The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-02-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Government determines the Scottish Government’s allocation of non-cash departmental expenditure budget for student loans.
Greg Hands
The Barnett Formula is applied in the normal way to calculate the Scottish Government’s allocation of non-cash departmental expenditure budget for student loans.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many times the charge for probate has been increased since 2010.
Caroline Dinenage
The fees payable on application for a non-contentious grant of probate have been increased twice since 2010.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent representations she has received from local authorities about overprovision of school places in areas where a free school or schools are (a) established or (b) proposed.
Edward Timpson
Regional Schools Commissioners hold regular meetings with local authorities to determine where there is a need for additional school places that could be met through establishing a free school. In addition, the department seeks local authorities’ comments on each new application for a free school and, for applications approved into the pre-opening stage, we seek their views as part of our statutory duty under section 9 of the Academies Act 2010 to assess the impact of establishing a new school on existing schools and colleges.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-05-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the comparative particulate pollution created by (a) diesel and (b) electric cars.
Rory Stewart
The UK’s main air quality concerns relate to ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, in particular close to busy roads, with diesel vehicles being the major source. Electric vehicles have zero exhaust emissions and offer a clear benefit in tackling this ongoing air quality challenge.
On pollution from particulate matter, evidence is limited. Recent research suggests that battery electric vehicles have similar total emissions of particulate matter to petrol and diesel vehicles, due to their higher mass causing increased non-exhaust particulate matter. The UK Automotive Council has identified vehicle lightweighting as a strategic technology priority, and recent Government research and development funding of £38 million will support a number of projects in this area.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-06-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote the welfare of armed forces personnel.
Mr Julian Brazier
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Kirsten Oswald).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff are employed by his Department to investigate claims from HM Revenue and Customs that an unreported adult is living in the home of a tax credit claimant; and if he will make a statement.
Caroline Nokes
Investigations of HM Revenue and Customs Tax Credit, Living Together fraud allegations are investigated by Local Service Investigation Team (LSI) and the Central Criminal Intelligence Investigations team (CCIIS) as appropriate within the Fraud and Error Service (FES).
There are currently 1430 employed by the Department. FES investigators are employed to look at all types of welfare fraud from all sources of referral. None are employed specifically to look at individual types of welfare fraud referred from specific sources.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect Transport for Greater Manchester to announce the new contractor for the smart-ticketing scheme previously awarded to ATOS, and when they expect such a scheme to be introduced.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
This is a commercial matter for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The Government has no involvement in any negotiations between TfGM and any prospective new contractors.
The introduction of any smart ticketing scheme will depend on the progress made by TfGM in appointing any new contractor.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2015-12-07.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to Questions 16853 and 16938, tabled on 18 November 2015 for answer on 23 November 2015.
Mr David Gauke
I have done so.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-01-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what progress has been made on the White Rose Carbon Capture and Storage Project; and if she will make a statement.
Andrea Leadsom
The Government confirmed as part of the 2015 Spending Review that the £1 billion ring-fenced capital budget for the CCS Competition was no longer available.
Following confirmation from both bidders that they will not proceed with their respective projects in the absence of Government capital funding support, Government has taken the decision to close the CCS Competition.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-02-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to increase investment in home insulation.
Andrea Leadsom
We have made a commitment to insulate 1 million more homes this Parliament.
We are providing support for households to improve their energy efficiency through a reformed domestic supplier obligation (ECO) from April 2017. This will run for five years, with a value of £640 million per year.
Additionally, our Private Rented Sector Energy Efficiency Regulations made law from March 2015, will help up to 1 million domestic tenants in the private rented sector. This is expected to grow over time as people move from property to property.