-carbon farms, fuelled by renewable energy.

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: Small Businesses HL7997 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to launch a new Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) Trade Support Fund to help firms trade internationally.

Questions Asked 25 April 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Rents: Increases HL7943 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a cap on rent increases in line with median wage rises.

Department for International Trade

Import Controls: Xinjiang HL7941 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ban all imports from China’s Xinjiang region unless they could be proven not to involve forced labour.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Water Power: HL7942 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include (1) hydropower, and (2) tidal lagoons, as elements in their new energy strategy.

Department for International Trade

Foreign Investment in UK: HL7944 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a strategy for foreign investment growth that increases (1) jobs, (2) skills, and (3) productivity, across the UK.

Questions Asked 6 April 2022

Department for Transport 

Alternative Fuels: HL7775 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop a low carbon fuels strategy.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

National Grid: HL7773 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the time taken for energy projects to be connected to the electricity grid.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: Insulation HL7774 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to develop a long-term strategy for improving home insulation.

Home Office

Refugees: Ukraine HL7776 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the Ukrainian refugee visa schemes to include temporary places for (1) students, and (2) academics.

Questions Asked 5 April 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Renewable Energy: Planning Permission HL7725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the amount of planning approval needed for renewable projects.

Treasury

Carbon Emissions: Taxation HL7727 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose a carbon border adjustment mechanism.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Fertilisers: Prices HL7726 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to help farmers with fertiliser costs to boost production.

Questions Asked 4 April 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Natural Gas HL7659 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide commercial incentives to businesses willing to reduce their gas use at certain times.

Treasury 

Budgets: HL7660 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to set out an emergency budget as energy bills and national insurance payments increase.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Reform HL7661 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the energy markets so that consumers’ bills are less dependent on global gas prices.

Home Office 

Visas: Armed Conflict HL7662 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide special visas to people in war zones who have strong technology skills.

Questions Asked 30 March 2022

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food: Shortages HL7517 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to enable the food and drink industry to use safe, alternative products where ingredients become unavailable due to shortages in world markets.

Department of Education

Free School Meals: HL7519 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to lift the limitations which prevent access to free school meals on the grounds of immigration status.

Department of Education

Free School Meals: HL7520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise the income threshold at which households become eligible for free school meals to £20,000 a year.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces and Defence Equipment: HL7518 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to develop a new model for (1) organising, and (2) equipping, the UK’s armed forces, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Questions Asked 29 March 2022

Treasury

Central Bank of the Russian Federation: Freezing Assets HL7470 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use the Russian Central Bank’s frozen reserves to help rebuild the Ukrainian economy.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food Supply: HL7467 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a National Food Security Council.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Natural Gas: Nigeria HL7468 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage oil and gas companies to increase investment in the Nigerian gas sector.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Vetting HL7469 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish a list for councils telling them what is required for a home safety check for hosts sponsoring Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

Questions Asked 28 March 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Homes for Ukraine Scheme HL7401 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to utilise the police to help regulate the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Department for Education

Schools: Ukraine HL7402 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide figures to local councils regarding how many school spaces they should make available for Ukrainian refugees.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Refugees: Ukraine HL7403 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support Ukrainian refugees who will no longer be sponsored by their host after the proposed six-month time frame.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Refugees: Ukraine HL7404 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Questions Asked 23 March 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 

Refugees: Ukraine HL7309 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide Ukrainian refugees coming to the UK access to (1) education, and (2) language, services.

Ministry of Defence 

Ukraine: Guided Weapons HL7306 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide more (1) anti-aircraft, and (2) anti-tank, missiles to Ukraine.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Cereals: HL7308 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage British farmers to increase grain production.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Food Supply HL7307 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to divert crops intended for biofuel production into food production.

Questions Asked 22 March 2022

Treasury 

Stocks and Shares: Belarus HL7234 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prohibit providing services in relation to shares of Belarussian state-owned enterprises listed on UK trading exchanges.

Treasury 

Bank Notes: Belarus HL7233 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prohibit the provision of British-denominated banknotes to Belarus.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homes for Ukraine Schemes HL7235 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide a formal central system of matching people who applied to the Homes for Ukraine Scheme to Ukrainians wishing to travel to the UK.

Questions Asked 21 March 2022

Treasury 

Russia: Overseas Investment HL7181 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prohibit new investment in Russia’s energy sector by companies based in the UK.

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

National Bank of the Republic of Belarus: Sanctions HL7182 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prohibit UK persons from undertaking financial transactions involving the Central Bank of Belarus.

Treasury 

Cryptocurrencies: Russia HL7183 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to identify cryptocurrency exchanges supporting sanctioned Russian individuals and restrict their activities.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Sizewell B Power Station HL7180 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to grant a 20-year extension to the working life of the existing Sizewell B plant.

Questions Asked 16 March 2022

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

Gazprombank: Sanctions HL7027 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose sanctions on Gazprombank.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Prices HL7028 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a new cap on energy prices.

Cabinet Office

Defence: Civilians HL7029 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to implement (1) air raid sirens, or (2) civil defence systems, in the UK to provide an early warning signal for a nuclear attack.

Treasury

Oil: Taxation HL7030 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement a windfall tax on oil producers.

Questions Asked 15 March 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Renewable Energy: Planning Permission HL7000 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fast-track planning processes for clean energy projects.

Department for Education

Universities: Russia HL7001 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to introduce measures to encourage universities to take action against university academics who promote pro-Putin propaganda.

Department for Education

Children: Ukraine HL7003 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support school-age Ukrainian children who have gaps in their education.

Questions Asked 14 March 2022

Department for Education

Children: Ukraine HL6949 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support refugee children from Ukraine and accommodate them within the education system.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Vetting HL6950 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether security checks under the sponsorship scheme for British households opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees will involve (1) a full Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check, or (2) a one-off check against the police national computer database.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Refugees: Ukraine HL6948 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use the homes of sanctioned Russian oligarchs to house Ukrainian refugees.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Solar Power: Loans HL6951 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce interest-free loans to install solar panels.

Questions Asked 9 March 2022

Home Office

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill HL6828 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of plans under the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill to require Russian oligarchs to declare their identity details upon (1) sale, or (2) transfer, of any UK assets.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: Solar Power HL6829 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce the Feed-In Tariff for homeowners investing in solar panels.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Natural Gas: Russia HL6830 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russian gas.

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme: HL6831 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme to increase the uptake of electric vehicles.

Questions Asked 8 March 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Fossil Fuels: North Sea HL6770 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to open a new round of North Sea exploration licences.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Oil: Russia HL6771 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russian oil.

Ministry of Defence

Defence: Expenditure HL6772 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase defence spending.

Questions Asked 7 March 2022

Treasury

Humanitarian Aid: HL6694 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to label humanitarian relief goods as non-commercial goods.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Sanctions: Russia HL6695 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to further reduce the time given for Russian oligarchs to register UK property under the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill.

Treasury

Banks: Russia HL6696 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to recommend that major banks cease their operations in Russia.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Economic Crime: Civil Proceedings HL6697 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include anti-strategic legal action against public participation (SLAPPS) law in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill.

Questions Asked 2 March 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Foreign Companies: Registration HL6579 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to conduct checks to ensure the transparency of those registering overseas entities.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Foreign Companies: Registration HL6580 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce graduated sanctions to individuals who do not disclose their identity to Companies House in their proposed Registration of Overseas Entities Bill.

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Russia: Sanctions HL6581 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose sanctions to restrict the transfer of money in and out of Russia in the form of cryptocurrencies.

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Russia: Sanctions HL6582 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the time taken to sanction named Russian oligarchs.

Questions Asked 1 March 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Television: Russia HL6560 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ban Russian state-backed television channels.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Belarus and Russia HL6559 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage social media platforms to suspend the accounts of the political leaders from (1) Russia, and (2) Belarus.

Home Office

Visas: Ukraine HL6561 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals for up to three years.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Offshore Industry: Russia HL6562 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage more oil companies to cut ties with their Russian partners.

Questions Asked 28 February 2022

Department for Transport

Shipping: Russia HL6515 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to restrict Russian ships from using British ports.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Companies: Surveillance HL6516 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to regulate companies’ use of technological systems to monitor people.

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Russia: Sanctions HL6517 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a travel ban on President Putin and Sergey Lavrov.

Questions Asked 23 February 2022

Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Russia: Sanctions HL6400 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to sanction Russia by excluding them from the SWIFT international payments system.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Regulator of Social Housing HL6401 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to further strengthen the role of the Regulator of Social Housing to help regulate the exempt accommodation sector.

Department for Education

Equality: Education HL6402 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of results of a recent YouGov survey which found that only 12 per cent of teachers feel empowered to teach diversity issues; and what steps they are taking to increase this number.

Department for Education

History: Education HL6403 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history in the school curriculum to combat bullying in schools.

Questions Asked 22 February 2022

Treasury

Tickets: VAT HL6361 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a cultural VAT rate of five per cent on ticket sales.

Department for Education

Education: Hearing Impairment HL6359 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Consortium for Research in Deaf Education report Education provision for deaf children in England 2020/21, published in 2021; and what plans they have to encourage teaching staff to hold a Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Companies: Pay HL6362 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require private water companies to link executive pay to performance.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Directors: Females HL6360 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require companies to publish action plans on how they aim to increase the number of women in FTSE 100 boardroom roles.

Questions Asked 21 February 2022

Department for Education

Local Skills Improvement Plans: HL6322 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make colleges jointly responsible for the development of local skills improvement plans (LSIPs).

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: Pensioners HL6320 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that 10 per cent of new housing is specifically designed for pensioners.

Home Office

Care Workers: Visas HL6321 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the Health and Care Visa scheme to allow for private households to sponsor (1) care assistants, (2) home carers, and (3) nursing home support workers.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Prices HL6323 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce the Zero Carbon Homes policy to help reduce household energy bills.

Questions Asked 9 February 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: Heat Pumps HL6156 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide a grant for homeowners to upgrade their gas boilers to heat pumps.

Treasury

Financial Markets: Regulation HL6154 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reform the MiFID II market rules to help encourage analyst research for companies.

Department for Transport

Railways: North of England HL6155 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to begin a new levelling up assessment of the Integrated Rail Plan with Transport for the North.

Department for Education

Free School Meals HL6153 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the eligibility criteria for free school meals to all children whose parents are on universal credit.

 

Questions Asked 8 February 2022

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Ethic Groups HL6099 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting.

Home Office

Economic Crime: Expenditure HL6100 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide information on how much of the funding allocated to the Home Office in the Spending Review for fighting economic crime will reach crime-fighting agencies.

Department for Education

Vocational Education HL6101 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent finding by the Association of Accounting Technicians that only 29 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds heard about alternatives to degrees while they were at school; and what steps they are taking to encourage schools to promote such alternatives.

Department for Education

Universities: Staff HL6102 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage universities to increase the numbers of black staff to reflect the diversity of students.

Questions Asked 7 February 2022

Department for Education

Universities: Housing HL6058 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage university accommodation providers to introduce race awareness training for students and staff.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow Schemes HL6059 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the threshold in the Help to Grow: Management scheme from five employees to one to enable more businesses to participate.

Department for Education

Student: Loans HL5960 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the freeze on the student loan repayment threshold will only stay in place for one year.

Home Office

Home Office: Expenditure HL6061 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide a breakdown of how the additional funding allocated to the Home Office in the Spending Review for fighting economic crime will be spent.

Questions Asked 2 February 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Supported Housing: Departmental Coordination HL5905 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to set up a task force to improve co-ordination between different departments on housing care and support policy.

Home Office

Social Media: Fraud HL5904 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require social media companies to reimburse users who are victims of online fraud.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow Schemes HL5906 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow small businesses who took part in the Small Business Leadership programme to participate in the Help to Grow: Management scheme.

Questions Asked 1 February 2022

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Derelict Land: HL5858 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to complement the £1.5 billion Brownfield Fund with planning policies to support the creation of (1) homes, (2) jobs, (3) transport, and (4) infrastructure.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: Older People HL5859 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce financial incentives to make proposals for new housing care and support schemes more attractive to potential (1) developers, and (2) providers.

Department for Education

Student: Loans HL5860 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the freeze on the student loan repayment threshold will only stay in place for one year.

Department of Health and Social Care

MMR Vaccine HL5861 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine.

Questions Asked 31 January 2022

Department for Education

Sign Language: Curriculum HL5816 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to add British Sign Language to mainstream curriculum classes for (1) nursery, (2) primary school, and (3) secondary school.

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies: HL5817 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that Bitcoin accounts for 0.5 per cent global electricity production; and what plans they have to prohibit crypto currency mining in the UK.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Rural Areas: Finance HL5818 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use the (1) Towns Fund, and (2) Future High Streets Fund, to (a) target struggling small rural towns, and (b) help smaller towns adapt to changing consumer trends and demands.

Department for Education

School: Pupils HL5819 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Education Policy Institute report Measuring Pupil Inclusion in School Groups, published on 31 January; and what plans they have to ensure that schools are measured on whether they (1) exclude, or (2) off-roll, vulnerable pupils.

Questions Asked 26 January 2022

Department for Education

Vocational Education HL5722 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase offerings of (1) vocational, and (2) technical, courses throughout the school system, to help better prepare students for the working world.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Cricket: Racial Discrimination HL5723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an independent regulator for cricket to oversee the progress the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) makes to tackle racism in that sport.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Safety HL5724 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace references to harmful ‘content’ in the Online Safety Bill with ‘content and activity’, to cover the release of new social media products such as virtual reality.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Cricket: Equality HL5725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of diversity in the administration of English cricket; and what plans they have to support or require the England and Wales Cricket Board to increase levels of diversity as a condition of receipt of future public funding.

 

Questions Asked 25 January 2022

Cabinet Office

Civil Servants: Recruitment HL5683 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to close the acceptance gap between white students and ethnic minority students who join the Civil Service Fast Stream.

Department for Education

Skilled Workers: Environment Protection HL5684 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Green Alliance Closing the UK’s green skills gap, published on 11 January; and what plans they have to develop a national framework for green jobs which (1) is regularly updated, and (2) outlines the skills required for the transition.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Grenfell Tower Inquiry HL5685 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to set up a national oversight mechanism for the Grenfell Inquiry to monitor the implementation of recommendations from (1) inquests, and (2) inquiries.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Local Development Orders HL5686 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage councils to implement Local Development Orders to allow for the redevelopment of land near existing public transport for house building.

Questions Asked 24 January 2022

Treasury

Cost of Living HL5650 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to postpone the health and social care levy to help with the expected increase to the cost of living in spring this year.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Safety HL5652 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce measures in the Online Safety Bill that grant Ofcom powers to scrutinise social media companies’ algorithms.

Ministry of Justice

Solicitors: Assessments HL5651 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to close the attainment gap between white students and ethnic minority students who pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Situation HL5649 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to convene a multi-nation conference to respond (1) practically, and (2) financially, to the humanitarian issue in Afghanistan.

Questions Asked 19 January 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Harassment and Racial Discrimination HL5565 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide (1) support, and (2) advice, for those who experience (a) racial discrimination, (b) harassment, and (c) racial hatred, on social media platforms.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Hate Crime: Travellers HL5566 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Runnymede Trust report England Civil Society Submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, published on 14 July 2021; and what plans they have to include measures to prevent hate crimes against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in their next Hate Crime Action Plan.

Treasury

Non-fungible Tokens: HL5567 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a regulatory framework for non-fungible tokens.

Department for International Trade

Small Businesses: Exports HL5568 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a Business and Trade Growth Office at the Department for International Trade to encourage smaller businesses to increase exports.

Questions Asked 18 January 2022

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water: Consumption HL5519 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce new policies to deliver long-term reductions in water usage across England.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Temporary Accommodation HL5520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Human Rights Watch and Childhood Trust report “I Want Us to Live Like Humans Again”: Families in Temporary Accommodation in London, UK, published on 17 January, what steps they are taking to reduce the placement of families in unfit temporary housing.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Freight: Price Caps HL5521 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement a price control mechanism to reduce freight costs for the landscaping industry.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Safety HL5522 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce measures in the Online Safety Bill aimed at preventing the use of of end-to-end encryption in online private messaging.

Questions Asked 17 January 2022

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet Safety: HL5461 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to remove the two-year grace period included in the Online Safety Bill before criminal sanctions can be imposed on named technology executives.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Gambling: Advertising HL5462 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ban gambling adverts in the UK.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Television Licences: Fees and Charges HL5463 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the BBC licence fee with a subscription service.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Technology: Companies HL5464 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop an external dispute resolutions scheme for issues with large technology companies.

Questions Asked 12 January 2022

Department for Education

Home Education: HL5373 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a register for children who are being home educated.

Home Office

Visas: Dependants HL5372 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to alter the definition of what constitutes a school in order to protect children who attend alternative education.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Price Caps HL5370 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an energy price cap for small businesses.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Safety HL5371 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require social media platforms to appoint a senior manager liable for the safety of their users.

Questions Asked 11 January 2022

Department for Education

Schools: Alternative Education HL5346 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to alter the definition of what constitutes a school in order to protect children who attend alternative education.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Small Businesses HL5346 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make a portion of a redress fund overseen by Ofgem available for microbusinesses in trouble due to high energy costs.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Foreign Companies: Property HL5347 To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will implement a public register of beneficial owners of overseas entities that (1) buy, or (2) sell, property.

Treasury

Offshore Industry: North Sea HL5345 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers to support relief for households struggling with their energy bills.

Questions Asked 10 January 2022

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: VaccinationHL5271 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the COVID-19 vaccination programme to all 5- to 11-year-olds.

Department for Education

UniversitiesHL5269 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage universities to make face-to-face teaching compulsory.

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Professions: TrainingHL5268 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to either (1) reimburse tuition fees, or (2) clear current student debt, for all nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare students affected by the removal of the NHS bursary.

Department of Health and Social Care

Care Workers: VacanciesHL5270 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to establish an emergency volunteer army for social care in light of reports that (1) care homes, and (2) home care providers, are struggling to operate properly due to staff shortages.

Questions Asked 15 December 2021

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme HL5033 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reintroduce a limited version of the furlough scheme to (1) vulnerable households, and (2) small businesses.

Home Office

Police: Equality HL5032 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the recruitment of black police officers.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Manufacturing Industries: Coronavirus HL5035 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a Build Back Better fund to help the manufacturing sector recover after COVID-19.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Technology: Companies HL5034 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require technology companies to implement mechanisms to deal with harmful anonymous accounts.

Questions Asked 14 December 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Sick Pay: Living Wage and Minimum Wage HL4977  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise the rate of statutory sick pay to equate to either the (1) national minimum, or (2) living, wage.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Age HL4976 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage social media companies to reveal how many underage users are on their platforms.

Department for International Trade

Trade Fairs: Finance HL4978 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) extend, and (2) expand, financial support for UK companies at trade shows in other countries.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: Production HL4975 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to commit to maintaining Britain’s self-sufficiency in food production at 60 per cent.

Questions Asked 8 December 2021

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme HL4814 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to restart the furlough scheme in case more COVID-19 restrictions are implemented.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Schemes: Young PeopleHL4812 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support young people into jobs in (1) England, and (2) other European countries.

Ministry of Justice

Courts: CoronavirusTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide extra Nightingale court capacity in order to address the backlog of legal cases.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce compulsory COVID-19 vaccine certificates in order to help reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.

Questions Asked 8 December 2021

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme HL4814 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to restart the furlough scheme in case more COVID-19 restrictions are implemented.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Schemes: Young PeopleHL4812 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support young people into jobs in (1) England, and (2) other European countries.

Ministry of Justice

Courts: CoronavirusTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide extra Nightingale court capacity in order to address the backlog of legal cases.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce compulsory COVID-19 vaccine certificates in order to help reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.

Questions Asked 7 December 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination HL4771 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce new COVID-19 booster jabs every six to nine months to respond to new strains.

Department for Education

Students: Fees and Charges HL4774 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require universities to provide partial refunds of tuition fees to students who are affected by the disruptions caused by industrial action.

Department for Work and Pensions

Workplace PensionsHL4772 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage employers to calculate their gender pension contributions gap in order to compare this to their gender pay gap data.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: Repairs and Maintenance HL4773 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide greater (1) powers, and (2) funding, to (a) local, and (b) city, authorities to enable homes to be retrofitted more quickly.

Questions Asked 6 December 2021

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Regional Planning and Development HL4747 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to set up a body to monitor the impact of government policy on regional inequalities.

Department for Work and Pensions

Workplace Pensions: FemalesHL4746 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish guidance directed at women on how to prepare for retirement in order to help reduce the pension gender pay gap.

Department for Education

Secondary Education: Teachers HL4748 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of secondary school teachers in England.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Pornography: Internet HL4749 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce age verification for commercial pornography websites.

Questions Asked 1 December 2021

Home Office

Meta: OfcomHL4622 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to give Ofcom emergency powers to investigate Facebook’s encrypted messaging plans before they are introduced.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: EqualityHL4625 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require all football clubs to have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan to be assessed as part of the annual club licensing process.

Department of Health and Social Care

Travel: Coronavirus HL4624 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce pre-departure COVID-19 tests for those travelling to the UK.

Department of Health and Social Care

Care Workers: PayHL4623 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to boost care worker pay in the short term amid existing staff shortages due to COVID-19.

Questions Asked 30 November 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices HL4585 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require employers to spend two-thirds of the funding for apprenticeships on under-25 year olds starting their careers.

Home Office

Visas: British National (Overseas)HL4584 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa scheme to people from Hong Kong who (1) are aged between 18 and 25, and (2) have a parent with BN(O) status.

Home Office

Asylum: FemalesHL4586 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that there is single sex housing for uncoupled women at all points during the asylum process.

Treasury

TaxationHL4587 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide additional specialised support to (1) contractors, and (2) self-employed taxpayers, who are facing large tax liabilities.

Questions Asked 29 November 2021

Treasury

Travel: Coronavirus HL4513 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer tailored support for travel businesses whose recovery will be affected by new COVID-19 restrictions.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Mortgages and Rents: Government AssistanceHL4514 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional support for those unable to pay their (1) rent, or (2) mortgage, due to COVID-19.

Ministry of Justice

Windrush Compensation SchemeHL4515 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enable those pursuing claims through the Windrush Compensation Scheme to receive legal aid.

Questions Asked 24 November 2021

Department for Education

Universities: Student WastageHL4409 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide more support for students at risk of dropping out of university.

Department for Education

Children: Day CareHL4410 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the 30 hours funded childcare policy.

Home Office

Windrush Compensation SchemeHL4412 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to withdraw the responsibility for the Windrush Compensation Scheme from the Home Office and give the responsibility to an independent body.

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: Foreign NationalsHL4411 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research Towards True Universal Care: Reforming the NHS Charging System, published on 23 November; and what plans they have to set up an independent body to (1) receive complaints about the charging system, and (2) review decisions by providers.

Questions Asked 23 November 2021

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: Sales HL4349 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a legal duty for large food businesses to provide annual data on their sales of High in Fat, Salt or Sugar (HFSS) products, to be collated and published by the Food Standards Agency.

Department for Education

Students: Grants HL4352 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a voucher subsidy scheme alongside maintenance grants to enable students to upgrade their devices if they are becoming outdated.

Treasury

Hospitality Industry and Tourism: VAT HL4351 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to freeze the current rate of VAT to (1) encourage investment, and (2) create jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Department of Health and Social Care

Food: Sales Promotions HL4350 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce new regulations to limit the use of promotional techniques on unhealthy food and drink product packaging.

Questions Asked 22 November 2021

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Migration HL4317 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reinstate 0.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product for Overseas Development Assistance to address migrant displacement.

Home Office

Refugees: ChildrenHL4314 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reinstate the scheme protecting unaccompanied refugee children to provide a safe route for unaccompanied migrant children.

Department of Health and Social Care

Care Homes: Visits HL4315 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to monitor how care home providers are enabling residents to receive visitors.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: VaccinationHL4316 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce COVID-19 vaccine passports to help decrease transmission rates.

Questions Asked 17 November 2021

Department for Education

Broadband: Schools HL4116 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that 3,835 schools are in postcodes which do not have access to full-fibre broadband; and what steps they are taking to improve connectivity for schools.

Department for Education

Children: Nutrition HL4167 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the access to healthy food for primary school children.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: Children HL4168 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the campaign by Contact for a decent home for every disabled child; and what plans they have (1) to build more (a) accessible, and (b) affordable, social housing, and (2) to give greater priority to families with disabled children needing housing.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Coronavirus: Vaccination HL4169 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide COVID-19 vaccines with a longer expiry date to poorer nations to ensure they can be used.

Questions Asked 16 November 2021

Cabinet Office

Northern Ireland Protocol: Customs HL4115 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to unilaterally stop checks on some goods sent across the Irish Sea as an alternative to triggering Article 16 to suspend the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Department for Education

Humanities: Degrees HL4112 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Higher Education Policy Institute report The Humanities in Modern Britain: Challenges and Opportunities, published on 23 September; and what plans they have to ensure that humanities degrees teach professionally valuable skills to boost (1) enrolments, and (2) the employment, prospects of humanities graduates.

Department for Education

Education: Reform HL4113 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to create an apolitical organisation to lead an independent consultation on reforming the education (1) curriculum, and (2) assessment, models.

Home Office

Police: Vetting HL4114 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that 2,500 long-serving police officers and other police staff are working despite not having up-to-date vetting; and what steps they are taking to ensure that all serving police officers have been vetted.

Questions Asked 15 November 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Ambulance Services: Staff HL4052 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that staff working in ambulances who are not paramedics have to be (1) registered, or (2) regulated.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Businesses: Environment Protection HL4053 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide help for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to become more environmentally sustainable.

Home Office

Asylum: France HL4054 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to work with the government of France to provide safe access to asylum procedures on both sides of the English Channel.

Questions Asked 10 November 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Health: DisadvantagedHL3970 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement a health inequalities strategy that targets deprivation and focuses on the impact on (1) physical, and (2) mental, ill-health.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: JournalismHL3973 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce guidelines for social media companies on what counts as journalism in the Online Safety Bill.

Treasury

Electric Vehicles: VATHL3973 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to cut VAT on the lowest cost electric vehicles.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Housing: ConstructionHL3971 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Building Britain Back Commission Levelling up and the Housing Challenge, published on 5 November; and what plans they have to implement a new national housing strategy that transitions from being based on historic growth to a new levelling up model of need.

Questions Asked 9 November 2021

Department for Transport

RailwaysHL3915 To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish their integrated rail plan.

Treasury

Small Businesses: CompensationHL3914 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of (1) resolved, and (2) settled, cases under the small business compensation scheme.

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies and Financial Services: RegulationHL3913To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a new regulatory framework for (1) crypto-asset regulation, and (2) open finance.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Sewage: Waste DisposalHL3912To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to stipulate a reduction in the volume of sewage that water companies can pump into waterways.

Questions Asked 8 November 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: CoronavirusHL3849 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce mandatory vaccines for all NHS England staff.

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles: Rural AreasHL3847 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of electric car charging points in rural parts of England.

Department for Education

Arts: Secondary EducationHL3848 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that their £90 million support-funding pledge for the arts and creative development in secondary schools is met.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Iron and Steel: Carbon EmissionsHL3850 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a steel sector deal (1) to help UK producers compete internationally, and (2) to provide long-term, sustainable policy support for the steel industry to transition to a low-carbon future.

Questions Asked 4 November 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow SchemesHL3739 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow participants in the Small Business Leadership Programme to participate in the Help to Grow Scheme.

Questions Asked 3 November 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow SchemesHL3700 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the Help to Grow scheme to allow businesses with fewer than five employees to participate.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: CoronavirusHL3701 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they are providing to businesses about applications to the relief funds announced in March 2020.

Home Office

Refugees: AfghanistanHL3702 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide councils with £28 per person per day to support Afghan refugee families.

Questions Asked 2 November 2021

Department for Transport

Motorways: SafetyHL3656 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to stop any further rollout of smart motorways until five years of safety data is available and improvements can be independently evaluated.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

EvictionsHL3657 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prohibit section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Help to Grow SchemesHL3658 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to change the eligibility of the Help to Grow scheme to permit charities to participate.

Department for Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: VaccinationHL3655 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that people living in rural areas are able to go to their nearest vaccination centre to receive their COVID-19 booster jab.

Questions Asked 1 November 2021

Department for Education

Personal, Social, Health and Economic EducationHL3597 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce compulsory teaching for Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) once per week in schools.

Treasury

Employment Allowance: Small BusinessesHL3598 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the small business employment allowance to support smaller employers seeking to expand.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Livestock: Waste DisposalHL3596 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a support package for the farming and agriculture sector if a mass farm animal cull is required.

Home Office

Spiking: Alcoholic drinksHL3595 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle drink spiking.

Questions Asked 27 October 2021

Department for Education

Sustainable Development: CurriculumHL3506 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to include a module on sustainability in every (1) apprenticeship, and (2) T Level course.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: VaccinationHL3504 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide clearer messaging on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women.

Home Office

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts BillHL3505 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to remove the proposed restrictions on protests from the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Home Office

Missing Persons: Ethnic GroupsHL3507 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to conduct a public inquiry into how the police deal with reports of missing Black people.

Questions Asked 26 October 2021

Department for Education

Environment Protection and Sustainable Development: CurriculumHL3463 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce environmental sustainability across all National Curriculum and A-Level courses.

Department for Transport

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: TrainingHL3462 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to extend, and (2) to reform, the Certificate of Professional Competence to encourage (a) experienced, and (b) retired, HGV drivers to return to work.

Treasury

National Insurance ContributionsHL3464 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to increase the employment allowance, and (2) to reform upfront costs, such as business rates.

Home Office

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies HL3465 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to add HGV drivers to the shortage occupation list to make it easier for skilled workers to obtain visas.

Questions Asked 25 October 2021

Department for Education

Digital Technology: EducationHL3416 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make the teaching of digital skills mandatory.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social MediaHL3415 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to force social media platforms to stop amplifying hateful content via their algorithms.

Home Office

Migrant Workers: Care WorkersHL3417 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create new flexible immigration routes in order to allow more people to work in the social care sector helping people wth disabilities.

Questions Asked 20 October 2021

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: ReviewsHL3258 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to accelerate, and (2) to publish, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Review.

Treasury

InvestmentHL3260 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to impose stronger investor protections where illiquid assets are held in funds.

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Racial DiscriminationHL3259 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle racial inequalities in the mental health system.

Department of Health and Social Care

Protective Clothing HL3257 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make masks mandatory (1) on public transport, and (2) in public spaces, as both COVID-19 daily cases and deaths continue to rise.

Questions Asked 19 October 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: PrivacyHL3219 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to legislate (1) to limit the social media abuse of public figures, and (2) to end online anonymity.

Treasury

Energy: VATHL3221 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to cut VAT by five per cent on energy bills in the Autumn Budget.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Sleeping Rough: Government AssistanceHL3220 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide (1) support, and (2) services, to individuals before they have to sleep rough.

Department for Education

Adult Education: PublicityHL3222To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to launch a national awareness campaign regarding access to adult education courses.

Questions Asked 13 October 2021

Treasury

Taxation: Electronic GovernmentHL3187 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that software providers for businesses participating in the Making Tax Digital programme do not pursue unfair profit-seeking behaviour.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Housing: InsulationHL3188 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an insulate homes scheme to help deliver their commitment to cutting carbon emissions.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: VaccinationHL3186 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow 12–15 year olds to attend COVID-19 vaccination centres.

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: FinanceHL3189 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest in early intervention for psychosis.

Questions Asked 13 October 2021

Treasury

Hospitality Industry: VATHL3079 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the 12.5 per cent rate of VAT on hospitality until 2024 to help rebuild the nightlife sector.

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: FinanceHL3077 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fund permanent surge capacity in the NHS to manage significant increases in demand.

Department for Transport

Electric Vehicles: Charging PointsHL3078 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create a comprehensive UK-wide electric vehicle charging network by 2028.

Home Office

Police: MisconductHL3076 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to investigate the issue of transparency in police misconduct hearings during the public inquiry into issues raised by the murder of Sarah Everard.

Questions Asked 12 October 2021

Department for Transport

London UndergroundHL3041 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Mayor of London about restarting the Night Tube in London to help business recovery in the winter period.

Department for Education

Scholarships: Ethnic GroupsHL3042 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide funding for scholarships for those wanting to study subjects in which black students are under-represented.

Department for Education

Secondary Education: CoronavirusHL3043 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce COVID-19 safety measures in secondary schools in light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in younger people.

Department of Health and Social Care

Travel: CoronavirusHL3040 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide a date for when mandatory PCR tests for foreign travel will be stopped.

Questions Asked 11 October 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

FreightHL2972 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to resolve the short-term issues to UK goods supply chains.

Home Office

Migrants: FinanceHL2973 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to lift the No Recourse to Public Funds rule for one year to support migrants who were put in accommodation under the Everyone In scheme and are no longer eligible.

Department for Education

Teachers: EqualityHL2971 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage schools to boost diversity among teachers.

Department for Education

Schools: VentilationHL2970 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide funding to schools to improve ventilation systems.

Questions Asked 15 September 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Ethnic GroupsHL2762 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure ethnicity pay gap reporting is mandatory for all large employers by 2023.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air PollutionHL2763 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to grant new regulatory powers to councils to combat non-transport related pollution.

Cabinet Office

UK Trade with EU: Import ControlsHL2764 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial support for businesses whose checks and paperwork were delayed as a result of preparing for import control deadlines.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Libraries: Electronic EquipmentHL2765 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce loan schemes at libraries for electronic devices to encourage citizens to become more digitally capable.

Questions Asked 9 September 2021

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention SchemeHL2724 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the furlough scheme for industries affected by COVID-19.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Planning Permission: EqualityHL2725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the National Planning Policy Framework’s presumption in favour of sustainable development to include an aim of striving for racial equality in all planning processes.

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Professions: TrainingHL2723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase investment in the medical workforce to fund (1) foundation programmes, and (2) specialty training places.

Department of Health and Social Care

Healthy Start SchemeHL2726 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand Healthy Start eligibility to all households earning £20,000 or less after benefits which include pregnant women or children under five.

Questions Asked 8 September 2021

Treasury

Insurance and Pension Funds: Capital InvestmentHL2674 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to change the regulation of insurer investment to encourage pension funds and insurers to back capital projects.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Football: Racial DiscriminationHL2675 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include racism in football as a priority in the Hate Crime Unit; and what resources they will provide to that Unit.

Treasury

MoneyHL2672 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to make the Financial Conduct Authority responsible for tracking whether businesses accept cash money across the economy.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Environment Protection: Job CreationHL2673 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the green recovery programmes for rapid job creation; and how they intend to scale investment in line with G7 peers.

Questions Asked 8 September 2021

Department for Education

Free School MealsHL2520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand Free School Meal eligibility (1) to all children aged seven to 18 in households earning £20,000 per annum or less after benefits, and (2) to children that are undocumented or living in households as part of the no recourse to public funds immigration system.

Department for Education

Special Educational NeedsHL2559 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide more special educational needs and disability (SEND) support to schools.

Department for Education

Apprentices: TaxationHL2558 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the apprenticeship levy and use part of the levy funds to support pre-apprenticeship programmes to help young people at school build confidence.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Employee OwnershipHL2557 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to give struggling companies the option to convert emergency bounce back loans into Employee Ownership Trusts to support their post-pandemic recovery process.

Questions Asked 7 September 2021

Treasury

Financial Services: TaxationHL2520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to amend the tax regime for the financial services sector; and how they intend to provide more clarity on investment screening laws to attract more inward investment.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Urban AreasHL2518 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support the redevelopment of retail space to attract consumers back to local high street shops and support their recovery process.

Department for Education

Schools: RadicalismHL2518 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the University College London report Addressing Extremism Through the Classroom, published on 7 September; and what steps are they taking to provide schools with the training and tools to teach pupils how to reject extremist views.

Department for Education

Cybercrime: EducationHL2517 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce cybersecurity education to Key Stage 1 children in order to educate them on tech literacy and online safety.

Questions Asked 6 September 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Racial HarassmentHL2462 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of a YouGov survey, published on 25 August, which found that 62 per cent of football fans fear that a player will be racially abused.

Department for International Trade

Trade PromotionHL2463 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to streamline administration of support to the UK’s export scheme to help small firms access trade programmes more easily.

Home Office

Migrant Workers: Large Goods Vehicle DriversHL2460 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow EU drivers to return on temporary visas as skilled workers.

Department for Education

Schools: Mental Health ServicesHL2460 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide mental health support for students and staff returning to school.

Questions Asked 21 July 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Sports: DefibrillatorsHL2277 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support a defibrillator education programme at all professional sports teams.

Department for Education

Apprentices: DegreesHL2279 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to engage with professional and statutory regulatory bodies to determine how degree apprenticeship proposals are implemented.

Department for Education

Arts: EducationHL2278 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of funding cuts to the high cost subsidy for creative arts courses at universities on the viability of these courses; and what steps they are taking to ensure equal access to creative arts courses in all educational settings.

Home Office

Crime PreventionHL2280 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Resolve Taking back our communities – working together to make communities safe, published on 19 July; and what plans they have to develop and deliver effective victim centred strategies to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Questions Asked 20 July 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Children HL2246 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce regulations on social media companies, including mandatory design standards, to increase online safety for services that are used by children.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness HL2245 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a system of (1) means-tested grants, or (2) interest-free loans, to repay arrears in order to prevent an increase in homelessness.

Department for Education

STEM Subjects: TrainingHL2243 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve access to STEM training and resources for both (1) employed, and (2) unemployed individuals.

Treasury

Stamp Duty Land TaxHL2244 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to extend the stamp duty holiday; and if they do have such plans, what assessment they have made of the impact of an extension on the benefits to local economies.

Questions Asked 19 July 2021

Department for Education

Teachers Training HL2183 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Education Policy Institute The cost of high-quality professional development for teachers in England, published on 15 July; and what steps are they taking to improve the quality of existing CPD training that teachers participate in.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Loans: Repayments HL2185 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to allow small businesses flexible government loan repayment plans.

Treasury

Small Businesses: Coronavirus HL2184 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer financial support to small businesses who will keep COVID-19 capacity limits in place.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions HL2182 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide local authorities with clarity about their role in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Questions Asked 14 July 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment HL2044 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make it easier for unemployed individuals to access clear labour market information on local green job opportunities.

Department for Work and Pensions

Health and Safety HL2045 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide regulations and guidance for workplaces on health and safety compliance measures.

Department for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Musicians: EU Countries HL2046 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to negotiate (1) visa-free travel, and (2) Europe-wide work permits, for musicians and crew.

Department for Work and Pensions

Job Security: Ethnic Groups HL2043 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in insecure work.

Questions Asked 13 July 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Multinational Companies: Technology HL1983 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce tax penalties against tech companies that are slow to remove harmful content.

Treasury

Corporation Tax: Overpayments HL1985 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that businesses are aware if they have overpaid corporation tax.

Department for Education

Schools: Disability HL1986 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide training for school staff on work-based assistive technology; and what assessment they have made of how such technology can support disabled students.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Freeports HL1984 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide more clarity surrounding freeports and how they will be (1) operated, and (2) governed.

Questions Asked 12 July 2021

Department for International Trade

Tradeshow Access Programme HL1926 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to replace the Tradeshow Access Programme Scheme in order (1) to enable Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to compete on a level playing field against international competitors, and (2) to retain the UK’s status as a global maritime leader.

Department for Transport

Transport for London: Finance HL1925 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce a long-term funding deal for Transport for London to support a return to work in London.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Remote Working: Health and Safety HL1924 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increased remote working on employee wellbeing; and what steps they are taking to ensure employers prevent employee burnout.

Home Office

Migrant Workers: EU Nationals HL1923 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with UK businesses regarding the need for more EU nationals to be permitted to work in the UK; and what steps they are taking as a result.

Questions Asked 7 July 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Kickstart Scheme HL1837 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to extend the Kickstart Scheme; and what steps are they taking to communicate this decision to businesses.

Treasury

Digital Technology: Taxation HL1836 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a Smart Fund tax on technological devices to support the creative arts sector.

Department for Education

Economic Growth: Greater London HL1834 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by London First Central Government’s Role in Helping London Drive Recovery, published in May; and what plans they have to create a London Apprenticeship Fund targeted at small firms affected by COVID-19 to restart apprenticeship growth in the capital.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs HL1835 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create a national framework of minimum standards of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools.

Questions Asked 6 July 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Voluntary Work HL1776 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by British Future Our Chance to Reconnect, published in March; and what steps they are taking to make it easier for people to volunteer in their local community.

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme HL1779 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the total cost to employers of retaining employees who are currently using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme once the scheme ends.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hospitality Industry: Students HL1778 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by People 1st International Future Talent in Hospitality, published in June; and what steps they are taking to assist hospitality students to pursue a career in the industry.

Department for Education

Vocational Guidance: Greater London HL1777 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by London First Central Government’s Role in Helping London Drive Recovery, published in May; and what plans they have to introduce a London Careers Service to provide tailored and flexible support to (1) young Londoners transitioning from education to employment, and (2) adults who have been displaced as a result of the pandemic.

Questions Asked 5 July 2021

Treasury

Coronavirus Self-isolation Payment Scheme HL1737 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase self-isolation payment support once the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay and Recruitment: Ethnic Groups HL1739 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey research by the Trade Unions Congress, published on 19 March, which found that one in three black and minority ethnic workers say they have been unfairly turned down for a job; and what plans they have to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting.

Treasury

Rules of Origin: EU Countries HL1736 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide clarification to small businesses on the rules of origin for duty free trade with the EU.

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Employment HL1738 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of employment hubs in prisons.

Questions Asked 30 June 2021

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Local Government: Debts HL1617 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist local authorities in managing debt levels.

Department for Education

Students: Special Educational Needs HL1618 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ability of local authorities to sufficiently support special educational needs students.

Questions Asked 29 June 2021

Treasury

Off-payroll Working HL1571 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that businesses understand how to use the online ‘Check Employment Status’ tool in regard to IR35 status.

Department for Education

Apprentices: Finance HL1569 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all businesses have the required funding to carry out sufficient on course training for apprenticeships.

Department for Education

Pupils: Absenteeism HL1568 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that persistently absent school pupils receive targeted educational support programmes.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment HL1570 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enhance workers’ rights in the gig economy; and what steps they are taking to provide more clarity to businesses over employment status criteria.

Questions Asked 28 June 2021

Home Office

Employment: Vetting HL1499 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that UK nationals will have parity with non-UK nationals regarding in person right to work checks from September.

Treasury

Cash Dispensing: Older People HL1502 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that vulnerable elderly individuals continue to have access to cash.

Department for Education

Education: Standards HL1501 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by New Schools Network and Onward Lost Learning: Why we need to Level Up Education, published on 25 June; and what plans they have to offer teachers a fixed stipend to work in schools in areas of underperformance.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: UK Trade with EU HL1500 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the decline in food and drink sales to the EU on potential job losses within the UK food and drink industry; and what steps they are taking to prevent such job losses.

Questions Asked 23 June 2021

Treasury

Tourism and Travel: Government Assistance HL1362To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a financial support package for the travel and tourism industry; and in particular, what plans they have to introduce tailored grants.

Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy

Offshore Industry: Skilled Workers HL1364 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by Platform, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Greenpeace UK Training & Tickets: the hidden costs for offshore oil & gas workers, published on 22 June, what steps they are taking to create a training passport scheme to allow offshore workers to transfer their experience between sectors.

Department for Education

Apprentices: Carbon Emissions HL1365 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to review whether apprenticeship standards are fit for purpose to contribute to the net zero economy.

Department for Education

Educational Institutions: Visual Impairment HL1363 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made the report by the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research at the University of Birmingham Lost in Transition? The post-school experiences of young people with vision impairment, published on 18 June; and what steps they are taking to ensure that all educational institutions are accessible for those with visual impairments.

Questions Asked 22 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy Conservation HL1330 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the understanding of small businesses about energy efficiency schemes.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Self Employed HL1331 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to provide tailored mental health support schemes to freelancers.

Answered: 13 July 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices HL1332 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the National Foundation for Educational Research Putting Apprenticeships to Work for Young People, published on 16 June; and what steps they are taking to increase apprenticeship course start rates outside of London.

Answered: 6 July 2021

Ministry of Housing. Community and Local Government

Take Away Food: Small Business HL1333 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that small food and drink businesses can continue to operate as takeaway services; and what steps they are taking to support such businesses in their applications for pavement licences from local authorities.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Questions Asked 21 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business Working Conditions HL1272 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Newable Small Business Confidence Index, published on 15 June 2020; and what steps they are taking to assist small businesses in creating sustainable office environments.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Department for Education

Financial Services Education HL1270 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement personal financial education into the UK curriculum.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government

UK EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Construction HL1273 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on (1) staff shortages in the construction industry, and (2) the impact of any such staff shortages on house building rates.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government

Housing: Disabilties HL1271 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage new build houses to have disabled access.

Answered: 5 July 2021

Questions Asked 16 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Recruitment Equality HL1185 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UK Recruitment Diversity and Inclusion Index, published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and the Association of Professional Staffing Companies on 14 June; and what steps they are taking to support small businesses to report on staff diversity.

Answered: 29 June 2021

Department for Education

Graduates: COVID-19 HL1184 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Office for National Statistics Graduates Report Graduates’ labour market outcomes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: occupational switches and skill mismatch, published on 8 March; and what assessment have they made of the finding that over 25 per cent of employed graduates are employed in unskilled or low-skilled roles.

Answered: 29 June 2021

Department for Education

Unemployed Training HL1186 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that skills training programmes in emerging job markets are accessible for unemployed individuals.

Answered: 29 June 2021

Questions Asked 15 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business Equality HL1130 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Henley Business School The Equity Effect, published on 7 June; and what steps they are taking to encourage businesses to have racially diverse workforces.

Answered: 29 June 2021

Department for Education

Social Media: Curriculum HL1132 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include social media awareness and training in the national curriculum.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Part Time Employment: COVID-19 HL1131 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Timewise The Impact of Covid-19 on Part-Time Employees, published in June; and what steps they are taking to support the creation of jobs with flexible working hours.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Department for Education

Higher Education Finance HL1133 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the higher technical education provider growth fund is accessible to all (1) colleges, and (2) universities.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Questions Asked 14 June 2021

Department for Education

Small Business Trading HL1092 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide subsidised skills training courses for small businesses.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Treasury

Small Business: Government Assistance HL1090 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent report by Simply Business The impact of Covid-19 on UK small business, published on 9 June; and what assessment they have made of the finding that 81 per cent of small businesses do not feel they have received enough support from government.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Treasury

SME Brexit Support Fund HL1091 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Brexit Support Fund is easily accessible to small businesses; and what steps they are taking to increase applications.

Answered: 28 June 2021

Treasury

COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme HL1089 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the event that COVID-19 restrictions last beyond the 21 June.

Answered: 23 June 2021

Questions Asked 9 June 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Training HL977 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all individuals on Universal Credit are able to participate in learning and training courses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Condtions of Employment HL976 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the case for a ‘Right to Disconnect’; and if they have made such an assessment, what the impact of such a right would be on employee mental health.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Tourism and Travel: COVID-19 HL975 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional financial support they plan to offer to the travel and tourism industry because of the decline of business in that sector.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Schools: Mental Health Services HL974 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that mental health first aid training is rolled out in primary school settings.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 8 June 2021

Treasury

Small Businesses: COVID-19 HL903 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reassure small businesses that financial support will be made available in the case of future COVID-19 restrictions being introduced.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Business: Government Assistance HL902 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support businesses that have lost revenue from cross-border card payments because of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Evictions: Families HL901 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of families at risk of eviction; and what steps they are taking to support them.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Small Businesses: COVID-19 HL900 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of small businesses that will be unable to retain current staff numbers after the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends; and what steps they are taking to financially support small businesses after September 2021.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 7 June 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Night Time Economy: COVID-19 HL823 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare further financial support packages for the night-time entertainment industry affected by COVID-19 restrictions.

Answered: 14 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hospitality Industry: Small  Business HL824 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional steps they are taking to support small businesses in filling job vacancies in the hospitality sector.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Financial Services Technology HL822 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist financial technology companies in pursuing environmentally sustainable technology.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies Regulation HL821 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of a report by TheCityUK Cryptoassets: Shaping UK regulation for innovation and global leadership’, published on 25 May; and what steps they are taking to encourage crypto-based innovation in the UK.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 26 May 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty: Families HL642 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research No Longer Managing, published on 26 May; and what steps they are taking to support families out of poverty.

Answered: 10 June 2021

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture and Food: Vacancies HL641 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on labour shortages in the agricultural and food processing sectors; and what steps they are taking to reduce any such shortages.

Answered: 10 June 2021

Department for Education

Graduate Employment HL639 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with universities in England about the support they can provide to improve the employment prospects of graduates.

Answered: 8 June 2021

Treasury

Small Business VAT Exemptions HL640 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed removal of EU VAT exemptions on small e-commerce businesses based in the UK which trade in the EU.

Answered: 8 June 2021

Questions Asked 25 May 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Lone Parents: Coronavirus HL540 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Gingerbread Caring without Sharing, published in May; and what steps they are taking to provide financial support to single parents once the furlough scheme ends.

Answered: 10 June 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Construction HL592 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent cuts to the construction industry workforce once the furlough scheme ends.

Answered: 8 June 2021

Treasury

Taxation: Electronic Government HL589 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase awareness of the impact of ‘Making Tax Digital’ on tax.

Answered: 8 June 2021

Women and Equalities

Women: Employment HL591 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Vodafone Lost Connections, published in May; and what steps they are taking to ensure that women do not face increased barriers when returning to work.

Answered: 2 June 2021

Questions Asked 24 May 2021

Department for Education

Education: Coronavirus HL540 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of a recent report by The Sutton Trust, ‘Fairness First: Social Mobility, Covid and Education Recovery’ published in May; and what plans they have to increase the funds for the early years pupil premium.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit HL539 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expand Universal Credit accessibility for those who are ineligible due to (1) their partner’s earnings, (2) savings, or (3) migration status.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Small Business Labour Turnover HL538 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist small businesses staff retention rates.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Older Workers HL537 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that elderly workers are not disproportionately impacted by the ending of the furlough scheme.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 19 May 2021

Department for Education

Small Business Loans HL379 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the Education Policy Institute Education recovery and resilience in England, published on 14 May, what assessment they have made of the benefit of allowing students the option to retake an academic year, in cases of extreme learning loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Coronavirus HL378 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase awareness of government support for small businesses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Digital Technology Training HL377 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase collaboration between universities and technology companies regarding digital skills training.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hospitality Industry and Leisure: Minumum Wage HL376 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of companies’ compliance with minimum wage requirements in the (1) hospitality, and (2) leisure, industries; and what steps they are taking to ensure such compliance.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 17 May 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business Loans HL324 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that small businesses can repay government loans over flexible time frames.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Government Coronavirus Assistance HL323 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Women’s Budget Group Gender Differences in Access to Coronavirus Government Support, published on 19 April; and what assessment they have made of the reliance of women, in comparison to men, on government COVID-19 support.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Financial Services Technology HL322 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce a Fintech Growth Fund; or, if they are not taking any such steps, what plans they have to fill the funding gap in the fintech industry.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Financial Services Technology HL321 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve technical visa access for fintech services.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 12 May 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Proof of ID: Digital Technology HL198 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist businesses in creating digital identity services.

Answered: 26 May 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL200 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the amount of unspent apprenticeship levy funds.

Answered: 24 May 2021

Treasury

Banks HL197 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Monveo The Banks and the Fintechs: Creating Better Banking Together, published on 11 May; and what steps they are taking to encourage banks to partner with Fintech companies.

Answered: 19 May 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Ethnic Groups HL199 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory.

Answered: 19 May 2021

Questions Asked 11 May 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL3112 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on staff shortages in the hospitality sector.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL3111 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the National Tutoring Programme targets financially disadvantaged pupils.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL3110 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the BRC’s Retail Sales Monitor, published on 11 May; and what steps they are taking to reduce the shop vacancy rate.

Awaiting Answer

Department for International Trade

HL3109 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses to digitalise their overseas trade operations.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 28 April 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL15349 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the apprenticeship levy repayment timeframe to cover the duration of the period for which COVID-19 restrictions are in effect.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Education

Teachers Training HL15351 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the (1) quality, and (2) quantity, of continuing professional development training for teachers.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Events Industry: Insurance HL15350 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a cancellation insurance scheme for the live events sector.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Cornavirus HL15348 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey on the cost of COVID-19 to tradespeople by Simply Business, published on 23 April; and what steps they are taking to support the economic recovery of the construction industry from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Questions Asked 27 April 2021

Treasury

Small Businesses: Coronavirus  HL15317 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses who have encountered payroll processing issues as a result of changes to COVID-19 support programmes.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Education

Financial Services: Education  HL15315 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to include financial education into the national curriculum.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Kickstart Scheme  HL15316 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the Kickstart Scheme.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Education

Hospitality and Tourism: Training  HL15318 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow workers without qualifications in the hospitality and tourism sector to qualify for free level 3 courses.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Questions Asked 26 April 2021

Department for Education

Education: Finance  HL15263 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Education Policy Institute Analysis paper: preliminary research findings on education recovery, published on 20 April; and what steps they are taking to ensure that educational recovery funding includes early years settings.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Treasury

Mortgages: Self Employed  HL15266 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that self-employed workers are not excluded from the 95 per cent mortgage scheme announced on 19 April.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Enterprises  HL15265 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to (1) support the development of social enterprises, and (2) integrate social enterprises into plans to make the UK carbon neutral by 2050.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Department for Education

Graduates: Employment Scheme  HL15264 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce an employment support scheme for recent university graduates.

Answered: 29 April 2021

Questions Asked 21 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Srategy

Zero Hours Contracts  HL15196 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that employers give as much notice as possible when offering work to employees on zero hours contracts.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Srategy

Small Business: Environmental Protection  HL15195 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses to become more environmentally friendly.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Industrial Health and Safety: Mental Health  HL15194 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of working environments on the mental health of employees.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Universities: Coronavirus  HL15193 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a delayed return to in-person attendance at universities on the mental health of students.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 20 April 2021

Department for Education

Primary Education: Admissions  HL15123 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and (2) the COVID-19 pandemic, on demand for primary school places.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprentices: Ethnic Groups HL15122 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that BAME communities receive apprenticeship outreach information.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Mental Health HL15121 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by Nerdwallet on business managers and mental health, published on 24 March; and what steps they are taking to ensure that entrepreneurs have access to mental health support.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Schools: Technology HL15120 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the reported digital learning divide; and what plans they have to increase funding for technology within schools.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 19 April 2021

Department for Education

Teachers Condition of Employment  HL15084 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current teacher workload on future retention rates.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football  HL15083 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they plan to have with the Football Supporters’  Association about the potential involvement of English football clubs in the European Super League; and what steps they are taking to ensure that supporters are more involved in the decision-making of English football clubs.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football  HL15082 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are planning with (1) the Premier League, and (2) the Football Association, about the potential involvement of English football clubs in the proposed European Super League.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football  HL15081 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sanctions, if any, they are considering in response to the potential involvement of English football clubs in the proposed European Super League.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 14 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Urban Areas  HL14952 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage consumers to support independent high street businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Young People: Coronavirus  HL14951 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the briefing paper by the UCL Institute of Education The darkest hour? New evidence of the learning experiences, well-being and expectations of youth during the third national lockdown in the UK, published on 2 April; and what steps they are taking to increase the acquisition of work skills through education.

Awaiting Answer

Cabinet Office

UK Trade with EU: Greater London  HL14950 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the level of trade experienced by businesses based in London.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Class Sizes: Coronavirus  HL14949 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce school class sizes once restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Businesses: Government Allowance  HL14948 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses owners who commit to investing in their businesses in 2021.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 13 April 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

HL14900 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a tailored employment support scheme for over 50s.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL14899 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed date change to the payment of corporation tax for small businesses on small business cashflow.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL14898 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a potential extension of the academic year on the mental health of (1) staff, and (2) pupils.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 12 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL14847 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support businesses to incorporate hybrid working arrangements on a long-term basis.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL14846 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that secondary schools are equipped to help new pupils with basic literacy.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL14845 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a backdated grant for workers who have not had access to any COVID-19 financial support.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL148454 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research by Pennyfreedom, published 14 March; and what steps they are taking to ensure that small businesses receive prompt payments of invoices.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 24 March 2021

Department for Education

Vocational Education: Employment Schemes HL14604 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what schemes are available to students on vocational courses to assist them in gaining employment.

Answered: 12 April 2021

Department for Education

National Tutoring Programme HL14606 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expand the capacity of the National Tutoring Programme.

Answered: 12 April 2021

Department for Education

NHS: Apprentices HL14603 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of interest in NHS apprenticeships; and what estimate, if any, they have made of the number of people they expect to apply to such schemes in the next 12 months.

Answered: 7 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Finance HL14605 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to retail businesses who do not trade online.

Answered: 6 April 2021

Questions Asked 23 March 2021

Department for Education

Graduates and Work Experinces HL14544 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with universities regarding (1) the technical skills, and (2) the employability, of graduates; and what steps they are taking to increase practical work experience opportunities for young people.

Answered: 8 April 2021

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Disadvantaged HL14545 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children with special educational needs in disadvantaged areas receive the required support.

Answered: 8 April 2021

Department for Education

Skilled Workers HL14543 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local skills improvement plans will meet the skills gaps in each local authority.

Answered: 8 April 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Kickstart Scheme HL14542 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that more young people are enrolled in the Kickstart scheme.

Answered: 6 April 2021

Questions Asked 22 March 2021

Department for Education

IT: Further Education HL14476 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Learning and Work Institute Disconnected? Exploring the digital skills gap, published on 22 March; and what steps they are taking to encourage more young people to enrol in further education IT courses.

Answered: 7 April 2021

Ministry of Justice

Courts: Coronavirus HL14479 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce delays to court cases arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 7 April 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Redundancy HL14477 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by takepayments, published in February, which found that 30 per cent of small businesses have had to let staff go due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 7 April 2021

Treasury

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Taxation HL14478 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact the revised tax legislation which takes effect next month will have on the ability of HGV drivers to remain self-employed.

Answered: 31 March 2021

Questions Asked 17 March 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices: Small Business HL14352 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of apprentices for which small businesses who do not pay the apprenticeship levy can claim cash incentives.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Small Business: Corporation Tax HL14351 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of planned corporation tax increases on the profitability of small businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Small Business: Pay HL14350 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of small business owners who have foregone their personal salaries to provide additional investment for their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Students: Ethnic Groups  HL14349 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the attainment gap between ethnic minority university students and other university students.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 16 March 2021

Treasury

Off Payroll Working HL14298 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of changes to the off-payroll working rules due to come into effect from 6 April on freelancers; and what steps they are taking to ensure that it is financially viable for freelancers to continue operating as self-employed individuals.

Answered: 23rd March 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Mental Wellbeing HL14299 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of a recent survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Corporate Finance Network, published on 11 March, which found that one in five small business owners are struggling with mental health issues; and what steps they are taking to increase the wellbeing of small business owners.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Student Disabilities HL14297 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of disabled people undertaking higher education courses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Sustainable Development Education HL14296 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide environmental training to primary and secondary school teachers to ensure they are equipped to teach sustainable development.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 15 March 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Young People HL14241 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide targeted mental health support to unemployed young people.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Disability Employment  HL14240 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the disability employment gap.

Awaiting Answer

Department for International Trade

UK – EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement HL14239 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade Cooperation Agreement on the amount of revenue raised by UK manufacturers; and what steps they are taking in response any such impact.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Coronavirus HL14238 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of small businesses which are not eligible for COVID-19 Government grants; and what steps they are taking to reduce that number.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 10 March 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Loans HL14116 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the British Business Bank Small Business Finance Markets Report 2021, published on 10 March.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Business VAT HL14115 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the business readiness survey by Ready for Brexit, published on 9 March; and what plans they have to provide detailed guidance to businesses on VAT reporting requirements.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Artifical Intelligence: Curriculum HL14114 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to include artificial intelligence awareness in the education curriculum.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Educational Institutions: Cybercrime HL14113 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support educational institutions in protecting themselves from cyber threats.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 9 March 2021

Treasury

Employment: Coronavirus HL14070 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Resolution Foundation, Long Covid in the labour market, published on 17 February; and the estimate in that report that three out of ten self–employed workers are ineligible for COVID-19 financial support.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Further Education: Appentices HL14069 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include funding for companies to train employees at further education colleges in the Apprenticeship Levy scheme.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Small Business: Cybercrime HL14068 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the threat to small businesses from cyber-attacks; and what steps they are taking to support small business to improve their cyber defences.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Further Education: Mental Health Services HL14067 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps, if any, they are taking to ensure that mental health literacy is part of all post 16 education programmes.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 8 March 2021

Department for Education

HL14016 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a longer school day on the mental health of students.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL14015 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of remote learning on the attainment gap between students at state and private schools.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL14014 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the retention of school headteachers is improved.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL14013 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to outdoor educational centres.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 3 March 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Enviornment Protection: Employment HL13885 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Friends of the Earth An Emergency Plan on Green Jobs for Young People, published on 1 March.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensions: Self Employed HL13884 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pension contributions of self-employed individuals.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment: Young People HL13883 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the level of youth unemployment.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Local Restrictions Support Grant HL13882 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local authorities are correctly issuing grants under the Local Restrictions Support Grants scheme.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 2 March 2021

Treasury

Self Employed Income Support Scheme HL13848 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest estimate for the number of UK workers who are ineligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme; and what plans they have to update this estimate.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Transport

Aviation: Redundancy HL13847 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on job losses within the UK airline sector.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Sustainable Development HL13846 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to develop sustainability strategies.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Disadvantaged Pupils HL13845 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Education Policy Institute, Measuring the disadvantage gap in 16–19 education, published on 1 March; and what steps they are taking to reduce the A-Level attainment gap of disadvantaged students.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 1 March 2021

Department for International Trade

Trade: Environment Protection HL13774 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by The City of London Corporation and EY The City of London: an ecosystem enabling international trade, published on 24 February.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business; Coronavirus HL13773 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ability of small businesses to repay loans provided by the Government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Enterprise: Finance HL13772 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase financial support for social enterprises.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business; Coronavirus HL13771 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sustainability of small and medium-size businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 24 February 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Broadband: Small Business HL13688 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that full-fibre broadband is accessible for all small businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Courier Services: Conditions of Employment HL13686 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the working conditions of courier drivers; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such drivers are not paid less than the national minimum wage.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Weddings: Coronavirus HL13687 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase COVID-19 financial support to businesses in the wedding industry.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Self Employed: Coronavirus HL13685 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take to support self-employed workers to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 23 February 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business HL13623 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by Hiscox The Hiscox Business Demystified Survey Challenges for UK SMEs – 2020 and beyond, published on 4 January.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Business: Loans HL13622 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ability of small businesses to obtain finance from banks that is not underwritten by the government.

Awaiting Answer

Cabinet Office

UK Trade with EU HL13621 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by the British Chamber of Commerce on Brexit, published on 11 February; and what plans they have to allow small businesses to write off additional customs costs as a result of the UK–EU Trade Cooperation Agreement, against their tax bill.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Companies: Enviornmental Protection HL13620 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that private companies retain interest in managing their environmental impact.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 22 February 2021

Department for Digital, Culutre, Media and Sport

HL13524 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to tackle racism on social media platforms.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL13523 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that COVID-19 safety protocols are being enforced in courthouses; and what plans they have to recruit more court support staff in response to the pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL13522 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the recruitment of Crown Court staff.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL13521 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to fund additional Nightingale courts to clear the current court backlog.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 10 February 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices: Ethnic Groups HL13285 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase participation rates of people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities in apprenticeship programmes.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Small Business: Non Domestic Rates HL13284 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the rates relief threshold for small businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Universities: Vocational Education HL13283 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ability of universities to deliver adequate technical skills training.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

National Skills Fund HL13282 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend National Skills Fund allocations beyond July 2021.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 9 February 2021

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment: Older People HL13212 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the unemployment rate of those aged 65 years old and over; and what steps they are taking to reduce that rate.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Broadband: Non Domestic Rates HL13211 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to exempt fibre lines from business rates.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Skilled Workers HL13210 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Mind the Skills Gap, published on 2 December 2020.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Remote Education HL13209 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Sutton Trust Learning in Lockdown, published in January; and what steps they are taking to assist schools in targeting resources to disadvantaged children.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 8 February 2021

Department for Education

Vocational Education: Assesments HL13135 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there is equitable access to BTEC qualifications.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Revenue and Customs: Small Business HL13136 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the change in HMRC’s status as a preferential creditor on the borrowing capacity of small businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Vocational Education HL13137 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce regional bodies for the delivery of vocational education to local communities.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Performing Arts: Equality HL13138 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equality within the performing arts sector.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 3 February 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Unfair Dismissal: Ethnic Groups HL12977 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of increased vulnerability of BAME individuals to unfair employment dismissals; and what plans they have to strengthen unfair dismissal legislation.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Renewable Energy: Apprentices HL12978 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the clean energy industry.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Skilled Workers HL12976 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide local authorities with increased control over Local Skills Improvement Plans.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Test and Trace Support Payment HL12979 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all those eligible for a Test and Trace support payment receive such support.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 2 February 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12919 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by Simply Business, published on 27 January, which found that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of 82 per cent of small business owners; and what steps they are taking in response.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL12918 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the total cost to HM Treasury of providing COVID-19 financial support to those who are ineligible for such support.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

HL12917 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on shop closures of ending the business rates holiday.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12916 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to launch a campaign to encourage consumers to support local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 1 February 2021

Department for Education

HL12866 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further financial support they intend to provide to the events industry, including support for freelancers within that industry.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12865 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they plan to give to small businesses about any new VAT arrangements which have been put in place since the UK’s departure from the EU.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12864 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support small businesses in equipping remote workers with digital technology.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL12863 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they plan to have with social media companies about racist abuse of Premier League football players on social media platforms.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 27 January 2021

Treasury

Events Industry: Coronavirus HL12679 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further financial support they intend to provide to the events industry, including support for freelancers within that industry.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Legal Proffesion: Self – Employed HL12678 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Bar Council Self-Employed Bar Survey, published on 21 January; and what plans they have to provide financial support to self–employed legal professionals.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Enviornment, Food and Rural Affairs

Drinks and Food: Prices HL12677 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the price of food and drink to consumers in the UK.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small Businesses: Greater London HL12676 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of viability of small businesses in London; and what plans they have to provide cash grants to London-based small businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 26 January 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices and Work Experince: Advertising HL12622 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a single online portal for advertising (1) apprenticeships, and (2) work experience.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Energy: Conservation HL12621 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to increase investment in low-carbon infrastructure, and (2) to reform business rates, to promote energy efficiency.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Appentices: Education HL12620 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow teacher assessed grades for apprenticeships.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Supermarkets: Minimum Wage HL12619 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of large supermarket companies with minimum wage requirements.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 25 January 2021

Treasury

HL12560 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend COVID-19 financial support to home-based, self-employed travel agents without a rateable property.

Awaiting Answer

Women and Equalities

HL12559 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 on racial economic equality.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12558 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of export levies resulting from the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the number of job losses in the UK.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL12557 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide (1) financial advisory, and (2) specific mental health, services to people who are self-employed.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 20 January 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Conditions of Employment HL12392 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that employees in the UK have the same standard of legal protection as employees in the EU.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Mortgages: Coronavirus HL12391 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on securing mortgages for those who have accessed their COVID-19 support schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprentices: Ethnic Groups HL12390 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide practical support for employers to ensure racial and ethnic diversity amongst their Higher Level apprentices.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Young People HL12389 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Learning and Work Institute Unleashing talent: Levelling up opportunity for young people, published in December 2020; and what plans they have to create a youth allowance within Universal Credit.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 19 January 2021

Department of Heath and Social Care

Abortion HL12317 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bethell on 29 December 2020 (HL11398), when the research by the King’s Fund on patterns of abortion uptake in England, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, will be published.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Hospitality Industry: Finance HL12316 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide a long-term financial support package specific to the hospitality sector.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Sick Pay: Cornavirus HL12315 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increasing statutory sick pay on compliance with COVID-19 self-isolation requirements; and following any such assessment, what plans they have to increase statutory sick pay.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Fisheries: Redundancies HL12314 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on job losses within the UK fishing industry.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 18 January 2021

Department for Education

HL12256 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help universities provide digital technology to financially disadvantaged students.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12255 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage more businesses to provide mental health support to all employees.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL12254 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to directors of small private companies who pay themselves in dividends.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL12253 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce (1) a taxable grant for directors of limited companies, and (2) a scheme to reimburse small businesses for lost revenue, as part of a COVID-19 support package.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 13 January 2021

Department for Education

Apprentices: Digital Technology HL12122 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage private companies to provide digital resources to apprentices.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Self – Employed: Finance HL12121 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Prospect Inquiry into the future of self-employment, published in December 2020; and what plans they have to increase financial support for the self-employed.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Rented Housing: Coronavirus HL12120 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide financial support to tenants who have accrued rent arrears as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Landlords: Coronavirus HL12119 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce specific financial support for landlords who have lost rent as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 12 January 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12078 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to strengthen the legal employment rights of gig economy workers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12077 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help small businesses manage debt; and what plans they have to introduce employee shared ownership schemes to assist companies to address COVID-19 related debt.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL12076 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that self–employed individuals do not overpay income tax.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12075 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development COVID-19 and the youth labour market, published in December 2020; and what steps they are taking to raise awareness of traineeships.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 11 January 2021

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12015 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of workers who are not eligible for any COVID-19 financial support; and what steps they are taking to reduce that number.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Treasury

HL12014 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the reduced Value Added Tax rate for the hospitality industry.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL12013 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that small businesses can access COVID-19 financial support schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

HL12012 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by ClearView Research Ltd Youth Employment 2030: Employment and prospects for young people in England post-COVID19, published on 17 December 2020; and what steps they are taking to support unemployed young people who are black, Asian or minority ethnic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 6 January 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Equality HL11839 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Football Association’s Football Leadership Diversity Code since its introduction in October 2020; and what discussions they had with the Football Association about the creation of that Code before it was launched.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Ethnic Groups HL11838 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the English Football League about the impact of the ‘Rooney Rule’ on the racial diversity of football managers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Women HL11837 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about the classification of the Women’s FA Cup as a ‘non elite’ competition.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Coronavirus HL11836To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Football Association, and (2) the Premier League, about the compliance of players with COVID-19 protocols.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 5 January 2021

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL11782 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about increasing racial diversity amongst football managers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL11781 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer additional emergency financial support to non–professional football clubs whose competition participation has been suspended due to restrictions put in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL11780 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a racial diversity threshold for boardrooms of all football organisations.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL11779 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the Football Association in the recruitment of BAME referees in grassroots football.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 16 December 2020

Department for Work and Pensions

Automation HL11558 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase spending on job support and skills training for jobs at the highest risk of redundancy due to automation.

Answered: 31st December 2020

Department for Education

Educational Institutions: Inspections HL11559 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that education inspection bodies focus on skills provision when inspecting education providers.

Answered: 23rd December 2020

Department for Education

Outdoor Education: Finance HL11557 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional support to outdoor education centres.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 15 December 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Abortion: Ethnic Groups HL11506 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to investigate any differences in abortion rates between black women and other ethnic groups in Britain, and (2) to assess the impact of any differences on the black British community.

Answered: 6th January 2021

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services and Social Services: Work Experince HL11508 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the availability of work placements in the health and social care sector; and what steps they are taking to increase that availability.

Answered: 6th January 2021

Department for Education

Digital Technology: Training HL11509 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce digital skills programmes targeted at unemployed elderly people.

Answered: 6th January 2021

Department for Education

Disability and Special Educational Needs: Coronavirus HL11507 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional support they plan to provide to children with disabilities and special educational needs who are isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 23rd December 2020

Questions Asked 14 December 2020

Department for Education

HL11448 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the rights of local communities to make decisions on the design and delivery of skills development programmes.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL11447 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of road congestion resulting from disruption linked to the end of the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU on the ability of schools in affected areas to open.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL11446 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the mental health and wellbeing of teachers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL11445 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase recruitment of (1) Black, (2) Asian, and (3) other ethnic minority, teachers.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 9 December 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Gambling: Rehabilitation HL11327 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest in gambling treatment and support services.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Students: Counselling and Health HL11326 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional emergency funding for student counselling and wellbeing services.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Further Education HL11325 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest in post-16 education hubs for (1) specialist, and (2) minority, provision.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Hospitality Industry: Qualifications HL11324 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include hospitality on the level 3 Lifetime Skills Guarantee qualification list.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 8 December 2020

Department for Education

Secondary Education HL11252 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a single post-16 education commissioning and regulatory process.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Secondary Education: Class Sizes HL11251 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce (1) minimum, and (2) average, class size targets for post-16 education providers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprenticeships: Standards HL11250 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with independent apprenticeship providers about improving the quality of apprenticeship training.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Remote Education: Coronavirus HL11249 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the mental health of pupils of their update to the guidance on remote education expectations advising that teachers should check in on self-isolating pupils on a weekly, rather than a daily, basis.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 7 December 2020

Home Office

Stop and Search: Greater London HL11181 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute for Global City Policing Stop and Search in London: July to September 2020, published in November; and what discussions they have had with the Metropolitan Police about the impact of its stop and search policies.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

STEM Subjects: Teachers HL11180 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that secondary school teacher recruitment meets targets in all STEM subjects.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Music Education HL11179 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of report by the Incorporated Society of Musicians The heart of the school is missing, published on 6 December; and what plans they have to increase music provision in (1) primary, and (2) secondary, schools.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Further Education: Finance HL11178 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial sustainability of the further education and skills sector.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 2 December 2020

Women and Equalities

Apprentices: Training HL11054 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings from Race on the Agenda’s survey, featured in Channel 5’s Everyday Racism programme on 25 November, on experiences of racism and, in particular, that 95 per cent of respondents identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic have faced racism or racial prejudice.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Duty Free Allowances HL11053 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on job losses of changes to the duty-free regime for travellers from outside the EU.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Employment: Mental Health HL11052 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of skills gaps on employee mental wellbeing.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus Screening HL11051 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the medical training provided to staff administering COVID-19 tests to university students.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 1 December 2020

Department for Education

HL10998 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to remove barriers to higher education for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

HL10997 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide up to date training for Job Centre staff on the skills that employers are currently seeking.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10996 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase basic digital skills education programmes for adults.

Awaiting Answer

Home Office

HL10995 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow first year university students from the EU, who have not yet moved to the UK, to qualify for EU pre–settled status.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 30 November 2020

Department for Education

HL10919 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the quantity of school inspections on teacher mental wellbeing.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

HL10918 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of Job Centre staff who have experience in supporting disabled people to find employment.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10917 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children with special educational needs receive an education and healthcare plan before exclusion from school is proposed.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10916 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of secondary school absence rates on pupil attainment.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 25 November 2020

Department for Education

Apprentices: Training HL10721 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that off-the-job training on apprenticeship schemes are of the required quality.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Higher Education: Racial Harrassment HL10720 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Universities UK Tackling racial harassment in higher education, published on 24 November; and what steps they are taking to increase racial diversity training for university staff.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Headteachers: Labour Turnover HL10719 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the poll on school leadership retention by the National Association of Head Teachers, published on 18 November; and what steps are they taking to increase headteacher retention.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 24 November 2020

Cabinet Office

HL10676 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the EU about ensuring the continued provision of seasonal jobs in the EU for British citizens after 31 December.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10675 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the provision of loans and grants for (1) further, and (2) higher, education to all regardless of age, background or circumstance.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10674 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Social Mobility Commission Changing gears: Understanding downward social mobility, published on 18 November; and what steps they are taking to increase the social mobility of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10673 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the number of students who are home educated, and (2) the quality of home education.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 23 November 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

HL10647 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reintroduce paid contracts for student nurses on placements in NHS hospitals.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10646 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on school food supplies.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10645 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide self-isolating students from disadvantaged backgrounds with digital devices.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL10644 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to boost employment through partnerships between colleges and SMEs.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 18 November 2020

Department for Education

Vocational Guidance HL10496 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Careers and Enterprise Company Careers education in England’s schools and colleges 2020, published on 12 November; and what plans they have to expand Careers Hubs.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment: Young People HL10495 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the youth unemployment rate on the affected individuals’ future pension benefits.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Career Devlopment: Young People HL10494 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the funding available for career development programmes aimed at employees aged 16 to 29.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Graduates: Recruitment HL10493 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support employers (1) to maintain, and (2) to increase, the number of graduate recruitment schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 17 November 2020

Home Office

HL10456 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish guidance to employers on the obligation to conduct right to work checks of EU nationals once the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU has ended.

Awaiting Answer

Home Office

HL10455 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course as admissible courses to attain a visa to the UK via the graduate immigration route after the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU ends.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10454 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation by the Law Society and the Bar Council in its joint paper Immigration priorities for the legal services sector, published in November, that they should seek to “secure an EU-level treaty commitment to Permitted Paid Engagements throughout the entire period of a business visit and in all areas of legal activity”.

Awaiting Answer

Home Office

HL10453 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish updated guidance on which business activities are permitted under visa rules after the end of the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU.

Awaiting Answer

Home Office

HL10452 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to widen the scope, and (2) to extend the length, of Permitted Paid Engagement visas after the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU has ended.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 16 November 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL10396 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about how that organisation can improve on issues of racial diversity.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10395 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Lifetime Skills Guarantee is accessible to all low-paid workers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL10394 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in discussions with universities about the mass testing of students at the end of term.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 11 November 2020

Department for Education

Education: Assesments HL10254 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for universities and schools in England aligning end-of-year assessment plans with the rest of the UK.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Construction: Employment HL10253 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of construction employment rates; and what plans they have to increase construction apprenticeship schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Self – Employed: Coronavirus HL10252 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Centre for Economic Performance Self Employed: Six Months into the Crisis, published on 10 November; and what steps they are taking to support self-employed workers.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination HL10251 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to include teachers and school staff in priority groups for any potential COVID-19 vaccine.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 10 November 2020

Department for Education

HL10199 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that disadvantaged children do not regress in basic skills and learning during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Transport

HL10198 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to the aviation industry.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10197 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to commission an independent review into legal aid fees.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10196 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve racial and gender diversity within the legal profession.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19: Football League My Lords, I declare my interest as a founding member of the original Independent Football Commission. In America, the National Football League shares its television revenue with all teams equally, regardless of status or performance. Is this a model that should be at least looked at in English football? Secondly, if the Premier League does not reach agreement with the EFL, will the Government consider a levy on football TV revenue?

Answered: 10 Novemeber 2020

Questions Asked 9 November 2020

Ministry of Justice

HL10133 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional training for the judiciary on online court proceedings.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10132 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to expand the virtual court estate for short or preliminary hearings, and non-complex matters.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10131 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce early access legal advice for social welfare issues.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL10130 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the sustainability of the current funding for the justice system; and what assessment they have made of the Bar Council’s recommendation that an additional £2.48 billion of funding for the justice budget is required.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19: Transparency and Accuracy of Statistics Data should always make trust greater. Covid-19 appears to have more of an effect on BAME communities than their white counterparts. What further research are the Government carrying out in relation to the data to find out the reasons why?

Answered: 9 Novemeber 2020

Questions Asked 4 November 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Labour Market: Coronavirus HL10024 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Centre for Progressive Policy From precarious to prosperous, published on 27 October; and what plans they have to introduce a minimum wage for the self-employed.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Self – Employed: Coronavirus HL10023 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies Income protection for the self-employed and employees during the coronavirus crisis, published on 2 April, that 18 per cent of self-employed individuals are ineligible for COVID-19 financial support; and what steps they are taking to expand access to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Rented Housing: Coronavirus HL10022 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the scale of rental income losses in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Landlords: Coronavirus HL10021 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial impact of COVID-19 on private landlords; and what steps are they taking to provide financial support to private landlords.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 3rd November 2020

Department for Education

HL9962 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the COVID-19 transmission rate in schools; and what steps are they taking to protect teachers from COVID-19 infection.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL9961 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce (1) new business rate relief, and (2) an indemnity insurance scheme, for the events industry.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9960 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by City & Guilds Group Act Now, published on 2 November; and what steps they are taking to allow more autonomy regarding skills funding for mayoral combined authorities.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9959 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey by the Early Years Alliance, published on 30 October, finding that one in six early years providers could close by Christmas 2020 without additional funding; and what steps they are taking to provide additional income to nurseries and childminders.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 2nd November 2020

Ministry of Justice

HL9887 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to adopt the European Union Protection Measures Regulation (606/2013) into domestic law.

Awaiting Answer

Home Office

HL9886 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that independent legal professionals based in the EU can access the UK (1) visa free, and (2) without needing a UK sponsor.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL9885 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that (1) EU nationals can still access legal services in the UK once the Brexit transition period ends, and (2) British nationals can access legal services in the EU.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

HL9884 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provisions they have put in place for short-term business visits to the EU for legal professionals and barristers once the Brexit transition period ends.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 29 October 2020

Spoken Contribution

Charities: Funding My Lords, charity deserves parity. There are about 10,000 BAME charities and community groups in the United Kingdom; 65% of them have incomes of less than £10,000 per annum. Bearing in mind that Covid-19 has affected the lives and livelihoods of BAME communities more than those of their white counterparts, how will the Government factor in this issue of racial disparity in the future funding of BAME charities?

Answered: 29 October

Questions Asked 28 October 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business and Unemployment: Coronavirus HL9752 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of job loss estimates reported by the New Economics Forum on 21 October; and what plans they have to increase the wage subsidy for businesses accessing COVID-19 economic support.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Labour Market: Coronavirus HL9751 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Resolution Foundation Jobs, jobs, jobs; evaluating the effects of the current economic crisis in the UK labour market, published on 27 October.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Labour Market: Coronavirus HL9750 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Learning and Work Institute Crisis in the Capital, published on 27 October; and what steps they are taking to create new jobs in London.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprentices: Disadvantages HL9749 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that apprenticeship schemes are available to young people from lower income backgrounds.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 27 October 2020

Department for Education

HL9682 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to close the educational attainment gap between wealthy and deprived areas.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9681 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies Ethnic diversity in UK economics, published on 26 October; and what discussions they have had with universities about the diversity of academic staff.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

HL9680 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support self–employed and freelance workers within the live music industry.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9679 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the sustainability of the current university funding model.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 26 October 2020

Department for Education

HL9587 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Higher Education Policy Institute Demand for Higher Education to 2035, published on 22 October; and what steps they are taking to increase higher education capacity in England.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL9586 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Skills for Care The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England, published in October; and what steps they are taking to fill social care job vacancies.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9585 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase BAME representation on apprenticeship schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9584 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide laptops to schools in deprived areas.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 21 October 2020

Department for Education

Apprentices: Construction HL9448 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Construction Industry Council Build back better: Improving the apprenticeship system to better support infrastructure, published in September; and what plans they have to review the flexibility of the apprenticeship levy.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Asessments: Coronavirus HL9447 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential health risk posed by students sitting exams in 2021; and what plans they have to prepare alternative arrangements.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Vocational Education: Remote Education HL9446 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that training providers have struggled to offer remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what steps they are taking to assist such providers.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprentices: Redundancy HL9445 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase support for apprentices who have been made redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 20 October 2020

Department for Education

HL9383 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the Union Learning Fund to ensure that workers continue to have access to training.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9382 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Confederation of British Industry Learning for life: Funding a world-class adult education system, published on 19 October.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9381 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with universities regarding a move to online teaching.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9380 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fund free breakfast provision during school holidays.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 19 October 2020

Department for Education

HL9330 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Youth Music and the Take It Away Consortium Reshape Music, published on 14 October; and what steps they are taking to make music education more accessible.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9329 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Association of Colleges survey Colleges Week SME Leader Survey, published on 16 October; and what steps they are taking to ensure that SMEs have the resources to reskill their workforces.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9328 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote take-up of national tutoring programme funding.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

HL9327 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to remove barriers to employment for 16 to 24-year-olds.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 14 October 2020

Department for Education

Business: Training HL9199 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Employer Skills Survey 2019, published on 14 October, what steps, if any, they plan to take to encourage businesses to increase the amount of training provided to staff.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensions: Ethnic Groups HL9198 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ethnicity pension gap; and what steps, if any, they are taking to reduce it.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

Pensions Scams My Lords, this study report is most welcome but there is an area that needs looking at for the future. Ethnic minority pensioners are said to be 24% worse off than white pensioners; indeed, the average total pension of BAME women is 51% less than that of white men. This pension inequality will become starker as the growing BAME population reaches retirement age, which may make BAME pensioners even more vulnerable to scams. Does the Minister agree that the Government also need to look into these related and relevant BAME pension issues?

Answered: 14th October 2020

Questions Asked 13 October 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL9162 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) local authorities in London, and (2) the Greater London Authority, about the ethnicity pay gap in London.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL9161 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they, if any, have to compel major transnational companies to improve working conditions in the UK.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9160 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the analysis by the Food Foundation, published on 12 October, which found that 900,000 more children have been registered for free school meals.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL9159 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to remove barriers to COVID-19 financial support for BAME run businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 12 October 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL9076 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Who is at risk? Work and automation in the time of COVID-19, published in October.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9075 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that academic mentors are in schools by the end of the year.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9074 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the representation of BAME individuals in school governance roles.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL9073 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the training provided as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee to those who have a level three qualification and have been made redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 7 October 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hospitality Industry: Coronavirus HL8899 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to the hospitality sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

Educational Vists: Coronavirus HL8898 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to protect jobs lost as a result of the ban on residential school trips.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Coronavirus HL8897 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that pupils with special educational needs can attend school while restrictions are in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Discrimination HL8896 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a formal definition of racism and discrimination for the NHS.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 6 October 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness: Ethnic Groups HL8836 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address homelessness amongst BAME groups who are at greater risk from COVID-19.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Ethnic Groups HL8835 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the campaign launched on 1 October by the Confederation of British Industry and others to increase the diversity of racial and ethnic participation in British businesses.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Pupil Exclusions: Ethnic Groups HL8834 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute of Race Relations How Black Working-Class Youth are Criminalised and Excluded in the English School System, published on 28 September.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

5G HL8833 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to speed up the 5G rollout.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 5 October 2020

Department for Education

HL8779 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Teach First Missing Pages: Increasing racial diversity in the literature we teach, published on 30 September.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8778 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional funding to schools to assist with costs resultant of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8777 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that students who have been impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns are offered partial tuition fee refunds.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8776 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research published in the Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Infections, Genetics and Evolution, A survey of genetic variants in SARS-CoV-2 interacting domains of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and TLR3/7/8 across populations, published on 26 August.

Awaiting Answer

 

Questions Asked 30 September 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL8648 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make new COVID-19 regulations specifically to protect BAME communities from the virus.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Universities: Coronavirus HL8647 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that universities remain operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Life Time Skills Guarantee: Disability HL8646 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the Lifetime Skills Guarantee is accessible to those with disabilities.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Life Time Skills Guarantee: Apprentices HL8645 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support temporary apprentice workers as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 29 September 2020

Department for Education

HL8614 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase pupil premium funding for economically disadvantaged children.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL8613 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Job Support Scheme on future levels of redundancy.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8612 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support universities to provide more mental health and wellbeing support to students whilst COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8611 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the survey conducted by The Diana Award, published in September, which found that 32 per cent of the children surveyed had overheard racist comments at school.

Awaiting Answer

 

Questions Asked 28 September 2020

Treasury

HL8558 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Job Support Scheme on youth employment.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8557 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what risk assessment they undertook, prior to September, of the impact of students returning to universities on the transmission of COVID-19.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8556 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make mass on–campus testing available at all universities.

Awaiting Answer

Treasury

HL8555 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research by the Institute for Public Policy Research Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups at greater risk of problem debt since COVID-19, published on 24 September.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 23 September 2020

Department for Education

National Skills Fund HL8432 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make the National Skills Fund available to learners (1) at all levels, and (2) of all ages.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL8431 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the Chair of the Council of the British Medical Association that further action is needed to protect BAME communities in the event of a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Awaiting Answer

Ministry of Justice

Employment Tribunal Services HL8430 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that employment tribunal hearings are held on time.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Low Incomes: Coronavirus HL8429 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Learning and Working Institute The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on London’s low paid workers, published in July.

Awaiting Answer

 

Questions Asked 22 September 2020

Department for Education

HL8391 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the diversity of students taking STEM subjects at university.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8390 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding they plan to provide for companies to continue to offer apprenticeship training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8389 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to remove barriers to online education courses for adults.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8388 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make academic qualifications more accessible for adults.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8387 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that university maintenance loans reflect student living costs.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 21 September 2020

Treasury

HL8337 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on jobs of ending tax-free shopping for international tourists; and what steps they are taking, if any, to protect such jobs.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8336 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide schools in England with access to COVID-19 tests.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8335 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research from Radboud University Medical Center, Aarhus University and Copenhagen University that suggests sex and gender are not being adequately considered in COVID-19 clinical trials; and what steps they are taking, if any, in response.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 17 September 2020

Spoken Contribution

Maritime Industry The recent Global Maritime Issues Monitor cited the World Maritime University’s research into workforce diversity, stating:

“Without increased diversity in the next 10 years, the pace of innovation in the maritime industry will be slow”.

This also applies to achieving net-zero emissions targets. The report made it clear that workforce diversity includes race and gender diversity and is relevant to the issue of net-zero targets. Therefore, what role do the Government have in promoting such diversity in the maritime industry?

Answered: 17th September

Questions Asked 16 September 2020

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensions: Gender HL8213 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the gender pension gap.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Education: Finance HL8212 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support (1) to further education, and (2) to sixth form, colleges.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: Equality HL8211 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase NHS funding to address (1) ethnic, and (2) gender, inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

BBC: Ethnic Groups HL8210 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the BBC about increasing the number of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic leaders within that organisation.

Awaiting Answer

 

Questions Asked 15 September 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

HL8166 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create new jobs on low carbon (1) projects, and (2) infrastructure schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8165 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research by Shields et al, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study, published on 11 September, which found that BAME ethnicity confers a significantly increased likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Stratey

HL8164 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent report by Culture Shift, Maintaining Workplace culture in a rapidly changing environment, published on 11 September.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Stratey

HL8163 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to young people in the services sector.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

Examinations: A – Level’s and GCSE’s My Lords, research by the Runnymede Trust and others shows that pupils from BAME communities are still less likely to be accepted by the Russell group universities, even when equally as qualified at A-level as their white counterparts. What are the Government doing to address this issue?

Answered: 15th September

 

Questions Asked 14 September 2020

Department for Education

HL8092 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report Education at a Glance 2020, published on 8 September, which suggests that the teacher pay gap in England is twice that of the OECD average.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8091 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research by the Learning and Work Institute, published on 27 August, that suggested young people have lost apprenticeship opportunities at a faster rate than any other age group.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

HL8089 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase access to online learning for all university students.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

HL8090 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide social care professionals with legal training and information on COVID-19 emergency measures.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

Schools: Free Holiday Meals and Activities My Lords, one 22 year-old footballer, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, has had more influence recently on policy on child food poverty than any number of politicians or government agencies. Is there potential for the Government to work alongside other high-profile figures in sport and entertainment on this issue or more widely to promote higher standards in education and training?

Answered: 14th September

Questions Asked 9 September 2020

Department for Education

Universities: Coronavirus HL7997 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with universities about the steps which can be taken to prevent new outbreaks of COVID-19 when students return home.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Women HL7996 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of women employed in senior NHS roles.

Awaiting Answer

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL7995 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research published in the British Journal of General Practice Prevalence of suspected COVID-19 infection in patients from ethnic minority populations, published on 7 September.

Awaiting Answer

 

Questions Asked 8 September 2020

Department for Work and Pensions

Kickstart Scheme HL7948 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses which cannot apply for funds from the Kickstart Scheme to create job placements for young people.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Discrimination HL7947 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) professional football clubs, and (2) the Police, about sharing data on discrimination within professional football.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Business: Training HL7946 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist businesses to deliver online skills training to staff.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Pupils: Disadvantaged HL7945  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide support to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 7 September 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL7895 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the National Centre for Social Research Wellcome Monitor 2020: COVID-19 study, published in August, which concluded that (1) the BAME population were “less likely to receive information about staying safe from COVID-19 that they find clear or that they trust”, and (2) “consideration should be given to how health information engages people from BAME groups”; and what steps they intend to take in response.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Equality HL7894 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about increasing diversity among (1) grassroots, and (2) professional, football referees.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Unemployment: Older People HL7893 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent long term unemployment among older workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Manufacturing Industries: Coronavirus Job Rentention Scheme HL7892 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent skills losses in the manufacturing industry when the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Education: Technology HL7891 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage the use of educational technology.

Awaiting Answer

Spoken Contribution

Treaty Scrutiny: Working Practices (EUC Report) My Lords, I thank the committees and their chairs for their hard work, expertise and excellent reports. In my view, it is only right that any trade deal or agreement has to result from proper vetting, not just voting. Scrutiny does not mean mutiny. The Government do not need to fear that the direction they are sailing in will be hijacked by a rebellious crew. On the contrary, scrutiny provides opportunity. It allows the UK Parliament the chance to examine closely, and influence positively, trade and other international agreements. After all, this is in keeping with the whole rationale of Brexit.

Transparency is vital because treaties will directly affect our daily lives. The Government have already started discussing important trade agreements with America, Japan and other major economies. These agreements will affect jobs, services, prices and the availability of goods in our shops. As we know, Parliament’s role has been defined by the Ponsonby rule, which is nearly 100 years old. Maybe it is symbolic that the initials of the CRaG Act also describe a high and rough mass of rigid rock that sticks out from the land around it. It is no longer fit for purpose.

It seems that the committees have come up with four very sensible recommendations, and I would like the Minister to indicate whether he is sympathetic to them. The first is that Parliament should be regularly updated during these agreement processes; the second that there should be a general presumption of transparency from the Government. That is not a legally codified or binding point, but just a presumption. There should also be a draft text of the agreement proposed and parliamentary trade reports from the Government, indicating full impact assessments on different sectors of the economy and labour markets. All this would be subject to confidentiality and security provisions. Will the Government indicate when they will give a formal, published response to these recommendations? The concept of a group of counsellors or advisors scrutinising such agreements goes back, in principle, to the Old Testament. This is a tried and tested principle: it is nothing new.

Brexit allows us to trade with the entire world. No longer is this great trading nation shackled by the European Union but, in a true democracy, those trade agreements must have effective scrutiny and that should come from Parliament. Parliament is more than an ornament.

Answered: 9th September

Questions Asked 3 September 2020

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19 My Lords, one in five NHS staff is from black and ethnic-minority communities, yet six out of every 10 UK health workers killed by Covid-19 have been BAME. What progress are the Government making in urgently finding out why so many BAME health workers have been so vulnerable, even to the point of losing their lives in the cause of serving others?

Answered: 3rd September

Questions Asked 2 September 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Pharmacy: Ethnic Groups HL7725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research, published in Chemist+Druggist on 3 August, which showed that 51 per cent of BAME pharmacy staff have considered leaving their jobs due to racial discrimination.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Work and Pensions

Personal Income HL7724 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent research from Finland that suggests that Universal Basic Income improves employee mental health and boosts employment.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Apprentices: Manufacturing Industry HL7723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to safeguard manufacturing apprenticeship schemes.

Awaiting Answer

Department for Education

Special Schools: Coronavirus HL7722 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to provide special schools with updated COVID-19 guidance.

Awaiting Answer

Women and Equalities

Ethnic Groups: Equality HL7721 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research published by Ageing Better as part of their Who is at risk of missing out? project in relation to the inequalities between older BAME and white communities.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 29 July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Racial Discrimination HL7560 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, if any, with UK newsrooms about addressing racism.

Answered: 12th August 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Journalism: Ethnic Groups HL7559 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take to support young BAME journalists.

Answered: 12th August 2020

Women and Equalities

Racial Discrimination HL7561 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the study by Number Cruncher Politics, published on 16 July, which stated that 55 per cent of ethnic minorities said that racism has stayed the same or has got worse during their lifetimes.

Answered: 12th August 2020

Department for Education

STEM Subjects: Equality HL7562 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to increase the diversity of students taking STEM subjects, in particular engineering.

Answered: 11th August 2020

Questions Asked 22 July 2020

Department for Education

Equal Pay HL7185 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the research from University College London, published on 20 July, which suggests that teenage boys have more ambitious aims regarding higher education which contributes towards the gender pay gap.

Answered: 4th August 2020

Women and Equalities

Equality: Ethnic Groups and Gender HL7186 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the recent Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics which suggest that gender and race inequalities are established immediately after university graduation.

Answered: 3rd August 2020

Questions Asked 21 July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Diversity HL7113 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the diversity of NHS senior management.

Answered: 7th August 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Commonwealth Games 2020 HL7114 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games about the diversity of its workforce.

Answered: 3rd August 2020

Questions Asked 20 July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL7034 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the study Socio-demographic heterogeneity in the prevalence of COVID-19 during lockdown is associated with ethnicity and household size, published in the EClinicalMedicine journal on 19 July, suggesting COVID-19 cases in Leicester have been concentrated amongst the BAME community.

Answered: 1st September 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL7039 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the study by researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester on the impact of social determinants of health on patients with SARS-COV-2 infection in Birmingham, published on 19 July; in particular its finding that air pollution may have contributed to the impact of COVID-19 on BAME individuals.

Answered: 10th August 2020

Questions Asked 16 July 2020

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19: Human Trafficking My Lords, human trafficking is graphic, and it is a form of modern -day slavery. There are more slaves today than at the height of the transatlantic slave trade. What further action will the Government take to ensure that companies—for example, those in the textiles and fashion industry—eradicate slavery from their supply chains?

Answered: 16th July 2020

Questions Asked 15 July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Film: Ethnic Groups HL6909 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Clive James Race and ethnicity in the UK film industry: an analysis of the BFI diversity standards, published on 15 July.

Answered: 27th July 2020

Treasury

Financial Services: Women HL6908 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Financial Conduct Authority’s report Gender diversity in UK financial services, published in November 2019, and its finding that women constitute 17 per cent of FCA-approved individuals.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Questions Asked 14 July 2020

Home Office

Migrant Workers: Social Services HL6868 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new post-Brexit fast track visa system on recruitment in the care sector.

Answered: 28th July 2020

Department for Education

Asessments: Ethnic Groups HL6870 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of grade predictions for BAME students in schools.

Answered: 27th July 2020

Department for Work and Pensions

Poverty: Ethnic Groups HL6869 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Social Metrics Commission Measuring Poverty 2020, published on 1 July, which suggests that BAME households are more likely to live in poverty.

Answered: 23rd July 2020

Questions Asked 13 July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Pregnancy: Ethnic Groups HL6813 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken, if any, to support pregnant BAME women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Sports: Equality HL6814 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, if any, with (1) Sport England, and (2) UK Sport, about ethnic diversity within elite sports governance.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Spoken Contribution

Homelessness My Lords, no hero should be homeless. Of 343 local authorities, 252 do not include Armed Forces veterans in their housing strategies. One hundred and seventy-six local authorities fail to even consider the needs of these valiant veterans in their homeless strategy. Indeed, housing allocations for these homeless heroes have declined by nearly 11%. What steps will the Government take to remedy this unjust situation?

Answered: 13th July 2020

Questions Asked 8 July 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Local Government: Ethnic Groups HL6642 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of research published on 8 July from the University of Manchester suggesting that BAME communities are underrepresented in local government.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Questions Asked 7 July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL6588 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessments they have made, if any, of University College London’s ongoing Covid-19 Social Study that suggests that levels of depression and anxiety have been higher amongst BAME communities during lockdown.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Department for Education

Education: Racial Discrimination HL6587 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, if any, with Universities UK about combating racism in medical schools.

Answered: 21st July 2020

Questions Asked 6 July 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Architecture: Ethnic Groups HL6530 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to support BAME–led architecture practices and BAME built environment professionals in their plans for the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 20th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL6529 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to encourage greater BAME representation in COVID-19 research projects and clinical trials.

Answered: 17th July 2020

Questions Asked 1 July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Voluntary Organisations: Coronavirus HL6387 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support BAME community organisations which have lost heritage funding as a result of the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 16th July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Ethnic Groups HL6386 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Premier League, (2) the English Football League, and (3) the Professional Footballers’ Association, about BAME coaching representation.

Answered: 13th July 2020

Questions Asked 30 June 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Businesses: Ethnic Groups HL6334 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take following reports that many black-owned businesses struggle to find investors.

Answered: 14th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Leicester HL6335 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the BAME community in Leicester during the localised lockdown.

Awaiting Answer

Questions Asked 29 June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Pregnancy: Ethnic Groups HL6262 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review Programme Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care, published November 2019, which concluded that “black women still have more than five times the risk of dying in pregnancy or up to six weeks postpartum compared to white women”.

Answered: 17th July 2020

Home Office

Metropolitan Police: Compliants HL6263 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take following the complaint filed against the Metropolitan Police for its “aggressive and unnecessary actions” against an unresisting black father and his 13 year old son who were threatened with tasers when they were wrongfully suspected of being involved in a stabbing on 4 June.

Answered: 13th July 2020

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19: Airline Sector My Lords, the Government should not allow a UK airline to be on the breadline. The airline sector contributes £40 billion to the UK economy and employs more than 600,000 people. Bearing in mind that 13 of our 15 most popular destinations have a lower R rate than we do, will the Government commit to reviewing the 14-day quarantine rule?

Answered: 29th June 2020

Questions Asked 23 June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Coronavirus HL6092 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the cost to the NHS of the long-term health effects caused by COVID-19.

Answered: 20th August 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL6091 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prepare for a potential second peak of COVID-19 infections.

Answered: 28th July 2020

Department for Education

History: Curriculum HL6093 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to diversify the curriculum in schools to include a broader range of culture heritage history.

Answered: 8th July 2020

Department for Education

Foster Care: Coronavirus HL6088 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) encourage people to become foster carers, and (2) support foster carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 8th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Germany HL6089 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of Germany’s ‘R’ rate for COVID-19 reportedly increasing to 2.88.

Answered: 7th July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Film and Television: Equality HL6090 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage greater diversity in UK film and TV.

Answered: 3rd July 2020

Questions Asked 17 June 2020

Home Office

Fines: Ethnic Groups HL5881 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that police in England and Wales have been found to be six times more likely to fine BAME people in the COVID-19 lockdown.

Answered: 17th June 2020

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air Pollution and Road Traffic HL5880 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent traffic congestion and air pollution from rising above pre-COVID-19 levels.

Answered: 1st July 2020

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL5879 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take in response to the report by the World Wide Fund for Nature COVID-19: urgent call to protect people and nature, published on 17 June, in particular regard to addressing the environmental drivers of pandemics.

Answered: 1st July 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Ethnic Groups HL5878 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about the number of black football managers.

Answered: 22nd June 2020

Questions Asked 16 June 2020

Ministry of Justice

Barristers: Young People HL5811 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they taking, if any, to support young barristers.

Answered: 30th June 2020

Ministry of Justice

Barristers: Self – Employed HL5810 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the research by the Bar Council published on 27 April that without further support 74 per cent of self-employed barristers will be unable to continue to practice.

Answered: 30th June 2020

Women and Equalities

Ethnic Groups: Equality HL5808 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the terms of reference of the new commission on race and ethnic disparities; and on what areas it will focus.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Women and Equalities

Equality and Racial Discrimination HL5809 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that they take action to address racism and inequality as the new commission on race and ethnic disparities is conducting its investigations rather than waiting for the inquiry to end.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Questions Asked 15 June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Doctors: Protective Clothing HL5723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research by the Doctors’ Association UK which found that that six in 10 doctors have not had access to scrubs.

Answered: 7th July 2020

Department for Education

Home Education: Standards HL5725  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the Children’s Commissioner’s Office preliminary research on homeschooling which found that 27.8 per cent of children age 12 and under are spending one to two hours on schoolwork each day.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Department for Education

Home Education: Standards HL5724  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to improve homeschooling curriculums for publicly-funded schools.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

WHO: Social Distancing HL5722 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of reported flaws in the study by the World Health Organisation about the risks posed by reducing social distancing to one metre.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Questions Asked 10 June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Dementia: Coronavirus HL5564 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what plans, if any, they have to include dementia on the list of illnesses for which someone should shield themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 6th August 2020

Department for Education

Outdoor Education HL5561 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have for outdoor schooling during the summer.

Answered: 24th June 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Employment: Women HL5563 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to support women at work who have been affected by employment and risk concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Dementia: Coronavirus HL5562 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of data from the Office for National Statistics which shows that there has been a 52.2 per cent increase in excess deaths of people dying of dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 22nd June 2020

Questions Asked 9 June 2020

Home Office

Police: Biometrics HL5493 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to create a regulatory framework for facial recognition technology.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Biometrics: Ethnic Groups HL5495 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that commercial facial recognition technology is (1) registered, (2) accurate, and (3) not discriminatory towards people from BAME communities.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Biometrics: Ethnic Groups HL5494 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to regulate the use of facial recognition technology to ensure that it is not discriminatory towards people from BAME communities.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Mininstry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness: Coronavirus HL5496 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to find homeless people in England long-term housing after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 22nd June 2020

Questions Asked 8 June 2020

Women and Equalities

Ethnic Groups: Coronavirus HL5425 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support BAME women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 29th June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Hospitals: Coronavirus HL5424 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of recent research by University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital on the transmission of virus DNA within the hospital setting for their COVID-19 response.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Department for Education

Racial Hatred: Primary Education HL5423 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that primary school children in England are taught about racism.

Answered: 22nd June 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Equality HL5426 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to promote diversity in football.

Answered: 15th June 2020

Questions Asked 4 June 2020

Spoken Contribution

National Risk Register My Lords, diversity should not mean adversity. The Public Health England report of 2 June concluded that BAME communities are at a higher risk from Covid-19. How will the protection of ethnic minorities be prepared for in future in the national risk register?

Answered: 4th June 2020

Questions Asked 3 June 2020

Home Office

Internet: Safety HL5252 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect children from online grooming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 23rd June 2020

Ministry of Justice

Barristers HL5250 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support barristers’ chambers doing publicly funded work.

Answered: 18th June 2020

Treasury

Barristers: Coronavirus HL5248 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to exempt barristers from business rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 17th June 2020

Treasury

Self – Employed Income Support Scheme: Barristers HL5251 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to expand the range of evidence newly practising barristers can submit to be eligible for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Answered: 17th June 2020

Department for Education

Universities: Students HL5253 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support university students who are returning to study in September.

Answered: 17th June 2020

Questions Asked 2 June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL5120 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people were tested for COVID-19 between 21 and 31 May.

Answered: 4th August 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL5119 To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will resume publishing the number of COVID-19 tests conducted each day.

Answered: 4th August 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL5123 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of COVID-19 tests that have been double-counted.

Answered: 29th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL5121 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people in England have been tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

Answered: 27th July 2020

Women and Equalities

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups HL5118 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take to support BAME communities in response to the findings in their report Disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19, published on 2 June.

Answered: 27th July 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

George Floyd HL5122 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the death of George Floyd.

Answered: 9th June 2020

Spoken Contribution

COVID-19: Public Transport My Lords, transportation connects the nation. Organisations such as the AA have predicted that traffic levels will remain lower due to Covid-19. What implications will that have for the Government’s £28.8 billion road-building programme, which is based on 1% annual growth in traffic demand?

Answered: 2nd June 2020

Questions Asked 21 May 2020

Spoken Contribution

UK Shared Prosperity Fund My Lords, inequality anywhere is a threat to equality everywhere. Will the Minister confirm that the priorities and objectives of the UK shared prosperity fund will remain—in particular, to boost economic development, especially in the inner cities and other impoverished areas—irrespective of the Covid-19 situation?

Answered: 21 May 2020

Questions Asked 19 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL4805 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of false negative COVID-19 test results from a nasal swab or saliva test.

Answered: 29th July 2020

Home Office

Video Confercing: Offences against Children HL4803 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Zoom about protecting children and young people from incidents of video calls being interrupted by anonymous users to display images of child abuse.

Answered: 9th June 2020

Department for Education

Contact Tracing: Schools HL4806 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of children returning to school before the NHSX contact tracing application is released in England on the spread of COVID-19.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Ethnic Groups HL4808 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer NHS front-line BAME staff alternative roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment: Coronavirus HL4807 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what continuous financial support they plan to provide to vulnerable people who are unable to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Department for Education

Coronavirus: Schools HL4804 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the increased risk of COVID-19 to those over (1) 70, and (2) 50, years old who live with children who are due to return to school.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Questions Asked 18 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing HL4718 To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they estimate they will have procured sufficient stocks of personal protection equipment to meet (1) current, and (2) anticipated future, demand.

Answered: 15th June 2020

Department for Education

Schools: Coronavirus HL4714 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) primary, and (2) secondary, schools will re-open on 1 June.

Answered: 3rd June 2020

Department for Education

Schools: Coronavirus HL4716 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of schools reopening on the circulation of COVID-19.

Answered: 3rd June 2020

Home Office

Immigration Controls: Quarantine HL4715 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans are in place to ensure that people quarantine for two weeks following arrival into the UK.

Answered: 2nd June 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Dismissal: Coronavirus HL4719 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that (1) disabled people, and (2) those who live with a vulnerable person, are being threatened with dismissal if they do not physically return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 2nd June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL4717 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) support, and (2) protect, BAME (a) key workers, and (b) NHS staff, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 28th May 2020

Spoken Contribution

Coronavirus: Restrictions My Lords, in order to promote more faith, not fear, what more will the Government do to show that the four nations of the United Kingdom can have a more co-ordinated approach to Covid-19?

Answered: 18th May 2020

Questions Asked 13 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Cancer: Coronavirus HL4453 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of any additional risk encountered by cancer patients as a result of a delay to their receiving letters advising them to shield themselves from COVID-19.

Answered: 28th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing HL4455 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have been taking, if any, to ensure that personal protective equipment produced in domestic or non-professional settings meets the standards set by The British Standards Institution.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL4456 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their target of 200,000 COVID-19 tests a day relates to tests administered, results received, or the number of people tested.

Answered: 11th June 2020

Home Office

Aviation: Coronavirus HL4451 To ask Her Majesty’s Government why passengers coming to the UK by (1) boat, and (2) the Eurostar, will not need to quarantine themselves for two weeks while those arriving by air will.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Department for Education

Coronavirus: Schools HL4452 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the capability of infants and primary school children to (1) understand, and (2) adhere to, the principles of social distancing at school.

Answered: 29th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Social Services: Coronavirus HL4454 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to protect care workers from contracting COVID-19.

Answered: 27th May 2020

Spoken Contribution

Coronavirus: Sports My Lords, under Project Restart, the Premier League is considering returning by 12 June. However, can the Minister say what the Government are planning to help less wealthy clubs outside the Premier League which want to emerge from this fight as victors, not victims?

Answered: 27th May 2020

Questions Asked 12 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Protective Clothing HL4372 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken and are taking, if any, to produce personal protection equipment for all non-NHS workers who cannot work from home in the UK.

Answered: 31st July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL4369 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of having an open border with France on the COVID-19 R rate.

Answered: 7th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Dental Services: Coronavirus HL4371 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the planned timescale for non-NHS dentists to return to work with increased personal protection equipment.

Answered: 4th June 2020

Home Office

Immigration HL4368 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of people who have come into the UK by (1) boat, and (2) Eurostar, since 1 April.

Answered: 27th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Quarantine HL4370 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use GPS technology to ensure people who have interacted with a ‘super-spreader’ quarantine appropriately.

Answered: 27th May 2020

Cabinet Office

Exercise: Coronavirus HL4367 To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they selected Wednesday 13 May as the appropriate day on which unlimited outdoor exercise could resume.

Answered: 26th May 2020

Spoken Contribution

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme My Lords, ethnic minority business owners have historically found it more difficult to access bank loans and other finance. In many cases, they operate microbusinesses where they would have to be almost a prophet to accurately forecast their profit. Have the difficulties faced by ethnic-minority business owners been factored in?

Answered: 12th May 2020

Questions Asked 6 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Death HL4152 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people they have tested for COVID-19 after they have passed away; and how many such tests have returned a positive result.

Answered: 29th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL4156 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the UK’s testing capacity for COVID-19; and how many tests they plan to conduct in June.

Answered: 30th June 2020

Ministry of Justice

Coronavirus: Quarantine HL4155 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to issue electronic bracelets to people breaking quarantine restrictions in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Answered: 21st May 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

SAGE HL4154 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies to include (1) immunologists, and (2) experts on large scale logistics.

Answered: 21st May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Computer Software HL4153 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to offer online tutorials to those with a learning disability on how to use the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing application.

Answered: 15th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Computer Software HL4151 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to incentivise the use of the NHS COVID-19 tracing application.

Answered: 15th May 2020

Questions Asked 5 May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Quarantine HL4046 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential to use electronic border detection equipment to quarantine individual counties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 17th June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL4048 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce electronic temperature testing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 27th May 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Coronavirus HL4045 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about (1) restarting the English Premier League behind closed doors and (2) the timing of matches in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered: 26th May 2020

Department for Education

Higher Education: Standards HL4044 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether students returning to university in the autumn will be able to receive the same standard of education as would normally be provided, and whether course fees should be reduced.

Answered: 20th May 2020

Department for Education

Universities: Staff HL4043 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Universities UK about the number of universities who have furloughed academic personnel.

Answered: 20th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Contact Tracing: Visual Impairment HL4047 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their track and trace app is accessible to blind and partially sighted people, including those who use screen reading technology.

Answered: 11th May 2020

Questions Asked 29 April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing HL3725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to work with suppliers to increase the production of face masks that could be worn by the public across the UK to slow the spread of COVID-19 after lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Answered: 22nd July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing HL3722 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether wearing (1) non-surgical facemasks, and (2) glasses, alongside social distancing measures in closed public places, reduces the respiratory spread of COVID-19.

Answered: 8th June 2020

Home Office

Immigration: Coronavirus HL3724 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have, if any, of how many people coming into the UK in (1) February, (2) March, and (3) April, had COVID-19.

Answered: 14th May 2020

Home Office

ID Cards: Coronavirus HL3723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a COVID-19-related identity card system after lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

Answered: 13th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Deaths HL3726 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include care home deaths in the statistics reported at their COVID-19 daily briefings.

Answered: 12th May 2020

Department for International Development

Africa: Ventilators HL3721 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken, if any, to support African countries in manufacturing ventilators.

Answered: 12th May 2020

Questions Asked 28 April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Hopsitals: Protective Clothing HL3638 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of NHS hospitals that are not giving personal protection equipment fit tests to staff.

Answered on: 20th May 2020

Treasury

Legal Profession: Coronavirus HL3640 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken, if any, to support (1) female, (2) BAME, and (3) new practising, lawyers who have been affected by a loss of earnings as a result of COVID-19 prior to the furlough payments being released.

Answered on: 14th May 2020

Ministry of Justice

Legal Aid Scheme: Coronavirus HL3643 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk posed to legal aid lawyers who have to attend police stations and psychiatric hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 13th May 2020

Ministry of Justice

Legal Aid Scheme and Trials: Coronavirus HL3641To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the (1) financial impact of COVID-19 on legal aid lawyers, and (2) the long-term impact of court trials that need to be restarted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 13th May 2020

Department for Education

Apprecentices: Coronavirus HL3639 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps have been taken to support apprentices who are unable to claim furlough pay during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 12th May 2020

Ministry of Justice

Legal Profession HL3642 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of lawyers who have been asked to continue working despite being furloughed.

Answered on: 11th May 2020

Questions Asked 22 April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL3443 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of COVID-19 tests used on NHS workers that were flawed.

Answered on: 29th July 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Nurses: Re – employment HL3442 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to request those nursing professionals whose registration has lapsed in the last five years to return to work in NHS Nightingale Hospitals.

Answered on: 4th May 2020

Questions Asked 21 April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Protective Clothing: 3D Printing HL3447 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) 3D printers they have acquired, and (2) individuals with 3D printers have volunteered, to produce visors for NHS staff.

Answered on: 30th June 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Protective Clothing HL3446 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all suppliers and potential providers of personal protective equipment within the UK have been used by the NHS.

Answered on: 27th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Protective Clothing HL3448 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that NHS staff and key workers have personal protective equipment and suitable reserves of equipment; and when they estimate new equipment will be delivered to such workers.

Answered on: 12th May 2020

Department for Education

Protective Clothing HL3449 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to request students studying design and technology to produce personal protective equipment.

Answered on: 5th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL3445 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the World Health Organisation that there is no evidence of COVID-19 immunity amongst those who have recovered from the virus.

Answered on: 5th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Food HL3350 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to provide NHS staff with free food after they finish their shifts.

Answered on: 4th May 2020

Questions Asked 25 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Football HL2978 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of football matches held in England before 23 March on the spread of COVID-19.

Answered on: 14th May 2020

Home Office

Disease Control: Coronavirus HL2977 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce further penalties for those who do not comply with the rules surrounding the restriction of movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 8th April 2020

Treasury

Denatal Services: Non – Domestic Rates HL2975 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to extend business rate exemptions to include dental practices.

Answered on: 8th April 2020

Treasury

Self – Employed: Coronavirus HL2976 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to support the self-employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Questions Asked 24 March 2020

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Delivery Services and Shops: NHS HL2891 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to work with supermarkets to create designated NHS staff stores and delivery services.

Answered on: 7th April 2020

Home Office

Police: Protective Clothing HL2889 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what personal protective equipment they are giving to police officers enforcing restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 7th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: ID Cards HL2890 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to protect NHS staff following reports of staff being mugged for their NHS staff identification cards.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Temporary Accomodation: Coronavirus HL2892 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much accommodation they have offered to key workers who want to reduce the risk of giving COVID-19 to their families.

Answered on: 3rd April 2020

Questions Asked 23 March 2020

Home Office

Coronavirus: Social Distancing HL2842 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given, if any, to the deployment of police officers to ensure that people are social distancing.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Energy

Supermarkets: Sunday Trading HL2839 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to relax temporarily Sunday trading hours to prevent overcrowding and allow key workers to purchase shopping at supermarkets.

Answered on: 3rd April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL2841 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to test key workers for COVID-19 regularly.

Answered on: 3rd April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL2840 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to utilise artificial intelligence to test for COVID-19.

Answered on: 3rd April 2020

Questions Asked 18 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Social Distancing HL2768 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to issue social distancing guidance for delivery drivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL2767 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether schools contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL2765 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria patients have to meet in order to be tested for COVID-19.

Answered on: 31st March 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Rents: Coronavirus HL2766 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to issue a rent break to tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 30th March 2020

Questions Asked 17 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Protective Clothing HL2713 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that NHS medical staff are being given out of date equipment and that the new protective equipment advice inadequately protects staff.

Answered on: 28th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL2712 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to impose a ban on people visiting clothes shops to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the UK.

Answered on: 27th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Intensive Care: Ventaliors HL2711 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to requisition medical ventilators from British cruise ships and make them available for use by the NHS to treat COVID-19.

Answered on: 7th April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL2714 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enforce social isolation measures so companies can claim COVID-19 relief on their insurance.

Answered on: 6th April 2020

Questions Asked 16 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Hosptials HL2655 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to build new hospitals to cope with any influx of COVID-19 patients.

Answered on: 15th May 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Ventilators HL2653 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the case for using simplified iron lung machines to treat COVID-19.

Answered on: 31st March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Intensive Care: Ventilators HL2652 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to create an online hackathon platform to help design and deploy an open-source ventilator for the NHS.

Answered on: 31st March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Professionals: Coronavirus HL2654 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to advise medical professionals in ‘at-risk’ groups to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on: 31st March 2020

Questions Asked 11 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL2519 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of Google DeepMind’s predictions on the future development of COVID-19’s protein structure.

Answered on: 25th March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL2518 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use virtual reality technology in NHS hospitals to train staff to identify signs of COVID-19.

Answered on: 25th March 2020

Treasury

Digital Technology: Taxation HL2516 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the amount of tax paid by Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft or Google.

Answered on: 25th March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Huawai: 5G HL2517 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to review Huawei’s planned involvement in the UK’s 5G network.

Answered on: 25th March 2020

Questions Asked 10 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL2460 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use artificial intelligence to analyse lung scans to help diagnose COVID-19.

Answered on: 25th March 2020

Cabinet Office

UK Relations with the EU HL2461 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to pause their negotiations with the EU due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Answered on: 23rd March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: Older People HL2459 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use virtual reality therapy to treat older people advised to have limited social interaction due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Answered on: 19th March 2020

Cabinet Office

Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 HL2458 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to review the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019.

Answered on: 16th March 2020

Questions Asked 9 March 2020

Department for Education

Pupils: Exercise HL2373 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure girls in primary schools meet the recommended levels of activity in the UK.

Answered on: 1st April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Mortality Rates HL2375 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the World Health Organisation’s estimate of the mortality rate of COVID-19.

Answered on: 1st April 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Italy HL2374 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure people returning from Northern Italy self-isolate.

Answered on: 23rd March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Women HL2372 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure women in football receive equal pay to their male counterparts.

Answered on: 23rd March 2020

Questions Asked 5 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Mortality Rates HL2301 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of mortality from COVID-19 amongst smokers.

Answered on: 19th March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Harassment HL2300 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce cyber-harassment fines for (1) the media, and (2) members of the public.

Answered on: 18th March 2020

Questions Asked 4 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL2237 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether shaking hands could contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Answered on: 18th March 2020

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air Pollution HL2240 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce air pollution.

Answered on: 17th March 2020

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Energy: Housing HL2238 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to meet the energy efficiency targets for housing set out in their Clean Growth Strategy, published in October 2017.

Answered on: 16th March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Medical Records: Data Protection HL2235 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to review the legal framework governing the ownership of personal health data.

Answered on: 16th March 2020

Department for Education

Schools: Transport HL2239 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of poor transport infrastructure on the results of secondary schools students.

Answered on: 16th March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: Artifical Intelligence HL2236 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to create a single, online regulatory advice and information platform for the healthcare artificial intelligence sector.

Answered on: 13th March 2020

Questions Asked 2 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Drugs HL2100 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use any Brexit stockpiles in the event of increased supply chain issues caused by the recent outbreak of COVID-19.

Answered on: 16 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Dental Services HL2102 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with NHS dentists about the possibility of a shortage of facemasks and the impact of any such shortage on patient waiting times.

Answered on: 16 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL2101 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to (1) ban large scale events, and (2) encourage people to work from home, until Public Health England have identified the individuals who are potentially spreading COVID-19 within the UK.

Answered on: 16 March 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Employment: Ethnic Groups HL2099 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by Carnegie UK Trust Race Inequality in the Workforce, published in February 2020, what assessment they have made of the finding that BAME individuals are more likely to have less stable working lives than their white peers.

Answered on: 16 March 2020

Questions Asked 26 February 2020

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food Control: Finance HL1963 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest further in flood defences.

Answered on: 11 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Italy HL1961 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to test all pupils returning to the UK from school trips in northern Italy for Wuhan coronavirus.

Answered on: 11 March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Data Protection HL1965 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for introducing legislation to permit the legal ownership of personal data.

Answered on: 11 March 2020

Home Office

Electronic Surveillance HL1962 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the security services are granted access to encrypted messages in exceptional circumstances.

Answered on: 10 March 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

High Rise Flats: Insulation HL1964 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to ensure that all apartment blocks with combustible cladding have such cladding removed; and if so, by when.

Answered on: 9 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Hospital Beds HL1960 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the number of NHS hospital beds available in England.

Answered on: 6 March 2020

Questions Asked 25 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control HL1894 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of isolation as a method of containment for suspected cases of Wuhan coronavirus.

Answered on: 10 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Life Expectancy: Women HL1893 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve life expectancy for women in the UK.

Answered on: 10 March 2020

Questions Asked 24 February 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Japan: Coronavirus HL1808 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to review the process for repatriating British citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

Answered on: 9 March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Children HL1805 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to work with the Football Association to ban children under the age of 18 from heading footballs during training, in order to mitigate the possible associated risk of developing brain disease in later life.

Answered on: 9 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Social Services: Recruitment HL1806 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage the recruitment of social care workers.

Answered on: 5 March 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Google HL1807 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Google’s decision to move all data about UK users of its services to the US.

Answered on: 3 March 2020

Questions Asked 12 February 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Coronavirus: China HL1622 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial impact the outbreak of Wuhan coronavirus has had on the technology market.

Answered on: 26 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

OFCOM: Finance HL1621 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the number of their grants to Ofcom, following the announcement that it will have increased regulatory responsibilities.

Answered on: 25 February 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Digital Technology: Takeovers HL1620 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that the acquisition of smaller companies by Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft or Google is transparent.

Answered on: 24 February 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

New Business: AI HL1619 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that UK-based artificial intelligence start-ups are not acquired by dominant market players.

Answered on: 24 February 2020

Questions Asked 11 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: AI HL1544 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to regulate the algorithms used by social media companies to promote content.

Answered on: 26 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Contact Tracing: Computer Software HL1541 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to develop a version of the government of China’s coronavirus close contact detector application.

Answered on: 25 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Diabetes HL1542 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of cases of type 2 diabetes.

Answered on: 25 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Google: Advertising HL1543 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that loopholes in Google’s advertising networks allow companies to target vulnerable groups.

Answered on: 25 February 2020

Questions Asked 10 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Mobile Phones HL1498 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that technology companies are deliberately slowing down old phone models.

Answered on: 21 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Data Protection HL1497 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to further regulate how social media companies secure information online.

Answered on: 21 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Media

Coronavirus HL1496 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk that Coronavirus could be transmitted to the UK on the surface of electronic goods manufactured in China.

Answered on: 13 February 2020

Questions Asked 5 February 2020

Treasury

Viedo on Demand: Taxation HL1386 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reform taxation for video streaming services.

Answered on: 19th February 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Directors: Equality HL1388 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage greater diversity on executive level boards.

Answered on: 13th February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

TV Licensing HL1385 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to de-criminalise non-payment of the BBC licence fee.

Answered on: 13th February 2020

Department for Education

Pupils: Mobile Phones HL1389 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to ban children from using their mobile phones during lesson time.

Answered on: 13th February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Finance HL1387 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the amount of long-term funding for the NHS.

Answered on: 12th February 2020

Questions Asked 4 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Gaming: Equality HL1338 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to promote diversity in the UK gaming industry.

Answered on: 17 February 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Climate Change: Arctic HL1337 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they taking to reduce the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic.

Answered on: 12 February 2020

Questions Asked 3 February 2020

Home Office

Domestic Abuse HL1284 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to combat any rise of domestic violence perpetrators using technology to control their partners.

Answered on: 17 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL1283 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to use artificial intelligence to help combat the recent outbreak of coronavirus.

Answered on: 12 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People HL1285To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure quicker access for children to child and adolescent mental health services.

Answered on: 12 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Disinformation: Internet HL1286 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to establish the difference between free speech and false information online.

Answered on: 10 February 2020

Questions Asked 29 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Cancer: Drugs HL956 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute of Cancer Research From patient to patient: analysing access to innovative cancer drugs, published on 28 January.

Answered on: 5 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL954 To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what grounds they have concluded that 14 days is the appropriate timescale for the quarantining of British citizens repatriated from Wuhan, China.

Answered on: 5 February 2020

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Livestock: Colistin HL955 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to ban the use of colistin in farming.

Answered on: 4 February 2020

Questions Asked 28 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Doctors: Stress HL880 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Resilience burnout and coping mechanisms in UK doctors: a cross-sectional study, published in the British Medical Journal on 27 January.

Answered on: 11 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Huawai: 5G HL881 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that Huawei’s limited role in the UK’s 5G network does not present a security risk.

Answered on: 6 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL879 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to quarantine British citizens repatriated from Wuhan, China.

Answered on: 5 February 2020

Questions Asked 22 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Self – Harm and Suicide HL720 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce fines for social media companies who do not actively seek to remove (1) suicide. and (2) self-harm, related posts.

Answered on: 13 February 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Instagram: Self – Harm HL721 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Instagram about reports that its algorithms cause people with mental illnesses to self-harm.

Answered on: 13 February 2020

Department for Education

Social Mobility HL719 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Sutton Trust Elites in the UK: Pulling Away?, published on 22 January; and what action, if any, they plan to take in response.

Answered on: 5 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Negligence HL722 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to decrease the cost to the NHS of clinical negligence claims.

Answered on: 30 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

HL718 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the amount of community care available for dementia patients.

Answered on: 29 January 2020

Questions Asked 21 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Artificial Intelligence HL650 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce an artificial intelligence ethical regulatory framework after the UK leaves the EU.

Answered on: 13 February 2020

Department for Education

Education: Standards HL651 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of The Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2018/19, published on 21 January.

Answered on: 4 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening HL649 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce temperature screening at airports for the coronavirus following the government of China’s confirmation that the virus can be transmitted from person to person.

Answered on: 30 January 2020

Questions Asked 20 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Advertising: Misrepresentation HL587 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce further legislation to ban companies from profiting from other digital companies’ scam advertising or misleading investments.

Answered on: 6 February 2020

Department for Education

Secure Accomodation HL585 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the amount of secure accommodation in England for children with severe behavioural problems.

Answered on: 3 February 2020

Cabinet Office

House of Lords: Location HL584 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to relocate the House of Lords to York.

Answered on: 3 February 2020

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Plastic Waste HL586 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to ban the export of plastic waste.

Answered on: 3 February 2020

Questions Asked 15 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Death: Young People HL480 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research by Imperial College London, published on 13 January, which links global warming with an increase in the violent deaths of young people.

Answered on: 29 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Privacy HL483 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Google’s “privacy sandbox” technology on market fairness and safety.

Answered on: 27 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus HL482 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk posed by a novel coronavirus to the UK.

Answered on: 24 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Advertising HL481 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Norwegian Consumer Council, Out of Control: How Consumers Are Exploited by the Online Advertising Industry, published on 14 January, which states that a number of mobile applications are violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Questions Asked 14 January 2020

Home Office

Offences Against Children: Criminal Investigation HL431 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken since Operation Augusta was launched in 2003 to ensure that child sexual abuse allegations are properly investigated.

Answered on: 28 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Huawai: 5G HL430 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what risk assessment they have conducted of the proposed adoption of Huawei technology for the UK’s 5G network infrastructure.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Huawai: 5G HL429 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of remarks by senior officials in the United States that adopting Huawei technology in the UK’s 5G network presents a security risk.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Racial Discrimination HL428 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to work with the Football Association to combat racism in football.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Questions Asked 13 January 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iran: Demonstrations HL350 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Iran’s reported use of violence against protestors in Tehran on 12 January.

Answered on: 24 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Young People HL352 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address the ‘treatment gap’ for young people who are referred to mental health services but rejected for not meeting eligibility criteria.

Answered on: 23 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Hospitals: Overcrowding HL351 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to find a short-term solution to overcrowding in hospitals, following reports that hospitals are redeploying nurses from wards to look after patients in corridors.

Answered on: 23 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Facebook: Advertising HL353 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the dangers that may arise from Facebook not strengthening regulation of political advertisements.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Questions Asked 8 January 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Leasehold: Reform HL233 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reform the leasehold sector.

Answered on: 23 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Advertising HL232 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce tougher advertising legislation for celebrities who do not clearly state that their social media posts include branded items which are part of an advertising partnership.

Answered on: 22 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media HL236 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether social media platforms are adequately monitored for harmful and illegal content.

Answered on: 17 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Innovation HL235 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the suggestions in the report by the Academy of Medical Sciences Transforming health through innovation: integrating the NHS and academia, published on 8 January, that NHS breakthroughs have been put at risk.

Answered on: 16 January 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Minimum Wage HL234 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the incentives for firms to comply with paying the National Minimum Wage.

Answered on: 16 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Prescription Drugs: Envrionment Protection HL237 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce the environmental impact of NHS prescribed pharmaceuticals.

Answered on: 16 January 2020

Questions Asked 7 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Technology: New Businesses HL177 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support technology start-ups.

Answered on: 21 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Video Recordings: Disinformation HL176 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce legislation to ban deepfake videos which promote misinformation.

Answered on: 21 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Advertising HL173 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the interim report by the Competition and Markets Authority Online platforms and digital advertising, published on 18 December, in particular the consideration that online platforms should allow users to turn off personalised advertisements.

Answered on: 21 January 2020

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Age: Equality HL174 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by United for All Ages Together in the 2020s, published on 7 January; and what action, if any, they plan to take in response.

Answered on: 21 January 2020

Department for Education

Universities: Crime HL175 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with UK Universities about reports that universities are not reporting crime statistics.

Answered on: 14 January 2020

Questions Asked 19 December 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Promotions: Internet HL84 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce further regulation in regard to the online promotion of products by celebrities.

Answered on: 7 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Air Pollution: Health Hazards HL87 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of air pollution on the NHS, particularly in the winter.

Answered on: 7 January 2020

Department for Education

Universities: Admissions HL88 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with UK universities about combating the student wealth divide in those applying to university.

Answered on: 7 January 2020

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness HL85 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to combat the rise in homelessness.

Answered on: 7 January 2020

Department of Health and Social Care

Air Pollution: Mental Health HL86 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research by Environmental Health Perspectives, published on 18 December, which links air pollution with higher rates of mental health issues.

Answered on: 7 January 2020

Questions Asked 30 October 2019

Home Office

High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention HL569 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the report of the Public Inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017 Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 Report, published on 30 October, when they plan to introduce new fire safety legislation.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Education

Universities: Finance HL570 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with UK Universities about concerns over the future finances of universities.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Treasury

Brexit HL567 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the long-term economic benefit of leaving the EU with the new Brexit deal.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Lung Diseases: Medical Equipment HL568 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to cease the prescription of dry powder inhalers in England apart from in exceptional circumstances; and if so, when.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Questions Asked 29 October 2019

Department for Envrionemnt, Food and Rural Affairs

Plastic: Fees and Chagres HL535 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of introducing a 5p charge for plastic clothes hangers.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay HL534 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to ensure that companies publish their action plans for closing the gender pay gap.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Home Office

Human Trafficking HL533 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to implement additional measures to detect people smuggling through UK ports, including the use of X-rays.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

5G HL536 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of 5G airwaves on (1) satellite communication, and (2) the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Project.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Questions Asked 28 October 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Vaccination: Children HL475 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to increase the uptake of childhood vaccinations; and when any such plans are likely to be implemented.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Education

Pupil Refferal Units HL472 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to increase the number of spaces available in pupil referral units.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Education

Nurseries HL473 To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the freedom of information request which details how nursery rates are calculated will be published by the Department of Education.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Qatar: Football HL474 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they made as to whether the humans rights of workers building the stadium for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar have been violated.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Questions Asked 23 October 2019

Home Office

Human: Trafficking HL368 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to use thermal imaging cameras at all UK ports to check for incidents of human trafficking.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Education

Universities: Racial Harassment HL370 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Universities UK about the steps it is taking to reduce racial abuse on campuses.

Answered on: 31 October 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media HL371 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce legislation concerning the application of augmented reality filters by social media networks.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department for International Trade

Manufactured Goods: Exports HL369 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that manufacturers are predicting sharp declines in exports next year.

Answered on: 29 October 2019

Questions Asked 22 October 2019

Department for Envrionemnt, Food and Rural Affairs

Peat Bogs HL326 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of the drying of peatlands in the UK.

Answered on: 5 November 2019

Department for Transport

Aviation: Taxis HL323 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the regulatory requirements needed for the introduction of so-called “flying taxis”.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Department for Education

School Libaries HL325 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the educational impact on children of not having access to a school library.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Department for Education

School Libaries HL324 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to make it mandatory for schools to have a library.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Questions Asked 21 October 2019

Department for Transport

London Underground: Carbon Emissons HL258 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London about steps it may take to make the London Underground network carbon neutral.

Answered on: 4 November 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Chile: Politics and Government HL256 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation in Chile.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Racial Discrimination HL255 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat racism in football.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Trade Marks: Internet HL257 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to legislate to ensure that web search engines de-index (1) URLs or (2) websites from its web search index when trademarks have been infringed.

Answered on: 25 October 2019

Questions Asked 16 October 2019

Home Office

Crime Prevention HL166 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to prevent criminals exploiting a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Health: Screening HL164 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to establish mandatory annual health screenings.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Science: Industry HL165 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of uncertainty regarding Brexit on the UK science industry.

Answered on: 30 October 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Gambling: Children HL162 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address the number of children who gamble.

Answered on: 29 October 2019

Department for Education

Home Education HL163 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to roll out a home-schooling program with regular checks and tests.

Answered on: 24 October 2019

Questions Asked 15 October 2019

Home Office

Hate Crime: Disability HL137 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce violent hate crime towards disabled people.

Answered on: 28 October 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Carbon Emissions HL138 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to make 2025 the new target for zero carbon emissions.

Answered on: 29 October 2019

Treasury

Public Finance HL139 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prediction by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that a no-deal Brexit would increase borrowing to £92 billion a year and total debt as a share of national income would rise by 2024 to 83 per cent.

Answered on: 22 October 2019

Questions Asked 14 October 2019

Home Office

Knives: Young People HL54 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to prevent young people from carrying knives.

Answered on: 28 October 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Health Services: British Nationals Abroad HL56 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take to ensure the provision of healthcare for UK pensioners living in the European Union post-Brexit.

Answered on: 25 October 2019

Department for Education

Students: Sexual Offences HL57 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to increase the amount of support offered to university students who have been victims of sexual assault.

Answered on: 24 October 2019

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs HL55 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to reform the provision of support for children with special educational needs; and when they intend to introduce such legislation.

Answered on: 24 October 2019

Questions Asked 2 October 2019

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Eggs: Imports HL18019 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to make the duty-free import of eggs conditional upon animal welfare requirements.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media HL18022 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to combat sadfishing.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

North Korea: Guided Weapons HL18020 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay HL18021 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to identify the cause of the gender pay gap.

Answered on: 7 October 2019

Questions Asked 1 October 2019

Department for Exiting the European Union

Business HL17983 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether businesses which have planned and stockpiled for Brexit twice will be reimbursed for extra costs incurred, if there is no Brexit on 31 October.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Hong Kong: Demonstrations HL17980 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of violence towards (1) bystanders, and (2) protestors, in the National Day protests in Hong Kong.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness: Death HL17982 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat the rise in deaths of homeless people.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Gibraltar: Spain HL17981 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that people crossing the border in Gibraltar have as minimum a time delay as possible after the UK departs the EU.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Questions Asked 30 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Companies: Carbon Emissions HL17935 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce penalties for UK companies that do not achieve the 2050 targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Social Services: Reform HL17938 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to publish a plan listing their proposed reforms for adult social care and timings for legislation to implement any such reforms; and if so, when.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Vaccination: Children HL17937 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to increase the uptake of childhood vaccination, and (2) make childhood vaccination mandatory.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Home Office

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices HL17936 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce minimum alcohol pricing in England.

Awaiting Response

Questions Asked 26 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Social Class HL17882 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce workplace pay gaps where cases are based on social class discrimination.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

New Business HL17883 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that there has been a fall in the number of UK business start-ups due to Brexit uncertainty.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Advertising HL17880 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that social media companies use image recognition software to identify and block the advertising of illegal drugs.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Treasury

Borders: Northern Ireland HL17881 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to install electronic detection border equipment in Northern Ireland.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Questions Asked 25 September 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Private Sector HL17842 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans, if any, they have to conduct an inquiry into standards of care in private mental health units.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

White Fish: North Sea HL17843 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of climate change on North Sea cod losing sustainability status.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for International Development

Tanzania: Ebola HL17845 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the outbreak of disease with Ebola-like symptoms in Tanzania.

Answered on: 8 October 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Carbon Emissions HL17844 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish guidance about how people can reduce their carbon emissions.

Answered on: 3 October 2019

Questions Asked 5 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

North Sea: Oil Rigs HL17773 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of leaving de-commissioned oil rigs in the North Sea.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Social Services: Finance HL17771 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to change the distribution of adult social care funding.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Food: Taxation HL17770 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a snack tax to help reduce obesity.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Doctors: Training HL17772 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps the NHS is taking to increase the number of trainee doctors recruited each year.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Questions Asked 4 September 2019

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food and Water: Rationing HL17732 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for rationing to prevent potential food and water shortages post Brexit.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Environment Protection HL17729 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to remain closely aligned with the EU regulatory framework on (1) environmental protection, and (2) food safety standards.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for International Trade

Trade HL17730 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of a joint-letter from a group of worldwide business federations coordinated by the United States Chamber of Commerce warning against the impact that a no-deal Brexit could have on global trade as reported by The Times on 4 September.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Welfare HL17731 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce legislation that recognises animals as sentient beings after Brexit.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Questions Asked 3 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Carbon Emissions HL17688 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce further incentives for carbon-neutral lifestyles.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

UK Trade with EU HL17689 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of EU businesses that divert supply chains away from the UK.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for Work and Pensions

Food Banks: Schools HL17690 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that there has been an increase in the number of food banks set up in UK schools.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade HL17687 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase footfall in high street stores.

Answered on: 9 September 2019

Questions Asked 24 July 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Tankers: Security HL17495 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the safe passage of British tankers overseas.

Answered on: 9 August 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Artifical Intelligence: Business HL17498 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage more UK companies to automate decision-making through artificial intelligence technology.

Answered on: 2 August 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: EU Action HL17497 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of EU plans for a Digital Services Act after Brexit.

Answered on: 2 August 2019

Ministry of Defence

Merchant Shipping: Security HL17496 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to join a United States-led shipping coalition after Brexit.

Answered on: 2 August 2019

Questions Asked 23 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Canada HL17431 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a reduction in import tariffs on a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and Canada.

Answered on: 6 August 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iran: Foreign Relations HL17429 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to de-escalate tensions with Iran.

Answered on: 6 August 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Biotechnology HL17432 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help increase growth in the UK biotechnology sector after Brexit.

Answered on: 1 August 2019

Department for Education

Apprentices: Taxation HL17430 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the apprenticeship levy to (1) ensure companies spend more on training, and (2) broaden the levy to include a greater number of companies.

Answered on: 29 July 2019

Questions Asked 22 July 2019

Department for Transport

HS2 Railway Line HL17372 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the present total cost of HS2.

Answered on: 5 August 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

5G HL17373 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect the UK’s future 5G infrastructure against cyberattacks.

Answered on: 22 July 2019

Department for Exiting the European Union

Cybercrime HL17374 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the UK was represented at the EU28 meeting on cyber security standards on 25 June.

Answered on: 1 August 2019

Treasury

Infrastructure HL17375 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to implement a national infrastructure strategy to increase business growth after Brexit.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Questions Asked 17 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Amazon: Unfair Practices HL17275 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role of the UK in the EU’s investigation into possible data misuse by Amazon.

Answered on: 31 July 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Medical Equipment: Artifical Intelligence HL17273 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps have been taken to regulate AI technology which can be implanted within the human body.

Answered on: 25 July 2019

Department for Exiting the European Union

Borders: Northern Ireland HL17276 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the European Commission’s position on renegotiating the Irish backstop.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Treasury

Brexit HL17274 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address any economic downturn that may be caused by a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Questions Asked 16 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Eating Disorders HL17232 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to block applications which publish content that may be harmful to children with eating disorders.

Answered on: 1 August 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

School Leaving: Employment HL17233 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create more job opportunities for school leavers after Brexit.

Answered on: 30 July 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Surgey: Training HL17231 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of introducing virtual reality learning to (1) aid surgical training, and (2) practice pioneering operations.

Answered on: 25 July 2019

Department for Education

Education: Digital Technology HL17234 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role of digital technology in the UK education sector.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Questions Asked 15 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements HL17181 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of a shortage of experienced UK trade negotiators during the Brexit process.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Home Office

Organised Crime HL17182 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that there may be a rise in cross-border organised crime after Brexit; and if so, what steps they are taking to address this.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Leader of the House of Lords

Bullying and Harassment in the House of Lords Independant Inquiry HL17179 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Naomi Ellenbogen QC An Independent Inquiry into bullying and harassment in the House of Lords, published on 11 July.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Digital Technology: Sales HL17180 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the Consumer Rights Act 2015 rules for digital content purchased post-Brexit to include a 28-day refund rule.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Questions Asked 10 July 2019

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Companies: Pollution Control HL17098 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that water companies meet targets set by the Environment Agency to reduce pollution by 2020.

Answered on: 24 July 2019

Home Office

Police: Technology HL17096 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to invest in technology provided to police officers.

Answered on: 22 July 2019

Home Office

Emergency Services: Counselling HL17095 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce mandatory weekly counselling sessions for (1) frontline police officers in England and Wales, and (2) ambulance staff in England.

Answered on: 22 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Exports HL17097 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to decrease the UK’s trade deficit after Brexit.

Answered on: 18 July 2019

Questions Asked 9 July 2019

Ministry of Justice

Sexual Offences HL17064 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to (1) introduce tougher sentences for sex offenders, and (2) stop sex offenders being granted parole.

Answered on: 31 July 2019

Department for Exiting the European Union

Trade with the EU: Duty Free Allowances HL17063 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to re-introduce duty free trade with the EU after Brexit.

Answered on: 23 July 2019

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Education HL17062 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, with UNESCO, to raise global education standards.

Answered on: 18 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Equal Pay: Ethnic Groups HL17061 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the ethnic minority pay gap in the UK.

Answered on: 17 July 2019

Questions Asked 8 July 2019

Treasury

Pensions: Doctors HL17005 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to revisit the 2016 rule changes to tax relief for medical practitioners, in order to resolve the current staffing crisis.

Answered on: 22 July 2019

Treasury

Parcels: VAT HL17003 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure more foreign companies sign up to the new parcel tax scheme in preparation for a possible no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 22 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football: Women HL17006 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop the profile of women’s football in the UK.

Answered on: 19 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Mercosur HL17004 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to secure a free trade agreement with the Mercosur trade bloc; and whether any such agreement would include measures to support sustainable growth.

Answered on: 15 July 2019

Questions Asked 3 July 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Drugs HL16926 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that adequate warehouse space is available in order to stockpile medicines, if required, in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 17 July 2019

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Housing HL16925 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase growth in the UK housing market after Brexit.

Answered on: 15 July 2019

Department for Education

Technology: Training HL16929 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to re-train low-skilled workers to help them gain employment in the technology sector.

Answered on: 12 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Fast Food: Advertising HL16928 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to regulate fast-food advertisements.

Answered on: 12 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Advertising: Internet HL16927 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the market power held by online platforms on competition in the advertising sector.

Answered on: 12 July 2019

Questions Asked 2 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Civil Engineering HL16888 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support the civil engineering sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 16 July 2019

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Local Government Finance HL16887 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current levels of funding provided to local councils on councils’ ability to provide statutory services.

Answered on: 11 July 2019

Treasury

Financial Services HL16886 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to invest in infrastructure projects in the UK financial services industry to help address climate change.

Answered on: 9 July 2019

Questions Asked 1 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Directors: Female HL16846 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to require businesses to appoint equal numbers of men and women at board level.

Answered on: 15 July 2019

Home Office

Cannbis: Misuse HL16848 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review policy surrounding the use of cannabis, including the implementation of tougher sentences and penalties for drug use.

Answered on: 15 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Supermarkets HL16847 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit uncertainty on any decline in retail sales in the UK supermarket sector.

Answered on: 11 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Harassment HL16849 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce fines for cyber-harassment.

Answered on: 10 July 2019

Questions Asked 26 June 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: EU Law HL16724 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to assess the impact on the NHS of leaving the European regulatory framework in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 10 July 2019

Treasury

Inheritance Tax HL16723 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to scrap the inheritance tax 40 per cent excess policy above an individual’s £325,000 allowance.

Answered on: 9 July 2019

Department for Education

Further Education: Finance HL16725 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support an increase in the budget allocated to further education colleges to help address the UK skills gap.

Answered on: 8 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Safety HL16726 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to regulate technology companies to improve online safety protection measures for children.

Answered on: 4 July 2019

Questions Asked 25 June 2019

Home Office

Borders: Northern Ireland HL16676 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential for technological solutions for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.

Answered on: 9 July 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Obseity: Children HL16677 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit on measures to tackle child obesity.

Answered on: 9 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade HL16675 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment, if any, they have made of proposals by the Centre for Policy Studies to establish opportunity zones to increase trade after Brexit.

Answered on: 9 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries HL16678 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on just-in-time supply chains in the UK automotive sector.

Answered on: 2 July 2019

Questions Asked 24 June 2019

Department for Education

Construction: Skilled Workers HL16616 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps, if any, they are taking to address a reported shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry due to Brexit uncertainty.

Answered on: 8 July 2019

Treasury

Cryptocurrencies: Regulation HL16615 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to regulate the use of new crypto-currencies created by large technology companies; and what steps they are taking to protect private financial information in that sector.

Answered on: 8 July 2019

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: India HL16614 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to advance UK trading relations with India post-Brexit.

Answered on: 3 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Consumers: Protection HL16613 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to place a cap on the price paid in markets where there are rolling contracts for consumers.

Answered on: 1 July 2019

Questions Asked 19 June 2019

Cabinet Office

Cybercrime HL16516  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make public advice available to prepare for the threat of a category one cyberattack.

Answered on: 27 June 2019

Treasury

Financial Services: Equality HL16517   To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that the UK financial sector (1) increases its diversity, and (2) ensures equal pay.

Answered on: 2 July 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

ICT: Innovation HL16518  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to develop supercomputer technology in the UK.

Answered on: 25 June 2019

Department for Exiting the European Union

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries HL16519  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make an agreement to safeguard the rights of UK citizens living in the EU after Brexit.

Answered on: 2 July 2019

Questions Asked 18 June 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Finance HL16475 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase funding for the NHS post-Brexit.

Answered on: 2 July 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services HL16476 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to implement a long-term strategy to improve the timescale of mental health treatment in the NHS.

Answered on: 2 July 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Social Media: Bullying HL16477  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support social media companies to eradicate online bullying.

Answered on: 27 June 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Sports: Corruption HL16478 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the levels of global corruption in sport.

Answered on: 27 June 2019

Questions Asked 17 June 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iran: Nuclear Power HL16433 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the UK’s participation in the Iran nuclear agreement following escalating tensions in the region.

Answered on: 24 June 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Smart Devices HL16434  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to regulate the use of interconnected sensor technology in the UK private sector.

Answered on: 27 June 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Higher Education HL16435  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that Brexit could have on the ability of UK business schools to (1) recruit academic talent, and (2) attract research funding.

Answered on: 25 June 2019

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: South America HL16436  To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve post-Brexit trading ties with South American countries.

Answered on: 25 June 2019

Questions Asked 12 June 2019

Cabinet Office

Electronic Government HL16331 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to invest in the digital transformation of government services.

Answered on: 20 June 2019

Department for Education

Business: Education HL16332 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the development of entrepreneurial skills as part of the UK education curriculum.

Answered on: 24 June 2019

Department of Health and Social Care

Food: Imports HL16333 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the preparations of the Food Standards Agency regarding implementing any new legislation that may be required for imported products after Brexit.

Answered on: 25 June 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Research HL16334 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage the responsible development of materials for new energy technologies.

Answered on: 19 June 2019

Questions Asked 11 June 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Shopping Centres HL16284 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support businesses increase footfall in shopping centres.

Answered on: 19 June 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Investment HL16285 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by KPMG 2018 Global CEO Outlook: UK, published on 11 June, in regard to business investment in the UK after Brexit.

Answered on: 19 June 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Hong Kong: Politics and Government HL16286 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) recent protests in Hong Kong, and (2) the impact of plans to allow extradition to China on the judicial independence of Hong Kong.

Answered on: 24 June 2019

Department for International Trade

UK Trade with EU HL16287 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, with the EU, to ensure that European businesses which trade with the UK are prepared for a no-deal Brexit.

Answered on: 20 June 2019

Questions Asked 10 June 2019

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Technology: New Businesses HL16222 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to continue to increase the number of UK technology business start-ups after Brexit.

Answered on: 24 June 2019

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Canada and South Africa HL16223 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with (1) South Africa, and (2) Canada.

Answered on: 18 June 2019

Department for International Trade

Foreign Investment in UK HL16224 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help attract foreign direct investment into the UK after Brexit.

Answered on: 24 June 2019

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries HL16225 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase productivity in the UK automotive sector.

Answered on: 24 Ju