The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many press officers his Department employed in each of the last six years.
Mike Penning
We have been able to provide the information dating back to 2011. The number of press officers employed by the Department is as follows:
March 2014 – 20
March 2013 – 20
March 2012 – 23
July 2011 – 31
By way of comparison in March 2010 the Department employed 54 press officers
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2014-06-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their most recent assessment of the level of medical supplies in Gazan hospitals.
Baroness Northover
DFID is deeply concerned at the shortage of medical supplies and drugs in Gazan hospitals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that in Gaza at 29% of drugs are at zero stock (less than 1 month’s supply). DFID is supporting the UN Access Coordination Unit to work with the WHO, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and aid agencies to facilitate the transfer of medical equipment and supplies and patient referrals in and out of Gaza.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Williamson on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the (a) total and (b) average funding per head is under the basic funding formula for pupils in Somerset in 2014-15.
Mr David Laws
Total funding under the schools block element of the dedicated schools grant in financial year 2014 to 2015 for Somerset is £273.2 million, with an associated unit of funding per pupil of £4,278.
More information on the dedicated schools grant allocations for financial year 2014 to 2015 can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2014-to-2015
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Sharp of Guildford on 2014-06-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Student Loans Company and HM Revenue and Customs joint accounting system is able to continue deducting repayments on loans via the PAYE system even when repayment has been completed; and why in such circumstances it is necessary for the individual customer to alert them to the situation and to reclaim overpayment.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is possible for borrowers with Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) loans nearing the end of their repayment term to over-repay their loans because there is a time lag between the deductions from borrowers pay (by employers), HMRC’s annual process for student loan repayment accounting and the student loans Company (SLC) subsequently receiving payment information from HMRC. As a consequence it is possible for people to over repay before the SLC becomes aware that their repayments should stop.
Because of this, SLC notifies borrowers in the final 23 months of repayment that they may opt out of the PAYE system and complete their loan repayments by Direct Debit (DD). This would ensure they do not over repay their loan. If borrowers choose not take up DD repayment it is likely that they will over repay. Borrowers are advised to monitor their own repayments. If they can demonstrate to SLC that they have paid enough by providing evidence, such as payslips, SLC can then ask HMRC to issue a "stop" notice to employers and refund any over repayments at the earliest opportunity.
The SLC provides guidance and tools to help borrowers calculate their loan balance and when they are likely to repay their loan in full. The SLC refunds all over repayments to borrowers’ bank accounts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many legal and enforcement cases in each geographical area of the Environment Agency were (a) under investigation, (b) being considered for enforcement action, (c) being considered for legal action by the legal services department, (d) issued and proceeding through the courts and (e) completed on the final day of that accounting year for each of the years 2010 to 2013.
Dan Rogerson
The Environment Agency is unable to provide a breakdown of legal and enforcement cases in each of its geographical areas which were (a) under investigation, (b) being considered for enforcement action, (c) being considered for legal action by the legal services department, (d) issued and proceeding through the courts and (e) completed on the final day of that accounting year for each of the years 2010 to 2013, due to disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken to increase the number of black and minority ethnic professors teaching in public universities.
Mr David Willetts
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are independent, autonomous bodies and are entirely responsible for the recruitment, promotion and retention of their staff. Universities, like other employers, are subject to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and must ensure they do not discriminate in their recruitment practices. Universities are also required to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty and take a proactive approach to advancing equality of opportunity.
I understand that employer and employee representative organisations are taking action to address issues of equality in the higher education sector workforce. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) through the Equality Challenge Unit and in other ways, works with the higher education (HE) sector to support activities to address issues of representation both in the HE workforce and student population.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mary Creagh on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many drivers who received driving convictions during the two year probationary licence period undertook (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more speed awareness courses in (i) 2010 to 2014 and (ii) 2005 to 2009.
Karen Bradley
This information is not held centrally. A motorist is prohibited from taking
more than one speed awareness course under the national scheme within a 3 years
period from the date of the offence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what targets his Department has for increasing diversity; and what progress has been made on meeting those targets in the last year.
Brandon Lewis
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Francis Maude) on 16 June, Official Report, Column 434W.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sadiq Khan on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what occasions prisons have relied on detached duty staff from other establishments since 1 September 2013.
Jeremy Wright
The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2014-06-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration his Department gives to the diversity policies and records of businesses or other organisations when considering their bid for commercial contracts or grants.
Elizabeth Truss
We take into account an organisation’s diversity policy and record where it is relevant to the subject matter of the contract or grant and is permissible by law. Where the organisation is listed as a Crown Strategic Supplier, we would also approach the relevant Crown Representative as part of the appraisal.