The below Parliamentary question was asked by Phil Boswell on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress is being made on the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.
James Wharton
The Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal is progressing well. Local partners are committed to a programme of 20 infrastructure projects over twenty years. The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Cabinet are agreeing business cases, with construction work to begin in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that Alzheimer drugs for use at home cost less than £2,100 per year.
George Freeman
There are voluntary and statutory schemes in place between the Government and branded and generic manufacturers to ensure, in the main, the National Health Service obtains the best value from the purchasing of medicines.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the contribution of the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy of 3 December 2015, Official Report, column 510, what the purpose was of the two one-off grants paid to MG Alba.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The two one-off grants to MG Alba were provided to support the production of high-quality Gaelic language content, including original drama, and to continue its valued services for Gaelic speakers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish an updated action plan on violence against women and girls.
Karen Bradley
Home Office officials have been working with partners on a refresh of our violence against women and girls strategy. We aim to publish this shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the in-service dates are for the Technology Development Centre at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston and the Epure facility at the CEA site at Valduc; and when UK experiments are scheduled to commence at Epure.
Michael Fallon
The Technology Development Centre and the Epure facility have been in service since 2014, in line with Teutates Treaty requirements. UK personnel are carrying out preparatory activities for UK trials at the Epure facility, including devising an experimental schedule.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Ansell on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to implement the family test; and if she will make a statement.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The Family Test policy does not apply to DFID’s work as foreign policy is outside of the scope of the Test.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Rotheram on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the National Funding Formula on (a) schools, (b) teachers and (c) pupils in Liverpool.
Mr Sam Gyimah
The government is committed to meeting our manifesto pledge to make school funding fairer. At the Spending Review we announced our intention to deliver this by introducing a National Funding Formula in 2017, so that the money we provide for schools is fairly matched to need. As we develop our plans we will consider the effect of the formula on all schools, and we will make sure change is introduced at a pace that is manageable for the sector. We will set out our detailed proposals and consult extensively in the new year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the evidential basis is for the Prime Minister’s statement to the press of 21 October 2015 that Hinkley Point nuclear power station will produce reliable and affordable electricity.
Andrea Leadsom
Nuclear power is a proven technology which can provide large quantities of electricity continuously, reliably and predictably. Our analysis suggests Hinkley Point C will be cost-competitive with the other technologies that can be deployed at scale in the 2020s and that it will help provide affordable base load power to complement other low-carbon sources that we need to decarbonise the power sector by 2050.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department takes to ensure that UK funding to Nigeria reaches the people most in need.
Mr Nick Hurd
To ensure UK aid reaches the most vulnerable recipients, leaving no one behind, we work with implementing partners who have a strong track record of prioritising assistance to those most in need. DFID independently monitors all its programmes and aid impact is also reviewed by The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Crausby on 2015-11-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to deal with overcrowding on Bolton’s commuter trains.
Andrew Jones
Northern Rail is required to use all of its train fleet (allowing for maintenance) at peak times and best match capacity to passenger demand across the franchise. It is for Northern to allocate rolling stock to best fit expected passenger numbers on a day-to-day basis. As you may be aware, we have increased Northern’s train fleet this year, including the introduction of 20 refreshed four coach electric trains in the year to December 2015.
In the longer term, unlike the last Northern franchise let under the previous Labour administration in 2004 which included limited plans to invest in services or meet demand, the next Northern Franchise will see the removal of the existing Pacer trains, the ordering at least 120 new-build carriages, the modernising of every train operating on the Northern franchise, more frequent services on many routes on the Northern franchise, and will be providing more services for commuters, during off-peak times and on Sundays. The electrification of Manchester to Preston via Bolton route, for which preparatory work began this year, will also provide the opportunity for greater capacity electric powered trains to provide services for Bolton commuters. By the end of 2019, services into central Manchester will have seen a 49% increase in passenger-carrying capacity during the morning peak compared to five years earlier, and this will help ease the crowding affecting your constituents.