Tag: Baroness King of Bow

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-01-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7 January (HL4728), whether independence was one of the criteria by which candidates to chair the independent review of localisation of Council Tax support schemes were assessed.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

While independence was not referenced in my earlier answer, Ministers were mindful of independence in considering a chair, and have made it clear that this would be an independent review.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-05-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 11 May (HL8079), and in the light of the judgment In re. Z(A Child) (No.2) [2016] EWHC 1191(Fam), whether they now intend to review the legislation relating to surrogacy.

Lord Prior of Brampton

Surrogacy is a complex issue, the legislation about which has not been significantly addressed by respective administrations since the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985. The Government recognises the arguments for the need for a review, and we have therefore asked the Law Commission, as part of the consultation on its 13th work programme this summer, to consider including a project on surrogacy

The Government has accepted the judgment by Sir James Munby from the High Court. We will be looking to update the legislation on Parental Orders, and are now considering how best to do this.

The Government recognises surrogacy as an important option for some people wishing to start a family and is currently considering how best to clarify the current legal arrangements for intended parents, surrogates and their families. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service campaign to increase awareness of Parental Orders is ongoing and targeted at health workers, local authority registration staff and surrogacy agencies. It will be evaluated in full upon completion in autumn 2016; in-campaign monitoring indicates its messaging is reaching the target audience.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-01-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 December 2015 (HL4002), whether they will instruct the Social Housing Regulator to require a report from Circle Housing Group on the performance of Old Ford Housing Association’s gas safety and repairs and maintenance contractor since the governance rating downgrade in February 2015.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

The Social Housing Regulator is statutorily independent. The Department for Communities and Local Government cannot therefore direct the Regulator on this matter.

The Social Housing Regulator has a clear regulatory framework which it applied in this case. As is normal practice the Social Housing Regulator is working closely with Circle as it recovers the urgent and emergency repairs service provided to Old Ford’s tenants and improves its governance. The Regulator currently has sufficient assurance of Circle’s plans to address the issues and its progress in doing so, such that the Regulator considers it does not need to use its enforcement powers at this point. The Regulator will of course continue to examine new information that comes to light.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following their failure to notify Tower Hamlets Council that Housing Benefit claimants had been migrated to Universal Credit, how many claimants have been overpaid Housing Benefit by that Council, and what action has been taken to ensure any overpayment recovery action is financially sustainable for those claimants.

Lord Freud

DWP is aware of issues raised by Tower Hamlets Council. The Department’s housing costs team have contacted Tower Hamlets to ask for examples so the Department can look into their concerns.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-01-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the legal Transfer Agreement between Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust and Circle 33 Housing Trust for the transfer of the Tredegar, Monteith and Lefevre estates in Bow to Old Ford Housing Association.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

We are not able to place a copy of the document in the Library of the House; the transfer took place in 1999 and records are not kept that long.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have undertaken research to establish the number of households likely to be affected by the Benefit Cap in each local authority area.

Lord Freud

The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. These are available on the Parliament website.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that individuals affected by the abolition of Council Tax Benefit are made aware of their review of that policy and encouraged to participate in it.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

The independent review of Local Council Tax Support Schemes commenced on the 2 December 2015. The chair, Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, put out a public call for evidence which was announced and promoted in our press release of the same date. The public call for evidence ran from the 2 December 2015 to 12 January 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the research by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration in London, commissioned by the Number 10 Policy Unit.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

A copy of the report by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration in Central London will be made available in the Library of the House once published.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House the submissions to their review of local Council Tax Support, and the data they collected from local authorities to help inform that review.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

The Independent Review of Local Council Tax Support schemes will report by 31 March and will reflect the views and data submitted to the Chair. The Department does not currently intend to publish individual submissions to protect the confidentiality of those who submitted evidence.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the research by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration, commissioned by the Number 10 Policy Unit, was contracted through an open tendering process.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

The research into the opportunities for estate regeneration across London was a result of general discussions with Savills and the Number 10 Policy Unit, which led to an approach by Savills to complete this work. The Number 10 Policy Unit commissioned this work as a single tender.