Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on delivering an agreement with the EU on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications as committed to in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Answered by Leo Docherty

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides a framework to facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications covering the UK and all 27 EU Member States. In May 2021, the Government published technical guidance for regulators and professional bodies proposing professional qualifications for recognition through the TCA framework on GOV.UK. In August 2022 the Government launched a Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme to support regulators' financial costs to agree recognition arrangements. On 3 October 2022, the UK and EU regulators for architecture submitted the first joint recommendation to the Partnership Council. The UK and EU discussed the recommendation at the Services, Investment and Digital Trade Specialised Committee on 20 October 2022 and the Government will publish further updates on the development of this arrangement in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of Energy Bill Support Scheme prepayment meter vouchers claimed in (a) March 2023 and (b) January 2023.

Answered by Amanda Solloway

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) collects information about the payments made under the Energy Bills Support Scheme GB (EBSS GB) in England, Wales and Scotland. Transparency data on Energy Bills Support Scheme GB payments made by electricity suppliers to customers is reported monthly and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-payments-made-by-electricity-suppliers-to-customers.

In January 2023, 1,953,160 prepayment vouchers were delivered across England, Scotland and Wales. Reporting for the four months of the scheme up to 31 January 2023 shows that 7,916,490 vouchers were issued to customers using prepayment meters, of which 5,992,390 (76%) had been redeemed. Data for March 2023 will be published via the link above in April.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve the uptake of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers.

Answered by Amanda Solloway

The Department has been engaging with stakeholders and suppliers to increase the uptake of traditional prepayment vouchers in GB and continues to work with the sector, as well as consumer groups, charities and local leaders to reach eligible customers with unused vouchers that have not yet benefitted from this support.

This includes ongoing government information campaigns to raise awareness via roaming advert vans, community radio, social media and national magazine titles.

The latest figures published in March indicate that in the first five months of the scheme 78% of issued vouchers were redeemed.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with energy companies on the uptake of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers.

Answered by Amanda Solloway

In December, the Secretary of State wrote to all relevant electricity suppliers and Ministers have chaired two roundtables with CEOs of suppliers providing traditional prepayment meters on 7 December and 25 January. I intend to host a further roundtable with these suppliers. The Department continues to work with stakeholders to ensure every effort is made to reach all eligible households.

The latest figures published in March indicate that in the first five months of the scheme, 78% of issued vouchers were redeemed.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the value of unclaimed Energy Bill Support Scheme prepayment meter vouchers in Manchester Withington constituency.

Answered by Amanda Solloway

Reporting to the three months to December 31st 2022 shows an estimated 8,170 Energy Bills Support Scheme traditional prepayment meter vouchers were issued to households in Manchester Withington, with 5,930 (73%) of these redeemed. October and November vouchers were valued at £66 and the December voucher at £67 meaning the 2,240 unredeemed vouchers have a value of approximately £150,000. Transparency data on Energy Bills Support Scheme GB payments made by electricity suppliers to customers is reported monthly and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-payments-made-by-electricity-suppliers-to-customers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the intended implementation date is of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the UK Health Security Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on 1 December 2021.

Answered by Will Quince

On 1 December 2021, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) signed and implemented the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the collaboration between the two agencies on communicable diseases prevention and control. Further details on the cooperation activities and areas of mutual interest are set out at the following links:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-signs-memorandum-understanding-uk-health-security-agency

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-ecdc

The European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet) notification system is one of the EpiPulse surveillance systems that facilitates collection, analysis and dissemination of indicator- and event-based surveillance data on infectious diseases and associated health issues, including global epidemic intelligence, whole-genome sequencing, and health determinants.

Appointed experts from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EU countries within ECDC’s cooperation framework, and international organisations, can access the EpiPulse platform to report and analyse cases of infectious diseases and pathogens that may threaten public health in the EU/EEA.

The United Kingdom has a nominated EpiPulse Focal Point to oversee and manage access as a non-EU country within ECDC’s cooperation framework. Two experts from each of the four nations have been nominated to have access to disease specific domains on ECDC’s EpiPulse platform. EpiPulse incorporates the functions of ELDSNet. UK tour operators do not have access to the database as they are provided only to EU/EEA. Tour operators are advised by ABTA – The Travel Association to liaise with their suppliers and about the importance of following the Legionella 15 point plan to reduce the potential risk of Legionnaires’ disease and to keep accurate records of this as part of their due diligence procedures.

Further to the memorandum of understanding, UKHSA and ECDC have worked on a Joint Action Plan to maximise technical cooperation on specific topics to enhance UK health security. This plan is at an advanced stage and is expected to be signed off this year once the Windsor Framework is agreed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Health Security Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) signed on 1 December 2021 enables UK Tour Operators to regain access to the ECDC’s database in order to be informed of legionella clusters in the EU.

Answered by Will Quince

On 1 December 2021, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) signed and implemented the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the collaboration between the two agencies on communicable diseases prevention and control. Further details on the cooperation activities and areas of mutual interest are set out at the following links:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-signs-memorandum-understanding-uk-health-security-agency

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-ecdc

The European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet) notification system is one of the EpiPulse surveillance systems that facilitates collection, analysis and dissemination of indicator- and event-based surveillance data on infectious diseases and associated health issues, including global epidemic intelligence, whole-genome sequencing, and health determinants.

Appointed experts from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EU countries within ECDC’s cooperation framework, and international organisations, can access the EpiPulse platform to report and analyse cases of infectious diseases and pathogens that may threaten public health in the EU/EEA.

The United Kingdom has a nominated EpiPulse Focal Point to oversee and manage access as a non-EU country within ECDC’s cooperation framework. Two experts from each of the four nations have been nominated to have access to disease specific domains on ECDC’s EpiPulse platform. EpiPulse incorporates the functions of ELDSNet. UK tour operators do not have access to the database as they are provided only to EU/EEA. Tour operators are advised by ABTA – The Travel Association to liaise with their suppliers and about the importance of following the Legionella 15 point plan to reduce the potential risk of Legionnaires’ disease and to keep accurate records of this as part of their due diligence procedures.

Further to the memorandum of understanding, UKHSA and ECDC have worked on a Joint Action Plan to maximise technical cooperation on specific topics to enhance UK health security. This plan is at an advanced stage and is expected to be signed off this year once the Windsor Framework is agreed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the ELDSNet notification system is part of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon between the UK Health Security Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on 1 December 2021.

Answered by Will Quince

On 1 December 2021, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) signed and implemented the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the collaboration between the two agencies on communicable diseases prevention and control. Further details on the cooperation activities and areas of mutual interest are set out at the following links:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-signs-memorandum-understanding-uk-health-security-agency

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-ecdc

The European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet) notification system is one of the EpiPulse surveillance systems that facilitates collection, analysis and dissemination of indicator- and event-based surveillance data on infectious diseases and associated health issues, including global epidemic intelligence, whole-genome sequencing, and health determinants.

Appointed experts from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EU countries within ECDC’s cooperation framework, and international organisations, can access the EpiPulse platform to report and analyse cases of infectious diseases and pathogens that may threaten public health in the EU/EEA.

The United Kingdom has a nominated EpiPulse Focal Point to oversee and manage access as a non-EU country within ECDC’s cooperation framework. Two experts from each of the four nations have been nominated to have access to disease specific domains on ECDC’s EpiPulse platform. EpiPulse incorporates the functions of ELDSNet. UK tour operators do not have access to the database as they are provided only to EU/EEA. Tour operators are advised by ABTA – The Travel Association to liaise with their suppliers and about the importance of following the Legionella 15 point plan to reduce the potential risk of Legionnaires’ disease and to keep accurate records of this as part of their due diligence procedures.

Further to the memorandum of understanding, UKHSA and ECDC have worked on a Joint Action Plan to maximise technical cooperation on specific topics to enhance UK health security. This plan is at an advanced stage and is expected to be signed off this year once the Windsor Framework is agreed.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has held recent discussions with EU Member States on extending the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice

We remain open to negotiating Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) arrangements with other countries and territories including EU Member States. However, as each YMS is subject to a bilateral, reciprocal agreement which also provides benefit to UK nationals, with the detail negotiated and agreed between the relevant parties, we are unable to disclose the status of negotiations as they occur. Further details of additional YMS agreements will be announced once they are concluded.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government's policy is on extending the Youth Mobility Scheme to EU countries; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice

We remain open to negotiating Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) arrangements with other countries and territories including EU Member States. However, as each YMS is subject to a bilateral, reciprocal agreement which also provides benefit to UK nationals, with the detail negotiated and agreed between the relevant parties, we are unable to disclose the status of negotiations as they occur. Further details of additional YMS agreements will be announced once they are concluded.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to end the TransPennine Express contract in May 2023.

Answered by Huw Merriman

Every week I review the figures and performance related to TransPennine Express. It has been said before that those figures are not good enough; there has been some improvement, but they are still not good enough. As the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have informed the House, the contract expires on 28 May 2023. We have made clear that all options are on the table and a decision will be announced in the House shortly.

Great to meet with Orinoco to support The Great British Spring Clean, happening over the rest of this month. Just like The Wombles - we can be organised, work as a team, and be tidy and clean to improve the environment and keep pride in our communities. https://t.co/Hta2eKI4IE

@marcrileydj ? of course

On the 4th of May 2023, you must bring photo ID with you to vote at a polling station. If you don't have photo ID already, there's still time to apply for a voter authority certificate or for a postal vote. Read more about the requirements here https://t.co/8LJ60Ja4VQ https://t.co/YDebL8vMrj

The decision by world tennis authorities to fine and threaten the LTA for their principled stand is disappointing. The LTAs announcement maintains neutrality and no platform for Russia and Belorussia whilst protecting British tennis for fans and players https://t.co/5VvcuVJce1

I’m joining @asthmalunguk‘s campaign to end the #lunghealthlottery and urging the government to invest in earlier diagnosis, improved care, and respiratory research for people with lung conditions. If you agree with this, you can get involved here: https://t.co/dc10w7zeQG https://t.co/GqW3TnPA32

I’ve included an update about the Parsonage Road Safer Streets scheme on my website. Read more about the upcoming trial here https://t.co/3niYkFCGdG

⭐Funding opportunity for local groups⭐ British Airways Better World Community Fund provides additional support for projects in communities across the UK. For more details and to see if you could apply click here: https://t.co/UfOb9tyPll

This might not be news, but I don’t think Suella Braverman knows what she’s talking about… All the experts say that banning nitrous oxide will do more harm than good. https://t.co/lR83tQ2txS

I support the campaign to commemorate the pilots and navigators of the PRU who underwent highly dangerous work to collect intelligence - including Chorlton resident Ronald Prescott who campaigners are keen to find his relatives https://t.co/br5CA9RFwm

Our high streets are fundamental to our sense of belonging and pride in the places we live. It was great to meet up with @HistoricEngland recently at their new exhibition celebrating the English high street. https://t.co/9scYMXCjus

Found: Tahir Ali; Brendan Clarke- Smith; Allan Dorans; Virginia Crosbie; Mr Gregory Campbell; Simon Jupp; Jeff Smith