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Tag: 2015

  • Catherine McKinnell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Catherine McKinnell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine McKinnell on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress he has made in transposing the European Non-Financial Reporting Directive into UK law; and whether there will be additional reporting requirements.

    Anna Soubry

    A consultation will be published shortly seeking views on the Governments plans to transpose this directive into UK law. We have no current plans to implement any reporting requirements beyond those required by the Directive.

  • Rob Marris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Rob Marris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rob Marris on 2015-12-14.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HM Revenue and Customs plans to respond to the letter to that body from the hon. Member for Wolverhampton South West of 22 October 2015 on Working Tax Credit overpayment, case reference ZA1151.

    Damian Hinds

    HM Revenue and Customs have no record of receiving a letter from the Hon Member dated 22 October regarding Working Tax Credit overpayments. However, if the Hon Member writes to me directly, I will ensure it gets a swift response.

  • Kirsten Oswald – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Kirsten Oswald – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what regulations on prior knowledge of English apply to applicants for Tier 4 visas where the student’s principal purpose in entering the UK is to study English as a foreign language.

    James Brokenshire

    International students whose principal purpose for coming to the UK is to study English can use the Tier 4 (General) route of the points-based system or the short-term student route.

    Applicants who wish to study a course below degree level under Tier 4 (General) must demonstrate that they are competent in English language at a minimum of level B1 in all four components (speaking, listening, reading and writing) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Those who wish to study a course at degree level or above must demonstrate they are competent at a minimum of level B2 in all four components.

    Applicants who wish to study under the short-term student route are not required to demonstrate a prior knowledge of English language. English language courses may be studied for up to 11 months under this route.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Daniel Zeichner – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will commission an assessment of the effect on the economy of resource insecurity.

    Mr Oliver Letwin

    The Government’s Horizon Scanning Programme examines emerging trends and developments, such as those related to resource insecurity, that have the potential to lead to risks and opportunities for the UK. As part of this programme, Defra led a piece of work to assess risks to theUK economy from countries or companies restricting the supply of key resources. A summary of this work was published in Civil Service Quarterly in July 2014.

    Last year, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee set up the Strategic Resources and Risks group to coordinate work on resource insecurity across Government. As part of its remit, this group considers risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy.This work is being reflected in the current refresh of the Government’s National Security Risk Assessment. Domestic risks related to resource insecurity are also included in the UK’s National Risk Register.

  • Adam Afriyie – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Adam Afriyie – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed merger of O2 and Three on the competitive functioning of the mobile telecommunications industry.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    The assessment of the impact of mergers on competition is a matter for the independent competition regulators. In the case of the takeover ofTelefónica UK (O2)byCKHutchison Holdings Ltd. (CKHH), which owns Three, the competent authority is the European Commission, due to the international scope of the deal, although the UK Competition and Markets Authority has applied for jurisdiction.

    Any authority ruling on this merger will take advice from Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator, on competition in the mobile communications sector in the UK.

  • Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-14.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HM Revenue and Customs’ plans are for jobs in Northern Ireland in the next five years.

    Mr David Gauke

    HMRC has a long-established presence in Northern Ireland. HMRC intends to increase the number of people it employs in the Province, opening a new Regional Centre in Belfast, from 2017-18, accommodating between 1,300 and 1,600 posts across a range of disciplines.

  • Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of (a) long-term skills and employment needs of the digital economy, (b) the role apprenticeships could play in meeting those needs and (c) the role alternative forms of professional training and vocational education could play in meeting those needs; and whether he plans for alternative forms of digital skills development to be supported by the Apprenticeship Levy.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    Research from the Tech Partnership, estimates over a million new recruits are needed for digital roles across the workforce by 2023, including in growth areas such as cyber security, data analytics, cloud and mobile computing skills.

    Apprenticeships have a key role to play in meeting the UK’s digital skills requirements. As part of the commitment to reach 3 million apprenticeships starts by 2020, Government is supporting the growth of apprenticeships in digital industry occupations at a range of levels, including the Digital Degree Apprenticeship. Employer-led apprenticeship reforms continue to improve quality and provide the high level skills that employers need.

    Planned reforms to technical and professional education will introduce a new system of clear progression routes, from school to skilled employment.

    The Chancellor will announce further details of the Apprenticeship Levy at the Spending Review, including the scope and rate.

  • Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Jim Shannon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to promote Northern Ireland as a destination for meetings, events and conferences.

    Mr Ben Wallace

    Measures to provide a further boost to tourism were included in the economic pact, Building a Prosperous and United Community, which was agreed between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. This includes a UK-Ireland visa system, which means that people from China and India can visit both countries with a single visa, thus encouraging tourism, business links and inward investment.

  • Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Grahame Morris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grahame Morris on 2015-11-16.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had about a national job profile for Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics.

    Jane Ellison

    Local lead Clinical Commissioning Group commissioners contract with providers to deliver a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) service compliant with the national specification. Banding and pay arrangements are not specified within the national HART service specification. NHS England, as advised by the National Ambulance Resilience Unit deems this to be a matter for employing trusts and their lead commissioners.

  • Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-12-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of eligible early service leavers have participated in the Early Service Leaver Programme of the Careers Transition Partnership in each year since 2010.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Future Horizons Programme (FHP) for Early Service Leavers was introduced on 1 October 2013. Between 1 October 2013 and 31 March 2014 33% of eligible personnel participated in the FHP. During 2014-15 62% of eligible personnel participated in the FHP. Data prior to this date is not held as there was no requirement to collate this information prior to October 2013. However all Early Service Leavers prior to October 2013 were entitled to unit level support as part of standard Ministry of Defence policy.