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Session 2019-20 Tuesday
No. 14 5 November 2019
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ................................................... 20[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 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Chief Whip
Baroness Barran Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Baroness Berridge Whip
Lord Bethell Whip
Baroness Blackwood of North Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
Oxford
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Whip
Waldrist
Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy and Northern Ireland Office
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 Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson
Baroness Stedman-Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office
Viscount Younger of Leckie Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2019
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 5 November 2019 Page 1
help inform our ongoing ambition to deliver wide-ranging
Written Statements and effective research and innovation collaborations with
partners around the world.
Tuesday, 5 November 2019
[1] Adrian Smith Review: Written statement -
HCWS1449
Adrian Smith Review
Audit Reform
[HLWS91]
[HLWS99]
Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Rt hon friend the
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Rt hon friend the
Innovation (Chris Skidmore) has today made the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
following statement: Strategy (Andrea Leadsom) has today made the following
statement:
I am pleased to announce that I have today published
the report “Changes and Choices”, co-authored by The Government recognises the role that audit plays in
Professor Sir Adrian Smith and Professor Graeme Reid. the effective functioning of the UK’s financial markets
This report, which I commissioned in March of this year, and broader economy.
provides independent advice on the design of UK funding To help meet our ambition that the UK should become
schemes for international collaboration, innovation and the best place in the world to work and to grow a
curiosity-driven blue-skies research.[1] In the course of business, we must take forward reform of audit. This will
producing the report, Sir Adrian and Professor Reid include reforming audit, the audit regulator, and the audit
issued a call for evidence and engaged in discussions with market. Change would affect a large number and a wide
the research and innovation community across the UK. I variety of companies, firms, and interests; but it is clear
would like to place on record my thanks to Sir Adrian and that there is a need for truly long-lasting and effective
Professor Reid, as well as to all of those who engaged change.
with them to ensure that the UK continues to be a global
leader in science, research and innovation. I want to see the UK leading the world in the next phase
The UK’s world-leading science, research and of improvement for corporate governance and audit. In
innovation sector delivers real economic and social the first quarter of next year - when I have considered Sir
benefits for communities across the country. International Donald Brydon’s recommendations - I intend to bring
collaboration allows us to work at greater scale than the together all relevant elements of reform in order to take
UK could alone – for example to meaningfully tackle that forward.
global challenges, such as climate change, artificial I am already working to create the new Audit,
intelligence, cancer, and the future ageing society. In the Reporting and Governance Authority, to replace the
Withdrawal Agreement Bill debate on 22 October, the Financial Reporting Council. I have started with
Prime Minister confirmed that “we will protect, preserve appointing new leadership at the Financial Reporting
and enhance” cooperation with European science and Council, who are driving a new vision and culture for the
research funding programmes. regulator. They are now implementing those
Sir Adrian and Professor Reid highlight the importance recommendations made in Sir John Kingman’s excellent
of stabilising and building on the UK capability built up report that are not contingent on legislative change.
through our international partnerships to date. This Future reform will cover not just the function of the
Government has participated in negotiations with regulator, but also the purpose and function of the audit
European partners in a positive spirit as Horizon Europe market, and audit itself. I intend to bring forward an
takes shape - and intends to consider association to ambitious and coherent programme of change that drives
Horizon Europe provided the programme is open to third up quality, resilience and choice. It will include proposals
country association and offers value for money to the UK. on the function and oversight of audit committees and
Any decision about associating to the programme will new internal control arrangements within businesses; on
need to take place after both the Horizon Europe proposal the responsibilities of boards and directors; on how both
and the Multiannual Financial Framework discussions investors and regulators can better hold companies and
have been completed in Council. their auditors to account; and to reduce the reliance on a
This Government is committed to ensuring that the UK few large audit firms for the provision of audit.
continues to be a global science superpower. That is why All of those factors must be and will be assessed and
we have committed to increasing R&D investment to at weighed together, so that the whole package is coherent
least 2.4% of GDP by 2027 and have announced our and effective. As recognised by the BEIS Select
intention to significantly boost R&D funding to provide Committee, whose work on audit I welcome, some reform
greater long-term certainty to the scientific community will require radical action in order to ensure that it is
and accelerate our ambition to reach the 2.4% target. In meaningful and enduring, and that it fully addresses the
this context, I welcome Sir Adrian and Professor Reid’s very real concerns that we all share with the current state
recommendation that the Government should set out a of the market.
new vision for international collaboration. The report willPage 2 5 November 2019 Written Statements
British Indian Ocean Territory pronounce itself on the sovereignty dispute between the
UK and Mauritius without the consent of the UK to
[HLWS87] resolve the sovereignty dispute before the Special
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom is Chamber.
aware of the proceedings brought by Mauritius against the
Maldives under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea The UK remains committed to implementing the 2015
(UNCLOS). The UK is not a party to these proceedings, UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal Award and seeking direct,
which can have no effect for the UK or for maritime bilateral dialogue with Mauritius.
delimitation between the UK (in respect of the British
Indian Ocean Territory) and the Republic of the Maldives. Business Productivity Review
The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the [HLWS89]
British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been Lord Duncan of Springbank: My hon friend the
under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small
Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the BIOT and Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility (Kelly
the UK does not recognise its claim. Tolhurst) has today made the following statement:
As we have made clear previously, we were The UK has some of the world’s most productive
disappointed that the sovereignty dispute over the BIOT businesses and has a strong business environment upon
was referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). By which we can build. Despite this, the UK has a
agreeing to answer the questions put to it by the General longstanding productivity gap with international
Assembly on behalf of Mauritius, the Court has enabled competitors. That is why we launched the joint
Mauritius to circumvent the basic principle that the Court Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
should not consider a bilateral dispute without the consent and HM Treasury, Business Productivity Review to
of both States concerned. This sets a precedent which will understand the decisions and actions taken by businesses
potentially have wide implications for other States with that affect their own productivity.
bilateral disputes.
The potential prize is significant. The Bank of England
Despite these clear reservations, the UK participated
estimates that if UK firms could move along the
fully in the advisory proceedings in good faith. We have
productivity distribution into the next quartile, then this
also made known our views on the content of the opinion,
could see a boost to UK GDP by around £270bn in
including its insufficient regard to some material facts and
today’s prices.
significant legal issues. These included the 2015 binding
UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal Award, which held the 1965 To inform the Review we launched a call for evidence
Agreement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom, in May 2018 and received more than 140 written
in which Mauritius agreed to detachment of the BIOT in responses. Meetings were held with 3,000 business
return for benefits including the United Kingdom leaders and we also engaged with sector trade bodies and
commitment to cede the territory when no longer needed membership organisations that jointly represent over
for defence purposes, was legally binding. The opinion 500,000 businesses across the UK, including Scotland,
also gave insufficient regard to the reaffirmation by Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mauritius, after independence, of the 1965 Agreement. The Business Productivity Review we are publishing
In any event, what is undisputed is that the opinion is today identifies best practice used by our leading
advisory and not legally binding. Moreover, the Court businesses and sets out ten key actions that will support
itself recognised that its opinion is without prejudice to businesses to become more productive these include:
the sovereignty dispute over the BIOT between the UK • £20m to strengthen local England Peer to Peer
and Mauritius. Networks in England focused on business improvement
As the dispute over the BIOT is a sovereignty dispute, so that thousands of business leaders can share
the General Assembly is not the appropriate forum to expertise on leadership, business development and
resolve such disputes. General Assembly resolution technology adoption.
73/295, adopted following the ICJ’s advisory opinion,
• £11m to create a Small Business Leadership
cannot and does not create any legal obligations for the
Programme in England to provide small business
Member States. Nor can or does General Assembly
leaders with leadership training, building on existing
resolution 73/295 create legal obligations for other
world class training programmes; such as Be the
international actors such as a Special Chamber of the
Business’ Productivity Through People, Lancaster
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Neither the
University’s LEAD and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small
non-binding Advisory Opinion nor the non-binding
Businesses Programme.
General Assembly resolution alter the legal situation, that
of a sovereignty dispute over the BIOT between the UK • £25m through the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to
and Mauritius. allow over 200 more UK based businesses per year to
A fundamental principle of international law and the access the skills and talent to improve their business
international legal order is the principle of consent. It performance and productivity by improving how well
follows that the Special Chamber is not in a position to they are managed. Today we are announcing that thereWritten Statements 5 November 2019 Page 3
will be a dedicated management KTP round which will Department for Business, Energy and
be open on 12 December 2019 and closes on 19 Industrial Strategy: Work of the Department
February 2020.
[HLWS96]
• Work with trade bodies, sector councils and Be the
Business to ensure small businesses have access to Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Rt hon friend the
business mentors from the UK’s leading and inspiring Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
businesses. Strategy (Andrea Leadsom) has today made the following
statement:
• Development of the evidence base on productivity,
I would like to update the house on some of the key
including through the recently announced Productivity
achievements of the Department for Business, Energy and
Institute and the BEIS Business Support Evaluation
the Industrial Strategy since it was created in July 2016.
Framework.
Leading the world in tackling climate change
• Work with the Behavioural Insights Team to improve
Achieving net zero carbon emissions is a key
messaging to businesses, and work with trusted
departmental priority and we have set out actions we are
intermediaries (e.g. banks, accountants, trade bodies) to
taking across the economy to accomplish this.
support small businesses to take action.
• We committed to set a legally binding target to end
• Improve the customer experience for businesses the UK’s contribution to climate change to net zero by
accessing online Government information and services 2050.
for growth domestically and internationally.
• We have set out further actions we are taking across
• Work with the private sector, such as Be the Business, the economy to achieve net zero by 2050. These include
to ensure businesses have access to clear advice and the adding around 6GW of clean energy to the grid by 2025
tools they need to help them both understand and through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme –
improve their productivity. enough to power over seven million homes at record
low costs.
Cobham plc Merger • We announced £200m initial funding for a programme
[HLWS84] which aims to design and build a nuclear fusion plant
by 2040, looking to exploit the potential for clean, safe
Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Rt hon friend the
and inexhaustible power.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy (Andrea Leadsom) has today made the following • We announced £27.8m of government funding to
statement: advance carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
technologies in the UK – a crucial step towards the
On 25th July 2019, the boards of Cobham PLC and a UK’s net zero emissions.
subsidiary of funds managed by Advent International, a
US private equity firm, announced that they had reached • We announced investment of up to £1 billion over five
agreement on the terms of a recommend cash acquisition years to boost the production of key green technologies
of Cobham for approximately £4 billion. in the motor industry, including batteries, electric
motors, power electronics and hydrogen fuel cells. This
On 17th September, following advice from relevant is in addition to £400 million for electric vehicle
Government Departments and agencies, I initiated a charging infrastructure.
public interest intervention under the Enterprise Act 2002
• The UK was nominated to host the COP26 UN
into this merger on the grounds of national security. I
climate talks next year in partnership with Italy,
required that the Competition and Markets Authority
recognition by world leaders of our strong global on
investigate the merger and provide me with a report on
climate issues.
the transaction by 29th October, which it has done. The
Secretary of State for Defence has also written to me • UK emissions in 2019 were 42% lower than in 1990,
about the national security implications of the merger and while growing the economy by 72%. The UK has
the discussions which have taken place with the parties to delivered fastest decarbonisation in G20 since 2000
propose undertakings to address those implications. I am according to PWC.
grateful for the advice I have received and the • The UK’s fifth Carbon Budget was passed into law,
constructive engagement from the parties. equivalent to a 57% reduction on 1990 levels by 2032.
The decision on how to proceed in this case requires • We committed £5.8bn of international climate finance
further full and proper consideration of the issues. Having from 2016-2021, placing us among the world’s leading
received these reports, I will therefore have further providers of climate finance, in addition to the £3.87bn
discussions with my ministerial colleagues and the parties we provided from 2011-2016. The Prime Minister later
to the transaction to inform the decision-making process. I announced the doubling of international climate finance
will update the House in due course so that Honourable spend to £11.6 billion.
Members can scrutinise the Government’s decision. The • Our international climate finance programmes are
full legal process will continue to be followed throughout delivering real results on the ground and are catalysing
the general election period. wider change:Page 4 5 November 2019 Written Statements
i) Among others, we have built the market for programmes. A total of 82,000 smaller businesses have
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in developing been supported by the British Business Bank.
countries. • The Brydon Review examined the quality and
ii) We have contributed £720m to the Green Climate effectiveness of the audit market and looked at what
Fund, financing projects and programmes in a range of audits should be in the future. It addressed the audit
developing countries. expectation gap: the difference between what people
• We published the Clean Growth Strategy: Leading the think an audit does and what it actually does. It will
way to a low carbon future policy paper. This set out also look at the scope of an audit, any changes that may
the strategy for decarbonising all sectors of the UK need to be made to it and how it can better serve the
economy through the 2020s – benefitting the economy public interest.
while meeting commitments to tackle climate change. • We consulted on the Competition and Markets
• We held the UK’s first Green GB Week in 2018, a Authority’s far-reaching and ambitious
week to celebrate clean growth and raise awareness recommendations to improve quality, resilience and
regarding how the public and businesses can tackle competition in the Statutory Audit Market. We are
climate change. committed to acting on the CMA’s findings and will
• We launched the Smart Export Guarantee consultation respond as soon as possible.
which proposed that large electricity suppliers must • We established the Office for Product Safety and
offer small scale generators a price per kWh for the Standards to enhance consumer protections.
electricity they export to the grid. The scheme came • We published the Consumer Green Paper, aimed at
into force in June 2019. responding to the challenges and opportunities of
• We are taking action to make sure the UK’s energy modern consumer markets via a regulatory and
system has adequate capacity and is diverse and competition framework. This was followed by
reliable. consultation and engagement on the Green Paper.
i) We gave the go-ahead agreement to proceed with the • We carried out a Smart Data Review and proposed a
first nuclear power station in a generation at Hinkley set of measures to ensure consumers’ data is handled
Point C to ensure future low-carbon energy security. with the security they expect, while enabling them to
Hinkley will provide seven per cent of Britain’s continue to have access to the best deals available.
electricity needs for sixty years. UK-based businesses
• The government asked Matthew Taylor to conduct an
will benefit from more than 60% of the £18 billion
independent review of employment practices in the
value of the project, and 26,000 jobs and
modern economy, which was published in July 2017.
apprenticeships will be created.
We responded to this review with the Good Work Plan.
ii) We continued to support the Capacity Market
The plan set out proposals to ensure workers know their
Auctions. The Capacity Market aims to ensure security
rights and receive the benefits they are entitled to, and
of electricity supply by providing a payment for reliable
that action is taken against employers who breach those
sources of capacity, alongside electricity revenues, to
rights. Proposals include:
ensure the delivery of electricity when needed.
i) First-day entitlements to holiday and sick pay;
• The department’s ambition is for the UK to have the
lowest energy costs in Europe, for both households and ii) A new right to payslips for all workers, including
businesses. casual and zero-hour workers; and
i) The Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill iii) A right for all workers to request a more stable
put a requirement on the independent regulator, Ofgem, contract, providing more financial security for those on
to cap energy tariffs until 2020. It came into force in flexible contracts.
January 2019, saving customers on default tariffs • As of 1st 2019 the National Minimum Wage (NMW)
around £76 on average and as much as £120 on the was £7.70, and the National Living Wage (NLW) was
most expensive tariffs. £8.21. The annual earnings of a full-time minimum
ii) As of March 2019, there were over 14.3 million wage worker have increased by over £2,750 since the
meters operating under the Smart Meter programme. introduction of the NLW in April 2016. An estimated
1.8 million workers are expected to benefit from this
Making the UK the best place to work and grow a
above inflation increase. By 2020, almost 3 million low
business
wage workers are expected to benefit directly from the
The Secretary of State has set out her ambition to make NLW, with up to 6 million in total potentially seeing
the UK the best place in the world to work and grow a their pay rise as a result of a ripple effect up the
business. Creating fairer, inclusive workplaces and earnings distribution.
unlocking enterprise by cutting the burdens on businesses
• The Parental Bereavement Act entitles parents who
are two sides of the same coin and both equally important.
lose a child under the age of 18 to two weeks paid
• We announced that the British Business Bank would leave, supporting those affected by the tragedy of
expand its venture capital and debt support childhood mortality.Written Statements 5 November 2019 Page 5
• The department consulted on a number of key • We launched the West Midlands and Greater
employment issues. These include measures to boost Manchester Local Industrial Strategies, working with
workplace participation and to tackle employers local leaders to boost the productivity and earning
misusing flexible working arrangements. power of people throughout these regions. Local
• We announced a Tipping Bill, reaffirming our Industrial Strategies will allow places to make the most
commitment to delivering employment rights reform to of their distinctive strengths, helping to inform local
ensure our employment practices keep pace with choices, prioritise local action and, where appropriate,
modern ways of working. help to inform decisions at the national level.
Solving the Grand Challenges facing our society • We announced funding for Strategic Priorities Fund
Our Industrial Strategy is built to ensure we focus our (SPF) Wave 2 programmes on healthy ageing, clean air
and productivity. These will help us to fulfil our goal of
efforts and resources on solving the grand challenges
improving lives and increasing productivity through
facing our society. Through this we will increase
high-quality research and innovation. Programmes
productivity and improve lives, as well as helping to make
include research into care robots that could make caring
the UK a science superpower.
responsibilities easier; digitising museum exhibits so
• The Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the they can be seen in peoples’ homes, libraries and
future White Paper set out the Government’s long-term schools; research into teenage mental health issues and
plan to boost the productivity and earning power of closing the productivity gap with investment in super
people throughout the UK, provide more opportunities computers and a new productivity institute. The SPF
for young people to find high-quality, high-skilled Wave 2 total programme funding allocation is £496.8
work, and spread jobs, prosperity and opportunity million.
around the whole country.
• We set out plans to rewrite the regulation rulebook to
• We launched four Grand Challenges to put the UK at ensure the UK leads the tech revolution and empowers
the forefront of the industries of the future: consumers. The ‘Regulation for the Fourth Industrial
i) Growing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Revolution White Paper’ outlined how the Government
Driven Economy will transform the UK’s regulatory system to free up
ii) Clean Growth businesses and innovators to test their ideas, make use
iii) Future of Mobility of the latest technologies and get their products to
market quicker – keeping the UK at the forefront of
iv) Ageing Society innovation.
We are pursuing five individual missions related to • We committed to increase investment to 2.4% of GDP
these Grand Challenges. Each of the missions focuses on by 2027. The Government is increasing spending on
a specific problem, bringing government, businesses and R&D by £7 billion over 5 years by 2021/22. This will
organisations across the country together to make a real
be the largest increase in nearly 40 years.
difference to people’s lives.
Within this funding we have:
• We agreed 11 Sector Deals – partnerships between the
government and industry to create significant i) Allocated £1.7 billion to the Industrial Strategy
opportunities to maximise the potential of each sector. Challenge Fund (ISCF) over two waves of investment.
Each deal will substantially boost the sector’s £1bn was announced for Wave 1 in Budget 2017, and a
productivity, through greater investment in innovation further £725m announced in the Industrial Strategy
and skills. White Paper. These challenges have been developed to
• The Space Industry Act created a regulatory align with the four Grand Challenges set out in the
framework for the expansion of commercial space White Paper. We have announced nine challenges
activities and the development of the UK space port. It under the third wave of the ISCF.
will enable the first commercial space launch from UK ii) Announced investment of £118 million to attract
soil in history, creating the potential for hundreds of highly skilled researchers to the UK through a new
highly-skilled jobs and bringing in billions of pounds Ernest Rutherford Fund, providing fellowships for
for the economy. early-career and senior researchers.
• We launched the AI package for 200 UK doctoral iii) Committed £900m to the UK Research Partnership
studentships in AI and related disciplines which could Investment Fund over 2012-2021, which will lever
help diagnose diseases like cancer earlier and make double from private sources into R&D collaborations
industries, including aviation and automotive, more between universities, business and charities.
sustainable. iv) Committed to developing the UK’s national space
• The ‘Future of mobility: urban strategy’ outlined the capabilities, including:
government’s approach to maximising the benefits from
• £1m, matched by industry, for innovative new
transport innovation in cities and towns, therefore
business ideas that could benefit from a flight to the
improving choice and the operation of the transport
International Space Station. These could be anything
system. The strategy aims to make transport safer, more
from medicines and innovative materials developed in
affordable and accessible to all.Page 6 5 November 2019 Written Statements
the low gravity environment, to space-flown consumer ECOFIN
products.
[HLWS93]
• £20m is being invested to predict severe space
The Earl of Courtown: My right honourable friend the
weather events by improving systems at the Met Office
Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sajid Javid) has today made
Space Weather Operations Centre and building the
the following Written Ministerial Statement.
UK’s knowledge on how to forecast and better prepare
for space weather. A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs
Council (ECOFIN) will be held in Brussels on 08
To support R&D we have also:
November 2019. The UK will be represented by Mark
Within this funding we have: Bowman (Director General, International Finance, HM
i) Published Higher Education: Success as a Knowledge Treasury). The Council will discuss the following:
Economy (White Paper, 2016). This document set out a Excise Duties
range of reforms to the higher education and research The Council will be invited to agree the: Directive on
system, aiming to boost competition and choice in general arrangements for excise duty (recast); the
higher education, and strengthen the way the sector is Regulation on administrative cooperation of the content
regulated, and research is funded. of electronic registers; and amendments to the Directive
ii) Passed the Higher Education and Research Act on the structures of excise duty on alcohol.
(2017), bringing together the seven Research Councils, VAT Data from Payment Service Providers
Innovate UK and research functions of HEFCE into a
The Council will be invited to agree a General
single, strategic agency called UK Research and
Approach on amendments to: the Directive on the
Innovation (UKRI) to encourage collaborative research
common system of VAT with regards to requirements for
across the sciences, and closer cooperation between
payment service providers; and the Regulation on
researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs. UKRI was
administrative cooperation in the field of VAT concerning
formally launched in April 2018.
measures to combat VAT fraud.
Getting businesses ready for Brexit and the VAT Treatment for Small Enterprises
opportunities beyond
The Council will be invited to agree amendments to the
Preparing for all scenarios and delivering a Brexit that Directive on the common system of VAT in regards to the
works for business has been the government and the special scheme for small enterprises.
department’s immediate focus.
Current Financial Services Legislative Proposals
• As part of the Government campaign to ensure people
The Finnish Presidency will provide an update on
and businesses are ready for Brexit, the Secretary of
current legislative proposals in the field of financial
State hosted nine business roundtables, including five
services.
regional events, and visited businesses across the UK,
in locations including Belfast, Aberdeen, Cardiff and European Central Bank – Executive Board Member
Manchester. Businesses participating in the roundtables The Council will be invited to adopt a recommendation
included Tate and Lyle Sugars, JCB, Tesco, Unilever, to the European Council on the appointment of a new
Laing O’Rourke, Scottish Power and Diageo. member of the Executive Board of the European Central
• We ran a ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ roadshow, with 30 Bank.
events over six weeks across the UK, where 3,132 Digital Taxation
attendees received tailored advice and support on The Council will be updated on the current state of play
preparing for Brexit. We also produced an online of digital taxation and will discuss the way forward.
version of the roadshow, which has attracted nearly European Fiscal Board Report
6,000 viewers.
The Council will be presented with the 2019 Annual
• The department launched the Business Readiness report of the European Fiscal Board.
Fund to help Business Representative Organisations
(BROs) and trade associations to support businesses to EU Statistical Package
be ready for EU Exit. Initially launched as a £10 million The Council will be invited to adopt Council
fund, a further £5 million has been made available due Conclusions on the EU statistical package and to review
to the Fund’s popularity. So far over £10m in grants has progress achieved.
been issued to support 124 BROs. Climate Finance
• We published 28 of the government’s 106 technical The Council will be invited to adopt Council
notices to help the public prepare for Brexit, including Conclusions on climate finance for the COP25 climate
Horizon 2020, state aid, workplace rights, nuclear summit.
research, mergers and trading goods. Follow-up to International Meetings
• The Nuclear Safeguards Act made provisions for The Presidency and Commission will inform the
nuclear safeguards after the UK leaves Euratom, Council of the main outcomes of the G20 meeting of
ensuring the UK meets its international commitments. Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and theWritten Statements 5 November 2019 Page 7
IMF and World Bank Annual meetings held in October Overall the Government has continued to work closely
2019. with industry to address the issues that may affect the
civil nuclear sector in any exit scenario and remains
Stable Coins
committed to regular engagement with industry, civil
As an AOB, the Presidency will inform the Council society, academia, trade unions, and other interested
about a joint statement on stable coins to be agreed at stakeholders.
December ECOFIN.
Today I will be depositing a report in the Libraries of
the House that sets out further details on the overall
Euratom Exit Strategy progress on the Government’s implementation of its
[HLWS88] Euratom exit strategy, including domestic operational
readiness, legislation and international agreements. The
Lord Duncan of Springbank: My hon friend the
report covers the three-month reporting period from 26 th
Minister for Business and Industry (Nadhim Zahawi) has
March to 26th June 2019 and is the fourth and final
today made the following statement:
statutory report under section 3(4) of the Nuclear
The Government has further advanced its preparations Safeguards Act 2018.
for the UK’s withdrawal from Euratom and the European
Union. Foreign Affairs Council
As made clear in previous statements on the topic, the
[HLWS85]
UK has concluded all replacement international
agreements required to ensure continuity for civil nuclear Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable
trade for when Euratom arrangements no longer apply to Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and
the UK and confirmed the operability of an existing Commonwealth Affairs (Christopher Pincher), has made
bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement (NCA) with the following written Ministerial statement:
Japan. The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) will take place in
Further to this, the UK and the Government of Japan Brussels on 11 November. It will be chaired by the High
held formal negotiations on the text of an Amending Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign
Protocol to the existing bilateral Nuclear Co-operation Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Federica Mogherini.
Agreement (NCA) on 4 June. This Amending Protocol is The FAC will discuss Current Affairs, Afghanistan and
not essential for the operability of the NCA or for our Iran. There will also be a Ministerial lunch with the
continued trade and cooperation with Japan but completes Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok.
the formal legal process to amend the NCA on a Current Affairs
permanent basis. Negotiations on the Amending Protocol
HRVP Mogherini will raise Venezuela. She will reflect
continue.
on two international meetings held in Brussels in October.
Implementation guidelines for nuclear operators were First, the International Contact Group meeting held on 28
published on 27 June outlining future reporting October. Secondly, the International Solidarity
requirements on operators related to nuclear cooperation Conference on the Venezuelan Refugee and Migrant
agreements. These requirements will allow the UK to Crisis which took place in on 28-29 October.
comply with its NCAs with Australia, Canada, Japan and HRVP Mogherini will brief Ministers on the follow-up
the US, following withdrawal from Euratom. to the October FAC and European Council conclusions on
The UK also continued to make progress in Turkey’s actions in North-East Syria and Turkish
implementing its new domestic safeguards regime. The hydrocarbons exploration activity. We expect the Council
Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) remains in a state of to adopt a framework for a sanctions regime on the latter.
readiness to deliver a state system of accounting for and HRVP Mogherini will also provide an update on the
control of nuclear material (SSAC) that enables the UK to conflict in Libya and preparations for the leader-level
meet its international safeguards obligations when conference which Chancellor Merkel will host in Berlin
Euratom arrangements no longer apply. later this year.
The former Secretary of State prescribed the forms Afghanistan
required by UK industry to notify UK regulators of the
Due to time constraints, the discussion on Afghanistan
import of sealed radioactive sources from EU Member
at the October FAC was postponed to November. Ahead
States as well as the forms required by UK industry and
of the publication of the recent Presidential election
UK regulators to apply for, authorise, and notify
results, Ministers will focus on the political situation in
transfrontier shipments of radioactive waste and spent
Afghanistan. They will review prospects for peace, in
fuel. The use of these forms will only be required from
light of recent Afghan and US-led peace efforts. The UK
exit day in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a
will underline the importance of completing the electoral
deal. A statement notifying Parliament of the use of the
process in an impartial, efficient and transparent manner,
sub-delegated powers exercised to create these forms can
and highlight the importance of momentum in the peace
be found in the report accompanying this statement.
process.Page 8 5 November 2019 Written Statements
Iran included contingency planning for a ‘No Deal’ situation,
Ministers will discuss the EU’s approach to Iran and engagement to influence the EU on negotiation priorities
Gulf Regional Security. Ministers will focus in particular and an extension to Article 50, providing support to UK
on the importance of preserving the Joint Comprehensive nationals living in and travelling to the EU, and planning
Plan of Action (JCPoA) and the need for a diplomatic for the UK’s future partnership with the EU.
solution to de-escalate tensions in the region. Along with Since the Strategic Defence and Security Review in
our French and German partners, the UK will highlight 2015, this department has made significant achievements
the importance of Iran returning to full compliance with in the following priority areas.
its commitments under the JCPoA. All parties need to Protecting our People - Safeguarding our national
engage in comprehensive negotiations - without prejudice security by countering terrorism, extremism, weapons
to the JCPoA itself - to address Iran’s nuclear activities proliferation, and other state and non-state threats in co-
after 2025 as well as regional security. operation with allies and partners. Assisting British
Ministerial lunch with the Sudanese Prime Minister people living, travelling and working around the world in
Hamdok times of need.
Ministers will discuss recent progress in Sudan with • In 2018-19, the department provided invaluable
Prime Minister Hamdok. The UK will continue to urge assistance to over 22,000 British people around the
the EU to be ambitious in the level of support they world, and ongoing support to 7,700 existing cases. We
provide to Sudan throughout the political transition. This responded to 14 major incidents overseas, from terrorist
should be proportionate to needs and include assistance attacks and natural disasters to high profile political and
focussed on economic and social stability, the peace security issues.
process, human rights, and democracy and governance. • This year, the department partnered with the Civil
Council Conclusions Aviation Authority and the Department of Transport to
The Council is expected to adopt a number of measures, carry out HMG’s biggest peacetime repatriation
including: a framework sanctions regime in response to operation of more than 150,000 people following the
Turkish hydrocarbon explorations around Cyprus; the insolvency of Thomas Cook. In 2017, 85,000
Annual Review of the Venezuela sanctions regime; and passengers were returned to the UK after the collapse of
authorisation to open negotiations with Somalia on the Monarch.
status of the EU’s training mission for the Somali • The department played a vital role in the response to
Security Forces. Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The response
involved 138 substantive updates made to Travel
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Work of Advice for affected countries during the crisis, liaising
the Department with 14 Foreign Missions to answer queries on their
nationals affected by the hurricanes, answering over
[HLWS86] 3,800 calls to the crisis hotline and deploying 82 FCO
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable staff to provide support to 11 different countries in the
Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and region.
Commonwealth Affairs (Dominic Raab), has made the Projecting our Global Influence - Projecting and
following written Ministerial statement: promoting the values and influence of a Global Britain,
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses its strengthening our partnerships and the rules based
global platform to promote a truly Global Britain and international system. Supporting good governance,
support the UK’s values and interests – from helping democracy, rule of law and human rights; preventing and
victims of forced marriage to championing media resolving conflict; and building stability overseas.
freedom to securing market access for British companies. • In 2018, the department helped to ensure a robust
Its 270 diplomatic posts are invaluable assets in 169 international response to the use of chemical weapons,
countries and territories. Its leadership within nine following the attempted murder of a Russian dissident
multilateral organisations shapes global agendas and sets and his daughter in Salisbury using a chemical nerve
global standards. It supports 31 Government partners, agent. As a result, 28 countries and NATO expelled 130
including Department for International Development, Russian undeclared intelligence officers.
Department for International Trade and the British • The UK is proud to have helped train almost 3,000
Council. volunteers for the White Helmets (a volunteer
It is also a diplomatic network with ambitions to expand humanitarian organisation operating in Syria and
influence. By the end of 2020, the UK’s diplomatic Turkey) who have saved over 115,000 lives through
network will have opened twelve new diplomatic their emergency rescue services in Syria. Through post
missions across the globe since 2018, recruited 1,000 in Geneva and in New York, the department has
more staff members and boast more sovereign missions worked to pressure the regime and its backers to end the
than any other European country. fighting in north west Syria, and has supported efforts
The department has also provided extensive support to towards greater accountability for those who have
the government’s efforts to prepare for Brexit. This has attacked unarmed civilians, schools and hospitals. TheWritten Statements 5 November 2019 Page 9 department has continued its strong deterrence reforms and remove barriers to trade, reform key messaging against the use of chemical weapons in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, financial services, Syria, including through support for the Organisation future cities, education and healthcare, and tackle for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the corruption. targeted and proportionate military response to the • In 2018, BAE Systems (BAES) won the tender to chemical weapons attack in Douma in April 2018. design and build nine future frigates for the Royal • UK climate change diplomacy led by the department Australian Navy. It followed the department playing an helped achieve an historic international agreement to important role supporting the cross-Whitehall effort, tackle climate change in Paris in December 2015. For and leading the campaign’s co-ordination in Australia. the first time ever, 195 countries agreed to act together This outcome is a significant export boost for the UK as to combat global warming and reduce carbon we prepare to leave the EU. It will secure around £2 emissions. In 2020, alongside Italy, the UK will host billion of direct exports through British designed and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate manufactured components like engines (Rolls Royce) Change Conference of the Parties, a clear signal of the and Sonars (Thales UK and Ultra). It also opens doors UK’s global leadership on climate change and to UK SMEs and secures approximately £10 billion commitment to reducing greenhouse emissions to zero worth of exports through the life of the programme. The by 2050. whole of life sustainment win for BAES as a National • The UK has been a global leader in the international Shipbuilding Enterprise partner is likely to generate fight against the ivory trade, legislating to introduce the another £40 billion. toughest ivory ban in Europe and help bring an end to • In 2018, the department hosted the largest ever the poaching of elephants. In 2018, the FCO-organised Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference was attended by 46 Heads of Government and 49 Foreign Ministers. As 1,300 participants, and resulted in significant, ongoing Chair-in-Office, the department has since been working pledges by several countries. to strengthen the Commonwealth with delivery of Promoting our Prosperity -- Promoting our prosperity ambitious commitments on prosperity, security, fairness by opening markets, driving economic reform, and sustainability with a focus on supporting small championing British business, and supporting free trade island states. Moreover, the department has achieved and sustainable global growth. Foreign Ministers’ agreement to reforms that will • In calendar year 2018, the department continued to improve the governance of the Commonwealth play a unique role within the Government’s cross- Secretariat. departmental Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and make a critical contribution to the CSSF’s Immigration work to tackle instability and prevent conflicts that [HLWS95] threaten UK interests. The department both delivered the majority of CSSF programmes and co-ordinated Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the wider cross-government efforts at the country and Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel) regional level, drawing on its deep foreign policy has today made the following Written Ministerial expertise. For example, in Ukraine FCO-led CSSF Statement: programmes have strengthened peacebuilding and I am announcing today the conversion of the Prisons resilience of conflict-affected communities, assisting and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigation of Brook more than 111,000 Internally Displaced Peoples and House immigration removal centre to a statutory inquiry, supporting increased capacity in key government in accordance with the Inquiries Act 2005. This Inquiry ministries. will investigate the mistreatment of detainees at Brook • The department has led on negotiations on Gibraltar, House immigration removal centre broadcast in the BBC delivering an extensive set of agreements, as well as EU Panorama programme ‘Undercover: Britain’s Exit preparations on the other Overseas Territories. The Immigration Secrets’ on 4 September 2017. department has also supported the negotiation of The Government takes any allegation of mistreatment, arrangements for the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus, and the welfare of immigration detainees, very seriously, and prepared for the implications of EU Exit on UK and I want to establish the facts of what took place at sanctions policy. Brook House and ensure that lessons are learnt to prevent • In 2018-19, FCO-delivered Prosperity Fund these shocking events happening again. programmes, worth a combined £850 million from now Sue McAllister, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, until 2023, began to deliver expertise and assistance in had appointed Kate Eves to lead their special sectors and countries where there is high potential to investigation into Brook House. Following conversion of support the inclusive economic growth needed to the special investigation into an inquiry, Sue McAllister, reduce poverty. Programmes initiated included a £45m as Ombudsman, was automatically appointed as the chair. Global Anti-Corruption programme, and £34m ASEAN However, to ensure continuity with their investigation I economic reform and low carbon programmes. The have agreed that Sue McAllister will recuse herself and Prosperity Fund programme promotes economic Kate Eves will take up the position of inquiry chair. Kate
Page 10 5 November 2019 Written Statements
Eves is an experienced and highly qualified investigator events at Brook House, conducted by the PPO, before it
within custodial environments. was converted to a statutory inquiry.
I have consulted with both Sue McAllister and with Method
Kate Eves to confirm that the inquiry will have a similar
As a statutory inquiry, the Inquiry will operate within
scope to the PPO special investigation.
the legal framework provided by the Inquiries Act 2005.
From today, the Inquiry will have statutory powers to As such, the procedure and conduct of the Inquiry are to
compel witnesses and establish the truth of what took be directed by the chairman.
place at Brook House.
Report
I wish Kate Eves and all at the Inquiry every success in
taking forward this important piece of work. The Inquiry should be undertaken with sufficient pace
to enable resulting recommendations to be implemented
The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference are set out below: as quickly and effectively as possible. It is expected, on
Purpose the basis of current information, that the Inquiry will
To investigate into and report on the decisions, actions make its best endeavours to complete work and produce a
and circumstances surrounding the mistreatment of final report to the Home Secretary, setting out their
detainees broadcast in the BBC Panorama programme findings of fact and recommendations, within 12 months.
‘Undercover: Britain’s Immigration Secrets’ on 4 Principles
September 2017.
The Inquiry will have full access to all the material it
To reach conclusions with regard to the treatment of seeks.
detainees where there is credible evidence of
mistreatment contrary to Article 3 ECHR; and then make The Inquiry will bear the legal expenses for any
any such recommendations as may seem appropriate. In individuals designated as core participant status by the
particular the inquiry will investigate: Inquiry chairperson.
1) The treatment of complainants, including identifying It is not part of the Inquiry’s function to determine civil
whether there has been mistreatment and identifying or criminal liability of named individuals or organisations.
responsibility for any mistreatment. This should not, however, inhibit the Inquiry from
reaching findings of fact relevant to its terms of reference.
2) Whether methods, policies, practices and
management arrangements (both of the Home Office and
Intimidation in Public Life
its contractors) caused or contributed to any identified
mistreatment. [HLWS97]
3) Whether any changes to these methods, policies, Earl Howe: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Paymaster General
practices and management arrangements would help to and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden) has
prevent a recurrence of any identified mistreatment. made the following statement to the House of Commons:
4) Whether any clinical care issues caused or In July 2017, the then Prime Minister commissioned the
contributed to any identified mistreatment. independent and respected Committee on Standards in
Public Life to undertake a review into abuse and
5) Whether any changes to clinical care would help to
intimidation in elections. This followed concerning
prevent a recurrence of any identified mistreatment.
evidence from many Parliamentary candidates – across
6) The adequacy of the complaints and monitoring the political spectrum – on their experiences during the
mechanisms provided by Home Office Immigration 2017 general election.
Enforcement and external bodies (including, but not
For those in public life, it has become harder and harder
limited to, the centre’s independent monitoring board and
to conduct any political discussion, on any issue, without
statutory role of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons) in
it descending into tribalism and rancour. Social media and
respect of any identified mistreatment.
digital communication – which in themselves can and
Scope should be forces for good in our democracy – are being
For the purpose of the inquiry, the term “complainants” exploited and abused, often anonymously.
is used to refer to any individual who was detained at It is important to distinguish between strongly felt
Brook House Immigration Removal Centre during the political debate on one hand, and unacceptable acts of
period 1 April 2017 to 31 August 2017 where there is abuse, hatred, intimidation and violence. British
credible evidence of mistreatment of that individual. democracy has always been robust and oppositional. But
“Mistreatment” is used to refer to treatment that is a line is crossed when disagreement mutates into
contrary to Article 3 ECHR. intimidation.
The Inquiry should in particular include investigation in Left unchecked, abuse and intimidation will change our
to the mistreatment of complainants known (in the recent democracy and mean that the way Members interact with
Brook House litigation) as MA and BB. constituents will need to change. Increasing levels of
The Inquiry may wish to draw upon the evidence and threats directed at those in public life is a worrying trend
findings of the previous special investigation in to the that will require a coordinated and thorough responseWritten Statements 5 November 2019 Page 11
from government, the relevant authorities, businesses and education and awareness for all users and to promote the
the public themselves to address. development and adoption of new safety technologies.
As the general election campaign commences, I want to The Cabinet Office has undertaken a public
update the House on the actions that the Government has consultation entitled ‘Protecting the Debate: Intimidation,
taken to tackle intimidation, and the steps that the Influence and Information’. From that we committed to
Government is taking in this specific election. legislate to introduce a new electoral offence, clarify the
Prosecution guidance electoral offence of undue influence of a voter, and
introduce a digital imprints regime.
We have worked with the Law Officers to publish new
guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for Digital imprints
the legal authorities on the laws on intimidation, and the We recognise the important arguments in favour of
wide range of areas in which intimidation can be having a digital imprints regime in place as soon as
prosecuted under existing laws. This has been possible, but it was not possible to legislate for and
complemented by guidance to the police from the implement a regime in advance of a December election.
National Police Chiefs Council. Technical considerations would need to be addressed, for
The CPS guidance can be found at: Responding to example to avoid the need for individual candidates and
intimidating behaviour: Information for Parliamentarians campaigners to publish their home addresses as part of an
(https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/pub imprint. Moreover, for a digital imprints regime to work
lications/Responding-to-intimidating-behaviour-04- properly, political parties, campaigners and others would
2019.pdf ). The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), need to understand on what material they are required to
CPS, College of Policing and Electoral Commission have include an imprint. Rushing into a new regime - that
also issued Joint Guidance for Candidates in Elections could have proved unworkable - could have led to
(https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/file significant issues, including confusion, unintentionally
s/pdf_file/Joint-Guidance-for-Candidates-in- stifling democratic debate or to people unknowingly
Elections.pdf), which is distributed by the Electoral committing an offence.
Commission. The Government is committed to implementing a
Supporting local councils digital imprints regime as soon as it can - but it must be a
workable regime.
We have passed legislation to remove the requirements
for candidates running for local government, parish Defending Democracy Programme
council, and local mayoral elections, to have their On 22 July 2019, the Government announced the
addresses on their ballot papers. Defending Democracy programme that will help maintain
We have written to Local Authority Chief Executives, the integrity of our democracy and electoral processes.
to raise awareness about the sensitive interest provisions This cross-government programme, led by the Cabinet
in the Localism Act 2011 which protect the personal Office, has been set up to:
addresses of councillors in England, ensuring that • protect and secure UK democratic processes, systems
monitoring officers are aware of the guidance published and institutions from interference, including from
by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local cyber, personnel and physical threats;
Government. • strengthen the integrity of UK elections;
New legislation to tackle intimidation • encourage respect for open, fair and safe democratic
We have consulted on our Internet Safety Strategy participation; and
Green paper, and we published the world-leading DCMS- • promote fact-based and open discourse, including
Home Office Online Harms White Paper in April 2019. online.
This set out a range of legislative and non-legislative
Earlier this year, this Government committed to
measures detailing how we will tackle online harms and
publishing a consultation on electoral integrity, which will
set clear responsibilities for tech companies to keep UK
look at measures to improve voters’ confidence in our
citizens safe. It established a government-wide approach
democracy.
to online safety, delivering the Digital Charter’s ambitions
of making the UK the safest place in the world to be Protection of candidates
online, whilst also leading the world in innovation- The Parliamentary Liaison and Investigations Team
friendly regulation that supports the growth of the tech (PLAIT) and the Members Security Support Team
sector. (MSSS) will continue to support Members once they
The White Paper set out the Government’s intention to become candidates after dissolution. Personal security
introduce a new mandatory ‘duty of care’, which will advice and guidance has been provided to all Members,
require relevant companies to take reasonable steps to and there is a package of security measures available for
keep their users safe and tackle illegal and harmful homes and constituency offices.
activity on their services. It stated that the new regulatory • Local police forces are chiefly responsible for the
framework will make clear companies’ responsibility to security of candidates. As such, they have been briefed
address the harm of “online abuse of public figures”. The on their responsibilities regarding the delivery of
White Paper also included ambitious measures to support protective security measures. The Home SecretaryYou can also read
