The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that all statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in its consultation on statistical products 2013 will continue to be funded for 2014-15.
Nick Hurd
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2014 (Official Report) Column Ref: 470W.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the empty property business rates for the vacant properties recorded on the e-PIMS database owned by (a) his Department and (b) any executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies of his Department in the current financial year.
Francis Maude
At the time of the last General Election the central Government estate was far larger than required and taxpayers were paying to maintain, run and rent properties which were under-occupied while other part of the freehold estate remained vacant.
The Government Property Unit has been supporting departments to rationalise rapidly the Government’s estate including by taking a whole of Government view of property. Since the 2010 General Election over £1.25 billion has been raised by selling surplus freehold properties. Through the exiting of property across the central civil estate, we have also delivered cumulative, gross run rate savings of over £454 million per annum.
Where surplus property is awaiting disposal or lease end, the government looks to explore all disposal options, including commercially sub-letting all or part of the space. Surplus property is listed on gov.uk
There is no liability at taxpayers’ expense for business rates on any vacant Cabinet Office properties in the current financial year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much each Government department has allocated to charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institutions to deliver programmes through the Charities Act 2006 to date.
Nick Hurd
Cabinet Office is investing £470 million over the Spending Review period directly to support charities and voluntary groups. In most cases these payments are made under the Charities Act 2006.
Data on the legal powers exercised to make these and previous allocations to charitable, benevolent and philanthropic institutions by the Cabinet Office is not held.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 have had funding secured for their compilation in 2014-15.
Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Curran on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people aged 18 to 24 years old in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years.
Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will amend the guidance given to the Electoral Commission on whether prohibiting public officials who are suspended or under criminal investigation retain their responsibilities as returning officers.
Greg Clark
The Government does not provide guidance to the Electoral Commission on the status of returning officers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission on returning officer responsibilities in Carmarthenshire at the forthcoming European elections.
Greg Clark
I have regular meetings with the Chair of the Electoral Commission.
Cabinet Office officials have been working closely with the Electoral Commission and have discussed a range of issues to support the efficient and effective running of the forthcoming European Parliamentary election.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will meet the Electoral Commission to discuss the suitability of the chief executives of Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council for their roles as returning officers at the forthcoming European election.
Greg Clark
I have regular meetings with the Chair of the Electoral Commission.
Cabinet Office officials have been working closely with the Electoral Commission, and have discussed a range of issues, to support the efficient and effective administration of the forthcoming European Parliamentary election.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the suitability of the chief executives of Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council acting as returning officers in future elections.
Greg Clark
It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to appoint an officer of the council to be the returning officer for local government elections in their area. Electoral law provides that returning officers for local government elections shall also be local returning officers for European Parliamentary elections. It therefore does not fall to the Government to assess the suitability of individuals carrying out these roles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-03-12.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what representations he has received from (a) the Electoral Commission, (b) the Welsh Government and (c) Carmarthenshire County Council on the Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council and his responsibilities as Returning Officer.
Greg Clark
I have not received any such representations.