The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the change in the number of firefighter posts was in the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14.
Greg Clark
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 6 November 2015, PQ 13946.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in The Gambia.
James Duddridge
The UK remains concerned about The Gambia’s human rights record. We are the only EU Member State with a resident Ambassador and have a leading role in pressing the Gambian government for improved respect for human rights. We welcome some recent positive steps taken by President Jammeh, such as banning Female Genital Mutilation and the unconditional release of over 300 prisoners – including 60 high profile political prisoners. However, more needs to be done. Through our bilateral dialogue, and alongside EU partners, we will continue to make clear to the Government of The Gambia the need for further progress on its human rights record.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what account he has made of the adequacy of tariffs in the armed forces compensation scheme for former service personnel with an employment-related mental illness.
Mark Lancaster
In 2009 Lord Boyce was asked to review the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), including its associated tariffs, to ensure that the Scheme was fit for purpose. Lord Boyce made his recommendations in February 2010, and as a result the Ministry of Defence tripled the maximum lump sum award for mental illness from £48,875 to £140,000 in order to accurately reflect the impact of the most serious mental health conditions. While Lord Boyce was clear in his report that a further fundamental review of the AFCS should not be required, we recognise that it is appropriate to review our policies and associated tariffs on a regular basis.
In addition to the AFCS lump sum, the most seriously injured receive a tax-free Guaranteed Income Payment for life. This is uplifted annually by the Consumer Price Index.
An Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) was also established in 2010 to advise on appropriate levels of compensation for several specific injuries and illnesses, including mental health. The IMEG has looked at how best to compensate for mental health problems and they keep this under review.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jack Dromey on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect on police workloads of planned reductions in Ministry of Justice spending in (a) victims’ support services, (b) vulnerability strategies, (c) youth offending services and the Youth Justice Board and (d) legal aid.
Mike Penning
Funding for these services is a matter for the Secretary of State for Justice, who has confirmed that Police and Crime Commissioners’ budgets for victims’ services have been protected over the period of the spending review, and final funding levels for 2016/17 will be confirmed as soon as possible. The Secretary of State for Justice has also appointed Charlie Taylor to conduct a review of the youth justice system which will report in the summer of 2016 and will make recommendations on how the youth justice system will operate in future.
The Ministry of Justice’s spending review settlement does not depend upon a reduction in criminal legal aid.
We expect Police and Crime Commissioners to continue to work closely with local partners to provide an efficient and effective criminal justice system for their police force areas.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect on investor confidence in the UK electricity generation market following the recent announcements surrounding the Renewables Obligation closure and reductions in feed-in tariffs.
Andrea Leadsom
We conducted an engagement exercise to better understand the views of stakeholders on the early closure of the Renewable Obligation to onshore wind. To protect investor confidence a grace period was proposed in June, and we have subsequently proposed amendments to this in response to stakeholder feedback over the summer. We consider this will strike the right balance between consumer and industry interests.
We also ran a consultation on changes to support for small scale solar projects under the Renewable Obligation and one on the feed-in tariff review. We strongly welcomed evidence from the sector during these consultations and we hope this will allow us to improve our understanding of the impact on jobs and investment.
The measures we announced are about getting costs under control, which is essential to provide the foundations for clean electricity investment in the future. We will still be delivering at or above the EMR Delivery Plan ranges and reaching at least 30% electricity generation from renewables by 2020. So we are still supporting a strong pipeline of projects that are bringing jobs and investment across the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timescale is for reaching a decision on the proposals to add Dupuytren’s Contracture to the list of industrial injuries disablement benefit diseases.
Justin Tomlinson
The proposal to add Dupuytren’s Contracture is still under consideration and a decision on this will be made in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether COBR has a role in considering resilience issues relating to security of energy supply.
Andrea Leadsom
COBR may be used as a mechanism to coordinate the government’s response to disruption to energy supplies that have a national impact, and where the response requires central government support and coordination.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the Government’s response to the consultation on tackling exploitation in the labour market before the Immigration Bill completes its passage through Parliament.
James Brokenshire
The consultation on tackling exploitation in the labour market closed on Monday 7 December. The Government will publish its response shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the net present value of a phase-out of the use of lead ammunition for sports shooting.
Rory Stewart
The independent Lead Ammunition Group, which was established to consider the effect of lead shot on human health and wildlife, was also asked to advise on any significant impacts on shooting activity of possible advice or solutions. The Government is considering its report and will respond as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will meet staff representatives in HM Land Registry to discuss concerns they have regarding the announcement in the Spending Review Autumn Statement 2015 which stated that the Government would be consulting on options to move operations of the Land Registry to the private sector from 2017.
Anna Soubry
PCS representatives have requested to meet with me. I look forward to the meeting which will be organised in the New Year