Tag: Alison Thewliss

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-09-02.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made by the Financial Conduct Authority in its review of nuisance calls relating to consumer credit.

Simon Kirby

The FCA has committed to review its rules on unsolicited marketing calls, emails and text messages from consumer credit firms, including payday lenders. The review includes specifically looking at whether these unsolicited communications should be banned.

The FCA will publish the results of this review before the end of this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that consumers are adequately informed about the option to switch to gas and electricity tariffs with zero standing charge.

Jesse Norman

Tariffs with zero standing charge generally have a higher unit charge than tariffs with a standing charge, as the cost to supply is only recovered when energy is used. This tariff may benefit low energy using households but not others. Under the terms in the supply licence, suppliers must provide individual customers with details of their cheapest tariff and an estimate of annual savings. Customers can shop around for the best energy deal that suits their needs by using a price comparison company that operates in accordance with the Confidence Code, a code of practice managed by Ofgem for accredited price comparison companies.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2015-11-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the application allocation of winter fuel payments criteria to ensure that all eligible people living in buildings with a high number of occupants in separate homes receive such payments.

Justin Tomlinson

There are already procedures in place to try and ensure that the correct amount of Winter Fuel Payment is paid in this situation, using data that is available to the Department, to minimise the need for individual notifications of circumstances. The Department seeks to act quickly to resolve any errors that are brought to its attention.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-03-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 33 of the Budget 2016, whether flavoured milks will be exempt from the sugar levy.

Mr David Gauke

Milk-based drinks, including flavoured milks, are not in scope of the levy. Milk contains calcium and other nutrients which are vital to children’s health.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-04-18.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals for tighter regulation of companies that carry out payment processing on behalf of payday loan companies.

Harriett Baldwin

The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, transferring regulatory responsibility from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014. This more robust regulatory system is helping to deliver the Government’s vision for a well-functioning and sustainable consumer credit market which is able to meet consumers’ needs.

The FCA has incorporated key elements of OFT guidance on continuous payment authorities (CPAs) into its rules. In particular, firms are required not to use CPA if there is reason to believe that there are insufficient funds in the borrower’s account, or that this will leave insufficient funds for priority debts or other essential living expenses. Lenders must also show forbearance if there is evidence of financial difficulty.

The FCA have introduced rules to limit payday lenders’ use of CPAs to two unsuccessful attempts to withdraw funds from the customer’s account. The FCA has also banned CPA part payment, so that a lender can only take payment if the whole owed sum is available in the customer’s account. The FCA can use its flexible rule-making powers to take further action where it deems necessary to protect consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people from Yemen have claimed asylum in the UK in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016 to date.

James Brokenshire

There were 111 asylum applications from Yemeni nationals in 2015, and 15 in Quarter 1 (January to March) 2016.

There were 12 refusals of asylum or an alternative form of protection, at initial decision, to Yemeni nationals in Quarter 1 (January to March) 2016.

The Home Office publishes figures on asylum applications and initial decisions by nationality in the quarterly Immigration Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics, January to March 2016, is available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2016/asylum

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Hellfire missiles have been used in Syria and Iraq to date as part of Operation SHADER; and what the cost of the use of those weapons has been to the public purse.

Mike Penning

Between November 2014 and the end of August 2016 there have been 473 Hellfire missiles used in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation SHADER. The estimated cost of the use of these missiles is £44.455 million.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department has made an estimate of the total cost to the public purse of repealing EU legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Jones

We are working towards securing the best possible deal for the whole United Kingdom. It will be for Parliament to determine which legislation should or should not be repealed after the passage of the Great Repeal Act. The Bill will help to provide certainty to businesses, consumers, workers and voluntary organisations by preserving all existing EU law.

DExEU will be working closely with every Government department to ensure that the full range of opportunities are taken and risks mitigated across every area of Government policy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2015-12-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set up a dedicated correspondence team in her Department to liaise with applicants solicitors on the processing of asylum claims.

James Brokenshire

Asylum Operations has existing processes that ensure claimants and legal representatives have contact details should they wish to discuss case progression. In addition, all claimants and representatives are kept informed should an initial decision on their asylum claim be delayed, with this correspondence outlining the reason for delay and providing an approximate timescale as to when a decision can be expected.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-03-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was involved in the process to select which charities would receive funding from the Tampon Tax Fund.

Mr David Gauke

‘Showcase’ bids were identified, with the help of departmental expertise, that were innovative, in line with the aims of government policy, and likely to provide strong value for money. The bids selected represent a range of different initiatives to benefit women across the whole of the UK.

Additionally, in recognition of the very high level of interest received, the government has also allocated funding to the Women’s Fund for Scotland, Comic Relief and Rosa who have specialist experience in this area, to disburse funding to a range of grassroots women’s organisations. These funds mean further awards will be made to a high number of charities in this sector.