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Category: Speeches

  • Caroline Flint – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Caroline Flint – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Flint on 2015-10-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of changes to the work allowance in universal credit announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on incentives to work.

    Priti Patel

    Universal Credit will have a powerful positive effect on labour market participation. We expect 300,000 more people to be in work as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit, and around 75% of the households that gain under Universal Credit are in the bottom 40% of the income distribution.

  • Mary Creagh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Mary Creagh – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2015-12-09.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many charities registered in Wakefield constituency have claimed back Gift Aid on small cash donations using the Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme since that scheme’s inception.

    Mr David Gauke

    Since the scheme’s inception in April 2013, 12 charities that fall within Wakefield postcodes have claimed back Gift Aid on their small cash donations.

  • Lord Alton of Liverpool – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Alton of Liverpool – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-01-20.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government why no safe haven has been established for Yazidis and Assyrian Christians, Mandaeans, and Shabaks; when they last raised the failure to make such provision with their international partners; and what assistance they have given to those minorities to better provide for their self-defence.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The British Government agrees that there is an urgent need to protect civilians in Syria and Iraq. However, for safe zones to be effective they must be truly safe. That would require an international mandate and a significant commitment of boots on the ground. Turkey has promoted the idea of safe havens along the border in northern Syria. However, all such previous proposals have foundered on the question of who will provide the defensive air cover, given the presence of a very sophisticated Syrian air defence system, and now the presence of Russian air-to-air offensive capability in the area. The priority remains an end to the violence and full, unhindered access for humanitarian agencies, so civilians can escape the fighting and aid can get through to save lives in the worst affected areas. Britain continues to lead the way in helping those suffering from the humanitarian crisis. The best way of safeguarding minority rights in the region is by defeating Daesh and establishing peace and stability in the region. The UK has been at the forefront of these efforts. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), set out the Government’s comprehensive strategy for dealing with Daesh and the conflict in Syria in his response to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 26 November 2015.

  • John Mann – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    John Mann – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2016-02-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the use of fraudulent roofing materials in the building of new houses.

    James Wharton

    Building Regulations require that building work is carried out with adequate and proper materials which are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used. Building control bodies are responsible for checking compliance as with any other Building Regulations’ requirements. In addition, if a building material is covered by a harmonised European standard, the requirements of the European Construction Products Regulation will apply. This Regulation is enforced by local authorities (trading standards in England, Scotland and Wales and District Councils in Northern Ireland).

  • David Morris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    David Morris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2016-03-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress his Department is making on the Enterprise Zones applied for by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership; and if he will make a statement.

    James Wharton

    My rt hon. Friend, the Chancellor announced the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership’s successful bid for a new Enterprise Zone at Hillhouse as part of the 2015 Autumn Statement. This followed approval of the business case for the Blackpool Enterprise Zone which was announced on 12 November 2015.

    Regulations are being laid for both Enterprise Zones to enable them to offer business rate discounts and enhanced capital allowances from April 2016. The new Enterprise Zones complement the existing Lancashire Local Enterprise Zone which covers sites at Warton and Samlesbury.

  • Jonathan Ashworth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Jonathan Ashworth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-04-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of officials of his Department resigned in each of the last six years.

    Joseph Johnson

    The number of employees in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills HQ who have resigned, in each of the last 6 years and the proportion of the headcount, are shown in the table below.

    Year

    Number who resigned

    % of headcount

    2010-11

    0

    0%

    2011-12

    49

    1.6%

    2012-13

    70

    2.2%

    2013-14

    67

    2.2%

    2014-15

    89

    2.9%

    2015-16

    82

    2.6%

    The number of officials who have resigned in any year is in the period April – March, whilst the % is of the headcount at 31 March in that year.

  • Nigel Evans – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Nigel Evans – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-05-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cumulative effect of tobacco control measures on small retailers over the last 10 years.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department assesses the impact of all proposed measures before laying legislation using standard government methodology. These assessments are set out in Impact Assessments which are scrutinised by the Regulatory Policy Committee before publication alongside the Statutory Instrument. Impact Assessments specifically look at the impacts on small and micro businesses.

    The Department assesses the impact of tobacco control measures on an ongoing basis as it develops policy and considers new measures. In September 2013, the Department published An Audit of the impact of the Department of Health’s Regulations upon business. A copy of the report is attached. The Audit report covered all regulations for which the Department has responsibility believed to have a potential cost to business, including those relating to tobacco control. As advised in the report, there is a robust cost-benefit case for the tobacco control regulations considered and experience shows that initiatives to reduce smoking prevalence work best in combination, with cumulative effects over time.

  • 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 2016-06-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the relative priorities given to wheelchair users and passengers with pushchairs using dedicated access spaces on buses.

    Andrew Jones

    It would be inappropriate of me to comment on this particular issue while the Supreme Court considers the FirstGroup vs Paulley case. However, I am keen to hear of the experiences of disabled passengers, as well as passengers with pushchairs, to inform the development of future policy on this issue.

  • Lord Bruce of Bennachie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Lord Bruce of Bennachie – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Bruce of Bennachie on 2016-09-14.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Official Development Assistance contribution to India will fulfil the objectives set out by the Secretary of State for International Development on 15 August following her visit to India.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The economic and development objectives set out by the Secretary of State on 15 August are underpinned by technical assistance and development capital investment. Objectives for the use of Official Development Assistance in India are agreed by the National Security Council.

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-01-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been claimed in reimbursement expenses by press officers in (a) his Department and (b) his Department’s executive agencies and public bodies in each fiscal year since 2010-11.

    Jane Ellison

    The reimbursable expenses claimed by press officers in the Department in each fiscal year since 2010-11 are detailed in the table below:

    Financial Year

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    2013-14

    2014-15

    Department of Health

    £2,773.27

    £3,606.40

    £1,895.41

    £771.80

    £1,624.01

    The data covers reimbursable expenses claimed by the Department’s press officers for travel and subsistence.

    The expenses are reimbursed to staff in accordance with the Department’s policy, and will not include any rail or air tickets or hotel accommodation booked through the Department’s central booking.

    To collate the reimbursable expenses claimed by press officers in the Department’s executive agencies and public bodies in each fiscal year since 2010-11 is a disproportionate cost.