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Session 2019-21 Tuesday
No. 173 19 January 2021
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 4[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
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 Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
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, Department 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 19 January 2021 Page 1
products are safe before putting them on the market. The
Written Statements Bill will also ensure that products designated as ‘safety-
critical’ will be subject to additional requirements,
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
including having to meet clear performance standards and
to have undergone mandatory testing and control
Building and Construction Products Safety processes before they can be sold. The Bill will also make
it possible for regulators to remove from the market any
[HLWS716] product that poses a significant safety risk, and to
Lord Greenhalgh: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary prosecute or use civil penalties against any company that
of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and flouts the rules.
Local Government (Robert Jenrick) has today made the A strong national regulator for construction products
following Written Ministerial Statement:
Secondly, I am pleased to announce today that this
I wish to update the House on the Government’s work Government will establish a national regulator to ensure
to tighten regulatory oversight of construction product that the regulations are better enforced, and to provide
safety, so that people can feel confident that the products vital market surveillance that will enable us to spot and
used to construct our homes will perform as they should. respond to safety concern earlier and more effectively.
Introduction We will do this by extending the remit of the Office for
Shocking recent testimony to the Grenfell Inquiry has Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), which will take on
shown that some manufacturers of safety-critical oversight of construction products alongside its existing
construction products appear to have put lives at risk by responsibilities. OPSS has valuable skills and experience
gaming product-testing regimes, putting products on the in regulating consumer products and of working closely
market that do not perform as advertised, and to be with local authority Trading Standards and other
refusing to take responsibility when caught in the act. regulators, and will be granted up to £10 million in
2021/22 to establish the new function.
This is unacceptable. This Government will act
decisively to protect residents by ensuring that companies The national regulator will have strong inspection and
who manufacture or sell construction products act enforcement powers - including to commission and
responsibly or face the consequences. conduct its own product-testing when investigating
concerns – and will work with both national regulators
In her independent review of the building regulations (such as the Building Safety Regulator) and local
and fire safety system, Dame Judith Hackitt regulators (such as Trading Standards) to encourage and
recommended that industry should ensure that enforce compliance. The regulator will also advise the
construction products are properly tested, certified, public, government and the sector on technical and policy
labelled and marketed and Government should put in issues, pursuant to its function. Over coming months, I
place a robust regulatory framework to incentivise and expect the regulator to begin to operate in shadow form,
oversee this. We agree. including engaging with the sector to clarify how the new
In July 2020, this Government published in draft the regime will operate in practice.
Building Safety Bill. The Bill set out the biggest reforms
Going further on product testing
to building safety regulation for a generation, including
provisions to strengthen and extend the scope of the Third, recent testimony to the Grenfell Inquiry has
powers available to government to regulate construction shone a light on appalling practices by some
products. I welcome the constructive report published by manufacturers of construction products, including what
the Pre-Legislative Committee on the draft Bill – the appears to be wilful attempts to game the system and to
Government will respond to it shortly and we intend to rig the results of safety tests that are intended to give the
introduce the Bill in the Spring. In my statement to the market vital information about how products will perform
House of 20 July 2020, I also committed that the in a fire.
Government would develop options for a new, national I have written to the Advertising Standards Authority
regulatory function that would ensure that those and National Trading Standards to ask them what steps
regulations are better enforced. Today, I want to update they can take to ensure that marketing of construction
the House on the progress we have made on both fronts – products is not misleading. We will provide further
the regulations and the regulator – as well as our plans to information to the House on this in due course.
go further on product testing. Furthermore, I am today announcing that I will shortly
Broader, tougher construction products regulations commission an independent review to examine in detail
the deficiencies in testing and conformity assessment
Firstly, we are making good progress in extending and regime for construction products, and to recommend how
strengthening construction product regulations. At we can prevent abuse of the system by irresponsible
present, some products are not covered by the regulations. companies who are prepared to put profits before lives.
Our Bill will ensure that all construction products will be The review will report later this year, and may lead to
covered by the regulatory regime, and that all further regulatory changes.
manufacturers will be required to ensure that theirPage 2 19 January 2021 Written Statements
Ongoing work to improve building safety standards, which means they will be fit for the future,
These measures come on top of other major steps we with low carbon heating and very high fabric standards.
are taking as we deliver our commitment to bring about a The interim uplift to energy efficiency requirements will
generational shift in building safety, including: act as a stepping stone towards the full Future Homes
Standard, and should result in a meaningful and
• £1.6 billion of funding to remove dangerous cladding
achievable 31% in carbon emissions savings compared to
from high rise buildings.
the current standard. We anticipate that a two-stage
• Introducing the Building Safety Bill and Fire Safety approach to implementing the Future Homes Standard
Bill to bring about the biggest change in building safety will help to prepare the necessary supply chains and
for a generation. appropriately skilled workforce by encouraging the use of
• Establishing a new Building Safety Regulator. low-carbon heating in new homes, while accounting for
• Recruiting the first ever Chief Inspector of Buildings. market factors.
Conclusion The Prime Minister’s ten-point plan for a green
industrial revolution noted that we must implement the
I trust that these important measures will receive broad Future Homes Standard within the shortest possible
support across the House. I also call on companies who timeline. Therefore, our priority will be to implement an
manufacture, sell or distribute construction products to do
interim uplift to the energy efficiency requirements for
the right thing and address the rotten culture and poor
new homes and non-domestic buildings as swiftly as
practice that have come to light. We have a shared
possible. This key stepping stone will enable us to
responsibility to confront poor practice and establish new
successfully implement the Future Homes Standard and
norms that will restore public confidence in the industry. Future Buildings Standard. We have also listened to those
Residents deserve and expect nothing less. stakeholders that called for a swifter and more certain
pathway to implementation. Our work on a full technical
Building Regulations: Future Homes specification for the Future Homes Standard has been
Standard and Future Buildings Standard accelerated and we will consult on this in 2023. We also
intend to introduce the necessary legislation in 2024, with
[HLWS717]
regulations coming into force from 2025. In the
Lord Greenhalgh: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary meantime, to provide greater certainty for all
of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and stakeholders, we have published a draft notional building
Local Government (Robert Jenrick) has today made the specification for the Future Homes Standard alongside
following Written Ministerial Statement: this consultation response which provides a basis on
I am today announcing a package of changes in relation which we can begin to engage with all parts of industry
to Part L and F of the Building Regulations. This includes on the indicative technical detail of the Future Homes
the Government’s Response to the 2019 Future Homes Standard.
Standard consultation and the launch of the Future To ensure as many homes as possible are being built in
Buildings Standard consultation. line with new energy efficiency standards, transitional
40% of the UK's energy consumption and carbon arrangements will now apply to individual homes rather
emissions arise from the way buildings are lit, heated and than an entire development and the transitional period will
used, and homes - both new and existing – account for be one year. This approach will support implementation
22% of emissions. Therefore, if we are to meet our of the 2021 interim uplift and as such the successful
ambitious target to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions to implementation of the Future Homes Standard from 2025.
net zero by 2050, we must improve the minimum energy I am also publishing today the Future Buildings
efficiency standards of new buildings and homes. By Standard, which is the second stage of the two-part
improving energy efficiency and moving to cleaner consultation. This consultation builds on the Future
sources of heat, we can reduce carbon emissions, lower Homes Standard consultation by setting out energy and
energy consumption and bills for households and ensure ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings, existing
that we will be the first generation to leave the homes and to mitigate against overheating in residential
environment in a better state than we found it. buildings.
I am publishing the Government’s response to the The Future Buildings Standard consultation proposes
Future Homes Standard consultation of 2019. This was changes to the Building Regulations and primarily covers
the first stage of a two-part consultation which proposed new and existing non-domestic buildings. This includes
an ambitious uplift in the energy efficiency of new homes an interim uplift of Part L and Part F requirements for
through changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and new and existing non-domestic buildings. The interim
power) of the Building Regulations. uplift will also encompass existing homes, meaning that
The Future Homes Standard will deliver a considerable when works take place in an existing home, such as an
improvement in energy efficiency standards for new extension to a property, the work carried out will need to
homes. We expect that homes built to the Future Homes meet the standards set by building regulations – these
Standard will have carbon dioxide emissions 75-80% requirements will not apply to the wider building. It also
lower than those built to current Building Regulations proposes some changes to requirements for new homes,Written Statements 19 January 2021 Page 3
including to the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard; some kept up to date. In March 2020, the Government set a
standards for building services; and to guidance on the clear deadline of December 2023 for all authorities to
calibration of devices that carry out airtightness testing. have up-to-date Local Plans in place.
Finally, it details a new standard for mitigating It is critical that work should continue to advance Local
overheating in new residential buildings. Plans through to adoption by the end of 2023 to help
Together, the Future Homes Standard and Future ensure that the economy can rebound strongly from the
Buildings Standard set out a pathway towards creating COVID-19 pandemic. Completing Local Plans will help
homes and buildings that are fit for the future; a built to ensure that we can build back better and continue to
environment with lower carbon emissions; and homes that deliver the homes that are needed across England.
are adapted to the overheating risks caused by a warming To support this, we recently rolled forward temporary
climate. By making our homes and other buildings more changes that we made over the summer to ensure the
energy efficient and embracing smart and low carbon planning system continues to operate effectively during
technologies, we can improve the energy efficiency of the pandemic. In addition, we announced changes to the
peoples’ homes and boost economic growth while methodology for assessing Local Housing Need and
meeting our targets for carbon reduction. published the 2020 Housing Delivery Test measurement.
I am depositing a copy of the Government Response to This should help to provide greater certainty for
the 2019 Future Homes Standard consultation and the authorities who are currently preparing Local Plans. The
Future Buildings Standard consultation in the House Government recently issued a formal direction in relation
Libraries. to South Oxfordshire District Council’s Local Plan to
ensure it continued to adoption. Where necessary, we
Local Plans: House Building remain committed to using all powers available to
Government in order to ensure that progress on plan
[HLWS715] making is maintained.
Lord Greenhalgh: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Minister of We also want to see Neighbourhood Plans continue to
State for Housing (Christopher Pincher) has today made make progress with the support of local planning
the following Written Ministerial Statement: authorities, to give more communities a greater role in
The country needs more, better and greener homes in shaping the development and growth of their local areas.
the right places. The Planning for the Future White Paper consultation
This Government’s ambition is to deliver 300,000 closed in October. The White Paper sets out proposals to
homes per year by the mid 2020s and one million homes deliver a significantly simpler, faster and more predictable
over this Parliament. Increasing the number of up-to-date system. These proposals will need further development.
Local Plans across England is central to achieving that Authorities should not use this period as a reason to delay
goal. Local Plans not only unlock land for development plan-making activities. Authorities who have an up-to-
and ensure that the right number of new homes are being date plan in place will be in the best possible position to
built in the right places, they also provide local adapt to the new plan-making system.
communities with an opportunity to have their say on how I will consider contacting those authorities where delays
their local areas will change over the coming years, and to plan-making have occurred to discuss the reasons why
how the local environment can be protected and this has happened and actions to be undertaken.
enhanced.
This Written Ministerial Statement only covers
91% of local planning authorities have now adopted a England.
Local Plan, but we know that many of them are not beingPage 4 19 January 2021 Written Answers
Arms Trade: Export Controls
Written Answers
Asked by Lord Hylton
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
have to ensure that any existing unlimited-value open
Air Pollution licences for the export of military equipment do
Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff not permit any governments considered to have human
rights concerns to receive weapons or ammunition
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
without sufficient scrutiny and end-use verification;
they have made of the potential benefits of the (1)
and what plans they have to cease the issue of such
procurement, and (2) deployment, of professional high-
licences to such countries. [HL11931]
efficiency particulate air purifiers in enclosed
workspaces. [HL11924] Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: All export licence
applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against
Baroness Stedman-Scott: Workplace health and safety
the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing
law requires employers to ensure an adequate supply of
Criteria (the ‘Consolidated Criteria’).
fresh air in the workplace and this has not changed during
the pandemic. It is not the health and safety regulator’s In reaching a decision, the Department for International
role to identify the benefits of the procurement and Trade (DIT) receives advice from a number of
deployment of any specific equipment. This should be Departments including the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
considered as part of the risk assessment carried out for and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
the workplace. To assist with these assessments, the (FCDO). Together, we draw on all available information,
Health and Safety Executive have issued guidance on including reports from Non-Government Organisations
ventilation during the pandemic at: (NGOs) and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated
Criteria provides a thorough risk assessment framework
https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-
and requires us to think hard about the impact of
machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation.htm
exporting any items.
A licence will not be issued if to do so would be
Aircraft Carriers inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including
Asked by Lord West of Spithead where there is a clear risk that the proposed export might
be used for internal repression.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what witnesses
with maritime warfare expertise they provided to the We are able to review licences – and suspend or revoke
Public Accounts Committee's oral evidence session on as necessary – when circumstances require, in line with
delivering Carrier Strike on 28 September 2020. the Consolidated Criteria.
[HL12039] We have no plans to cease the issue of open licences.
Baroness Goldie: The witnesses to the Public Accounts
Committee oral evidence session on Delivering Carrier Asylum: Children
Strike on 28 September 2020 were Sir Stephen Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of
Defence; Air Marshal Richard Knighton CB, Senior To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they
Responsible Officer (SRO) for Carrier Enabled Power provide to the children of asylum seekers who are
Projection and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff - Military expelled from the UK following imprisonment for a
Capability, Charlie Pate, Director General Finance; Sir criminal offence. [HL11774]
Simon Bollom, Chief Executive Officer, Defence Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office’s
Equipment Services. immigration departments have a legal duty under section
Their full biography can be found at the links below. 55 of the 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act
Sir Stephen Lovegrove to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the
welfare of children in the discharge of its functions.
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/stephen-
lovegrove Where the child of a foreign national offender is not
being deported and remains with their other parent or
Charlie Pate guardian whose asylum claim in the UK is outstanding or
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/charlie-pate being appealed, support may be provided under section 95
Air Marshall Richard Knighton of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in the provision
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/richard- of accommodation or cash subsistence in circumstances
knighton where the family would otherwise face destitution.
Sir Simon Bollom In the event that the asylum-seeking parent or guardian
is appeal rights exhausted and their dependents are 18 or
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/simon-bollom over, they may qualify for ongoing support under sectionWritten Answers 19 January 2021 Page 5
4 of the Act if they face a practical barrier to leaving the analysis on. We will publish this analysis in our monthly
UK. articles.
Where an asylum-seeking family have received refugee Yours sincerely,
status, they would be eligible to apply for mainstream Professor Sir Ian Diamond
social security benefits and accommodation.
Blue Badge Scheme Coronavirus: Death
Asked by Lord Berkeley Asked by Lord Balfe
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the task To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average
group, announced on 15 June 2019, intended to age of people who have had COVID-19 cited as a
improve the consistency of council enforcement to contributory cause of death in the last four weeks; how
tackle fraud and misuse, and to improve awareness of many such people were (1) 0–18, (2) 19–30, (3) 31–40,
which groups are eligible for Blue Badges was set up; (4) 41–50, (5) 51–60, (6) 61–70, (7) 71–80, (8) 81–90,
who are the members of that group; when they estimate and (9) over 90, years old at the time of death; and in
it will report; and what plans they have to publish its each cohort how many such deaths occurred in people
findings. [HL11961] with underlying health conditions. [HL11720]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Work to improve Lord True: The information requested falls under the
consistency of local authority enforcement, to tackle fraud remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore
and misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme and to improve asked the Authority to respond.
awareness of eligibility, has now been incorporated into 14 January 2021
the scope of a wider, longer-term project to identify
Dear Lord Balfe,
potential improvements to the Blue Badge Scheme as a
whole. As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK
Statistics Authority, I am responding to your
Coronavirus Parliamentary Question asking what is the average age of
people who have had COVID-19 cited as a contributory
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham cause of death in the last four weeks; how many such
To ask Her Majesty's Government why analysis of people were (1) 0-18, (2) 19-30, (3) 31-40, (4) 41-50, (5)
the number of (1) school workers, and (2) other key 51-60, (6) 61-70, (7) 71-80, (8) 81-90, and (9) over 90,
workers who had COVID-19, has not been included in years old at the time of death; and in each cohort how
ONS infection surveys since 6 November 2020; and many such deaths occurred in people with underlying
what plans they have to publish such analysis for the health conditions (HL11720).
period since 6 November 2020. [HL11748] The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible
Lord True: The information requested falls under the for publishing numbers of deaths registered in England
remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore and Wales. Information on deaths involving COVID-19
asked the Authority to respond. and pre-existing health conditions was published in
July[1]. As part of deaths registered weekly in England
14 January 2021 and Wales[2], the ONS produces the number of deaths
Dear Lord Jones, involving COVID-19 by age group. Table 1 provides the
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK number of deaths involving COVID-19 by age group in
Statistics Authority, I am responding to your the last four weeks.
Parliamentary Question asking why analysis of the Table 2 is the mean and median age at death of those
number of (1) school workers, and (2) other key workers whose death involves COVID-19 and for all deaths in the
who had COVID-19, has not been included in Office for last 4 weeks.
National Statistics (ONS) infection surveys since 6
Table 3 shows deaths involving COVID-19 where there
November 2020; and what plans there are to publish such
is no pre-existing condition against total COVID-19
analysis for the period since 6 November 2020
deaths for that age cohort. Data is available from March
(HL11748).
2020 to June 2020, however we will be resuming
The ONS is committed to providing statistics for the publication of this data within the next 6 weeks.
public good and produce analysis which covers as many
Yours sincerely,
of our users’ needs as possible.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
Understanding occupational risk across all sectors is
vitally important. As such we are conducting analysis Table 1: Deaths registered weekly in England and
across all occupations to gain a deeper understanding of Wales involving COVID-19 by age group, Week ending 4
all professions. This will include occupations within the December to Week ending 25 December 2020 [3] , [4], [5],
[6], [7]
education sector which we have previously publishedPage 6 19 January 2021 Written Answers
Week number 49 50 51 52 Age All deaths COVID-19 COVID-19
involving deaths with deaths with no
Week ended 04-Dec- 11-Dec- 18-Dec- 25-Dec- COVID-19 pre-existing pre-existing
20 20 20 20 condition condition
Deaths by age group 0-44 542 441 101
0 0 0 0 45-49 457 366 91
01-Apr 0 0 0 0 50-54 847 724 123
05-Sep 0 0 0 0 55-59 1,453 1,226 227
Oct-14 0 1 0 0 60-64 2,065 1,835 230
15-19 0 1 0 0 65-69 2,791 2,498 293
20-24 1 0 1 0 70-74 4,627 4,220 407
25-29 3 3 0 1 75-79 6,693 6,174 519
30-34 3 1 1 3 80-84 9,588 8,889 699
35-39 9 7 6 5 85-89 10,327 9,525 802
40-44 12 11 10 12 90+ 10,945 9,961 984
45-49 21 19 25 21
[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommu
50-54 41 37 43 41 nity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsinvo
55-59 62 65 75 63 lvingcovid19englandandwales/deathsoccurringinjune2020
[2]
60-64 105 126 119 107
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/
65-69 170 154 177 160 birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregistere
70-74 288 258 252 275 dweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest
75-79 414 400 388 397
[3] Deaths where COVID-19 (ICD10 codes U07.1 and
U07.2) are mentioned anywhere on the death certificate
80-84 509 492 544 583
[4] For deaths registered from 1st January 2020, cause
85-89 598 570 609 605 of death is coded to the ICD-10 classification using
90+ 599 611 736 639 MUSE 5.5 software. Previous years were coded to IRIS
4.2.3, further information about the change in software is
Source: ONS available.
Table 2: Average age of deaths registered weekly in [5] Does not include deaths where age is either missing
England and Wales, Week ending 4 December to Week or not yet fully coded.
ending 25 December 2020 3,4,5,6,7 [6] Does not include deaths of those resident outside
Week number 49 50 51 52 England and Wales or those records where the place of
Week ended 04- 11- 18- 25- residence is either missing or not yet fully coded.
Dec-20 Dec-20 Dec-20 Dec-20 [7] These figures represent death registrations, there can
All deaths Median 81 81 82 82 be a delay between the date a death occurred and the date
age a death was registered. More information can be found in
our impact of registration delays release.
Mean age 78 78 79 79
Deaths Median 83 83 83 83
[8] Figures include deaths of non-residents
involving age [9] Figures are provisional
COVID-19 [10] Based on deaths involving COVID-19 (ICD-10
Mean age 81 81 81 81 codes U07.1 and U07.2) rather than deaths where
COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death
Source: ONS
[11] Deaths occurring between March and June 2020
Table 3: Number of deaths involving COVID-19, by age
rather than deaths registered between March and June
group and whether a pre-existing condition was present,
2020
England and Wales, deaths occurring between March and
June 2020 [8], [9], [10], [11], [12] [12] Including deaths registered up until 4 July 2020.Written Answers 19 January 2021 Page 7
Coronavirus: Screening with a certificate that is recognised both nationally and
internationally. [HL11665]
Asked by Lord Walney
Lord Bethell: The careful and accurate recording of
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is (1) the vaccination status is incredibly important to ensure that
total number, and (2) the percentage, of NHS COVID- priority cohorts are offered both doses of a COVID-19
19 tests that have recorded (a) positive, (b) negative, vaccine, and to ensure robust surveillance systems are in
and (c) inconclusive, results for England; and how do place to support patient safety.
such figures compare with (i) Northern Ireland, (ii)
The National Health Service’s National Immunisation
Wales, and (iii) Scotland. [HL9598]
Management System (NIMS) is the national register of
Lord Bethell: The information is not held in the format COVID-19 vaccinations. At the point that someone
requested. receives their COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccinating team
will record it and this information will go onto the NIMS
Asked by Lord Walney
system and onto a patient’s general practitioner record. As
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is (1) the with other vaccination programmes, a vaccine record card
total number, and (2) the percentage, of NHS COVID- will be issued to patients with the relevant details about
19 tests that have recorded (a) positive, (b) negative, the vaccine including the date of their vaccination and
and (c) inconclusive, results for each region of England. their vaccine type. This does not constitute an immunity
[HL9599] passport and will not be used as a form of identification.
Lord Bethell: The information is not held in the format
Asked by Baroness Deech
requested.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
Asked by Lord Walney
have to encourage investment in (1) so-called 'Wave 2',
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is (1) the and (2) other future generations of, vaccines for
total number, and (2) the percentage, of NHS COVID- COVID-19. [HL11728]
19 tests that have recorded (a) positive, (b) negative,
and (c) inconclusive, results for each local authority Asked by Baroness Deech
area in England. [HL9600]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
Lord Bethell: The information is not held in the format have to encourage grant funders to support so-called
requested. 'Wave 2' vaccines in development. [HL11730]
Lord Callanan: The current overall UK Research and
Coronavirus: Vaccination Innovation (UKRI) portfolio of COVID-19-related grants,
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours including awards supported by Innovate UK, includes
vaccine projects that provide greater diversity of
To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent (1) approaches than for the first generation of vaccines
an appropriate person, or (2) the appropriate authorities, developed. Details can be found on the UKRI website.
can monitor what will happen if a person only receives
UKRI will continue to review ongoing needs in this
one of the two doses required of a COVID-19 vaccine
area with the Vaccine Taskforce.
under the vaccination protocols; and what the process
will be for following up on those people. [HL11195]
Asked by Baroness Deech
Lord Bethell: General practice providers are
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
responsible under the Enhanced Service Specification:
they have made of the reasons given by (1) UK
COVID-19 vaccination programme 2020/21 for using
Research and Innovation, and (2) the Medical Research
existing local systems to undertake local call and recall.
Council, for (a) rejecting, and (b) accepting,
They use nationally determined text where available,
applications for grant assistance from researchers
identifying and inviting all eligible patient cohorts on
developing COVID-19 vaccinations. [HL11729]
their registered list to book vaccination appointments.
Primary Care Network sites will be responsible for Lord Callanan: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI),
checking that all eligible patients have an appointment including the Medical Research Council, invited
and recall invitation or re-contacting the patients where applications for research related to COVID-19, including
they have not. A booking reminder will be sent before for research into vaccines, through funding routes such as
each appointment for dose one and dose two of the the joint UKRI-Department of Health and Social Care
vaccine. rapid response call, as well as the UKRI rapid response
rolling call. The requirements and guidelines for these
Asked by Lord Hannay of Chiswick
were published on the respective application pages and
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are decisions were made under a peer review process and in
taking to provide recipients of COVID-19 vaccinations coordination with the Vaccine Taskforce.Page 8 19 January 2021 Written Answers
Asked by Baroness Deech Educational Institutions: Coronavirus
To ask Her Majesty's Government to whom (1) the Asked by Lord Jones
Medical Research Council, and (2) UK Research and
Innovation, are accountable for decisions taken to To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1)
support research into COVID-19 vaccines. [HL11731] students, (2) teachers, and (3) other staff, at (a) primary
schools, (b) secondary schools, and (c) further
Lord Callanan: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) education institutions, have been reported as having
was established under the Higher Education Research Act COVID-19 since 31 January 2020. [HL11751]
2017. The Medical Research Council is a council of
UKRI. Baroness Berridge: The department collects data on
the number of pupils who have confirmed or suspected
The UKRI Board is accountable to the Secretary of
COVID-19 on a daily basis. This data is published from
State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for the
this collection at both national and local authority levels
delivery of its functions.
as part of the official statistics series. The publication can
Asked by Lord Mann be found here: https://explore-education-
statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many GP education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-
practices have refused to participate in COVID-19 coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Data is published from 9
vaccinations. [HL11757] September 2020, but prior to 12 October 2020
Lord Bethell: NHS England and NHS Improvement information on pupils who have confirmed or suspected
have commissioned the general practice COVID-19 COVID-19 was not comprehensively collected. This data
vaccination service in line with agreed national terms and is collected at school level, not pupil level.
conditions, as an enhanced service. Individual general As part of the publication, ‘Attendance in education and
practices opted in to delivering COVID-19 vaccinations, early years settings during the coronavirus (Covid 19)
coming together in primary care network groupings to outbreak’, staff COVID-related absence data has been
administer the vaccine as ‘local vaccination services’. included in today’s release.
As of 10 January 2021, 785 local vaccination services This data is as reported directly by schools via the
had been stood up to deliver the vaccine. The number of department’s daily education settings survey. It is not the
individual practices that have and have not opted into the primary source of data on infection, incidence and
enhanced service is not collected or held centrally. COVID-19 cases overall. Further detail on this, from data
Where there are gaps in provision, NHS England will owned elsewhere in government such as by Public Health
commission additional providers such as community England, can be found within the coronavirus in the UK
pharmacy, hospital hubs, and mass vaccination centres to dashboard:
provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The first community https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/?_ga=2.91108568.335840
pharmacy sites opened in the week commencing 11 232.1603021384-1347302696.1578321854, national
January 2021. As more vaccines become available, there COVID-19 surveillance reports:
will be increased flexibility in local delivery. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-
and-covid-19-surveillance-reports, and coronavirus
Asked by Lord Mendelsohn infection survey pilot statistics:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding they https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/
are providing for research into COVID-19 vaccines for healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coron
medically extremely vulnerable groups. [HL11893] aviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/16october2020.
Lord Bethell: The Department commissions research ONS has published results from the first round of the
through the National Institute for Health Research which COVID-19 Schools Infections Survey (SIS), covering 3
is funding a wide portfolio of research on COVID-19 November – 19 November, investigating prevalence
vaccination, including allocating over £50 million levels among primary and secondary school students and
specifically to develop COVID-19 vaccines at the staff. The SIS survey link presents a summary of
University of Oxford and Imperial College London. estimates, with further data contained in the associated
dataset. Comparisons between groups should be done
In addition, UK Research and Innovation is providing with caution because of the small sample size. Results can
around £2 million to support research on vaccine be found here:
responses in groups of immune-supressed individuals, https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/covid19schoolsinfection
including those with inflammatory disorders, high risk surveyround1englandnovember2020.
cancer patient groups, and patients with severe kidney and
liver disease.Written Answers 19 January 2021 Page 9
Electricity Generation sustainable fisheries safeguarding stocks and the
environment for the long-term. At front and centre of the
Asked by Lord Goodlad Fisheries Act is the set of fisheries objectives which will
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many be followed by detailed policies in the Joint Fisheries
gigawatts of electricity they forecast will be required in Statement to deliver sustainable fishing.
2030; and from what sources such electricity will be Underpinning this new framework is our commitment
generated. [HL11736] to sustainability – supporting future generations of
fishermen while allowing our marine environment to
Lord Callanan: The table below shows projection of
thrive. It enshrines in law the Government’s manifesto
UK electricity generation (terawatt hours) and capacity
commitments for sustainable fishing, restating our
(gigawatts) from all power producers by source for the
commitment to Maximum Sustainable Yield by including
year 2030.
the ‘Sustainability Objective’ and ‘Precautionary
Capacity, GW Generation, TWh Objective’ to achieve MSY. Furthermore, the Act
Coal 0 0
contains a ‘Bycatch Objective’ seeking to reduce the
wasteful practice of discarding fish; an ‘Ecosystem
Coal and natural gas 0 0 Objective’ to minimise and, where possible, eliminate
CCS negative impacts on marine ecosystems; and a new
Oil 1 0
‘Climate Change Objective’ which recognises and
combats the impact of fishing on the health of our oceans
Natural gas 37 67 and our planet. The Fisheries Act further adds powers to
improve the protection of the wider marine environment
Nuclear 6 55
around the UK and to enable the Marine Management
Other Thermal 1 0 Organisation to support marine improvement around the
world.
Renewables 62 176
Interconnectors (net 19 49 Flats: Insulation
imports for generation)
Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
Storage (net output for 4 -1
generation) To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all
mortgage repayments and interest payments for
Total 130 346 leasehold flats with unsafe cladding purchased under
the Help to Buy Scheme have been reset to zero for
The figures are based on central estimates of economic
those properties now valued at zero; and whether all
growth and fossil fuel prices and contains all agreed
such repayments since the Grenfell Tower fire have
policies where decisions on policy design are sufficiently
been reimbursed. [HL11975]
advanced to allow robust estimates of impact as at August
2019. Further details can be found at Lord Greenhalgh: As at June 2020 NAO reported that
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-and- Homes England estimates that 274 homes bought under
emissions-projections. Figures provided are extracted the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme were affected by
from BEIS Energy and Emissions Projections (EEP) 2019 ACM cladding, based on a comparison of Departmental
Annex J, Total electricity generation by source and Annex building safety data and the Homes England Help to Buy
L, Total electricity generating capacity. loan accounts. Of these, 170 homes across 28 buildings
have live loan accounts, with the remaining 104 homes
Fisheries: Sustainable Development having redeemed their loan.
The redemption value of all Help to Buy: Equity Loans
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
is based on the current market value of the property. A
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are RICS surveyor will assess the market value in accordance
taking to promote sustainable fishing. [HL11770] with terms set out in the loan agreement.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We recently published our Homes England report that most of the buildings with
Marine Strategy Part One assessment on the health and live Help to Buy loans are well on the way to being fully
resilience of our marine ecosystems, including progress remediated and therefore the progress made in building
towards achieving our objective of good environmental remediation means the consistent enforcement of the
status in UK waters. mortgage continues to be reasonable.
As an independent coastal state, we are committed to
working closely with our partners including the EU, Flood Control
Norway and Faroe Islands to manage shared stocks
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
sustainably and share fishing opportunities on a fair and
scientific basis. The UK Government’s ambition is to set To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they
a gold standard for fisheries management to achieve have taken to reduce the risk of flooding forPage 10 19 January 2021 Written Answers
communities that have already experienced flooding in Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Following the
the last 12 months. [HL11767] November 2019 flooding in South Yorkshire, the
Government commissioned an independent review of
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In the March
flood insurance, led by Amanda Blanc, former chair of
2020 Budget, Government provided additional funding of
the Association of British Insurers. The review, published
£120 million for 2020-21 to repair assets damaged in the
on 5 November 2020, examined the level of insurance
2019/2020 autumn and winter floods. In the last 12
cover held by those affected in Doncaster, the barriers
months, the Environment Agency (EA) has completed
they may have faced in obtaining cover and whether there
around 20,000 inspections of flood assets that were
are any systemic issues in the provision of flood
damaged in the winter 2019/20 floods. The EA has a
insurance.
prioritised programme of repairs based on risk to lives
and livelihoods underway. All of the flood defences The report identifies that 95% of homeowners were
damaged last year have either been repaired or have able to confirm that they had both buildings and contents
contingency plans in place to reduce the risk to their insurance. This compares with 94% of households at risk
communities this winter. of flooding in Defra's national survey looking at the
availability and affordability of flood insurance. This
The EA has continued to build and maintain flood risk
shows the sustained availability of home insurance for
management assets and is on track to better protect
homeowners especially in this area of high flood risk.
300,000 properties from flooding and coastal erosion
However, among homeowners who had insurance, 6% of
between 2015 and 2021.
buildings insurance policies did not cover flooding and
The EA has continued to engage with communities 7% of contents insurance policies did not cover flooding.
during the pandemic, sharing scheme updates and
The review made 12 recommendations addressing the
consulting with local residents in a COVID secure ways
accessibility and affordability of flood insurance, which
with the help of new technology. The EA’s Flood Action
the Government is considering and will respond to in due
Campaign last Autumn helped ensure communities know
course.
how to check their flood risk and are better prepared using
the three-point plan to PREPARE, ACT, SURVIVE. Over
1.4 million properties are signed up to receive free flood France: Aircraft Carriers
warnings.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
Following the flooding in winter 2019/2020,
government announced Property Flood Resilience (PFR) To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions
repair grants of up to £5,000 in affected areas to help they have held with the government of France about
eligible homes, charities and businesses become more their new planned nuclear strike carrier. [HL12038]
flood resilient. The repair grants apply to those affected in
Baroness Goldie: We have had no formal discussions
district or unitary authorities that have 25 or more
with the government of France specifically about its plans
severely flooded properties. The most recent figures (held
for a new nuclear strike carrier to replace the Charles de
by Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local
Gaulle in 2038.
Government) show that over 47 district or unitary
councils with over 7000 properties are eligible in England
for the November 2019 and February 2020 PFR repair
Gaza: Hospitals
schemes.
In recognition of the challenges created by the Asked by Baroness Tonge
coronavirus pandemic, both the 2019 and 2020 schemes To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
have been extended by 9 months to give homeowners and they have made of reports of a bombing of a paediatric
businesses more time to carry out repairs and local hospital in Gaza on 26 December 2020. [HL11788]
authorities a greater period to process the grants.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply
Local authorities on the November scheme now have
concerned by the situation in Gaza. The UK condemns the
until 31 December 2021 to recover their costs whilst local
firing of rockets at civilian populations and urges both
authorities on the February scheme have until 1 July
sides to work together to promote peace. Any attacks
2022.
targeted against civilians are unlawful and unjustifiable.
All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to
Floods: Insurance self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from
attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are
Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian
Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. We
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
continue to call upon Hamas and other terrorist groups to
they have made of the level of access to insurance for
permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against
households affected by the 2019/2020 winter floods.
Israel.
[HL11768]Written Answers 19 January 2021 Page 11
Gibraltar: UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Asked by Lord Blunkett
Agreement To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the
Asked by Baroness Hooper breakdown of honours received by region or nation in
the UK as a percentage of the population of each such
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment region or nation. [HL11724]
they have made of the implications of the UK–EU
Trade and Cooperation Agreement for Gibraltar. Lord True: Statistical information held in relation to
[HL11740]
the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels on the
New Year Honours List 2021 can be found below.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: On 31 December the Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point.
UK, working side by side with the Governments of Data is collected using the county the recipient gives as
Gibraltar and Spain, reached agreement on a political their correspondence address (usually their home address
framework to form the basis of a separate treaty between rather than their places of origin) and is aggregated into
the UK and the EU regarding Gibraltar. This covers issues regional figures. This data relates only to the main Prime
of key importance to Gibraltar and the surrounding Minister’s List and does not include data from the
region, and the Governments of both the UK and Defence List or the Overseas and International List,
Gibraltar judge that it provides a firm basis to safeguard which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.
Gibraltar's interests. The UK, Gibraltar, and Spain are
committed to ensuring that cross-border arrangements can Honours are awarded on the basis of merit. We are
continue until a new treaty enters into force. We remain working to improve regional representation in the honours
steadfast in our support for Gibraltar and its sovereignty. lists, including running events across the UK to raise
awareness. A complete record of all nominations received
is not held by the Cabinet Office.
Green Homes Grant Scheme NY21 Regional data
Asked by Lord Teverson REGION Total number of % of NY21 list % of UK
recipients from living in region population living
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the region in region
Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 4 January EAST 121 9.8% 9.3%
(HL11621), what is the absolute number of TrustMark
registered businesses now certified to install insulation EAST 50 4% 7.2%
measures in park homes under the Green Homes Grant MIDLANDS
Voucher Scheme; and where those installers are LONDON 230 18.7% 13.4%
located. [HL11783]
NORTH EAST 32 2.6% 4.0%
Lord Callanan: As of 10:00 on 7 January, we can
confirm there were 8 businesses which are TrustMark NORTHERN 81 6.6% 2.8%
registered and certified to install insulation measures in IRELAND
park homes under the Green Homes Grant Voucher NORTH WEST 99 8% 11.0%
Scheme.
TrustMark registered installers can offer their services SCOTLAND 109 8.8% 8.2%
in multiple locations. Every Local Authority in England SOUTH EAST 180 14.5% 13.7%
has at least one TrustMark registered park homes installer
available, 126 have at least two and five Local Authorities SOUTH WEST 90 7.3% 8.4%
have at least three.
WALES 61 4.9% 4.7%
WEST 90 7.3% 8.9%
Honours MIDLANDS
Asked by Lord Blunkett YORKSHIRE 90 7.3% 8.2%
AND HUMBER
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
nominations for honours were (1) received, and (2) CHANNEL 6 0.5% n/a
ISLANDS /
awarded, broken down by region or nation in the UK.
ABROAD
[HL11722]
Asked by Lord Blunkett The Government does not collate data against such
political administrative areas and cannot provide
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people information regarding honours awarded in the Sheffield
were nominated for honours above the level of OBE in city region. However, the Government publishes
the Sheffield city region; and how many such honours transparency data, broken down by both town/city and
were awarded. [HL11723] county. This can be accessed at:Page 12 19 January 2021 Written Answers
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-year- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supportin
honours-list-2021-cabinet-office. g-documents-for-skilled-worker-immigration-rules
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement
Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 -of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-707-10-
september-2020
Asked by Lord Garnier
The Answer includes the following attached material:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
have to reform or update the Honours (Prevention of Statement of Changes - Immigration Rules
Abuses) Act 1925. [HL11734] [CCS001_CCS0920158512-
001_Stat_of_change_Immigration_Rules_HC_707_Print.pdf]
Lord True: The Government currently has no plans to
review the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. It is The material can be viewed online at:
against the law to sell an honour or a peerage under the http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2021-01-05/HL11741
Act. Anyone who has evidence that an organisation or
individual is claiming to be selling honours should be
reported to the police. Israel: Diplomatic Service
Asked by Lord Mann
Housing: Construction To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1)
Asked by Lord Crisp local staff, and (2) UK nationals, have been vaccinated
against COVID-19 in (a) the UK embassy in Tel Aviv,
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they and (b) the UK consulate in Jerusalem. [HL11758]
have to introduce the same space standards for all new
housing as those agreed for housing constructed under Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Vaccinations received
Permitted Development Rights. [HL11725] locally by staff in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem will have been
arranged on a personal basis.
Lord Greenhalgh: We agree that the provision of
adequate living space is vital to delivering healthy
housing. The importance of this has been highlighted by Israel: Palestinians
the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked by Baroness Tonge
We recognise in our National Design Guide the need
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
for well-designed, healthy homes to provide a good
they have made of reports of increasing numbers of
standard and quality of internal space. And within
incidents of hit-and-run incidents by Israelis in the West
national planning policy and guidance we set out that
Bank where limited action is taken against those
local authorities have the option to include the Nationally
causing such incidents. [HL11787]
Described Space Standard in local planning policies,
subject to demonstrating viability and need. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK condemns any
Looking to the future, the forthcoming National Model incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We
Design Code will emphasise the ingredients for well- continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security
designed homes, including good space standards, that can forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian
be included in local design guides. civilian population. We call on the Israeli authorities to
thoroughly investigate every instance and allegation of
crimes against protected persons in the West Bank, and
Immigration where appropriate bring those responsible to justice.
Asked by Lord Horam
Asked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
introduction of the points-based immigration system,
representations they have made to the government of
what they estimate net migration levels in the UK will
Israel about reports that the Israeli Defence Force used
be in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5)
tear gas and rubber-coated bullets during an incident at
2025. [HL11741]
Palestinian medical facilities in Ramallah. [HL11789]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Whilst we have not
does not forecast future levels of net migration due to the
made representations about these reports, we have
considerable uncertainties involved, including movements
publicly and privately expressed our longstanding
by those such as British Citizens returning or migrating
concerns to the Israeli authorities about the use of live
from the UK, which are not affected by UK immigration
ammunition and excessive force by the Israel Defence
controls.
Forces. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli
The estimated impact on migration volumes of the security forces providing appropriate protection to the
recent changes to the immigration rules for students and Palestinian civilian population. In instances where there
skilled workers can be found in the associated published have been accusations of excessive use of force, we
impact assessments, accessed through: advocate transparent investigations.You can also read
