The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-05-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether industry analysts data was consulted in preparing the soft drinks industry levy.
Damian Hinds
Information on the key data and assumptions underpinning the costing of the soft drinks industry levy announced at Budget 2016 is available at page 12 in the Budget 2016 policy costings document available at:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-06-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which Commissioner would make the decision in a case where a multi academy trust operating in one region wished to expand by adding a school in another region.
Edward Timpson
The National Schools Commissioner allocates a lead Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) to Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and sponsors who are operating across more than one region.
The lead RSC ‘owns’ the relationship with the MAT, and is responsible for negotiating any strategic decisions, such as expansion, which has an impact on multiple regions.
Where a MAT wants to operate across more than one region, the lead RSC would meet with the trust and agree to the expansion in principle. The formal decision concerning the individual academy or free school joining the MAT is taken by the RSC for the region in which the school is located. The decision is informed by the lead RSC’s view of the MAT’s capacity and capability.
For national trusts, that have a relationship with the National School Commissioner, decisions by RSCs about MAT expansion are informed by the views of the National Schools Commissioner who has a national view of the trust’s capacity.
This information is publicly available and can be found in the RSC decision-making framework on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/517565/RSC-Decision-Making-Framework.pdf
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to provide equipment and training support to the army of the Kurdistan regional government; and if he will make a statement.
Mike Penning
Since 2014 UK Service personnel have been deployed to the Kurdish region to train and support the Peshmerga in their fight against Daesh. In addition, the UK has gifted some 50 tonnes of non-lethal support, 40 heavy machine guns and over a million rounds of ammunition, with the most recent shipment delivered in July 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2016 to Question 37452 to the hon. Member for Bristol West, on museums and galleries, which museums wholly reliant on local authority funding have closed in each year since 2009-10.
Matt Hancock
The Government is committed to ensuring that arts and cultural experiences, including those offered by museums and galleries, are available to everyone and not just the privileged few. Government provides support to local museums through Arts Council England (ACE), including a £10m Resilience Fund supporting museums at risk to explore new funding models and become more sustainable. Earlier this month, ACE announced the 2018-2022 investment round of £409m per year, which includes a £37m/year increase to focus on improving the amount spent outside London and on integrating museums into the arts portfolio.
The modern model of museums funding is that there are very few museums entirely reliant on local authority funding. Where museums are run by local authorities, decisions on service provision are for those local authorities to take.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2015-11-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in the Durham Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.
Greg Clark
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 6 November, PQ 13946.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the procurement of bi-modal trains so that more trains can run on the West Coast Main Line and then travel on to parts of the network that are not electrified.
Claire Perry
It is for the operator to assess the merits of using such rolling stock. We believe that they are best placed to procure the rolling stock that they require to deliver the necessary levels of service and capacity. Bi-modes clearly provide one option for new rolling stock as can be seen by the current procurement of the Class Hitachi AT-300s by Great Western Railway.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-01-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights situation in the Maldives, and what consideration they are giving to immediate targeted sanctions by the UK and at a EU level on senior officials and key supporters of the government of the Maldives, including freezing assets and travel bans.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK is concerned about the decline in respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Maldives. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), visited the Maldives on 17 and 18 January and expressed these concerns to President Yameen and other key members of the Maldivian government including Foreign Minister Dunya.
We will continue to apply pressure through a range of bilateral and multilateral means to bring about the positive changes we all want to see in the Maldives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl McCartney on 2016-02-04.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect on motor insurance premiums of the recent increase in insurance premium tax.
Harriett Baldwin
Insurers must pay IPT on the value of premiums received for general insurance. If insurers pass on the full rate increase to their customers, the impact on premiums would be an increase of only 3.5%.
Tax forms only a small part of the cost of motor insurance. Other factors include competition, the volume of low value personal injury claims and fraud. The government has taken steps to crack down on the fraud and claims culture such as announcing at Autumn Statement 2015 proposals to end the right to cash compensation for minor whiplash injuries. The government expects the insurance industry to pass an average saving of £40 to £50 per motor insurance policy on to consumers.
The government also encourages consumers to shop around for the most suitable cover at the best price.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Empey on 2016-03-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish papers relating to the review of the workings of the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.
Lord Dunlop
The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is currently considering a range of options for reforming his office. Any reforms will ensure that elections and electoral registration will continue to be delivered in the most effective way while placing his office on a sustainable financial footing. I understand work on some of the options for reform remains at an early stage.
In addition to the currently available paper registration process we propose to introduce, by the end of 2016, an on-line registration service. This will improve the registration service offered to people in Northern Ireland.
The consideration of possible structural changes to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland is a matter for the Chief Electoral Officer and it will be for him to consult with stakeholders once the options have been fully explored.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects to answer Question 26017, tabled by the hon. Member for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock on 5 February 2016.
John Penrose
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 April 2016.