Tag: 2015

  • Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stephen Timms – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the likely change to levels of child poverty resulting from reductions in tax credits in 2015-16.

    Damian Hinds

    The Government is making changes to Tax Credits which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society.

    We know that work is the best route out of poverty. The intended impact of these reforms is to incentivise work, ensure work always pays, and then allow people to keep more of what they earn.

  • Justin Madders – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Justin Madders – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Justin Madders on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposed changes to tax credits on (a) nurses and (b) other NHS staff.

    Damian Hinds

    No such assessment has been made.

  • Carolyn Harris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Carolyn Harris – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2015-10-21.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to paragraph 7 of his Department’s Triennial Review of gaming machine stake and prize limits, published in October 2013, whether it is his policy that there is a serious case to answer in relation to the potential harm caused by category B2 gaming machines.

    Tracey Crouch

    Following the last review, new measures were introduced in April 2015 to help players of fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) stay in control. Players of FOBTs who want to stake more than £50 in one play are now required to interact with staff over the counter or register a customer account card. My department are in the process of conducting an evaluation of thesemeasuresand I will publish the results in due course.

  • Lord Stoddart of Swindon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Lord Stoddart of Swindon – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 2015-10-19.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the agreement at the 18 May European Union Council meeting that the EU will work towards allowing visa-free access to the EU for Turkish citizens, whether Turkish citizens will be granted visa-free access to the United Kingdom.

    Lord Bates

    The UK does not participate in the immigration and border aspects of the Schengen acquis so there is no obligation on the UK to liberalise the visa regime for Turkish citizens as a result of the European Union Council decision. We continue to monitor the situation including the Commission’s assessment of the security and migratory impacts of visa liberalisation.

    The Government regularly reviews the visa system. Visa regimes are imposed and removed on the basis of the risk that the country’s citizens pose to the UK. There are no current plans to change the visa regime for Turkish citizens.

  • Stephen Hammond – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Stephen Hammond – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Hammond on 2015-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the implementation of the proposed General Data Protection Regulation; which non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and agencies overseen by his Department will be affected by that regulation; and what estimate he has made of the potential liability of his Department, its agencies and NDPBs in connection with that proposed regulation.

    Joseph Johnson

    Negotiations on the proposed General Data Protection Regulation are still continuing and our negotiating position has taken into account the likely impact on Government Departments, NDPBs and agencies. Once the outcome of trilogue negotiations between the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the Commission are complete, and the Regulation has been adopted, there will be a maximum implementation period of two years. Between now and then, Government departments who will be affected by the Regulation are closely involved in work led by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport to consider the implications of the text as it develops through the negotiating process.

  • Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Peter Kyle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2015-10-19.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on the feasibility study into the Brighton Main Line 2 proposals announced as part of the Summer Budget 2015 on 8 July 2015.

    Greg Hands

    Last week, the government published the terms of reference of the London-South Coast Rail Corridor Study. This will consider the case for investment in existing and new capacity on this important corridor, including the feasibility of a second Brighton Main line, and will recommend priorities in the short, medium and long term.

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

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

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support the establishment of an NFL franchise in London.

    Tracey Crouch

    As the Chancellor stated in October 2014, the Government fully backs the NFL franchise, and HM Treasury is currently in discussions with the Greater London Authority about increasing the number of NFL matches in London.

  • Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jamie Reed – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jamie Reed on 2015-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding was allocated to further education in (a) Copeland and (b) Cumbria in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.

    Mr Sam Gyimah

    The Department does not hold the information requested. Published funding allocations are available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-funding-allocations

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of any potential effects of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on food standards in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could be worth £10 billion to the UK and is about encouraging exports and economic growth. It is not about lowering standards. All food entering the European Union (EU) from the United States of America must adhere to the EU’s import rules and TTIP will not change that. Any changes to food safety standards in the EU must be subject to a robust scientific risk assessment and agreed by Member States.

  • Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Andrew Rosindell – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the government of Iran on alleged Iranian support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We are concerned by Iranian support to the Houthis, including reports that Iran has transferred weapons to Yemen, which would be contrary to UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and the Security Council’s embargo on the export of weapons by Iran. We encourage Iran to show it can be a constructive part of the solution through promoting stability and showing commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. We have raised our concerns with the Iranian government, including with President Rouhani. The newly opened Embassy in Tehran is an opportunity to discuss a range of issues with Iranian counterparts, including regional issues.