The Government wrote to the Insolvency Service on 23 March asking it to undertake an urgent and thorough enquiry into the recent actions of P&O Ferries, to determine whether the law has been complied with and consider prompt and appropriate action where it has not.

The Insolvency Service confirmed on 1^st April that following its enquiries it has initiated both formal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the redundancies made by P&O Ferries.

The Rt. Hon. Member will appreciate that while these investigations are being progressed it would not be appropriate to make further comment, but the Insolvency Service will provide an update in due course.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to the Insolvency Service asking them to urgently undertake a thorough review into the actions of P&O Ferries. As part of this review they will review the evidence around what notifications were given to the various authorities where P&O ferry have said their vessels are flagged.

The Dutch Government has confirmed that they will extend the current waiver to allow continued supply of Bedrocan oils against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 April 2022 to allow for domestic production to be established. The Department continues to work closely with the Dutch Government, the Home Office and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure continuity of supply of Bedrocan oils beyond this period.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by the Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment on 22 July 2021.

I am aware of the challenges from excess nutrient pollution that you highlight and the impact this is posing for development in Herefordshire. Sites in England affected by the same issues as those raised in the 'Dutch nitrogen' case are internationally important for biodiversity, and host a wide range of rare river wildlife afforded protected status under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). It is important to achieve the right balance of measures to allow sustainable development to continue whilst also securing improvement in the condition of our most important natural habitats.

We have therefore set up a monthly government task force involving MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure a clear action plan is in place, focusing on solutions for both permitting housebuilding to resume while not compromising the condition of Protected Sites. Solutions are being brought forward, including agreed mitigation measures in the River Avon SAC and the development of wetland proposals in Herefordshire. A £3.9 million Defra pilot in the Solent in Hampshire, aims to test market-based approaches that, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

I am continuing to discuss Natural England's approach with them and officials are working on additional support and updated guidance to be provided to Herefordshire and other affected catchments as well as working closely with local authorities across the country to support the implementation of nutrient neutral approaches.

We are also introducing a range of new measures in the Environment Bill to help facilitate improved collaboration, reductions in pollution and provide a more statutory footing for more innovative strategic approaches (such as those which have been used in the Solent) through the introduction of Protected Site Strategies. These aim to bring together key stakeholders to strategically address the multiple and complex offsite pressures protected sites face, identifying potential options to conserve and restore these sites whilst maximising local economic benefits. The way they will do this is by encouraging the design of bespoke solutions up front to address the cumulative, offsite issues affecting our most sensitive habitats.

The Government is also committed to addressing the sources of nutrient pollution, including by working with farmers. We have committed in the Agricultural Transition Plan (to replace EU-scheme-based regulation and enforcement with a new, more effective, and trusted approach and bring forward a slurry investment scheme from 2022 to address a key source of agricultural diffuse pollution. Catchment Sensitive Farming advice and Countryside Stewardship incentives also aim to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and Environmental Land Management will also incentivise actions that protect the environment. Work is also underway to tackle phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment through Catchment Partnerships and the recently announced Storm Overflows Taskforce seeks to make further improvements in this space.

Finally, officials take an evidence-based approach to policy development and look to learn from practices in other countries where similar challenges are faced. However, I have not spoken to my Dutch counterpart and do not believe my officials have consulted their respective counterparts, but we will continue to seek engagement opportunities with other countries on specific issues if required.

I am aware of the challenges from excess nutrient pollution that you highlight and the impact this is posing for development in Herefordshire. Sites in England affected by the same issues as those raised in the 'Dutch nitrogen' case are internationally important for biodiversity, and host a wide range of rare river wildlife afforded protected status under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). It is important to achieve the right balance of measures to allow sustainable development to continue whilst also securing improvement in the condition of our most important natural habitats.

We have therefore set up a monthly government task force involving MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure a clear action plan is in place, focusing on solutions for both permitting housebuilding to resume while not compromising the condition of Protected Sites. Solutions are being brought forward, including agreed mitigation measures in the River Avon SAC and the development of wetland proposals in Herefordshire. A £3.9 million Defra pilot in the Solent in Hampshire, aims to test market-based approaches that, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

I am continuing to discuss Natural England's approach with them and officials are working on additional support and updated guidance to be provided to Herefordshire and other affected catchments as well as working closely with local authorities across the country to support the implementation of nutrient neutral approaches.

We are also introducing a range of new measures in the Environment Bill to help facilitate improved collaboration, reductions in pollution and provide a more statutory footing for more innovative strategic approaches (such as those which have been used in the Solent) through the introduction of Protected Site Strategies. These aim to bring together key stakeholders to strategically address the multiple and complex offsite pressures protected sites face, identifying potential options to conserve and restore these sites whilst maximising local economic benefits. The way they will do this is by encouraging the design of bespoke solutions up front to address the cumulative, offsite issues affecting our most sensitive habitats.

The Government is also committed to addressing the sources of nutrient pollution, including by working with farmers. We have committed in the Agricultural Transition Plan (to replace EU-scheme-based regulation and enforcement with a new, more effective, and trusted approach and bring forward a slurry investment scheme from 2022 to address a key source of agricultural diffuse pollution. Catchment Sensitive Farming advice and Countryside Stewardship incentives also aim to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and Environmental Land Management will also incentivise actions that protect the environment. Work is also underway to tackle phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment through Catchment Partnerships and the recently announced Storm Overflows Taskforce seeks to make further improvements in this space.

Finally, officials take an evidence-based approach to policy development and look to learn from practices in other countries where similar challenges are faced. However, I have not spoken to my Dutch counterpart and do not believe my officials have consulted their respective counterparts, but we will continue to seek engagement opportunities with other countries on specific issues if required.

I am aware of the challenges from excess nutrient pollution that you highlight and the impact this is posing for development in Herefordshire. Sites in England affected by the same issues as those raised in the 'Dutch nitrogen' case are internationally important for biodiversity, and host a wide range of rare river wildlife afforded protected status under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). It is important to achieve the right balance of measures to allow sustainable development to continue whilst also securing improvement in the condition of our most important natural habitats.

We have therefore set up a monthly government task force involving MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure a clear action plan is in place, focusing on solutions for both permitting housebuilding to resume while not compromising the condition of Protected Sites. Solutions are being brought forward, including agreed mitigation measures in the River Avon SAC and the development of wetland proposals in Herefordshire. A £3.9 million Defra pilot in the Solent in Hampshire, aims to test market-based approaches that, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

I am continuing to discuss Natural England's approach with them and officials are working on additional support and updated guidance to be provided to Herefordshire and other affected catchments as well as working closely with local authorities across the country to support the implementation of nutrient neutral approaches.

We are also introducing a range of new measures in the Environment Bill to help facilitate improved collaboration, reductions in pollution and provide a more statutory footing for more innovative strategic approaches (such as those which have been used in the Solent) through the introduction of Protected Site Strategies. These aim to bring together key stakeholders to strategically address the multiple and complex offsite pressures protected sites face, identifying potential options to conserve and restore these sites whilst maximising local economic benefits. The way they will do this is by encouraging the design of bespoke solutions up front to address the cumulative, offsite issues affecting our most sensitive habitats.

The Government is also committed to addressing the sources of nutrient pollution, including by working with farmers. We have committed in the Agricultural Transition Plan (to replace EU-scheme-based regulation and enforcement with a new, more effective, and trusted approach and bring forward a slurry investment scheme from 2022 to address a key source of agricultural diffuse pollution. Catchment Sensitive Farming advice and Countryside Stewardship incentives also aim to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and Environmental Land Management will also incentivise actions that protect the environment. Work is also underway to tackle phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment through Catchment Partnerships and the recently announced Storm Overflows Taskforce seeks to make further improvements in this space.

Finally, officials take an evidence-based approach to policy development and look to learn from practices in other countries where similar challenges are faced. However, I have not spoken to my Dutch counterpart and do not believe my officials have consulted their respective counterparts, but we will continue to seek engagement opportunities with other countries on specific issues if required.

I am aware of the challenges from excess nutrient pollution that you highlight and the impact this is posing for development in Herefordshire. Sites in England affected by the same issues as those raised in the 'Dutch nitrogen' case are internationally important for biodiversity, and host a wide range of rare river wildlife afforded protected status under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). It is important to achieve the right balance of measures to allow sustainable development to continue whilst also securing improvement in the condition of our most important natural habitats.

We have therefore set up a monthly government task force involving MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure a clear action plan is in place, focusing on solutions for both permitting housebuilding to resume while not compromising the condition of Protected Sites. Solutions are being brought forward, including agreed mitigation measures in the River Avon SAC and the development of wetland proposals in Herefordshire. A £3.9 million Defra pilot in the Solent in Hampshire, aims to test market-based approaches that, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

I am continuing to discuss Natural England's approach with them and officials are working on additional support and updated guidance to be provided to Herefordshire and other affected catchments as well as working closely with local authorities across the country to support the implementation of nutrient neutral approaches.

We are also introducing a range of new measures in the Environment Bill to help facilitate improved collaboration, reductions in pollution and provide a more statutory footing for more innovative strategic approaches (such as those which have been used in the Solent) through the introduction of Protected Site Strategies. These aim to bring together key stakeholders to strategically address the multiple and complex offsite pressures protected sites face, identifying potential options to conserve and restore these sites whilst maximising local economic benefits. The way they will do this is by encouraging the design of bespoke solutions up front to address the cumulative, offsite issues affecting our most sensitive habitats.

The Government is also committed to addressing the sources of nutrient pollution, including by working with farmers. We have committed in the Agricultural Transition Plan (to replace EU-scheme-based regulation and enforcement with a new, more effective, and trusted approach and bring forward a slurry investment scheme from 2022 to address a key source of agricultural diffuse pollution. Catchment Sensitive Farming advice and Countryside Stewardship incentives also aim to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and Environmental Land Management will also incentivise actions that protect the environment. Work is also underway to tackle phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment through Catchment Partnerships and the recently announced Storm Overflows Taskforce seeks to make further improvements in this space.

Finally, officials take an evidence-based approach to policy development and look to learn from practices in other countries where similar challenges are faced. However, I have not spoken to my Dutch counterpart and do not believe my officials have consulted their respective counterparts, but we will continue to seek engagement opportunities with other countries on specific issues if required.

I am aware of the challenges from excess nutrient pollution that you highlight and the impact this is posing for development in Herefordshire. Sites in England affected by the same issues as those raised in the 'Dutch nitrogen' case are internationally important for biodiversity, and host a wide range of rare river wildlife afforded protected status under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). It is important to achieve the right balance of measures to allow sustainable development to continue whilst also securing improvement in the condition of our most important natural habitats.

We have therefore set up a monthly government task force involving MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure a clear action plan is in place, focusing on solutions for both permitting housebuilding to resume while not compromising the condition of Protected Sites. Solutions are being brought forward, including agreed mitigation measures in the River Avon SAC and the development of wetland proposals in Herefordshire. A £3.9 million Defra pilot in the Solent in Hampshire, aims to test market-based approaches that, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

I am continuing to discuss Natural England's approach with them and officials are working on additional support and updated guidance to be provided to Herefordshire and other affected catchments as well as working closely with local authorities across the country to support the implementation of nutrient neutral approaches.

We are also introducing a range of new measures in the Environment Bill to help facilitate improved collaboration, reductions in pollution and provide a more statutory footing for more innovative strategic approaches (such as those which have been used in the Solent) through the introduction of Protected Site Strategies. These aim to bring together key stakeholders to strategically address the multiple and complex offsite pressures protected sites face, identifying potential options to conserve and restore these sites whilst maximising local economic benefits. The way they will do this is by encouraging the design of bespoke solutions up front to address the cumulative, offsite issues affecting our most sensitive habitats.

The Government is also committed to addressing the sources of nutrient pollution, including by working with farmers. We have committed in the Agricultural Transition Plan (to replace EU-scheme-based regulation and enforcement with a new, more effective, and trusted approach and bring forward a slurry investment scheme from 2022 to address a key source of agricultural diffuse pollution. Catchment Sensitive Farming advice and Countryside Stewardship incentives also aim to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and Environmental Land Management will also incentivise actions that protect the environment. Work is also underway to tackle phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment through Catchment Partnerships and the recently announced Storm Overflows Taskforce seeks to make further improvements in this space.

Finally, officials take an evidence-based approach to policy development and look to learn from practices in other countries where similar challenges are faced. However, I have not spoken to my Dutch counterpart and do not believe my officials have consulted their respective counterparts, but we will continue to seek engagement opportunities with other countries on specific issues if required.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is committed to ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of global efforts to improve the use and welfare of laboratory animals. The use of animals in research is carefully regulated and remains important in ensuring new medicines and treatments are safe. The government funds the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs).  This is achieved primarily through UKRI funding for the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) which works nationally and internationally to drive the uptake of 3Rs technologies and ensure that advances in the 3Rs are reflected in policy, practice and regulations on animal research. Across the UK, the NC3Rs has invested £71 million in research through grants to universities.

We recognise the important signal that the commitment of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase out animal testing on mammals by 2035 sends. The UK through the NC3Rs has been effective at changing international regulations on chemical and pharmaceutical safety assessment. For example, the US Office of Pesticide Programs which is part of the US Environmental Protection Agency has recently changed its fish testing requirements for bioconcentration factor studies based on the NC3Rs work in this area.

The NC3RS CRACK IT Challenges, which funds R&D to solve major challenges relating to the use of animals, includes funded research teams in the EU with the NC3Rs committing £4.35 million to teams led by organisations in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development has launched Create2Solve, a funding call in its ‘More Knowledge with Fewer Animals’ programme, that is entirely based on the NC3Rs CRACK IT Challenges programme.

Defra officials have engaged with a range of stakeholders to inform our policy on hunting trophy imports, including officials from other governments. As part of this work we have spoken to officials from the Government of the Netherlands. As we develop our policy, we are looking at how other countries have approached this issue, alongside the wide range of views and evidence we have received through our consultation and call for evidence.

I indicated to my honourable friend in my response to his letter of 8th February that my officials have discussed the Galloper wreck site with their counterparts at the Ministry of Defence and Historic England. Consequently, the Government is monitoring the site and understands that vessel traffic monitoring occurs as part of conventional site security.

I am also content that steps have been taken to facilitate management of the site through the action taken by Galloper Wind Farm Ltd to engage with other maritime authorities - including the Royal Navy, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Management Organisation.

Though Historic England has no remit to impose requirements on future development proposals relating to the Galloper wreck site, the Marine Management Organisation routinely consults it on applications for marine licences. DCMS are not routinely part of such discussions, however Historic England do provide information and advice on request.

Regarding the guidance published by DCMS and the Ministry of Defence in 2014 on how existing policies and legislation apply to historic military wreck sites (‘Protection and Management of Historic Military Wrecks outside UK Territorial Waters’), I can confirm that this remains in place. I can also confirm that DCMS would give due consideration to any proposals by developers or other parties to undertake detailed investigations of the Galloper site. However, Government funding to undertake these investigations would need to be considered alongside other priorities.

The integration of our Armed Forces with those of our allies will be fundamental to retaining our global strategic advantage. Specifically, we are deepening levels of interoperability with Norway through collaboration on similar capabilities (such as P-8A Orion maritime patrol aircraft and F-35), our regular cold weather training deployments to Norway, bilateral capability talks and membership of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The UK is similarly committed to continuing to deepen our relationship with the Netherlands, both bilaterally and through the JEF. Our Naval and Amphibious Forces are already amongst the most interoperable in NATO, and will continue to operate and train alongside each other. We will also examine ways to work more closely with the Royal Netherlands Army and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, including on future common capabilities. Meanwhile, UK and French Armed Forces are now closer and more interoperable than they have ever been. Having successfully brought our Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) to its full operating capability last year, we now plan to further develop CJEF from its current state as a contingent intervention capability into a long-term framework for improving our interoperability and strategic coherence.

The UK has led international efforts to tackle avoidance by multinationals, including through the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) Project which looks at aggressive tax planning strategies that exploit tax rules to artificially shift profits to low tax jurisdictions where there is little or no economic activity.

This international collaboration has led to the introduction of hybrid mismatch rules that prevent multinationals exploiting differences in the tax systems of different countries, a requirement for UK headed large businesses to provide HMRC with a country-by-country report, detailing their global profits, tax and assets to ensure they are paying the correct tax on all their UK activity, and a Corporate Interest Restriction that protects against companies using intra-group loans to shift profits overseas.

Alongside these multilateral efforts are UK domestic rules that have complemented these changes.

In April 2015, the UK Government introduced the Diverted Profits Tax (‘DPT’). DPT was designed to counter contrived arrangements used by multinational corporations to shift their profits offshore and avoid paying tax in the UK on their economic activities here.

In January 2019 HMRC launched a new Profit Diversion Compliance Facility (‘PDCF’) to encourage businesses to stop diverting profits and pay what is due. About two-thirds of the large businesses targeted so far have decided to use the facility to bring their tax affairs up to date quickly and efficiently, enabling HMRC to focus even more resources on investigating businesses which continue to divert profits.

Multinationals can often have complicated tax affairs and HMRC are determined to ensure that their profits are correctly attributed, and they are paying all the tax they owe.

Additional information about HMRC’s work to tackle profit diversion by multinational companies is available on GOV.UK along with the most recent Transfer Pricing and Diverted Profits Tax statistics:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transfer-pricing-and-diverted-profits-tax-statistics-2019-to-2020/tackling-profit-diversion-by-multi-national-companies

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transfer-pricing-and-diverted-profits-tax-statistics-2019-to-2020

From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.

The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.

From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.

The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.

From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.

The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.

From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.

The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.

From 1 January, United Kingdom prescriptions, including those in Northern Ireland, will no longer be valid in the Netherlands. There are a small number of patients who rely on certain unlicensed cannabis-based medicines that are supplied in the Netherlands against UK prescriptions, almost all of which are private prescriptions.

The Department, supported by the British Embassy to The Hague, has reached an agreement with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of Bedrocan oils, a form of unlicensed medicinal cannabis, against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 July 2021. The medicines supply chain has ensured that there continues to be good supply of licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines after the transition period.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 26 January (HCWS734) provided an update on action taken by the Government on supply from the Netherlands and next steps to establish a more permanent solution.

The Foreign Secretary discussed Papua with Foreign Minister Retno on 14 October. The UK Government fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia, which includes Papua and West Papua provinces. Within this framework we support the efforts of the authorities and civil society to address the needs and aspirations of the people both provinces. The Foreign Secretary has not discussed Papua with the Dutch Government.

Negotiations are ongoing for a fisheries framework agreement with the EU. To date there have been no direct discussions with the Netherlands or Sweden around future access to British fishing stocks.

In the negotiations, we have been clear throughout that we want a simple, separate fisheries framework agreement which reflects our rights under international law and which provides for annual negotiations over access and fishing opportunities. Any access negotiated with the EU will only cover the UK's exclusive economic zone and not the 0-12nm zone. This remains the case.

On 11 November, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland to enhance cooperation on fisheries matters. The MoU, which will come into effect on 1 January 2021, establishes a UK-Iceland Fisheries Dialogue whereby both countries can share best practice and cooperate on a range of issues, including product innovation and the traceability and marketing of seafood products. This MoU does not provide for fishing opportunities or access to either party's waters.

As members of the European Union, Poland and the Netherlands will need to comply with the European regulations concerning animal welfare standards, including Council Directive 2007/43/EC which lays down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. As we leave the EU, we are committed to maintaining our position as one of the world leaders in animal welfare and want to improve and build upon that record, working in partnership with farmers to support healthier, higher welfare animals.

The UK welcomes the action taken by the Netherlands Government to hold the Assad regime responsible for human rights violations under international law. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing gross human rights violations in Syria and support all efforts on accountability for the regime's crimes. The UK has provided £11 million to support accountability work for war crimes committed in Syria since 2012.

The government has been carefully considering the potential issuance of a UK sovereign green bond and will keep this under review. In considering new policy, the government engages with a range of stakeholders, including foreign governments, in order to be fully informed of different viewpoints.

The government published its Green Finance Strategy last year, which includes the ambition to align private sector financial flows with clean, environmentally sustainable and resilient growth, and strengthen the competitiveness of the UK financial sector. The government continues to support the financial services sector and firms in their capability, competitiveness and the transition to net zero, including through the recently launched Green Finance Education Charter and work with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.

The meetings with officials from Germany and the Netherlands took place earlier in the year, following the OSPAR Special Consultative Meeting. The meetings were constructive and focussed on possible ways forward to address their concerns. As these meetings were informal, there was no intention to record or publish the discussions.

The content of the reports provided by Germany and the Netherlands were supplementary to their objections to the derogation consultation for Brent and were therefore part of the discussion at the OSPAR Special consultative meeting in October 2019. A record of that meeting was published by the chair of OSPAR in early November 2019.

The Government has announced that it has assessed the health measures at the UK border and as a result passengers will be exempted from self-isolation requirements in certain circumstances on arrival in the UK. This will apply to international rail, maritime, and aviation.

The Government will announce further details including a full list of the countries and territories from which arriving passengers will be exempted from self-isolation requirements later this week.

Coronavirus represents a very significant challenge, affecting daily life and every part of the economy, including the ornamental horticulture sector. A vibrant and successful ornamental horticulture sector brings significant benefits. The Government continues to work closely with representatives from the horticulture supply chain including the Horticultural Trades Association to understand the short-term and long-term impacts on the UK sector.

Defra has already been in close discussion with banks to ensure the ornamental horticulture sector has access to financial support. This will ease cashflow problems during this period, including through the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan scheme, which was announced on 27 April and is the latest step in a package of support measures announced by the Chancellor. The Government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee on each loan, to give lenders the confidence they need to support small businesses. These loans will be from £2,000 up to £50,000, capped at 25% of firms' turnover, and the Government will cover the first 12 months of interest payments and fees charged to the business by the lender. Almost all UK businesses will be eligible to apply for a loan under the scheme.

On 13 May, the Government announced that all garden centres in England which are able to adhere to social distancing measures were legally able to reopen. This measure has been widely welcomed by growers, garden centre owners, and consumers.

The Government is committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse wherever and however it occurs. There can be no safe space for paedophiles to operate either here or abroad and we will do all we can to keep children safe. We continue to work closely with law enforcement in the UK and international partners to close down online networks and bring offenders to justice. We announced in the 2019 Spending Round an investment of an £30 million to support UK law enforcement to bear down on child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Government is working closely with the Netherlands to tackle online child sexual abuse material that is held in, and distributed from, the Netherlands and available in the UK. The Dutch approach to addressing the threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse was outlined in a letter from their Ministry of Justice and Security to the European Union. This provided a useful platform for our engagement on how we can work together on this issue, identify areas of common interest, best practice and ways to coordinate our efforts to tackle the threat.

The Dutch hotline, EOKM, will also be working with the UK’s Internet Watch Foundation to combat the issue of child sexual abuse material. In 1996 when the Internet Watch Foundation was founded, the UK hosted 18% of the global total of online child sexual abuse content; in 2019 this figure was just 0.1%.

UK police have existing powers under section 72 and Schedule 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which provides for extra-territorial jurisdiction in relation to certain offences under the 2003 Act where the victim is under the age of 18 years old. We continue to look at what more we can do with our international partners giving due consideration to the findings of the “Children Outside the UK report’ published by the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse in January 2020.

The Government is committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse wherever and however it occurs. There can be no safe space for paedophiles to operate either here or abroad and we will do all we can to keep children safe. We continue to work closely with law enforcement in the UK and international partners to close down online networks and bring offenders to justice. We announced in the 2019 Spending Round an investment of an £30 million to support UK law enforcement to bear down on child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Government is working closely with the Netherlands to tackle online child sexual abuse material that is held in, and distributed from, the Netherlands and available in the UK. The Dutch approach to addressing the threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse was outlined in a letter from their Ministry of Justice and Security to the European Union. This provided a useful platform for our engagement on how we can work together on this issue, identify areas of common interest, best practice and ways to coordinate our efforts to tackle the threat.

The Dutch hotline, EOKM, will also be working with the UK’s Internet Watch Foundation to combat the issue of child sexual abuse material. In 1996 when the Internet Watch Foundation was founded, the UK hosted 18% of the global total of online child sexual abuse content; in 2019 this figure was just 0.1%.

UK police have existing powers under section 72 and Schedule 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which provides for extra-territorial jurisdiction in relation to certain offences under the 2003 Act where the victim is under the age of 18 years old. We continue to look at what more we can do with our international partners giving due consideration to the findings of the “Children Outside the UK report’ published by the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse in January 2020.

We coordinate closely with likeminded partners, particularly on co-funded programmes. Decisions regarding the Netherlands' programme funding are a matter for the Government of the Netherlands.

The Government recognises the opportunity for cargo bikes to improve air quality and reduce congestion in urban areas. As part of its Last Mile Delivery Review call for evidence in 2018, the Department consulted stakeholders, including European cargo bike groups, to understand how best to support the development of the electric cargo bike sector in England, and in April 2019 it launched a £2 million e-cargo bike grant programme to support their uptake.

​As envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 2166, HMG and UK law enforcement officials are in close contact with their Dutch counterparts and the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) into the shooting down of flight MH17.

The execution of any individual warrants is a matter for the UK's independent police services.

On 19 June the MH17 JIT and the Dutch National Prosecutor announced they were charging four suspects with the murder of 298 people and causing the crash of a Malaysian Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine. In his statement that day, the Foreign Secretary, called on Russia to cooperate fully in the investigation. This would include assisting with the arrest of the suspects, facilitating their questioning by Dutch investigators and the JIT, facilitating their presence at trial, and if necessary, enforcing any sentences.

The Netherlands is one of the UK's closest defence and security partners and NATO Ally, a relationship which we are enhancing further under the 2017 Joint Vision Statement and annual Action Plan that underpins it, and through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and the Northern Group.

If the UK were to leave the European Union without a deal, modified access rules for the electricity interconnector have been approved by both Ofgem and the Dutch regulator. Modified access rules are not required for the gas interconnector. The Political Declaration on the future relationship sets out the parameters for the UK and EU’s future discussions on electricity and gas.

If the UK were to leave the European Union without a deal, modified access rules for the electricity interconnector have been approved by both Ofgem and the Dutch regulator.[1] Modified access rules are not required for the gas interconnector. The Political Declaration on the future relationship sets out the parameters for the UK and EU’s future discussions on electricity and gas.[2]

[1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/approval-modified-access-rules-britned-interconnector-apply-event-uk-leaves-eu-without-deal

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration