The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken to embed the family test into its policy making.
Anna Soubry
The Family Test is an integral part of the policy making process and is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance, published by DWP –
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Ashworth on 2015-12-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions a special adviser in her Department accompanied a Minister on an overseas trip since May 2015.
Karen Bradley
As has been the case under successive Administrations, civil servants, including special advisers, may routinely accompany their Ministers on official visits.
Information relating to Ministers’ overseas visits are published on www.gov.uk, as part of the Government’s wider transparency agenda.
All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2015-11-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2015 to Question 13786, what (a) arrears, (b) compensation and (c) other remedies have been issued to victims of modern slavery in relation to the 60 cases opened since February 2015.
Mr David Gauke
None of the investigations opened in February 2015 have yet concluded. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) cannot comment on on-going investigations.
HMRC’s role in these investigations is to ensure that the correct tax is paid and any employees who are entitled to the National Minimum Wage receive it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tania Mathias on 2015-12-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the purchase of buy-to-let property by a person whose current residence derives only from their job will be deemed as a second home for tax purposes under the new Rules on Stamp Duty coming into force in April 2016.
Mr David Gauke
The new higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will apply to the purchase of additional residential properties and will come into force on 1 April 2016. Work-related accommodation which is provided and owned by an employer does not count when considering whether an individual is purchasing an additional property or not. The Government will shortly consult on the policy design, including on the treatment of particularly difficult cases, to ensure the change to SDLT is implemented in a fair way.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase the number of housing co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.
Brandon Lewis
The Government continues to demonstrate its support for the community-led housing sector and we have encouraged community-led groups, including housing co-operatives, to apply for funding from the current Affordable Homes Programme. We also strongly encourage local authorities and larger providers to identify new community-based partnership members who may be able to bring additional capacity to a bid.
The Homes and Communities Agency is operating a process of continuous market engagement which offers all providers ongoing access to bid for grant. This should specifically help smaller community-led organisations such as housing co-operatives to prepare good bids and access funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-12-08.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is satisfied by the proportion of Connaught Fund investors who received the full level of compensation awarded to them.
Harriett Baldwin
This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government.
This question has been passed on to the FCA. They will reply directly to the Honourable Member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect on proposed devolution deals of the Quality Control Scheme Board’s decision to not recommend the re-franchising of bus services in Tyne and Wear.
James Wharton
The Quality Contract Scheme Board’s report concerns an individual case brought under existing legislation. It is not about the bus franchising powers which will be included in the Buses Bill.
The Government is determined that local transport authorities with ambitious plans to grow and develop should be given the powers they need, and we will legislate through the Buses Bill to deliver on that ambition.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government, on Brownfield Land, Official Report, column 742, when further details of the £1 billion brownfield regeneration fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement.
James Wharton
We announced at the Autumn Statement that the Government is supporting development on brownfield land through a £2 billion Long Term Housing Development Fund to unlock housing development for up to 160,000 homes. This funding will support our key manifesto commitments to create a Brownfield Regeneration Fund and to fund Housing Zones to transform brownfield sites into new housing. At least half of the Long Term Fund will be spent on brownfield projects. The Housing Development Fund will be formally launched in the New Year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost of overseas military operations was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
The total net additional costs of UK military operations overseas in each of the last five financial years has been as follows:
|
Financial Year |
Total |
|
2010-11 |
£4.0 billion |
|
2011-12 |
£3.8 billion |
|
2012-13 |
£2.8 billion |
|
2013-14 |
£2.0 billion |
|
2014-15 |
£1.1 billion |
These figures cover operations in Afghanistan, Libya, the wider Gulf, countering ISIL activity in Iraq and Syria and other short-term operations, whether funded by the Treasury’s Special Reserve or by the Conflict Pool and subsequent Conflict Security and Stabilisation Fund.
This information is published in more detail in the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Annual Report and Accounts, most recently in Table 2.3.1 on page 51 of the MOD’s 2014-15 Annual Report and Accounts, which is available on the Gov.UK website at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2014-to-2015
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steven Paterson on 2015-12-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.62 in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, published on 23 November 2015, what areas his Department plans to sell to reduce the size of the built estate by 30 per cent; and by what process those areas were chosen.
Mark Lancaster
The Defence Footprint Strategy examines the Defence Estate across the UK, with the aim of providing a smaller more sustainable estate in support of military capabilities. Work to identify the sites which may be released to enable the reduction of the estate through the Footprint Strategy will conclude in 2016, contributing to the Government’s commitment to release public sector land for house building during this Parliament.