Blog

  • Rehman Chishti – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Rehman Chishti – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rehman Chishti on 2015-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent steps the Government has taken to tackle Islamophobia.

    Stephen Williams

    This Government has done more than any other to tackle anti-Muslim hatred which includes:

    • setting up the first ever cross-government working group on anti-Muslim Hatred;
    • provided start-up funding to the Tell MAMA initiative to record incidents and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred;
    • establishing a UK Srebrenica Memorial Day which recognises the fatal consequences of hatred and division;
    • running social media workshops to build the capacity of community organisations to use social media effectively;
    • holding 8 integration roadshows with communities to find out what more Government can do to integrate communities and tackle anti-Muslim hatred;
    • following the attacks in Paris, the my rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State (Eric Pickles) and my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the Noble Lord Ahmad wrote on 16 January to mosques across England reassuring them of Government help if they experience anti-Muslim hatred;
    • the Department has also assured faith and community leaders of its support to their commendable efforts to foster mutual understanding and shared respect and is also in close contact with the Police who are reassuring communities and providing protective security advice and guidance.
  • Steve McCabe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Steve McCabe – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2015-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department gives to local authorities and housing associations on emergency access to tower blocks and flats for emergency services.

    Stephen Williams

    Requirement B5 of the Building Regulations provides for adequate access for the fire and rescue service. My Department publishes Approved Document B which gives detailed guidance on compliance with this requirement and is available on the Planning Portal website.

    www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B2_2013.pdf

    Guidance on Fire Safety in Purpose Built Blocks of Flats produced by the Local Government Association, in conjunction with the housing and fire sectors, is available on the Government’s fire safety webpage. Advice on ensuring the provision and maintenance of fire fighting facilities, including, vehicle access for fire appliances, is included within this document.

    www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-advice-documents

  • Eric Ollerenshaw – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Eric Ollerenshaw – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Eric Ollerenshaw on 2015-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to make the provision of broadband and other appropriate telecommunications access mandatory for all new housing and commercial developments.

    Brandon Lewis

    The National Planning Framework Policy states that in preparing local plans local authorities should support the expansion of high-speed broadband and engage with developers and providers. In December 2014 we published “Better Connected”, a guide agreed between housing developers and utility companies which includes voluntary performance standards for the connection of broadband. Separately Government is also considering whether new buildings should be required to provide certain technology to ensure connections to broadband infrastructure.

  • Grahame M. Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Grahame M. Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame M. Morris on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria his Department uses to assess the effectiveness of quantitative easing.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The UK’s monetary policy framework, set out in the Bank of England Act 1998, gives operational responsibility for monetary policy to the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

  • Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his Department’s non-fiscal spend was in real terms in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13, (e) 2013-14 and (f) 2014-15.

    Danny Alexander

    “Non-fiscal spend” is not a formal term in the UK National Accounting framework. It is sometimes used to refer to items of public expenditure, which although included in departmental budgets, are either not classified as spending in the National Accounts or use a different source.

  • Greg Mulholland – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Greg Mulholland – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses were ordered by the Financial Services Ombudsman to award consumers fair compensation up to the £100,000 limit in each year from 2001 to 2011.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The issues raised are a matter for the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) who are operationally independent from Government.

    These questions have been passed on to the FOS. The FOS will reply directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  • Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total amount of non-fiscal spending in each year from 2009-10 to 2014-15 is (a) in real terms and (b) as a proportion of total government spending.

    Danny Alexander

    “Non-fiscal spend” is not a formal term in the UK National Accounting framework. It is sometimes used to refer to items of public expenditure, which although included in departmental budgets, are either not classified as spending in the National Accounts or use a different source.

  • William McCrea – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    William McCrea – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by William McCrea on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to devolve corporation tax to the Northern Ireland Executive.

    Mr David Gauke

    Following the 23 December Stormont House Agreement, the Government introduced and published the Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Bill on 8 January 2015. The Bill is available here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-bill-to-devolve-corporation-tax-in-northern-ireland

    “

  • William McCrea – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    William McCrea – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by William McCrea on 2015-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will bring forward proposals to curb excessive pay increases for senior executives; and if he will make a statement.

    Jo Swinson

    The Government has taken decisive action to restore the link between top pay and performance.

    In October 2013 new laws comprehensively reforming the governance of company directors’ pay came into force, boosting transparency so that shareholders have adequate information, and giving them the power to hold companies to account.

    We are also seeing good signs of improved engagement between investors and companies: with a clear impact on directors’ pay awards. The latest evidence shows that median total remuneration awarded to FTSE100 CEOs fell by 5% in 2012 and by a further 7% in 2013. At the same time 35% of CEOs and 30% of executive directors in FTSE100 companies did not receive a salary increase in 2013.

    The Government is monitoring the impact of the reforms and will consider further measures if necessary.

  • Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Court of Justice in response to its consideration of the VAT treatment of bitcoin transactions; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr David Gauke

    No representations have been made to the EU Court of Justice regarding the VAT treatment of Bitcoin transactions.