Declares that the COVID-19 crisis has radically impacted upon the operation of London Luton Airport, resulting in a significant drop in commercial income, which in turn has impacted upon Luton Borough Council’s provision of vital services; notes that in 2018-19 London Luton Airport Ltd paid £20.2 million in dividends to Luton Borough Council to support its funding of vital services; further notes that Luton is facing a £49 million impact on its 2020-21 budget due to the reduction in revenue from its airport, a drop in council tax and business rates, and other costs due to the crisis; further notes that Luton Borough Council has been forced to produce an emergency budget to find savings of £22 million this financial year; and further notes that a related Change.org petition calling for additional funding to Luton for essential services has over ten thousand signatures.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to review the level of support provided to Luton Borough Council to ensure there is no reduction in vital services.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Rachel Hopkins, Official Report, 7 July 2020, Vol. 678, c. 943.]
[P002586]
Observation from The Minister of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Mr Simon Clarke):
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Entitlement to paid care leave
The petition of residents of Birmingham, Selly Oak Constituency,
Declares that the Employment Rights Act 1996 only provides for a ‘reasonable amount of unpaid time off’ to care for dependents for one-off appointments and emergencies; notes that latest figures show that there are an estimated 5 million people juggling paid work and unpaid care; further that Carers UK research reveals that 2.6 million have quit their job to care for a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill with nearly half a million (468,000) leaving their job in the last two years alone; further that the estimated costs to the economy of carers being forced to give up work to care had reached £5.3 billion in lost tax revenues, earnings and additional benefit payments.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to introduce a statutory entitlement to paid care leave of 5 to 10 days per year.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Steve McCabe, Official Report, 10 June 2020; Vol. 677, c. 364.]
[P002576]
Observations from the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully):
Education
Return of children to schools in September
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Establishment of a Food Standards Commission
Use of disposable barbecues
Justice
Petition of Giovanni Di Stefano
Transport
Future of the aviation and aerospace industry
Treasury
Support for island communities affected by COVID-19
20 of 155 shown
The Government recognise the vital role that carers play within their families and communities and their contribution both to individuals they care for and to society at large is of great importance now and under normal circumstances.
The Government are committed to supporting carers in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing in the longer term.
Work is ongoing to investigate the impact of care on work, including the issue of carers relying on annual leave. For example, we run the annual Family Resources Survey which gives us an insight into the situation of informal carers and the people they care for. The most recent results of this survey are published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-resources-survey--2#latest-release.
Government officials regularly meet with carer representative organisations. We know that many carers experience considerable challenges, balancing employment with their caring responsibilities. That is why, as set out in our manifesto and the Queen’s Speech, the Government are considering the introduction of a new employment right to one week of additional leave for unpaid carers. The consultation on this new employment right closed on 2 August and received over 800 responses—demonstrating the importance of this issue. We are analysing those responses and will issue the Government response in due course, setting out the way forward.
The Government are also considering other steps to reform employment law, which it is hoped could make the situations of carers a little easier in future.
Extension of paid maternity leave due to COVID-19
Extension to maternity and paternity leave due to COVID-19
Extension to maternity and paternity leave due to COVID-19