Tag: 2016

  • Stewart Malcolm McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Stewart Malcolm McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Malcolm McDonald on 2016-02-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Bahrain.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood

    We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meet its human rights obligations and to honour all conventions to which it is a party. We welcome the progress made by Bahrain on their reform programme, particularly with organisations that provide independent oversight of police behaviour and standards in detention.

  • Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-02.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the risks posed to the UK by terrorists using drones, and the recent comments by the British Airline Pilots Association and others regarding the risks posed by drones, what consideration they have given to (1) the introduction of a system of mandatory drone registration in the UK, (2) the introduction of mandatory geo-fencing by all drone manufacturers, and (3) the possible banning of private ownership of drones exceeding a certain payload capacity.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones.

    The Department and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) work with a wide range of industry partners across the aviation sector, (including manufacturers, airports, and airlines), to ensure our understanding of potential hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date and mitigations effective.

    This collaboration is also considering the need for other potential drone policies, such as geo-fencing. There are a number of drone models already sold in the UK with types of this technology installed and we are assessing the potential for solutions that could restrict drone operations around airports and other key infrastructure.

    We are also in contact with other governments about the potential costs and benefits of registration systems, and, in particular, whether this improves the transparency of ownership.

    The Cross Government Working Group has undertaken analysis of the use of drones for criminal purposes, including the potential use of drones for terrorist purposes, and the impacts of their negligent use near sensitive locations, such as airports. This work is kept under review and is being used to inform research and testing to improve mitigation techniques and strategies.

    Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK.

    Education of drone users is vital. The DfT is working with the CAA on raising awareness of responsible drone use. This includes the CAA’s ‘Drone Code’ safety awareness campaign and the issuing of safety leaflets at the point of sale.

  • Peter Aldous – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Peter Aldous – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping to rehabilitate ex-offenders by providing them with stable accommodation and helping them find work.

    Andrew Selous

    Ensuring ex-offenders have suitable, stable accommodation and employment is vitally important in helping to break the cycle of reoffending.

    In recognition of the importance of suitable accommodation, the ability to source accommodation is one of the measures against which Community Rehabilitation Companies are assessed.

  • Stephen Pound – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Stephen Pound – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Pound on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding is available for learners formerly on the Youth Contract after the closure of that programme on 31 March 2016.

    Nick Boles

    The Education Funding Agency (EFA) managed Youth Contract for 16 and 17 year olds which ended on 31 March 2016, was introduced as a time-bound programme to help reduce the proportion of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). It offered targeted extra support to help young people re-engage in education and training.

    In addition to the duty on local authorities to support young people, pathfinders to test Jobcentre Plus support for young people in schools have started and will be rolled out across England by March 2017. Improvements to careers education and guidance are underway with £90m to be invested over this Parliament – including £20m to increase the number of mentors to support those young people who need it most. Youth Engagement Fund and Fair Chance Fund projects are underway to help improve the prospects of 9,600 young people and an additional £105m was announced in the spending review to scale up Social Impact Bonds over the Parliament, to help deal with issues including youth unemployment.

    Local authorities continue to work with the Voluntary and Community Sector and local businesses to support young people and other support is available via European Social Fund provision and support for vulnerable groups such as care leavers. As part of the Government’s forthcoming life chances strategy, the Troubled Families Programme and National Citizenship Scheme will be expanded, both of which include support for young people.

  • Christian Matheson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Christian Matheson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Christian Matheson on 2016-07-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools have raised concerns with her Department on the marking of the key stage 2 reading assessment in 2016.

    Nick Gibb

    If a school believes that there is a discrepancy between how questions have been marked and the published mark scheme for Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests, they had until 15 July 2016 to apply for a marking review. Statistics related to marking reviews will be published in November 2016.

  • Andy McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Andy McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-09-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the report of the public dialogue on remotely piloted aircraft systems and small drones in UK airspace.

    Mr John Hayes

    The department will aim to publish its report of the public dialogue on remotely piloted aircraft systems and small drones in the UK later this year.

  • Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-01-19.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Government capital projects (a) have been carried out in the last and (b) are planned over the next five years in Greater Manchester; and what the (i) cost and (ii) location was and will be for each such project.

    Greg Hands

    The government has supported a wide range of capital projects in Manchester. This includes: £533m committed to Greater Manchester through the Local Growth Fund, which will support projects such as the new Ashton town centre interchange; a £900m gainshare agreement as part of the Devolution Deal, which will support projects such as the Trafford Metrolink extension; £199m as part of the city deal over ten years for local major transport schemes; £78m for the Factory theatre and arts venue at Spending Review 2015; and £235m for the Sir Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials research at the 2014 Autumn Statement. Greater Manchester will also benefit from the North of England Rail Infrastructure programme, which is worth over £1bn.

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-02-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much the Post Office has spent refurbishing the premises of the Crown Post Office in Walworth Road since January 2010.

    George Freeman

    Post Office Limited runs and manages its directly managed Crown post offices. Arrangements for employees of these offices and changes to the Crown network are the operational responsibility of the Post Office.

    I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-03-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much his Department spent on salaries for (a) senior Civil Servants and (b) all other grades at (i) St Paul’s Place, Sheffield and (ii) 1 Victoria Street, London in (A) 2014-15 and (B) 2015-16 to date.

    Joseph Johnson

    The following tables show the basic salaries and allowances paid to Senior Civil Servants in:

    1. 2014-15

    (i) St Paul’s Place, Sheffield

    (ii) 1 Victoria Street, London

    £587,842

    £15,087,650

    1. 2015-16 to date

    (i) St Paul’s Place, Sheffield

    (ii) 1 Victoria Street, London

    £436,059

    £15,548,049

    The following tables show the basic salaries and allowances paid to all other grades in:

    1. 2014-15

    Grade

    (i) St Paul’s Place, Sheffield

    (ii) 1 Victoria Street, London

    Grade 6

    £861,385

    £16,330,679

    Grade 7

    £3,448,242

    £28,394,098

    SEO

    £2,134,433

    £9,445,839

    Faststream

    The numbers in this grade and location would make it possible to identify personal information of individual employees. These costs have therefore not been included

    £2,653,996

    HEO

    £1,823,162

    £11,031,962

    EO

    £699,586

    £6,365,262

    AO

    The numbers in this grade and location would make it possible to identify personal information of individual employees. These costs have therefore not been included

    £2,045,520

    AA

    There are no AA grade staff based in St Paul’s Place

    £197,447

    1. 2015-16 to date

    Grade

    (i) St Paul’s Place, Sheffield

    (ii) 1 Victoria Street, London

    Grade 6

    £1,161,328

    £16,419,099

    Grade 7

    £3,448,283

    £28,186,571

    SEO

    £2,372,398

    £9,529,413

    Faststream

    The numbers in this grade and location would make it possible to identify personal information of individual employees. These costs have therefore not been included

    £2,538,015

    HEO

    £1,747,746

    £11,194,382

    EO

    £769,613

    £6,237,211

    AO

    The numbers in this grade and location would make it possible to identify personal information of individual employees. These costs have therefore not been included

    £1,973,589

    AA

    There are no AA grade staff based in St Paul’s Place

    The numbers in this grade and location would make it possible to identify personal information of individual employees. These costs have therefore not been included

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the contribution of the Minister of State in his Department, the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby, on 23 March 2016, Official Report, column 1657, what the value is of the funding that has been made available for the initial feasibility work for the preparation of an outline masterplan for Euston Station; which agency is expected to lead that work; and when he expects that work to be completed.

    Claire Perry

    The design for HS2 is for one integrated HS2 station at Euston, which will be delivered in two stages (A and B1) to ensure a roll-out of passenger benefits in 2026 and again in 2033 as the Phase 1 and Phase 2 HS2 services are delivered​.

    Both the Department and Network Rail are committed to exploring how the ‘classic’ mainline station (Stage B2) might be integrated with the new HS2 station and potential Crossrail 2 station in the future, as part of a ‘masterplan’ for the Euston Station site. The Department, Network Rail and HS2 Ltd are currently working together to produce a plan to progress the initial feasibility and business case work needed for this project over the next two years, which will include the timing, resource required, and estimated cost.