Parliament
279 mentions of the inquiry in Parliament: debates, written questions and statements, oral questions and early day motions, from Hansard.
Mike Lowe, Simon Dugmore and Cupcake Coffee Box
That this House commends and congratulates Simon Dugmore and Mike Lowe, who are retiring after eight years as owner-operators of Cupcake Coffee Box and applauds the couple's commitment to foster caring for 50 children over a 12-year period; recognises their business as a welcoming community hub in the heart of Kirkcaldy that offers sessions from fostering to book clubs, and Christmas Day opening, which provides a safe and festive space for socially-isolated people; further recognises their ef...
Papers requested by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry
That this House considers that a motion for an humble address should be debated that gives directions that there will be laid before this House all papers requested of His Majesty’s Government by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry for the the sole purpose of the Inquiry’s use and including any unredacted WhatsApp messages, diaries and notebooks as requested.
Cabinet Office: Correspondence
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place in the Library of the House copies of all correspondence between his Department and the Right Honourable Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip on funding for his legal representation for the off
The Cabinet Office does not ordinarily publish correspondence for ongoing legal matters.
Read full answer →Covid-19 Inquiry: Legal Costs
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of legal fees for judicial review of the notice from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to his Department under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005.
The government’s work on the Inquiry requires legal support which departments will procure at their own discretion from approved internal and external sources. The Judicial Review is ongoing, and as such the Cabinet Office does not yet have an estimate of the cost of the judicial review in this case.
Read full answer →Carers Week 2023
That this House supports Carers Week 2023, taking place from 5 to 11 June; notes this year’s theme of recognising and supporting carers in the community; emphasises that millions of unpaid carers provide care worth £445 million each day to their family, friends and neighbours who are disabled, ill or older and need support; highlights that unpaid carers have been under immense pressure over the past few years with the covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis; and calls on the Governmen...
Williamwood High School and the Eco Green Flag award
That this House congratulates Williamwood High School on achieving an Eco Green Flag award for their intensive efforts to improve the school’s local environment; notes that over 40 projects were carried out by students and staff over a difficult two-year period which coincided with the covid-19 pandemic; further notes that the school’s Eco Committee played an important role in the drive to achieve the Eco Green Flag award; understands that the Eco Committee produced an environmental pledge wh...
Volunteers’ Week 2023
That this House commends the hard work and dedication shown by volunteers across the country; recognises Volunteers' Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June, as an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and inspire more people to try volunteering; notes that the personal benefits of volunteering for individuals and communities are wide ranging; further notes that 27 per cent of Scotland's adult population volunteered for a group or organisation in 2021, equating to over 1.2 million...
Conduct of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip and legal funding
That this House expresses deep concern over the decision to make taxpayers fund the legal bill of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip for advice and assistance on the inquiry by the Committee on Privileges into the allegations that the Rt hon. Member misled the House in relation to social gatherings held in Downing Street during the covid-19 national lockdown; notes that the Treasury did not sign off this funding; considers that it is unacceptable that taxpayers are being forced...
Child poverty in the north of England
That this House is deeply concerned by the warnings of the Child of the North APPG report on Child Poverty and the Cost of Living Crisis that the aftermath of covid-19, increasing child poverty and cost of living pressures has pushed vulnerable families in the north of England to the edge and created a situation which could see disastrous effects for generations; notes that children in the north have a nearly 34 per cent chance of living in poverty, with some areas tackling levels above 40 pe...
Public Bodies: Inquiries
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the total number of inquiries into public bodies in each year since 2017.
The UK Government Inquiries established in each year since 2017 are set out below. These include both non-statutory Inquiries and those established under the Inquiries Act 2005. They do not include Inquiries established by the Northern Ireland Executive or the Scottish Government.
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2017
Elizabeth Dixon Investigation; Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry; Infected Blood Inquiry; Independent Inquiry into the award of the Magnox decommissioning contract by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and its subsequent termination
2018
Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review; Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by Ian Paterson
2019
Brook House Inquiry; Manchester Arena Inquiry
2020
Jermaine Baker Inquiry; Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
2021
Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
2022
Angiolini Inquiry; Dawn Sturgess Inquiry; Fuller Inquiry; UK Covid-19 Inquiry; Independent Inquiry into alleged unlawful activity by British Armed Forces during deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan
2023 to date
Inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing
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Read full answer →UK COVID-19 Inquiry
On 28 June 2022, the final terms of reference for the Covid-19 Inquiry were announced in this House. Baroness Hallett has emphasised that she is keen to start hearing evidence as quickly as possible and to make timely recommendations. To assist with this, and following careful consideration and consultation with Baroness Hallett, I have decided the Inquiry will be most efficient and swift if Baroness Hallett sits without a panel.To help ensure that the Inquiry has the expertise required for i...
On 28 June 2022, the final terms of reference for the Covid-19 Inquiry were announced in this House. Baroness Hallett has emphasised that she is keen to start hearing evidence as quickly as possible and to make timely recommendations. To assist with this, and following careful consideration and consultation with Baroness Hallett, I have decided the Inquiry will be most efficient and swift if Baroness Hallett sits without a panel.
To help ensure that the Inquiry has the expertise required for its broad scope, Baroness Hallett stated when she opened the Inquiry that she would appoint scientific, economic and other experts to help her with her work, covering a range of different topics and views. The reports and advice Baroness Hallett receives from these experts will be entered into evidence and published by the Inquiry.
Experts will play an important role in the Inquiry but the pandemic has affected every one of us right across the United Kingdom. We have always been very clear that the Inquiry must hear from those most affected by the pandemic, including those who have tragically lost their loved ones. The Inquiry will be gathering views from the public in a number of different ways, including through a ‘listening exercise’ which will enable individuals to contribute to the Inquiry without the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing.
The Inquiries Act allows the independent inquiry chair to determine an inquiry’s process and procedure. Baroness Hallett has considerable experience and expertise in leading complex investigations. She is putting in place mechanisms to enable the Inquiry to gather the breadth of evidence and experiences needed to deliver its work effectively and efficiently, with the findings and recommendations published as soon as practicable.
I therefore believe that the Inquiry will have access to a range of expertise which negates the need for a panel. For these reasons, and for those of pace, I have decided not to pursue a panel to sit alongside Baroness Hallett.
In weighing up these issues, I am conscious of the recent criticism over the length of time that the public Inquiry may take to reach its conclusions. It is in the public interest that the Inquiry is thorough, rigorous and comprehensive, but also delivers its report without excessive delay.
Read full answer →Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh
That this House marks that on 24 April it is 10 years since the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed at least 1,132 workers and injured more than 2,500, a large proportion of whom were women in what was one of the worst industrial accidents on record; is concerned at the ongoing poor labour conditions, low wages and unsafe work environments, with a high incidence of work-related accidents and deaths, faced by workers in the garment sector worldwide; is alarme...
Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels
That the House notes that a Civic Reception will be held to mark Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels being awarded the overall winners of the Provost’s Civic Awards in 2021; understands that due to the covid-19 pandemic they were not afforded an opportunity to be recognised for their achievements and that their volunteers, helpers and friends will have that opportunity at this reception; also notes that the services they provide include food supplies via their community pantry, toiletries, feminine p...
Jack Ransom 103rd birthday
That this House is congratulates Jack Ransom, a resident of Largs, who reached the milestone of his 103rd birthday on 15 April 2023; understands that Jack is a Londoner by birth, known locally as the Scottish Cockney, and notably served in the army and survived the horrific conditions of the Burma Railway in World War Two; recognises that, due to covid-19, Jack was unable to celebrate his 100th birthday as planned and, therefore, is determined to celebrate this special occasion; and wishes Ja...
Lisa Sultana
That this House congratulates Lisa Sultana for her fundraising successes in Strathaven; recognises her creative and determined efforts in setting up a Facebook group and raffling prizes to raise money for charity, especially for food banks; notes how this not only encouraged the local community in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, but also raised over £20,000; applauds the wider community for their generous giving of money, gifts and daily essentials; commends the further contribution made ...
Covid-19 Inquiry: Equality
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that the Covid-19 inquiry hears views from people with protected characteristics including (a) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) sex.
The Covid-19 inquiry's terms of reference require it to consider any disparities evident in the impact of the pandemic on different protected characteristics including (a) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) sex, and to listen to the experiences of those most affected by the pandemic. The inquiry’s process and procedure for fulfilling its terms of reference are a matter for its independent chair.
Read full answer →150th anniversary of the Parkhead Congregational Church
That this House congratulates Parkhead Congregational Church on their 150th anniversary; notes that in 1863 twenty scholars and three teachers met in the East End of Glasgow to form a Sunday School, this eventually became the Parkhead Congregational Church; commends the Church for supporting the local community through many historical events over the past 150 years, particularly for supporting their congregation recently with the covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis; and hopes that...
Auchmuty High School, Glenrothes, Eco Schools Status and Green Flag Award
That this House congratulates Auchmuty High School, Glenrothes on their success in achieving Eco-School status and the recent award of their Green Flag; recognises that pupils in the Eco-Schools Working Group have worked relentlessly over recent years including throughout the covid-19 pandemic to reach their Eco-Schools goal; notes that Eco-Schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world, with participation across 74 countries; acknowledges that Auchmuty High School is the l...
Radio 1’s Big Weekend Dundee
That this House welcomes the announcement that BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 will be held in Dundee’s Camperdown Park; notes that the Big Weekend 2020 was due to be held in the city but was sadly cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic; further notes that 80,000 people are expected to attend the festival over its three days, with millions more watching and listening to coverage through the BBC; recognises the cultural and economic benefits that this will bring to Dundee and the wider area; th...
Covid-19 Inquiry
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the chair of the covid-19 public inquiry on the progress of that inquiry.
The Cabinet Office, as sponsor department, has supported the Covid Inquiry with its practical set up. Under the Inquiries Act, the process, procedure and timing of the inquiry’s stages are matters for the independent inquiry Chair. Progress is well underway and details relating to the Inquiry’s planned and current work are available on the Covid-19 Inquiry’s website.
Read full answer →Great Annual Savings Group
That this House recognises that vital work of Great Annual Savings Group, a business to business cost reduction service, in promoting local enterprise; notes the company has been recognised as the UK’s leading cost reduction specialist for customer care according to Trustpilot; also notes Great Annual Savings was named the second fastest growing company in the North East at the prestigious Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 Awards; thanks the Great Annual Saving team for their community legac...
Covid-19 Inquiry: Travellers
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are fully represented in the Government's UK covid-19 public inquiry.
The Inquiry is specifically required to consider any disparities evident in the impact of the pandemic on different categories of people. This includes, but is not limited to, those relating to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and equality categories under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Under the Inquiries Act 2005, decisions regarding the conduct of the Inquiry are for the Independent Chair.
Read full answer →Niamh Junner's karate career
That this House congratulates Niamh Junner from East Renfrewshire after the most successful year in her karate career to date; appreciates that Niamh won a bronze medal at the under-21 European championships in Prague and a further bronze medal at the under-21 World championships in Konya; notes that due to her successes in Prague and Konya, Niamh is now ranked in the World's top 5 under-21 females +68 kg category; recognises that Niamh has been a member of the Scotland national karate team f...
Begg Shoes, Inverness: Living Wage Scotland Newcomer Award
That this House congratulates Begg Shoes in Inverness on recently being awarded the Living Wage Scotland Newcomer Award; recognises their commitment to adopting the real Living Wage after covid-19 pandemic, particularly given the challenges local retailers faced during this time; notes that Begg Shoes pay their staff above the Real Living Wage rate to help protect living standards for their staff; and recognises the ongoing work of Living Wage Scotland to increase the number of employees rece...
Covid-19 Inquiry
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister plans to meet with the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice to discuss appointing panel members to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
Appointments to an inquiry panel are made in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Inquiries Act 2005 and in consultation with the chair. Any representations on the composition of the panel will be duly considered by the Government. Moreover, the inquiry’s terms of reference require it to “listen to and consider carefully the experiences of bereaved families and others who have suffered hardship or loss as a result of the pandemic".
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