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Tag: 2015

  • Paul Blomfield – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Paul Blomfield – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent estimate he has made of the number of patients (a) on waiting lists and (b) with motor neurone disease on waiting lists at each specialised augmentative and alternative communication provider.

    Norman Lamb

    NHS England has advised that information concerning the number of patients either waiting for an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment assessment or who have had an AAC assessment (and subsequently had equipment provided) received is not collected centrally.

    Since 1 April 2013, NHS England has been responsible for commissioning AAC aids for patients with complex disability whose needs require specialised assessment.

    For 2014/15 NHS England identified an additional £22.5 million for AAC and environmental controls (devices which manage functions or appliances in a particular environment, usually the home) and the identification of providers was completed last August last year. The 13 AAC providers selected are currently recruiting the additional specialist therapy staff needed to deliver this service many now have new staff now in post or due to start in the next few months.

    All 13 of the providers have confirmed that they are accepting referrals and multi-disciplinary assessments are being offered to patients. Priority is being given to patients who have a life limiting condition and every effort is being made to clear any backlog of patients waiting for assessments and to improve waiting times.

  • Andrew Smith – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Smith – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the incidence of Crohn’s disease.

    Norman Lamb

    The Department has made no assessment of the incidence of Crohn’s disease. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2012 guideline Crohn’s Disease Management in Adults, Children and Young People, states that there are currently at least 115,000 people in the United Kingdom with Crohn’s disease.

    The NICE guideline sets out best practice on the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of people with Crohn’s disease. This includes, ‘Minimising psychological concerns and possible side effects of treatment are fundamental to best practice for all people with Crohn’s disease, whatever their age’, which could include access to psychological support, if appropriate. The guideline also recommends that clinicians give patients with Crohn’s disease contact details for relevant support groups. The full guideline can be found at the following link: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg152.

  • Anas Sarwar – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Anas Sarwar – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anas Sarwar on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding has been allocated to NGOs and other non-state actors since bilateral support to Malawi was suspended in November 2013; and what the expected outcomes of that funding are.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    General budget support to Malawi was suspended in 2011 due to concerns relating to human rights and public financial management. Tightly managed sector budget support for health and education was continued by all donors but following the Cashgate scandal in November 2013 this too was suspended. There can be no consideration of putting UK funding through Malawi government systems until the integrity of the Government’s financial management systems has been restored and independently verified. However, the UK is still committed to poverty reduction and supporting poor people in Malawi, through a large programme of ongoing investments delivered outside of government systems, in health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, economic development and governance.

    Since November 2013 to date the DFID bilateral programme in Malawi has disbursed £ 70.4 million to NGOs, Multilaterals and other non-state channels outside of government systems. Expected outcomes include:

    – An important contribution to meeting contraception needs in a country with a high total fertility rate and increasing population pressure. By 2016, the UK’s Malawi Family Planning Programme is expected to support 800,000 additional women to access and use modern methods of family planning.

    – Improved access to Water and Sanitation. 750,000 people will have access to clean drinking water sources by 2016.

    – Supporting 15,000 girls to benefit from secondary school bursaries by 2016.

    – Supporting improved health outcomes. DFID support is currently supplying the bulk of emergency drugs and medical supplies to Malawi’s hospitals.

    – Helping to strengthen civil society in Malawi to hold their government accountable for the provision of basic services.

    – Supporting 370,000 people to access relief food supplies; provision of emergency water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for 34,000 people; and assisting 54,000 people with seeds and tools to rebuild their lives after recent floods washed their crops away.

    Full details of these outcomes and others are available in DFID’s Operational Plan 2011-2016 accessible online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389289/Malawi.pdf .

    “

  • Roger Godsiff – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Roger Godsiff – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the total value of contracts his Department has with private sector providers was in each of the last five years for which records are available.

    David Mundell

    Other than minor or bespoke purchases, the Scotland Office does not undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises existing service contracts between suppliers and the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice.

    In each of the last five financial years, the total value of the contracts the Scotland Office had with private sector providers is shown below:

    2009-10

    £88,697.01

    2010-11

    £88,698.01

    2011-12

    £91549.26

    2012-13

    £94,400.51

    2013-14

    £121,322.30

    All of the contracts relate to accommodation services and a proportion of the costs are recharged to other departments which share accommodation with the Scotland Office.

  • Karl Turner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Karl Turner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl Turner on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for how long Pacer trains will continue to operate on Northern Rail services; and when all Pacer trains will be retired.

    Claire Perry

    We are committed to improving services for passengers across the North. We recognise that Pacers fall short of passengers’ expectations, which is why in our Invitation To Tender, we will specifically ask bidders to set out plans for how they will phase out these trains from the Northern Rail franchise, either in their core proposition or as an option.

    Sadly, the last Northern franchise, let in 2004, contained no such provision.

    Further details will be set out in the Invitation To Tender for the Northern franchise, which will be published shortly.

  • Roger Godsiff – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Roger Godsiff – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-02-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of increasing the other funeral expenses category of the social fund funeral payments scheme in line with inflation since the level was set at £700 in 2003.

    Steve Webb

    There has been no estimate as we do not know what people would have claimed if the limit was higher. However, it is vital that the Government ensures that any scheme funded by the taxpayer is managed properly and the money spent wisely. The funding offered from both Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments and Budgeting Loans continues support towards the cost of a funeral, including necessary costs in full, whilst maintaining a fiscally viable fund.

  • Menzies Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    Menzies Campbell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Menzies Campbell on 2015-02-12.

    To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2014 to Question 207315, whether a Shawcross exercise has been conducted in relation to Serious Fraud Office investigations since the date of that Answer; and if he will make a statement.

    Jeremy Wright

    It is my department’s usual policy not to comment on any live investigation. In the period referred to there have been no Shawcross exercises in respect of any concluded SFO cases.

  • Stephen Hammond – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stephen Hammond – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Hammond on 2015-02-12.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the spirits industry to economic activity in the wider economy.

    Priti Patel

    Ernst & Young (EY) have recently published its economic impact analysis of the spirits industry in the UK. The EY report which can be found online includes estimates of the spirits industry’s financial contribution to the UK economy, contribution to economic activity and the number of jobs the industry supports.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Chi Onwurah – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff employed in his Department was in each of the last three financial years.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    We do not have this information. Records of completed learning and development activities are kept by staff as part of their performance development plans and discussions with line managers.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Chi Onwurah – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff employed in her Department was in each of the last three financial years.

    Mr Nick Gibb

    The civil service aspiration is for five days’ training and development for each member of staff every year.

    The majority of training and development is not formal training but is carried out within teams and groups and includes: research; on the job training; shadowing; mentoring; and coaching. Staff record their own personal development in line with the Department for Education’s Capability Review which is on an individual and local basis.

    Information on the amount of time spent undertaking informal training is not collated centrally.