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Tag: 2014

  • Baroness Tonge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Baroness Tonge – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2014-06-17.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to advocate the inclusion of Millennium Development Goal 5b in the World Health Organisation’s draft health goal for the post-2015 framework.

    Baroness Northover

    As we have already made clear, the UK supports a target to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health for all. Language on this is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.

    The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.

  • Dr Phillip Lee – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Dr Phillip Lee – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dr Phillip Lee on 2014-04-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the allocation of sites for Gypsies and Travellers is fair; and if he will take steps to ensure that land is granted to such groups only when there is demonstrable need and a lack of current provision.

    Mr Eric Pickles

    Our policy is clear that councils are responsible for assessing local needs, and identifying appropriate sites for travellers to meet those needs. We will consult shortly on proposals to amend the definition of travellers used for planning purposes to those who actually travel, and strengthen protection for the Green Belt.

  • Lord Howard of Rising – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Howard of Rising – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Howard of Rising on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what value of fines remained unpaid at the end of financial years 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12 (1) in total, and (2) with respect to fines issued in that financial year.

    Lord Deighton

    We have answered this question on the basis that it relates to HMRC penalties.

    1) 2009-10 £0.5 billion

    2010-11 £1.5 billion

    2011-12 £1.5 billion

    Fines and Penalties that remain unpaid are included as receivables and are reported in both the Resource Accounts and Trust Statement.

    2) It is not possible to state the value of fines issued in each of the financial years. The question is very broad in scope and covers the majority of the business of the Department. Some data is held in electronic systems and some in paper files, and records are not kept centrally of the value of fines issued across the Department and across all obligations.

  • Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish regular information on the level of his Department’s target impairment for student loans.

    Mr David Willetts

    This Department does not set a target for impairment of student loans. Our reforms were designed to put higher education on a sustainable footing. Universities are now well-funded and this is driving up the quality of the student experience and helping to stimulate economic growth, while keeping access to higher education free at the point of entry.

  • Baroness Whitaker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Baroness Whitaker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Whitaker on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria with respect to good design they intend to establish in their new plans for the Highway Agency.

    Baroness Kramer

    It is government policy that our major road improvements should follow good design principles. For example, in "Action for Roads" we made it clear that any improvements to the network must be made in a way that supports the nation’s overall quality of life. This means that our strategy for roads, and detail requirements will need to:

    • Be designed to minimise environmental impacts and, where possible, tackle existing problems.

    • Build on existing cooperation with organisations like Natural England to find the best solutions to environmental challenges.

    • Continue to work in a planning framework which protects the wider environment.

    We are establishing the first Roads Investment Strategy, which includes a performance specification for the new strategic highways company. This will aim to ensure that the company’s design and delivery activities align with the overall goals that government has for the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Good design, including how the SRN interfaces with built environments and impacts on quality of life, will need to be an important element of both the process and the implementation.

  • Mike Gapes – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Mike Gapes – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Gapes on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect a diversity of older and heritage seed varieties.

    Dan Rogerson

    Defra takes the lead for the UK’s membership to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity. These require contracting parties to conserve the genetic diversity of agricultural varieties, including heritage varieties. Defra sponsors three genetic resource collections which maintain heritage varieties: the National Fruit Collection, the John Innes Pea Collection, and the vegetable collection at Warwick University. Defra is planning to follow up previous research assessing, conserving and encouraging the further cultivation of locally adapted fruit and vegetable varieties (landraces).

    Defra took a leading role in developing simpler EU registration requirements, introduced in 2009, for heritage varieties of agricultural and vegetable species. These allow marketing on the basis of a simplified, low cost description, with proportionate controls to assure seed quality. Defra is now seeking further simplification in the proposed new Plant Reproductive Material legislation currently under discussion at European level.

  • Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Liam Byrne – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-06-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to increase the proportion of girls taking separate science at GCSE.

    Elizabeth Truss

    The number of girls taking separate science GCSEs increased between 2010 and 2013 from 53,000 to 74,800 (41%) in biology, from 51,400 to 73,600 (43%) in chemistry and from 50,700 to 73,200 (44%) in physics. Girls now make up approximately 49% of all those taking each of the separate sciences, compared to approximately 45% in 2010.

    The Government is committed to increasing take-up of separate science GCSEs, including increasing the proportion of girls as part of its commitment to improve overall take up of STEM subjects at A level and beyond.

    The “Your Life” Campaign, launched in May 2014, brings together business, educators, civil society and government to show how science and mathematics leads to exciting, successful careers. This will include a publicity campaign aimed at 14-16 year olds, which will aim to change the way they think about science-based subjects from boring, specialist and niche to empowering, exciting, enabling and for everyone.

    We are funding the Triple Science Support Programme to provide intensive support to schools with either no take-up or relatively low take-up of all three separate science GCSEs, and more general support to all other schools. We are also funding the Stimulating Physics Network to increase progression to physics A level, especially of girls. Much of the work the network does focuses on improving engagement and interest of pupils in physics at GCSE.

    Excellent teaching is vital and we are offering bursaries worth up to £20,000 and teacher training scholarships worth £25,000 to recruit more specialist science teachers. We are also funding up to 50 local science learning partnerships to provide CPD for existing science teachers.

    The Department for Business Innovation and Skills funds the STEM Ambassadors programme, a nationwide network of over 27,000 volunteers from industry and academia, 40% of whom are women, who work with schools across the UK to raise awareness of the range of careers that STEM qualifications can offer.

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

    David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) advice and (b) written guidance (i) he, (ii) Ministers and (iii) officials in his Department have given to Aspire to Change (A2C) since December 2013; and if he will make a statement.

    Jeremy Wright

    Under Transforming Rehabilitation, we are opening up the market to a diverse range of new rehabilitation providers, so that we get the best out of the public, voluntary and private sectors, at the local as well as national level. Managers in a number of Probation Trusts, including Essex, have set up mutuals so that they can bid to become owners of the new Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). In line with wider Government policy, we have encouraged those Trusts that have been interested to consider the mutual option. All those developing mutuals have had the opportunity to bid for further advice, guidance and assistance through the Cabinet Office Mutual Support Programme (MSP). The MSP has allocated a total of £1.5million to support prospective mutuals with the greatest potential. Support to organisations has been provided in two phases. Phase 1 supported organisations to prepare them for the competition. Phase 2 is providing further support to those that passed the first stage of the competition throughout the negotiation phase and, if they are successful in the competition, support their transition to a mutual.

    We launched the competition to establish the owners of the 21 CRCs on 19 September 2013. Competition rules preclude this Department from contacting potential bidders other than through the competition process so that is, and will remain the only avenue for Aspire 2 Change Ltd. to communicate with the Department until the competition is completed.

  • Cathy Jamieson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Cathy Jamieson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cathy Jamieson on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 1 April 2014, Official Report, column 625W, on coinage, whether he has fixed the dates for the public consultation on the impact of the introduction of a new one pound coin.

    Nicky Morgan

    The Budget announced that the existing £1 coin will be replaced with a more modern and secure design. After thirty years in circulation, the current coin has become vulnerable to counterfeiting.

    There will be a public consultation this summer that will focus on how to manage impacts on industry and other affected parties. The government remains committed to this timetable, and to working with industry to minimise costs and disruption.

    The precise dates of the consultation period will be published in due course.

  • Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Iain Wright – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Iain Wright on 2014-03-31.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what consultation his Department undertook before excluding damage sustained in utero as a result of illegal drug taking from the definition of a crime of violence under Annex B paragraph 4(e) of the Criminal Compensation Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

    Damian Green

    I sympathise deeply with anyone who suffers from an injury or debilitating condition sustained in utero. As part of the ‘Getting it right for victims and witnesses’ consultation, which was published in January 2012, we looked in detail at the definition of a “crime of violence” for the purposes of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS). After the consultation, a decision was taken to exclude injuries sustained by an unborn child if the mother willingly consumes harmful substances during pregnancy. We implemented a new Scheme in November 2012.

    Below is a link to the ‘Getting it right for victims and witnesses’ Consultation Paper and the Government’s Response.

    https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/victims-witnesses

    “