Category: Speeches

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress has been made on implementing the early help recommendation of the Munro Review.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    In respect of Professor Munro’s recommendation on introducing a duty to secure provision of early help services, the Government has concluded there is sufficient legislation in place to deliver early help services to children and families. The Department for Education will continue to work with sector partners to reinforce existing legislation and understand how early help offers in local areas can be improved.

  • Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Seabeck on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many parliamentary questions tabled to his Department in the last parliamentary Session did not receive a substantive answer by the time of the 2014 prorogation; and when each such question was first tabled.

    Stephen Crabb

    None.

  • David Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    David Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of (a) the cost to set up and (b) annual running costs of full border control with Scotland.

    James Brokenshire

    The Home Office has made no estimate of (a) the cost to set up and (b) the annual running costs of full border control with Scotland.

  • Graham Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Graham Jones – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the extension of the shared accommodation rate to people under the age of 35 years.

    Steve Webb

    The final research outputs from DWP’s independent evaluation of the changes to the Local Housing Allowance are due to be published this summer. The research will cover the impact of extending the age threshold for the Shared Accommodation Rate.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what subsidiary companies of Directly Operated Railways have been created in connection with the direct awards programme.

    Stephen Hammond

    The following subsidiary companies owned by Directly Operated Railways have been used in connection with the Direct Awards programme.

    · West Coast Main Line Company Limited

    · Northern Trains Limited

    · GW Railway Limited

    · South Eastern Trains Limited

    · Thameslink Limited

    All of these companies are currently dormant.

    The company also owns the East Coast Main Line Company Ltd which operates rail services on the East Coast Main Line and the following companies, both of which are dormant.

    · OQS Rail Limited

    · Hay’s Rail limited

  • David Rutley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    David Rutley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Rutley on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

    Lynne Featherstone

    DFID is deeply concerned about the man-made tragedy in South Sudan. The UN estimates 1.1 million people are displaced within the country and almost 370,000 are refugees. Food security is deteriorating with the risk of famine. Four million people are in need of assistance.

  • Julie Elliott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Julie Elliott – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2014-03-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Sunderland Central dated 27 February 2014 relating to the Eggborough power station.

    Gregory Barker

    I would like to apologise on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change for the delay in replying to the Hon Member for Sunderland Central. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Energy has since responded to this letter on 1 April 2014.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Gregory Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-06-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress is being made in ensuring that all eligible employees have been offered automatic enrolment into a workplace pension scheme with minimum employer contributions.

    Mike Penning

    So far automatic enrolment has been a stunning success. The latest information published by the Pensions Regulator on 12 June 2014 showed that more than 15,000 employers have completed the automatic enrolment process and 3.6 million eligible workers have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension.

    Around 99 per cent of employers who have completed registration have done so without the need for the Pensions Regulator to use their statutory powers. Employers have understood that providing a workplace pension and helping their workers plan for retirement is the now the norm.

    Preliminary findings from the 2013 Employers’ Pension Provision survey show that around 90 per cent of automatically enrolled workers have remained members of a pension scheme.This early success has led the Government to revise down its opt out predictions. Instead of the anticipated 30 per cent opt out rate the Government now expects only 15 per cent of individuals will opt out once automatic enrolment is fully rolled out.

  • Paul Blomfield – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Paul Blomfield – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2014-03-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2014, Official Report, column 318W, on Personal Independence Payment, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of personal independence payment claim processing times.

    Mike Penning

    Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new benefit and processes are currently bedding in. There are no time limits or targets on processing times to claims for PIP.

    We recognise the new processes are taking longer than expected and we are taking robust action to improve these, including working closely with the providers to ensure performance expectations.

  • Ben Wallace – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ben Wallace – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Wallace on 2014-06-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assistance his Department makes available to schools to survey for and remove asbestos.

    Mr David Laws

    The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 set out the standards and duties to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises including schools. This includes the need to assess and manage the risks through the formulation of a site-specific asbestos management plan.

    On 24 January I announced the 2014-15 maintenance allocations, which are released as a non-ringfenced capital grant. The priorities for its use are decided locally and this can include supporting schools with asbestos issues.