Tag: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2015-11-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have conducted on the impact of the cap on low- to middle-income earners in the public sector, and what protections were considered when setting the level of the exit payment cap at £95,000.

Lord O’Neill of Gatley

The Government set out its proposals for the cap on public sector exit payments in the consultation document published on 31 July 2015 and confirmed the design of the cap in the consultation response document published on 16 September 2015. The consultation document gave details of the number of exits over recent years that cost the taxpayer more than £100,000.

The precise number of those affected by the public sector exit payment cap will depend on the number and type of exits in coming years. However, in recent years the large majority of exits in the public sector are below the level of the cap. For example, the Whole of Government Accounts states that, in 2013-14, 1,838 out of 72,445 pay outs were in excess of £100,000.

The exit payment clauses currently before the House of Lords in the Enterprise Bill set out how the cap is expected to apply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-02-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to seek agreement on a comprehensive package of party funding reform, as set out in the Cabinet Office Departmental Plan 2015–20 published on 19 February.

Lord Bridges of Headley

We remain committed to seeking a comprehensive cross-party reform agreement. No cross-party discussions are currently taking place.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-03-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce the membership of the Steering Group referred to on page eight of the Government’s Response to the Independent Recall Review by Lynn Faulds Wood, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 18 February.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

On 11 March, The Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise wrote to potential candidates who have until 6 April to respond. We will issue a statement shortly after.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-07-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to bring forward regulations to introduce electrical safety checks, as set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

The Government is committed to protecting tenants and, as part of this, introduced the enabling power into the Housing and Planning Act 2016, allowing regulations to protect private sector tenants from electrical hazards in the home to be set at a later date.

This is a highly technical area and we need to explore appropriate options with relevant experts in the sector to test the most effective approach. My Department intends to set up a working group to identify what, if any, legislative requirements are needed and envisage this work being completed this year. This will ensure any introductions are beneficial and strike the right balance by protecting tenants while not over burdening the sector.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-10-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to retain the right of non-British EU citizens to vote in local government elections once the UK has left the EU; and, if so, by what legislative means.

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen

This issue will be a matter for the EU exit negotiations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2015-11-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 2 November (HL2909) regarding breaches of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ticket resale websites, what action they are taking to highlight to the general public (1) the existence of, and (2) the functions of, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

The Government advises consumers through Gov.uk to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, which is funded by BIS, on any questions relating to consumer law, including ticket resales. The helpline advises consumers on their rights and remedies and will pass on complaints to Trading Standards where appropriate.

Awareness of the helpline is also raised through national consumer campaigns such as Scams Awareness Month and National Consumer Week which Government supports through the Consumer Protection Partnership. Citizens Advice produces leaflets and other materials informing consumers of their rights and how to look out for scams.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-02-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to extend the current 12-month period for taking action following an allegation of overspending by a political-party on a by-election.

Lord Bridges of Headley

The time period for starting proceedings is set in the Representation of the People Act 1983. The Government has no plans to amend this period.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-03-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce the membership of the Steering Group referred to on page eight of the Government’s Response to the Independent Recall Review by Lynn Faulds Wood, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 18 February.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

On 11 March, The Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise wrote to potential candidates who have until 6 April to respond. We will issue a statement shortly after.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-07-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with manufacturers about fires caused by faulty electric tumble dryers.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Whilst the Government continues to meet regularly with representatives from the electrical appliances sector, the enforcement of the relevant legislation is a matter for local Government Trading Standards services. The recent modification programme for tumble dryers announced by Whirlpool is being overseen by Peterborough Council as the Primary Authority. The Government has asked Peterborough Council to provide regular updates on progress.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 2016-10-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Department for Transport figures showing a rise in the number of drivers failing a breath test.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Our assessment of Home Office figures on breath tests is that the proportion of drivers providing a positive or refused to provide a sample over recent years has remained constant, with only a slight rise in 2014 to 11% compared to 10.5% in 2013. By contrast, it was 20% in 2003.

With Malta due to change their drink drive limit, all other European countries will have a lower alcohol limit, but they do not necessarily have a better record on reducing drink drive casualties. The TRL Report ‘PPR 796’ prepared for the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Transport Safety (PACTS) shows that Britain, rather than having a higher level of road casualties in collisions involving alcohol than other European countries, has a comparable level despite the higher limit. Harmonisation with other countries’ limits is not a reason on its own for lowering the limit.

We therefore have no plans to lower the drink drive limit in England and Wales. Our approach in tackling drink driving is through rigorous enforcement, tough penalties, and changing the social acceptability of drink driving – including through our award-winning THINK! campaigns.