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  • Grant Shapps – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Grant Shapps – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many residences classified as social housing (a) do not have access to superfast broadband, (b) have connections slower than 10 Mbit/s and (c) have connections slower than 2Mbit/s; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Government is on target to deliver access to superfast broadband for 95% of all UK premises – including social housing – by December 2017, and to extend coverage beyond that as far as possible. We do not hold a breakdown of this information by housing tenure centrally, however this investment is benefiting all types of housing, as well as businesses, and we are proud to be delivering on this critical piece of infrastructure as set out in our manifesto.

    Currently, superfast broadband is available to almost 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK – up from 45 per cent in 2010. Around 5 per cent of UK homes and business are currently experiencing connection speeds below 10 Mbit/s.

    Having reduced the proportion of all UK premises with speeds less than 2 Mbit/s substantially from 11% in 2010 to around 1% in December last year, we have now implemented our commitment of having at least 2 Mbit/s per second basic broadband available to all homes and businesses.

    All premises which are not currently scheduled to get an increase in speed to at least this level are eligible for a subsidised satellite broadband service that can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.

    The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which is set at 10 Mbit/s. This new broadband USO will give people the legal right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a reasonable cost threshold, no matter where they live. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.

  • Grant Shapps – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Grant Shapps – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that social housing tenants who would like superfast broadband can access connections; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The Government is on target to deliver access to superfast broadband for 95% of all UK premises – including social housing – by December 2017, and to extend coverage beyond that as far as possible. We do not hold a breakdown of this information by housing tenure centrally, however this investment is benefiting all types of housing, as well as businesses, and we are proud to be delivering on this critical piece of infrastructure as set out in our manifesto.

    Currently, superfast broadband is available to almost 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK – up from 45 per cent in 2010. Around 5 per cent of UK homes and business are currently experiencing connection speeds below 10 Mbit/s.

    Having reduced the proportion of all UK premises with speeds less than 2 Mbit/s substantially from 11% in 2010 to around 1% in December last year, we have now implemented our commitment of having at least 2 Mbit/s per second basic broadband available to all homes and businesses.

    All premises which are not currently scheduled to get an increase in speed to at least this level are eligible for a subsidised satellite broadband service that can deliver speeds of 10Mbps or more.

    The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which is set at 10 Mbit/s. This new broadband USO will give people the legal right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a reasonable cost threshold, no matter where they live. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.

  • Helen Hayes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Helen Hayes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Hayes on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether residents living in supported housing will be exempt from the local housing allowance cap.

    Justin Tomlinson

    We value the work of the supported housing sector extremely highly and are working closely with them to ensure they are supported as effectively as possible.

    As part of this, we have commissioned an evidence review of supported housing.

    The results of this research will determine any appropriate exemptions.

  • John Healey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    John Healey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2016 to Question 23606, if he will estimate the proportion of housing association tenants that will become eligible for Right to Buy in each of the next three years.

    Brandon Lewis

    The Government is working with the National Housing Federation and the sector on the implementation of the voluntary agreement, which will make Right to Buy equivalent discounts available to 1.3 million housing association tenants. Ahead of full implementation, on the 25 November, we launched a pilot scheme with five housing associations, which will inform the design and delivery of the main Voluntary Right to Buy scheme.

  • Helen Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Helen Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who may no longer be able to remain in supported housing after introduction of the proposed cap on housing benefit at the rate of local housing allowance.

    Justin Tomlinson

    Further information is not available.

    We value the work of the supported housing sector extremely highly and are working closely with them to ensure that they are supported as effectively as possible in advance of the policy taking effect.

    As part of this we have commissioned an evidence review of supported housing.

    The results of this research will determine our f appropriate exemptions. We are also providing Local Authorities with £870 million over the course of this parliament to ensure vulnerable people are protected.

  • Helen Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Helen Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Warrington and (b) Warrington North constituency in supported housing are in receipt of housing benefit.

    Justin Tomlinson

    This information is not available.

  • Gerald Kaufman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Gerald Kaufman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Kaufman on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 17 December 2015 with regard to Mr T Opke.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    I can confirm a response has been sent to the honourable member.

  • David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on reducing the stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals; and if he will make a statement.

    David Evennett

    On 21 January the Government published its evaluation of the £50 regulations introduced in April 2015. You can find it here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493714/Evaluation_of_Gaming_Machine__Circumstances_of_Use___Amendment__Regulations_2015.pdf

    The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.

  • David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he next plans a review of gaming machine stakes and prizes.

    David Evennett

    On 21 January the Government published its evaluation of the £50 regulations introduced in April 2015. You can find it here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493714/Evaluation_of_Gaming_Machine__Circumstances_of_Use___Amendment__Regulations_2015.pdf

    The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.

  • Cat Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Cat Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cat Smith on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps UK forces take to avoid civilian casualties when targeting (a) oil facilities and (b) other infrastructure in Syria.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Regardless of the type of target being considered, the UK performs an assessment prior to every UK strike to assess the likelihood of any civilian casualties. This examines the impact of the strike on the surrounding area and whether there are likely to be any civilians present.

    The UK military takes every possible step to avoid civilian casualties.