Category: Speeches

Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of recruitment levels of new teachers; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb

Teaching continues to be a popular career; there are now more teachers in England’s classrooms than ever before. In November 2014 there were 454,900 full time equivalent teachers, an increase of 5,200 from the previous year and 13,100 from 2010.

Data from the end of the recruitment cycle showed that we exceeded our target for the recruitment of primary teachers, and made good progress in secondary recruitment, including in several key subjects like English, mathematics, physics and chemistry, where recruitment finished ahead of the previous year.

We recognise that teacher recruitment is becoming increasingly challenging as the economy continues to strengthen and competition for new graduates intensifies, which is why we are focused on attracting more top graduates and career changers into the profession, particularly in those core academic subjects that help children reach their potential. We have recently announced a package of generous financial incentives for the next recruitment round; this includes tax-free bursaries worth up to £30,000 and the opportunity to earn a salary whilst training.

01/01/2023
Caroline Ansell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Ansell on 2015-11-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on the introduction of flexible rail season tickets; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry

The introduction and roll-out of part-time season tickets will give people who commute part-time a better deal than they currently have access to. We have challenged the rail industry to develop proposals for pricing and delivering more flexible season tickets for those who work or commute part-time which could also attract new customers onto the railway.

We are making progress on delivering more flexible tickets. For example, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) have a franchise commitment to introduce carnet style tickets on their smartcards which is subject to the Secretary of State’s approval. We expect GTR to meet its obligations and are working with them to ensure they are delivered.

01/01/2023
Stewart Jackson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Church Commissioners

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Jackson on 2016-01-11.

To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent progress has been made on (a) residential development and (b) infrastructure planning on Church Commissioner land allocated as an urban extension by Peterborough City Council at (i) Paston Reserve and (ii) Norwood; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Caroline Spelman

There are no further developments to report since the answer given by the Church Commissioners to question 16388 on the 20 November 2015.

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01/01/2023
Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-01-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken at border controls to prevent the Zika virus entering the UK.

James Brokenshire

Border Force Officers will refer any passengers that require medical attention in accordance with established procedures and advice from Public Health England.

01/01/2023
Tulip Siddiq – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tulip Siddiq on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions in each year since 2009-10 he has directed that a planning application appeal which would otherwise be determined by a person appointed by the Secretary of State will instead be determined by the Secretary of State, using his powers under Schedule 6, Paragraph 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Brandon Lewis

The attached table shows the number of S78 planning appeals that have been recovered over the last decade.

01/01/2023
Christopher Chope – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christopher Chope on 2016-03-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2016 to Question 30132, on repatriation: EEA Nationals, how many of those people who were served with administrative removal papers in 2014 are still in the UK; and how many of those people who were forcibly removed have since returned to the UK.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office does not hold data on the number of people who are still in the UK having been served administrative removal papers in 2014. After an EEA national has been served with administrative removal papers, they have 30 days to leave the country. This period is set out in the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.

All those served with administrative removal papers are given a 12-month re-entry ban. Currently, this re-entry ban can only be lifted if the EEA national can provide evidence that their re-admission will not lead to a further abuse of free movement rights and/or that they will be immediately exercising Treaty Rights upon their return. Of the 1,019 individuals who were forcibly removed in 2014, 163 sought re-entry and only 19 were granted re-admission to the UK.

01/01/2023
Kevin Brennan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-04-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many requests to meet with hon. Members she has received from each of the political parties represented in the House since her appointment.

Nick Gibb

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education frequently meets Hon Members from across the political spectrum in the performance of her duties.

Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

01/01/2023
Philippa Whitford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philippa Whitford on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of (a) immigration rules in general and (b) income requirements on the eligibility of British citizens with non-EU partners to return to the UK and the incidence of family separation.

James Brokenshire

New family Immigration Rules, including a minimum income threshold for British citizens sponsoring a non-EU partner, were implemented on 9 July 2012 to prevent burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse.

We have continued to keep the new Rules under review and to make adjustments in light of feedback on their operation and impact. We have also taken into account the findings of the courts, including the July 2014 Court of Appeal judgment upholding the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold.

01/01/2023

Tom Blenkinsop – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many accidents have occurred in mines in each of the last five years.

Penny Mordaunt

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) operational data is derived from reports made under duties contained in the Reporting of Injuries and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) (and earlier versions). It is as follows:

Year	No. of reported injuries in underground mines in Great Britain* **
1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012	204
1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013	146
1 April 2013 – 31 March 2014	114
1 April 2014 – 31 March 2015	75
1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016	52
1 April 2016 – 31 August 2016	21

* A key change to RIDDOR occurred in April 2012, ie the threshold for reporting of those injuries to workers which result in the person being incapacitated for more than three days changed to over seven days.

** It should be noted that the reducing trend is, in part, due to the reduction in the number of large working mines in recent years.

01/01/2023

Tim Farron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-10-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his announcement on EU regional funding dated 3 October 2016, what conditions will need to be passed by funding projects to ensure they are (i) good value for money and (ii) in line with domestic strategic priorities; and if he will guarantee that all regions will receive the full amount of funding they were allocated by the EU.

Mr David Gauke

The Chancellor announced that the Treasury will provide a guarantee for all new structural and investment fund projects, signed after Autumn Statement, and before we leave the EU, where they provide value for money and support domestic strategic priorities.

Each government department will take responsibility for the allocation of money to projects in line with these conditions and the wider rules on public spending. The Treasury will work with departments to embed this approach.

01/01/2023