The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-23.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Government’s policy is on funding for the Equitable Life Payment Scheme that has not been disbursed.
Harriett Baldwin
Payments under the scheme will continue to be made annually to With-Profits Annuitants for the duration of their annuities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many organisations were affected by his Department’s pilot of anti-sock puppet rules; how many exemptions were made under that pilot scheme; and what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse that arose from that pilot scheme.
Mr Marcus Jones
The guidelines ensure that government grants are only spent on the good causes and programmes spelt out in the underlying grant agreement, and prevent taxpayers’ money being diverted to unproductive lobbying. The savings are thus delivered by ensuring all such public money is properly spent on the intended purposes, rather than seeking to reduce the absolute level of government grants as a consequence of stopping taxpayer-funded lobbying.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions in each year since 2009-10 he has been asked to confirm a local planning authority’s decision to revoke planning permission under Section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and on how many such occasions he (a) confirmed and (b) overturned that decision.
Brandon Lewis
Section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 means that if it appears to the local planning authority that it is expedient to do so, it may make an order revoking any planning permission to develop land. When an order is opposed by the owner and occupier of the land or by other persons who in the authority’s opinion will be affected, the order has to be submitted to the Secretary of State and shall not take effect unless it is confirmed by him.
For each year since 2009/10:
|
Year |
Number submitted for confirmation |
Confirmed |
Overturned (declined to confirm) |
|
2009/10 |
1 |
1 |
None |
|
2010/11 |
1 |
None |
None |
|
2011/12 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2012/13 |
1 |
None |
None (withdrawn by authority) |
|
2013/14 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2014/15 |
None |
None |
None |
|
2015/16 |
None |
None |
None |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training is being given to members of Fire and Rescue Services who may find themselves acting as first responders as a result of collaboration between emergency services.
Mike Penning
The Department does not hold this information centrally. The responsibility for ensuring relevant training is undertaken rests with individual fire and rescue authorities in consultation with local ambulance services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which Fire and Rescue Services have trained staff who can act as first responders; how many such staff have received training.
Mike Penning
The Department does not hold this information centrally. The responsibility for ensuring relevant training is undertaken rests with individual fire and rescue authorities in consultation with local ambulance services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Jones on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many pupils in the North West have received funding from the European Regional Development Fund; and what the total investment from that fund in that region has been in each year since 2000.
James Wharton
The European Regional Development Fund does not provide funding to pupils.
The total investment for the Fund 2000-06 programme period in the North West was equivalent to just under £1.5 billion.
The figures for the 2007-13 European Regional Developement Fund programme, where investment commenced in 2009, are as follows:
|
Year |
Annual expenditure (£m) |
Cumulative expenditure (£m) |
|
2009 |
168.2 |
168.2 |
|
2010 |
56.3 |
224.5 |
|
2011 |
63.2 |
287.7 |
|
2012 |
60.8 |
348.5 |
|
2013 |
81.2 |
429.7 |
|
2014 |
123.8 |
553.5 |
|
2015 |
56.9 |
610.4 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2016 to Question 26305; what estimate his Department has made of the total number of licenses granted for houses of multiple occupation which are in use in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Brandon Lewis
I have nothing to add to my earlier reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Neill on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2015 to Question 15112, when he intends to bring forward amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015; what provisions will apply to office premises that have been granted prior approval for conversion to residential use but which will not be completed before 30 May 2016; and if he will make a statement.
Brandon Lewis
We announced on 13 October 2015 that the permitted development right for the change of use from office to residential is to be made permanent, and that those with prior approval will have three years from the date of prior approval in which to change use. Further information on the detail and timing of the regulations will be provided in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his Department’s wellness strategy is.
Brandon Lewis
The Department has a health and wellbeing strategy that reflects the wider Civil Service priorities of mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
An effective Occupational Health and Workplace Adjustment services, together with an Employee Assistance Programme, are in place. The Department has committed and strong staff networks, including a Health and Wellbeing network.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the (a) policy and (b) other responsibilities are of each special adviser in his Department.
Brandon Lewis
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my rt. hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Matthew Hancock) today, PQ 27946.