The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2016-09-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Preston constituency have their tax credits suspended.
Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold data broken down specifically by constituency areas.
HMRC is currently focussed on resolving the outstanding cases but will be preparing regional analysis, which will be available in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine McKinnell on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2015 to Question 16318, what recent progress he has made on discussions with stakeholders on proposals to exempt certain groups from the removal of automatic entitlement to housing support for 18 to 21 years olds on universal credit; and when he plans to publish proposals resulting from those discussions.
Justin Tomlinson
The Department continues to liaise with a range of key stakeholders as it develops exemptions to the removal of automatic entitlement to housing support for 18-21 year olds in Universal Credit. This includes discussing this policy with landlords, housing associations and charities.
Once this work has been completed we will bring forward detailed proposals.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-02-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much the Government spent on The Queen on the application of Rights of Women v The Lord Chancellor and Anr. Appeal of Claimant from the order of Mrs Justice Lang, dated 22 January 2015, filed 12 February 2015.
Caroline Dinenage
Since 22 January 2015 we have spent approximately £12,500 (excluding VAT) on legal fees in this case. We are pleased the court confirmed the Lord Chancellor did have the power to set domestic violence evidence requirements. We will now carefully consider the two findings made about the period of time for which evidence applies and concerns about victims of financial abuse.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2016 to Question 30367, at which schools in East London Jobcentre Plus plans to offer Support for Schools in the 2015-16 academic year.
Priti Patel
Jobcentre Plus Support will be demand led and focused on those schools in the most disadvantaged areas of East London. In conjunction with the Careers & Enterprise Company JCP are considering which schools will be offered support. Details will be announced in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-04-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the rate of progress of the implementation of commitments made by the government of Sri Lanka on human rights and the investigation of alleged war crimes.
Mr Philip Hammond
We welcome the progress Sri Lanka has made in implementing its commitments to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution it co-sponsored in October 2015. The Government has started public consultations on reconciliation mechanisms and on constitutional reform. We also welcome the Government’s cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the progress it has made through the return of some military occupied land and the release on bail of some long-term Tamil detainees held under anti-terrorism legislation. We recognise that there is still much to be done and we remain committed to supporting and encouraging the Sri Lankan Government to fully deliver against its commitments. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) reiterated this message when he visited Sri Lanka in January. We now look forward to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ assessment of progress at the next meeting of the UNHRC in June.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on violence perpetrated against albino children in Malawi; and if he will make a statement.
James Duddridge
We are concerned by reports of a rise in human rights violations against persons with albinism in Malawi. Our High Commissioner to Malawi discussed the issue during a meeting with the Malawian Foreign Minister on 27 April and also with United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with Albinism Ms Ikponwosa Ero, during her visit to Malawi on 29 April. Malawian President Mutharika has condemned the attacks and ordered the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
UN research recorded a total of 66 incidents in the last 14 months, 40% related to exhuming graveyards to collect body parts and 24% the sale of body parts by perpetrators including traditional healers.
In a recent press conference he said attacks on albinos are barbaric and ordered security agencies to intensify actions against perpetrators. So far 69 suspects have been arrested, awaiting prosecution.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Greenwood on 2016-07-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the internal guidance that his Department issues to staff on the safeguards that those staff must observe when consideration is being given to (a) suspend or withhold payment, (b) impose a sanction or (c) terminate a claim in the case of a claimant of jobseeker’s allowance who has a mental health condition.
Damian Hinds
There is no intention to publish the internal guidance as it is for Department use only.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has made to the Football League and the Premier League on whether the Fit and Proper Person Test they use is appropriate and effective; and if she will make a statement.
Tracey Crouch
I have regular meetings with the Leagues, and have discussed the Owners and Directors Test (formerly Fit and Proper Persons Test) with them. The test exists to protect clubs from individuals who fall within the disqualifying criteria, and I am pleased that The Football Association, The Premier League and the English Football League have committed to keeping it under constant review so that it is achieving its intended purpose. This commitment is set out in the report by the Government’s Expert Working Group on Supporter Ownership and Engagement published earlier this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timescale is for the extension of the provisions of the Armed Forces Bill to the Channel Islands.
Mark Lancaster
Clause 21 of the Armed Forces Bill provides for the Bill’s extent outside the United Kingdom. Clause 21(1) deals specifically with extent in the Channel Islands. By extent, we mean the jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom in which the Bill’s provisions will, or may, form part of the law. There are no provisions in the Bill which extend automatically to the Channel Islands but the changes that the Bill makes to the Armed Forces Act 2006 may be extended there by Order in Council (though it does not necessarily follow that such an Order will be made). The other changes that the Bill makes (such as changes to the powers of MOD fire-fighters) may not be extended to the Channel Islands.
We are not currently aware of any requirements which would necessitate an Order in Council being made to extend to the Channel Islands any of the changes that the Bill makes to the Armed Forces Act 2006. However, it should be noted that the question of whether the 2006 Act extends to (i.e. forms part of the law of) the Channel Islands is entirely separate from the question of whether members of the Armed Forces are subject to the 2006 Act as a matter of UK law when they are in the Channel Islands. As a matter of UK law, the 2006 Act applies to members of the Armed Forces wherever they are in the world.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Maynard on 2016-02-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people used the subsidised part of the Number 14 bus service to Peel Park in each of the last 24 months.
Andrew Jones
The provision of bus services that require subsidy are a matter for individual English local authorities, in the light of their other spending priorities. Details of the route, fare tariff, frequency and passenger use of the service would be matters for consideration by the authority concerned.