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  • Julie Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Julie Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with colleagues and representatives from the automotive sector regarding whether the Plug-in Car Grant should prioritise Pure Electric Vehicles above Plug-in Hybrids.

    Andrew Jones

    The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) comprises elements of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, Energy Climate Change and Transport and its work programme has cross-government support. The 2015 Spending Review settlement represents an increase of over £100 million on the Government’s manifesto commitment and means that the Plug-in Car Grant can run throughout the Parliament if there is a market need.

    The government announced on the 17 December a long-term extension to the Plug-in Car Grant to encourage more low emission vehicles on Britain’s roads. The announcement confirms the grant will continue until at least the end of March 2018.

    From next March, buyers of the greenest cars can save up to £4,500 off the price, bringing total funding for the scheme to £400m over the course of this Parliament. In addition the greenest vehicles will be exempt from the £60,000 price cap.

    Ministers and officials frequently meet with representatives of both vehicle manufacturers and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to discuss the ULEV market. This helps to inform policy discussions about grant levels.

  • Julie Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Julie Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the threat of legal action by the European Commission over UK levels of NOx on level of support required for vehicles that deliver zero real world tailpipe emissions.

    Andrew Jones

    Zero emission vehicles are a key component of any long term answer to urban air quality problems. The government will spend more than £600 million between 2015-16 and 2020-21 to support the uptake and manufacturing of ultra low emission vehicles in the UK which will keep the UK on track to meet our ambitious target that nearly all cars and vans will be zero emission by 2050.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department is giving to seasonal workers who have been affected by recent flooding.

    Priti Patel

    Jobcentres in areas affected by the recent flooding have ensured staff and work coaches are available to support any increase in immediate claims. Work coaches will provide an individually tailored service to help and support their return to work as quickly as possible. Those workers affected by the recent flooding are referred to employers who are still recruiting.

    We would urge those affected, who have not already done so, to contact their local Jobcentre at their earliest opportunity.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what contingency plans his Department has put in place to support people unable to reach Jobcentre Plus appointments as a result of recent flooding.

    Priti Patel

    When a claimant is unable to attend a scheduled appointment at the Jobcentre, we will look to re-arrange for a more convenient time.

    Due to the recent flooding, where we are aware claimants are experiencing travelling difficulties in attending JCP appointments, we are contacting them to discuss alternative arrangements including excusal of attendance.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department is giving to Cumbria County Council to assist in the assessment of bridges in that county affected by recent flooding.

    Andrew Jones

    The Department for Transport is providing funding of up to £2 million to help both Cumbria County Council and Lancashire County Council assess the local highway networks for which they are responsible for the damage caused by Storm Desmond. In respect to the A591 this will be for Cumbria County Council to determine the options for the repair of this road to ensure it can be opened as quickly as possible.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the timeframe for repairing flood damage to the A591 in Cumbria.

    Andrew Jones

    The Department for Transport is providing funding of up to £2 million to help both Cumbria County Council and Lancashire County Council assess the local highway networks for which they are responsible for the damage caused by Storm Desmond. In respect to the A591 this will be for Cumbria County Council to determine the options for the repair of this road to ensure it can be opened as quickly as possible.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will make a formal application for funding from the EU Solidarity Fund to support communities affected by flooding.

    Mr David Lidington

    The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would not make applications for funding from the EU Solidarity Fund. Applications to the Fund would be made through the Department for Communities and Local Government.

  • Ann Clwyd – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Ann Clwyd – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has received the report of Lady Justice Macur on Sir Ronald Waterhouse’s inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former Gwynedd and Clwyd Council areas of North Wales between 1974 and 1996.

    Caroline Dinenage

    On 10 December Lady Justice Macur delivered her report to the Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Wales.

    It is being considered as a matter of urgency with a view to publication as soon as possible.

    The Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Wales are very grateful to Lady Justice Macur for her work on this important matter over the last three years.

  • Dawn Butler – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Dawn Butler – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dawn Butler on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will publish its equality impact assessment of the Immigration Bill.

    James Brokenshire

    The Government has already published a number of equality impact assessments relating to the Immigration Bill covering residential tenancies, driving, banks, appeals and support. They can be found online:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-bill-2015-16

    Further equality statements in relation to labour market enforcement and the English language requirement in the public sector will be published in the New Year together with the Government’s responses to the recent public consultations on these subjects.

  • Valerie Vaz – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Valerie Vaz – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Valerie Vaz on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department has given to New Alliance in respect of farming in Africa; and what criteria that organisation was assessed against to receive such support.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    In 2012 the UK pledged to support the New Alliance commitment to inclusive agriculture growth. The UK contributes to projects in six founding member countries. These projects aim to improve incomes from agricultural production, and strengthen the food security and nutrition of poor smallholders farmers.

    The UK also supports the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (managed by the World Bank) and other international agriculture research and policy initiatives.

    All DFID funding undergoes thorough scrutiny and is linked to performance. This includes the value for money proposition and poverty impact. Each project is subject to annual reviews that are posted on the DFID Development Tracker website.