The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Nuttall on 2015-10-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding is available to assist the development and promotion of long distance walks.
Tracey Crouch
The Government is investing over £68 million through Sport England for outdoor recreation sports. The Ramblers and Long Distance Walking Association are recognised by Sport England as National Governing Bodies, and can apply for Sport England funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-11-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much he plans to spend on defence engagement functions in each year from 2015 to 2020.
Mr Julian Brazier
The Department is currently working to identify the implications of the Spending Review settlement for specific elements of the Defence budget, and has not yet confirmed the funding which will be allocated to Defence Engagement activities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that internet service providers and social media organisations co-operate with the police to combat incidents of cyber bullying and harassment.
Mike Penning
As part of the arrangements for the collection of police recorded crime data the Home Office has introduced an ‘online flag’ allowing police forces to record online instances of crimes such as stalking and harassment. These data are still being developed but will be published once the data are considered to be of sufficient quality. In October 2015, the Office for National Statistics introduced new fraud and cyber questions to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. These new questions mean that we will be able to identify those crimes that had an online component and hence be able to provide estimates of cyber crime. This data will be published in due course.
Legislation is in place to deal with internet trolls, cyber-stalking and harassment, and perpetrators of grossly offensive, obscene or menacing behaviour. Through the Criminal Justice Act 2015, we improved two communications offences which can be used to prosecute misuse of social media: section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, giving the police longer to investigate either offence, and increasing the maximum penalty for the former to two years imprisonment.
Engagement with the industry is essential, and the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) brings together industry, law enforcement, academia, charities, parenting groups, and government departments (Home Office, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and Department for Education), to work in partnership to help to keep children and young people safe online. As part of this work, the UK’s Communications regulator, Ofcom, recently led a working group to develop good practice guidance for providers of social media and interactive services. Its purpose is to encourage businesses to think about “safety by design” to help make their platforms safer for children and young people under 18. This guidance was published in December 2015. A wide range of partners contributed to this project, including Twitter, Facebook, Google, Ask.FM, MindCandy and Microsoft.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Gray on 2016-01-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) new or existing Housing Benefit claimants and (b) those in supported accommodation will have their allowance cut to Local Housing Allowance rates from 1 April 2016.
Justin Tomlinson
This measure does not apply until April 2018. We value the work of the supported housing sector extremely highly and are working closely with them to ensure they are supported as effectively as possible in advance of the police taking effect.
The Department alongside the Department for Communities and Local Government has jointly commissioned an evidence review of supported housing.
The results of this research will determine our future policy development and any appropriate exemptions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects each of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates to be withdrawn from service.
Mr Philip Dunne
Current planning assumptions are:
|
Ship |
Out of Service Date |
|
HMS Argyll |
2023 |
|
HMS Lancaster |
2024 |
|
HMS Iron Duke |
2025 |
|
HMS Monmouth |
2026 |
|
HMS Montrose |
2027 |
|
HMS Westminster |
2028 |
|
HMS Northumberland |
2029 |
|
HMS Richmond |
2030 |
|
HMS Somerset |
2031 |
|
HMS Sutherland |
2032 |
|
HMS Kent |
2033 |
|
HMS Portland |
2034 |
|
HMS St Albans |
2035 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-03-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether Equivalent or Lower Level Qualifications are exempted under (a) degree and (b) Masters level apprenticeships.
Nick Boles
There are no centrally set entry requirements for apprenticeships; recruitment decisions lie with employers. As with any other job, they may set their own entry requirements for a specific apprenticeship vacancy at any level.
Apprenticeship funding supports individuals to progress to higher levels of learning. A graduate who has completed a degree is not usually eligible for funding to complete an apprenticeship at Level 6 (degree), but would be eligible for funding to progress to an apprenticeship at Level 7 (Masters). A graduate with a Master’s degree would not normally be eligible for funding for an apprenticeship.
The only exception to this is where the apprentice starts a new job role which is in a different occupation requiring a significant amount of new learning to take place, delivered over the minimum duration for the standard. In this case the apprentice would be eligible for funding for an apprenticeship at the same level, but no lower than, their current highest qualification.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Wragg on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect on demand for GP surgery places of immigration (a) in general and (b) from nationals of other EEA countries in each of the last 10 years.
Alistair Burt
Since 2013, it is been the responsibility of NHS England to determine the provision of National Health Service primary medical services. NHS England does not collect registration information in relation to immigration, nationality or European Economic Area status.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the peace process in Colombia.
Mr Hugo Swire
We strongly support the ongoing peace talks between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). I reiterated the UK’s support for the peace process when I met President Santos on 12 May, as did the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), during his visit to Colombia in April.
We have offered advice to the Colombian Government based on our experience in Northern Ireland, which is welcomed by President Santos. The UK supported Colombia in drafting and steering UN Resolution 2261 through the Security Council in January, receiving unanimous support.
Through Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, we have contributed £4.2 million to a UN post-conflict trust fund. The UN trust fund will increase the Colombian Government’s capacity and resources to fully implement the peace agreement, addressing issues such as food security, the removal of landmines and the strengthening of the judicial system.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Gray on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of working parents and carers receiving universal credit who will be required to work increased hours under in-work conditionality that (a) are unable to work full-time hours and (b) will require flexible working arrangements.
Damian Hinds
The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tommy Sheppard on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what correspondence he has received from English Heritage on Duchy of Lancaster properties under the guardianship of English Heritage in the last 12 months.
Sir Patrick McLoughlin
The Minister for the Cabinet Office has received no correspondence from English Heritage on Duchy of Lancaster properties under the guardianship of English Heritage in the last 12 months.