The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many specialist inpatient services for older adult mental health patients have closed in each of the last five years.
Alistair Burt
This information is not held centrally.
In-patient services for older mental health patients are now included in the range of services provided by NHS mental health trusts and independent providers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 29 October (HL2879) concerning the 1998 Belfast Agreement, whether the answer applies to changes in the names of cities and towns in Northern Ireland other than Londonderry.
Lord Dunlop
The Government has no plans to change any names of towns or cities in Northern Ireland, and would only do so with consensus. It remains fully committed to supporting the institutions and principles established under the Belfast Agreement and to affording due respect to the cultural traditions in Northern Ireland.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stella Creasy on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will publish all guidance it has issued to schools and colleges for the implementation of PREVENT strategy activities for all age groups.
Mr John Hayes
The Home Office published guidance on the Prevent statutory duty for specified authorities, including schools, in March 2015. In September 2015, the Home Office published Prevent duty guidance specifically for colleges and universities. The Department for Education issued advice for schools and childcare providers relating to the Prevent duty, which was published in July 2015. All of this guidance and advice is publicly available at the following website links:
• Prevent duty guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
• Department for Education advice for schools and childcare providers on the Prevent duty: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439598/prevent-duty-departmental-advice-v6.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Smith of Finsbury on 2015-11-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, and on what timetable, for changes to IR35 assessments for employees and contractors.
Lord O’Neill of Gatley
Whilst the IR35 legislation protects in excess of £500 million each year, non-compliance is currently costing in excess of £400 million and is a growing problem.
At the Summer Budget, the Chancellor announced that HM Revenue and Customs would open a dialogue with stakeholders about improving the effectiveness of IR35.
A discussion document was published on 17 July 2015. The discussion period concluded on 30 September, following the receipt of over 160 responses and 14 roundtable meetings. The Government is now considering the responses.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl Turner on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisons allow children to take school books in with them when visiting.
Andrew Selous
This information is not held centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2015-11-16.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total amount received by the Treasury in profit from the Crown Estate was in each of the last five years.
Damian Hinds
The information requested can be obtained from the Crown Estate’s annual report and accounts which are available on their website at the following link:
http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/our-business/financial-information/
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian C. Lucas on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make a comparative assessment of rail links to (a) Cumbria and (b) North Wales from Manchester Airport.
Andrew Jones
We are aware that Arriva Trains Wales (ATW), and other operators, are seeking to operate additional services to Manchester Airport; however, capacity through central Manchester and at the Airport is limited, though infrastructure investment to deliver the Northern Hub (including the recently-opened fourth platform at the Airport) will improve this situation.
Please note that it is the Independent Office of Road and Rail which is responsible for the allocation of train paths and not the Department, and it is therefore for the Office of Road and Rail to consider ATW’s application alongside other potential uses of the limited available capacity for additional rail services to/from Manchester Airport. Detailed information regarding these rail links is publicly available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-11-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Prime Minister’s announcement of 7 November 2015 on broadband access, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on a Universal Service Obligation for broadband; and whether Ofcom were aware of the obligation before it was announced.
Mr Edward Vaizey
DCMS has been discussing the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) with Ofcom, who will have a key role to play in providing technical and regulatory advice as the process moves forward. The Government will launch a public consultation early next year in preparation for the implementation of a new broadband USO by 2020,with the ambition to give people the legal right to request a connection to broadband with speeds of 10 Mbps, no matter where in the country they live.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2015-12-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the level of change of housing benefit for tenants in supported accommodation as a result of changes to housing benefit announced in the Autumn Statement 2015.
Justin Tomlinson
The introduction of Local Housing Allowance limits to social sector tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit will only apply from April 2018 where new tenancies have been taken out or renewed after April 2016.
The Department is working on the exact policy design details for tenants in supported accommodation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2015-11-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts about minimum EPC standards for the private rented sector.
Andrea Leadsom
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 were made in March this year following a full public consultation, and establish an EPC minimum of E for domestic and non-domestic private rented sector properties from April 2018.
Officials in the Department liaise regularly with the insulation industry, local authorities, and other stakeholders on a range of energy efficiency issues including the minimum EPC standards for the private rented sector. Discussions have also been held recently with French officials about domestic energy efficiency issues including minimum standards.