Tag: Alison Thewliss

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-01-06.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will prepare contingency plans for flexible funding for small and medium-sized enterprises to replace JEREMIE funding in the event of UK withdrawal from the EU.

Mr David Gauke

The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the United Kingdom – so we can get a better deal for our country and secure our future. We are confident that the right agreement can be reached.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-03-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to introduce mandatory reconsideration for visa applications where a significant change in circumstances occur following an application decision.

James Brokenshire

Every application is decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules based on the information provided by an applicant at the time of application. If the applicant’s circumstances change, a fresh application can be made at any stage but this must be treated as a new application as it will contain new information not previously considered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-04-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much the Government spent on the enforced returns to Yemen of failed asylum claimants from that country in 2014.

James Brokenshire

The Home Office has published information on the average cost of removal but this is not broken down by country or initial application type, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.

Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/costs-involved-in-detaining-and-removing-illegal-migrants.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-06-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the value was of the cash commission paid to companies for clients’ completion of the Work Programme in each year from 2011 to 2016.

Priti Patel

Work Programme providers are not paid cash commissions and are not paid for individuals completing the programme. Providers are paid by results on the basis of a job outcome fee for supporting an individual into sustained employment and additional sustainment payments for keeping them in work longer.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the number of people who have been displaced in Yemen in the last five months.

James Wharton

According to the United Nations, there were 2.2million internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yemen in July 2016. This is an increase of 200,000 since April 2016. Yemen also hosts around 280,000 refugees, mainly from the Horn of Africa.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with council leaders on the effect of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Mr Marcus Jones

The Secretary of State regularly engages with a number of stakeholders, including local government, on policy issues. The Secretary of State welcomes input from the sector and this includes views on the issues and opportunities of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to offer a discounted rate for dependents who apply for a Certificate of Entitlement for Right of Abode in the UK.

James Brokenshire

This Government has no plans to offer discounted rates for such dependants.

Income from application fees helps provide the resources necessary to operate the immigration system, with the remainder of funding provided through general taxation. The Government’s aim is to reduce the overall contribution of funding that comes from general taxation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-03-17.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.157 of Budget 2016, whether he plans for premixed alcoholic drinks to fall within the scope of the proposed sugar tax.

Mr David Gauke

The soft drinks industry levy applies to soft drinks with added sugar and total alcoholic content below 0.5% ABV, which can be purchased by children.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-04-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claims from people from Yemen were granted in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015.

James Brokenshire

There were 9 and 50 grants of asylum or an alternative form of protection, at initial decision, to Yemeni nationals in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

There were 34 and 43 refusals of asylum or an alternative form of protection, at initial decision, to Yemeni nationals in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The Home Office publishes figures on asylum initial decisions by nationality in the quarterly Immigration Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics, October to December 2015, is available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2015

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-06-15.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual revenue arising from VAT on incontinence products is.

Mr David Gauke

VAT arising from the sale of incontinence products and VAT that is recovered on the purchase of incontinence products is not separately itemised on the VAT return, so the requested information is not available.

However, there are many circumstances where incontinence products are supplied at the zero rate of VAT. This includes over the counter sales for personal use.