The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much of the welfare budget was spent on the state pension in 2014-15.
Justin Tomlinson
Total State Pension expenditure in 2014/15 was £86,516m.
Detailed information on benefit expenditure is available in our Benefit Expenditure tables which can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2015
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to building a further Astute-class submarine after HMS Anson to fill the gap in the building programme at Barrow.
Earl Howe
None. Strategic Defence and Security Review 10 established a coherent build programme through Astute hulls 1-7 (Anson is hull 5) into Successor hulls 1-4. That remains the plan. There is no gap in the build programme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bernard Jenkin on 2016-01-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department are working on matters related to (a) European policy, (b) the future of Europe, (c) reform of the EU, (d) the renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU, (e) the EU referendum and (f) the consequences of the EU referendum; how many full-time equivalent staff are working on such matters; what the (i) staff and (ii) other cost of such work is; what proportion of that work is undertaken by such staff on (A) communications, (B) strategy and (C) policy; whether his Department has established any specific unit or units to deal with those matters; to whom such (1) staff and (2) units report; whether his Department has issued guidelines to staff on those matters; and if he will make a statement.
Matthew Hancock
The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain – so we get a better deal for our country and secure our future. Departments are appropriately resourced to support the Government’s priorities in Europe, including the renegotiation and referendum.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department offers to countries affected by the Zika virus.
Mr Nick Hurd
The UK has been at the forefront of global efforts to ensure the World Health Organisation (WHO) has the funding, expertise and systems to respond to emerging disease threats like Zika, and is the second largest national funder of WHO. The Department for International Development made a discretionary contribution of £14.5 million to WHO in 2015, alongside the Department of Health meeting the UK’s £15 million commitment to WHO core funding. The UK has also provided political and technical support to strengthening the organisation and its preparedness. As part of the UK effort to strengthen global health security DFID contributed an additional £6.2 million to WHO’s contingency fund for emergencies which can be used for the management of Zika.
Affected countries are working closely with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) which serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organisation. PAHO and governments across the region are issuing information on the emerging Zika infection and are advocating for increased vector control activities. DFID will keep under review its support to countries affected by Zika viral infections and along with other Government Departments we have welcomed the WHO emergency committee statement issued on Monday 1st February. DFID is monitoring the risk posed by Zika through our early warning work, through DFID’s advisers in the region, and by keeping abreast of the evidence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to support and develop the export potential of UK dairy through the Dairy Exports Strategy.
George Eustice
There is great global demand for quality British dairy products and we are working to maximise this opportunity by opening up new markets around the world. Eight dairy companies accompanied the Secretary of State on a trade mission to China in November, and next month a Chinese dairy delegation is visiting to discuss opportunities for investment in our domestic industry.
Further trade missions are planned over the coming months to the US, Japan and China. Together with UKTI we will continue to promote our fantastic British dairy brand.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2016-03-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total number of visitor visa applications received from (1) India, and (2) Pakistan, in the last six months; and what was the success rate in each case.
Lord Keen of Elie
For July to December 2015, there were 155,928 and 40,985 Entry clearance visitor visa applications from Indian and Pakistani nationals. Of the cases resolved (granted, refused, withdrawn or lapsed) in the same period, the proportion granted was 86% and 47% respectively. The information is provided in the table.
The latest quarterly Home Office immigration statistics on entry clearance visas are published in ‘Immigration Statistics, October-December 2015’, available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has (a) drafted a motion for or (b) discussed a draft of a motion with other members of the UN Security Council since 20 April 2016 that would refer the perpetrators of suspected (i) genocide and (ii) war crimes in Syria or Iraq to the International Criminal Court.
Mr Philip Hammond
In August 2014, the UK sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2170 which reaffirmed the call for those who have committed or are responsible for violations of international humanitarian law in Iraq and Syria to be held accountable. UN Security Council resolution 2249, passed in November 2015, again confirmed the importance of holding the Islamic State in the Levant (also known as Da’esh) to account. These resolutions follow an attempt in May 2014 to have the Security Council refer the situation in Syria to the ICC which was vetoed by Russia and China. We continue to discuss with partners on the UN Security Council further ways to ensure that the perpetrators of crimes committed in Syria and Iraq are held to account and face justice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Reed on 2016-05-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check, including the time taken by the Metropolitan Police, was in London for each year since 2010.
Karen Bradley
The average times taken for the Disclosure and Barring Service to complete all Enhanced Disclosure applications for applicants with a London postcode are listed in the following table.
|
Financial Year |
Average Turnaround Days |
|
2010/11 |
50 |
|
2011/12 |
20 |
|
2012/13 |
12 |
|
2013/14 |
14 |
|
2014/15 |
19 |
|
2015/16 |
24 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emma Reynolds on 2016-07-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he plans to start negotiations on a new trading relationship with the EU.
Mr Robin Walker
We need a UK approach and clear objectives for negotiations. It’s in everyone’s interests that we establish that before we trigger Article 50. The process for leaving the EU and determining our future relationship will clearly not be brief or straightforward, so we need to take time to think through our objectives and approach. We want to get the best deal for Britain, not the quickest one.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Luce on 2016-10-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many High Commissioners and Ambassadors initiate or participate in regular meetings with other Commonwealth representatives to discuss Commonwealth issues of common interest.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Many of our High Commissioners and some Ambassadors regularly meet with their counterparts from Commonwealth countries to discuss matters of shared interest and where they can work together to support Commonwealth values. Commonwealth Week in March is a particular focus for these meetings and Commonwealth activities. During the FCO’s Annual Leadership Week, the Minister for the Commonwealth convenes meetings for all our Commonwealth Heads of Mission to discuss Commonwealth affairs and how we can work together with other Member States to advance common priorities and tackle shared challenges.