The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the time that will be required for the UK to reach a trade deal with the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Mark Garnier
It is in the interests of all parties to secure an agreement that provides the basis for the fullest possible market access. The timescale will partly be determined by the discussions held prior to Brexit.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent research her Department has commissioned on the effect of academic selection at age 11 on the educational attainment of children from the poorest backgrounds; and if she will make a statement.
Nick Gibb
The Department has reviewed a wide range of external research and evidence on the impact of academic selection, including research on the impact of selection on the educational attainment of disadvantaged pupils.
The evidence shows that grammar schools provide a good education for those who attend them. Grammar school pupils outperform those of similar ability in comprehensive schools and they also make more progress than other pupils with similar primary school results. Nearly 78 per cent of high ability pupils achieve the English Baccalaureate at grammar school, compared to just over 52 per cent at comprehensive schools, and the attainment gap for disadvantaged students in grammar schools is practically eliminated
This evidence is based on the existing system of grammar schools. We are proposing significant changes to the requirements placed on selective schools to ensure that they raise standards for all pupils as part of a diverse schools system.
Our proposals will help deliver a school system that works for all children and offers parents genuine choice by increasing the number of good and outstanding school places.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to planned changes to the housing benefit cap announced in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, what assessment he has made of the effect of that cap on (a) domestic violence refuges and (b) other supported accommodation.
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 which includes domestic violence refuges.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Monaghan on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to provide alternatives to criminalization and incarceration of people with drug-use disorders and to encourage alternatives to imprisonment facilitating the eventual rehabilitation, re-skilling and reintegration of drug users.
Andrew Selous
We are currently trialling ‘Liaison and Diversion’ services. These services place health professionals at police stations and courts to assess suspects for a range of health problems, including drug misuse, and make referrals to treatment and support. Information shared with the criminal justice system can be used to inform decisions, supporting diversion into treatment as part of an alternative to charge or to custody where appropriate.
We are also interested in problem-solving courts, such as drug courts, given evidence of success in other jurisdictions. Officials are now working with members of the judiciary to consider how the problem-solving approach might be developed for England and Wales.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-02-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that the Government meets its commitment that all patients throughout England with musculoskeletal conditions have the support they need to live healthily and independently, with better control over the care they receive, notwithstanding reductions in public health budgets.
Jane Ellison
Since 1 April 2013, the Government has set out high level strategic ambitions for the National Health Service through the Mandate. For patients with long term conditions (LTCs), including musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, we have asked the NHS to improve the care and support of patients, helping them to live healthily and independently, with much better control over the care they receive.
In response, NHS England has set out a range of actions designed to deliver this, central to which was implementation of the House of Care model, which is designed to support the delivery of person-centred, coordinated care. The House of Care enables individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment and empowers them to self-manage their LTCs in partnership with health and care professionals. NHS England has provided data, tools and guidance to support local services in identifying those most likely to benefit from a care planning approach. Specifically on MSK conditions, the National Clinical Director for MSK, Peter Kay, has been working in partnership with the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, to develop new MSK clinical networks across England to build consensus on the way forward for models of care.
In terms of assessment, the first annual report of the National Clinical Audit of Rheumatoid and Early Inflammatory Arthritis, commissioned on behalf of NHS England by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), was published on 22 January 2016. This report, which includes data from 1 February 2014 to 30 April 2015, assesses the quality of care by specialist rheumatology services using criteria derived from sources such as the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Standard, published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in June 2013. The report identifies that although most services offer prompt educational support and agree targets for treatment with their patients, performance against criteria for referral and assessment could be improved. Since the audit, HQIP has reported that a number of trusts have successfully reconfigured their services in order to improve patient care. More information can be found at the following link:
www.hqip.org.uk/national-programmes/a-z-of-nca/arthritis-rheumatoid-and-early-inflammatory
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2016-03-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the proposed 3,000 new junior doctors to be recruited to the NHS will be trained in the UK.
Ben Gummer
The Department does not recognise the figure cited by the hon. Member.
Health Education England is responsible for providing leadership for the education and training system. It ensures that the shape and skills of the future health and public health workforce evolve to sustain high quality outcomes for patients in the face of demographic and technological change. Its remit is to ensure that the workforce has the right skills, behaviours and training, and is available in the right numbers to support the delivery of excellent healthcare and drive improvements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-04-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have submitted efficiency plans as part of the multi-year settlement offer.
Mr Marcus Jones
Since the announcement of the multi-year settlement offer in December 2015, we have recorded interest from one hundred councils.
Councils have until 14 October 2016 to apply to accept the offer of a multi-year settlement and submit their efficiency plan.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Kane on 2016-05-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to include producers of aviation fuel within the ambit of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport are assessing the benefits of making sustainable aviation biofuel eligible for certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). We aim to publish a consultation on legislative amendments to the RTFO later this year including proposals for aviation biofuels.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the practical consequences of re-introducing a visa system for EU citizens entering the UK and the ability of UK embassies and consulates to fulfil this requirement.
Mr Robin Walker
The process for leaving the EU and determining our future relationship, including freedom of movement, will be a complex one, so we need to take time to think through our objectives and approach. We want to ensure the best possible outcome for Britain and the future UK-EU relationship.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sammy Wilson on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to tackle the threat from the Asian hornet to the honeybee population in the UK.
Dr Thérèse Coffey
A contingency plan outlining the Government’s response against the Asian hornet is in place. The emergency measures it sets out are tested twice a year by the National Bee Unit ensuring that all field inspectors and support staff are trained in how to respond should an outbreak occur.
Following a confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in Gloucestershire, the National Bee Unit (NBU) enacted our established biosecurity protocols to confirm the scale of the outbreak and eradicate the pest. A single nest was located and destroyed. To date, no more live hornets have been seen in this area.
The outbreak follows on from a policy review in 2013 whereby the National Bee Unit (NBU) increased the number of risk-based exotic pest inspections it carries out each year. These are targeted at early interception of non-native invasive species such as the Asian hornet. NBU Bee Inspectors also routinely provide advice and training to beekeepers to raise awareness of the threat and the need for vigilance.
The Non-Native Species Secretariat has carried out a risk assessment looking at the risks and impacts of an Asian hornet outbreak. The key threat is believed to be against honey bee species, rather than other bee species. Asian hornets will impact on native species through predation, competition and impact on natural pollination.