Tag: Andrew Rosindell

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-03-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent married couples from fraudulently claiming council and housing tax-related benefit available only for single people.

Steve Webb

There are no social security benefits relating to housing costs or council tax that are available only to single people. There is a reduction of 25% in the council tax payable available to those who live alone, but the administration of this is a matter for local authorities.

Generally, suspicions that claimants may be living together as if they were married or in a civil partnership without informing the relevant benefit payer come from various sources, including members of the public and members of staff. The Department currently does not investigate cases that only involve housing benefit as these are a matter for local authorities.

Council tax benefit ceased to exist on 1 April 2013 and has been replaced by the local council tax reduction (LCTR) scheme, the administration of which is a matter for local authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her future plans are for support to the Caribbean.

Mr Alan Duncan

The UK is strongly committed to supporting development in the Caribbean. Helping the region tackle the risks posed by natural disasters is one of our top priorities, alongside supporting sustainable economic growth and addressing governance and security.

The UK Government has increased its bilateral support to the Independent Caribbean by 50 percent (around £75 million in 2011 to 2015). We also make significant contributions though multilateral partners, for example providing 15 per cent of the EU’s €1.4 billion support and 19 per cent of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Special Development Fund. Our funding runs until March 2015. We are currently reviewing our approach in the Independent Caribbean to ensure that the UK’s support responds to the countries’ needs and delivers the greatest positive impact in the next phase of support from 2015/16 onwards.

In addition, the UK provides assistance to the Overseas Territory of Monserrat by financing public services and investing in infrastructure. We are making these investments to facilitate economic growth and reduce long-term dependence on aid.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-03-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have received sanctions in relation to their jobseeker’s allowance for non-attendance in (a) the London Borough of Havering and (b) England to date.

Esther McVey

The information requested is published and available at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance for users is available at:

https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to assist in the return of occupied Ukranian government buildings to the Ukranian government.

Mr David Lidington

The occupation by armed groups of government buildings in towns in eastern Ukraine is a further dangerous escalation of an already dangerous situation. On 14 April the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made a statement condemning these acts and said that it was important that the EU gave a clear, strong and united response. He also called on Russia to repudiate these lawless acts.

On 17 April, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the commitments made in talks between the EU, US, Ukraine and Russia in Geneva; that all illegally armed groups must be disarmed, all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners, and all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated. He said that rapid implementation was essential. On 23 April, he spoke about this issue with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, urging Russia to take steps to fulfil the Geneva Statement and to de-escalate the situation in eastern and southern Ukraine, including making a clear public statement calling for illegally armed groups in eastern Ukraine to disarm and vacate occupied buildings. He also invited Russian diplomats to join efforts by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Monitoring Mission in the eastern Ukraine.

The British Government will continue to work closely in support of the government in Ukraine, and encourage Ukraine’s political leaders to continue to respond to events calmly and with determination, in order to harness the united efforts of all Ukrainians to work together for a successful future.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-03-25.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about the Government’s policy on devolution and decentralisation.

Mr Nick Clegg

I meet regularly with Ministerial colleagues to discuss this Government’s policy of decentralising responsibility to the most appropriate levels.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had about the British Indian Ocean Territory resettlement feasibility study.

Mark Simmonds

The feasibility study has now begun in earnest and the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration continue to welcome views on it. Since the summer of 2013, BIOT officials have carried out three consultations, receiving responses from all major groups representing Chagossians and others with an interest. There will be further key consultation as the study progresses. We have also consulted with the Governments of the United States, Seychelles and Mauritius.

In November, the Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to look at this issue transparently in response to the Chagos Islands (BIOT) All Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) debate in the House of Lords. I have exchanged several letters with the Chair of the Chagos Islands (BIOT) APPG about the study and I have also discussed the study with the Mauritian Foreign Minister during a meeting at the African Union Summit in January. I subsequently wrote to the Mauritian Foreign Minister inviting the Mauritian Government’s engagement, which they have declined.