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  • Roberta Blackman-Woods – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Roberta Blackman-Woods – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roberta Blackman-Woods on 2015-02-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy that his Department’s proposed Mayoral Development Orders will be subject to the same guidance under the National Planning Practice Guidance as Local Development Orders.

    Brandon Lewis

    Mayoral development orders will be a new power available to unlock development in London. We will work with the Mayor and London local authorities in developing any guidance in support of the legislation.

  • Simon Hart – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Simon Hart – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Hart on 2015-02-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish a response to its consultation entitled Planning and travellers: proposed changes to planning policy and guidance, published on 14 September 2014.

    Brandon Lewis

    The consultation closed on 23 November 2014 and my Department received over 750 responses. We are currently considering the responses and will publish the Government’s response in due course.

  • Roberta Blackman-Woods – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Roberta Blackman-Woods – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roberta Blackman-Woods on 2015-02-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 15 January 2015, Official Report, Public Bill Committee, column 386, when and in what ways part M of the building regulations have been strengthened as a baseline accessibility standard since 2010.

    Stephen Williams

    The statutory guidance in Approved Document M was most recently updated in 2013. The changes in Approved Document M resulted from a rationalisation of guidance supporting Parts M, K and N (Access, Protection from falling, collision and impact and Glazing respectively) to address areas of conflict and overlap to make it easier to comply with requirements. At the same time the guidance on Access Statements in Approved Document M was amended to promote a more proportionate, risk-based approach and guidance relating to Changing Places toilets was strengthened.

    New, improved guidance will be issued as part of the Housing Standards Review and we are also introducing new optional Building Regulations requirements for wheelchair adaptable and accessible housing.

  • David Hanson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    David Hanson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Hanson on 2015-02-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 223119, how many times the Minister-led working group set up to identify evidence of poor practice in the park homes sector has met to date; and if he will make a statement.

    Brandon Lewis

    The working group held its first meeting on 10 February and agreed its terms of reference and membership. The next meeting will be held in March.

  • Gerry Sutcliffe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Gerry Sutcliffe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerry Sutcliffe on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on consumer indebtedness of decisions by banks to (a) charge consumers to receive information about their accounts online and (b) encourage consumers to receive information online.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The Government takes the firm view that consumers must be able to easily access clear and transparent information about their accounts. The major current account providers have previously committed to make fees and charges clearer on customers’ monthly statements, and provide an annual statement of charges for each customer.

    The Government is continuing to drive forward a wide-reaching and ambitious programme of reforms to make the banking sector more competitive, including enabling innovation in the use of bank data so that customers are able to use online information more effectively. This includes initiatives like the Midata current account tool, which will help customers switch to the best current account for them.

    The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is also currently reviewing cost-cutting initiatives that affect a significant number of customers, including the withdrawal of paper statements.

  • Gerry Sutcliffe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Gerry Sutcliffe – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerry Sutcliffe on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on which occasions his Department has received representations on the introduction of special tax arrangements to support a major sporting event since May 2010.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Government receives representations on a wide range of issues. Providing tax exemptions are often a requirement of the bidding process.

  • Jonathan Edwards – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jonathan Edwards – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential revenues to the Exchequer arising from an EU financial transaction tax.

    Mr David Gauke

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 31 January 2013, Official Report, column 924W.

  • Vernon Coaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Vernon Coaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review the level of compensation paid to Equitable Life policy holders; and if he will make a statement.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The Government accepted all the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s findings of government maladministration and established the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Taking into account of the state of the public finances, to be fair to both policyholders and tax payers, the Government allocated £1.5 billion to fund payments to around one million Equitable Life policyholders. At 31 January 2015 payments surpassing £1 billion have been issued to 896,367 policyholders.

    The Government is focussed on making the remaining payments to eligible policyholders and has no plans to increase the levels of funding available to the Scheme.

  • Katy Clark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Katy Clark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last reviewed the level of the island fuel rebate.

    Priti Patel

    The Government keeps all elements of the island rural fuel rebate scheme under review. In 2013, the Government published a report which found the rebate to be effectively reducing prices for motorists.

    The UK required EU approval to introduce the scheme. The EU permission for the island scheme is in place until 2017. Ahead of the scheme’s expiry in 2017, the Government will consider the case for applying to the EU for renewal, along with the case for altering aspects of the scheme.

  • Katy Clark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Katy Clark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to increase the island fuel rebate.

    Priti Patel

    The Government keeps all elements of the island rural fuel rebate scheme under review. In 2013, the Government published a report which found the rebate to be effectively reducing prices for motorists.

    The UK required EU approval to introduce the scheme. The EU permission for the island scheme is in place until 2017. Ahead of the scheme’s expiry in 2017, the Government will consider the case for applying to the EU for renewal, along with the case for altering aspects of the scheme.