The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many recipients in the (a) work related activity group and (b) support group were also in receipt of the severe disability premium in (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16 to date.
Priti Patel
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-01-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of 26 January 2016, Official Report, column 129, what pay rise in percentage terms, in each salary band in his Department, staff have received in each financial year since 2010-11.
Dominic Raab
The Treasury sets public sector pay policy, which includes the 1% cap, in line with wider government priorities. This policy has been subject to agreement with the Prime Minister and consultation within the government at Ministerial level.
In line with the pay freeze announced by the Government in the June Budget 2010, the pay of staff employed by the Ministry of Justice in 2011-12 and 2012-13 earning a full time equivalent of £21,000 or less received pay increases of up to £250. MoJ exited the pay freeze on 1 August 2013. Since then MOJ staff received pay awards averaging at 1% each year, in line with the Government policy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) Ofcom has made of the number of (a) business parks which do not have superfast broadband and (b) businesses based in business parks which do not have superfast broadband.
Mr Edward Vaizey
In its 2015 publication Connected Nations, Ofcom estimated that 68% of SMEs had access to superfast broadband in May 2015, and almost half (around 130,000) in certain business areas were unable to receive speeds above 10Mbit/s.
The Government is supporting investment to provide superfast broadband coverage to 90% of UK premises by early 2016 and 95% by December 2017. In addition, BDUK’s Connection Voucher Scheme issued around 55,000 vouchers to businesses to enable to access Superfast broadband. However, this does not include the provision of leased lines which offer an alternative connectivity option for businesses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-03-22.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on (a) English airports and (b) aviation connectivity of the devolution of Air Passenger Duty.
Damian Hinds
Any potential effects of Air Passenger Duty (APD) devolution are contingent on the extent of devolution in the UK and subsequent decisions made by devolved administrations and central government.
The Government is delivering the Smith Agreement by devolving APD to the Scottish Parliament. It is also considering the case and options for devolving APD to Wales, informed by a review of options to support English regional airports from potential impacts caused by its devolution.
As part of this review, HM Treasury published a discussion paper at Summer Budget 2015 exploring a number of options. We are carefully considering the evidence received from stakeholders and will respond in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-04-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what powers she has to improve governance and scrutiny of leadership and management at the Audenshaw School Academy Trust; and if she will make a statement.
Edward Timpson
The Education and Adoption Act 2016 has introduced consistent powers to tackle inadequate and coasting academies. These allow the Secretary of State to terminate the funding agreement of an academy which has been rated as inadequate by Ofsted or is identified as coasting, and if necessary move the school to a new trust with a sponsor who has a proven track record and who will ensure the leadership and management of the school has the skills needed for the future.
Vicky Beer, the Regional Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire, has been working closely with Audenshaw School Academy Trust to ensure that sufficient action is being taken to ensure the school improves.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-06-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2016 to Question 37840, what discussions he had with (a) the Chief Nursing Officer for England and (b) the Chief Executive of NHS England about replacing bursaries; and what views those officials put forward in those discussions.
Ben Gummer
In the course of Government business, Ministers meet senior NHS England officials including the Chief Nursing Officer for England and the Chief Executive of NHS England on a regular basis to discuss policy formulation and current issues relating to the National Health Service.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl McCartney on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the UK to leave the EU since 23 June 2016; and what further such steps his Department plans to take in the remainder of 2016.
Alun Cairns
The Department for Exiting the European Union has responsibility for overseeing preparations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and conducting these withdrawal negotiations in support of the Prime Minister.
In doing this it is working very closely with other government departments, including the Wales Office, and a wide range of other interested parties.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the rules and procedures of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission were most recently reviewed, and when the next review will be.
Lord Dunlop
The Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 requires the Parades Commission to keep the procedural rules and guidelines it issues under that Act under review and empowers it to, from time to time, revise the whole or any part of the procedural rules and guidelines and issue the revised versions.
The rules and guidelines are reviewed on an annual basis; the timing of such reviews is a matter for the Parades Commission.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Marion Fellows on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to encourage prompt payment to small businesses.
Anna Soubry
We will establish a Small Business Commissioner to help small businesses deal with late payment disputes. We are also introducing new payment reporting requirements for large companies that will allow public scrutiny of payment performance
I was pleased to see Tesco has cut its payment terms to 14 days for suppliers with total sales to Tesco worth less than £100,000 a year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-11-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 49 of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, in which countries he plans to locate British defence staffs in 2016.
Mr Julian Brazier
The decision as to where locations of where British Defence Staffs (BDS) will be based has yet to be finalised. The intention of establishing BDS is to build on our existing overseas networks (including Defence Attaches, Liaison and Exchange Officers and Training Teams) in order to provide a cross-regional focus, and improved coordination and coherence, to Defence Engagement activity. We review our overseas footprint regularly to match the requirement and this work is in conjunction with the development of a Defence Engagement Career Field within the UK Armed Forces, improved training, preparation and development for our overseas cohort and greater alignment with other Government Departments with deployed networks.
Once decisions have been made on the future of BDS I will write to the hon. Member to update her.