The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many children have been stillborn in each region in each of the last 10 years.
Mr Rob Wilson
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions the Government has had with the governments of Australia and New Zealand on the proposed introduction of an annual change to Australian and New Zealand citizens for use of the NHS.
Alistair Burt
On 6 April 2015 the United Kingdom introduced an immigration health surcharge for non-European Economic Area nationals who come to the UK to temporarily reside for a period of over six months. At the time Australian and New Zealand nationals were granted a temporary exemption and we entered into a series of discussions with both the Australian and New Zealand Government on the introduction of the surcharge for its nationals. My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health wrote to both the Australian Minister for Health and New Zealand High Commissioner confirming introduction of the surcharge on 17 December 2015. Introduction of the surcharge for Australian and New Zealand nationals was publicly announced by the Home Office on 4 February 2016 and subject to Parliamentary approval, it will come into effect from 6 April 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-03-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress his Department has made on implementing its plans to impose financial penalties of up to £20,000 per worker against companies who fail to pay the national minimum wage.
Nick Boles
From 26 May 2015, the maximum penalty for underpayment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) increased from £20,000 per notice of underpayment (NoU) to £20,000 per worker.
From 1 April 2016 the penalty has been increased to 200% of the total underpayment for all of the workers specified in a NoU. By increasing penalties for underpayment of the NMW it is intended that employers, who could otherwise be tempted to underpay, comply with the law and working people receive the money they are legally due. The maximum penalty will remain at £20,000 per worker.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Tyrie on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what provision has been made for moving the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) from Chichester Magistrates’ Court when that Court is closed.
Mr Shailesh Vara
HM Courts & Tribunals Service is committed to ensuring that adequate provision will be secured for the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) which will relocate from Chichester Magistrates’ Court when it closes. Options are currently being evaluated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2016-06-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to respond to the Independent review of consumer protection measures concerning online secondary ticketing facilities, published on 26 May 2016; and if he will present his response in a format similar to that of a government response to a select committee report.
Nick Boles
The Government will publish its response to Professor Waterson’s independent review in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by MiDavies on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the strength of a designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in determining planning applications.
Gavin Barwell
The National Planning Policy Framework provides strong protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It makes clear that proposed development likely to have an adverse effect on a Site of Special Scientific Interest should not normally be permitted. Planning law requires local planning authorities to consult Natural England on applications for development in or likely to affect Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-10-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of high drug prices on the budget of the NHS.
Nicola Blackwood
Total spending on drugs in 2010-11 was 12.5% of the health budget.
In 2015-16 total spend on drugs was 13.0% or 12.4% of the total budget if you include repayments to the Department from pharmaceutical companies as part of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS).
Spending on drugs as a percentage of the overall departmental budget has remained fairly constant due to increased use of generic drugs and the PPRS.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-01-08.
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he plans that company ownership transparency in the UK’s Overseas Territories with financial centres be on the agenda for the forthcoming Anti-Corruption Summit.
Mr David Cameron
Transparency will be a vital part of the Anti-Corruption Summit we will host in London in May. We continue to lead the way on company transparency, and we continue to push this agenda with the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, as well as our other international partners.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times debt repayments to his Department have been written off in each year since 2010; and what the value of such debts were in each such year.
Alistair Burt
The number and value of debt repayments written-off in each year since 2010* is outlined in the table below.
|
Year debt written-off |
Value of Debt written-off |
Number of cases written-off |
|
2014/15 |
£682,428 |
9 |
|
2013/14 |
£47,909 |
4 |
|
2012/13 |
£155,615 |
8 |
|
2011/12 |
£344,897 |
3 |
|
2010/11 |
£1,806,698 |
8 |
*2015/16 data is still being audited and will be available when the final accounts are published later this year.
Debt repayments written off occur when income due was not collected and deemed not recoverable.The value of debt written-off can vary year on year as they relate to largely external factors. There can be a variety of reasons, but mainly where companies enter liquidation and are unable to pay. This is known in the Departmental Annual Report and Resource Account publication as claims waived or abandoned. Some of the detail of significant claims waived and abandoned (above the reporting threshold of £250,000) are reported separately in the Annual Report and Resource Account Publication and further details are shown below.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on the care industry of the implementation of the living wage.
Alistair Burt
Out of an estimated 1.52 million adult social care jobs in England, up to 900,000 people are expected to benefit from the introduction of the National Living Wage.
More widely across the sector, higher productivity and better-quality care through efficiency would benefit employers and care home residents and there is potential for improvements in staff retention if higher wages engendered greater job commitment.
The Department continues to work in collaboration with delivery partners to support effective recruitment practices and improved retention of the care workforce.
Our assessment of the effect of the National Living Wage for the Spending Review drew on projections and data on pay including information from the Office of Budget Responsibility and Skills for Care.