Tag: 2015

Jim Cunningham – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of radiologists entering into training in each of the last five years.

Dr Daniel Poulter

Prior to the establishment of Health Education England (HEE) on 1 April 2013, national recruitment to clinical radiology specialty training posts was managed by the London postgraduate medical deanery.

In 2013 HEE advertised and filled 192 clinical radiology positions all of which were released by new Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) holders.

In 2014 HEE advertised and filled 183 positions representing 14 new posts and 169 posts released by new CCT holders.

This level of training and associated CCT output has enabled the clinical radiology workforce to grow on average by over 70 full time equivalent (FTE) consultants a year between 2009 and 2013 (from 2,278 FTE to 2,561 FTE – Health and Social Care Information Centre Annual Workforce Census 2013).

November 2, 2022
Chris Ruane – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2015-02-11.

To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral Commission has taken on local authorities who have improperly sold on the details of electors who have opted out of the open register.

Mr Gary Streeter

If an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) wrongly supplies the details of an elector who has opted out of the open register, this could constitute a breach of the Data Protection Act. In those circumstances, The Electoral Commission would advise an ERO to immediately speak to their local authority’s Data Protection Officer (or an equivalent officer) and/or directly contact the Information Commissioner’s Office. Depending on the circumstances it could potentially constitute a breach of the ERO’s official duty. An ERO guilty of any act or omission in breach of their official duty – without reasonable cause – is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

The Commission’s guidance to EROs makes clear that the details of any elector who has asked to opt out of the open register must not appear in the open register.

It also highlights that an ERO is a data controller with statutory responsibilities under the Data Protection Act, and links to the data protection principles produced by the Information Commissioner’s Office, as well as other sources of guidance for local authorities on data handling, including the Local Government Association and the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM).

November 2, 2022
Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-02-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what advice his Department provides to pensioners on how to invest their money.

Andrea Leadsom

At Budget 2014, the Chancellor announced a number of measures to give people more choice about how they use and manage their money in retirement.

The Chancellor announced that from April 2015, anyone 55 and over will be able to access their defined contribution pension savings and use the savings as they choose.

A new service, Pension Wise, will provide guidance online, face-to-face and on the phone, and will be up and running in time for April 2015.

The website, in pilot form, is already available.

November 2, 2022
Ian Lavery – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Lavery on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings he and Ministers in his Department had with the Prospect and Public and Commercial Services trades unions before taking the decision to change Ordnance Survey from a trading fund to a Government-owned company; and whether he plans further such meetings.

Matthew Hancock

Ordnance Survey senior management have led on discussions with the trade unions and other Ordnance Survey staff members as the project has developed. This dialogue took place throughout 2014, and will continue as the project reaches its conclusion through regular meetings.

November 2, 2022
Katy Clark – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Katy Clark on 2015-02-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last reviewed the level of the island fuel rebate.

Priti Patel

The Government keeps all elements of the island rural fuel rebate scheme under review. In 2013, the Government published a report which found the rebate to be effectively reducing prices for motorists.

The UK required EU approval to introduce the scheme. The EU permission for the island scheme is in place until 2017. Ahead of the scheme’s expiry in 2017, the Government will consider the case for applying to the EU for renewal, along with the case for altering aspects of the scheme.

November 2, 2022
Paul Flynn – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will introduce legislative proposals to ensure social care workers and home care providers are paid costs for travel to clients, training and on-call time in addition to being paid for the time spent with those for whom they provide care.

Jo Swinson

The Government already makes clear in legislation and guidance that travel time between assignments should be paid at least the appropriate National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate. Whether a worker paid by the hour is entitled to the minimum wage for periods such as the time spent travelling between home and their first assignment and between their last assignment and home depends on the terms of their contract and whether they are working during that time. We have updated our guidance on the Gov.UK to make it clear that time spent travelling between assignments and rest breaks must be paid at least the NMW.

In relation to training, the NMW rules state that, where a worker is paid according to the number of hours they work, the NMW must be paid for all time spent training.

Workers who are required to be available to work, either on standby or on call, should also receive at least the NMW rate for this time, although there are exceptions in some circumstances.

We encourage any care sector worker who believes that they have been underpaid to make a complaint, using the free and confidential Pay & Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HM Revenue & Customs investigate all complaints. In addition, they are currently undertaking proactive enforcement action into the six largest care providers.

November 2, 2022
Vernon Coaker – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Vernon Coaker on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Written Statement of 10 February 2015, HCWS273, on gifting of counter-IED equipment to Iraq, how many members of the British Armed Forces are being deployed as part of the C-IED training package in Erbil; and what the time frame is for their deployment.

Michael Fallon

The UK will have around 30 personnel delivering counter IED training in Northern Iraq at Erbil, with a further two working in a supporting role in the Coalition headquarters. Subject to Parliamentary approval, training is due to commence in March and personnel will deliver training packages for at least six months, depending on demand.

November 2, 2022

Kevan Jones – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel undertook phase two training for the regular army band at Kneller Hall in 2013-14.

Anna Soubry

The requested detail for Financial Year 2013-14 is provided below:

Number of personnel who

completed Phase Two training

Cost of providing Phase

Two training

Royal Marines School

of Music (Portsmouth)

Information is not held

centrally and could be

provided only at

disproportionate cost

Royal Military School of Music (Army, Kneller Hall)

£2.8 million (approx)

No personnel undertook phase two training with the RAF Music Services. The RAF recruits are fully trained musicians who undertake a rigorous audition process and are only admitted once their playing ability is proven.

November 2, 2022