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  • Margaret Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Margaret Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Greenwood on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities offer a council tax (a) exemption and (b) discount to foster carers within their area.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    There is no specific council tax discount or exemption for foster carers. However, councils have powers to introduce discretionary discounts. We are aware of two authorities, in Camden and Waltham Forest, who are using those powers to offer discounts in their areas.

  • Melanie Onn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Melanie Onn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Melanie Onn on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of changes in the level of services provided by housing associations to tenants since 2013.

    Brandon Lewis

    As independent providers of social housing, it is for housing associations to decide on the level of services they wish to provide to their tenants.

    Housing associations are regulated by the Social Housing Regulator against its standards framework; where there are issues of non-compliance with the regulatory standards the Regulator has powers to intervene.

  • Melanie Onn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Melanie Onn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Melanie Onn on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many disabled housing association residents moved out of their property in each year since 2009-10.

    Brandon Lewis

    The number of disabled social housing tenants (including housing association tenants) who have moved out of their property in each year since 2005-6 is shown in the attached table.

    These figures show that the number of social tenants who have moved has fluctuated over time, but the proportion of social renters who have moved has remained relatively constant.

    The reasons for these moves are not known although we expect some disabled social tenants will have moved to better (e.g. adapted) accommodation. Some will have moved from a different tenure i.e.from owner occupation or the private rented sector), while others will have moved from another social housing property.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Gregory Campbell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) Ofcom have made of the effectiveness of the gaining provider-led notification of transfer process for broadband since its introduction.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    A Government call to evidence on switching principles has recently closed. We have committed to legislating for easier switching in the Communications markets, and we are now working with Ofcom to progress this.

    Ofcom’s assessment of the costs and benefits of implementing the enhanced process are set out in Chapter 9 athttp://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/consumer-switching-review/.

    “

  • Edward Argar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Edward Argar – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Edward Argar on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will set out for broadcasters the level of progress it expects to see on the provision of subtitles and audio-descriptions for on-demand content before it reviews the legislation in that area.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Authority for TV On Demand (ATVOD) are currently preparing the report "Provision of Video on Demand Access Services 2015". This report, combined with meetings with broadcasters, content providers and platform operators, will inform Government’s next steps.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the role of the Code for America programme and its applicability to the UK.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The UK is one of the most advanced digital countries in the world. The Government is currently developing a Digital Strategy, to be published later this year, which will set out the actions we will take so we continue to lead the world in embracing the benefits of digital technology in our government, economy and society.

    The Government has provided support and engagement to Code for America through a series of visits and information sharing activities as it has developed its programme, and continues to work with relevant international organisations to share best practice as appropriate to support and promote the UK’s status as a world leader in digital government.

  • John Mc Nally – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    John Mc Nally – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mc Nally on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the number of spaces available for disabled people in music venues; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    We believe that everyone should have equal access to arts and culture – having a disability should not be a barrier to enjoying Britain’s awe-inspiring cultural treasures. That is why we are working with venues and organisations representing disabled people to identify barriers to access, while at the same time seeing how we can share examples of best practice and what more cultural venues need to do to be accessible to people with disabilities. We support the work of Attitude is Everything, which works with audiences, artists and the music industry to improve deaf and disabled people’s access to live events. I also recently held a roundtable meeting with Justin Tomlinson, Minister for Disabled People, to look at access to cultural venues and events for disabled people.

  • Ruth Cadbury – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ruth Cadbury – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ruth Cadbury on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of relocation of Ofcom departments from London to other areas of the country on Ofcom’s ability to maintain its service standards.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The location of Ofcom departments and its offices is a matter for Ofcom, who are independent from Government.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on what basis Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) provides forecasts for the rollout of BDUK-funded broadband infrastructure in local areas.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    BDUK models broadband coverage using a combination of commercial and BDUK project data mapped against UK postcodes.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-01-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what responsibilities Ofcom has for (a) data protection, (b) consumer rights relating to data and (c) data markets; and what plans he has to review those responsibilities.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the primary regulator in relation to the protection of personal data – its powers are set out in the Data Protection Act (1998) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (2003). Ofcom has responsibilities in relation to network security under Sections 105A to 105D of the Communications Act (2003), which place an obligation on providers of telecoms networks and services to take appropriate measures to protect their security and resilience. Ofcom and the ICO have agreed that the ICO will lead on any personal data protection issues which may also fall within the scope of s105A. As with all matters of responsibility for regulation, these arrangements are kept under review.