Blog

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make representations to exam boards to remove the five per cent marking for spelling and grammar for dyslexic students.

    Nick Gibb

    In 2013 the Government restored the policy of marks for spelling, punctuation and use of grammar (SPaG)to GCSE exams as a key part of our commitment to high standards and to ensuring that GCSEs match expectations set in the highest performing jurisdictions internationally. It gives a real incentive to teachers to provide effective support to all their students to improve their written communication skills.

    For those pupils with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia, appropriate reasonable adjustments, including extra time, are available, as necessary. Details can be found in the Joint Council for Qualifications’ “Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration” at: http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance

    “

  • Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Ben Howlett – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ben Howlett on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider issuing guidance restricting the taking of photos and videos following the Shoreham air show crash.

    Mike Penning

    We have taken this question to relate specifically to those involved in policing in light of the recent disciplinary action taken against two Police Officers working for Sussex police on probation who attended the scene of the crash in September 2015.

    There are clear standards of behaviour for those involved in policing. Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers are underpinned by the policing Code of Ethics, developed by the College of Policing and laid before Parliament in July 2014. The Code outlines the expectations of all who are involved in policing and which should be upheld in all circumstances. Forces are responsible for providing guidance to their officers and staff in terms of the appropriate handling of any such incidents including the taking of photos and videos, as well as maintaining discipline within the force according to the Standards of Professional Behaviour for policing. The College of Policing, which was established by the Home Office in October 2012, has published information on its website on the appropriate way to post information online for those working in policing.

    The Home Office cannot intervene or comment on individual cases, which are a matter for individual forces.

    Where such incidents take place and the conduct of those involved in policing falls below the expected standards, it is for individual forces to investigate such allegations and instigate disciplinary proceedings where it is appropriate to do so. I understand that Sussex Police pursued disciplinary procedures in this incident.

    The Home Office is continuing to improve the police discipline system to ensure that the processes and their outcomes are transparent and that police officers are held to account for their actions to ensure full public confidence in the integrity of police.

  • Tom Brake – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Tom Brake – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answers of 15 December 2015 to Questions 18901 and 18902, what the source is of the statement that 71 of the 131 neonatal critical care services now meet required staffing ratios; and if he will place a copy of the source document in the Library.

    Ben Gummer

    NHS England has used the Women and Children’s Derogation report to describe compliance against staffing ratios.

    The source document is attached.

  • Justin Madders – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Justin Madders – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nationals of members state of the European Economic Area have registered with the (a) Health and Care Professions Council, (b) General Optical Council, (c) General Osteopathic Council and (d) General Chiropractic Council since June 2014.

    Ben Gummer

    The information requested about the numbers of nationals of member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that have registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the General Optical Council (GOC), the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) since June 2014 is not collected or held centrally.

    However, information provided by the relevant regulatory bodies to enable this parliamentary question to be answered regarding EEA registrations since 1 June 2014 to date, is shown in the table below.

    Regulatory body

    Data provided by the regulatory body*

    (GOsC)

    15 nationals of member states of the EEA have been registered by the GOsC since June 2014.

    (GCC)

    11 nationals of member states of the EEA have been registered by the GCC since June 2014.

    (GOC)

    65 nationals of member states of the EEA have been registered by the GOC since June 2014.

    (HCPC)

    1,934 individuals.

    *The individuals in question are all EEA nationals who gained their qualifications in another member state and who applied under the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications European Directive. This is with the exception of the figures provided by the HCPC where the figure may also include third country nationals (non-EEA nationals) who have become established in their profession in their home member state and have subsequently exercised their Treaty rights under the Directive.

  • Kerry McCarthy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Kerry McCarthy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to fund co-ordination of the seabird census planned for 2016.

    Rory Stewart

    The Chancellor announced budgets for all Government Departments covering the Spending Review period (2016/17 to 2019/20) on 25 November 2015. Defra is currently deciding how this translates into internal allocations for both the core Department and its Network Bodies.

  • Ian Austin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Ian Austin – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he last held discussions with the National Trading Standards Board on plans to reduce funding for Illegal Money Lending Units.

    Nick Boles

    My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has not held discussions with National Trading Standards Board on plans to reduce funding for illegal money lending units.

  • John Redwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    John Redwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on seating capacity of the Great Western Main Line electrification project.

    Claire Perry

    The electrification programme will help dramatically increase seating capacity on the Great Western Main Line, with the Intercity Express Programme providing up to 40% more seats in the morning peak (compared to the HST fleet it replaces) in to Paddington and the new AT300s increasing seating capacity on Newbury to London services.

  • John Redwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    John Redwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Redwood on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the outturn cost was of the Reading Station Area Redevelopment project.

    Claire Perry

    I have been informed by Network Rail that the total cost of the scheme is £895m, including renewals over a wider area and a new train maintenance depot. This is approximately £100m under budget and the station upgrade was also completed a year ahead of schedule.

  • Ruth Cadbury – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    Ruth Cadbury – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ruth Cadbury on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Attorney General, what recent steps the CPS has taken to improve the conviction rate for violence against women and girls.

    Robert Buckland

    I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the oral question from the Rt. Hon. Member for Delyn earlier today

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many national insurance numbers have been issued to migrants from Eastern European countries in the last two years; how many of those numbers are being used; and if he will make a statement.

    Priti Patel

    The available information for the number of foreign nationals registered for national insurance numbers is published and can be found at:

    https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

    Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:

    https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started—SuperWEB2.html

    Information relating to how many of these National Insurance numbers are being used can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

    “