The below Parliamentary question was asked by Natascha Engel on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what charges are incurred by those appealing against a benefit assessment ruling.
Mike Penning
This is a matter for the Ministry of Justice.
They have no plans to introduce fees to bring an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons the policy of NHS England on the number of cycles of IVF it provides to armed forces personnel is to provide fewer than the number recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Jane Ellison
NHS England has a number of interim policies in place, including the policy for the provision of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for Armed Forces personnel.
A review of the interim policy in relation to the provision of IVF for Armed Forces personnel has recently been undertaken. Following detailed costing of a move to the levels recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline, it was agreed in May 2014 to increase the number of cycles of IVF to three if clinically appropriate and if eligibility criteria are met.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Scott of Needham Market on 2014-03-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the level of illegal bird trapping within the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus.
Lord Astor of Hever
The Sovereign Base Areas are a separate territory and not part of the Republic of Cyprus. Countering illegal bird trapping is one of the key priorities of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the Sovereign Base Areas Police. This is stated in the Chief Constable’s annual report and strategic plan. Police enforcement action has resulted in 132 arrests and convictions over the last four years for bird trapping offences and the seizure and destruction of large quantities of equipment. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration reviews regularly what additional measures could be introduced within the Sovereign Base Areas. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration also consults with the Republic of Cyprus on the implementation and where practicable, coordination, of measures to reduce illegal bird trapping.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Blenkinsop on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what adjusted change there has been in average gross weekly earnings of (a) full-time workers, (b) men working full-time and (c) women working full-time since January 2010.
Mr 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 Lord Hylton on 2014-03-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to support the proposed European Union regulations on the sale of seeds, plants and plant material.
Lord De Mauley
The Government does not support the proposed European Union regulation on the sale of plant reproductive material as currently drafted. The future of the proposals is uncertain following rejection by the European Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what annual budget has been allocated to Unionlearn in each year since 2010.
Matthew Hancock
The annual budget allocated to Unionlearn in each year since 2010 has been as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2010 – 2011 |
£21.5 million |
|
2011 – 2012 |
£21.4 million |
|
2012 – 2013 |
£20.210 million |
|
2013 – 2014 |
£18.9 million |
|
2014 – 2015 |
£15.3 million |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roberta Blackman-Woods on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to establish garden city principles in Ebbsfleet.
Nick Boles
[Holding Reply: Monday 31 March 2014]
We expect the new Ebbsfleet Urban Development Corporation, once established, to develop the vision for Ebbsfleet Garden City in co-operation with local partners.
We would expect the Corporation, working with local partners and other experts, to consider how accepted Garden Cities principles, such as high quality, imaginative design, the provision of generous green space, mixed tenure homes and a strong local jobs offer, could be delivered in a way appropriate to local needs and circumstances.
The Government wants Ebbsfleet to set high standards in terms of design quality. The Built for Life principles are industry developed standards for good design. We would look to those coming forward with development proposals at Ebbsfleet to adopt them, and encourage them to be ambitious by aiming for a ‘green’ rating.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Jackson on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many businesses there were in Peterborough in each year since 2001.
Mr 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 John Woodcock on 2014-03-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the effects on the community energy sector of removing eligibility for Enterprise Investment Scheme awards from business qualifying for renewable obligation certificates.
Michael Fallon
Eligibility for the Enterprise Investment Scheme is a matter for HM Treasury who will be consulting stakeholders on the proposals in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the financial penalties for non-compliance with the minimum wage issued by HM Revenue and Customs in 2013-14 were for the then maximum sum of £5,000.
Mr David Gauke
The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously. HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline (0800 917 2368). In addition, HMRC conduct targeted compliance activity based on data received from various sources and robust risk assessment processes, to identify the sectors and employers across the United Kingdom, who are considered more likely to be failing to pay NMW.
The Government has increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and the maximum penalty has increased from £5,000 to £20,000. The revised penalty is calculated as 100 per cent of the total underpayment for all of the workers specified in a Notice of Underpayment relating to pay reference periods that commence on or after 7 March 2014.
HMRC issued the maximum penalty of £5,000 to 52 employers identified as owing workers arrears of pay under national minimum wage legislation in 2013/14.