The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-03-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what advice his Department has sought from the Swiss government on best practice in concluding a trade deal with (a) Japan, (b) China and (c) other non-EU states.
Mr David Lidington
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not sought advice from the Swiss government on these matters.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for (a) Highways England to make a decision on the location of the new Lower Thames Crossing and (b) construction to begin on the new Lower Thames Crossing; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
The public consultation closed on 24 March 2016 and the responses are currently being analysed. It is expected that a decision on the location and route will be made later this year following Highways England’s recommendation to the Department for Transport.
Subject to funding and planning approvals, we anticipate construction to start in 2020/2021.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the mechanisms in place to pursue complaints against private company owners providing dental services in the event that the dentist who carried out the procedure leaves the country.
Alistair Burt
A complaint about privately funded healthcare is a matter between the patient and the provider of the service or clinician. However, if the service was commissioned by the National Health Service for NHS patients the NHS complaints regulations will apply and the complaint can be made to either the provider or commissioner of the service but not to both. In the circumstances where a provider is not available the complaint should be made to the commissioner of the service.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many applications to the NHS Low Income Scheme were granted in each year from 2008 to 2016; and how many apprentices are currently on the NHS Low Income Scheme.
David Mowat
The table below shows the number of applications to the NHS Low Income Scheme, and the certificates which were granted, in each year from 2008 to 2016:
|
Year |
HC1s Received |
HC2s Issued |
HC3s Issued |
|
2007/08 |
422,652 |
240,288 |
140,501 |
|
2008/09 |
445,608 |
252,037 |
148,018 |
|
2009/10 |
431,129 |
243,350 |
142,135 |
|
2010/11 |
433,075 |
249,193 |
139,375 |
|
2011/12 |
422,591 |
246,808 |
134,276 |
|
2012/13 |
399,375 |
229,618 |
122,580 |
|
2013/14 |
389,324 |
225,275 |
120,391 |
|
2014/15 |
385,131 |
214,975 |
113,964 |
|
2015/16 |
383,487 |
225,239 |
112,414 |
A HC2 certificate entitles the person (and their family) to full remission of the charge, whereas a HC3 certificate provides partial remission and indicates how much of the charge the person must pay.
Figures for apprentices who hold NHS Low Income Scheme certificates are not available, as information on who is an apprentice is not collected.
The overall cost to administer the NHS Low Income Scheme in the last three financial years are set out below. These figures represent the direct costs of the NHS Low Income Scheme service in England, Scotland and Wales. The figures do not include overheads associated with the wider infrastructure of the NHS Business Services Authority:
|
Year |
Cost (£) |
|
2015/16 |
1,469,034 |
|
2014/15 |
1,566,587 |
|
2013/14 |
1,594,957 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2016-10-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding his Department allocates to supporting people with mental health issues who are employed in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Nicola Blackwood
We are committed to supporting people with mental health problems to stay in work and the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions established a joint Work and Health Unit to look at these matters.
Improving access to mental health services for those who need them is important and we are increasing access to talking therapy services so that 1.5 million people per year will be able to access support by 2020.
We will shortly be publishing a Green Paper on work and health, which will include a focus on mental health as we know that people with mental health conditions fare poorly in the labour market. Our aim is to help transform the lives and prospects of disabled people and those with a health condition.
We know that the stigma surrounding mental health can create barriers to people seeking and receiving support. We have recently announced £20 million of additional funding to the national Time to Change anti-stigma programme, in conjunction with Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund, which works with employers to support them in tackling the stigma in the workplace associated with poor mental health. This next phase of Time to Change places a particular focus on stigma experienced by men.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 November 2015 to Question 14296, where in Europe Tata Steel is licensed and has an exclusive right to manufacture Super Bainite Steel; from which countries Tata may not export Super Bainite steel; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Philip Dunne
Tata Steel is licensed to manufacture Super Bainite Steel in the United Kingdom, all other member states of the European Union and Switzerland.
The licence agreement does not provide an export licence for Super Bainite and requires Tata Steel to comply with all applicable export control laws and regulations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2015-12-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the White Paper on supporting people with health conditions and disabilities to get into work.
Priti Patel
As announced in the Spending Review, the Government will publish a White Paper in 2016 that will set out reforms to improve support for people with health conditions and disabilities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will take steps to introduce a single point of emergency contact during incidents of flooding to improve the co-ordinated response to such incidents; and if she will make a statement.
Rory Stewart
The Environment Agency Floodline Service has established a 24 hour, 7 day a week helpline, as a single point of contact on flooding. The Floodline number is 0345 988 1188.
In a case of risk to life, however the public should continue to call 999. Floodline has also provided an extended service, providing information on flooding on a 24 hour basis on behalf of local councils.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Massey of Darwen on 2016-02-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to comments made by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, Chair of the Accord coalition, opposing proposals to prevent organisations from objecting to the admission arrangements of schools.
Lord Nash
The Government will shortly consult on a package of changes to the School Admissions Code which will both respond to concerns from parents and to the findings in the Chief Adjudicator’s Annual Report. That package will include measures to improve fairness and transparency.
We want the Schools Adjudicator to be able to focus on objections raised by those who will be affected by admission arrangements. Local Authorities will continue to have a right to object on behalf of the local community.
The Government supports the need for an independent body to respond to concerns raised about the fairness of school admission arrangements. The Schools Adjudicator is that body and we are confident of both the independence and rigour of the adjudication process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Parminter on 2016-02-29.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many seized dogs are being held by police services across the UK, and how many of those have been held for over one year.
Lord Bates
This information is not collected centrally.