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Tag: 2016

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-14.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 14 March 2016, Official Report, on unemployment, if he will publish the Government’s employer engagement strategy referred to in that Answer.

    Priti Patel

    In December 2015 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published ‘English Apprenticeships: Our 2020 Vision’, which sets out how government will engage with employers and increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships, achieving three million new starts by 2020. This is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-in-england-vision-for-2020

    A new approach to working with employers is in development. This is a new engagement strategy and is an internal work plan. We have no plans to publish it at this time. The strategy aims to ensure that we engage with the right employers in the right sectors in the most productive ways.

    “

  • Nadine Dorries – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Nadine Dorries – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nadine Dorries on 2016-04-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the strength of German-Russian relations and their (a) effect on European energy security and (b) implications for the UK.

    Mr David Lidington

    Germany’s relations with Russia like those of all other EU Member States, have been significantly impaired by Russia’s aggressive behaviour in recent years. Germany has adopted all measures agreed by EU and NATO Member States in respect of their economic and political relationship with Russia.

    It is an overriding principle that in their dealings with Russia, all EU Member States ensure that they fully comply with EU legislation, including internal energy market legislation and competition law. This legislation provides a clear and stable framework that enables the delivery of sustainable, secure and competitive energy and supports long term investment in Europe’s and the UK’s energy market.

  • 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 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the Government has offered to the Canadian government to help tackle the wildfire emergency in Alberta.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    On 7 May, The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) wrote to his Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to offer support to the Canadian efforts to tackle the fires. The British Army Training Unit at Suffield, Alberta, has offered assistance to the Alberta Provincial Government. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I have repeated these messages to the Canadian Foreign Minister and the Canadian High Commissioner in London.

    On 5 May the UK Space Agency was notified of a request by Canadian Authorities for imagery of the wildfires. This request was authorised and satellite imagery of the affected areas was released.

    The Canadians have so far not requested any further assistance from the British Government, though the messages of support have been warmly received.

    We will continue to liaise closely with our Canadian colleagues and stand ready to assist should they request our help.

  • Eilidh Whiteford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Eilidh Whiteford – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Eilidh Whiteford on 2016-07-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of extending the Shared Accommodation Rate to social rented housing on the ability of single people under the age of 35 to access general needs social rented housing.

    Caroline Nokes

    Full impact and equality impact assessments will be undertaken in due course.

    Single people under 35 will be exempt from the Shared Accommodation Rate if they fall into one of the categories below:

    • They have children or a non-dependent living with them;
    • They qualify for a severe disability premium;
    • If they have left care and are under the age of 22;
    • If they have an extra bedroom for a non-resident carer providing overnight care;
    • If they are a foster carer;
    • They are aged 25 to 34 years old and have spent at least 3 months in a homeless hostel or hostel specialising in rehabilitation and resettlement;
    • They are aged 25 to 34 years old who are an ex-offender managed under a multi-agency MAPPA agreement.

    For those who are not covered by these exemptions, they will be able to apply for Discretionary Housing Payments if they need help meeting the shortfall in their rent.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-14.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have had their tax credits stopped and subsequently reinstated by Concentrix in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

    Jane Ellison

    On 16th September I responded to a number of parliamentary questions on the number of mandatory reconsiderations requested by tax credit claimants this year.

    Where a discrepancy is detected, claimants are given 30 days to contact HMRC or provide the relevant information. If after 30 days HMRC has had no contact, tax credit payments are either suspended or reduced. HMRC then gives the claimant a further 30 days to contact HMRC before making a decision on the tax credits award using all the available information.

  • Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-01-20.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with betting operators to ascertain how much is held in dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings.

    David Evennett

    My officials have regular discussions with betting operators on a wide range of issues.

    The Government keeps under review ways to support investment in good causes, including the recommendations of the Use of Dormant Betting Accounts Report.

    Ministers continue to encourage the gambling industry to maximise their contributions to these important areas, including funding programmes of research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm,

  • Paula Sherriff – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Paula Sherriff – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paula Sherriff on 2016-02-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2016 to Question 24236, whether Transport for London’s financial contribution to the British Transport Police budget for 2016-17 has been confirmed.

    Claire Perry

    Transport for London’s financial contribution to the British Transport Police budget for 2016-17 has not yet been confirmed. Discussions will continue throughout March.

  • FALSE – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    FALSE – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by FALSE on 2016-03-14.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of the practice of breast ironing” in Commonwealth countries of Africa

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The British Government is aware of the harmful practice of breast ironing in some Commonwealth and other African countries. There is little reliable data on the number of girls suffering this form of abuse, but we strongly condemn violence against women and girls in all its forms.

    The Government places gender equality at the heart of our bilateral development programming and works through diplomatic and development channels to tackle the causes and drivers of violence against women and girls as a matter of priority. The manifestations of violence may change but it is critical to address the structural causes of violence, including harmful beliefs and attitudes.

    In Cameroon, Kenya and Nigeria we are continuing to engage with governments and local communities to support the rights of women and girls, including ending harmful practices which constitute violence against women and girls. In Cameroon our High Commission has been working closely with the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family on campaigns in coordination with local religious leaders, to raise awareness and support community-led change to end the harmful practice of breast ironing.

  • Andrew Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2016-04-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2016 to Question 20586, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on achieving the aims of the draft Hepatitis C Improvement Framework and the decision to withdraw that draft framework.

    Jane Ellison

    The Department continues working with Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England to advance the public health ambitions set out in the initial framework to establish a strategic approach to tackle hepatitis C.

    Both PHE and NHS England are fully committed to improving hepatitis C outcomes including the long-term reduction in transmission of the virus in which treatment has a potentially major role to play.

    NHS England has been working on plans for access to treatment during 2016/17 and has committed to produce an operational framework for the treatment of hepatitis C during 2016/17. This will set out NHS England’s commitment to improving outcomes in hepatitis C across England.

  • Alistair Carmichael – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Alistair Carmichael – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy that when revised UK Chief Medical Officers’ Guidelines on keeping health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level, published in January 2016, are communicated to the public they are placed in the context that moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle for people that choose to drink.

    Jane Ellison

    The UK Chief Medical Officers’ alcohol guidelines give the public the latest and most up to date scientific information so that they can make informed decisions about their own drinking.

    It is however important that the new guidelines are clear and understandable and take into account the responses to the consultation.

    We will publish the final guidelines and the government response to the consultation as soon as possible.