UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2014

  • Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Lyn Brown – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lyn Brown on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many crew were available in each fire and rescue authority area during the 24-hour strike on 12 June 2014; and how many crew are available in each area on non-strike days.

    Brandon Lewis

    The levels of crewing available for each authority, whether or not during periods of strike action, are dependent upon a number of factors. These include the duty system being worked locally, availability of on-call firefighters and, during strike periods, local contingency arrangements, which are the responsibility of each fire and rescue authority. The Department collects details of appliance availability from local fire and rescue authorities on a confidential basis. The arrangements for business continuity planning during strike action are kept under review by the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser.

    The principles of the recall to duty protocol, published as National Joint Council for Fire and Rescue Services Circular NJC/09/13, were agreed between the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, the Fire Brigades Union and the National Employers. Appendix 1 applies to fire and rescue authorities in England and makes clear that the Chief Fire Officers are responsible for arrangements locally, in accordance with their service’s major incident policies. I am confident that should there be a major disaster, striking firefighters would return to work.

  • Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many children in poverty lived in a household that did not receive a Warm Home Discount in 2013-14.

    Gregory Barker

    Under the “broader group” schemes offered by suppliers participating within the Warm Home Discount, considerable assistance is offered to vulnerable groups such as low-income families and those with long-term illnesses and disabilities. In scheme year 3 (2013/14) all seven participating suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.On, First Utility, N Power, Scottish Power and SSE) made broader group support open to low-income families with children aged under five years.

    We expect around 600,000 broader group rebates worth £135 to have been provided in 2013/14. However, final figures for the number of such payments will be published in Ofgem’s annual scheme report in the autumn.

    Participating energy suppliers are not required to provide the Government with a breakdown of the payments made to different groups of customers. As a result, we cannot calculate how many low income families received the Warm Home Discount, nor how many did not.

  • Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Philip Davies – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many successful matches there have been between DNA profiles taken from crime scenes and those stored on the National DNA Database in each of the last two years.

    Karen Bradley

    The requested data are as follows:

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to encourage universities in the UK to enter into partnerships and twinning arrangements with the British University in Egypt.

    Mr David Willetts

    I am keen that UK universities broaden their engagement with their Egyptian counterparts in recognition of the country’s growing research strengths. The newly created UK – Egypt Newton – Mosharafa Fund presents a real opportunity to take UK – Egypt institutional engagement to another level, by investing £20 million over five years in a bilateral partnership focussed on science, research, innovation and education.

    The British University Egypt will be eligible to apply for calls once the fund is launched.

  • Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector (a) at the start of a new tenancy and (b) when a tenancy is renewed.

    Kris Hopkins

    My Department has not made its own estimate of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector but has taken note of the figures reported by independent organisations, such as the Office of Fair Trading, Shelter and Which.

    The Government is currently legislating through the Consumer Rights Bill to ensure there is full transparency on fees charged by all letting agencies, ending hidden fees.

    By contrast, I would observe that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented that the policy proposals of HM Opposition on fees would harm tenants, as it would lead to: “increases in rents to cover the additional costs visited upon landlords” and a “reduction in supply” (RICS, Letting agent fees for tenants: a tale of two amendments, 15 May 2014).

  • David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department (a) spent in each of the last 10 years and (b) plans to spend in each of the next three years on maintaining war graves; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    As the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War approaches, it is right that we acknowledge the important work undertaken by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to commemorate those who gave their lives during both World Wars.

    The CWGC receives financial contributions from its member nations based on the number of graves it maintains on behalf of each nation. Accordingly the UK Government contributes 78.43% to the total CWGC funding.

    Financial records are retained for seven years. Information held by the Ministry of Defence indicates that over the last seven financial years the UK Government has made the following payments to CWGC for the maintenance of graves of those who died during the First and Second World Wars. The figures include UK VAT:

    2007-08 – £34,799,000
    2008-09 – £35,153,000
    2009-10 – £46,545,000
    2010-11 – £43,341,000
    2011-12 – £46,288,000
    2012-13 – £44,636,487
    2013-14 – £47,318,041

    With regard to future funding, the UK will continue to meet its obligation to pay the appropriate percentage (currently 78.43%) of the total CWGC funding.

    The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is discussing with the CWGC the scope for enhancing information and interpretation at burial sites as part of the centenary commemorations.

  • Menzies Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Menzies Campbell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Menzies Campbell on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what items of infrastructure have been (a) commissioned for installation and (b) installed at RAF Leuchars in preparation for the arrival of Army units and associated personnel; and how much each such item (i) is estimated to and (ii) has cost.

    Mr Mark Francois

    It is expected that over £5 million of investment will be made at RAF Leuchars to prepare for the arrival of Army units. This work is in the final stages of planning, we hope to begin the work soon.

  • Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many employees of the big six energy companies are currently seconded to his Department.

    Gregory Barker

    There are currently no employees, seconded from any of the big six energy companies, working in the Department of Energy & Climate Change.

  • Tim Farron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tim Farron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will assess the viability of using Kielder Water as a water source and linking it to the national water grid.

    Dan Rogerson

    We have been working closely with Ofwat and the Environment Agency to consider how we can promote connectivity in our water supply system of which the establishment of a national water grid is only one option. The infrastructure investment needed for a grid is considerable. Water is also heavy, difficult and costly to move. Relatively local connections are likely to be the best options, incrementally building a wider and more integrated network.

    Water companies are already joining up sources of supply to build resilience and are strongly encouraged to consider options for interconnections in their Water Resources Management Plans (WRMP), alongside other options, such as demand management. All water companies have statutory WRMPs, which look ahead at least 25 years. The Water Act 2014 includes provisions that will make it easier for water companies to make bulk supply arrangements between their networks.

    Kielder Water has a very large capacity and offers security of supply to customers in the Northumbrian Water Limited operating area. Other water companies outside the area have investigated ways of using Kielder as part of their 2014 WRMPs. The water companies found that local solutions offered better value for both customers and the environment.

  • Robert Flello – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Robert Flello – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart supporting the requests for an investigation into the murders of four FENSUAGRO trades union members shot dead on 17 May 2014 in Alto Amarradero.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.