Category: Speeches

  • Alex Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Alex Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-05-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to address barriers faced by people with ME in accessing care and support; and if he will make a statement.

    Jane Ellison

    The commissioning of services for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), is a local matter. To support the local NHS in shaping services for people with CFS/ME, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical guideline on the management of CFS/ME in adults and children, which set outs best practice on the care, treatment and support of people with the condition.

    Although there is no cure for CFS/ME, there are treatments that may help to ease symptoms. The NICE guideline on CFS/ME recommends treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy approaches, which have the clearest research evidence of benefit. However, the guideline is clear that there is no one form of treatment to suit every patient. Treatment approaches will not be appropriate for all patients and the needs and preferences of patients should be taken into account. Shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals should take place during diagnosis and all phases of care. Furthermore, patients should be offered information about local and national self-help groups and support groups for people with CFS/ME and their carers.

    NICE last reviewed the guidance with its stakeholders, including CFS/ME charities during 2013. The review found no update was required. The full guideline may be viewed on the NICE website at the following link:

    www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg53

    “

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-07-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to minimise bureaucracy for farmers.

    George Eustice

    During the previous Parliament Defra made significant progress in reducing regulatory burdens on all businesses. These were listed in my Written Ministerial Statement of 25 March 2015. Defra continues to take forward reforms to deliver our policy outcomes more efficiently for farmers. The Farm Visits programme was established in July 2015 to reduce the number of farm visits by 20,000 by 2020, reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and improve customer service. The programme has implemented a single helpline for farmers, started to combine inspections where it is beneficial to the farmer, and, in June established the farm visits coordination unit. I also announced in April changes to the arrangements for reporting livestock movements that will significantly reduce burdens for keepers. A Cutting Red Tape review of farm information reporting requirements is also under way whose recommendations will be published in due course.

  • Gareth Thomas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Gareth Thomas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-10-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total value of European Investment Bank loans to local councils in (a) total, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland, (d) England (e) Wales and (f) each region of England in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr David Gauke

    Answer: The EIB publish all loans made to UK borrowers. The link below provides information on lending volumes to the UK and details on individual UK projects are available on the EIB website.

    http://www.eib.org/projects/regions/european-union/united-kingdom/index.htm

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Andrew Gwynne – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2015-11-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the value of stationery that has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in each of the last five fiscal years; and what the cost was of replacing such stationery.

    Joseph Johnson

    The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not make estimates on the amount of lost or stolen stationery so unfortunately there is no data available that would answer this question. However all BIS staff are aware of Departmental regulations on stationery usage and there is no evidence that these regulations are not being adhered to by BIS staff.

  • Bob Blackman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Bob Blackman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Blackman on 2015-11-23.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will undertake an analysis of the feasibility of further financial devolution to London.

    Greg Hands

    The government is strongly committed to devolving powers and responsibilities to the local level. The Chancellor has announced details of the reform to Business Rates nationally whereby Local Government will be able to retain 100% of Business Rates. The government will set out in due course the implications of this reform for London

  • Roger Godsiff – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Roger Godsiff – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-12-17.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2015 to Question 20080, by what date his Department will review all reports which relate to the Welfare Reform and Work Bill; and whether his Department will publish a response to or make a statement on those reports after completing that review.

    Priti Patel

    The Department continually monitors published reports in the public domain. This includes those which relate to policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which is currently being discussed in Committee in the House of Lords.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Oliver Dowden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Oliver Dowden on 2016-01-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on whether (a) a Local Plan and (b) other local planning policies can be amended following the granting of planning permission on appeal for substantive development.

    Brandon Lewis

    The National Planning Policy Framework says that Local Plans can be reviewed in whole or in part to respond flexibly to changing circumstances. Our planning guidance also indicates that a local planning authority should review the relevance of the Local Plan at regular intervals to assess whether some or all of it may need updating. It is for the local planning authority to decide whether and when to review its planning policies.

  • Alex Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Alex Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-02-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse has been of his Department reimbursing local authorities for payments to (a) households and (b) businesses in flood protection grants.

    James Wharton

    To date over £48 million has been paid out to local authorities through the Community and Business Recovery Fund and Council Tax and Business Rates discounts to assist households and businesses affected by the floods caused by Storms Desmond and Eva.

    Local authorities have not notified the Department of any allowable costs not covered by the sums transferred. It is expected that further payments will be made shortly as flooded property numbers are confirmed and further funds requested.

  • Gloria De Piero – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Gloria De Piero – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gloria De Piero on 2016-03-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many apprenticeships were (a) started and (b) completed in each (i) parliamentary constituency and (ii) region of England and Wales in each of the last five years.

    Nick Boles

    Information on Apprenticeship starts and achievements by parliamentary constituency and region, in England, is published as a supplementary table (first link: starts, second link: achievements) to a Statistical First Release (third link).

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493777/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/504335/apprenticeships-achievements-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/learner-participation-outcomes-and-level-of-highest-qualification-held

    The Department does not collect further education information relating to the devolved administrations.

    “

  • Lord Luce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Luce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Luce on 2016-04-19.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what way the criteria for the regulation of financial services vary between the UK and British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    The regulation of financial services are domestic responsibilities of the governments of the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories. As part of the EU internal market for financial services, the UK Government and Government of Gibraltar regulate financial services in line with their own domestic and EU law. Other British Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies’ governments regulate financial services in line with their own domestic law, and are encouraged by the UK to meet internationally agreed standards.