The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-05.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many letters to HM Revenue and Customs from members of the public remained unanswered after (a) four, (b) eight and (c) 12 weeks in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold this data. However, they regularly publish general performance reports at Gov.uk.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-03-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department gives to TV Licensing on how it deals with people who do not own a television.
Mr Edward Vaizey
Within the legislative framework set out by Government, it is for the BBC Executive Board to manage licence fee collection. Under the terms of the 2006 Royal Charter the BBC Trust is required to ensure that the arrangements for the collection of the licence fee by the BBC Executive are efficient, appropriate and proportionate. In order to fulfil this function, the Trust has committed to regularly review the BBC Executive’s licence fee collection strategy, as part of the BBC’s annual report and accounts.
Last year an independent review led by David Perry QC examined the current methods of enforcement, and we are considering the review’s recommendations as part of the ongoing Charter Review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Cashman on 2016-03-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of including representatives from the Department for International Development in discussions and representation at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference that will take place in Uruguay from 13 to 15 July.
Baroness Verma
The UK will send a delegation to the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference taking place in Montevideo in July. We are committed to working with those countries that will be represented at the conference, and others, to combat discrimination and violence against LGB&T people. This forms an important part of our wider international human rights work. DFID is assessing the benefits of including representatives from the department at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference through discussion with key lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) organisations and with other government departments. The Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference will provide an opportunity to share information, best practice and lessons learned with partners and to discuss how to better coordinate international efforts to support the promotion and protection of the rights of LGB&T people worldwide.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2016-05-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps to provide support for people living in supported housing who will be affected by the cap of housing benefit at the same level as local housing allowance.
Justin Tomlinson
On 1 March 2016 we announced, via a Written Ministerial Statement, that the effect of the LHA cap for those living in social sector supported housing would be deferred by a year, pending the outcome of a review, This means that the measure will only effect those who have taken on or renewed a tenancy from April 2017 rather than April 2016.
We have done this because we understand the importance of ensuring that both those living in supported housing and those who provide this type of accommodation receive appropriate protections. This is why we are awaiting the outcome of a “Supported Accommodation” research project and subsequent policy review, to ensure support is focused on the most vulnerable and appropriate groups are safeguarded.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christina Rees on 2016-06-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of employment tribunal fees on the gender pay gap.
Mr Shailesh Vara
The review is assessing how successful the reforms had been in meeting their original objectives including, as far as we can, the impact of fees in relation to characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010.
We are planning to announce the conclusions of the review in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Quirk on 2016-09-05.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 2 December 2014 (HL2982) about young offender institutions, what progress has been made in providing more than 12 hours a week of purposeful activity since new education contracts came into operation in spring 2015.
Baroness Mobarik
Since the new education contracts came into operation in public sector under-18 Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in August 2015, young people have accessed an average of more than 12 hours education per week.
We are committed to continually improving the youth custodial system in England and Wales. We are considering the recommendations of Charlie Taylor’s Review of the Youth Justice System and will publish his review and our response later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alan Brown on 2016-10-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the recent fall in the value of sterling on the cost of constructing the Successor submarines.
Harriett Baldwin
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 October 2016 to Question 48369 to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Douglas Chapman).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to cooperate with his Egyptian counterpart on measures to (a) counter security threats and (b) ensure the safety of air passengers travelling from Egypt.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
On 5 November, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and I spoke with President Sisi and Foreign Minister Shoukry about the safety of air passengers travelling to and from Egypt. Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Cairo is in regular contact with the Egyptian authorities, and the UK has an ongoing dialogue with Egypt on security issues.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is engaging with international partners about the ongoing aircrash investigation and its implications. We have shared all information we are able to share and discussed our conclusions with partners. We are also helping officials from the Department for Transport to work closely with Egyptian counterparts to ensure necessary airport security measures are in force. The safety of British nationals remains our priority.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-12-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.10 of the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, if he will publish the analysis and methodology used to estimate that the proposed apprenticeship levy will raise £3 billion by 2020-21.
Greg Hands
The government has published the policy costing note for the apprenticeship levy on gov.uk. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/480565/SRAS2015_policy_costings_amended_page_25.pdf
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Kinnock on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2015 to Question 19788, in how many cases liability has been established for people infected by contaminated blood.
Jane Ellison
In 2001 the National Blood Authority was liable for the infection of 117 patients with hepatitis C between March 1988 and September 1991 by whole blood transfusion. The litigation was brought under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 1987. The litigants were awarded quantum based damages.