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  • Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 624W, on Floods: Business, how many Repair and Renewal Grant applications have been (a) received and (b) processed.

    Dan Rogerson

    The ‘Repair and Renew’ grant was launched on 1 April 2014. Applications for the grant are being received and processed by local authorities, who may then invoice Defra every quarter. Defra began receiving invoices from local authorities in July.

  • Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh South of 24 June 2014, Official Report, column 167W, on Royal Mail, what correspondence his Department has had with the syndicate of banks involved in the initial public offering on (a) the payment of the discretionary fee and (b) the length of the stabilisation period set out in the engagement letter.

    Matthew Hancock

    The Department has not had any correspondence with the syndicate of banks about the payment of the discretionary fee and the length of the stabilisation period.

  • Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will introduce an embargo on the export of weapons to Israel.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We remain deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. We call for an immediate de-escalation and restoration of the November 2012 ceasefire, to avoid further civilian injuries and the loss of innocent life.

    The United Kingdom does not believe that imposing a blanket arms embargo on Israel would promote progress in the Middle East Peace Process. All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend its citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties.

    Export licence applications to all countries continue to be considered on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account the circumstances prevailing at the time of application. In view of the situation in Gaza, we are keeping all licence applications under review to ensure that all our decisions remain consistent with our human rights commitments and all applicable criteria. If a decision is taken to suspend or revoke licences we will announce this to Parliament, and where possible we will do this in concert with our EU partners.

  • Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Answer of 5 June 2013, Official Report, column 1152W, on buildings, how many members of staff are employed at each of his Department’s office premises.

    Jo Swinson

    The following table shows how many members of staff are currently employed at each of the Department’s office premises (these include core BIS and UKTI staff only).

    BIS Office

    Location

    Region

    No of staff

    1 Victoria Street

    London

    London

    2613

    St Pauls Place

    Sheffield

    South Yorkshire

    232

    Alexandra House

    Leeds

    West Yorkshire

    16

    Apex Court

    Nottingham

    East Midlands

    29

    Arndale Tower

    Manchester

    North West

    20

    The Axis—Birmingham

    Birmingham

    West Midlands

    5

    Bridge House

    Guildford

    South East

    10

    Cannon House

    Birmingham

    West Midlands

    0

    Castle View House

    Runcorn

    North West

    9

    Companies House

    Cardiff

    Wales

    49

    Europa House

    Glasgow

    Scotland

    26

    Exchange House

    London

    London

    21

    IOS Manchester

    Manchester

    North West

    17

    Larkhill

    Wiltshire

    South West

    16

    Moongate House

    Gateshead

    North East

    18

    Mowden Hall

    Darlington

    North East

    9

    NTI Building

    Birmingham

    West Midlands

    0

    Queensway House

    Billingham

    North East

    1

    Stanley Barracks

    Dorset

    South West

    12

    Stella House

    Newcastle

    North East

    4

    Temple Quays

    Bristol

    South West

    15

    Warrington

    Warrington

    North West

    6

    Victoria House

    London

    London

    34

    Westfield House

    London

    London

    0
  • Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many new apprenticeship starts there were in each year since 2010, in the age groups (a) 25 to 34, (b) 35 to 44, (c) 45 to 59 and (d) and over 60.

    Nick Boles

    Information on Apprenticeship starts by age is published in a supplementary table, entitled Breakdown by geography, equality & diversity and sector subject area: starts 2002/03 to 2013/14, to a Statistical First Release (SFR).

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324021/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls

    “

  • Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the review by Lord Myners of the process of privatisation of Royal Mail will be published in full; and when this report will be completed.

    Matthew Hancock

    The review is intended to inform wider HMG considerations about alternatives to bookbuilding, as recommended by the National Audit Office in its report on the Royal Mail Initial Public Offering (IPO). It will help my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in his own assessment of the system the Government operates for the sale of its assets through IPOs to ensure that Government can meet its full objectives whilst achieving value for money.

    It is not a public review but my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for BIS will make the key findings of the review public.

    It is expected that the noble Lord Myners will complete his review later this year.

  • Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the total value is of all bids made in each region to each round of the Regional Growth Fund including the Exceptional Regional Growth Fund; how much has been committed to winning bidders in each such region in each such round; and how much such funding has been drawn down.

    Greg Clark

    The tables below provide a breakdown of the value of Regional Growth Fund (RGF) by region and round for RGF applications; the committed allocation of RGF to projects and programmes following due diligence. This data excludes those projects and programmes that have withdrawn. The third table sets out the amount drawn down by operational RGF awards to date and the financial years in which the remaining RGF and eRGF is committed through to 31st March 2017. The data is correct as at 2nd October 2014.

    Projects and programmes in Rounds 1 to 4 have until 31 March 2015 to draw down their funding and projects and programmes in Round 5 will be able to draw down funding until 31 March 2017. The Department agrees a draw down profile with each organisation when they sign their grant offer letter that matches the beneficiary’s own investment schedules and job commitments. The subsequent rate of draw down is then subject to the beneficiaries meeting the conditions.

    RGF Applications (£ million)

    Round 1

    Round 2

    Round 3

    Round 4

    Round 5

    Exceptional

    Total

    East Midlands

    231

    529

    124

    163

    56

    1,103

    East of England

    115

    131

    61

    50

    43

    400

    London

    74

    117

    26

    32

    4

    253

    North East

    343

    335

    353

    215

    98

    34

    1,378

    North West

    519

    535

    414

    322

    81

    9

    1,880

    South East

    185

    154

    145

    191

    24

    22

    721

    South West

    144

    232

    322

    219

    57

    15

    989

    West Midlands

    569

    282

    419

    176

    70

    16

    1,532

    Yorkshire and The Humber

    327

    434

    345

    240

    26

    1,372

    Nationwide

    215

    315

    565

    282

    241

    1,618

    TOTAL

    2,722

    3,064

    2,774

    1,890

    700

    96

    11,246

    RGF Committed

    Round 1

    Round 2

    Round 3

    Round 4

    Round 5

    Exceptional

    Grand Total

    East Midlands

    2

    64

    27

    35

    20

    0

    148

    East of England

    14

    35

    25

    15

    5

    0

    95

    Nationwide

    175

    95

    176

    50

    107

    0

    602

    North East

    34

    61

    111

    30

    55

    21

    313

    North West

    20

    182

    105

    86

    20

    5

    418

    South East

    0

    60

    54

    25

    6

    11

    155

    South West

    4

    71

    82

    13

    22

    5

    197

    West Midlands

    89

    95

    151

    55

    30

    17

    437

    Yorkshire and The Humber

    47

    78

    93

    40

    27

    0

    285

    Grand Total

    385

    742

    834

    349

    291

    58

    2651

    RGF Drawn Down by year (£ million)

    Financial Year

    2011/12

    2012/13

    2013/14

    2014/15

    2015/16

    2016/17

    Total

    Actual paid – year to date

    465

    161

    551

    252*

    1,428

    Planned for whole financial year

    1165

    167

    133

    2,642

    The difference between the totals in tables 2 and 3 arises because RGF applicants have not always claimed the full grant available to them.

    *This is the actual amount paid to beneficiaries as of 2nd October 2014.

  • Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Kevan Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Twitter accounts are run by his Department; how much his Department spends annually on (a) Twitter accounts and (b) all social media; and how many people in his Department are employed to work on social media.

    Mr Francis Maude

    A list of official Twitter accounts run by Cabinet Office, including those used by senior officials, can be found at https://twitter.com/cabinetofficeuk/cabinet-office-teams/members. The department also runs the @Number10gov and @Number10press accounts.

    No member of staff is employed to specifically work on social media.

    “

  • Maria Miller – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Maria Miller – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Miller on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning which individuals in care homes and hospitals should be subject to a deprivation of liberty assessment; and if he will make a statement.

    Norman Lamb

    On 19 March 2014, the Supreme Court handed down a judgment that clarified the test for what constitutes a deprivation of liberty. The clarified test is: “An individual who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the arrangements for his or her care and is under continuous control and supervision and is not free to leave”.

    Following the judgment, the Department issued an advice note to health and care professionals and local authorities to highlight this legal interpretation and its implications.

    The Department is currently monitoring the effects of the judgment on the health and care system and on local authorities. The Health and Social Care Information Centre will carry out an additional voluntary data collection. This will gather information from local authorities on how many applications have been received for authorisations in care homes and hospitals under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards since the judgment. We expect the data to be available in October 2014; this will facilitate an assessment of the judgment’s impact.

    At the Department’s request, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services is leading a task group to consider the implications of the judgment. This group has representation from local authorities, NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and the Department. The group intends to issue advice in the autumn.

  • Justin Tomlinson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Justin Tomlinson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Tomlinson on 2014-07-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the National Lottery about extending funding to the video games industry.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    No specific discussions have taken place with the National Lottery about the use of Lottery funding in relation to the video games industry. This Government has restored the Lottery shares for heritage sports, and arts good causes to 20%, so contributing to a significant increase in Lottery funding for those areas since the beginning of this Parliament. It is for individual Distributing bodies to determine the beneficiaries of Lottery monies in making awards within their good cause sectors, taking account of their Policy Directions.