Category: Speeches

  • Debbie Abrahams – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Debbie Abrahams – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2016-06-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities that charge to issue blue badges to disabled people.

    Andrew Jones

    The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended) permit a local authority to charge up to £10 for the issue of a disabled person’s badge. This contributes towards the administration and assessment of the application and the provision of the badge. In return the badge holder receives a package of parking concessions, including free parking in many cases, for up to 3 years. No estimate of the number of local authorities who choose to apply the charge has been made.

  • Gordon Marsden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Gordon Marsden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gordon Marsden on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make a statement about the implications for apprenticeship take-up by 16 to 18 year olds of her Department’s proposals for changes in funding rates for colleges and providers, published on 12 August 2016.

    Robert Halfon

    Apprenticeships are paid jobs that give young people the chance to reach their potential; acquire transferable skills much valued in the labour market and the apprentice does not have to contribute to the costs of their learning.

    Our proposals for how apprenticeships will be paid for in England in the future include incentives for employers taking on younger apprentices – providing a £1,000 cash payment to both the employer and training provider to help with the extra costs of supporting apprentices in this age group and funding 100 per cent of apprenticeship training costs for small employers (with fewer than 50 staff) when they employ 16-18 year old apprentices.

    In addition to apprenticeships, our funding priorities focus on providing young adults with the skills they need for sustainable work, including through traineeships; skills training for unemployed adults and English and maths for all those who need it, recognising that these are essential requirements for sustainable employment.

    We are encouraging a wide range of people into apprenticeships – our ‘Get In Go Far’ campaign is aimed at 14-24 year-olds, their parents, teachers and employers. This major four-year campaign aims to influence public perceptions, awareness and attitudes towards apprenticeships as a route into a successful career, encouraging more young people to apply and more employers to offer apprenticeship opportunities.

    The National Careers Service provides independent, professional advice on careers, skills and the labour market, including on the benefits of apprenticeships and how to apply for vacancies.

  • Ian Murray – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Ian Murray – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2015-11-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to make a decision on City Deals for (a) Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen and (c) Inverness.

    Greg Hands

    Since announcing the intention at the March Budget to work towards City Deals for Aberdeen and Inverness, the government has received initial proposals for City Deals from partners in Aberdeen, Inverness and also Edinburgh. The Department for Communities and Local Government are working with the Scotland Office to study the proposals in depth, as well as discussing with the Scottish Government to achieve outcomes that benefit both Scotland and the whole of the UK.

  • Huw Irranca-Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Huw Irranca-Davies – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Huw Irranca-Davies on 2015-12-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she plans to publish her Department’s response to the consultation on a review of the feed-in tariff scheme.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We are currently analysing feedback submitted during the Feed-in Tariff review consultation and intend to publish a Government response as soon as possible.

  • Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Tim Loughton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

    Priti Patel

    I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016

    http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-01-11/21952/

    “

  • Lord Browne of Belmont – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Lord Browne of Belmont – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Browne of Belmont on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact on Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU.

    Lord Dunlop

    UK Government Ministers have regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive to discuss a range of issues, including matters relating to the EU.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-02-29.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and of criticism by the Institute of Global and International Studies, and others, that there has been too much focus on addressing sexual violence rather than on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The British Government is fully committed to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in its entirety. The prevention of sexual violence in conflict is an important part of this. We will continue our work on this issue as part of a comprehensive programme of work. At last year’s High Level Review of UNSCR 1325, the Government announced a package of eight ambitious new commitments, which included increasing women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and wider peacebuilding efforts and ensuring that women’s rights are fully taken into account in our overseas counter-extremism work, in humanitarian emergencies, in our early warning and conflict analysis and in our military doctrine.

    There is still much that the international community needs to do to deliver the commitments enshrined in UNSCR 1325. Despite clear evidence of the links between women’s participation and the success and sustainability of a peace process, all too often women remain excluded. Women and girls continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence in conflict situations. The international community must do more to address the full range of human rights abuses that women experience in conflict. The Government will continue to prioritise this work as part of our diplomatic, development and defence work.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements Highways England have agreed with Amey to provide services for Area 7 of the network on (a) reporting to Highways England, (b) monitoring fulfilment of that contract and (c) options for early termination.

    Andrew Jones

    For Area 7, Amey will report to Highways England on a monthly basis using robust bespoke performance management. This is designed to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with their Maintenance and Response (M&R) Contract, using a combination of quantitative metrics and performance indicators.

    Amey will also be subject to an annual review and, every three years, a full Service Review will be carried out on the appropriateness of the service required and the method of payment.

    The M&R Contract includes provision for early termination for poor performance. Highways England will monitor the response to poor performance and invoke appropriate action through an escalation process which includes the right for Highways England to bring in another contractor if performance is not addressed satisfactorily. Continued poor performance may lead to early termination.

  • Jonathan Ashworth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Jonathan Ashworth – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2016-04-27.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants died in service in each of the last six years.

    Mr Rob Wilson

    The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-06-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 18 April 2016 to Question 33921, on Thameslink railway line: rolling stock, what measures have been put in place relating to evacuation safety risk; and whether his Department has received any other representations on safety relating to Class 700 trains.

    Claire Perry

    Comprehensive emergency plans are in place between Govia Thameslink Railway, the Thameslink train operator, and Network Rail to ensure the safe evacuation from the tunnelled section of the Thameslink core route between St Pancras International and Blackfriars stations, should an evacuation of a train be required. These plans have been prepared in consultation with the Office of Road and Rail, the rail safety regulator, and the emergency services. My department has not received any other safety representations relating to the operation of the new Class 700 trains.