Category: Speeches

  • Diana Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    Diana Johnson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many full-time equivalent officials were employed in his predecessor’s renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU in 2015-16; and if he will estimate the total cost to the public purse of that renegotiation process.

    Mr David Jones

    All departments were equipped with the resources they needed to manage the renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU in 2015-16. As a new department we do not hold data on staffing within other departments during that process or the estimated costs.

  • Karl McCartney – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Karl McCartney – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl McCartney on 2015-11-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to promote regional food and drink.

    Elizabeth Truss

    Defra launched the Great British Food campaign this week to promote food and drink entrepreneurs from across the UK at home and abroad.

    Through the Food and Drink International Action Plan we have supported over 4,000 businesses and opened 130 new markets.

  • Tim Loughton – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Tim Loughton – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2015-11-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people are employed in the Property Asset Management Unit; and how many such people are (a) civil servants and (b) secondees from outside bodies.

    Brandon Lewis

    The Department for Communities and Local Government does not employ any civil servants, or secondees from outside bodies within the Property Asset Management Unit.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-01-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) premium and (b) subsidy payments the new Northern franchisee is expected to make or receive in each year of that franchise’s duration.

    Andrew Jones

    The new Northern Franchisee is expected to receive subsidy payments during each year of its franchise term. I note however, that under this franchise agreement the amount of annual subsidy will be reduced by £160million by the end of this 9-year contract and at the same time, unlike the last Northern franchise in 2004 which included limited plans to invest in services or meet demand, this new franchise will deliver more than 2,000 extra services each week, nearly a 40% increase in capacity and the complete removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacers by the end of 2019.

    The subsidy payments are set out below in both nominal terms and in real (i.e. constant) terms in 2015/16 prices. Years 1 to 9 are the payments for the core Franchise Term. Year 10 is an optional extension period of up to one year, callable at the discretion of the Secretary of State.

    Year

    £M

    Nominal

    Real – 2015/16 prices

    Year 1

    2016/17

    281

    275

    Year 2

    2017/18

    276

    262

    Year 3

    2018/19

    282

    260

    Year 4

    2019/20

    247

    221

    Year 5

    2020/21

    204

    177

    Year 6

    2021/22

    158

    134

    Year 7

    2022/23

    136

    113

    Year 8

    2023/24

    114

    92

    Year 9

    2024/25

    92

    73

    Year 10

    2025/26

    53

    39

    “

  • Jess Phillips – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jess Phillips – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2016-01-29.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the effect on the number of school support staff of the Government’s policy to consider for deportation after five years non-EU migrants earning less than £35,000 per annum.

    Nick Gibb

    The Department does not collect data on the nationality or immigration status of the school workforce.

    This is a local matter for schools and all schools must employ members of the school workforce in accordance with employment law.

  • Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department was informed of plans by Clearsprings to expand asylum accommodation into East Cardiff.

    James Brokenshire

    The Home Office works with its contractors, local authorities and the Strategic Migration Partnerships to ensure that impact of the dispersal of asylum seekers to local authorities is reviewed regularly. The Home Office was aware of the expansion of existing accommodation in East Cardiff. Decisions on the use of accommodation including which premises are used are made by the individual contractors, who bear the cost.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Chi Onwurah – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-03-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the current outbreak of yellow fever in Angola and its regional implications; and whether the Government will assist the World Health Organisation supported vaccination campaign led by the Angolan government.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    This Government’s assessment is that the national response to the yellow fever outbreak in Angola is growing in strength with support from the international community and the strategic use of donated vaccines. To date surrounding countries have not suffered related outbreaks and exported yellow fever cases to China, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been managed effectively.

    The United Kingdom is supporting the national vaccination campaign in Angola through its core funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and to the World Health Organisation. The international response has provided 7.3 million doses of yellow fever vaccine to Angola to respond to the outbreak.

  • Henry Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Henry Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that roadworks cause less disruption to motorists.

    Andrew Jones

    The Government wants to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks are essential, but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary. We are currently consulting on changes that will reduce the congestion caused by roadworks on local ‘A’ road from works left in place at the weekend but where no work is happening, and to remove temporary traffic lights as soon as the works are complete.

    We have asked Highways England to look closely at reducing the length of roadworks on the Strategic Road Network. This is being reflected in the next phase of smart motorway schemes, where Highways England are reducing both the length (distance) and duration (time they are in place) of roadworks.

    Highways England are also considering the use of higher speed limits through roadworks, where this can be done safely. Subject to safety assessments, Highway England will be starting a trial of higher speed limits on roadworks later this year.

  • Lord Teverson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Teverson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Teverson on 2016-06-06.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take to increase international student numbers from India, in the light of the publication of Indian Student Mobility Report 2016 by M M Advisory Services. which points out that, despite the high growth in overseas students from India, the number of students coming to the UK has declined steeply in recent years and is likely to be overtaken by Germany.

    Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

    We welcome international students from all countries to study at our world-class universities. There is no cap on the number that can come here and the UK remains the second most popular destination for international students.

    The Government is working closely with India to strengthen education ties with the UK. In November 2015, the Indian and UK Prime Ministers’ jointly announced the ‘2016 UK-India Year of Education, Research and Innovation’ and the following month my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Minister of State for Universities and Science led a delegation to India, accompanied by 28 vice-chancellors and college leaders to increase sector-to-sector partnerships.

    We are funding major bilateral agreements, including: the UK India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) which supports partnerships in education and research; the Newton-Bhabha Fund, bringing together science and innovation partners to tackle economic development challenges; and supporting the Generation UK-India programme which is increasing the number of UK students taking placements in India. We are also promoting recruitment to the UK through the Britain is GREAT marketing campaign.

  • Tom Blenkinsop – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    Tom Blenkinsop – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2016-07-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the future of the UK steel industry.

    Mr Robin Walker

    As we prepare for negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU, we will continue to consult with a broad range of stakeholders within Government and beyond in order to secure the best possible deal for the whole UK.