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Tag: 2014

  • Tony Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Tony Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tony Cunningham on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the Government’s approach to negotiating a cost-effective price for the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero takes account of fluctuations in disease levels characteristic of that virus and the recent emergence of another strain of meningitis which may be treated using Bexsero.

    Jane Ellison

    The independent cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero took account of the incidence and case fatality rates of all meningococcal disease, including meningococcal W in England during the period 2005-06 to 2011-12. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considered that these data gave a reasonable range. JCVI are the independent experts responsible for advising the Government on immunisations following due consideration of the evidence on the burden of disease, vaccine safety and efficacy and cost effectiveness.

    Further information is available in Christensen H, Trotter CL, Hickman M, Edmunds WJ. Re‑evaluating cost effectiveness of universal meningitis vaccination (Bexsero) in England: modelling study. BMJ 2014; 349: g5725.

  • Pamela Nash – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Pamela Nash – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pamela Nash on 2015-01-14.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many IR35 status enquiries HM Revenue and Customs has made in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

    Mr David Gauke

    Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carries out IR35 status enquiries by way of compliance interventions. The table below shows the number of interventions up to 2013/14. Regional data is not produced by HMRC.

    Year

    Compliance interventions

    2009/10

    12

    2010/11

    23

    2011/12

    59

    2012/13

    256

    2013/14

    192

  • Chris Skidmore – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Chris Skidmore – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Skidmore on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the per pupil funding for (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils in Kingswood constituency was in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2015.

    Mr David Laws

    Funding from the Department for Education is not allocated at a parliamentary constituency level. Figures for South Gloucestershire local authority, within which Kingswood lies, are given below.

    The average per-pupil revenue funding for South Gloucestershire in financial year 2010-11 was £4,490.

    This figure is calculated as the sum of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations plus other school related grants for pupils aged 3-15, namely, the school standards grant, the school standards grant (personalisation) and the standards fund (rounded to the nearest £10). Most of the additional grants were mainstreamed into DSG in 2011-12.

    The changes to DSG funding in financial year 2013-14, with funding allocated through three blocks; ‘schools’, ‘early years’ and ‘high needs’, mean that there is no longer a comparable overall figure with previous years. The DSG schools block unit funding figure for South Gloucestershire local authority for financial year 2014-15 was £3,969 per pupil. This has risen to £4,189 for financial year 2015-16 as the authority was one of the beneficiaries of the extra funding provided under minimum funding levels for the least fairly funded local authorities.

    Since 2011-12, schools have received the pupil premium which targets funding at pupils from the most deprived backgrounds to help them achieve their full potential. In 2011-12 the pupil premium was allocated for each pupil known to be: (a) eligible for free school meals (FSM); (b) a looked after child; or (c) a child of parents in the armed services. In 2012-13 coverage was expanded to include pupils known to have been eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years. The per-pupil amounts for each type of pupil are shown in following table in cash terms:

    Pupil premium per pupil (£)

    2011-2012

    2012-2013

    2013-2014

    2014-2015

    2015-2016

    Free School Meal Pupil Primary

    £488

    £623

    £953

    £1300

    £1320

    Free School Meal Pupil Secondary

    £488

    £623

    £900

    £935

    £935

    Service Children

    £200

    £250

    £300

    £300

    £300

    Looked After Children

    £488

    £623

    £900

    £1900*

    £1900*

    *Also includes children adopted from care

    Schools and academies in South Gloucestershire local authority have been allocated £7.652 million through the pupil premium for financial year 2014-15.

    Schools and academies in Kingswood constituency have been allocated £2.782 million through the pupil premium for financial year 2014-15.

    Allocations for financial year 2015-16 are not yet available.

    These include funding through the deprivation, service child and the children adopted from care elements, but exclude the looked after children element for Kingswood as this is not available at a parliamentary constituency level.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what account she takes of promoting freedom of speech when deciding on allocations of overseas aid.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    DFID promotes respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, through its partnerships with governments and, where necessary, raises issues of concern in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

    Before providing aid to a foreign government, DFID assesses the government’s commitment to four partnership principles, one of which concerns human rights. Where we cannot provide aid directly to governments, we will find other ways to help poor people in those countries.

  • George Hollingbery – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    George Hollingbery – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Hollingbery on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219112, if she will ensure that all documents taken into account by the review of domestic management measures for bass will be published.

    George Eustice

    The current review of the domestic management measures for bass should be completed within the next few weeks. Aligned with work at European level to reverse the steep decline in bass stocks, the high-level review will focus principally on the need for any change to our current domestic management measures, such as the catch limits on commercial fishing for bass, minimum landing size for bass and protection of bass nursery areas. Where it is identified that action is required, this work will be further developed and, where national legislation may be required, will follow the usual legislative process. We will seek the views of key stakeholders on the way forward. Any proposed national legislation will be subject to public consultation involving stakeholders, other government departments and interested parties. The relevant documentation to support the new legislation will be made publically available, where not already published.

  • Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Tom Watson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Answer of 12 January 2015 to Question 219725, which UK officials will attend the MQ-9 Users Group meeting.

    Mr Mark Francois

    Five members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) will attend the MQ-9 Users Group meeting in Paris in January 2015. The party will be made up of representatives from the RAF’s ISTAR HQ, which is located at RAF Waddington, HQ Air Command and the Air Staff.

  • 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 Global Value Chains Initiative in each financial year from 2009-10; and what budget is allocated to that organisation for 2015-16.

    Justine Greening

    Information on previous budget allocations is available at http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/. 2015-16 allocations remain subject to ministerial approval.

    “

  • Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Baker on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political rights of and economic opportunities for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    The election of President Sirisena represents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to grow as a stable prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all of its people. The President’s 100 day programme and manifesto includes social, economic, educational and governance commitments that should benefit Tamil people. These include better access to education in the Tamil language; relief to displaced people; a democratic civil administration in the North and South of the island; bringing an end to racial and religious hatred; and, steps to promote reconciliation between communities.

    We will be following the implementation of President Sirisena’s commitments closely, and stand ready to support Sri Lanka’s path to long term reconciliation.

  • Fiona O’Donnell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Fiona O’Donnell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona O’Donnell on 2015-01-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his priorities are for the UK’s relationship with Sri Lanka.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    The UK will work to reinvigorate its relationship with the people of Sri Lanka and President Sirisena’s government. We already have strong links in trade, education, tourism and between our people. The President’s election is a new opportunity for Sri Lanka to build a stable, prosperous and inclusive future for all Sri Lankans. President Sirisena’s early visit to the UK from 7-11 March clearly expressed a renewed friendship between our two countries. The UK has offered support to the newly elected President and Prime Minister as they seek to implement their ambitious reform programme and take steps to reconcile all Sri Lankan people. However, we have been clear we want to see Sri Lanka deliver on its commitments to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights by September.

  • John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    John Denham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

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

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many students started a level 6 apprenticeship in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2011-12 in each parliamentary constituency.

    Nick Boles

    Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts in England by Level and Parliamentary Constituency is attached.

    Although level 4 and 5 apprenticeships were available in all three years, level 6 and 7 apprenticeships were only enabled by legislation from April 2013. Official apprenticeship data provides complete information for government-funded apprenticeships and this shows that there were no starts on the four available level 6 apprenticeships during the 2013/14 academic year.