The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christian Matheson on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether a deed of variation has been agreed for Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence 189.
Andrea Leadsom
A deed of variation has not been agreed for this licence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Featherstone on 2016-05-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding is available for research and development into sustainable aviation fuels.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government believes sustainable aviation fuels are of strategic importance, both in reducing carbon emissions and to drive the development of an advanced biofuels industry in the UK.
Those developing sustainable aviation biofuels were eligible to apply for funding under the Department’s Advanced Biofuel Demonstration Competition, the winners of which were announced last September.
In early 2015 a Transport Energy Taskforce including aviation industry experts considered, amongst other things, the potential for sustainable aviation fuels to contribute to our climate change commitments to 2030 and beyond. Further to that work we are planning to consult on potential changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation later this year, including to make renewable fuels used in aviation eligible for reward under the scheme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on the long-term ability of universities to maintain current levels of educational provision; and if she will make a statement.
Joseph Johnson
The UK has some of the best universities and researchers in the world, and international students, academics and researchers play a significant part in that success. The impacts of the decision to leave the EU on universities will depend on a number of factors including the timing of the UK’s exit from the EU and the details of our future relationship with the EU. Those are decisions for the new Prime Minister. The UK remains a member of the EU, and we continue to meet our obligations and receive relevant funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what outcomes the Government expects from the recent and planned strategic dialogue with the government of Sudan.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
In order to maximise our ability to persuade all parties to the conflicts in Sudan to end the fighting and allow the Sudanese people the security and development they deserve, we need to have a greater level of direct engagement with the Government of Sudan. The Strategic Dialogue process provides a necessary platform for us to do this, exploring possibilities for cooperation on a wide range of UK interests where our aims align, as well as an avenue to raise concerns.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to enable more looked-after children to go on to further and higher education.
Edward Timpson
This government believes that all children and young people in care should be provided with the support that they need in order to fulfil their potential.
That is why we require local authorities, as corporate parents,to fulfil a legal duty to promote the educational achievement of the children they look after, including supporting them to progress into further and higher education.All local authorities are required to appoint a Virtual School Head to ensure that that duty is discharged, and that each looked-after child has a personal education plan which sets out how their aspirations and educational needs, particularly around transition points, will be supported in the short and longer-term.
In addition, the government provides enhanced pupil premium funding of £1,900 each year for pupils who have been looked-after and we also ensure that looked-after children are given priority in school admission arrangements. Looked-after children and care leavers are also a priority group for receiving the 16-19 Further Education Bursary of £1,200 per annum.
For care leavers, local authorities must offer a personal adviser and a pathway plan if they are in education or training up to the age of 21 or up to 25 if they wish to resume their education and training. Care leavers who pursue a recognised course of higher education are also entitled to a one-off £2000 bursary, given by their local authority, as part of the package of support they receive on leaving care.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison McGovern on 2015-12-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria the Government is using to determine which people and residents of which areas will be eligible for discounts on tolls for the Mersey Gateway bridge.
Andrew Jones
The original toll discount scheme covering residents of Halton was developed by the scheme’s promoters, Halton Borough Council. Following the Chancellor’s statement in 2014 this is to be extended to cover all residents. Further details can be found at:
Following the Chancellor’s further statement in July 2015 that the Government is looking at extending Mersey Gateway bridge toll discounts to residents of Chester West & Chester and Warrington, officials are currently working through what the proposed further extension means for the scheme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-01-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps he has taken to advertise the ACAS-administered Pay and Work Rights Helpline to seafarers recruited from overseas to work in the UK shipping industry.
Nick Boles
My Department has worked with Maritime bodies to increase awareness of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) enforcement options available, including the ACAS helpline and HMRC enforcement operations. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is working with the sector to agree specific NMW guidance for seafarers. This guide will provide more information on the UK and International maritime law and raise awareness of enforcement measures in place to help anyone who needs them. The guide will advertise the ACAS helpline. I have also met with the hon Member for Gateshead (Ian Mearnes), Convenor of the RMT, to discuss the enforcement of the NMW and how we can raise awareness of enforcement action further.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, a claimant receiving Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity component prior to April 2017 who is reassessed after April 2017 but still found to be entitled to the work-related activity component would have their benefit reduced to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Lord Freud
The changes as introduced to the House of Commons on 9th July 2015 would mean that existing claimants, whether in the work-related activity group or the support group, who undergo a work capability assessment after April 2017 and are placed in, or remain in, the work-related activity group, will continue to receive the work-related activity component.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-03-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to signpost commissioners to other appropriate services since the decision was taken not to prescribe specialist psychological services for deaf people as a specialised service; and what (a) number and (b) proportion of clinical commissioning groups commission specialist psychological services for deaf people.
Alistair Burt
The 2015 Adult Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Workforce Census report will be published by NHS England in early summer. Included within the report will be the number of services that currently provide therapy in British Sign Language (BSL) and how many therapists deliver these therapies nationally. People who wish to be referred to IAPT services that require BSL services may seek advice from their general practitioner. Information about local NHS services, including IAPT, is also available on the NHS Choices website.
Information is not collected centrally on the number or proportion of clinical commissioning groups which commission specialist psychological services for deaf people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Indian government on the need to de-escalate tensions between the Indian army and protestors in Northern Kashmir.
Mr Hugo Swire
I was saddened to learn of the deaths of 5 civilians last week in Northern Kashmir, and I extend my condolences to their families. I have not discussed this issue with the Indian Government or with other Commonwealth Countries, but I am aware that the State Government and the Army are both looking into these incidents.