The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has received from NHS trusts on difficulties experienced in recruiting breast radiologists.
Dr Daniel Poulter
The Secretary of State has not received any representation from National Health Service trusts on difficulties experienced in recruiting breast radiologists.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2015-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether any staff of her Department are engaged in considering the effects of drone strikes on civilian populations as part of her Department’s work in the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr Desmond Swayne
In countries where DFID has humanitarian programmes, we monitor the general humanitarian situation in close communication with partners on the ground.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hywel Williams on 2015-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants he expects to return to work as a consequence of the revised benefit cap.
Esther McVey
This information is not available as the benefit cap has not been revised.
The latest official statistics show over 55,000 households have been capped to November 2014. In total, on average, 800 households per month have either found work or are no longer claiming housing benefit. Of those no longer capped, 40 per cent or 12,478 households went into work. The actual number of households who have gone into work may be higher; some individuals may go into work but may not be eligible to claim WTC if their earnings are too high or the hours worked do not meet the claim requirements. Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-number-of-households-capped-to-november-2014
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Morris on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information his Department holds on the number of people (a) qualified and (b) qualified at level 3 as hairdressers and barbers.
Nick Boles
Information on the total number of people in the population with a Hairdressing or Barbering qualification is not held centrally. The Department only holds data on government-funded learners.
Table 1 shows the number of non-apprenticeship learners who achieved a Hairdressing or Barbering qualification in the 2013/14 academic year, and at what level.
Table 2 shows the number of learners who achieved an apprenticeship in Hairdressing or Barbering in the 2013/14 academic year, and at what level.
Table 1. Adult (19+) FE & Skills (excluding Apprenticeships) Achievements by Level; Hairdressing and Barbering (2013/14 Full Year)
|
Achievements |
|
|
All FE and Skills (excluding apprenticeships) |
33,680 |
|
of which: |
|
|
Below Level 2 |
8,850 |
|
Level 2 |
17,810 |
|
Level 3 |
7,650 |
|
Level 4+ |
60 |
Notes
1) This table includes Workplace Learning, Community Learning and Education and Training provision (including the Offender Learning and Skills Service) taken at General Further Education Colleges (including Tertiary), Sixth Form Colleges, Special Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions.
Table 2. All Age Learner Achievements in the Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeship Frameworks, by Level (2013/14 Full Year)
|
Intermediate (Level 2) |
Advanced (Level 3) |
Higher (Level 4+) |
Total Achievements |
|
|
Barbering |
1,370 |
350 |
– |
1,710 |
|
Hairdressing |
6,130 |
3,450 |
– |
9,570 |
Notes
1) Figures represent the number of learners who have achieved an apprenticeship framework, as opposed to the number of framework achievements, in the 2013/14 academic year. Total achievements will therefore differ from those published for frameworks. Framework achievements are published here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378242/apprenticeships-achievements-by-sase-framework.xls
“
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2015-02-10.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2015 to Question 221932, what estimate he has made of the number of redundancies in the offshore drilling sector since the introduction of the Investment Allowance.
Priti Patel
The government understands the challenges currently facing the UK oil and gas industry and is following developments in the North Sea closely.
The Investment Allowance rewards companies investing in the long-term future of the basin – at all stages of the investment life cycle – and we would expect it to significantly reduce the effective tax rate for companies investing in the UK Continental Shelf.
Work on the design of the new Investment Allowance has been progressing rapidly since December – the government published a consultation document on its proposals on 22 January.
The government recognises the importance of the industry to local economies and as an employer. The report published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in partnership with Oil and Gas UK and OPITO (the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation) in December, “Fuelling the next generation: A study of the UK upstream oil and gas workforce” highlighted both the sector’s current contribution to employment and its future potential. The government will continue to work closely with industry through the Oil and Gas Industry Council and with the newly-formed Scottish Energy Jobs Taskforce to support jobs in the sector, develop the industry’s skills base and make sure this potential is realised.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roberta Blackman-Woods on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 15 January 2015, Official Report, Public Bill Committee, column 386, when and in what ways part M of the building regulations have been strengthened as a baseline accessibility standard since 2010.
Stephen Williams
The statutory guidance in Approved Document M was most recently updated in 2013. The changes in Approved Document M resulted from a rationalisation of guidance supporting Parts M, K and N (Access, Protection from falling, collision and impact and Glazing respectively) to address areas of conflict and overlap to make it easier to comply with requirements. At the same time the guidance on Access Statements in Approved Document M was amended to promote a more proportionate, risk-based approach and guidance relating to Changing Places toilets was strengthened.
New, improved guidance will be issued as part of the Housing Standards Review and we are also introducing new optional Building Regulations requirements for wheelchair adaptable and accessible housing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what briefing his Department provided to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on (a) the promotion and sale of arms and military equipment and (b) human rights before his trip to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Tobias Ellwood) to Question 224052.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the site security arrangements made by the successful bidder for the lease on the Marchwood port site will be augmented by dedicated security arrangements administered by his Department.
Mr Philip Dunne
Under the Concession Agreement, the new Marchwood Port Operator will be responsible for the security of the site in accordance with the Cabinet Office Security Policy Framework, which may be augmented by Ministry of Defence security arrangements when necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-02-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance is given to overseas truck drivers regarding United Kingdom road traffic regulations.
Baroness Kramer
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency produces extensive guidance to help heavy goods vehicle drivers and operators meet their obligations, including the Highway Code and guidance on drivers’ hours and load security, for example. This is published on GOV.UK.
It is however, the responsibility of the individual driver and employer to ensure that they are aware of the specific road traffic requirements in each Member State. The driving test is delivered in accordance with EU requirements and all truck drivers have to undertake an EU prescribed initial qualification to gain a driver CPC and undertake mandatory periodic training to maintain it. One of the requirements of the CPC is that the driver is aware of the regulations relating to the carriage of goods, many of which are uniform across the EU such as drivers’ hours, use of tachographs, seatbelts, operator licensing and relevant papers relating to types of goods carried. Information for specific road traffic signs can be found on GOV.UK
The below Parliamentary question was asked by and (4) the future of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.” on 2015-02-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the February 2015 meeting of the P5 Process”
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
I refer the noble Lord to the statement made on 12 February 2015 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), which I repeated in the House of Lords, Official Report, column HLWS256; and to the attached joint statement issued by the P5 States after their conference in London on 4-5 February.