Category: Speeches

  • The Countess of Mar – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The Countess of Mar – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Countess of Mar on 2014-06-11.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government who is responsible for signing off Department for Work and Pensions training guidelines and manuals used by Atos and Capita.

    Lord Freud

    In the contract with Atos to deliver the Work Capability Assessment, Health and Wellbeing Directorate (HWD) within DWP sign off all training and guidance material. For Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Atos and Capita develop training and guidance based on policy documentation provided by DWP. The PIP contract requires Atos and Capita to involve DWP in the quality assurance process for their training and guidance but DWP does not sign off this material.

  • Dr Julian Huppert – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Dr Julian Huppert – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dr Julian Huppert on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure courses equivalent to those on the list of prescribed courses in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 are not excluded from Higher Education Funding Council for England funding by virtue of coming into existence following the introduction of that Act.

    Mr David Willetts

    Our higher education reforms have transferred money from Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) block grant to support Government backed loans which students now use to pay fees at the institution of their choice. The most recent figures show that, for the first time, the majority of HE funding is now determined by the choices students make rather than coming directly from Government. In this context, we have no plans to extend HEFCE’s statutory funding remit.

    Students are able to take a range of qualifications for which they can access higher education student support, 24+ advanced learning loans, or professional and career development loans. We are currently looking at a number of options to ensure that we have effective progression pathways to support the development of higher level skills, particularly at levels 4 and 5. This includes having the right supporting funding mechanisms in place to deliver quality and value for money.

  • Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House of Lords

    Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House of Lords

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe on 2014-06-11.

    To ask the Leader of the House what steps he will take to facilitate the passage of Private Members’ Bills through the House of Lords.

    Lord Hill of Oareford

    Practice in recent years is well-established: Private Members’ Bills introduced in the House of Lords are offered Second Reading slots in the order in which they receive their First Reading. Second Readings for Private Members’ Bills introduced this session have been scheduled on Friday 27 June and Friday 18 July; further Second Readings will be arranged in due course. A ballot to determine the order in which Private Members’ Bills receive their First Reading will be introduced from the start of the new Parliament (3rd Report of the Procedure Committee, Session 2013-14).

    For Bills that receive a Second Reading, formal consideration of their remaining stages will be arranged where no amendments are tabled and where the Member in charge so requests. Where Bills receive a Second Reading but require further substantive consideration of amendments, they will be competing for time with Private Members’ Bills that are received from the House of Commons and Private Members’ Bills introduced in this House that are still awaiting a Second Reading.

    My noble friend the Government Chief Whip will endeavour to facilitate the progress of bills in each of those categories.

  • Barry Gardiner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Barry Gardiner – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Gardiner on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of flood management assets have been inspected in each year since 2008-09.

    Dan Rogerson

    Since 2008/9 the Environment Agency has inspected all of its flood risk management assets on a risk based programme. The highest risk assets are inspected every six months, medium risk assets every 12 to 18 months, low risk assets every 24 to 36 months and very low risk assets every 60 months. The Environment Agency currently has around 150,000 flood risk management assets. In March 2014 the Environment Agency carried out a full inspection of all flood risk management assets using military personnel.

  • Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of those (a) starting and (b) completing an apprenticeship in England since May 2010 were (i) female, (ii) registered disabled and (iii) from an ethnic minority background.

    Matthew Hancock

    Information on apprenticeship starts and achievements by gender, ethnicity and learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD) is published by academic year in supplementary tables to a Statistical First Release (SFR).

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships–2

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298401/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/296345/apprenticeship-achievements-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xlsm

    “

  • Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Bahraini government calling for the release of Hussain Hubail on health grounds.

    Hugh Robertson

    We are aware of the case of Hussain Hubail. We understand he was detained in connection with charges related to protests on 14 August last year and that the verdict for his case is due to be issued later this month. We expect the Government of Bahrain to meet all of its human rights obligations, and to ensure that all detainees have access to appropriate medical care.

  • Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of staff within his Department who have been dismissed following formal disciplinary proceedings in each of the last five financial years classed themselves as white British.

    Brandon Lewis

    It is not possible to provide definitive or meaningful percentages, as (a) not all staff declare their ethnicity, (b) due to the manner in which white ethnicity data is self-reported by staff , and (c) the sample sizes are so small as to be statistically misleading when comparing years.

  • Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Baker on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will ensure that restricted access to books for prisoners is not an obstacle to preparation for employment; and if he will make a statement.

    Jeremy Wright

    We firmly believe that giving offenders the skills and training they need to get and keep jobs on release reduces their likelihood of re-offending. This will include providing access to books, subject to the constraints of operating within a custodial environment.

    Prisoners undertaking education courses (including distance learning) are provided with relevant course materials and set books.

  • Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Sharon Hodgson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of staff within his Department who have been dismissed following formal disciplinary proceedings in each of the last five financial years classed themselves as white British.

    Elizabeth Truss

    Our data does not record nationality; data held records only ethnicity.

  • Margaret Curran – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Margaret Curran – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Curran on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, where each Jobcentre Plus office is in Scotland; when each office opened; and how many people have used each such office in each year since 2010.

    Esther McVey

    There are 94 Jobcentres in Scotland. A full list of these Jobcentres is provided at Annex 1.

    We do not keep a record of when each office opened, so I am unable to supply you with this information.

    There are no official statistics kept which would provide you with the number of people who have used each office in each year since 2010. Many people, some of whom are already employed, use the jobpoints or Intranet Access Devices in our Jobcentres but may not make a claim to benefit or register unemployed. It would therefore be impossible to provide you with the total number of people using the Jobcentres.

    Annex 1

    List of Jobcentres in Scotland

    East & South East Scotland

    Alloa JC

    Bathgate JC

    Broxburn JC

    Cowdenbeath JC

    Cupar JC

    Dalkeith JC

    Dunfermline JC

    EdinburghCity

    Eyemouth JC

    Falkirk JC

    Galashiels JC

    Glenrothes JC

    Grangemouth JC

    Hawick JC

    High Riggs JC

    Kirkcaldy JC

    Leith JC

    Leven JC

    Livingston JC

    Musselburgh JC

    Penicuik JC

    St. Andrews

    Stirling JC

    Westerhailes JC

    Glasgow, Lanarkshire & East Dunbartonshire

    Airdrie JC

    Anniesland JC

    Bellshill JC

    Bridgeton JC

    Cambuslang JC

    Castlemilk JC

    Cumbernauld JC

    Drumchapel JC

    East Kilbride JC

    Easterhouse JC

    Govan JC

    Hamilton JC

    Kirkintilloch JC

    Lanark JC

    Langside JC

    Laurieston JC

    Maryhill JC

    Motherwell JC

    Newlands JC

    Parkhead JC

    Partick JC

    Rutherglen JC

    Shettleston JC

    Springburn JC

    North of Scotland District

    Aberdeen JC

    Arbroath JC

    Banff JC

    Blairgowrie JC

    Buckie JC

    Dingwall JC

    Dundee City JC

    Elgin JC

    Forfar JC

    Forres JC

    Fort William JC

    Fraserburgh JC

    Invergordon JC

    Inverness JC

    Kirkwall JC

    Lerwick JC

    Montrose JC

    Perth JC

    Peterhead JC

    Portree JC

    Stornoway JC

    Wick JC

    West of Scotland District

    Alexandria JC

    Annan JC

    Ayr JC

    Barrhead JC

    Campbeltown JC

    Clydebank JC

    Cumnock JC

    Dumbarton JC

    Dumfries JC

    Dunoon JC

    Girvan JC

    Greenock JC

    Helensburgh JC

    Irvine JC

    Johnstone JC

    Kilbirnie JC

    Kilmarnock JC

    Oban JC

    Paisley JC

    Port Glasgow JC

    Renfrew JC

    Rothesay JC

    Saltcoats JC

    Stranraer JC