Category: Speeches

  • Toby Perkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Toby Perkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2015-11-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure homes are adequately heated over the winter and protect against deaths due to the cold weather.

    Andrea Leadsom

    We are supporting older and vulnerable people to keep warm through support including the Energy Company Obligation and the Warm Home Discount. Over 1.6 million measures have been installed in around 1.3 million households through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) alone.

    This year, over 2 million households will get help under the Warm Home Discount scheme– including an automatic electricity bill discount of £140 for over 1.3 million of the poorest pensioners. In winter 2014/15, Winter Fuel Payments were made to around 12.5million older people in around 9 million households. The Cold Weather Plan, published by Public Health England, helps to raise awareness of the harm to health from cold, and provides guidance on how to prepare for and respond to cold weather.

    The Government has also provided around £3 million to fund the creation of the ‘Big Energy Saving Network’ which focuses on helping consumers understand tariffs and switching options as well as how they could benefit from energy efficiency programmes available to them. As we approach winter, my officials will continue to maximise awareness of the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS –contact number 0300 123 1234), which also provides a referral service for ECO Affordable Warmth.

  • Daniel Kawczynski – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Daniel Kawczynski – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2015-12-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department plans to launch its consultation on amending regulations on crematoriums.

    Caroline Dinenage

    In my written statement of 8 July 2015 (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-07-08/HCWS88/http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-07-08/HCWS88/) I announced my intention to launch a consultation on changes to cremation legislation by the end of the year. I can confirm that this remains my intention; the consultation will be launched shortly.

    “

  • Conor McGinn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Conor McGinn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Conor McGinn on 2016-01-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that insurers cannot under-settle claims made in person following an increase in the small claims limit.

    Dominic Raab

    The Government will consult on the detail of the new reforms in due course, including any necessary safeguards. The consultation will be accompanied by an impact assessment.

  • Michael Tomlinson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Michael Tomlinson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Tomlinson on 2016-02-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce a nationwide disabled Vehicle Excise Duty parking exemption list to ensure that disabled people are not required to apply to each local authority before being able to use their car parks.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    The Government has no plans to establish a nationwide disabled Vehicle Excise Duty parking exemption list for off-street car parking. It is for local authorities to comply with equalities legislation when providing a service, including off-street parking.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Emily Thornberry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2016 to Question 26147, whether the cost of the work undertaken during the Long Overhaul Period of HMS Vengeance exceeded the value of the contract for that work.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    No, the total cost of the work undertaken has not exceeded the value of the contract.

  • Debbie Abrahams – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Debbie Abrahams – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many stroke survivors are currently in receipt of local authority-funded adult social care.

    Jane Ellison

    One of the actions set out in the 2007 National Stroke Strategy was to increase the rate of thrombolysis (treatment with clot busting drugs), which stood at around 1% of stroke admissions. Data from the Stroke Sentinel Audit Programme (SSNAP) suggests this rate has risen to 11-12%, with around 9,600 stroke patients now benefiting from treatment with thrombolysis each year. Evidence suggests that, on average, 13% of those treated with thrombolysis will have reduced disability as a result. It is therefore likely that more than 1,200 stroke patients per year now benefit from reduced disability due to thrombolysis.

    Although the Government has made no assessment of the quality and variation of rehabilitation and speech and language therapy available to stroke survivors in England, SSNAP has collected data over the last three years on the rehabilitation that patients get in hospital and when they are discharged in to the community.

    SSNAP also undertook an audit in 2015 of the provision and organisation of post-acute stroke care which includes details on the provision of speech and language therapy. It shows there are variations around the country in the availability of these services to stroke survivors. The Strategic Clinical Networks and the National Clinical Director for Stroke are working with clinical commissioning groups to help address this.

  • Bernard Jenkin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Bernard Jenkin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bernard Jenkin on 2016-05-09.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) the cost to the public purse has been of and (b) advice he has sought or received from the Electoral Commission on Government plans to promote public awareness of the (i) forthcoming EU referendum and (ii) need for timely registration in order to participate in that referendum.

    John Penrose

    The referendum on membership of the European Union is a decision of fundamental importance for the future of the country. The Government is committed to helping ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote in this referendum is able to do so.

    The Electoral Commission’s public awareness campaign plays an essential role in explaining to the electorate the importance of registering to vote. As it has done previously ahead of the 2015 General Election, the Government aims to complement and amplify the Electoral Commission’s work to maximise the number of people reached by voter registration communications to ensure that electors can have their say on 23 June. The Government will allocate up to £7.5m for a range of voter registration activity, including funding local authorities and civil society organisations.

    The Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office have been in regular dialogue on encouraging voter registration.

  • Baroness Randerson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Baroness Randerson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-29.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the political and human rights situation in Uganda following the election earlier this year.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    I commend the people of Uganda for turning out in large numbers to cast their vote on 18 February 2016 and for their determination to participate in the electoral process. President Museveni was inaugurated on 12 May 2016. With the new cabinet in place, it is important for the Government of Uganda to refocus its efforts on domestic and regional issues. The British Government has raised concerns with the Government of Uganda about the conduct of the elections and the post-election environment, most recently during Article 8 discussions on 28 June 2016. These include the continuing harassment and intimidation of members of the opposition and journalists by the Uganda Police Force.

    With international partners, we seek to work with the Government of Uganda to ensure human rights are respected in the country and to aid substantive electoral reform. Where human rights disputes are raised these must be addressed through appropriate legal channels.

  • Baroness Smith of Basildon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Baroness Smith of Basildon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 2016-09-09.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications have been made for legal aid that relate to female genital mutilation.

    Baroness Mobarik

    Up to 31 March 2016, 50 applications had been made for legal aid that can be identified as relating to female genital mutilation. This includes all applications for civil legal representation in proceedings concerning Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders. There may be other legally-aided cases involving issues related to female genital mutilation that cannot be identified from the information recorded by the Legal Aid Agency.

  • Paul Flynn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Paul Flynn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2015-11-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the need for increased quarrying capacity to meet the stone demand for new house building.

    Brandon Lewis

    The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that mineral planning authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals (aggregates), for example stone which is used in construction. All mineral planning authorities in England are members of one of the nine Aggregate Working Parties. These Parties publish annual reports which provide survey data on the extraction, sales, supply and forecast demand for aggregates in their area.