HOUSE OF LORDS WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS - NET
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Session 2021-22 Tuesday
No. 29 6 July 2021
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 5[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.
This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet
at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.
Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or
other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.
Minister Responsibilities
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Earl Howe Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Agnew of Oulton Minister of State, Treasury and Cabinet Office
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Chief Whip
Baroness Barran Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Lord Benyon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
Baroness Berridge Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Department for
International Trade
Lord Bethell Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Whip
Waldrist
Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Lord Frost Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Baroness Goldie Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Greenhalgh Minister of State, Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Minister of State, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department
for International Trade
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Whip
Baroness Penn Whip
Baroness Scott of Bybrook Whip
Baroness Stedman-Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Stewart of Dirleton Advocate-General for Scotland
Lord True Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2021
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/Written Statements 6 July 2021 Page 1
Bus Sector: Covid-19 Recovery Funding
Written Statements [HLWS148]
Tuesday, 6 July 2021 Baroness Vere of Norbiton: My Right Honourable
friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Grant
Shapps), has made the following Ministerial Statement:
Channel 4: Future Ownership Consultation During the pandemic, the government has provided
[HLWS147] unprecedented levels of financial assistance to the bus
Baroness Barran: My Right Honourable Friend the sector through the Coronavirus Bus Service Support
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Grant (CBSSG), supporting bus operators and Local
The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, has made the Transport Authorities in England outside of London, with
following Statement: up to £1.4bn in funding since March 2020. With
patronage falling and social distancing limiting
Today, we are launching a consultation on the future passengers onboard, CBSSG has funded up to 100% of
ownership of Channel 4 Television Corporation. pre-Covid service levels, ensuring key workers have
Since its creation almost 40 years ago by a continued to be able to travel easily and safely. Critically,
Conservative government, Channel 4 has delivered on its as restrictions are lifted and passengers return, the bus
remit, aims and objectives. But, in that time, the sector is important in helping the economic recovery.
broadcasting landscape has changed beyond recognition, I appreciate that this presents bus operators with a
and continues to change apace. fundamental financial challenge. To encourage passengers
Increased global competition, changing audience habits, back, local bus services should be as available as they
the decline of linear advertising revenue and a wave of were prior to the pandemic. Without support, however, it
consolidation in the sector all pose challenges. may not be possible for operators to maintain the services
they have provided up until now.
The consultation therefore asks for views and evidence
I can therefore announce that a further £226.5m in
on what ownership model and remit will best support financial support in the form of recovery funding has been
Channel 4 to thrive for another forty years and beyond.
made available for the bus sector. Funding operators and
It is the government’s current view, to be tested through local authorities from 1 September until the end of the
the consultation, that a new ownership model would give current financial year, this will succeed CBSSG which
Channel 4 the broadest range of tools to continue to thrive ends on 31 August. In addition to helping maintain
in the face of these new challenges. services, recovery funding will support the key aims of
There are constraints that come with public ownership, the National Bus Strategy of encouraging local authorities
and operators to work together to deliver better bus
and a new owner could bring access and benefits,
services. In return for receiving funding, operators will be
including access to capital, new strategic partnerships and
to the international markets. asked to commit to co-operating with the process for
establishing Enhanced Partnerships or franchising.
As we have set out before, we believe that the need for With the publication of the National Bus Strategy in
public service broadcasting in the UK is as strong as ever. March, the government set out bold ambitions to address
We want to see Channel 4 keep its place at the heart of the long-term challenge of providing quick, reliable,
British broadcasting and continue to support the great simple and affordable bus travel. Local authorities have
creative economy in this country. We want to put it on a been asked to develop ambitious Bus Service
footing to flourish for decades to come. Now is therefore Improvement Plans by this October, outlining what will
the time to test whether an alternative ownership model be done at a local level to make travelling by bus as
may be better for the broadcaster and better for the attractive as possible. The Prime Minister has announced
country. £5bn for buses and cycling to deliver the strategy and
This consultation forms a key part of the government’s provide vital investment for the sector.
wider strategic review of public service broadcasting,
alongside Ofcom’s own reflection exercise. Together, our
work will ensure that our public service broadcasters and Digital Regulation: Driving Growth and
the wider broadcasting framework are fit for the 21st Unlocking Innovation
century. [HLWS144]
The consultation can be accessed from today on Baroness Barran: My Right Honourable Friend the
GOV.UK and will run for 10 weeks, closing on 14th Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport,
September 2021 at 23:45. A copy of the consultation will The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, has made the
be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. following Statement:Page 2 6 July 2021 Written Statements
The Government has today published a Plan for Digital report was laid before Parliament earlier today and copies
Regulation which sets out the next chapter of our are available in the Vote Office. The government will
approach for how we will regulate digital technologies in respond formally to FRR 2021 within the next year.
order to drive growth and innovation. It brings together all The UK has experienced two ‘once-in-a-generation’
the work we are doing across government in this area economic shocks in just over a decade, and the challenges
under a single coherent vision. faced by the UK since the start of the pandemic have been
Innovation is at the heart of this plan. We want to substantial. Action taken over the last decade to restore
encourage it wherever we can, so that we can use tech as the public finances to health enabled the government to
an engine for growth and create thriving markets that will fund a comprehensive package of support for the
cement our position as the tech capital of Europe. We economy when most needed. The report notes that our
want to do so while also protecting businesses and direct support to businesses helped keep many of our
citizens and upholding their fundamental rights. employers afloat, kept insolvencies in check and avoided
Where it is necessary for government to intervene, we the kind of credit-crunch that occurred during the
will do so in a way that gets this balance right. We will financial crisis. The government has acted on a scale
therefore ensure that regulation promotes competition and unmatched in recent history to protect people’s jobs and
innovation in digital technologies, while keeping the UK livelihoods and to support businesses and public services
safe and secure online. We will also promote a flourishing across the UK. Taking into account the significant support
democratic society, and protect our fundamental rights. confirmed at Spending Review 2020 and Budget 2021,
total announced support for the economy in response to
The Digital Regulation Plan sets out how we will
Covid-19 is £352 billion across 2020-21 and 2021-22.
achieve that balance, setting out new principles for how
we design and implement regulation so we actively The report highlights the range of spending choices and
promote innovation, achieve forward-looking and risks we face, particularly relating to pandemic spending.
coherent outcomes; and exploit opportunities and address These will be considered at the Spending Review. As the
challenges in the international arena. It also sets out some report notes, spending is increasing in cash terms, real
practical steps the government is taking right now to seize terms, and as share of GDP overall. Total managed
the opportunities of the digital revolution. expenditure is forecast to rise by 2.1 per cent of GDP
between 2019-20 and 2024-25. Core departmental
The Plan is pro-tech and pro-innovation, and builds on
spending is set to grow at an average of over 3 per cent in
the government’s Ten Tech Priorities to fuel a new era of
real terms over this Parliament. Our plans will deliver the
startups and scaleups, keep the UK safe and secure online,
largest real terms increase in departmental spending for
and ensure that the UK continues to lead the global
any full Parliament this century.
conversation on tech.
It is clear that unmitigated climate change is another
This is intended as the start of the conversation on how
significant fiscal risk and decarbonisation is essential for
we design and implement the right rules for the next
sustainable long-term growth and therefore also for the
chapter in governing digital technologies. To ensure the
health of the public finances. The fiscal consequences of
success of the Plan, I want to work with interested parties
transition to net zero will need to be managed in line with
with a broad range of views on the future of digital
the government’s broader fiscal strategy. The government
regulation, from Parliament, to civil society, to industry,
will publish our Net Zero Strategy later this year, which
to academia.
will set out more detail on how we will meet our net zero
A copy of the plan will be placed in the Libraries of target.
both Houses.
The pandemic and the government’s necessary policy
response has led to an unprecedented increase in
Fiscal Risks Report 2021 government borrowing and debt; FRR 2021 illustrates
how this has made the public finances more sensitive to
[HLWS146] changes in interest rates. While borrowing costs are
Lord Agnew of Oulton: My right honourable friend affordable now, interest rates and inflation may not stay
the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak) has today low forever. The OBR’s latest forecast recognises that the
made the following Written Ministerial Statement: government’s current fiscal plans deliver a stable
In accordance with the Charter for Budget medium-term outlook for public sector net debt, but as I
Responsibility, the OBR has today published its third set out at that Budget, we need to pay close attention to
Fiscal Risks Report (FRR). FRR 2021 provides an update the affordability of that debt.
on the risks identified in previous reports, alongside The risks discussed by the OBR in this report underline
focussed coverage of three areas of fiscal risk: the the importance of returning our public finances to a more
coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and the cost of sustainable path. The report finds that, in the face of many
government debt. I am grateful to the Budget potential fiscal risks, “fiscal space may be the single most
Responsibility Committee, and staff of the OBR, for their valuable risk management tool”. That is why the
work in preparing this report, which ensures that the UK government set out at Budget 2021 a plan for returning
continues to be at the forefront of fiscal transparency and the public finances to a more sustainable path. It is vital
management during these unprecedented times. The that we rebuild fiscal space to ensure that the governmentWritten Statements 6 July 2021 Page 3
can maintain fiscal resilience to respond as future risks as we work towards increasing the manufacture of electric
materialise, continue to invest in excellent public services vehicles in the UK. The Government is committed to
and give businesses and citizens across the UK the ensuring we continue to be one of the best locations in the
certainty that comes with knowing we can and will world for automotive manufacturing and are working
support them. closely with the sector to make sure it remains
competitive, attracts investment, and protects and creates
Nationality and Borders Bill jobs.
[HLWS149] Just over six months ago we presented the Prime
Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a green industrial
Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the
revolution, setting an ambitious roadmap for transforming
Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel)
our economy, unlocking investment and levelling up the
has today made the following Written Ministerial
regions. The Plan included a commitment to phase out the
Statement:
sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. The
In March I published the New Plan for Immigration decision by Stellantis to invest in electrification in the
(NPI), setting out the overwhelming case for change to fix UK, alongside recent announcements by Nissan and
the broken asylum system, and deliver a system that is Envision in Sunderland, are excellent illustrations of
fair but firm. The Nationality and Borders Bill, introduced business and Government working together to achieve
today, will deliver the most comprehensive reform of the decarbonisation within the sector.
asylum system in decades. The principle behind the Bill is
simple: access to the United Kingdom’s asylum system I was pleased to inform the House in June of the strong
should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people consumer growth over the past year, which our strategy is
smugglers. helping to drive. As of March 2021, battery electric
vehicle sales stood at 7.7% of the market, up 88% on a
The Bill – and the wider NPI – has three key objectives: year earlier, while plug-in hybrid vehicles sales were
1) Make the system fairer and more effective so that we 6.1%, an increase of 152%. Changing consumer habits
can better protect and support those in genuine need of such as the way we shop have also driven a strong
asylum. increase in demand for light commercial vehicles, and this
announcement will help transition the fleet with a new
2) Deter illegal entry into the UK breaking the business
vehicle produced here in the UK. This investment will
model of criminal trafficking networks and saving lives.
grow domestic production of electric commercial
3) Removing from the UK those with no right to be vehicles, help reduce our reliance on imports and play an
here. important part in reducing emissions in towns and cities
The introduction of the Bill was preceded by a across the country.
consultation on the NPI which the Government will I am sure Members will agree that this is an important
provide a response to in due course. announcement for Cheshire, Merseyside and the North
To support the parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill, we West of England, which secures the continued presence of
are publishing a gov.uk page. This can be found at: a key anchor for the local and regional economy. This
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the- significant investment has been secured thanks to a strong
nationality-and-borders-bill. partnership approach between Stellantis and the
Government, alongside Cheshire West and Chester
Stellantis Investment: Vauxhall, Ellesmere Council, and the Cheshire and Warrington Local
Enterprise Partnership to maximise the benefits of the
Port transformation of the plant to the wider local economy.
[HLWS145] This news will be welcomed by the workforce at
Lord Callanan: My Right Honourable friend the Ellesmere Port and is a testament to their skills and hard
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial work. The Ellesmere Port plant has been a crucial part of
Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng) has today made the following automotive manufacturing in the UK since it first opened
statement: nearly 60 years ago. This announcement means that that
I am delighted to welcome the confirmation by milestone will be marked next year with the production of
Stellantis of a transformational investment at its Vauxhall its first all electric vehicle – building a sound future on
plant in Ellesmere Port, which will see the site become Vauxhall’s proud legacy.
the first mass volume, fully battery electric vehicle plant Today’s announcement is further proof that there is a
in the UK and Europe. Stellantis have committed to bright future for automotive manufacturing in this
investing more than £100 million to transition the plant to country. The Government is committed to supporting this
produce a new generation of electric vehicles, transition including £500 million to support the
safeguarding the future of the site and its supply chain for electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains, as
the next decade. part of a wider commitment of up to £1 billion. As
This announcement demonstrates that our net zero Secretary of State I will continue to champion the sector,
ambitions are being welcomed and maptched by business, ensuring that we make the most of the opportunities of thePage 4 6 July 2021 Written Statements transition to zero emission vehicles and attract further thousands of jobs in manufacturing and the supply chain. investment, boost innovation and sustain tens of
Written Answers 6 July 2021 Page 5
reserve funds before choosing the provider that best meets
Written Answers their needs. In August, we will also introduce a new
online service to help levy paying employers find SMEs
Tuesday, 6 July 2021
to transfer their levy funds to support apprenticeships in
their supply chains and help to meet local and regional
Apprentices skills needs.
We have seen more employers across the country
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick recruiting apprentices outside of London. Since May
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment 2010, there have been over 578,980 more apprenticeship
they have made of the report by the National starts in the North of England (North East, North West &
Foundation for Educational Research Putting Yorkshire) than London and South East. We continue to
Apprenticeships to Work for Young People, published encourage employers of all sizes across England to take
on 16 June; and what steps they are taking to increase on new apprentices by increasing the incentive payment
apprenticeship course start rates outside of London. to £3,000 for every new apprentice they hire until 31
[HL1332] September 2021.
Baroness Berridge: The government recognises the
challenges that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused for Apprentices: Carbon Emissions
young people who are looking to enter the labour market Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
and to small-medium enterprises (SMEs) who want to
recruit an apprentice, as highlighted in the National To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are
Foundation for Education Research report. Through our taking to review whether apprenticeship standards are
Plan for Jobs, we are committed to providing young fit for purpose to contribute to the net zero economy.
people with the tools they need to begin and progress in [HL1365]
their careers. We are supporting businesses across the Baroness Berridge: The Green Apprenticeship
country to meet their skills needs, now and in the future. Advisory Panel (GAAP) was convened by the Institute for
Through our apprenticeship support and knowledge Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) in
programme, we are promoting apprenticeships in schools January 2021 to ensure the right skills are in place for the
across the country and providing free resources and future workforce to deliver the green technology shift the
interventions to encourage young people to undertake an UK needs. It works closely with the Green Jobs Taskforce
apprenticeship. set up by the Department of Business, Energy and
We are supporting the largest-ever expansion of Industrial Strategy and the department to ensure that all
traineeships to ensure that more young people have access actions are aligned. The GAAP is supported by the green
to high-quality training to develop the skills, experience, apprenticeship advisory community by providing sector-
and confidence to obtain an apprenticeship. We have specific expertise when required.
started to deliver the first-ever occupational traineeships We have already identified 15 occupations directly
developed alongside trade bodies and employers in aligned to the green economy, including Ecologist,
construction and rail engineering. We will continue to Arborist and Environmental Practitioner, as well as a
create more occupational traineeship opportunities in the further 29 that are supportive of the green economy,
adult care sector over the summer. These occupational including some in the digital, Science Technology,
traineeships will be aligned to apprenticeship standards Engineering and Mathematics, and project management
and will significantly increase opportunities for young spheres.
people to progress into apprenticeships or other The Institute is prioritising the development of green
employment. To support employers who are offering apprenticeship standards, mapping green jobs to current
traineeship placements we have extended the £1,000 standards and working with employers where an
incentive payment until July 2022. occupational gap is identified to ensure standards are
The Kickstart Scheme is investing £2 billion to create available and are responsive to employer need. We will
hundreds of thousands of high quality 6 month work continue to ensure apprenticeships support new and
placements for eligible 16–24 year olds. We are working emerging occupations and that employers in the green
with the Department for Work and Pensions to support economy can benefit from apprenticeships.
young people on Kickstart placements to progress to
apprenticeships where this is right for them and their Armed Forces: Northern Ireland
employers.
Asked by Lord Kilclooney
SMEs will play a key role in increasing apprenticeship
opportunities for young people as we rebuild from the To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
effects of COVID-19. As of 1 April, all new they have made of deploying British armed forces
apprenticeship starts will be through the apprenticeship personnel to Northern Ireland in response to the
service. This will give SMEs more control over their opposition to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
apprenticeship choices and give them the ability to [HL1391]Page 6 6 July 2021 Written Answers
Baroness Goldie: The policing of all public order and by local authorities for children’s homes in England was
protest events within Northern Ireland is the responsibility published in November 2020. It can be found at this link:
of the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). The UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/analytical-
Government will continue to work closely with the PSNI. associate-pool-summary-of-projects.
The safety and security of Northern Ireland remains our This reports a mean average fee for children’s homes of
key commitment. Further policing support required by £3,962 per week.
them would be provided via mutual aid support from
The department does not collect data on the cost of
other UK police forces. Defence would only provide
boarding schools for children in care.
support following a request from the PSNI via the well-
established MACA (mutual aid to civil authority) process
once mutual aid from other police forces had been Care Homes: Visits
exhausted, or if the support requested required niche
capability not held by police forces within the UK. Asked by Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Defence has not received any request from PSNI to
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
support them in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
changes in their guidance on the number of visitors
Until such a request is made by the PSNI no assessment
permissible to care homes on 17 May, what steps they
or planning on this issue will be undertaken by the MOD.
are taking to provide care homes with additional
resources to support any increase in the number of
British National (Overseas): Visas visitors to such homes. [HL619]
Lord Bethell: Throughout the pandemic, we have
Asked by Lord Tyrie
provided almost £2 billion in specific funding for adult
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, social care. This consists of the Infection Control Fund,
they have to publish a forecast for the take up of the the Rapid Testing Fund and the Workforce Capacity
British National (Overseas) visa over (1) 12 months, (2) Fund.
three years, and (3) five years. [HL1413] The Government will continue to monitor COVID-19
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government’s pressures on the sector and will keep future funding under
estimate of the number of British National (Overseas) review.
status holders who may migrate to the UK was set out in
an impact assessment published on 22 October 2020. It
can be found at: Charities: Coronavirus
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_ Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
20200070_en.pdf.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders have to support charities help rebuild civil society after
eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 COVID-19. [HL1490]
million eligible dependants. The impact assessment
suggests a central range of 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) Baroness Barran: The government has provided a
status holders and their dependants coming in the first multi-billion-pound package of support for Britain's
year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. charities to continue their vital work, and mitigate the
The estimates are dependent on a range of factors and risks created by the pandemic.
inherently uncertain. Charities continue to benefit from the Coronavirus Job
The number of applications to the BN(O) route are Retention Scheme, and many will have benefited from
published as part of the Quarterly Migration Statistics and government grants where they have been required to close
as of 31 March, approximately 34,300 BN(O) status non-essential retail. This support is in addition to the £750
holders and their family members had applied for the million targeted support package that was made available
route since it opened in January. to support charities and social enterprises to maintain and
reshape vital services.
Guidance has been made available on a range of
Care Homes: Children activities that will be relevant to charities and social
Asked by Lord Lexden enterprises, including organised events and grassroots
sport and sports facilities. We have also worked with the
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Institute of Fundraising and Fundraising Regulator to
reply by Baroness Berridge on 21 June (HL Deb, col support the development of guidance on the safe return to
14), what is the average annual cost of a place in a (1) fundraising activities.
children’s home, and (2) boarding school. [HL1352]
We continue to monitor sector health closely. The
Baroness Berridge: A summary of a project government is working with charity sector representatives
commissioned by the department to understand fees paid to support a strong and resilient charity sector.Written Answers 6 July 2021 Page 7
Children: Exercise and Sports conclusions and consensus are also covered in the
guidance. The Code is available at:
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent advisory-committees-code-of-practice.
discussions they have had about children's participation
in sport and physical activity; and with whom those Coronavirus: Cornwall
discussions took place. [HL1488]
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
Baroness Barran: The Government is committed to
ensuring that all children and young people have the best To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity. We they have made of the reasons for the recent increase in
work closely with Sport England to review and increase COVID-19 cases in Cornwall. [HL1385]
children’s participation in sport and physical activity. We Lord Bethell: Mobility reporting data has shown a
also regularly engage with a wide range of sport sector large increase in visitors to Cornwall and a rise in the
organisations on this issue. dominance of the more transmissible delta variant of the
The Government hosted school sport roundtable virus during the same time period. In particular, there has
meetings in March and June of this year. Both meetings been an increase in case rates in the 15 to 24 year old age
were attended by Sport England and a number of sport group, which is in line with national trends on higher case
sector organisations, including national governing bodies. rates in unvaccinated age groups and age groups yet to
These discussions focused on getting our children and acquire full immunity from the vaccine.
young people active again as we recover from the
pandemic, as well as developing a long-term strategy for Coronavirus: Disease Control
school sport and physical activity.
Asked by Lord Mendelsohn
Coronavirus To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend
to protect immunocompromised individuals from
Asked by Lord Blencathra COVID-19 as cases rise in areas of England. [HL964]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Lord Bethell: Those who are immunocompromised
they have made of the recent COVID-19 forecasting by were either classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and
the team at Imperial College London, led by Professor included in priority group four, or as being at increased
Neil Ferguson. [HL1289] clinical risk and therefore included in priority group six
Lord Bethell: The Department has made no overall within phase one of the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
assessment. Research continues into looking at vaccine efficacy rates
in this group.
Coronavirus: Advisory Bodies Work has also continued in developing alternative
antiviral and therapeutic therapies. The new Antivirals
Asked by Lord Blencathra Taskforce aims to identify effective treatments for
patients, including those who are immunocompromised,
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether members
who have been exposed to the virus to prevent the spread
of the COVID-19 advisory bodies are bound by
of infection and increase recovery time.
collective responsibility; and what assessment they
Immunocompromised individuals are also a priority
have made of the consistency of public statements by
cohort for research into therapeutic and prophylaxis
members of those bodies with the conclusions of those
treatments such as monoclonal antibody therapies, novel
bodies. [HL1290]
antivirals and repurposed compounds.
Lord True: Members of advisory bodies are appointed A wide range of treatments are currently in clinical
as private individuals to advise the Government, not as trials in the United Kingdom and the Government is
representatives of the Government. The principle of monitoring trials worldwide. It is not yet possible to
Cabinet Collective Responsibility, that the Cabinet system determine the exact patient groups who may be able to
of Government is based on, does not extend beyond benefit, as this will depend on the results of the trials,
Government Ministers. licensing approval from the Medicines and Healthcare
A Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, products Regulatory Agency and deployment planning
published by the Government Office for Science, provides between the Department, NHS England and expert
guidance for all aspects of their governance, such as those clinicians. The Government is taking steps to ensure
scientific advisory bodies engaged on the COVID-19 supply of treatments in the event that they are found to be
response. It provides guidance on the establishment, effective at treating COVID-19, including for
management and conduct of committees and sets out their immunocompromised individuals. The Government
relationship with the bodies they advise. Members rights continues to monitor the situation and will update the
and responsibilities, and procedures for arriving at established guidance where necessary.Page 8 6 July 2021 Written Answers
Digital Technology: Disadvantaged divorce law in April next year through the provisions of
the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. The
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Government believes that this is a vital first step in
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment reducing conflict.
they have made of the report by UNICEF and the
Carnegie UK Trust Closing the Digital Divide for East Coast Railway Line
Good: An end to the digital exclusion of children in the
Asked by Lord Bradshaw
UK, published on 21 June. [HL1319]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what cost-benefit
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
analysis they have made of (1) the access improvements
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they to London King's Cross Railway Station, (2) the rail
have (1) to undertake a mapping exercise to collect data modifications at Werrington Junction, and (3) the
on the numbers of children who are digitally excluded, upgrading of the power supplies on the East Coast Main
and (2) to publish the reasons for such exclusion. Line, with particular reference to journey times.
[HL1320] [HL1449]
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Cost-benefit analysis of
the individual upgrades has not been made. However, an
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they
assessment of the wider package of enhancements on the
intend to take to establish a long-term plan for
East Coast Mainline (ECML), of which the improvements
education focused on digital inclusion for every child in
at King’s Cross and Werrington and the power supply
England. [HL1321]
upgrades are contributary components, was conducted in
Baroness Berridge: Building on the government’s 2018. This presented a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.6.
£400 million investment in devices, connectivity, training This BCR will be reappraised once the content of the new
and support for remote access to education and children’s ECML timetable, planned for introduction in May 2022,
social care services during the COVID-19 outbreak, the has been finalised.
department is developing an evidence-based and strategic This major timetable uplift will provide faster journey
approach for technology use in the education sector. We times across the route, with improvements of 15 minutes
will explore options that create a more resilient, digitally between London and Edinburgh, and 5 minutes between
enabled system. This approach will include consideration London and Leeds.
of devices and the infrastructure and capability required to
make the best use of these devices. The department will Education: Coronavirus
take into account the recommendations of the UNICEF
report in developing this strategy. We may need to Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
prioritise our interventions and will take an evidence
To ask Her Majesty's Government what long-term
based and user-centred approach in collaboration with
policies they are following to ensure that those affected
industry and experts.
by disrupted education during the COVID-19 pandemic
The department’s strategy will align with the are able to catch up on lost tuition and missed
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s top schooling. [HL1292]
ten priorities for technology. We continue to work closely
with them as the lead department on digital inclusion, and Baroness Berridge: The government recognises that
through their relationship with Ofcom for data on extended school and college restrictions have had a
availability of technology in homes in England. substantial impact on children and young people’s
education and are committed to helping pupils catch up.
Divorce: Finance Since June 2020, the department has invested £3 billion
to support education recovery. This will have a material
Asked by Baroness Deech impact in closing gaps that have emerged. This funding
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their includes:
commitment in March 2020 to conduct a review into • £1.5 billion for a national tutoring revolution which
the law relating to financial remedies on divorce, what will allow us to provide up to 6 million tutoring courses
progress they have made with that review. [HL1300] of 15 hours of tutoring for 5-16 year-olds by 2024, and
the equivalent of 2 million 15-hour courses for 16-19
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: As the Government
year olds by 2024.
confirmed on 22 January 2021, it has previously
committed to set up a Lord Chancellor’s working group to • £400 million to help to provide 500,000 teacher
assess any evidence for changing the law of financial training opportunities across the country, alongside
provision on divorce and dissolution. The Government professional development for early years practitioners.
will announce its intentions in due course. Our current • £200 million for secondary schools to deliver face to
priority is to conclude the complex and important work, face summer schools this summer, giving secondary
which is now far advanced, to implement reforms to pupils access to enrichment activities, such as games,Written Answers 6 July 2021 Page 9
music, drama and sports that they have missed out on adjustments might need to be made to prevent that
over the COVID-19 outbreak. disadvantage.
• £650 million universal catch up premium for schools The government expects all higher education (HE)
this year to use to prioritise support for all pupils, and a providers to fulfil their responsibilities under the Equality
£302 million recovery premium next year which Act 2010 to be making reasonable adjustments for all
includes £22 million to scale up proven approaches, higher education students with disabilities.
building on the pupil premium, to further support pupils Wherever possible, students with disabilities should
who need it most. expect to have their needs met through inclusive learning
• £17 million on the Nuffield Early Language practices and individual reasonable adjustments made by
Intervention, improving the language skills of their HE providers.
Reception age children who need it most. In terms of funding, the Disabled Students’ Allowance
In addition, schools or colleges will be able to offer (DSA) is available in addition to the standard support
students in Year 13 a repeat year where they have been package to help students with the additional costs they
particularly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. may face in higher education because of their disability.
The government is committed to an ambitious, long- DSA is not means-tested and does not have to be
term education recovery plan and the next stage will repaid. It is available to full-time and part-time students at
include a review of time spent in school and college and undergraduate and postgraduate level, alongside support
the impact this could have on helping children and young available from HE providers, and in line with the
people to catch up. The findings of the review will be set recommendations of the student’s DSA Needs
out later in the year to inform the spending review. The Assessment.
department will also be continuing to monitor the impact
of COVID-19 on education. Employment: Coronavirus
Asked by Lord Mendelsohn
Educational Institutions: Visual Impairment To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions
they have had with employers regarding the safety of
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
immunocompromised clinically extremely vulnerable
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment groups in relation to their return to work. [HL523]
they have made the report by the Vision Impairment
Lord Bethell: The Government has collaborated with
Centre for Teaching and Research at the University of
businesses, business representative organisations and
Birmingham Lost in Transition? The post-school
trade unions to produce guidance to employers on how
experiences of young people with vision impairment,
they can make workplaces COVID-19 safe, including
published on 18 June; and what steps they are taking to
ensure that all educational institutions are accessible for how they can maintain social distancing and a system of
those with visual impairments. [HL1363] risk management in their workplace. The guidance,
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19), which is
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: HM government available in an online only format, sets out the guidance
believes it is important that students with disabilities for employers to take to operate safely in fourteen
receive the appropriate level of support wherever and different work settings.
whatever they choose to study, and is committed to Within each work setting, employers should make sure
ensuring that they all receive the support they need to suitable arrangements are in place so that their vulnerable
enable them to study alongside their fellow students on an employees can work safely, provide mental health and
equal basis. wellbeing support to staff and they should consider
The Equality Act 2010 sets out the legal obligations that whether clinically extremely vulnerable individuals can
schools, early years providers, post-16 institutions, local take on an alternative role or change their working
authorities, and others have towards children and young patterns temporarily to avoid travelling during busy
people with disabilities. periods.
All schools have duties under the Equality Act 2010
towards individual children and young people with Environmental Health
disabilities. They must make reasonable adjustments, Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
including the provision of auxiliary aids and services, to
prevent them being put at a substantial disadvantage. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the role of
environmental health professionals has been included in
Schools must publish accessibility plans and local
the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's plans
authorities must publish accessibility strategies setting out
for reforming Public Health England and other public
how they plan to increase access for pupils with
health related functions. [HL1301]
disabilities to the curriculum, the physical environment,
and information. These duties are anticipatory – they Lord Bethell: We have made no proposals in our
require thought to be given in advance to what children public health reforms to make changes to the role of local
and young people with disabilities might require and what environmental health professionals.Page 10 6 July 2021 Written Answers
Environmental Health: Disease Control Gender Recognition
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
have to establish a Chief Environmental Health Officer have to revise the policy framework The Care and
role (1) to ensure links to local government Management of Individuals Who are Transgender,
environmental health teams, and (2) to contribute to the published in January 2020. [HL1287]
pandemic prevention agenda and other pandemic-
Asked by Lord Blencathra
related work. [HL1310]
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a review
Lord Greenhalgh: The Department convened the
of The Care and Management of Individuals who are
Regulatory Services Task and Finish Group in December
Transgender, published January 2020, is underway; and
2020 to help coordinate central government’s expectation
if so, what is the status of that review. [HL1288]
of regulatory services teams in local government and
propose short and long-term options to support the sector. Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: The Ministry of Justice
The Group consists of senior officials from government and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service policy
departments and senior representatives from the Local framework 'The Care and Management of Individuals
Government Association and local authorities. The Group who are Transgender' was published in 2019. A routine
is now focussed on developing a suite of review of the implementation of this framework is
recommendations to address the immediate and systemic underway. The review will involve consultation with a
issues faced by regulatory services teams, which includes range of internal and external stakeholders.
environmental health teams. These recommendations will We will always ensure that transgender individuals are
address areas including the cross-government managed safely with their rights properly respected and in
coordination of departments and the establishment of accordance with the law. We continue to consider all
ongoing links with local authority experts. known risk factors when managing transgender offenders,
including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development self-harm.
Office and Ministry of Defence: Staff
Gurkhas: Coronavirus
Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger
Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how
many officials are working on the Women, Peace and To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British
Security Agenda in (1) the Foreign, Commonwealth Army Gurkha veterans living in (1) the UK, and (2)
and Development Office, and (2) the Ministry of Nepal, are covered by the Armed Forces Covenant.
[HL1537]
Defence. [HL1303]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Officials in the FDCO Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
and MOD, centrally and across the global network, work To ask Her Majesty's Government what provision
collectively to deliver strategic outcomes as part of the has been made to vaccinate British Army Gurkha
Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and wider veterans living in Nepal. [HL1538]
work. Given the breadth of the WPS agenda and global
focus, information on the number of officials working on Asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
this issue is not held centrally. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
consider the differential treatment of the vaccination of
British Army Gurkha Veterans living in Nepal
Free Zones: Northern Ireland compared to their UK based counterparts as a breach of
Asked by Lord Kilclooney the Armed Forces Covenant. [HL1539]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they Baroness Goldie: We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with
have to identify a freeport within Northern Ireland. Nepal during this pandemic. The UK has an enduring
[HL1350] defence relationship with Nepal and their Armed Forces.
Lord Agnew of Oulton: Freeports will be national We were one of the first countries to send life-saving
hubs for international trade, innovation and commerce, medical equipment to Nepal, including 260 ventilators
regenerating communities across the UK by attracting new and thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment,
businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to to help the country’s fight against Covid-19. The UK is
towns and cities up and down the country. also one of the leading donors to COVAX, having
committed £548million to the scheme. COVAX has
We want to ensure that the whole of the UK can allocated 2,000,000 vaccine doses to Nepal, of which
benefit. We remain committed to establishing at least one 348,000 have already been delivered and we understand
Freeport in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. another tranche will arrive by August.Written Answers 6 July 2021 Page 11
UK aid to the Gurkha Welfare Trust has also ensured Commission conducts regular inspections of hospitals to
access to life-saving support and supplies to Gurkha confirm compliance with and adherence to current
veterans and their communities throughout the pandemic. regulations, legislation and good practice
Their distinguished service is a source of immense pride recommendations.
in both our countries. The Answer includes the following attached material:
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation
National Policy on Hand Hygiene and PPE [national-policy-on-
that those who serve, or have served, in the Armed hand-hygiene-and-ppe (2).pdf]
Forces, and their families, will be treated fairly and will
not be disadvantaged in accessing public and commercial The material can be viewed online at:
goods and services in the UK as a result of their military http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
service. answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2021-06-09/HL926
The Covenant is there for the Armed Forces
Community as a whole, which includes everyone who has Immigration Controls: Coronavirus
previously served in the UK Armed Forces. But the Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
purpose of the Covenant is to address disadvantage that is
attributable to the effects of someone’s time in service. To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are
Disadvantage in this context principally concerns access taking to prevent the entry into the UK of new variants
to goods and services available in the UK, and it is of the COVID-19 virus via the UK's borders. [HL1293]
usually measured in comparison to the levels of access Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are committed to
enjoyed by the local civilian population. protecting the country against the importation of
infections and working alongside the devolved
Health: Disadvantaged administrations given their responsibilities in this area.
Every essential check introduced – from testing to the
Asked by Lord Crisp Passenger Locator Form – is helping to reduce the risk of
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they new coronavirus variants making it into the UK.
have taken to ensure that Integrated Care Systems (1) As we integrate arrival checks with border technology,
adopt, and (2) support, health creation. [HL1170] the checks will become automated and will be
complemented by pre-departure compliance checks by
Lord Bethell: Many of the principles of ‘health
carriers. Carriers are required by law to check passengers
creation’ align with the proposals for integrated care
travelling to the UK have completed a Passenger Locator
systems (ICS) we have set out in the Health and Care
Form and hold a negative Pre-Departure Test. They are
White Paper Bill, in particular by improving the role of
subject to a £2,000 fine if they deliver a passenger who
community and place-based working by ensuring that
does not have proof of a negative test, is not exempt, or
health and social care services are delivered in a way that
does not have a reasonable excuse.
works best for a local area and their population. ICSs will
strengthen partnerships between the National Health Travel has been banned from red list countries which
Service and local authorities and with local partners, pose the highest risk. Only British, Irish and third-country
including groups representing the public and patient nationals resident in the UK are permitted to enter and
perspective, the voluntary sector and wider public service must enter the Managed Quarantine Service (MQS) for 10
provision. days on arrival.
Another layer of protection is the legal requirement for
direct flights from ‘Red List’ countries to arrive into
Hospitals: Hygiene dedicated airport facilities, separate from ‘mixed’
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont terminals which are open to ‘Green’, ‘Amber’ and
indirect ‘Red’ arrivals. Red list arrivals are securely
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent steps directed to MQS hotels on arrival.
they have taken to address the level of adherence to
Further checks are made after entry to make sure people
proper hand hygiene in (1) hospitals, and (2) other care
are quarantining when required and further action may be
settings. [HL926]
taken by the Isolation Assurance & Compliance Service
Lord Bethell: NHS England’s guide Standard infection and the police. Breaches can incur fines of up to £10,000.
control precautions: national hand hygiene and personal
protective equipment policy, specifies what standard Indonesia: Refugees
infection control precautions, including hand hygiene, are
to be adhered to by all staff in all care settings, at all times Asked by Lord Hylton
and for all patients. A copy of the guide is attached. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
Implementation of and adherence to hand hygiene they have made of the (1) number, and (2) treatment, of
policy by providers of healthcare is monitored locally, refugees in Indonesia, in particular those in Java; and
regionally and nationally by standard contractual and what steps they are taking to support the government of
regulatory processes. In addition, the Care Quality Indonesia with any such refugees. [HL1307]Page 12 6 July 2021 Written Answers
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are 13,700 committee to build understanding and technical
refugees registered with the United Nations High knowledge on how to tackle mis/disinformation.
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Indonesia. The government is currently tackling
Whilst the refugees are spread across the archipelago, mis/disinformation through the Cross-Whitehall Counter-
including 81 Rohingya that landed by boat in Sumatra this Disinformation Unit, which develops a comprehensive
year, up to half are based in the Jakarta area. We are picture of the extent, scope and the reach of
working with international partners in Indonesia, mis/disinformation, and works with social media
including UNHCR, International Red Cross and the platforms to ensure appropriate action is taken in line with
International Organisation for Migration, in support of their terms of service.
refugees. We have made official representations to the
Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and other
Israel: Demolition
Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states on
the Rohingya, including at Ministerial level. We are clear Asked by Baroness Sheehan
that Rohingya refugees should be granted the appropriate
To ask Her Majesty's Government
protection status and humanitarian assistance within these
what representations they plan to make to the
countries.
government of Israel about reports of plans to demolish
Lifta and to construct a new settlement in its stead.
Influenza: Vaccination [HL1323]
Asked by Lord Kilclooney Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK regularly raises
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people the issue of demolitions and forced evictions of
were vaccinated against the common flu in the past 12 Palestinians from their homes with the Government of
months; and how this figure compares with the previous Israel. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which applies to
12 months. [HL1392] all occupied territories, prohibits demolitions or forced
evictions absent military necessity. The UK is clear that in
Lord Bethell: The following table shows the number of all but the most exceptional of circumstances, evictions
people who were vaccinated during the seasonal influenza are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The
vaccination programme in 2019/20 and 2020/21. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and
figures are not directly comparable as the immunisation is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We are monitoring
programme was expanded to more cohorts in 2020/21. the situation in Lifta closely, and we continue to urge
2020/2021 2019/2020 Israel to cease such actions.
19,158,901 14,468,665
Israel: Human Rights and Torture
Source: Asked by Baroness Sheehan
‘Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in GP patients:
winter season 2020 to 2021. Final data for 1 September To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
2020 to 28 February 2021’ Public Health England. they have made of the report by Adalah - The Legal
Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel What
happened in the 'torture room' at Israel's police station
Internet: Disinformation and Safety in Nazareth?, published on 7 June. [HL1322]
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights report
taking to protect all UK citizens from online harms and released on 7 June and will review the findings.
misinformation. [HL1492]
Baroness Barran: On 12 May 2021, we published the
Israel: Palestinians
draft Online Safety Bill, which sets out new expectations Asked by Baroness Sheehan
on companies to keep their users safe online. Companies
will have to enforce their promises to users, remove To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
criminal content from their sites, and protect children they made of reports of the use of live fire by the
from harmful content including misinformation. The government of Israel against Palestinians protesting the
biggest companies will have duties on legal content that building of settlements. [HL1324]
may cause significant physical or psychological harm to Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK continues to
adults, including mis/disinformation such as anti- urge the Israeli Government to respect the fundamental
vaccination content and falsehoods about COVID-19. rights and freedoms of peaceful, legal protestors.
The Bill will strengthen Ofcom’s existing duty to In instances where there have been accusations of
promote media literacy to build audience resilience to excessive use of force, we continue to urge Israel to
mis/disinformation and support users’ critical thinking ensure that its investigations are transparent, swift and
skills. Ofcom will also be required to set up an advisory comprehensive. We also continue to stress the importanceYou can also read
