The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Ainsworth on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) associated costs and (b) utility of the Trident Alternatives Review.
Mr Philip Hammond
I have made no such assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Sheridan on 2014-06-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the net benefit to people in Scotland of the UK’s membership of the EU.
David Mundell
The Government does not collate data which would allow calculation of a net benefit to the people of Scotland arising from the UK’s membership of the EU. However, independent analysis published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in March 2014 suggested that, in 2011, approximately 335,000 jobs in Scotland were associated with Scottish exports to the EU.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what mechanisms his Department has put in place to ensure that (a) schools, (b) nurseries and (c) learning establishments receiving any funds or endorsement from his Department teach evolution and do not teach that creationism is scientifically valid.
Elizabeth Truss
The Government’s policy is that evolution should be taught in schools as an essential element of a rigorous scientific education; teaching creationism as science is incompatible with the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.
The national curriculum requires all maintained schools to teach evolution as an established scientific theory. All academies and free schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. The model funding agreements for all kinds of academies and free schools are being revised. The latest published version includes a specific requirement to teach evolution, and prohibits the teaching of creationism as an evidence-based theory.
As in all areas of education, we look to Ofsted as the best and most effective lever to ensure expected standards are being achieved. All state funded schools are subject to Ofsted inspections which are required to report on the quality of education provided in the school including the quality of teaching.
Providers in receipt of early years funding must follow clear standards to make sure children are taught the key skills they need to get a good start in life. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.
We expect the Government’s position on creationism and evolution to be supported by any learning establishment in receipt of funding from the Department for Education to support science education.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-06-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he expects EU funding allocated to the Youth Guarantee to be drawn down in the UK.
Esther McVey
There is no EU funding allocated to the Youth Guarantee.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK embassies, high commissions and consulates are promoting trade with the UK.
Mr Hugo Swire
Over the past three years we have put commercial and economic diplomacy at the heart of the FCO’s agenda
We are committed to supporting British business and boosting UK trade as set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Charter for Business and UKTI’s Strategy "Britain Open for Business: the Next Phase".
We have opened new missions and reinforced our economic diplomacy staff in many of the fastest growing markets in the world. We have taken steps to strengthen commercial skills at all levels within our Embassies. Ambassadors and their teams across our network are lobbying hard to open markets, promote free trade, support pro-growth policies and counter risks to economic stability. This approach lies at the heart of our G8 agenda on tax, trade and transparency and underpins our on-going work to deliver an ambitious EU-US trade deal.
With UKTI we are delivering a number of ambitious initiatives across the globe to promote trade and investment and boost jobs and growth. The High Value Opportunities programme aims to assist UK businesses to secure £10billion of business in key emerging markets. The Prime Minister has appointed sixteen Trade Envoys who are working with our Embassies and High Commissions to champion opportunities for British business and lobby to improve the business environment and resolve market access issues.
Our Posts are also promoting Britain through the "Great" campaign – a visually powerful campaign that is making real strides in promoting the UK as a modern and innovative country in which to invest and with which do business. Ministers have been urged to travel extensively to support this. We are focusing our efforts on both established markets and those emerging markets where there is high potential for growth in the future.
The FCO and UKTI are also committed to implementing the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee review: Supporting British Exporters Overseas (see Treasury Minute CM 8847 – 37th Report), a key component in the Government’s ambition to achieve £1 trillion of exports annually by 2020. We have committed to an economic "roadmap" to the £1 trillion target, closer joint working on our trade and investment strategy and on planning across government, and work to address visa barriers to trade and investment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Jim Murphy on International Development.
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Justine Greening
As we have already made clear, the UK recognises that the potential for migration to be a positive force for developing countries is increased when migration is safe, legal and through regular channels; and as such global migration can contribute to sustainable development. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations in which the UK will play an active role.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what levels of stock his Department holds of (a) stationery, (b) printer cartridges, (c) treasury tags and other fasteners and (d) other office consumables.
Dr Daniel Poulter
The Department makes use of the Government Office Supplies contract to obtain supplies of stationery and associated items. In March 2014, the Department ordered 1,957 units of stationery which included 54 boxes of foldback clips, 41 boxes of bar tags and 15 boxes of paperclips. These items are ordered directly from Banner on an as required basis by individual directorates and no records of any small local stocks are maintained.
The Department does not hold central stocks of the consumables associated with the provision of multi functional device services such as printers. These items are replenished automatically by the supplier when required.
In a small number of cases, standalone printer cartridges are sourced through XMA Ltd under the Government Office Supplies Contract. In March 2014, the Department sourced 13 units through this contract. A small number of these items may be held locally but these are not recorded.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Andy McDonald on Work and Pensions.
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Esther McVey
The boundaries are defined by postcodes and geographical areas served by national insurance services at Newcastle’s Jobcentre Plus are;
TS1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27, 28,29
DL1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,17
DH1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
SR1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
NE1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37
NE38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tracey Crouch on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he is satisfied with the current levels of recruitment to midwifery; and what steps he is taking to encourage recruitment of midwives.
Dr Daniel Poulter
Health Education England are working with NHS England to ensure that sufficient midwives and other maternity staff are trained and available to provide every woman with personalised one-to-one care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and during the post natal period.
Since June 2012 there are over 6,000 more midwives in training to qualify over the next three years. The latest figures show there are 21,888 qualified midwives (full time equivalent) working in the NHS in England.
It is the responsibility of local NHS organisations to assess the health needs of their local communities and ensure they have the right staff, with the rights skills to deliver high quality and safe care.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Ms Diane Abbott on Business, Innovation and Skills.
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Mr David Willetts
As highlighted in the International Education Strategy, there is no cap on the number of genuine overseas students who can come to the UK, nor do we have plans to introduce one. This has been reaffirmed by my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
Government and the sector are taking every opportunity to promote the warm welcome the UK extends to international students, notably using the ‘Britain is GREAT’ campaign. For example, the High Commission in Delhi began work last year (with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Trade and Investment and the British Council) to promote positive messages on UK education at outreach events, exhibitions and road shows in some of India’s biggest cities.
Early indicators for 2014 show there was an increase in the year to March 2014 in the number of visa applicants for higher education institutions (+7%). UCAS figures, to May 2014, for undergraduate applications suggest a 7% increase from non-EU countries.