Tag: Caroline Lucas

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-01-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information the Government holds on the proportion of small businesses that have ceased trading after experiencing flood damage in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

The Department does not hold specific information on the proportion of businesses, large or small, that have ceased trading after experiencing flood damage in the last five years.

However following the flooding of Winter 2013/14, of the 4,859 businesses that were reported by Local Authorities as being impacted by flooding, only 3 businesses were reported as not fully operational by October 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-01-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the costs are of the Mk4A Trident warhead modification programme for each year of the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme.

Michael Fallon

The overall cost to the UK of procuring the Mk4A component was an element of the estimated future costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment as set out in chapter five of the White Paper ‘The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent’ (Cmd 6994), published in December 2006.

Further details on the costs of the Mk4A programme are being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many Post Office Crown branches have closed or merged since the end of the last formal Crown Transformation Programme.

George Freeman

Provision of its Crown branches is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited.

I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for a variation from the standard formula have been made under the 2012 statutory child maintenance scheme by (a) non-resident parents and (b) parents with care since the introduction of that scheme.

Priti Patel

The Information requested is not routinely recorded for management information purposes and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 February 2016 to Question 27464, how many joint investigations by the Child Maintenance Group Financial Investigation Unit and HM Revenue Customs in connection with income fraud for child maintenance and tax purposes are underway; and how many such investigations have been completed.

Priti Patel

There are currently three on-going joint investigations between HMRC and CMG, two of these are currently awaiting trial at the Crown Court. Three joint investigations have been concluded, all with findings of guilt at the Crown Court, with sentences ranging from 1 – 3 years imprisonment. Intelligence on a further 13 cases has also been passed to HMRC for them to consider.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-04-29.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department’s news story of 21 September 2015, on £2 billion support for Hinkley Point, what documentation has since been agreed and signed with EDF or other parties relating to that project.

Greg Hands

No documents have been signed with EDF or any other parties, since 21^st September 2015 announcing the approval of the £2 billion guarantee for Hinkley Point.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-05-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date he plans to make a decision on upgrading the Brighton Main Line.

Claire Perry

Later this year, the rail industry will present its initial advice on investment needs for the national network, for 2019 onwards. On the basis of this advice, Government intends to articulate its emerging priorities for improvements to the national network (including possible upgrades to the Brighton Main Line) during 2017.

The Thameslink Programme is already delivering a significant upgrade to the Brighton Main Line – including the major redevelopment of London Bridge station – which, from 2018 will provide more capacity and more journey options for passengers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-06-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2016 to Question 40385, whether he has had discussions with Govia Thameslink Railway on (a) for what reasons the selected routes offering flexible products do not include services on the Brighton Main Line (BML) and (b) what the timeline is for provision of part-time season tickets for passengers using the BML; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry

We have regular discussions with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) on a range of issues. GTR is currently developing proposals in respect of flexible ticketing throughout their franchise area (including the Brighton Mainline).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) mechanisms and (b) timescales are for securing input into his Department’s work on negotiations for withdrawal from the EU from (i) non-governmental organisations and civil society, (ii) opposition political parties and (iii) other interest groups; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Davis

The Government is committed to listening to all those with a view on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union; Parliament, the devolved administrations, NGOs, and other groups will all have important ideas to contribute. The new Department for Exiting the European Union will lead this engagement.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many financial penalties have been imposed to date on respondent employers under section 150 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 for failure to pay an employment tribunal award; and how many such penalties (a) have been paid and (b) remain unpaid.

Margot James

Section 150 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 came into force on 6th April 2016. Since then 62 warning notices have been issued in relation to complaints for failure to pay an employment tribunal award. Warning notices are issued in response to complaints and can only be issue 42 days after the original award was made. Penalty notices are issued 28 days after that if payment is not made in the interim. This means there has been no requirement to issue a penalty notice to date. However, 14 penalty notices are due to be issued imminently.

The issue of warning notices has led to ten claims being settled equating to over £50,000 of previously unpaid tribunal awards.