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  • Rory Stewart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Rory Stewart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rory Stewart on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support the Government is giving to small and medium-sized businesses in Cumbria.

    Matthew Hancock

    We continue to work hard to provide the right support to make life easier for small and medium sized business everywhere.

    www.gov.uk is the home for Government services and information online. One of the tools available is the ‘Finance and Support Finder;’ a searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance and business support. The website www.greatbusiness.gov.uk also provides support and advice for anyone trying to start or grow a business.

    In addition to on-line support, the Business Support Helpline is available to provide a quick response on queries about starting a business, or a personalised and in-depth advice service for more complex needs.

    Cumbria has benefitted from a number of support schemes. The Start-Up Loan Scheme has provided business advice and 43 loans with a value of £275,000 to people starting a business. Since May 2010, 165 companies have benefitted from the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme with a drawn down value of £12.1 million. 470 employer workplaces have received payments to take on an Apprentice’s through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Scheme (AGE 16-24).

  • David Heath – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    David Heath – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Heath on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Attorney General, what steps he has taken to improve prosecution of wildlife crime.

    Oliver Heald

    The CPS views wildlife crime offences very seriously and will robustly prosecute cases referred by the police. In order to achieve this, the CPS has thirteen wildlife co-ordinators based in its regional Areas. They are supported by face to face training and legal guidance on wildlife offences, which is available to all prosecutors and to the public.

  • Charlie Elphicke – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Charlie Elphicke – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether he has reviewed the efficacy of the guidance of the Electoral Commission on referendums; and if he will make a statement.

    Greg Clark

    The Government has not reviewed the efficacy of guidance produced by the independent Electoral Commission.

  • Mrs Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Mrs Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Sharon Hodgson on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps the Government is taking to raise the number of people registered to vote.

    Greg Clark

    The Government is introducing online registration as of 10th June in England and Wales which will make it more convenient to register to vote.

    In addition, five national organisations and every Electoral Registration Officer in Great Britain are sharing £4.2 million funding aimed at maximising the rate of voter registration, as part of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration. These organisations have received funding to find new ways of reaching a range of under registered groups such as young people and encouraging them to register to vote.

  • Stephen Metcalfe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Stephen Metcalfe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Metcalfe on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what support the Government is giving to business growth opportunities in Basildon and Thurrock.

    Greg Clark

    Basildon and Thurrock are key economic centres within the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area. The LEP submitted its Strategic Economic Plan and Growth Deal at the end of March which is currently being assessed and negotiated.

    The Growth Deal contains proposals for direct business support by extending the Southend Growth Hub announced in its City Deal recently.

    Other funding is also being invested through Regional Growth Fund, Growing Places Fund, and through investment in major transport improvements on the M25 and Dartford Crossing to reduce congestion and enhance connectivity to the ports.

  • David Hanson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    David Hanson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects to bring forward legislative proposals for the recall of hon. Members by their constituents.

    Mr Nick Clegg

    The Government remains committed to introducing a recall mechanism which is transparent, robust and fair when parliamentary time allows. We reiterated this commitment in our response to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s report on recall.

    The Government’s legislative programme for the fourth session of Parliament will be announced in the Queen’s Speech.

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps the Government is taking to raise the number of people registered to vote.

    Greg Clark

    The Government is introducing online registration as of 10th June in England and Wales which will make it more convenient to register to vote.

    In addition, five national organisations and every Electoral Registration Officer in Great Britain are sharing £4.2 million funding aimed at maximising the rate of voter registration, as part of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration. These organisations have received funding to find new ways of reaching a range of under registered groups such as young people and encouraging them to register to vote.

  • Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck on 2014-05-07.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the Government’s political and constitutional reform priorities are for the remainder of the present Parliament.

    Mr Nick Clegg

    The Government continues to work on political and constitutional reform, particularly on devolving more powers from Whitehall to our cities and regions.

    Work also continues on the implementation of Individual Electoral Registration, recall of MPs and implementing the statutory register of consultant lobbyists.

  • Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2014-05-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received on requiring car-parking areas around large retail developments to retrofit sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS); and what assessment he has made of the benefits for urban flood control of such retrofitting of SUDS.

    Dan Rogerson

    I have been asked to reply.

    We know of no such representations. The National Planning Policy Framework prioritises the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in developments where possible. Defra officials have met representatives from leading supermarkets to discuss the use of SuDS and their benefits in retail developments. Case studies assessing the benefits of SuDS on commercial developments are available on the Defra funded SusDrain website at: www.susdrain.org.

    “

  • Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2014-05-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote the enhancement of urban (a) green infrastructure and (b) waterways.

    Nick Boles

    The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local planning authorities should plan positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of green infrastructure. This is supported by the recently published planning guidance which includes guidance on green infrastructure.

    The maintenance and promotion of inland waterways is a matter for navigation authorities rather than Government. However, Government provides grant in aid funding to the two largest navigation authorities in England and Wales – the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.