Tag: 2014

  • Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Mary Creagh – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what budget was allocated by her Department to the Samridhi Fund in each financial year from 2009-10; and what budget is allocated to that organisation for 2015-16.

    Justine Greening

    The implementation of the Samridhi Fund Programme commenced in 2013-14. Total spending in 2013-14 was £6.9 million. Budget allocations for 2014-15 and 2015-16 are £10 million respectively.

  • Grahame M. Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Grahame M. Morris – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame M. Morris on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had about extending the remit of the Cancer Drugs Fund to include access to other cancer treatments such as advanced stereotactic radiotherapy.

    George Freeman

    We announced a £160 million boost to the Cancer Drugs Fund at the end of August 2014.

    NHS England announced on 12 January 2015 that it plans to increase the level of investment for drugs in the Cancer Drugs Fund from £280 million in 2014-15 to an expected £340 million in 2015-16.

    NHS England has also announced the extension of its Commissioning through the Evaluation programme to include stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). This will enable the number of cancer patients eligible to access SABR treatment to rise significantly, by 750 new patients a year and widen the number of cancers being treated.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the French government on joint counter-terrorism and surveillance activities.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    First may I once again offer our deepest condolences, and express our solidarity with France, following the Paris attacks. I have regular discussions with my French counter-part on security and counter-terrorism issues.

    The Honourable Member will understand that I cannot comment on intelligence matters.

  • John Hemming – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    John Hemming – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Hemming on 2015-01-13.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) UK total managed expenditure in nominal sterling, (b) gross domestic product in nominal sterling and (c) percentage total managed expenditure is expressed as a percentage of the gross domestic product; and what the reasons are for the variances from the Public Expenditure Statistical analysis published by his Department in 2014.

    Danny Alexander

    All these data are available from the Office for Budget Responsibility’s databank, including the Office for National Statistics outturn data (published 22nd November 2014) and the Office for Budget Responsibility’s independent forecast (consistent with the Economic and Fiscal Outlook December 2014 and the Autumn Statement 2014).

    1. UK Total Managed Expenditure in nominal sterling.

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    2013-14

    TME outturn (£bn)

    680.6

    700.9

    701.2

    717.9

    719.9

    2014-15

    2015-16

    2016-17

    2017-18

    2018-19

    2019-20

    TME forecast (£bn)

    737.1

    746.2

    746.7

    751.3

    765.3

    779.9

    1. Gross Domestic Product in nominal sterling.

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    2013-14

    Nominal GDP outturn (£bn)

    1501.7

    1,576.2

    1,628.5

    1,663.2

    1,733.0

    2014-15

    2015-16

    2016-17

    2017-18

    2018-19

    2019-20

    Nominal GDP forecast (£bn)

    1,822.0

    1,888.0

    1,956.0

    2,038.0

    2,124.0

    2,215.0

    1. Total Managed Expenditure expressed as a percentage of the gross domestic product.

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    2013-14

    TME outturn (%GDP)

    45.3

    44.5

    43.1

    43.2

    41.5

    2014-15

    2015-16

    2016-17

    2017-18

    2018-19

    2019-20

    TME forecast (%GDP)

    40.5

    39.5

    38.2

    36.9

    36.0

    35.2

    Variances when comparing the most up to date figures set out above against the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis (command paper) are due to these figures including the latest outturn data, incorporating the latest forecast judgement by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the latest classification changes made by the Office for National Statistics.

    Since the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis was published in July 2014 the Office for Budget Responsibility has published their latest forecast in their December 2014 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Office for National Statistics regularly update outturn, at a various points in the year, for total managed expenditure and gross domestic product.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2015-01-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is offering to Nigeria to help combat Boko Haram.

    Mr Mark Francois

    I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2015 to Parliamentary Question 906917, to the hon. Member for Bedford (Richard Fuller).

  • Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Government’s proposed reforms to A-levels, if she will bring forward safeguards to prevent students making uninformed decisions about their subject choices and being limited as to the degree they can apply for at university as a result of having to make subject decisions at the beginning of Year 12.

    Mr Nick Gibb

    Schools have a duty to secure independent careers guidance for students in years 8 to 13 [1]. This should include supporting students to make informed choices about the subjects and qualifications that will support progression to university.

    New A levels will become linear from 2015. Students will still be able to take stand-alone AS qualifications at the end of year 12. This flexibility will help those who are unsure at the start of year 12 which subjects they wish to continue to A level. We expect teachers to help students decide whether it is right to take an AS qualification.

    Universities set their own admission requirements and are best placed to advise students on the A level subjects needed for particular degree courses. The Russell Group has published a guide to post-16 subject choices called ‘Informed Choices’[2]. This includes advice on the best subject combinations for a wide range of university courses. The guide also identifies the A level ‘facilitating subjects’ that are required more often than others, and which can help students to keep more options open.

    The Department for Education recently announced that this year’s key stage 5 performance tables would include a measure showing the percentage of A level students attaining AAB or higher in two or more ‘facilitating subjects’, as a standard of academic rigour [3].

    [1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-for-young-people-in-schools

    [2] www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices/

    [3] http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/download/Statement_of_Intent_2014.pdf

    “

  • Simon Danczuk – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Simon Danczuk – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Danczuk on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent talks Ministers in his Department have had with (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian leaders on the current situation in Gaza.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 July.

    The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke with Palestinian President Abbas on 19 July and Israeli Foreign Minister Liebermann on 18 July.

  • Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Katy Clark – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether Israeli military action during Operation Protective Edge has complied with its international legal obligations.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We have not yet made a full assessment. We continue to monitor events in Gaza and Israel carefully and call on all sides to ensure that their actions are in line with International Humanitarian Law. International Humanitarian Law requires all sides to distinguish between military and civilian targets and enable unhindered humanitarian access. It is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law and are calibrated to avoid any further civilian casualties.

  • Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Ian Lucas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lucas on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many beds in each UK spinal cord injury centre have been ring fenced for the treatment of spinal cord injured readmissions or outpatients in each of the last five years.

    Jane Ellison

    NHS England’s Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) service specification clearly sets out what providers must have in place to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services. It sets a core requirement that each specialised SCI Centre (SCIC) can demonstrate they have a minimum of 20 beds dedicated exclusively for the treatment and rehabilitation of SCI patients. Specialised SCI Services encompass all activity for SCI patients provided by the host trust of the SCIC, including any readmission or attendance for SCI-related care, wherever the treatment is located in the trust. A copy of the specification can be found at the following link:

    www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d13-spinal-cord-0414.pdf

    NHS England is aware that a number of beds in one ward at Stoke Mandeville spinal injuries unit are being used as escalation beds by medical specialties to assist with patient flow. It is planned for these beds to re-open as specialist spinal beds from September 2014.

  • Graham Brady – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Graham Brady – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Brady on 2014-07-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the UK contribution to the World Health Organisation budget is counted towards the Government’s target of contributing 0.7 per cent of gross national product to international development.

    Jane Ellison

    The total World Health Organization (WHO) revenue for 2013 was $2614 million; the United Kingdom contributed $312.2 million of that, which represented 11.9% of the WHO’s budget. The UK total contribution comprised of $30.7 million, assessed contributions and $281.5 million, voluntary contributions. This is around 185 million in sterling. The total UK contribution to WHO in 2013 also includes funding to WHO hosted partnerships such as Stop TB partnership, partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and Roll Back Malaria partnership.

    All of this UK funding contributes to the Government’s 0.7% international development target.