Tag: Barry Sheerman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from (a) university health centres and (b) other GP surgeries with atypical patient profiles on funding formula changes.

Alistair Burt

Approximately 55% of general practitioner (GP) practices operate under General Medical Service (GMS) contract arrangements. Typically, at least half of the money that a GMS practice receives is in the form of the ‘global sum’, derived through the Carr-Hill Formula.

The formula, as agreed with the British Medical Association (BMA) before the introduction of the 2004 GP contract, is used to allocate the global sum and related payments on the basis of the practice population, weighted for factors that influence relative needs and costs.

There are indications that the formula does not work as effectively in areas with demographically atypical populations, such as new towns or areas with high student populations. NHS England is working with the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee, NHS Employers, the Department and academic partners on the review to develop a formula that better reflects the factors that drive workload, such as age or deprivation. As part of this work, the effect of any changes on practice funding in specific areas such as Huddersfield and Kirklees will be considered. It is intended that the review of the Carr-Hill formula will inform the 2017-18 GP contract.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified one item of correspondence received since 1 May 2015 from university health centres. There has also been a Ministerial meeting related to areas with demographically atypical populations, in this case new towns. It was not possible to identify correspondence received from GP surgeries with atypical patient profiles. This represents correspondence received by the Department’s ministerial correspondence unit only.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-04-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to support Christians facing persecution in Nigeria.

James Duddridge

In Nigeria, the right to freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution. Boko Haram seeks to undermine this right by attacking Nigerians of all faiths who do not subscribe to its extremist views. They have caused immense suffering in both Christian and Muslim communities. We assess that the majority of their victims are Muslim.

We are providing a substantial package of intelligence, military and development support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, including training and advice on counter-insurgency, £5 million of support to a regional military taskforce and humanitarian aid to support those affected by the conflict.

Elsewhere Nigeria faces inter-communal conflicts between farmers and herdsmen over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. Through our development assistance, the United Kingdom supports initiatives to reduce these conflicts and build bridges between communities.

We will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all in Nigeria.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-06-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his Department’s budget allocation was for reducing the number of young people who were classified as not in employment, education or training in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2015-16.

Nick Boles

Young and unemployed people are prioritised in the skills funding system through entitlements to free training, as well as specific programmes and initiatives, such as Traineeships and the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers. The Adult Education Budget is not ring-fenced for any provision and providers have the freedom and flexibility to put on provision to meet the needs of learners and local labour markets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of the badger cull.

George Eustice

The approach Defra takes to monitoring the effectiveness of the badger control policy, including the Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice, together with value for money analyses can be found on gov.uk.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote animal welfare in the Government’s foreign policy.

Alok Sharma

The Government has a manifesto commitment “to push for high animal welfare standards to be incorporated into international trade agreements” and we are working with colleagues across Whitehall and with the European Commission, who represents EU Member States in the associated negotiations, to deliver this.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the prosecution of people who promote the use of miracle mineral solution as a cure for autism.

Sir Oliver Heald

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued advice that Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) is not safe and should not be sold for human consumption. It has been working with local authorities across the country to share knowledge, investigate and disrupt the sale of MMS and other similar products.

The FSA’s National Food Crime Unit has secured the removal of MMS products from major marketplace websites, and has shared information internationally through the National Crime Agency, alerting authorities in specific countries to the risks relating to known proponents of the use of MMS in this manner.

Therefore, the Government has no plans to bring forward legislation in this area.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department takes to ensure that the law on labelling foods that contain genetically modified products is complied with.

Nicola Blackwood

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed requires that food derived from genetically modified (GM) sources must be labelled, regardless of the presence of detectable GM material in the final product or of the quantity of intentionally used GM ingredients.

Businesses must take all reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence to ensure that the food they sell meets the requirements of the GM food and feed Regulation. The Food Standards Agency provides guidance on the Regulation on its website and local authorities are responsible for ensuring compliance with the labelling requirements set out in this Regulation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will set road casualty reduction targets.

Andrew Jones

The Government has not set road safety targets for local authorities or the police, and is not considering reinstating them. We do not believe that further persuasion is needed on the importance of road safety through “Whitehall knows best” diktats. However, local authorities and the police are free to set their own targets if they find this useful.

The Conservative Manifesto 2015 had a commitment to reduce the number of cyclists and other road users killed or injured on our roads every year. We are working closely with road safety groups to consider what more can be done and we believe that every death is a tragedy and is one too many.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-11-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with dyslexia obtain functional skills qualifications.

Nick Boles

The Department enables providers to remove barriers to education and training, and aids progression to higher levels of training, by funding additional learning support to help all eligible learners with an identified support need. The support for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including dyslexia, is an important part of the support the government provides to help individuals maximise their potential and gain employment.

The Education and Training Foundation will consult with a range of organisations, including those representing learners with particular needs, as part of the programme of reform to English and maths Functional Skills launched last month.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-12-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Independent Adjudicator can monitor the implementation by higher education institutions of provision for disabled students who do not have complex needs.

Joseph Johnson

Higher education institutions have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled students and to monitor their compliance with their Equality Act duties. The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 require institutions to publish information as to their compliance with the general public sector equality duty.

Students who are dissatisfied with the provision of support, and raise their concerns through their institution’s formal complaints procedures, can then also take their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. This is a free service for the student.