The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many housing association tenants they estimate will be able to afford to buy their own home under right to buy in the first year of the scheme; and how many they expect will buy their home in each year to 2020.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I gave her on 28 October, PQ HL2737
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken or commissioned on the take-up of the extension of the right to buy to housing association tenants in all parliamentary constituencies and housing authority areas in England.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I gave her on 28 October, PQ HL2737
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they had with council leaders about their proposals to fund the extension of right to buy to housing association tenants through the sale of council assets.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Ministers and senior officials have engaged widely with local authorities and other key stakeholders regarding the planned sale of high value vacant council housing, and this engagement is continuing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which technical approvals are still outstanding in respect of the new Hinkley Point nuclear power plant.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The EPR reactor proposed for use at Hinkley Point C has successfully completed Generic Design Assessment. NNBGenCo has also received a site licence to operate the site, environmental permits and development consent. The UK’s independent regulators will continue to regulate Hinkley Point C through construction, operation and decommissioning. Specifically, once safety-related construction activities have started, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) will use the nuclear site licence to regulate construction by releasing key hold points in line with NNB GenCo’s development of the site specific safety case.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Berkeley on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many key performance indicators are used by the Office of Rail and Road to monitor Network Rail’s performance.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) have informed me that in the current five yearly regulatory cycle (Control Period 5) that started on 1st April 2014, they established 13 categories of regulated outputs,some of which are disaggregated further, such as by franchised train operator route or by delivery milestones.These outputs include train service reliability, enhancements, health and safety, network availability, network capability, stations, depots, asset management and environment.
There are 25 categories of core indicators from these outputs, which are disaggregated further. Full details of the regulated outputs can be found on table 3.11, page 125 of the Final Determination for Control Period 5, a copy of which is attached.
The ORR publishes six monthly reports on Network Rail’s progress in relation to these regulated outputs in the ‘Network Rail Monitor’ and the ‘Network Rail Monitor for Scotland’.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of young people considered not to be in education, employment or training (1) have a disability, or (2) are carers, broken down by region.
Lord Nash
Official data covering young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England is regularly published by the Department for Education. This data cannot, however, be broken down by individual characteristics.
Local authorities collect data on the proportion of 16-18 year olds known by their local authority to be NEET, and who have a learning difficulty or disability, or who are carers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what programmes are currently in place to help homeless veterans sleeping rough in the United Kingdom; and what plans they have (1) to help such individuals into permanent housing, and (2) to prevent veterans becoming homeless in the first instance.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
This Government is committed to preventing and tackling homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable in society, including veterans.
We have changed the law so that former service men and women with urgent housing needs are always given high priority for social housing, and cannot be disqualified from social housing because of a local connection requirement.
Since 2010, we have invested over £500 million to prevent homelessness among the most vulnerable. Our £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund has supported the roll-out of No Second Night Out across England ensuring more rough sleepers, including veterans, are found and helped quickly so that they do not spend more than one night on the street.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what opportunities are available through the European Social Fund for young people who are not in education, employment or training to study for additional qualifications.
Lord Freud
Young people who are not in education, employment or training are a priority in the 2014-20 European Social Fund programme in England. This programme was agreed by the European Commission in September, and sets aside €340m specifically to help this group. The most disadvantaged young people will also be helped through the €650m provided for activities to address social exclusion.
The Managing Authority, based in DWP, launched calls for applications in March 2015 and expects operations to begin in 2016. Final bids are currently being appraised.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance is provided to magistrates and judges about when it is appropriate to apply the maximum tariff available in cases of animal cruelty.
Lord Faulks
Animal cruelty is a summary offence with a maximum penalty of a level 5 (unlimited) fine and/or 6 months’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for any offence is set by Parliament to deal with the most serious possible cases. Guidance on sentencing for this offence is contained in the Magistrates’ Courts Sentencing Guidelines, which are published by the independent Sentencing Council.
These are the sentencing starting points from the guidelines for animal cruelty, based on a first time offender pleading not guilty:
|
Examples of nature of activity |
Starting point Range |
Range |
|
One impulsive act causing little or no injury; |
short term neglect |
Band C fine Band B fine to medium level community |
|
Several incidents of deliberate ill-treatment/frightening |
High level community order |
Medium level community order to 12 weeks custody |
|
Attempt to kill/torture; animal baiting/conducting or permitting cock-fighting etc.; prolonged neglect |
18 weeks custody |
12 to 26 weeks custody |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2015-10-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what options and support are available for young people with special educational needs, but who do not have a statement of special needs, during the transition between school and further education.
Lord Nash
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice makes it clear that both schools and further education colleges in England should support all children and young people with SEN through this important transition, whether or not they have a statement of SEN or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
The Code of Practice sets out expectations for this transition. These include a working partnership between schools and colleges; opportunities for young people to familiarise themselves with the new setting; and that the new setting ensure the right provision is in place to meet the young person’s needs and aspirations.
Schools also have a duty to secure independent careers guidance for all Year 8 -13 pupils, including those with SEN. This must include information on the full range of education and training options, including further education and apprenticeships.