The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vicky Foxcroft on 2015-10-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in (a) Lewisham, Deptford constituency, (b) the London Borough of Lewisham, (c) London and (d) England receive tax credits.
Damian Hinds
The latest information on Child and Working Tax Credits statistics is available on the Gov.uk website. Link provided below:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2015-10-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make provision for a dedicated email address by which hon. Members can raise constituents’ concerns on tax credit claims.
Damian Hinds
HMRC runs three hotlines to help MPs – and their staff – deal quickly and efficiently with constituent issues and concerns. These include a dedicated hotline on Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit: 03000 135001, which is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. MPs can also email constituents’ queries on tax credits claims to HMRC’s Ministerial Correspondence team. It can be contacted at the following address: correspondence-team.mincom@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that all Jobcentre Plus premises are fully accessible for people on the autism spectrum, in terms of both environment and staff awareness of autism; and what plans he has to evaluate the progress being made in achieving such accessibility.
Justin Tomlinson
We are committed to supporting all customers so that they are fully able to access our services, and will do this by assessing their individual needs and providing tailored support.
We are continuing to progress the commitments detailed in the Think Autism Strategy and have undertaken a significant amount of work to improve our services for people with Autism/ Hidden Impairments. We are working with Autism Alliance UK to develop greater capacity when supporting people with autism; creating a more appropriate environment and supporting the identification of reasonable adjustment solutions.
The Hidden Impairment Toolkit, which I have sponsored, is available to all DWP staff. This resource helps staff to better understand how to support people with autism and associated hidden impairment conditions. I have attached a copy of this for ease of reference.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2015-10-20.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which hon. Members have been invited to visit the tax credit office in Preston since June 2010.
Harriett Baldwin
HMRC has not invited any hon. Members to visit the Tax Credit Office in Preston since June 2010.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Hayes on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of recent changes in 16-19 funding on the (a) breadth and (b) viability of post-16 education.
Nick Boles
All 16-19 institutions are funded for, on average, 600 teaching hours per year per full-time student. This supports a significant programme of study: for example, three A Levels and one AS Level or a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma, plus around 150 hours of enrichment or tutorial activity across each two-year course.
We do understand the financial challenges facing the sector. That is why we are launching a national programme of area reviews. The reviews will help ensure we have strong, efficient institutions that can deliver high-quality routes to employment, to ensure institutional stability and to make best use of public resources.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Mactaggart on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help schools in areas with a housing shortage to recruit qualified teachers.
Nick Gibb
We recognise that in some parts of the country teacher recruitment may be challenging, particularly as the economy improves, but we are committed to attracting top graduates and career-changers into teaching, and supporting schools to recruit and retain good teachers. We have increased scholarships and training bursaries, in priority subjects; expanded Teach First and given graduates the chance to earn a salary while they train.
We have also given schools greater flexibility to use the pay system to attract and retain teachers in response to local circumstances.
The Secretary of State has asked the School Teachers’ Review Body to consider whether a salary advance scheme for rental deposits on privately rented homes should be introduced for teachers to help with the cost of moving and so support recruitment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Wood on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that good quality education is provided in (a) sixth form and (b) further education colleges.
Nick Boles
We are introducing reforms to ensure that all post 16 institutions are providing high quality academic and technical education. We are reforming A levels and technical qualifications so that they match the best in the world and ensure that young people are gaining the skills and knowledge they need to progress into employment, apprenticeships or further study.
A levels are now linear and technical qualifications approved for inclusion in 16-19 performance tables meet rigorous standards and are backed by employers. We will further reform technical and professional education to simplify and streamline the number of qualifications so that individuals have a clear set of routes which allow for progression to high level skills.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Frazer on 2015-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to improve science education.
Nick Gibb
Science is vital to our economy and science skills are in high demand. Our reforms to the curriculum and qualifications are designed to ensure young people acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a modern economy and to progress.
Bursaries and scholarships of up to £30,000 are designed to attract the best science graduates into teaching. We have also announced £67m to train up to 17,500 new and existing maths and physics teachers by 2020.
We also fund a range of programmes to provide high quality professional development for science teachers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-10-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about the claim by the government of Italy that, of the 13,026 children who arrived unaccompanied in Italy in 2014, 3,707 disappeared after arriving; what assessment they have made of where those children are; and what consideration they are giving to the request of Save the Children that the United Kingdom should provide refuge for 3,000 unaccompanied children.
Lord Bates
The UK recognises the need to provide protection to those fleeing persecution. However, it is an accepted principle that asylum seekers should seek protection in the first safe country they reach. In line with their international obligations, EU Member States have a responsibility to register and process all asylum claims made on their territory, including those made by unaccompanied children. This extends to providing adequate support and accommodation.
The Government has been consistently clear that we do not agree with the relocation of asylum seekers between Member States. We believe it will act as a pull factor, and that it does not address the cause of the problem but simply moves it around the EU. Making an exception for children makes little sense as they are on the territory of Member States who have duties to protect and support them.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-10-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other European Union member states about children who have arrived in Europe unaccompanied or separated from family members; what assessment they have made of the vulnerability of such children; and what they are doing to ensure that those children are prioritised for security and shelter.
Lord Bates
The UK recognises the need to provide protection to those fleeing persecution. However, it is an accepted principle that asylum seekers should seek protection in the first safe country they reach. In line with their international obligations, EU Member States have a responsibility to register and process all asylum claims made on their territory, including those made by unaccompanied children. This extends to providing adequate support and accommodation.
The Government has been consistently clear that we do not agree with the relocation of asylum seekers between Member States. We believe it will act as a pull factor, and that it does not address the cause of the problem but simply moves it around the EU. Making an exception for children makes little sense as they are on the territory of Member States who have duties to protect and support them.